Chapter 121: Relive That Night of HellAccompanied by a burst of applause, two figures slowly walked out from the dense forest.They wore conical bamboo hats that veiled their faces and black cloaks adorned with red clouds, resembling wandering Komuso monks traveling through the world."Seeing you still so full of energy is truly heartening, my foolish little brother!"The moment the man with the high-collared cloak spoke, Sasuke's body couldn't stop trembling.Even in death, he would never forget this voice!Moreover, from the content of the words, Sasukecould confirm the other person's identity."Uchiha Itachi!"Sasuke let out a furious roar.He felt as if a ball of fire was burning fiercely in his chest.It was a flame that, if not vented immediately, would burn him to ashes alive!"Wait! Sasuke!"Kakashi realized Sasuke's impulsiveness and hurriedly reached out to stop him.But Sasuke's movements were faster than he imagined; in the blink of an eye, he had already completed the hand seals.Ox-Hare-Monkey!"This is..."Uchiha Itachi narrowed his eyes.Chidori!The chirping sound of electricity rang out, like the simultaneous cries of a thousand crazed birds, vibrating against the eardrums.A massive amount of Lightning Release Chakragathered, forming tangible azure currents that shrieked as they coiled around Sasuke's right arm.The dazzling lightning that burst forth almost tore the surrounding air apart.Kakashi originally wanted to tell Sasuke not to be impulsive, but seeing that he had already used Chidori, he sighed helplessly and leaped forward to block Kisame Hoshigaki."Hehe, trying to prevent me from interfering with Mr. Itachi's brotherly reunion?"Kisame Hoshigaki reached out and pulled out Samehada, holding it across his body to easily block the Kunai Kakashi thrust at him.Facing off against the famous Ninja World celebrity Kakashi, he showed no fear at all, even appearing leisurely: "Rest assured, I'm not so dense as to ruin the mood."Kakashi frowned, recognizing the other's identity—A rogue Ninja from the Hidden Mist Village, a dangerous individual who assassinated the Daimyo and the village high-ranking officials, Kisame Hoshigaki!While the two were in a standoff, Sasuke had already rushed forward.The Dojutsu Power stored in Eye for an Eye hadn't been exhausted yet, so he was still in the Three-Tomoe Sharingan state.Thus, with the support of powerful Dojutsu Power, even during the high-speed sprint of the Chidori, Sasuke's eyes remained as sharp as a hawk's.Even the slight flutter of Uchiha Itachi's cloak and the steady rise and fall of his chest were all clearly visible.Excellent! My thoughts and reactions are perfectly fluid; I can completely keep up with my body's high-speed movement!Sasuke's confidence surged, and bone-chilling coldness and killing intent erupted in his eyes."I will use this move to kill you!"That voice was as cold as a ghostly wind seeping from a rift in Hell, each word carving into Uchiha Itachi's eardrums and echoing eerily deep within his ears.The blazing lightning in Sasuke's palm drew closer and closer; at first, it was just a blinding azure light, then it rapidly expanded and swelled until it swallowed his entire field of vision.Yet, facing the lightning that was about to completely submerge him, Uchiha Itachi remained motionless.Even his gaze didn't ripple in the slightest, as if what was rushing toward him wasn't a life-taking thunderbolt, but merely a passing breeze.Seeing his brother's calm demeanor, Sasuke gritted his teeth.He didn't know if this bastard was putting on an act or if he had already seen through his attack path.In a flash, Sasuke made a choice—Swish!Just a moment before his palm, wreathed in lightning, could touch Uchiha Itachi's chest, Sasukestomped hard on the ground.The ground instantly cracked, and debris and dust flew up.With his cloak fluttering wildly, Sasuke's figure used the recoil to spin at high speed, flashing behind Itachi in the blink of an eye.His arm, coiled with lightning, thrust out fiercely, his five fingers joined like a blade, carrying the shrill roar of the current as it aimed straight for the center of Uchiha Itachi's back.Wherever it passed, the air distorted from the high temperature, and the scorching heat reached Uchiha Itachi's back faster than the current itself."It's done!"Seeing the distance between his palm and the back rapidly shorten, Sasuke even felt the scorching sensation of piercing through a body in advance.At this moment, time seemed to be stretched extremely thin and long, and images from his past flashed before Sasuke's eyes like a revolving lantern.His childhood admiration for his brother, his thirst for his father's recognition, his hatred for the massacre of his clan...Sasuke stared fixedly at the approaching back, his pupils involuntarily dilating in extreme excitement.Bang!A dull sound exploded.Uchiha Itachi seemed to have eyes in the back of his head, detecting Sasuke's attack direction; at the same time, he displayed speed far exceeding Sasuke's.Just as the Chidori was about to hit Uchiha Itachi's body, he suddenly turned around, his movements almost a blur as he twisted his frame.Only a faint afterimage flickered by as Uchiha Itachi's kick slammed heavily into Sasuke's chest.The force of this strike was precise and terrifying; Sasuke felt a suffocating pain explode in his ribs, let out a muffled groan, and was sent flying backward like a broken kite, his feet leaving the ground.However, Uchiha Itachi's movements were far from over.The moment Sasuke left the ground, he leaned forward and pressed in, his left hand clamping onto the wrist of the hand Sasuke used for the Chidorilike a steel pincer.The palm coiled with the chirping lightning was firmly grasped by Uchiha Itachi, unable to make any effective movement or harm him in the slightest.Then he gave a gentle pull; the movement seemed casual, but the force was too strong to resist.Sasuke immediately lost his balance, his whole body tilting and falling toward Itachi's side.Screech!A grating, muffled sound.Under Uchiha Itachi's guidance, the lightning-wrapped palm pierced straight into the ground beneath his feet.The azure-glowing current poured out from his palm, surging into the depths of the soil like frantic little snakes, causing dust and debris to explode everywhere, and a patch of scorched cracks instantly bloomed on the ground.The Chidori's offensive was neutralized just like that.Sasuke's eyes widened, never imagining that the gap between him and his brother was actually this vast.But while he was dazed, Uchiha Itachi's attack didn't pause for a moment, launching a storm-like offensive.Bang!A punch hit his ribs, an elbow slammed into his shoulder socket, followed by a knee strike to his abdomen.Every one of Uchiha Itachi's blows landed precisely on the most vulnerable joints and vital points, the dull thuds coming in a rhythm so tight it was suffocating.Sasuke had almost no time to react; his body vibrated violently under the successive heavy blows, as if caught in a storm he couldn't escape."Sasuke!"This time, it was Kakashi who wanted to step forward and stop it.But his movement was blocked by the giant sword Samehada in Kisame Hoshigaki's hand: "Outsiders shouldn't interfere in matters between brothers!""I don't think so!"Just as Kakashi was desperately trying to bypass Kisame Hoshigaki, Jiraiya's hearty voice came from the large tree above them."This appearance... is it one of the Sannin, Jiraiya?"Kisame Hoshigaki looked up, and after seeing the visitor's appearance, his small eyes widened slightly. Then he turned to look at Uchiha Itachi: "What should we do, Mr. Itachi?"At this moment, Uchiha Itachi had stopped his attack.He held the heavily injured Sasuke up with one hand and whispered in his ear: "What have you been doing these past few years? You're so weak it makes me want to laugh."Hearing this, Sasuke's body trembled slightly, as if he wanted to struggle.But at this moment, let alone gathering Chakra, he couldn't even produce a Hamon because his lungs had been hit just now.Looking at his blood-stained brother, Uchiha Itachishowed no mercy and continued: "Do you know why you are so weak? Because your hatred for me isn't deep enough!"As he spoke, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly, merging into a windmill-like pattern.Sasuke met Uchiha Itachi's eyes and was instantly immersed in the Tsukuyomi illusion."For the next twenty-four hours, relive that night of Hell over and over again, my foolish little brother!"
