"Did you screen out the third player so quickly? According to my estimates, I thought it would take a little longer. ”

Tenzo, who received Tsunade's order, came to the office where the Hokage was for the first time, and he should have been a little surprised by his expression.

It has been more than half a month since he took over the seventh class, and with this half a month, Tenzo is basically familiar with the business of the seventh class, and at the same time, he also knows how to get along with Naruto and Sakura.

At present, under his leadership, the seventh class has completed a C-level task, and there are several D-level tasks with odd jobs, and the team has a good run-in level, and if this progress continues, it will soon be able to take on more advanced B-level tasks.

"Ah, I was going to choose a shinobi from the Hyuga branch to merge into the seventh class, but the plan couldn't keep up with the changes...... Anyway, you should take a look at this person's information first. ”

Tsunade handed over an information document, and Tenzo stepped forward to take it, opening it and scanning it in ten lines.

Before he finished reading it, Tianzang's brows furrowed directly: "Roots? ”

Tsunade nodded, holding the teacup in his hand, looking out the window, and said leisurely, "That's right, it's the person who came in arranged by Tuanzang." His name is Sakai, the same age as Naruto, but the name is supposed to be a kana, and in Konoha's ninja files, there is no record of him. ”

At this, Tsunade slurred.

Generally speaking, even if it is a ninja in the root, the file record of the ninja cannot be blank.

At the very least, the basic information they had before they joined the root will be retained for reference.

But this shinobi named 'Sakai' has no record at all.

Obviously, this person is an orphan adopted by the root since childhood, and has received the most rigorous training from the root since he was a child, forgetting himself and forgetting his life, until he becomes a qualified tool that exists only for the task.

Tianzo looked at the photo on the document, it was a young man of about thirteen or fourteen years old, with black hair, and a relatively immature appearance, but his smiling face was narrowed, giving people a false ...... It's a feeling of nothingness. The sense of nothingness that is more false than false is simply not like a living person.

Ninjas who can train this kind of 'puppet' can only do it at the root in Konoha.

"Before, he was ordered by his superiors in the root department to follow Asami Masumi of the medical department, but unfortunately, he was caught by the other party and sent to the torture department for detention...... Although he was released on bail by the advisory group a few days ago, according to Ibixi, he is a troublesome little devil who is very hard-mouthed and doesn't know what the pain is. ”

Tsunade continued.

"It's useless to be able to make Ibihi, it seems that I have a headache right now."

Tenzo scratched his head, sensing the trouble of the matter.

Ibiki is Konoha's interrogation expert, and if he can't even torture him, then he can only let the Yamanaka clan's heart turn technique to investigate.

However, ninjas like the roots have very powerful spells in their brains, and it is very difficult to obtain information from their brains.

"Not really, in terms of ninja ability, it's a very good shinobi. In the information sent by the roots, he had succeeded in assassinating a special shinobi in another country with the power of one person. ”

Tsunade said this, his eyes became serious.

"Assassination...... Special Shinobi? Still successful? A shinobi ...... How can it be? ”

Tianzang's face was shocked, and he quickly flipped through the information file in his hand, and turned to one of the pages, his body directly stiffened, and his pupils dilated instantly.

"With the inhumane training method of the roots, even if the assassination of the upper shinobi is killed, I don't think it's a strange thing."

Tsunade sighed.

"That being said, that's also a shinobi."

Although Tenzo had also heard that there was a genius who could defeat the upper ninja as a lower ninja, hearing about it and seeing it with his own eyes were two different things.

"His secret art is very special, suitable for exploration and assassination, and can also draw flying creatures for people to ride, although the appearance is very similar to Yin Escape, but the essence is actually the use of Yang Escape. You pay a little attention. ”

Tsunade reminded.

"Yes."

Tianzang gripped the document in his hand hard, and his face was solemn.

◎

"Starting today, I'm introducing you to a new teammate."

In the clearing on the bank of the river, Tenzo summoned Naruto and Sakura to meet here.

And in addition to the three of them, there was a fourth person present.

He was a thirteen or fourteen-year-old boy with short black hair, and the color of his skin was the kind of pale and frightening white that he had not seen the sun for a long time.

On the other hand, his clothes are mainly white and black, which makes him pale.

"This is Sakai, and from now on, he will be a member of the seventh class."

Tenzo introduced the two of them.

"Captain Yamato, why did you suddenly join a new member at this time?"

Naruto asked incomprehensibly.

"A small group, usually four people. Moreover, this is also what Hokage-sama meant, only in this way can the seventh class be able to quickly take on more advanced tasks. ”

Tenzo explained for Naruto.

