Became the mastermind behind the Akatsuki organization

Chapter 367 Ichiraku Ramen

It took half a month for Bai Ye and the ninjas from the Hidden Rain Village to arrive at the Konoha Village.

During this half month, Bai Ye was not always on the road, but instead took the ninjas from the Hidden Rain Village on a tour while enjoying the scenery of the Land of Fire.

After arriving at the Konoha Village, Bai Ye was quickly welcomed by the Third Hokage.

Seeing the aged Third Hokage, Bai Ye said in a half-joking tone: "Third Hokage, you look a lot older than you were more than ten years ago."

The Third Hokage smiled and responded, "Ninjas always grow old. I haven't seen you for more than ten years. Byakuya Jonin has become much more stable and mature. I'm afraid you have surpassed Hanzo-sama now."

Bai Ye nodded, acknowledging that his strength surpassed Hanzo's.

Then he seemed to remember something and said, "My master asked me to say hello for him and told me to lead the Hidden Rain Village ninja to win the first place in the Chunin Exam, so I specially brought them both here to participate in the Chunin Exam."

"The two of them?" The Third Hokage followed Bai Ye's target and saw Kimimaro and Bai.

The Third Hokage had also heard of the identities of Bai and Kimimaro. It was rumored that after Bai Ye defeated the masked man, he took in two bloodline ninjas from the Hidden Mist Village.

If nothing unexpected happens, these two people are Kimimaro and Bai who have mastered the Corpse Bone Vein and Ice Escape.

Judging from their ages, they are both over sixteen years old, and they seem to have participated in the battle with the Fourth Mizukage, and they already possess the strength of a jonin.

Sending ninjas with jonin strength to participate in the Chunin exam is really Bai Ye's style.

After some greetings, the Third Hokage and Byakuya completed their meeting. Under the leadership of the Anbu, Byakuya went to the guesthouse in Konoha Village.

After welcoming the ninjas from the Hidden Rain Village, the Third Hokage then welcomed the ninjas from the Hidden Sand Village and the Hidden Mist Village.

After sending most of the ninjas to the guest house, the Third Hokage returned to his office with a depressed look on his face.

He originally wanted to use this Chunin Exam to show the strength of Konoha's younger generation, but he didn't expect that other ninja villages also had similar ideas.

It would be fine if the Hidden Rain Village sent a bloodline ninja to participate in the Chunin Exam.

The Sand Village even sent the children of the previous Sand Village, including the Sand Village's One-Tailed Jinchuriki. Is it necessary to fight so hard to win the Chunin Exam?

If he didn't know that the Sand Village was weak, he would have suspected that the Sand Village was about to launch an attack.

Recovering his gradually scattered thoughts, the Third Hokage asked the Anbu beside him: "Have Jiraiya and Tsunade returned to the village?"

The ANBU lowered his head and said, "Jiraiya-sama is in the nearby market, but we can't find Tsunade-sama, and Tsunade-sama doesn't seem to be willing to return to the village."

After hearing this, the Third Hokage's expression changed.

If only Jiraiya returned to the village, there would be considerable risks in holding the Chunin Exam. However, since Tsunade was unwilling to return, there was nothing he could do and he could only ask Danzo to maintain order.

Thinking of this, the Third Hokage said to the Anbu: "Go tell Danzo to keep an eye on the ninjas participating in the competition these days. If there is any disturbance, report it directly to me and don't act rashly."

The ANBU nodded and stepped back, heading off to carry out their mission.

Although he did not think that Danzo would obey the orders of the Third Hokage, with the loss of control over the years, the Root had completely separated from the structure of the Anbu and became a behemoth independent of Konoha Village.

……

In the guesthouse, Bai Ye saw Kabuto Yakushi in the room.

After not seeing him for seven or eight years, Kabuto Yakushi has grown into a handsome young ninja who looks very reliable.

As a Konoha Genin who failed many times when trying to be promoted to Chunin, Kabuto Yakushi participated in the Chunin exams many times and has been collecting intelligence on Konoha ninjas for Byakuya. This time, in addition to explaining the Chunin exams to Byakuya, he also came to deliver intelligence to Byakuya.

Bai Ye took the information. He was not very interested in the information. He paid more attention to the person named Yakushi Kabuto.

After pondering for a moment, Bai Ye asked Yakushi Kabuto, "How has your strength improved in recent years? Do you have the confidence to defeat Jiraiya, one of the Three Ninjas? I plan to attack Konoha in the Chunin Exam."