Chapter 122: The Third Hokage's MissionIn a spacious ward of the Konoha Hospital, many Ninjas had gathered.Most of them were Jonin-level, and their faces each bore a hint of solemnity.Just as the Konoha Destruction Plan had concluded, there was only one person who could cause so many Jonin to gather here—"How is the Hokage? How is the Hokage?"An aged voice drifted in from outside the ward.The newcomer was moving very fast; the voice was just in the hallway a moment ago, and in an instant, it reached the door.With a creak, the ward door was roughly pushed open.An old man dressed in a black kimono, his right eye and arm wrapped in bandages, pushed his way in while loudly commanding his subordinates behind him: "Investigate thoroughly; you must not let a single Sand Ninja or Otogakure escape!"He walked with a hurried pace, yet it carried a trace of hard-to-detect joy."Advisor Danzo?"The Jonin surrounding the hospital bed turned their heads, and someone recognized him.The famous Darkness of the Shinobi, the founder and leader of the Root organization, Danzo Shimura.As the leader of Konoha's forces hidden in the shadows, Danzo Shimura was unexpectedly well-known.Since the Nine-Tails Clan Riot twelve years ago, Danzo Shimura had begun to emerge from the shadows to help the Third Hokage handle government affairs, and his power gradually expanded, making him a household name among the Jonin.It wasn't until the night of the Uchiha Clan Massacre five years ago that the Third Hokageabolished the entire Root organization, and Danzo Shimura vanished once more, not having appeared officially for a long time.No one expected him to appear here.At this moment, Danzo walked with a vigorous stride through the crowd and arrived at the bedside.The Third Hokage lay on the hospital bed, motionless, his complexion dark.Seeing this, the corners of Danzo's mouth twitched slightly as he forcibly suppressed his feelings of delight.He had heard that Orochimaru had teamed up with the Sand Ninja to launch the Konoha Destruction Plan but was repelled by the Third, and he had originally felt somewhat disappointed.He didn't expect news to follow that the Third was seriously injured and unconscious.This finally made it impossible for Danzo to remain a bystander, and he couldn't help but show up to visit in person.However, after seeing the Third's condition, he could hardly suppress the joy in his heart.The Third wasn't dead but unconscious; for Danzo, this situation was the best possible outcome.After all, since the Nine-Tails Clan Riot, and especially in the years following the Uchihamassacre, Konoha's strength had been at its lowest point, yet it managed to maintain the title of the strongest Ninja Village, mostly by relying on the Third's prestige.If he truly died, it would undoubtedly be a massive shock to Konoha.At that time, to protect a Konoha plagued by internal and external troubles, those two fellows, Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado, would surely push forward someone from the middle generation with good strength and reputation, such as Jiraiya or Tsunade.But now that the Third was only unconscious and still had the possibility of recovery, they would only need to appoint an Acting Hokage to maintain Konoha's appearance.Wouldn't he, who had long been at the center of power as the Hokage's right-hand man, have an opportunity then?"Damnable Orochimaru! To commit such atrocities... the Hokage was his mentor, yet he actually..."Danzo's expression was cold, his raspy voice carrying a chilling Killing Intent.With many of the Village's Jonin present, this was a perfect opportunity for him to put on a performance.Next, as long as he convinced the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, his position as Acting Hokage would be practically certain!"Danzo, thank you very much."Just as Danzo was fantasizing, the Third Hokageopened his eyes and looked over meaningfully, interrupting his words."Hiruzen? You... you're awake?"Danzo was stunned for a moment.Wasn't it said that the Third Hokage had a fierce battle with Orochimaru and collapsed from exhaustion afterward? How did he wake up so quickly?However, being a man of great depth, he did not lose his composure and reacted immediately; while maintaining a stern expression, his tone was laced with a hint of hard-to-detect concern.Even if outsiders understood Danzo, they would find it difficult to spot any flaws and would firmly believe he was worried about his old friend.But the Third had grown up with Danzo since they were children, so he didn't fall for it, saying faintly: "Yes, I didn't expect Orochimaru's main body to be able to release a paralyzing gas. I was a bit careless when I killed him, which is why I fell unconscious, but it's no longer a major issue now.""Then I am relieved." A cold glint flashed in Danzo's single eye.He knew the other was reminding him not to have any unnecessary thoughts."The Village has much to rebuild now, and I will be busy for a while, so I won't disturb your rest here."Danzo's face darkened, and after saying a few formal words, he turned and left with his subordinates.Although they didn't know exactly what had happened, seeing Danzo looking frustrated made the Jonin present quite happy.After all, when Danzo was in power, his style of operation was very cruel.While such a style was acceptable in the shadows, when brought out into the open, many people felt uncomfortable.Therefore, in the hearts of the Jonin, Danzo's image was far from positive."*Cough, cough.*"Just as Danzo left, a figure flashed into the ward and cleared his throat.Seeing him, most of the Jonin broke into smiles: "Lord Jiraiya?"Jiraiya smiled and nodded to everyone, while casting a look at his teacher.The Third understood his meaning and said to the group: "Alright, you all may leave now. I have something to discuss with Jiraiya.""Yes!"Everyone complied and left.Once only the two of them remained in the ward, the Third turned his head and said: "I heard the report; you didn't appear in the Village today. I know you wouldn't be so irresponsible as to watch Orochimaru attack without helping, so something must have kept you occupied, right?"Jiraiya nodded: "That's right. It's that [Akatsuki] organization again; two of their members appeared and even launched an attack."The Third looked over and saw his solemn expression: "When, where, and who was it?"Facing his teacher's rapid-fire questions, Jiraiyaanswered them one by one."Uchiha Itachi? Attacked Sasuke?"Upon hearing that name, the Third's pupils constricted slightly, as if he had heard something incredible."I also find it strange," Jiraiya rubbed his chin. "Based on Uchiha Itachi's words, it seemed this trip was intended for Naruto, yet he attacked Sasukeinstead; it's really quite illogical."At this point, he asked in a low voice: "Next, with Orochimaru's actions as a catalyst, the Ninja Worldwill enter a period of turmoil. Can you hold on by yourself, old man? Do you want me to find Tsunadeand bring her back?""No need," the Third shook his head. "I have a more important task to entrust to you.""What is it?"Jiraiya raised an eyebrow.As his teacher, the Third knew his character well.Since the Third had spoken, what he wanted him to do must be an extremely important and secret matter."Go and talk to Uchiha Itachi."The Third's words startled Jiraiya, but the Third's gaze was incredibly serious.