"Well, since that's the case, there's no way around it. I'm Naruto Uzumaki, hello. ”

Naruto stepped forward and greeted the boy named Sakai.

"Hello, I'm Sakai."

Sakai still squinted and smiled.

"Well, Sakai, can you not laugh like this, I always think it will give people a bad feeling. And you've been staring at me since just now, do you have any opinion about me? ”

Naruto asked, puzzled.

"No, I don't have a problem with you. I was just thinking about how I could cover you in this squad for a guy who needs to be protected and doesn't have eggs. ”

After Sakai said this with a flat smile, the air fell into a deathly silence.

"I didn't ...... No eggs? ”

Naruto was stunned for a moment, then reacted, and suddenly became so angry that he burst into flames, and the seven holes smoked.

"You bastard, what did you just say? Say I don't have eggs!? ”

Regardless of whether this was a new teammate or not, Naruto directly rolled up his sleeves and clenched his fists, ready to go up and repair the other party.

"Hey, calm down, Naruto, although what he said is a little wrong, there is no need to go up and hit someone."

Sakura held Naruto to a halt to prevent the situation from getting any worse.

After persuading Naruto, Sakura also turned to look at Sakai and said, "I said you, did Naruto offend you in the past?" We're probably part of a small group at the next level, so it's better not to say that again. If you continue like this, you can only quit. ”

A tone full of lessons.

"Huh, huh? I kind of like you who feel good about yourself. ”

Sakai thought he had a perfect smile.

“……”

There was silence for three seconds.

"You bastard, tell me clearly? What does ugly mean? Believe it or not, I'll punch you to death!? ”

Feeling that her chest was about to explode with anger, Sakura's fists began to harden, and she stepped forward directly to grab Sakai's collar and lift him up, and the green tendons on both sides of her temples jumped violently.

I believe that if Sakai does not give a reasonable explanation, this conflict is inevitable.

“……”

Looking at the scene that suddenly became chaotic, Tianzo shrugged his face and sighed silently.

I had to step forward and separate Sakura and Sakai to avoid escalating the conflict.

"Okay, you can all be quiet. Sakai, why did you talk like that just now? Although I know that you entered the seventh class for special reasons, if you continue like this, I can only ask Hokage-sama to kick you out of the seventh class. In any case, the team's spirit of cooperation should come first. ”

After Tenzo pulled Sakura away, he stared at Sakai with serious eyes.

Naruto and Sakura looked at Sakai like this, with a look of dissatisfaction in their eyes.

Apparently they think the same way, and a reasonable explanation is needed from Sakai.

"I'm sorry."

Sakai suddenly bent down and apologized to the three of them.

Then he straightened up, and under the gaze of the three people, he took out a book from his arms and spread it out for the three to see.

"Books?"

Naruto blinked, not knowing what the other party was doing, why he pulled out the book.

"This book is ......"

Sakura looked at the name of the book, which was called "100 Ways to Communicate with People Normally".

Because the book says that the best way to communicate with people is to smile. If you smile, you can communicate with people normally, and even if you say something excessive, you will be forgiven. ”

Sakai explained, then scratched his head in annoyance and said:

"But now it doesn't seem to be the case. Even if you smile, you will still be targeted. ”

"Of course, your words are too much, and they are no longer in the category of jokes! Moreover, this kind of messy book is better read less! ”

Sakura couldn't help but accuse and complained.

"I'm sorry."

Sakai continued to apologize, the smile on his face remained the same, but it didn't feel warm, and there was only an empty nothingness.

"Sakai, don't you know how to get along with people? Reading this kind of book? ”

As if thinking of something, Naruto's tone was slightly silent, and in Sakai's body, it seemed that he could see his past self.

The same misfit, doesn't look at the atmosphere to speak, wants to fight to join the collective, but doesn't know how to do it.

Even now, many times, it is difficult for him to see the atmosphere and speak.

"Well, I wasn't taught anything like that since I was a kid. Moreover, I don't have any opinion about you, but you are like air to me, and you don't feel a sense of existence. ”

Sakai said with a smile.

The fake smile made both Naruto and Sakura look at each other.

In Sakai's body, there is an extremely crippled personality flaw, and they are so sure in their hearts.

"No way, don't you have friends? At school, you'll have at least one or two friends......"

Naruto asked disbelievingly.

"No...... I didn't go to a ninja school, my education was only about tasks and how to be a good ninja. In addition, any relationship is a burden. ”

“……”

Hearing Sakai's words, even Tenzo's expression began to change.

"How is that possible?"

