Chapter 132

After consulting with Kakashi, Haruki had him summon a large dog for Yanagi Dasuke to ride.

Although the ninja dog called Bull initially refused, after Haruki nearly cut off its private part with a sword, it quickly grabbed Yanagi Dasuke and tossed him onto its back.

This move nearly scared Yanagi Dasuke to death, making him think he was going to be bitten by the dog.

Once he recovered, Yanagi Dasuke continued to share his storytelling profession skills.

"Before starting the tale, it's best to have a prologue to attract the audience's interest."

He paused, cleared his throat, and sang, "The heavens also drunk on cherry blossoms, clouds stumbling in disarray."

The voice was beautiful, with a certain ancient charm.

Haruki was somewhat astonished, not expecting Yanagi Dasuke to have such a skill.

"Is this haiku?"

"That's right, sir, you are educated."

Yanagi Dasuke grabbed Bull with one hand and gave a thumbs-up with the other.

"..."

Haruki felt that this statement sounded like an insult.

"However, such elegant haikus are not popular among the common folk nowadays."

Yanagi Dasuke sighed, noting that ninjas didn't have nine years of compulsory education, let alone commoners.

Furthermore, how could feudal rulers allow commoners to read?

"What do commoners like?"

Haruki asked with the intention of social investigation.

"It's like this."

Yanagi Dasuke patted Bull, kept a rhythm, and sang, "Stealing someone's wife, oh thrilling and delicious, like eating pufferfish!"

"...?"

Haruki twitched his mouth, thinking, great, the whole world is filled with Cao Cao's kin.

"Vulgar!"

Tsunade couldn't help but frown upon hearing this.

Yanagi Dasuke immediately shut his mouth.

He could see that this group was led by Haruki, and Haruki feared Tsunade.

"Ahem, tell something else."

Haruki glanced at Kakashi and the others.

Rin had an embarrassed look on her face.

Kakashi and Obito stared straight ahead but were actually more attentive than Haruki.

Yanagi Dasuke began imparting his experiences again.

Heading north.

After a week, Haruki had basically mastered the storytelling techniques, only lacking practice.

And he already had stories prepared.

The Pirate King.

But not the original version, rather a spiced-up one.

"A long, long time ago, when the Sage of Six Paths passed through the Land of Water, he saved a pirate named Roger..."

At night, in front of the campfire, Haruki was telling a story.

His audience naturally included Yanagi Dasuke, Kakuzu, Tsunade, and three others.

Even Kakuzu, who had initially shown no interest, focused on Haruki upon hearing the Sage of Six Paths.

Having lived a long life, Kakuzu knew many secrets and recognized that the Sage of Six Paths was the true god of the ninja world, the founder of ninjas and ninjutsu.

"Roger was born with a bloodline limit and could hear the voice of all things. Following the Sage of Six Paths, he discovered a Chakra Tree on an island in the Land of Water. The tree bore fruit, and those who ate it could gain bloodline limits."

"After learning this secret, Roger stole most of the fruit while the Sage of Six Paths was not paying attention and fled through the Land of Water. This is why the Land of Water and the Hidden Mist Village have so many bloodline limits."

"But good times did not last long. The Sage of Six Paths discovered the theft and pursued Roger. Roger hid at sea, forming the Roger Pirates. To confuse the Sage of Six Paths, Roger distributed the chakra fruits to his crew, ushering in an era of pirates..."

"Unfortunately, despite Roger's efforts, the Sage of Six Paths was immensely powerful. Roger was captured and executed in Loguetown. Before his execution, he declared to everyone: 'Do you want my treasure? You can have it all. Go find it. I left everything in one place...'"

After finishing, Haruki observed everyone's expressions.

No one believed such an outlandish story.

In their understanding, bloodline limits were passed down through genetics.

How could eating a fruit grant them?

"This story is quite fascinating!"

Yanagi Dasuke was amazed and earnestly said, "Sir, you can definitely get this published by a bookstore, and it will be a bestseller."

"I'll consider it."

Haruki smiled.

He hadn't told the whole truth.

After seeing Yanagi Dasuke, Haruki had an idea.

Spread the story of the Pirate King in the Land of Water.

Then, he could fan the flames, creating some examples to make people believe it.

The goal was to weaken the Hidden Mist Village's power and to see if he could lure out Madara Uchiha and Black Zetsu.

Other ninjas might see the Chakra Tree as a mere story.

But Black Zetsu and Madara Uchiha wouldn't because they knew the Chakra Tree was real, and consuming its fruit granted power.

Thus, they would surely investigate.

Haruki divided the roasted wild boar meat among everyone, including Bull.

After eating, Bull howled with delight.

It had never tasted such delicious roasted meat.

Even Kakuzu gave Haruki a glance.

Yanagi Dasuke suggested he should be a chef instead of a storyteller, assuring him that he wouldn't starve.

Having traveled far and wide, Yanagi Dasuke had tasted all kinds of delicacies, yet none compared to Haruki's simple roasted meat.

Haruki smiled noncommittally.

The key to good roasting was the seasoning.

He had used cumin.

After eating their fill, Kakashi and Obito set up the tents.

Haruki and Tsunade shared one.

He glanced around, smiling, "This counts as being in the wild, right?"

"Yes, why?"

Tsunade was puzzled, "During the war, we camped outdoors every day, didn't we?"

"Is it the same?"

Haruki sat close to her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"..."

Tsunade instantly understood what he meant by 'being in the wild,' and couldn't help but spit, "You're thinking dirty again."

"I Am not."

Haruki rested his chin on her shoulder, cheek to cheek, "Isn't this a normal thing?"

"Normal?" Tsunade rolled her eyes, "You lie with your eyes open."

"Then close your eyes."

"No way, there are people outside. It would be bad if they heard."

Tsunade shook her head vigorously, knowing she couldn't help but talk. If she got into it, who knows what might happen.

If Kakashi and the others found out, Tsunade would die of embarrassment.

"A soundproof barrier will do."

Haruki bit her earlobe.

Tsunade's body trembled, instinctively wanting to push him away, but she couldn't.

In the end, she didn't use any force.

"You... mmm..."

Tsunade's mouth was blocked, feeling her clothes being undone.

Chakra flowed, forming a faint barrier around the tent.

Only Kakuzu noticed the chakra fluctuation.

But he merely glanced and paid no more attention.

He didn't want to do anything that might be misunderstood by Haruki.

Moreover, he didn't believe Haruki could be in any real danger.

No, a more accurate statement would be, if Haruki were truly in danger, Kakuzu would be a bystander, perhaps even cheering for the enemy.

The night was silent, and the moon blushed.

Meanwhile, further away, the ninjas from the Hidden Waterfall Village were approaching.