Sarutobi Asuma breathed a sigh of relief.
This time, Sarutobi Asuma brought his prized disciple Nara Shikamaru out on a mission, which was a training experience for him.
Sarutobi Asuma just didn't expect that the members of the Akatsuki Organization would be so powerful, especially that guy named Kakuzu who nearly took them down single-handedly!
Luckily…
Luckily, at the critical moment…
The village sent reinforcements to assist them.
Sarutobi Asuma's heart finally settled.
At that moment, he had already prepared himself for the ultimate sacrifice.
The only regret was that his girlfriend, Yuhi Kurenai, was pregnant, and he might never see his child's birth in the future. He never expected his long-deceased father would appear among the reinforcements and even save him.
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't expect it either.
This deployment actually ended up saving his youngest son, Sarutobi Asuma.
Akihara Kagura, that little guy, didn't let other Hokage teams take the lead but instead let himself and the First Hokage lead the rescue. Could he have foreseen this situation?
"Let's retreat!"
Kakuzu immediately called Hidan to make an escape!
Although Akihara Kagura had told them that the Root was full of his people, Kakuzu couldn't bring himself to believe that the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was also Akihara Kagura's man!
However…
When Senju Hashirama's figure appeared in front of Kakuzu, his heart plunged into despair. This nightmare from sixty years ago had appeared once again...
"Meeting again, Kakuzu."
Senju Hashirama, facing a person from his era, showed great enthusiasm: "Last time we didn't have a chance to properly chat..."
That last time...
Was at Orochimaru's Hidden Sound Village.
"I really don't want to see monsters from the same era..."
Kakuzu didn't want to meet Senju Hashirama at all, nor did he want to chat with him. He was very worried about falling into the hands of Konoha.
No matter how high Akihara Kagura's status in Konoha, claiming that Root was his territory, could he possibly overpower the resurrected First and Third Hokage?
Unfortunately…
Kakuzu had no power to resist.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Vines and tree roots sprouted from the ground!
These vines and tree roots instantly wrapped Kakuzu and his four Earth Grudge Fear hearts, even capturing Hidan next to him!
Senju Hashirama used just one Jutsu to capture Kakuzu and Hidan, and took them along with the Root ninjas back to the Root, leaving Sarutobi Hiruzen to handle Sarutobi Asuma and the Konoha Ninja team.
"What's going on here?"
Sarutobi Asuma looked at his father and asked: "Did someone in the village use the Reanimation Jutsu to bring you back?"
"Hmm."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Sarutobi Asuma, noting his stance of protecting Nara Shikamaru during Kakuzu's attack, and sighed deeply: "Asuma, have you finally come to understand the meaning of Konoha's existence?"
"..."
Sarutobi Asuma lowered his head, picked up his dropped cigarette, and put it back in his mouth, still not quite used to his father's guidance: "Are you going to start nagging again? The revival of you and the First Hokage must be a village secret, right? Hurry back!"
"Hehehehe..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head and let out a light laugh, feeling even more relaxed than his son, understanding Akihara Kagura's stance through this incident: "Then, I shall return first. Make sure to properly guide the future of the village…"
"Got it."
Sarutobi Asuma murmured somewhat impatiently.
Perhaps it was because of the rare opportunity to see his father, or maybe he didn't know when they'd meet again, Sarutobi Asuma, for some reason, added: "By the way, Kurenai and I are having a child. I plan to name the child Sarutobi Mirai..."
"I'm aware of that..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, having stayed in the Root with access to information, spoke earnestly: "Make sure to work hard to become a good father. Don't become like me, letting your children feel disappointed in you…"
"I won't."
Sarutobi Asuma shook his head, looking at his father and taking a deep drag on his cigarette: "A child doesn't get disappointed in their father… things they don't understand as a child, they'll understand as they grow up."
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't expect his son to give him such a reply. Shaking his head with a smile, he said: "Hehehe... then I shall take my leave."
"..."
Sarutobi Asuma watched as his father's figure disappeared into the distance.
Nara Shikamaru stroked his chin, contemplating, trying to mimic his father's thinking style: "If the First and Third Hokage have been revived, maybe the Second and Fourth Hokage were also brought back with the Reanimation Jutsu..."
This was a big deal.
Because the presence of previous Hokage was a significant event for Konoha's political situation. Perhaps his teacher, Sarutobi Asuma, hadn't thought of this yet, but Nara Shikamaru had already considered it—the repercussions of past Hokage reviving would tremendously strengthen Konoha.
However…
Nara Shikamaru didn't ignore another matter.
The fact that Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen had taken members of Akatsuki to the Root implied that these resurrected Hokage might all be staying within the village's Root, which explains why the Root's authority had been continually strengthening, at times even overpowering the Hokage's direct Dark Department…
While Nara Shikamaru was deep in thought, Sarutobi Asuma placed a hand on his disciple's shoulder and chuckled, praising the disciple: "Shikamaru, though you did well this time, you'll have to undergo more special training when we go back…"
"Yes."
Nara Shikamaru nodded thoughtfully, feeling the weight of his reflections.
On the other side.
Inside the Root Base.
Kakuzu and Hidan had just been brought into the Root Base.
A red-haired female ninja wearing glasses waved them over, leading them deeper into the Root Base: "Even though you've been captured by Konoha's ninjas, there's no need to worry about your safety. Lord Kagura will rescue you, but you will need to stay at the Root Base temporarily to prevent any unfavorable rumors against Lord Kagura in the village..."
