In the Hidden Leaf Village.
Early in the morning, Kakashi was late again. After being lectured by Naruto and Sakura, he noticed a messenger hawk flying overhead toward the Intelligence Division.
"That looks like it's from the Sand..." Kakashi recognized the bird.
At the Intelligence Division, a shinobi spotted it.
"This early? Where is it from?"
Upon seeing the hawk's markings, he gasped. "This... this is..."
"Isn't that Takamaru, the fastest messenger hawk in the Hidden Sand?"
The Intelligence shinobi were stunned. A message sent via Takamaru usually signaled a dire emergency. Sure enough, when the letter was opened, they were speechless.
"This is..."
"A Level One Emergency Transmission!"
"Contact the Cryptanalysis Team immediately!"
The Akatsuki's strike had dealt a massive blow to the Sand, the worst being the abduction of the Kazekage, Gaara. The Hidden Sand was urgently requesting aid from the Leaf.
Meanwhile, Team 7 was walking toward the Hokage's office. Naruto said with a grin, "Man, it's been so long since we had a mission. I'm actually kind of pumped!"
Sakura, walking beside him, offered a reminder. "Naruto, no matter what kind of mission we get assigned..."
"You can't complain. You have to finish it properly, okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, I know."
"I hope that's true," Kakashi laughed helplessly.
Suddenly, a member of the Cryptanalysis Team bumped into them, nearly knocking Naruto over.
"Out of the way! Move it!"
"Hey! Watch it! That's dangerous!!" Naruto yelled.
Kakashi, however, looked thoughtful. Seeing the Cryptanalysis Team confirmed his suspicions about the messenger hawk.
…
"Huh? An escort mission for a gold transport?" Naruto said, his face full of dissatisfaction.
"Yes. You have a problem with that, kid?" Tsunade asked.
"It's totally a C-Rank mission."
"I can't say I'm impressed by this kind of work."
Naruto was at it again, complaining about mission ranks despite what he'd told Sakura earlier. Kakashi sighed; he was usually the one who took the heat for Naruto's outbursts.
"The mission details are right here." Tsunade pushed the documents forward.
"Understood!" Kakashi nodded, reaching out to take them.
Suddenly, a messenger from the Cryptanalysis Team burst in.
"Excuse me! Hokage-sama!"
"What is it? Why are you in such a panic?" Tsunade asked.
"An emergency transmission just arrived from the Hidden Sand!"
Sakura, who was busy scolding Naruto, froze.
"The Sand? An emergency transmission?" Tsunade frowned.
"This is the decoded content." The messenger handed the report to Tsunade.
As she read it, her face changed instantly.
"What?!"
The others watched as Tsunade's expression shifted to one of shock.
"What happened?" Naruto asked, sensing the tension.
Tsunade spoke the truth with a heavy heart.
"The Kazekage of the Hidden Sand has been abducted by an organization called the Akatsuki."
Kakashi and Sakura's expressions turned grim, while Naruto looked completely bewildered.
"Gaara was..."
Images of Itachi and Kisame immediately flashed through Naruto's mind.
"Is it them again?!"
Then, Tsunade spoke again.
"There were three people involved in the abduction. One has been confirmed to possess the Sharingan and wears a fox-faced mask. Her identity is..."
At this, Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi went stiff.
"Kanon Uchiha..."
Those five words hit Naruto like a thunderclap. Kanon really joined the Akatsuki? It can't be true.
"Are you sure they didn't misidentify her...?" Naruto's blue eyes trembled.
"There's no mistake. A woman with the Sharingan wearing a fox mask, who else could it be?" Tsunade sighed. She knew how much Kanon meant to Naruto. Because she understood his feelings, she chose her words carefully.
"We have more intelligence on the Akatsuki than anyone."
"That's why the Sand has sent us a formal request for aid."
Seeing the look in Tsunade's eyes, Shizune gasped.
"Tsunade-sama, surely you don't mean Team Kakashi?"
"This is an emergency! We don't have time to handpick a team, and since the opponent is an Uchiha, Team Kakashi has the highest probability of survival!"
"Besides, some of them have faced the Akatsuki head-on before."
"Even so..." Shizune tried to protest, but it was too late.
"Team Kakashi, I am reassessing your mission."
"Head for the Hidden Sand immediately. Gather intel and report back to Konoha!"
"After that, follow the Sand's instructions and provide backup!"
…
Outside the Konoha gates, Team 7—Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi—were ready.
"Alright, let's move!" Naruto said, hoisting his backpack.
"Tsunade-sensei, we're heading out," Sakura said, saluting her mentor.
"Right. Be careful out there."
They hadn't walked more than a few steps when Jiraiya appeared in front of Naruto.
"Yo, Naruto. Off on a mission already?"
"Yeah."
Jiraiya smiled and walked over to Tsunade.
"By the way, Tsunade, I've got intel."
"The Kazekage of the Sand..."
"I already know. I'm sending them to the Sand right now!" Tsunade replied, though she was impressed by how fast Jiraiya's news had arrived.
Jiraiya leaned in and whispered to Tsunade, "You know the history between the Akatsuki and Naruto. This is a volatile situation."
"It's an emergency. I've made the most appropriate assignment possible."
"You really are..." Jiraiya sighed and waved Naruto over.
"Naruto, come here a sec."
"Huh?" Naruto followed Jiraiya to the side.
"Listen, Naruto. When you fight the Akatsuki, don't be reckless. Kanon probably won't hurt you, but the other members are a different story."
"Since those guys are looking for me, we're going to be the ones doing the hunting this time!" Naruto declared.
Seeing Naruto's youthful bravado, Jiraiya said, "You've definitely gotten stronger. But if you can't stay calm, you're just digging your own grave. Getting worked up over the slightest provocation is a bad habit of yours."
Jiraiya placed his hands on Naruto's shoulders.
"Naruto... I know you understand this, but don't use that power."
"I know..." Naruto looked down, giving Jiraiya his word.
Jiraiya then walked over to Kakashi, his expression turning serious.
"Kakashi, keep a close eye on Naruto. Don't let him do anything crazy. I'm not worried about him encountering Kanon, but the other Akatsuki members are a major threat. I believe Kanon won't lay a hand on him, so I'm entrusting Naruto to you."
"Understood!" Kakashi nodded.
Naruto, who had already started walking, turned back.
"Kakashi-sensei! Sakura! Let's get a move on!"
"Wait... wait for us!" Sakura chased after him.
"Well, we're off!"
Jiraiya watched Naruto's retreating figure, and his mind drifted to the image of the young girl in the Uchiha-crested cloak.
"Good grief... every one of them is a handful."
Tsunade turned to Jiraiya. "Are you worried?"
"Yes... but not just for Naruto. For Kanon, too. She was my student, and I watched her grow up... I just don't understand why she chose the Akatsuki."
"Sakura and Naruto's growth has already exceeded my expectations," Tsunade noted.
"Yes. Growth... it really is a wondrous thing," she murmured.
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