"I hit Jiraiya?"

Yakushi Kabuto's eyes widened, as if he had heard a joke.

Over the years, he has been practicing the secret techniques provided by Bai Ye, and has also used biotechnology to transplant the curse. His strength is now at a completely different level compared to what it was back then.

But it would still be difficult for him to face Jiraiya directly.

After all, the ceiling of the Curse Sealing Technique is just the starting point of the Sage Mode. He has no advantage in front of Jiraiya, and it is difficult for him to even hold on for a while.

However, since it is an order issued by Lord Bai Ye, we have to find a way even if there is no other way.

After pondering for a moment, Pharmacist Kabuto carefully gave a battle plan:

"Master Bai Ye, if we fight Jiraiya head-on, the three of us are no match for him, but we can poison him. I have a poison that will weaken the three ninjas. As long as Jiraiya takes it."

After hearing this, Bai Ye shook his head, then smiled and said, "Forget it. Someone else has taken on the task of restraining Jiraiya. You should continue to lurk in Konoha. It is not time to be exposed yet."

Kabuto Yakushi was surprised that Byakuya was really going to attack Konoha, and said:
"Lord Bai Ye, are you really going to attack Konoha? Do you really not need my help? I have collected a lot of information over the years, which can be used at the critical moment."

Bai Ye shook his head again, and then said: "Are you questioning my decision? There is no need to use your trump card for such a small matter, and I will not personally take action in this attack on Konoha."

"The ninjas who took action this time were Orochimaru and Rasa, and we are even on the side of Konoha."

After hearing Bai Ye's plan, Kabuto Yakushi's eyes were full of shock. He had never expected that even Orochimaru and Rasa were Bai Ye's subordinates.

At this time, Kabuto Yakushi seemed to remember something and said to Bai Ye: "Master Bai Ye, Orochimaru has always wanted to recruit me as his subordinate. Will he have any different ideas about you?"

Bai Ye showed a meaningful smile: "I know Orochimaru is not loyal enough, but this does not affect the relationship between him and me, nor does it affect this plan."

"If Orochimaru invites you again next time, you can become his subordinate."

"Yes, Lord Bai Ye, I will follow your orders and become his subordinate..." After a pause, Yao Shidou asked, "By the way, Lord Bai Ye, are the dean and his family doing well?"

Bai Ye nodded and said, "I haven't paid attention to them for a while, but they should be doing well. Nono and Konan have been traveling around the world to take in homeless children over the years."

After hearing that the dean was doing well, Pharmacist Kabuto breathed a sigh of relief and a faint smile appeared on his face.

At this time, Bai Ye heard a violent chakra fluctuation coming from afar, frowned, and then disappeared on the spot.

...A conflict broke out in a certain block in Konoha, and two groups were confronting each other. The parties causing the conflict were Konoha ninjas and Sand Village ninjas.

The reason why this happened is very simple.

Kankuro from the Sand Village team encountered some brats from the ninja school. After they insulted the ninja village, Kankuro attacked the students from the ninja school, but was stopped by Team 7.

A conflict soon broke out between the two sides, and because of the participation of Naruto and Gaara, the conflict continued to escalate, with a tendency to expand.

After sensing the chakra, Bai Ye arrived here.

Looking at Gaara, Naruto and others who were in a standoff, Bai Ye showed a helpless expression.

Didn't Gaara, Kankuro and the others receive instruction from Sasori? Why are they still so irritable, not at all the steadiness of a mature ninja, shouting and killing all day long.

However, considering Scorpion's personality, it is very normal that Gaara did not correct it.

During the confrontation, Gaara and Naruto also discovered that there was something wrong with each other's identities. They sensed a familiar yet strange aura from each other.

Then the chakras of the two seemed to be competing with each other, constantly fighting in the air.

Seeing this scene, Gaara and Naruto did not dare to act rashly. They suspected that the other party was also a Jinchūriki. If the Jinchūriki fought here, it would definitely attract the attention of the adults.

But if they were asked to give in, it would be difficult for these passionate young people to accept.

Just when several people were about to take real action, Bai Ye walked out from the darkness. After sensing Bai Ye's chakra, Naruto and Gaara looked over.

Naruto quickly recognized Bai Ye's identity and quickly said, "Bai Ye-senpai, are you also coming to take part in the Chunin Exam?"

Bai Ye nodded and said, "Yes, I am here to participate in the Chunin Exam. You guys should forget about winning the championship and just surrender. Naruto, go and give up now."