"How do you know about us and Akihara Kagura..."
Kakuzu looked at the red-haired female ninja in surprise.
"There's a Curse Seal left on you by Lord Kagura."
The red-haired female ninja instantly saw through the Curse Seal on Kakuzu, even revealing his secret: "You have five Chakra convergence points on your body. Besides your heart, are the other places also your heart?"
"..."
Kakuzu's eyes suddenly widened.
This little one's perception is incredibly sharp?
Just a glance and she saw through the secret on him?
"The Root will protect you."
Karin looked at Kakuzu and Hidan, advising them: "During this period, don't leave the Root temporarily. Once Lord Kagura returns, arrangements will be made to send you away."
"That would be great."
Kakuzu nodded in agreement.
"However..."
As Karin spoke up to this point, she hesitated and then said: "There is someone in the Root who's been keen to obtain information about Uchiha Itachi. It's possible he might come and ask you about Uchiha Itachi..."
"That guy said..."
Hidan, impatiently fixing his own hair, looked up and grumbled: "We can disclose information about Uchiha Itachi."
Inside Konoha Village.
The matter of the two Akatsuki members being captured did not escape the notice of some informed individuals.
Uchiha Sasuke from the Root surely knew. He immediately finished his training and returned to the Root, eager to extract information about Uchiha Itachi from these two people.
"Karin, I want to interrogate them."
Uchiha Sasuke stated his request, speaking in a deep voice: "The members of the Akatsuki must know about Uchiha Itachi. I want to extract information about him from those two..."
"Okay."
Karin nodded and then reminded: "However, they are guests of Lord Kagura. Lord Kagura might have further use for them when he returns, so you absolutely cannot use violence against them..."
"I know."
Uchiha Sasuke quickly nodded, looked at Karin, and snorted coldly: "Hmph, I'm not an idiot. If I broke the Root's rules, how would I compete with you for the future position as Root Leader..."
"You fool..."
Karin rubbed her forehead.
The entire Root knew that Uchiha Sasuke and she were vying for the future position as Root Leader. Many Uchiha members supporting Uchiha Sasuke wasn't surprising since Uchiha Sasuke represented their avenger.
However, Karin wasn't without her advantages...
Deva Path: Shisui stood on her side, influencing quite a few Uchiha members.
Yet...
The current Root Leader, Akihara Kagura, was still quite young!
On the other side.
Land of Thunder, The Hidden Cloud Village.
The Fourth Raikage was the first to learn about the disappearance of the village's Two-Tails Jinchuriki, Yugito, following her battle with Akatsuki members, and he flew into a rage, assembling the village's ninjas to search for Yugito, aiming to prevent the village's Tailed Beast from going missing.
Just at this moment in time.
The Fourth Raikage received a message.
Akihara Kagura, the Hokage assistant from Konoha Village, had arrived in the Land of Thunder and was making his way towards The Hidden Cloud Village, appearing to have an ominous intent.
"What is Konoha's Hokage Assistant doing here?"
The Fourth Raikage couldn't quite understand Akihara Kagura's purpose. He would have rathered the Fifth Hokage Tsunade visited, as he at least had some rapport with Tsunade.
"Should I take the chance to deal with him?"
The Fourth Raikage, who had been vigorously collecting secret techniques and Kekkeigenkai from various Ninja Villages worldwide, naturally had a keen interest in the Wood Release Kekkeigenkai possessed by Akihara Kagura, and it was widely known across the Ninja World that Akihara Kagura was a product of experimentation.
Theoretically speaking...
If Akihara Kagura's body were obtained, the secret of the Wood Release Kekkeigenkai could be uncovered, which is the power of the God of Ninja. Possessing the Wood Release would enable the realization of any ambitious endeavor!
Konoha Village had always treated The Hidden Sand Village and The Hidden Mist Village, the two Great Country Ninja Villages, as their subordinates, and with combined force, they suppressed The Hidden Cloud Village and The Hidden Rock Village. Wasn't it precisely because of the Wood Release power of Akihara Kagura?
Nonetheless...
That is where the problem lay.
Akihara Kagura had consistently displayed an astonishing level of combat power. Ever since his appearance in the Ninja World, he had never once faced defeat and had even fought against entire Great Country Ninja Villages single-handedly, ultimately emerging victorious each time.
Just as the Fourth Raikage was pondering whether to exploit devising strategies, which weren't particularly his forte, in order to seize an opportunity to capture Akihara Kagura alone or to secure his body, someone helped him make a decision.
Within the Raikage Office.
The Fourth Raikage entered with a group of people.
This Raikage called upon his strategist right-hand man, pushing open his office door, discussing the matter regarding Akihara Kagura: "The Hokage Assistant from Konoha has come alone to the Land of Thunder, that Wood Release brat with the Wood Release Kekkeigenkai on him..."
"Crunch crunch..."
An unexpected sound of apple-crunching reverberated within the Raikage Office.
A mysterious figure appeared in the office, comfortably seated on the sofa that was the Fourth Raikage's favorite, munching on an apple, and upon seeing the group of high-ranking Hidden Cloud members enter, he not only did not feel scared but also opened his mouth to demand more fruit.
"Your Land of Thunder's apples aren't crispy enough. Could you bring me some pears?"