69novels Chapter 88 Smuggling with the Tacit Approval of the High-Ranking Officials
Chapter 88 Smuggling with the Tacit Approval of the High-Ranking Officials
Chapter 88 Smuggling with the Tacit Approval of the High-Ranking Officials
Konoha Administrative Building, Outbound Approval Office.
Sousuke didn't queue. As a special Jonin and an officially recognized logistics officer, he had a special fast track.
He handed an application form to the window.
[Applicant: Special Jonin Takaya Sousuke]
[Reason: To develop more effective battlefield medicines, it is necessary to travel to Red Phosphorus Port on the border of the Land of Hot Water to purchase scarce medicinal materials.]
[Estimated duration: Half a month.]
The Chunin behind the window took the form and glanced at it.
According to wartime regulations, the combat capabilities of Special Jonin are strictly controlled. In particular, personnel like Sousuke, who possess the formulas for core strategic materials, are generally prohibited from leaving the village.
If someone wants to leave the village, not only does the Anbu need to conduct a risk assessment, but the advisory group also needs to approve it, and even the Hokage's signature is required. This whole process takes at least three days.
Sosuke was mentally prepared to be questioned, delayed, or even rejected. He had even prepared his own answers in his head.
however.
*Snap.* A crisp sound.
An "approved" stamp was affixed to the form.
It wasn't submitted to the Anbu, there was no advisory group, no consultation with the Hokage, and not even a few unnecessary words.
"The formalities are complete, Takaya Jōnin."
The clerk handed over the pass with a professional smile on his face.
"Bon Voyage."
Sosuke took the pass and walked out of the administration building.
The sunlight was blinding. But he felt a chill.
It went too smoothly. Abnormally smoothly.
Even an ordinary Chunin must undergo rigorous screening before leaving the village. Yet this "strategic resource" was allowed to pass through like a tourist?
There's only one possibility—
"Someone wants me to leave."
Sosuke sneered inwardly.
The corpse of the Kaguya clan, the Shikotsumyaku (Corpse Bone Pulse). It's impossible for Konoha's intelligence network not to know that such a high-level bloodline limit had been left undiscovered.
The Konoha leadership couldn't possibly be indifferent to studying the secrets of this clan.
But they can't openly rob.
Konoha is the largest village in the ninja world and values its reputation. If it were to openly send ninjas to the black market to steal corpses with bloodline limits, it would give other major powers, especially the Land of Water, ammunition to provoke a diplomatic dispute.
Therefore, they need a pair of white gloves.
A businessman's identity, a plausible excuse.
Sosuke touched the eyepatch over his left eye.
"Orochimaru, you really know how to scheme. You provided the information about Chiba, and you and the higher-ups were behind the approval process. I guess I'm just working for you on this trip—"
However, this suited him perfectly.
Since it's "smuggling" tacitly approved by the bigwigs, it means that all the checkpoints along the way will give him the green light.
Back to the Kikyo Pavilion.
Ryoma Aburame was standing in the yard, watering a bellflower. Black insects crawled in and out of his fingertips.
"I'm going on a long trip." Sosuke waved the pass in his hand.
"Okay." Ryoma didn't say anything more.
"Aren't you coming with me?"
"I did not receive any orders to leave the village."
As expected. If the elites of the Aburame clan are accompanying them, then it confirms that this is an official operation by Konoha.
The village wants to distance itself from the matter.
"Then who should I take with me?"
"Your choice is yours. As long as they are not key combat personnel within the established ranks, the village tacitly allows you to hire private militias in the name of the Takaya Trading Company."
Sosuke nodded.
He needs to find someone he can trust.
Might Guy won't do. He's a Chunin now, and also a taijutsu instructor. He's surrounded by new recruits every day and can't get away at all.
Then there's only one person left.
Dark side, intelligence department.
This is an underground building, dark, oppressive, and perpetually devoid of sunlight.
Kaori Uzuki sat behind a table piled high with scrolls, processing intelligence about Iwagakure's supply lines.
-
"Kaori Uzuki".
A squad leader wearing a mask walked over, holding a transfer order in his hand.
"Jōnin Takaya, on behalf of the Takaya Trading Company, has applied to hire you for an escort mission. It has been approved."
O
Kaori looked up.
"An escort mission?"
"Go to Red Phosphorus Port on the border of the Land of Hot Water. It's a no-man's-land," the squad leader said coldly. "Although it's a private employment arrangement, since it's been approved, you can go. Remember, don't embarrass the Anbu. And one more thing—"
"For this mission, do not wear a headband or a ninja vest."
"yes!"
Kaori quickly packed her things.
Konoha Gate.
Sosuke waited there, twirling two iron shards in his hand.
"Boss."
A figure fell down.
Kaori changed out of her ANBU uniform and put back on a black kimono, carrying a long sword on her back.
"You're here?"
Sosuke tossed her a roll of paper and a heavy bag.
"These are the supplies for this business trip. There are a hundred explosive tags inside, so use them sparingly."
"Are we going to kill someone?" Kaori asked.
"Go shopping. But it might turn into murder."
Kaori didn't ask any more questions.
The two left Konoha.
We didn't take a carriage. Carriages are too slow and too conspicuous.
They leaped through the trees.
Sosuke's left eye is always open, allowing him to see everything even while moving at high speed.
The world was both gray and clear in his left eye.
The trees are gray lines, the rocks are dark black blocks. And the wild animals and insects hidden in the grass are dancing red dots.
"Boss, you have a very strong sense of perception."
Kaori followed behind Sousuke, maintaining a guard distance of three body lengths.
She discovered that Sosuke always managed to avoid swamps and places where poisonous insects gathered.
"That was bought with money."
Sosuke said calmly.
He didn't explain the secret of his left eye. He trusted Kaori's professional ethics, but that didn't mean he would share all his cards.
The journey lasted a full day.
As evening fell, they arrived at an abandoned village.
This is already the edge of the Land of Fire.
The village was burned down. Weeds grew on the broken walls and ruins, and a few crows cawed loudly in the withered trees.
"Rest here tonight."
Sosuke stopped in front of a dilapidated house.
"I'll go clean up the surrounding area."
Kaori drew her short sword, and in a flash, she disappeared.
Sosuke went into the house and took out some dry food and water from the sealed scroll.
A short while later, Kaori returned. Her blade was stained with blood.
"Two wandering samurai, hiding in the cellar. That's settled."
"Thanks for your hard work."
Sosuke handed her a packet of compressed biscuits.
"This is the ninja world now."
Sosuke leaned against the wall, looking out at the wilderness through the broken window.
"These marginalized villages always end up like this."
You'll get used to it.
Kaori took a bite of the cookie.
"When I was a candidate for the Dark Division, I saw things that were even worse than this."
"By the way, boss."
Kaori suddenly looked at Sousuke.
"What exactly is it that we're going to buy this time? Is it worth the risk you're taking?"
"A corpse."
Sosuke did not hide anything.
"The corpses of the Kaguya clan."
Kaori stopped eating.
"The Kaguya clan—that battle-crazed clan from Kirigakure?"
"That's right. Their bones are the best material. Hyuga Masaru is still lying in bed. If we could get the bone marrow from the Kaguya clan, perhaps we could help him stand up again."
"For the sake of a branch family member of the Hyuga clan?" Kaori was somewhat surprised.
"After all, Hyuga Masaru was paralyzed because of my experiment. And—I'm also very interested in that kind of power."
If we can unravel the secrets of the Corpse Bone Vein and combine them with its natural energy mutations, we might be able to develop a completely new defense system.