Chapter 241:
Just like S.H.I.E.L.D.'s subordinate organization "The Umbrella," the CCG was a subordinate organization of Hydra.
"...Actually, Might Guy joining the CCG doesn't affect his status in the Hidden Leaf Village. Besides, we're currently cooperating with Hydra anyway—sending someone over is perfectly normal."
As the group hurried toward the temporary base, Naruto explained to Kakashi, who was walking beside him.
Hidden Leaf Village
"Lady Tsunade, please calm down. Sasuke and Naruto are both outside the village right now, but I believe the two of them will definitely return to save us."
Sakura tried to restrain Tsunade as she spoke.
Tsunade, however, stared grimly at Shizune—who was now leading a group of Leaf ninja attempting to restrain her.
"Lady Tsunade, please don't make things difficult for me," the fake Shizune said as she faced her. "To be honest, I still greatly admire your medical expertise..."
"You're not Shizune." Tsunade's voice turned chillingly calm. "Is Shizune still alive?"
Having endured the loss of her brother, her lover, and her comrades, Tsunade could no longer bear to lose those close to her.
"Please rest assured, Lady Tsunade. As long as nothing happens to me, Shizune will remain unharmed." The imposter spoke softly, then added, "If there's nothing else, please put this monitor around your neck."
As Tsunade took the collar-like device from the fake Shizune and put it on, she said coldly, "Your plan is doomed to fail..."
"But as of now, we've already taken over the Hidden Leaf Village."
Hearing the sinister voice from behind her, Tsunade turned and immediately glared in anger. "Orochimaru!"
"Orochimaru-sama," the fake Shizune greeted respectfully.
"Tsunade, don't forget about the monitor on your neck," Orochimaru reminded her as she raised her fist to strike him.
At his words, Tsunade froze mid-motion, her expression dark. "Orochimaru, the Hidden Leaf will never forgive you!"
"The Hidden Leaf? Don't be mistaken, Tsunade. The village now answers to S.H.I.E.L.D."
Orochimaru smiled as he spoke.
"I believe in Naruto. He will save the village again."
Tsunade stared at Orochimaru with unwavering determination.
"Hmph. Still talking tough, Tsunade. You have no idea what kind of power S.H.I.E.L.D. wields. Once you truly understand it, you'll see just how laughable your resistance is."
Though Orochimaru kept a calm exterior, he did feel a bit uneasy. After all, Naruto had a track record of saving the ninja world. While Orochimaru believed that Naruto posed no threat to S.H.I.E.L.D. at the moment, the future was another matter.
"Orochimaru! What are you doing here?!"
A voice rang out from the crowd—Clone Gray Wolf, pushing through with his family in tow, exclaimed in surprise as he spotted Orochimaru.
"I'm just here to retrieve someone," Orochimaru replied, narrowing his eyes at Jiraiya, who stood beside Clone Gray Wolf, before turning his gaze to the orphanage director beside Tsunade. "Kabuto."
"Orochimaru-sama."
Kabuto respectfully greeted him. Despite Orochimaru betraying the Hidden Leaf yet again, Kabuto still held him in deep reverence.
"You'll be coming with me to the Umbrella Organization's underground base."
"Yes."
Kabuto agreed without hesitation. Given the current situation, he had no room to refuse.
Around Kabuto's neck was also a chakra-monitoring collar.
"Kabuto!"
Tsunade looked at him with concern.
She had spent time working with him in the village researching zombies, and some camaraderie had naturally formed between them.
"Don't worry, Lady Tsunade. Orochimaru-sama probably just needs my help as an assistant."
Kabuto smiled reassuringly.
"One more thing—the Deputy Director will be arriving shortly to take over the Hidden Leaf. You'd better not mess it up."
Before leaving, Orochimaru gave Clone Gray Wolf a warning.
Outside the Hidden Leaf Village
"Kakashi!"
"Guy!"
The two men embraced, and Might Guy broke down in tears of joy.
"Naruto, Sasuke."
Ignoring the emotional reunion, Chōjūrō stepped forward to greet Naruto and Sasuke.
"Chōjūrō," Naruto greeted with a wave. With the growing number of arrivals, what was once a desolate place was beginning to feel lively.
Though they called it a "temporary base," in reality, it was just a cave.
"Chōjūrō, looks like you've done a good job setting things up here."
As Naruto followed Chōjūrō into the cave, he remarked, while Chōjūrō scratched his head in embarrassment and quickly replied, "Actually, Lady Mei helped me a lot too."
"Guy, how are you getting along with your new leg?"
"Well, Kakashi... I have to say, scientific ninja tools are truly amazing. This would've been unimaginable back in the day."
"That's good to hear."
Trailing behind, Kakashi and Might Guy chatted quietly.
"Lady Mei."
Seeing the figure up ahead, Chōjūrō called out.
"Chōjūrō. And the Hidden Leaf folks." Mei Terumi looked at the group, her gaze eventually landing on Kakashi. "So even the Sixth Hokage is here."
"Yes. Long time no see, Mei."
Kakashi, in the middle of his conversation with Guy, greeted her with a wave.
As time passed, people aged—but Kakashi looked exactly the same as ever. Not only was he still the same age, he still appeared youthful. He was practically the ideal older bachelor, just like Tsunade was considered the perfect older bachelorette.
"Indeed, time flies. In the blink of an eye, we've all grown old. By the way, Kakashi, what's your secret to staying so young? You don't seem to have changed at all…"
Obito was no longer the clueless fool he once was. After everything he had been through, he could now see things more clearly—like how Mei Terumi clearly had a thing for Kakashi.
For the sake of Kakashi's love life, Obito was determined to help bring them together. Of course, what really drove him was Rin. Rin would come back someday. And Kakashi—still young-looking, still the Sixth Hokage—clearly had an edge over someone like him, a former villain turned good.
But... what if Kakashi got married?
With that thought, Obito glanced at Kakashi and Mei Terumi and instinctively smirked with satisfaction.
"What's going on?"
Chatting with Mei, Kakashi suddenly shivered.