Chapter 123: My Fists Are Itching for a FightAlthough the Ninja World has not yet entered the information age, the speed of news transmission is not slower than the internet at all.In just a single day, the intelligence that the Hidden Sand Village had allied with Otogakure to launch the [Konoha Destruction Plan] spread like wildfire throughout the entire Ninja World.In the ten-plus years since the end of the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha has experienced many major events, yet it has always held the throne of the [Strongest Ninja Village], which has long since aroused the envy of the outside world.However, this Konoha Destruction Plan made those restless individuals pull back their schemes.Simply because Konoha performed far too powerfully in this war.Setting aside the Sand Ninja and Otogakure who were easily dealt with, just the Third Hokage, an old powerhouse who killed Orochimaru in a direct confrontation, and Uzumaki Naruto, the rising star who shone brilliantly in the battle, were enough to make all the forces in the Ninja World take notice.Furthermore, the Hidden Sand Village quickly found the body of the Kazekage Rasa, confirming the news that their leader had been deceived and killed by Orochimaru, and they had re-established their Alliance with Konoha.The formal declaration of war between the two great ninja Villages that many had anticipated fell through under the strange, unspoken understanding between Konoha and Sunagakure.Over the next few days, both Konoha and Sunagakure were tallying their respective losses and regrouping their forces.As for Otogakure, since the news of Orochimaru's death had spread, there was no need for Konoha or Sunagakure to lift a finger; it was already being targeted by various predatory forces."Has Sasuke not woken up yet?"At the Konoha Hospital, Naruto's brow was furrowed.Ever since the day Sasuke fought Uchiha Itachi, he had been stuck in a coma after being hit by a Genjutsu.Today was already Sasuke's fourth day lying in the hospital bed, but he still showed no signs of waking up.During this time, Naruto visited Sasuke every day and even tried using Hamon to stimulate him, but none of these methods were effective."From here on, it will depend on his own willpower."Kakashi shook his head and sighed.He also felt deep self-reproach for what happened to Sasuke.After all, if he had taken Sasuke and fled at the very start of the battle, even if they couldn't escape the pursuit of the two from the Akatsuki Organization, they might have been able to hold out until Jiraiya arrived.Judging from how the two immediately left upon seeing Jiraiya, they were clearly very wary of this member of the Sannin.But there are no "ifs" in this world; the current reality was that Sasuke remained unconscious.Speaking of which, Kakashi seemed to think of something and looked at Naruto seriously: "You must be careful, Naruto.""Why?" Naruto asked curiously."Uchiha Itachi's appearance wasn't for Sasuke; his real target was you!"Kakashi looked more solemn than ever before.He had learned about the Akatsuki Organizationfrom Jiraiya after the battle ended.Against such a powerful and dangerous organization, even a Genius like Naruto would probably have to avoid their sharp edge.It was even possible that because of Naruto's rising fame, that organization would target him even more."Target me?" Naruto was stunned for a moment, then his eyes darted around. "I bet they're targeting the Nine-Tailed inside me, right?""You could say that."After getting a definite answer from Kakashi, Naruto nodded and turned to leave.Back home, Naruto lay on his bed, his gaze vacant as he pondered the events of this period.Knock, knock, knock.Suddenly, there was a knock on the window.Naruto got up and found Jiraiya standing outside the window."What is it?" Naruto asked as he opened the window.Speaking of which, Jiraiya had disappeared since the Konoha Destruction Plan.This was the first time the two had met since that day."There's a mission."Jiraiya answered succinctly."What kind of mission?"Naruto's spirits lifted.The Village affairs had been complicated these past few days, and he had been extremely worried about Sasuke, leaving his mind in a muddle and his head spinning.Having something to do now was a good choice.Jiraiya leaped into the room, pulled over a chair, and sat down, saying, "Check if there's anyone else around. What I'm about to say is classified."After a month of contact, he knew very well that Naruto's Hamon had life-detection capabilities, so he didn't hesitate to put him to work.Naruto closed his eyes to investigate and confirmed there was no one else within a hundred-meter radius. Then he sat on the bed and looked at Jiraiya expectantly: "No one! Quick, tell me, what's the mission?"Jiraiya thought for a moment and then asked, "Do you know about the [Tailed Beasts]?""No," Naruto shook his head with a bewildered look."Tailed Beasts are creatures formed by the materialization of Chakra, possessing immense power. There are nine in total, each with a unique number of tails and power characteristics."Jiraiya gave a brief explanation, and Narutoimmediately reacted: "Is the Nine-Tailed also one of the Tailed Beasts?""And Gaara, whom you fought before; the IchibiShukaku inside him is one too," Jiraiya replied.Before Naruto could speak, he continued: "Tailed Beasts are fought over by various forces in the Ninja World due to their immense power. Later, most were sealed into human containers. Cases like yours and Gaara's are collectively known as [Jinchuriki].""And Uchiha Itachi, who injured Sasuke, is a member of an organization called [Akatsuki]. According to my investigation, the purpose of this organization is to seize the power of the Tailed Beasts."After speaking, Jiraiya observed Naruto's expression.He didn't show any fear; in fact, he seemed quite interested: "So, what happens to someone like me, a Jinchuriki, if we fall into their hands?""The Tailed Beast will be extracted, and you will die as a result," Jiraiya said in a grim tone.Naruto's eyes lit up instead: "In other words, I'm destined to be at odds with the people of the Akatsuki Organization until one of us is dead?""What's with that look?" Jiraiya's mouth twitched. "Although I admit you're a Genius, every member of the Akatsuki Organization is a very dangerous criminal. Even you might not be able to defeat them, so you'd better not get overconfident.""No," Naruto scratched his head with a chuckle, "I was just thinking that before, I had no reason to intervene in the hatred between Sasuke and his brother; after all, that's their family business. But now, I can stand side-by-side with Sasuke and face that bastard Uchiha Itachi together!""Then you've come across a good opportunity," Jiraiya clapped his hands."A good opportunity?" Naruto looked over.The corner of Jiraiya's mouth curled up: "I am currently tracking Uchiha Itachi's whereabouts. His return to Konoha this time was for you. Therefore, I'm going to take you away from Konoha for a while, using you as bait to make Uchiha Itachiunable to resist making another move!"At this point, Jiraiya asked seriously: "However, this mission will be extremely dangerous. If you refuse, there won't be any problem, so consider it carefully...""No need to consider!"Naruto interrupted Jiraiya: "My fists are already itching for a fight; I can't wait to punch that bastard Uchiha Itachi in the face!"
Chapter 124: Words in the RainThe next day.A light rain began to fall from the sky.Fine threads of rain fell from the horizon, like countless transparent silk strings, sewing the entire Konoha Village into a moist gray darkness.The Konoha Cemetery, usually cold and solemn, was now packed with people, as if the entire Village's grief had converged on this single plot of land.A heavy atmosphere shrouded everyone, making even breathing feel labored.Today was the day of the memorial service.People stood silently before the Memorial Stone, letting the raindrops hit their shoulders, yet no one held an umbrella.On the Memorial Stone, newly carved names were densely arranged; every fresh mark represented a martyr who sacrificed themselves for Konoha, and a Soul that could never return home.Rainwater flowed down the surface of the stone, as if weeping silently for these names.Although Orochimaru's meticulously planned Konoha Destruction Plan ultimately failed, many people still fell before the dawn of that war.It wasn't until yesterday that the Village's losses were fully tallied.Startling numbers and a long list of names that would never again answer.To commemorate those who had passed, Konohaheld this solemn memorial service."Those heroes who sacrificed themselves to protect the Village and their comrades, their dedication will never be in vain, we will always remember their deeds..."Amidst the pattering of the rain, the Third Hokage's old yet firm voice on the stage was clearly audible.That voice seemed to pierce through the curtain of rain, falling into everyone's ears with the weight and sorrow accumulated over the years.However, at this moment, most people's attention wasn't truly on the Third Hokage's speech; instead, it gradually focused on three uninvited guests.Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari, three Ninjas from the Hidden Sand Village, appeared at the memorial service at an inopportune time.They were all dressed in black funeral attire, clearly harboring intentions of mourning, having come specifically to pay respects to Konoha's fallen.Even so, the cold gazes from the surroundings were like knives without warmth.Piercing them, giving them the illusion of standing in a world of ice and snow, making them shudder.The meaning contained in those eyes was already more than obvious—You are not welcome here."Gaara," Kankuro swallowed nervously and whispered, sensing the blatant malice from the Konoha residents, "let's just leave... this atmosphere is really uncomfortable."Gaara slowly shook his head, his expression calm and resolute: "No, I still have things I must do.""But..." Kankuro wanted to say more, but someone suddenly gave him a light poke in the waist.Startled, he looked back and saw Temari signaling him with her eyes, her gaze carrying a hint of restraint: "Hey, respect Gaara's wishes."Kankuro shut his mouth sheepishly, but the surprise swirling in his eyes couldn't be hidden.Because in that brief glance, he saw clearly that the look Temari gave Gaara no longer held the fear and estrangement of the past; instead, it was replaced by a soft tenderness he had never seen in her eyes before.Gaara was the same; over the past few days, when speaking to Kankuro and Temari, his tone was no longer filled with ice shards, coldness, and disdain, but had become soft and gentle—so gentle that it made Kankuro feel quite uneasy."What exactly happened on the day of the Konoha Destruction Plan?"Kankuro was completely baffled, feeling as if he had missed something crucial, and couldn't help but feel some resentment toward Neji.If he hadn't been knocked out so cleanly by the other party that day, only to wake up and find everything settled, he wouldn't be as confused as a fool right now."Well said."Just then, Naruto's voice suddenly drifted over.Kankuro turned his head and saw that Naruto was already standing beside them at some point, shoulder to shoulder with Temari, his clothes soaked by the rain, yet he didn't seem to care."You're here, Naruto." Gaara turned back and gave Naruto a smile.Seeing this, Kankuro shuddered violently, nearly biting his tongue.In his past memories, every time Gaara smiled, it was a signal that he was about to kill someone.And his smile was always eerie and crazed, tinged with a bloody aura.But now...Now, his smile had transformed from that terrifying ferocity into a gentle warmth full of goodwill and poise, like a block of ice finally melted by the warm sun."Of course, how could I miss something like this?" Naruto grinned, returning an equally bright smile.As he spoke, he even took another step forward, raised his arm, and casually slung it around Gaara's shoulder: "I came here specifically for you today.""Thank you."At Naruto's overly intimate gesture, a faint, subtle blush actually appeared on Gaara's cheeks.Although being suddenly hugged like this made him a bit uncomfortable, he didn't pull away; instead, he softly offered his thanks.Heavens!What has happened to this world?Has it gone mad?Seeing this scene, Kankuro's eyes nearly popped out, and he felt his scalp go numb.He couldn't help but raise his hand to rub his eyes vigorously, beginning to deeply doubt whether the person standing there was still the terrifying Gaarahe knew."Looking at you like this is truly hilarious." Temari's soft laughter rang out from the side as she withdrew her gaze from Gaara and looked at Kankuro. "You need to work on accepting Gaara's change, Kankuro.""I... I'll try."Kankuro rubbed his forehead in distress.Although Temari had mentioned to him before that Gaara was very different from how he used to be, such a complete transformation would likely take quite a while to fully adapt to."...Where Konoha leaves fly, fire shall also burn unceasingly. The light of the fire will continue to illuminate the Village and allow new leaves to sprout; this is the Legacy of the 'Will of Fire'."At this point, the Third Hokage's speech on the stage was gradually coming to an end.Amidst the low melody woven from the suppressed sobs below the stage and the sound of the rain, he pointed toward where the three Sand Ninjas were standing, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable power: "This old man has rambled enough. However, today, someone else wishes to say a few words from the heart. I hope everyone can listen to them through."Hearing this, Naruto lightly patted Gaara's back, the warmth from his palm passing through the rain-soaked clothes to offer silent support: "Go on, I'll be right here supporting you."Gaara nodded heavily, then turned and walked step by step toward the high platform.Most of the people below the stage had an impression of this Genius Ninja from the Hidden Sand Village, so a low commotion immediately rippled through the crowd.After all, the Sand Ninjas were also among the main instigators of that attack.Even though the Hidden Sand Village had already clarified to the outside world that everything was due to Orochimaru's manipulation and conspiracy, for the Konoha residents who had just lost family, friends, and comrades, how could the burning hatred in their hearts be easily extinguished by a few words?"Everyone, my name is Gaara, and as you can see, I am a Ninja from the Hidden Sand Village."Gaara stood firm on the platform, without any concealment, calmly facing those faces that were either cold or hostile.He paused for a moment, then continued, his voice carrying clearly through the damp air in all directions: "I stand before you as a Sand Ninja, and moreover, as someone who has also lost his father.""My father, the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, launched an attack on Konoha while being deceived by Orochimaru's conspiracy and was killed by him on the way to Konoha.""The Hidden Sand Village and Konoha share the same blood of being stabbed in the back. However, I did not come here today to use the word 'victim' to absolve the Hidden Sand Village of its crimes."His voice gradually took on an uncontrollable tremor, yet it made him seem more genuine and unflinching."It was we who brought the flames of war here. No matter what wicked threads once pulled the hand holding the Kunai, the blood stained on the blade is ultimately that of your Konoha Ninjas. This blood cannot be washed away by any conspiracy, nor can it be excused by any pretext.""Therefore, today, I do not beg for forgiveness. Your grief is too heavy, the scars too deep. If forgiveness is spoken too easily, it would only slight these Souls resting here and slight the guilt we ought to bear."Raindrops fell on his shoulders and hair; he did not dodge, but instead deeply lowered his gaze."Please allow me, at this very moment, to bow my head with you and mourn all the innocent lives lost in this senseless disaster. May the deceased find peace. And may both our sides, one day in the future, truly hear the echo of peace landing."Gaara's voice almost carried a hint of a sob at the end, but he never lost his composure; it was an unquestionable sincerity.However, the people below the stage still gave no enthusiastic response, merely looking at his figure heavily, their gazes cold and restrained.It wasn't until Gaara bowed deeply and for a long time toward the crowd, then slowly stepped down from the stage, that still not a single person in the entire cemetery said a word.And this silence was already the most restrained expression these people steeped in grief could offer.Gaara was not surprised by this at all.If hatred could be so easily extinguished, he wouldn't have trapped himself in the cage of resentment for so long.Apologizing to Konoha today on behalf of his father was simply him following his heart and doing what he believed was right.As long as he looked up, he could see the encouraging gazes from Temari and Naruto, and that was enough.At least, at this moment, Gaara clearly felt that he was no longer a solitary person, but a being who was cared for and needed....The memorial service ended, the crowd gradually dispersed, leaving only layers of white flowers before the Memorial Stone and rainwater soaking into the soil.Gaara and the other two arrived at the Konohagate, the heavy wooden doors swinging open to both sides.Actually, they should have set off back to the Hidden Sand Village two days ago, but Gaarainsisted on speaking at the memorial service, so they had delayed until today."Gaara, you have grown."Their Jonin instructor, Baki, appeared by the gate at some point, looking at Gaara with a gratified gaze.He had not attended the memorial service but had silently watched everything from a distance.Baki could see that the current Gaara was no longer that Shura who relied on slaughter to find the meaning of existence.For the Hidden Sand Village, which had also been heavily damaged in that conspiracy, the change in this child was perhaps a blessing in disguise."Growth..." Gaara pondered for a moment, then slightly lowered his eyelashes. "I have that person to thank for that.""The person you want to thank wouldn't be me, would it?"A voice suddenly interjected, startling the others.Temari raised her eyebrows and looked toward the source: "Naruto? You brat, why did you follow us all the way here?""I have something I want to say to you privately!"Naruto's gaze was so serious it felt hot, looking straight over.Temari was slightly taken aback, a light blush instantly appearing on her cheeks: "Wh-what is it? Why are you being so serious...""Not you," Naruto quickly shook his head like a rattle, while pointing his hand at Gaara standing to the side, "It's you!"