"I was born from the roots. The elder Shimura Danzo, who attacked the three Hokages a few months ago, is none other than my boss. ”

Sakai paused for a moment and stated this fact.

“！？”

Naruto and Sakura's eyes widened and they looked at Sakai incredulously.

"You three, let's just stop here, it's time to go on a mission."

Tenzo clapped his palms and motioned for everyone's attention to come over.

Despite being a little concerned about Sakai's words, Naruto calmed down and turned to Tenzo.

Tenzo glanced at the three of them and announced, "This mission is a C-class mission to wipe out the large wild boars that are wandering around the nearby villages. Although you are all ninjas, wild boars are not easy to deal with, so remember to be careful when the time comes. ”

"Yes."

◎

"Ninja Law Super Beast Pseudo-Painting!"

At lightning speed, quickly draw the outline of the creature on the unfolded scroll with a brush.

Then, Sakai injected the chakra, and the 'creatures' on the scroll suddenly became three-dimensional, detached from the plane of the inner scroll, forming a living ink painting.

It was a series of black snakes, as fast as lightning running through the woodland, entwining wild boars that were digging with their fangs.

The wild boar that had been attacked had not yet let out a low roar before the sound was swallowed back from its throat.

I saw that the wild boar's strong body was crooked twice, twisted and fell, and looking at its appearance, it should be strangled to death by the bones of the whole body.

"That's amazing!"

Seeing that Sakai easily eliminated a wild boar, Sakura let out an exclamation of surprise.

Although defeating a boar head-on is nothing, the boar is very alert and it is difficult to get close to them.

However, Sakai's ninjutsu can kill wild boars quietly, if it is used on people...... Sakura shuddered.

Her instincts told her that Sakai's assassination abilities were terrifying.

"It's nothing, every mission I've performed in the past has been much more difficult than this."

Sakai didn't mean to show off, but to tell the truth.

Coming out of the shadows, Sakai ignored the boar's carcass and crept towards the next boar's location.

Subsequently, he used the same technique to deal with the second boar without causing any alarm.

The forest was silent except for the sound of the wind blowing.

"I've heard that the roots belong to the dark side, is this true?"

Knowing that the next task would be very easy, Sakura easily followed and asked casually.

Sakai tilted his head slightly, then turned his face to look ahead, and answered Sakura's question as he walked: "Yes, the root is also subordinate to the dark part, but this is only a nominal subordination. It was Danzo-sama who really led the activities of the roots, not the Hokage. ”

"Tuanzang...... That man ......"

Sakura paused, seeming to have some scruples.

"Lord Tuanzang is the leader of the martial arts faction in the village, and even now that he is behind bars, he is still secretly manipulating the voice of the martial arts faction. It was the will of Danzo-sama that I was asked to join the seventh class. ”

Saitou didn't reply.

"Well, his purpose is ......"

To this question, Sakai did not answer, but chose to remain silent.

He found the third boar and continued to use the secret arts, drawing a black snake to deal with the boar.

"Okay, the wild boars on this side are all gone, and now it's up to the captain and Naruto's side."

"Okay."

Sakura nodded, followed Sakai's footsteps, and walked to the agreed meeting point.

When they returned to the rendezvous point, before Tenzo and Naruto had returned, Sakura said, "Sakai, I'll go see them, you should be able to be here alone, right?" ”

"It's okay, I'm not going to have an accident alone."

Sakai didn't care about Sakura's movements, but chose to sit with his back against a tree and enjoy the gentle breeze in the forest.

His hair was blown, and Sakai took out a sketchbook slightly larger than a slap from his ninja bag, held a pen in his hand, turned the sketchbook to the middle page, looked at the pattern on it, and fell silent.

Until a voice came to my ear:

"Sakai, I didn't expect you to draw so well."

Sakai's eyes narrowed, and he turned his head to look at the side, Naruto didn't know when he appeared here, commenting on his painting.

"Is it a picture book? It's a cute art style.,If you don't mind.,Can you let me take a look? ”

Sakura also walked over to take a look, and was immediately attracted by Sakai's cute painting style, and began to ask.

"I'm sorry, but I haven't figured out how to finish this book. Moreover, I have decided that I will not give this book to anyone else. ”

Sakai shook his head, rejected Sakura's request, and put the sketchbook away.

Sakura's eyes showed a look of disappointment, and she could see that Sakai was very wary of people and things in the outside world, and didn't seem to want to be found out about her mental journey.

"What, such a stinky fart, even if you show it to me now, I don't want to see it."

Naruto cut and twisted his head to the side.

"That's for the best."

Sakai didn't care, put the sketchbook in the ninja bag, and got up from the ground.

