Naruto: Long Live Hokage's

Chapter 174: The Shadow Clone

After being thrown in jail for Masahiko, Teuchi was released in less than two hours, unscathed. Masahiko was not surprised. He watched her for a month, and he did not find anything wrong with her. Anbu Konoha will not humiliate their own civilians, not to mention the Anbu led by Sakumo.

Feeling guilty, Masahiko went to comfort her.

“Too much for ordinary people, yes.” murmured Masahiko with a sad expression after she realized how Teuchi's hands kept shaking.

Masahiko discovered that carving a statue was also a way to pour out his thoughts. So he continued to carve out various stances for Hashirama and Madara, which made him feel alive again.

“Hah?” Masahiko lifted his head, then smiled, saying, “Welcome!”

Since Masahiko pasted the “One Million For Each Numerals” sign on the door, his reputation spread far and wide, and no one has visited him since. However, Masahiko was not short on money and was happy in this way.

But suddenly, Hatake Sakumo decided to visit.

Sakumo nodded in response to Masahiko's greeting, walked into the shop, and looked around.

After a long time, Sakumo suddenly turned his head and said, “Older Masahiko?”

Masahiko's face stiffened, then he quickly acted as if he was confused, “Who?” Masahiko wants to keep his identity hidden, not knowing that Tsunade and Orochimaru have already guessed that it is him.

Sakumo put his hand on his chin then said, “You're the one who put the poison into the ramen bowl, and before that, you've triggered that strong wind, so none of us can see you, right?”

Masahiko saw how Sakumo seemed to agree, and cursed inwardly: Who are you, Detective Conan?

“Shinobi-Dono, you're kidding, right?” Masahiko fought to the death.

Sakumo glanced at Masahiko again, smiled, and said, “Unless you and Mito-Sama, who else out there is so familiar with the First Hokage who can sculpt it in this detail?”

Masahiko frowned, he seemed like he was going to say something, but he suddenly hesitated and sighed, “Well, it's starting to get boring.”

Sakumo smiled bitterly, “Well, I have to investigate this matter, I hope you understand.”

Masahiko glared, “And what was the result of your investigation?”

Sakumo stop, “That may not satisfy you.”

“It's okay.” Masahiko muttered, then pointed to the chair in the store, “Sit down and tell me what you know so far.”

Sakumo sat down and explained, “That person is an S-Class Villain Ninja named Juzo from Kirigakure, one of the Seven Legendary Swordsmen.”

Masahiko waved his hand and cut it off.

“I know all that, tell me about the destination.”

Sakumo stopped again, then said, “He seems to be a member of Akatsuki. He has been tasked with destroying the marriage between Senju and Uchiha.”

Masahiko frowned, and sighed inwardly, “So that's Akatsuki.” Juzo was so easy to catch that he thought maybe it was the other party.

“So Akatsuki is now full of a bunch of idiots? I feel very sorry for the name Akatsuki, no wonder Kakuzu left them.”

Masahiko's expression suddenly became serious. Sakumo reacted quickly and also looked serious and excited, thinking that Masahiko had found something important.

“There is one more important thing now,” Masahiko said word for word, “How about changing your son's name again?”

Half a month passed, and Ichiraku Ramen finally got a slight improvement. Lately, due to rumors that someone has “eat to death” here, his business had decreased for a while, but due to good quality and low price, the, slowly come back to life.

Masahiko's shop did not improve. During this period, in addition to selling to Sannin, only Sakumo bought his own figure to help Masahiko take care of his business.

Masahiko needs “smart” strategy for his store. So he decided first to identify the right person in the predetermined target market.

“With this price, only people who can do S-Class tasks in Konoha can afford it. They must be acquaintances.” Masahiko muttered, “But this is a bit boring.”

Although she was prepared to remain silent until Konoha's thirty-eighth year, her sedentary life was somewhat unbearable, especially when no “draw” event took place.

Just when she could no longer bear the loneliness, a new, pleasant thing arrived.

“Other familiar Chakra Fluctuation again, Sakumo is by his side, so it's not from Akatsuki, he should be the messenger.”

Masahiko's shop is located right in the middle of the village, so every visitor has to pass through its doors to get to the Hokage building.

“I remember he was called Mangetsu Hozuki, but there were some ninjas with him that I don't know.” Masahiko frowned, remembering carefully.

“They are supposed to be here in Konoha to pick up their Naughty Ninja, and I thoughtibocho.” Masahiko's heart was moved as he had this new idea.

“If they redeem Ikiribocho, I will be able to bring it back later.” He hesitated to “take” directly from Konoha before, but if he would “take” from Kirigakure, he would not have any psychological pressure.

Masahiko was in no hurry, when Mangetsu and his entourage returned, they had to pass through his shop again, and that would depend on the situation when it happened.

Sure enough, after more than an hour, Sakumo accompanied Kirigakure's entourage to the gate. Mangetsu had a large sword on his shoulder. The others escorted Juzo, not knowing how much they would have to pay to get him back.

Masahiko closed the shop door, pasted the “Close” sign on it, then went into Black mode.

Sakumo escorted them to the gate, then turned around and returned, while Masahiko followed them calmly. He's not in a hurry. If he did so close to the village, they might have mistaken him.

“This distance should be enough. If I wait any longer, they will accuse Uzumaki afterwards.” Masahiko muttered and prepared to start the action.

Suddenly a gust of strong wind struck, Masahiko's face darkened as the scene became very familiar, but he had not done anything yet.

“Or maybe it was me.” Masahiko muttered, then looked into the surrounding area, to find that it was a clone of his shadow. It seems that his clone came from Uzumaki Village to retrieve the sword.

“True, my clone has the same idea as me. Waste of time.”

Masahiko watched his clone electrocute Kirigakure's party, then grabbed the sword and fled.

“I'll be back.” It's frustrating to find something fun, then it's stolen by his own shadow clone.

Back in Konoha, Sakumo was already waiting in front of Masahiko's shop.

“Older Masahiko, will you not take the sword?” Sakumo sighed and said. He became very familiar with Masahiko's character.

Masahiko shook his head in denial, “How is it possible, I just went for a walk.

Sakumo obviously did not believe it, but Masahiko continued saying: “If I rob him, I will definitely admit it, but it is not actually me.”

At the same time, he muttered inwardly, “My shadow clone took it, it really has nothing to do with me.”