Chapter 125: A New Move"You have to be careful."Naruto turned around, the relaxed and calm expression on his face vanishing, replaced by a heavy seriousness rarely seen on him.He told Gaara every detail he had learned from Jiraiya regarding the 'Akatsuki' organization and the likelihood that they were targeting Tailed Beasts and Jinchuriki.After listening, Gaara's brow furrowed deeply, his voice carrying a tone of incredulous doubt. "Do you really believe someone can harness the power of a Tailed Beast? And weaponize it to rule the world?"It wasn't that he was unwilling to believe; it was simply that over these long years, he had experienced more profoundly and painfully than anyone else just how terrifying and uncontrollable the power of a Tailed Beast truly was.To prevent himself from being bewitched by Shukaku and having his body snatched away, Gaara hadn't even dared to sleep for many years.Moreover, Sunagakure's research on Shukaku had been ongoing for many years; the so-called exploration of weaponization had begun as early as the era of the Second Kazekage.Yet to this day, the results bought with countless efforts and sacrifices were still nothing more than a semi-finished product like Gaara, who could lose control at any moment.Therefore, it was difficult for him to imagine that a mysterious organization could exist in this world whose research progress was faster and deeper than that of a great nation like Sunagakure."It's always better to be safe than sorry."Naruto didn't offer any further explanation; he simply shook his head gently.He raised his eyes, and his deep blue pupils revealed a complex mix of emotions."You know, when I saw you before, my heart was filled with both fear and relief.""What?" Gaara was stunned, having completely not expected Naruto to say such a thing."Because seeing you was like seeing my former self," Naruto said in a low voice."Back then, I thought that if I hadn't been a little luckier and met teachers and elders who were willing to truly care for and acknowledge me, I might have become just like you used to be—filled with loneliness and hatred, with nothing left but destruction and slaughter.""So, I can truly empathize with everything you've been through and how you feel."He looked up at the sky, which was covered by thick dark clouds with not a single ray of sunlight in sight, his voice full of emotion. "Jinchuriki like you and me might exist in some corner of this world. They might be experiencing the exact same loneliness we once did. Therefore, even if there is only a shred of danger, I am absolutely unwilling to let it fall upon them!""I understand."Gaara looked deeply at Naruto. In those eyes that once held only cold killing intent, something was now quietly melting away.He nodded firmly, as if making a solemn vow to himself in the depths of his heart....Gaara left.Compared to the fierce and cruel coldness he possessed when he first arrived at Konoha, his aura as he turned to leave now had become much gentler.But this gentleness was by no means equivalent to weakness; rather, it was an unbreakable resilience tempered through hardship.Naruto stood silently in place, his gaze following Gaara's back until the figure completely disappeared at the edge of his vision before he finally withdrew his gaze."When did you two become such good friends?"Jiraiya's teasing voice suddenly rang out from behind him.He had appeared silently at some point, flicking his flamboyant white hair in what he considered a dashing manner, striking a pose that Naruto found quite hilarious and pretentious."It's rare for you to show up this early," Naruto said without turning back, casting a disdainful look. "I thought you'd be holed up near the Hot Spring Street, peeping with single-minded devotion for quite a while before showing your face.""Hey, hey, hey! Don't lump me in with that Kakashifellow!" Jiraiya waved his arms in dissatisfaction, issuing a solemn protest. "And how many times does this Immortal have to emphasize it before you remember? That's not peeping! It's research! Serious research for my novel!""Tch." Naruto curled his lip, his face clearly wearing a teasing expression that said, 'I don't even want to talk about you, just think about it yourself.'The two of them continued to bicker as they walked side by side, heading away from Konoha.On the way, Naruto let out a long yawn and asked listlessly, "Are you sure this plan to lure the snake out of its hole will really work? Those two guys from the Akatsuki Organization ran away without a word as soon as they saw you last time, didn't they?""Don't worry, kid. When it comes to Uchiha Itachi, the information this Immortal holds is precise beyond your imagination!" Jiraiya gave a confident thumbs-up, his eyes gleaming with the certainty of a veteran of the Jianghu.Do you understand the sheer weight of the name 'Jiraiya of the Intelligence'?This plan of action might seem like a bold gamble on the surface, but it was actually based on the personal instructions of the Third Hokage.Even the truth behind the Uchiha Clan Massacre Night, which was known only to the Hokage and the three Advisors, had been fully disclosed by the Third before the mission.Jiraiya hadn't vanished for the past few days to fool around; he had gone to investigate personally and only set out after confirming the Third's words were true.If things could still go wrong despite such meticulous preparation, then his title as one of the legendary Sannin would be for nothing."By the way," Jiraiya said, as if trying to score a point from their earlier bickering, turning his head to ask in the experienced tone of a veteran, "Aren't you going to say a proper goodbye to the girls in the village who like you before we leave?""Didn't you say yourself that this mission is extremely dangerous?" Naruto asked nonchalantly, his hands behind his head. "Since there's a chance I might not return, wouldn't going out of my way to say 'goodbye' be like raising a death flag on myself?""Wrong, wrong, completely wrong!" Jiraiyaimmediately assumed a look of pained disappointment, wagging a finger back and forth. "It's precisely because you might not return that you should say a solemn goodbye to the girls."He leaned closer to Naruto's ear and whispered, "Think about it. If something really goes wrong on this trip and those girls remember their last meeting with you as just a plain, unremarkable day, they'll be heartbroken! Making a girl sad is one of the greatest sins in the world!"As he spoke, he puffed out his chest with self-satisfaction, looking every bit like a top-tier Masterof 'tenderly caring for the fair sex.'"No matter the time, I, Uzumaki Naruto, will leave with style." Naruto raised his hand and pointed ruthlessly at Jiraiya. "You're too naggy, Pervy Sage.""Huh? Me, naggy?" Jiraiya was so annoyed by this assessment that his eyes rolled back. "It seems you kid completely fail to understand how incredible this Immortal is!"He rubbed his chin huffily, grumbling to himself.This kid Naruto is really not cute at all; he's the complete opposite of his father, Minato Namikaze.Even though I am his rightful Master, this kid always has this incredibly arrogant attitude.Could it be because I acted too pathetic the day we first met, leaving an indelible, embarrassing impression in my Disciple's mind?No, it seems that no matter what, I must let this kid see this Immortal's true strength with his own eyes!Thinking of this, Jiraiya's mood brightened instantly. He clapped his hands together with a crisp sound. "Speaking of which, to maximize your self-defense capabilities on this mission, this Immortal will make an exception and teach you an incredibly powerful Move!""A Move?" To his surprise, Naruto wasn't excited at all; instead, he raised an eyebrow. "I don't think I'm lacking any Moves right now. I might as well spend that time figuring out how to properly develop my Vibration Release."He paused for a moment, then looked at Jiraiyasideways as if bringing up an old debt. "By the way, didn't you say before that to develop Vibration Release, I have to Master the Summoning Jutsu first? My Summoning Jutsushould be good enough now, right? Can we start the next step?"As expected... Minato was still the best...Jiraiya rolled his eyes silently, feeling an infinite nostalgia for his former Disciple who was respectful and refined.However, he was a seasoned veteran after all. His eyes darted around as he said, "You're still too young. The Move I'm going to teach was a secret technique personally developed by the late Fourth Hokage!"Jiraiya switched to an enticing tone. "And even he didn't have time to fully perfect this Move. The upper limit and future development potential of this technique are beyond your current imagination."Sure enough, Naruto stopped in his tracks.He turned back, looked at Jiraiya, and let out a helpless sigh.In truth, even though Jiraiya had brought up the Fourth Hokage's name, Naruto still didn't feel much interest. However, seeing Jiraiya's eyes shining with anticipation, Naruto thought about it and ultimately didn't voice a refusal."Fine, what Move is it?""Rasengan!"A look of joy immediately broke out on Jiraiya's face.He proudly extended his arm, his fingers slightly spread. High-density Chakra was mobilized, rotating and catching the air, converging and compressing in his palm."This is...?"Naruto's eyes widened slightly.A flawless, orange-yellow sphere of Chakrasuddenly manifested above Jiraiya's palm.Just by looking at it, one could feel the terrifying destructive power contained within the sphere."Rasengan?"Naruto pondered the name, while his mind involuntarily recalled the Rotation technique used by Hyuga Neji during the Chunin Exams.