Tenzo, who was silently watching everything, didn't say anything, but the eyes that looked at Sakai were full of scrutiny.

His intuition told him that Sakai's sketchbook contained his most important thoughts.

"Okay, don't make any more noise, the task is complete, let's go back to the village and make an errand."

Tenzo is the final word as the captain.

◎

"How's it going, Yamazaki, has you found your target?"

In the wilderness of Bird Country, Aya Chiba looks at Yamazaki Hisashi who has descended from the sky and asks if the other party has found the target.

Hisashi Yamazaki, who landed from the sky, put away the flying ninja behind his back, and it looked like an ordinary metal cube bag.

He gasped for breath, came to Cai's front and said, "No, I've searched all over the land within a radius of hundreds of kilometers, but I haven't found a target. Judging from this situation, it is likely that the target is no longer in the territory of the Bird Country, but has gone to another country. ”

"This group of guys is too good to run, if you can't determine the range, it's not a way to find it like a headless fly."

Aya frowned, feeling tricky.

"No way, the target has a special ability, the team that chased the past before was injured, and we have to be careful on our side."

Yamazaki's tone was low.

Cai was about to talk, and two figures rushed from a distance.

It was the leader of their group, Shinobu Uchiha, and the team member Vortex Kari.

"Teacher Yan, we have no news here."

Without waiting for Uchiha to ask, Aya took the initiative to report the results of the search here.

Uchiha frowned: "Don't you have any gains here?" ”

"What are you doing, Yamazaki, you're flying in the sky, can't you find your target?"

Karen glared at Yamazaki Hisashi, as if complaining about the other party's incompetence.

"If you can't find it, you can't find it, and besides, my flying ninja is almost out of energy, don't you mind helping me recharge it."

Yamazaki said as he took off the flying ninja behind his back and put it in front of Xiangri.

"Didn't you bring your own spare 'battery'?"

Xiang Rin continued to glare.

"I only came out with four batteries this time, and now I only have two batteries left, so I have to save a little bit of it. After all, among our group, only yours has the most chakras, and the recovery is fast. ”

“……”

The two stared at each other with wide eyes.

"Okay, Xianglin, you can help Yamazaki recharge the chakra, anyway, for you, you don't need to consume anything."

Uchiha patted Karyo on the shoulder and asked her to assist.

"Damn, I'm not a power bank!"

Xiang Ren said this, but the body still put his palm on the groove of the flying ninja very honestly, and poured the chakra in the body into it desperately to recharge.

After all, as the only air unit in the team, Yamazaki Hisashi's role can be imagined.

Whether it's pursuit, search, or cover combat, its capabilities are top-notch.

Soon, Xiang Lian felt a large amount of chakra in his body, and successfully entered it into the flying ninja device, and the energy displayed on it was full grid.

"Thank you."

Yamazaki Hisashi excitedly put the flying ninja behind his back, Although the flying ninja is very heavy for ordinary people, this weight is nothing to a ninja.

Therefore, even if he was carrying such a heavy flying ninja on his back, it would not affect Yamazaki Hisashi's usual steps.

"Alright, let's focus on the next steps for now. Judging from the current situation, the target is not in the country of birds, but in other countries. ”

Pulling the sniper rifle hanging behind her back, Ayato began to express her opinion.

"If it's not in this country, it's quite a hassle to find."

Xiang Lian said with an embarrassed face.

The country of birds has not deviated too much from the strength of the country of ghosts, so within the territory of this country, the country of ghosts has a certain amount of power to settle in, which can make it more convenient for the ninjas of the country of ghosts to move here.

But once you go beyond that, trying to find out the exact target from the ninja world, and if the target is deliberately hidden, it is tantamount to looking for a needle in a haystack.

"It's a task to look for it even if it's troublesome. Next, the soldiers will divide into two routes, you go to the northeast to find it, and I will go to the southeast. Once found, don't rush in, and remember to contact the wandering shrine maidens and debt collectors around you and ask them to help. ”

Uchiha suggested.

"No problem."

Aya thought about it and nodded in agreement.

Karyo and Yamazaki Hisashi also have no opinion.

"Action, then."

The Uchiha spoke, and disappeared from the spot with the teleportation technique, heading towards the southeast.

Seeing the only shinobi in the team leave, Cai, as the only shinobi among the remaining personnel, naturally assumed the responsibility of the captain, so he gave the order:

"Let's go to the northeast to look for it, Xiang Rin and I are acting below, Yamazaki, you use the flying ninja and continue to search from the sky. Even if you dig three feet into the ground, you have to find the target! ”

"Yes!"