chapter 165 part 2
How could such a brave person exist?
To dare take such an attitude with that fierce-looking Konoha advisor!
And what's more...
How could he already contend with Danzo's taijutsu head-on?
That man was a Kage-level powerhouse!
What unbelievable talent!
Kakashi, however, lying on the bed, knew something no one else did.
The reason he managed to escape from Sasori wasn't just luck.
He had his student, Ren, to thank for it.
A long time later, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally spoke again. "In that case, Kakashi, you should rest for now. The medical team will do everything they can to develop an antidote for your poison."
"Lord Third," Uchiha Ren interrupted Hiruzen's statement. "When he was young, Sasori of the Red Sand killed the strongest Kazekage, the Third Kazekage!"
When he mentioned the "Third," he deliberately raised his voice.
"Even someone as strong as the Third Kazekage died by Sasori of the Red Sand's poison! Judging by the Sand Village's poison-crafting capabilities at the time, only Tsunade of the Senju clan would have the ability to develop an antidote."
"We can't delay any longer! I volunteer to be sent to find Tsunade!"
"One, Tsunade treated my injuries not long ago. I know what she looks like and have some general information about her."
"Two, this is my chance to clear my name!"
Hiruzen was still hesitating when Homura Mitokado, who had been silent for a long time, spoke up. "Let him go, but we should send two jonin with him. It's not peaceful outside the village lately, and we can't risk losing a three-tomoe Sharingan."
His words didn't show concern for Uchiha Ren's safety; it was clear he was afraid he would defect.
Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately asked an Anbu, "Who is in the village right now?"
The Anbu, wearing a red monkey mask, replied immediately, "Might Guy and Kurenai Renhi!"
"Alright, let them go then." Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, then looked back at Kakashi. "Rest well."
Kakashi nodded. "Yes."
With the matter settled, the group dispersed.
In the end, only Uchiha Ren, who was a solitary man with no family to worry about, remained, staring at Kakashi.
"What do you want to eat? I'll go get it for you."
Kakashi shook his head. "I have no appetite. You've been wronged, Ren. There are many things I don't like about the village... but they're unavoidable."
"It's not that unavoidable. Things would get better if Danzo just died."
"Shh!" Kakashi immediately made a hushing gesture, signaling for Uchiha Ren to stop talking.
But Uchiha Ren just looked out the window. "Danzo and all the Root ninja deserve to die!"
Kakashi followed his gaze and, sure enough, noticed a faint stir in the large tree across the way.
If you didn't look closely, you might mistake it for a gentle breeze rustling the leaves.
But in reality, it was a stealth ninjutsu that was incredibly difficult to detect with the naked eye.
Kakashi suddenly felt a bit helpless.
"Even if you can fight Kage-level powerhouses now, you..."
Uchiha Ren smiled and waved his hand. "Kakashi-sensei, you're overthinking things. I'm all talk." As he said this, he raised his voice, as if intentionally for the person outside to hear, "If I really had to fight Danzo, I don't think I could kill him!"
Root. An organization perpetually shrouded in gloom and dampness.
Of course, this referred to the organization led by Danzo.
"Is that what he said?"
"It's the absolute truth, Lord Danzo!"
"Hmph!"
Danzo's eyes narrowed slightly. "Might Guy and Kurenai Renhi are also leaving the village this time. With those two around, it won't be easy to make a move. But if an opportunity arises, do you understand?"
The ninja opposite him, wearing a mask that exposed only two small, bean-like eyes, nodded. "Understood!"
---
On the boundless sea, Pirate Ren Arakawa lay on the deck, studying a log pose, a map, and a pile of tools that only a navigator could understand.
Lightning walked over with a glass of red wine. Seeing the scene, he chuckled. "Why are you looking at a map? Can you even understand this stuff?"
Ren Arakawa shook his head. "It's a headache! It feels like a giant hornet is buzzing inside my brain. I can't concentrate! I don't get it at all!"
"That's to be expected," Lightning said, swirling his wine glass. "Everyone's talent and energy are limited. Your talent lies in combat. Navigation isn't something just anyone can master. You'd be better off finding a professional navigator to guide you."
Ren Arakawa slapped his thigh. "Hey! That's an idea!"
But...
Who could he find?
On that vast, azure ocean, there was a place that made every adventurer's heart pound—the Sabaody Archipelago.
From a distance, it looked like a string of beautiful, colorful pearls scattered across a blue brocade, sparkling and exceptionally eye-catching.
Up close, one could see the archipelago was composed of numerous islands, all connected by a unique, tree-like resin that formed a variety of pathways.
It was somewhat reminiscent of Venice.
Aboard the Okama Way, the crew, who could no longer contain their excitement, chattered away as they quickly changed into casual clothes and swarmed down the gangplank.
They hadn't set foot on land in years. This time, they planned to use the money from their ship to indulge in some serious revenge-spending.
Pirate Ren Arakawa followed behind Ivankov and Lightning, walking down the bustling streets of the Sabaody Archipelago.
He looked left and right, finding novelty everywhere. He was little better than the Straw Hat Pirates on their first visit.
"Ren, keep up!" Lightning urged. "This place is close to Marine Headquarters. Whatever you do, don't expose yourself!"
"Got it." Ren Arakawa understood Kizaru's speed better than anyone. If he were to show his face here...
If Kizaru's brand of justice wasn't feeling particularly lazy, he would undoubtedly be kicked into the sky at the speed of light.
Turning from a main road into a small alley, the three of them arrived at the entrance of a rather secluded bar.
Ren Arakawa silently read the sign: "Shakky's Rip-off Bar?"
Ivankov nodded. "This is a shop run by an old acquaintance. We're going in to ask about a shipwright!"
Ren Arakawa followed him inside.
Sure enough, he immediately saw her sitting in the cool, quiet bar: Shakky, the empress of Amazon Lily from two generations ago and former captain of the Kuja Pirates.
"Ivankov?"
Shakky was quite surprised to see the Okama King.
She hurriedly closed the bar's doors and windows, sizing up Ivankov for a long time before her gaze shifted to Lightning and Ren Arakawa.
"And they are?"
"Like me, criminals who escaped from Impel Down."
A flicker of memory crossed Shakky's eyes. "I never thought I'd see you again after all these years. When I saw your wanted poster, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. What brings you to the Sabaody Archipelago?"
"We're being chased by the Marines," Ivankov said, plopping down onto a stool and downing a bottle of wine. "I want to help him find a shipwright to get a ship."
Ren Arakawa waved his hand. "We don't need to build one. We can buy one. Or even steal one."
Shakky nodded. "That's the Impel Down style, all right. No problem, I used to be a pirate too. You just need to stake out islands 3 through 8, and a pirate ship will eventually show up. The chance of running into pirates on the open sea is low, but here at the Sabaody Archipelago, a major landmark, you can just take one."
Ivankov breathed a sigh of relief. "Also, I'd like to get some supplies from you. Our wanted status makes things very troublesome."
"Mhm, easy enough."
As they spoke, an old man with glasses, white hair, a white beard, and a warm smile emerged from the back kitchen carrying food.
"You must be hungry. Have something to eat."
This newcomer was none other than the master who had taught Luffy to control his Conqueror's Haki.
The Dark King—Rayleigh!
(end of chapter)