Chapter 126: I Need SasukeLand of Grass.Inside a base that no detection equipment could find was Orochimaru's location."Gah—!"Orochimaru suddenly arched his body, a large mouthful of bright red blood splattering from his pale lips, staining the white sheets covering him.He curled up on the hospital bed, his body trembling violently and uncontrollably; his face, which usually had little color, was now as white as a corpse.Under the torture of intense pain, fine beads of sweat broke out on his forehead, and his heavy, low breathing seemed like it could stop at any moment.Yakushi Kabuto pushed the door open and entered. Seeing this scene, his pupils behind his glasses suddenly shrank. He quickly rushed forward, grabbed Orochimaru's wrist to check his pulse, and then swiftly lifted his eyelids to observe his pupils. His expression turned solemn at a rate visible to the naked eye."How is my body?"Unexpectedly, the one to speak first was Orochimaru himself.Compared to the flash of worry deep in Yakushi Kabuto's eyes, the expression on Orochimaru's own face was eerily calm, even carrying a bit of thoughtful indifference, as if everything happening to this body was within his expectations."Very bad."Yakushi Kabuto let go of his hand and slowly shook his head, his voice kept very low. "All indicators are hovering on the brink of collapse.""It's normal. You should know, I was just a hair's breadth away from truly dying at the hands of that old man, the Third Hokage."Orochimaru leaned weakly against the headboard, but a curve slowly pulled at the corner of his mouth. "That old fogey... I didn't expect he would actually have the heart to personally kill me.""I heard that he originally seemed to have the intention of showing mercy? Was it later because he was influenced by that kid, Uzumaki Naruto, that he finally delivered the killing blow?" Yakushi Kabuto raised his hand to push up the glasses sliding down the bridge of his nose, revealing an interested look.Since he was sent on the mission to kidnap Sasukeat the time, Yakushi Kabuto was not personally present for that Soul-stirring battle for the Hokage.Everything he knew was recounted afterward from the mouths of the Sound Four.He only knew that the Third Hokage had momentarily shown a look of reluctance, but ultimately delivered the killing blow under Naruto's influence.However, the Third Hokage had clearly underestimated his Disciple.Orochimaru, the man who could be called the best at survival in the Ninja World, had a tenacity of life that reached an appalling level.Even though his true form, that hideous white-scaled giant serpent, had been smashed into a pulp by the adamantine staff.As long as one of the white snakes serving as scales remained alive, Orochimaru could come back to life by relying on the residual Chakra within it.Of course, this Heaven-Defying resurrection was by no means without a price.Orochimaru's current state of extreme weakness was the most direct manifestation of that price.Now, his true strength was less than a tenth of what it was before the war.It was precisely because of this that he made no response whatsoever to the widespread news of 'Orochimaru's death' that was spreading like wildfire, standing by as Otogakure was wiped out by other forces.After all, a pawn on the surface like Otogakurecould be discarded when necessary; the forces he had lurking in the shadows were far more than just that.But if those wolfish enemies were to catch wind and know he was this weak now, they would surely pounce on him like they smelled blood."Although you have successfully resurrected..." Yakushi Kabuto lowered his head, flipping through the thick stack of physical examination reports in his hand.As he spoke, his tone was calm and devoid of any emotion. "But this current body's organs are all on the verge of collapse. Based on the rate of decline, the next reincarnation ritual must be carried out as soon as possible; it can't be delayed any longer.""Oh?" Orochimaru's golden snake-like pupils shifted slightly as he looked at his confidant. "What are the results of the selection for the reincarnation vessel?""It's over. The final winner is Genyumaru," Yakushi Kabuto answered without looking up."As expected, it's him." Orochimaru didn't seem surprised by this result.That fellow Genyumaru, although he didn't have a Bloodline Limit, was extraordinarily strong in terms of pure physical quality.Such a good specimen had naturally been secretly earmarked by Orochimaru long ago as one of the candidates for the reincarnation vessel.It was only because this body could barely hold on before, and because he had chosen an even more tempting vessel in Uchiha Sasuke, that he had delayed starting the reincarnation ritual for Genyumaru.However, compared to Orochimaru, who showed a satisfied expression at this result, Yakushi Kabutobeside him fell silent for a rare moment.Finally, he pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting a cold white light, and spoke slowly, "Lord Orochimaru, if I may be blunt, Genyumaru is not a good choice.""Are you talking about his unwillingness to obediently surrender his body?" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow.Orochimaru was naturally aware of what Yakushi Kabuto was worried about.Genyumaru was not a death soldier who followed him willingly, but an experimental subject who had been captured; he had no loyalty to him in his bones.Facing the impending Possession and reincarnation, that fellow would surely fight back with everything he had.Normally, Orochimaru wouldn't even bother to blink at such a struggle of will; a casual Genjutsu would be enough to completely crush it.But now, this remnant of a body, so weak that even walking was a struggle, simply couldn't allow him to completely suppress Genyumaru's will to resist.In that case, the other party's deathbed struggle would become fatal."Not only that, Lord Orochimaru. Even if you ultimately succeed in defeating Genyumaru's will and taking over the body, there are still hidden dangers!" Yakushi Kabuto's tone became increasingly serious.Orochimaru could even hear a rare hint of unquestionable authority in his voice. "Due to his intense resistance during the process, the compatibility between your Soul and his will become extremely poor. At that time, Genyumaru's body will produce a severe rejection reaction."The report, covered in dense data, was handed to Orochimaru by Yakushi Kabuto. "At that time, you won't be able to use Genyumaru's body freely and will remain in an extremely weak state for a long time to come."Finally, he stated the worst-case scenario word by word: "The time this body can sustain will be significantly shortened."Orochimaru was silent for a moment, then finally narrowed his golden snake pupils, his voice revealing some gravity. "Living Corpse Reincarnation cannot be used consecutively in a short period. Kabuto, you're worried that Genyumaru's body will completely collapse before I can make it to the next reincarnation ritual, right?""Exactly." Yakushi Kabuto nodded heavily, his gaze looking directly at Orochimaru. "Therefore, I still stand by my view. If reincarnation is necessary, please choose one of the Sound Four as the vessel."Yakushi Kabuto had followed Orochimaru for many years. Not only was his medical Ninjutsu superb, but he had also deeply participated in Orochimaru's various forbidden research; his vision and ability were far beyond those of ordinary medical Ninja.Orochimaru had always treated his opinions seriously, especially this suggestion, which contained no personal interest and stated the cruelest facts from the most level-headed perspective.The Sound Four were completely different from experimental subjects like Genyumaru, who were captured and could be discarded like trash at any time.Those four had been personally trained, nurtured, and brainwashed by Orochimaru; they were unconditionally loyal and wouldn't say a single 'no' to the Possession and reincarnation.Knowing they could be chosen by Lord Orochimaruto become his new body, they wouldn't resist; instead, they would consider it the greatest honor of their lives.Furthermore, these four individuals each possessed unique Physiques and abilities.Although they weren't the top-tier specimens, they were at least much safer than the extremely rejective option of Genyumaru.But...Orochimaru gritted his teeth, a intense feeling of unwillingness burning in his chest like fire.The reason he had originally branded the Sound Four with the [Cursed Seal of Earth] was that, in his heart, he had long ago judged these people as 'unqualified.'To them, that cursed seal was a brand stamped on a group of defective products.But now, he was actually forced to reincarnate into one of these people's bodies!This was simply a great irony and insult to Orochimaru's lifelong pursuit and dignity!Yakushi Kabuto stood quietly to the side. His long years as a spy had made him extremely good at reading people's expressions.Coupled with years of contact, almost the instant Orochimaru gritted his teeth, Yakushi Kabutounderstood the churning dissatisfaction and resistance in the other's heart.His lips parted slightly, and he was about to say something more to persuade him, but Orochimarusuddenly raised a pale hand and interrupted him.For a moment, the hospital room fell into a heavy silence that was almost frozen.Only the cold sound of the wind outside the window and the monotonous ticking of the equipment were infinitely amplified in their ears.After a long time, Orochimaru, who had been hanging his head in deep thought, finally raised his face slowly.In those golden snake pupils, a flicker of light reignited. "There are other ways.""What way?" Yakushi Kabuto asked immediately, genuine doubt and curiosity showing on his brow.Although Orochimaru's voice was still weak, his tone carried an unquestionable certainty, definitely not sounding like he was just being stubborn."Tsunade."From his dry, cracked lips, Orochimaru slowly spat out this name."...Hmm. If it's that lady," Yakushi Kabuto pondered for a moment, then nodded slowly in agreement, "it is indeed not impossible to alleviate the situation of your current body being on the verge of collapse, Lord Orochimaru."He was naturally not unfamiliar with the name 'Tsunade.'She was a Ninja known alongside Orochimaru and Jiraiya as the legendary [Sannin], and was also recognized by the entire Ninja World as the existence standing at the Peak of medical Ninjutsu.It could even be said that the medical NinjutsuYakushi Kabuto was so proud of now was partly derived indirectly from the techniques and theories Tsunade had developed back then.However, absolute confidence in Tsunade's medical skills was one thing; another doubt that followed made Yakushi Kabuto have to speak with deliberation: "It's just that the legendary Princess Tsunade is not only the Personal Disciple of the Third Hokage, but also the granddaughter of the First Hokage..."He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was already very clear.You have to know that Orochimaru had just attacked Konoha, not only engaging in a great battle with the Third Hokage but also desecrating and toying with the Soul of the First Hokage.Under these circumstances, there was no way Tsunade would compromise That's right..To Yakushi Kabuto's undisguised worry, Orochimaru gave a cold, mocking laugh. "Don't worry, Kabuto. I will offer a condition... that she absolutely cannot refuse."After speaking, the smile on Orochimaru's face gradually faded, replaced by a solemn coldness, like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows preparing to hunt."This body is now on the verge of collapse. Even if Tsunade is willing to help, with her skills, she can at most only delay it for a period of time. However, as long as I can temporarily pull through and recover to a state barely approaching my Peak, that will be enough."Orochimaru's voice lowered. "Before the body completely collapses, I need Sasuke!"