"If Senior Bai Ye really participates in the Chunin Exam, it seems that we can only..."

At this time, Naruto seemed to remember something and said, "No, Senior Bai Ye, aren't you a Jonin? How can a Jonin take the Chunin Exam? You are not here to take the Chunin Exam at all."

Bai Ye smiled and said, "I am the leading jonin, but my subordinates are not weak. It is easy for us to win this match. There is no possibility of losing."

Naruto frowned, then said: "If Senior Bai Ye doesn't take action, I am confident that I can defeat any opponent, and I will definitely be the first in the Chunin Exam."

Listening to the conversation between Bai Ye and Gaara, Gaara felt more and more that the voice was familiar.

Walking towards Bai Ye, Gaara asked, "Are you the ninja from that night? Are you a friend of Scorpion-sama?"

Bai Ye looked at Gaara and said, "I didn't expect that after so long, you still recognized me. How has Scorpion been doing these years? He should be a qualified Kazekage now."

Gaara thought of the scene in Scorpion's office and shook his head secretly.

Although Lord Sasori is the Kazekage of the Sand Village, most of the Sand Village's political affairs are handled by Elder Chiyo. Only when the village encounters major events will Lord Sasori come forward to make decisions.

From Gaara's expression, Bai Ye roughly understood Scorpion's work attitude.

After a brief pause, Bai Ye said to Gaara, "When you return, ask Scorpion for me. As for the small conflict between you and the Konoha ninja, let's resolve it in the Chunin Exam."

After saying that, Byakuya walked towards Naruto and took him to the Ichiraku Ramen location.

After Bai Ye left, Kankuro asked in confusion: "Gaara, why did you stop just now? We are clearly in the upper hand. Who is that young man who just appeared? Is he very powerful?"

Gaara glanced at Kankuro and said, "If you want to go over there and die, I won't stop you."

Kankuro didn't understand why Gaara was so cowardly, but he still listened to Gaara obediently. Although he was Gaara's older brother, his status was actually the lowest among the three siblings.

Even though he has been learning puppetry over the years, there is still a huge gap in strength.

Temari also asked in confusion: "Gaara, what's going on? I feel like you were quite afraid of that yellow-haired guy before Bai Ye showed up."

Seeing his sister speak, Gaara had no choice but to answer, "Naruto is a Jinchuriki like me. He should be Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

"Jinchūriki?" Kankuro was shocked when he heard this.

As a ninja who was bullied by Gaara since childhood, Kankuro is very familiar with the strength of the Jinchūriki. The Jinchūriki are a group of monsters. As long as they can communicate with the tailed beasts, they can have the combat power of Kage level.

He is not even a match for Gaara, let alone Naruto.

Temari secretly thought to herself, as expected, he knew the character of his brother, and if it wasn't an opponent of equal strength, Gaara would never let the other party go easily.

After learning about Naruto's identity, Kankuro then asked, "Who is that ninja named Byakuya?"

Without waiting for Gaara to answer, Temari tapped Kankuro on the head:
"Have you been studying puppetry at home for too long? You don't even know Bai Ye. Bai Ye is the elder of the Hidden Rain Village. His strength is beyond the Five Kage. He is the strongest in the ninja world today."

"The strongest ninja in the ninja world?" Kankuro widened his eyes.

Gaara sighed softly, feeling hopeless about his otaku brother. He didn't even have this keen perception, and if he really went to the battlefield in the future, he would definitely suffer.

……

On the other side, Bai Ye was taking Naruto and others to Ichiraku Ramen.

After sitting down at Ichiraku Ramen, Bai Ye said to the boss, "Uncle Shouda, give me six extra-large bowls of ramen, and some more chopped green onions and beef."

The hand-made boss came over and looked at Bai Ye, who seemed familiar, and asked, "Is this your first time in Konoha? Why do I feel that your identity and appearance are somewhat familiar?"

Bai Ye smiled and said, "I met you more than ten years ago. At that time, Naruto was not yet born. Jiraiya-sama and the Third Hokage were sitting next to me. Have you forgotten?"

The boss thought for a long time, then smiled and said, "It turns out to be you. I haven't seen you for more than ten years. I really can't recognize you."

As they were talking, the Ichiraku Ramen had already been served.

Familiar recipe, familiar taste. Bai Ye ate noodles while looking at Naruto and Sasuke.

At this moment, Kakashi also lifted the curtain and came to Ichiraku Ramen.

(End of this chapter)