Chapter 127: Next is the Adult WorldBzzz~~Along with a faint sound of electric current, several blurred and distorted figures appeared one after another in a pitch-black, infinite space.They were translucent, wearing large cloaks with a black background and red cloud patterns, standing at a distance from each other on the fingers of a giant statue.Even though they were just virtual projections, they still emitted a dangerous aura.This was the meeting place of the Akatsuki Organization. Seeing everyone present, Pain, the leader, spoke first: "Itachi, what happened?"His Rinnegan, with its concentric circles, was as cold as ice, and his voice was even more frigid and indifferent, devoid of any human emotion.This gathering was not initiated by Pain, but rather a contact initiated by Uchiha Itachi, which in itself was noteworthy."It's about the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."Uchiha Itachi's answer was brief and direct, without any unnecessary embellishment.Pain's brow furrowed slightly: "Is it that kid named Uzumaki Naruto? He's been making quite a name for himself in the Ninja World lately; many people know that Konoha has produced such a rising star.""Haha, what? Could it be that as a Konoha Geniusyourself, you're jealous to see a Genius emerge among the younger generation? Hmm?"Another figure let out an unceremonious sneer.Among the group of rogue Ninjas, he seemed a bit shorter; he was the youngest member of the Akatsuki Organization, Deidara.Years ago, it was Uchiha Itachi who had stepped in and cleanly defeated the arrogant Deidara, forcibly recruiting him into the organization.Therefore, whenever he caught an opportunity, Deidara couldn't help but sarcastically mock Uchiha Itachi, as if doing so could settle the debt of his defeat.However, Uchiha Itachi didn't even spare a glance at Deidara's provocation, completely treating the noisy figure as thin air.He continued in a steady tone: "Based on the observations Kisame and I made earlier, it seems the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is already able to control the Tailed Beast. He can mobilize and use a large amount of Nine-Tails Chakra while maintaining his own conscious awareness, and even undergo a Tailed Beast transformation."Pain remained silent for a moment before speaking: "The Nine-Tails is the most powerful of all the Tailed Beasts. If its Jinchuriki can truly utilize that power effectively, it will certainly pose a certain level of obstruction to our plans."Having said that, he looked at Uchiha Itachi: "Itachi, what do you plan to do?""I just received word. One of the Sannin, Jiraiya, has already left Konoha with Uzumaki Naruto to travel. I believe..." Uchiha Itachi looked up, his crimson Sharingan slowly spinning, "...this is a good opportunity to directly test and investigate him."The moment he heard the name 'Jiraiya', Pain's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.That subtle change was so fast that even the projection couldn't capture it, and naturally, no one noticed.He pondered for a moment, then spoke, his tone still flat: "As you wish, Itachi."He paused, then added a cold warning: "However, act with caution. Our plan has not yet officially started, so it's not advisable to keep too high a profile.""Understood."Uchiha Itachi nodded slightly.As soon as he finished speaking, the translucent projection emitted a burst of static noise and then suddenly dissipated into the darkness, as if the source had been cut off."Tch, what is this guy acting so arrogant for! Hmm!"Deidara let out a disdainful snort from his nose.He was clearly quite dissatisfied with Uchiha Itachigoing offline without even saying a word.Another figure nearby lazily raised a hand, picked his ear, and joked in a tone that suggested he found it troublesome: "You're really talkative, Deidara. Nagging all day like a resentful woman.""What did you say?! Hmm?!"Deidara had a fiery temper that flared up at the slightest spark; he couldn't stand such direct mockery and immediately jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.The hunched figure standing on the finger next to him let out a raspy sound, like a piece of metal rubbing against stone: "Enough, Deidara, stop it.""Hey, Sasori-danna!" Deidara turned back with a defiant look, "Are you just going to stand by and watch that bastard insult me, hmm?"The metallic tail behind Sasori swayed slightly. His cold gaze slowly swept over the figure who had just mocked Deidara, then paused for a moment on Kakuzu, whose eyes were glowing with a faint green light, before withdrawing his gaze."Don't worry, that guy won't live for long. This kind of short-lived trash has no artistic value; there's no need to take it to heart."After saying that, without waiting for the wide-eyed Deidara to respond, Sasori's projection also emitted a burst of static and disappeared cleanly."Hmph! Consider yourself lucky! Hmm!"Deidara irritably threw out one last line into the depths of the darkness, and his figure also vanished in a burst of noise.Bzzz~ Bzzz~With one burst of intermittent static after another, the projections in the dark space went out one by one.Soon, in the entire deathly silent void, only Pain's solitary figure remained.He stood silently in place, his Rinnegan staring straight into the boundless darkness beneath his feet, as if looking through it toward a distant past."...Jiraiya-sensei? And you... Uzumaki Naruto..."Pain whispered to himself, the sound so faint he could barely hear it.Then, the last projection also silently disappeared into the darkness.Elsewhere, in a dense forest.Uchiha Itachi slowly opened his eyes, waking up from the meditative state of the Magic Lantern Body Technique.Beside him, Kisame Hoshigaki was already leaning boredly against a large tree, carrying the bandage-wrapped Samehada, waiting for him."Are we really going?" Kisame Hoshigaki looked at Uchiha Itachi with his small, sharp shark-like eyes, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. "Last time, as soon as we saw Jiraiya's shadow, we retreated without a word, didn't we?""At that time, I not only used Tsukuyomi but also used Amaterasu immediately after; the burden on my body was very heavy," Uchiha Itachi replied calmly as he stood up from under the tree. "Plus, that was an encounter; the situation and information were extremely unfavorable to us. It wasn't wise to fight hard at that point, so we chose to retreat temporarily.""Hehe, hearing Itachi-san put it that way, it seems you're quite confident about how to deal with Jiraiya." Kisame Hoshigaki grinned, letting out a low laugh."Any Ninja must guard their own information to the death." Uchiha Itachi's face was devoid of emotion, as if stating an iron rule. "Once information is leaked, others will seize your weakness and defeat you."As he spoke, he stepped forward and walked out of the forest: "And as for information on Jiraiya, I already have quite a detailed grasp of it.""Great!" Kisame Hoshigaki excitedly stuck out his tongue and licked his dry lips. "My Samehada can't wait to taste the flavor of Nine-Tails Chakra for itself!""Remember, the purpose of our trip is only to test Uzumaki Naruto." Uchiha Itachi coldly threw out one last line, his figure already merging into the shadows of the trees. "Don't do anything unnecessary.""Yes, yes, I know."Kisame Hoshigaki agreed carelessly, hoisted the heavy Samehada onto his shoulder, and followed with large strides...."...I'm starting to doubt you a bit."Walking on a bustling street filled with the sounds of people and the scent of cosmetics mixed with alcohol, the veins on Naruto's forehead throbbed slightly."Is there a problem?"Jiraiya, walking ahead, glanced back at him with a very innocent expression, as if he had no idea what Naruto was talking about."This is already our seventh day here, right?" Naruto gritted his teeth and lowered his voice in accusation. "You leave early and return late every day—don't think I don't know what you're really doing!"Naruto's mouth curled, and the disdain in his eyes wasn't even hidden.Looking around, even in broad daylight, there were colorful neon signs that dazzled the eyes. On both sides of the street, there were inns and taverns with suggestive signs everywhere. From time to time, women in revealing, bold clothing with seductive figures leaned lazily against porches, winking at passersby...Everything already explained what kind of place this was without any concealment.Ever since they arrived at this town called Botan-shuku Town a week ago, Jiraiya had been like a bear that had dived into a honey pot, soaking in the gentle embrace of the pleasure district all day and night, refusing to budge.As for Naruto, he went to the hills outside the town every day as scheduled, practicing the Rasenganall by himself.So, on this day a week later, Naruto, who still hadn't seen even a shadow of Uchiha Itachi, finally couldn't help but lose his temper."You're still too young, Naruto."Jiraiya turned around, crossed his arms, and shook his head slowly with an unfathomable look: "You can't keep your cool at all! That's not a quality a successful Ninja should have!"He paused, then suddenly puffed out his chest, put his hands on his hips, and changed to an expression of righteous indignation, saying loudly, "Do you know? A so-called Ninja is someone who can endure! The most important thing is that perseverance to never give up and always keep going, no matter what!""..."Naruto twitched his mouth and looked at him expressionlessly: "Hearing those words come from you is simply a sacrilege...""In-In any case!" Jiraiya's old face turned slightly red under his gaze, and he waved his large hand in annoyance, "Leave everything to this Immortal! That guy will definitely show up!"His confidence was overflowing, making Narutoraise an eyebrow suspiciously, curious where this guy got such confidence.Gulp!However, before Naruto could figure out the reason, a clear sound of swallowing saliva suddenly pulled him back from his thoughts.Naruto instinctively looked up, only to see Jiraiya's neck already twisted stiffly to one side, his eyes glazed, his mouth slightly open, staring fixedly at a certain direction on the street corner."Ohhhh—!"Following his fixed gaze, even Naruto couldn't help but let out a gasp of admiration in his heart.A sexy young woman wearing a tight, hip-hugging short skirt was standing there lazily, her cloud-like long curly hair draped over her bare shoulders.Sensing their gazes, the woman wasn't annoyed; instead, her eyes sparkled, and she raised a hand to gently toss her hair, giving them a charming, flirtatious smile that radiated the infinite allure of a mature woman."Hee hee hee hee!"Jiraiya's mouth immediately curled up in an unseemly way, letting out a series of extremely lecherous and wretched laughs.But he immediately realized Naruto was still standing there. He quickly stiffened his face, coughed loudly, and put on a fake serious expression: "Ahem! Well, Naruto, it's about time you went to practice the Rasengan, right? Hurry up and go. Next is the adult world; children shouldn't get involved here!"As he spoke, he impatiently reached out and gave Naruto's back two hard shoves."Hmph!" Naruto let out a heavy breath from his nose, his face half angry and half disgusted, "I really can't stand you!"Although he protested verbally, Naruto didn't linger and obediently turned to leave.Having successfully sent away the meddlesome kid, Jiraiya immediately dropped his serious facade, rubbed his hands together, and approached the figure at the corner who was still winking at him with a beaming smile.He was so carried away that he didn't notice at all that the originally angry Naruto, after running a few steps, suddenly curled his lips into a silent, mischievous grin.He patted his slightly bulging chest; a wallet he had swiped from Jiraiya was lying quietly in his pocket, its heavy and thick feel making him feel inexplicably cheerful."Heh heh heh... When you find your wallet is gone and you're being beaten up in the shop, don't blame me, Pervy Sage!"Naruto blew a cheerful whistle, his steps becoming light as he walked toward the training ground on the hill outside the town.
Chapter 128: Why Do I Feel Looked Down Upon?"Whoa!"Leaving the town, Naruto walked up the winding mountain path while eagerly pulling out the wallet he had just swiped from Jiraiya.Flipping open the compartment, he found that besides a thick stack of cash, there was actually a crumpled bankbook stuffed inside.He flipped it open nonchalantly, but froze in place the next second.The long string of zeros on the bankbook was almost blinding to his eyes."How is Pervy Sage so rich? Could it be that he's completed many high-Rank missions?"Naruto scratched his chin, pondering for a moment, before vigorously shaking his head and flatly denying the thought: "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! With his character, where would he find the time to do missions? It must be royalties from those third-rate novels. After all, according to Kakashi-sensei, that 'icha icha paradise' is quite a bestseller in the market..."Muttering his complaints about Jiraiya, he quickened his pace.Soon, Naruto arrived at the hilltop clearing where he usually Cultivated alone.The open dirt ground was covered in pits and hollows left behind by his training over the past few days.The surrounding tree trunks were also covered in marks from Rasengan impacts, silently recording his hard work.During these few days of training, Naruto's progress had been startlingly fast.Although Jiraiya had plunged into a 'gentle land' and was nowhere to be found, he wasn't entirely irresponsible.At least when setting up the training plan, he had given Naruto quite a bit of earnest guidance.According to Jiraiya's understanding, Naruto had already successfully completed the first stage of water balloon training and the second stage of rubber ball training.As for the final third stage, he already had some clues, and was only one step away from complete mastery."The final [Maintenance] stage requires the simultaneous use of two types of force."Naruto didn't rush into training; instead, he sat cross-legged on the ground, resting his chin on one hand, quietly reviewing his training experience from the past few days in his mind."One is the containment force that maintains the external spherical shape, and the other is the rotational force that creates multiple turbulent currents inside the sphere.""The turbulence within the sphere exists to fully enhance the Rasengan's destructive power. But if we're just talking about destructive power, my Vibration Release is much stronger than the Rasengan; there's no need to rely on turbulence to supplement the damage."Naruto rubbed his chin, his azure eyes flashing with thoughts unbefitting his age.He didn't obediently follow the plan given by Jiraiya step-by-step; instead, a bold idea quietly sprouted in his heart—Modify the Rasengan!Or to put it another way, continue developing the Rasengan.After all, according to Jiraiya, the Rasengan is the pinnacle of Chakra shape transformation; essentially, it is a ball of Chakra.In the Fourth Hokage's plan, the intention was to continue development by adding nature transformation to it."If I don't use turbulence to attack, then the inside of the Rasengan only needs a single rotational force. That way, creating and maintaining the Rasengan will be very easy!"Once this idea popped up, he couldn't suppress it anymore.Naruto leapt up and immediately began his attempt.He took a deep breath, clearing all distracting thoughts from his mind, held out his right palm, and concentrated his spirit like never before.In his palm, a mass of pure Chakra slowly emerged, gathered, and then began to rotate rapidly.Naruto's theory was a success; because there was no need to create those violent and chaotic turbulent currents inside the sphere, the mass of Chakra stabilized very quickly.Soon, an orange-yellow sphere of perfect flawlessness condensed above his palm.Compared to the Rasengan Jiraiya had demonstrated personally, the one in Naruto's palm now was slightly smaller.Moreover, through the translucent outer wall of Chakra, one could clearly see the Chakra inside rotating in an orderly and rapid fashion around the center of the sphere.It could be said that at this moment, this small Rasengan was merely a semi-finished product that had the form but lacked any actual killing power.However, Naruto didn't stop his attempt; instead, he became excited: "Next, as long as I inject Vibration Release Chakra into my Rasengan, perhaps I can achieve nature transformation and give it a special ability!"Muttering to himself, Naruto carefully created Vibration Release Chakra and slowly injected it into the Rasengan.Since he had already developed techniques like the Vibration Release Bubble, Naruto was now very adept at Chakra infusion and nature transformation.So the process was unexpectedly smooth, with almost no rejection reaction.In just over ten seconds, under the influence of the Vibration Release Chakra, the color of the orange-yellow Rasengan began to slowly change, turning into a pure azure blue!At the same time, Naruto could clearly feel that the special property belonging to Vibration Releasehad quietly merged into and attached itself to the Rasengan in his palm.With the intention of testing it out, Naruto focused his mind, injected Hamon into the outer wall of the Rasengan, and then swung his arm forward, throwing the azure sphere from his hand.Hum—The moment the Rasengan left his hand, a faint golden flash of electricity flickered on the outer wall.That was the Hamon at work, barely maintaining the external shape of the sphere with its unique properties, preventing the Rasengan from dissipating the moment it was thrown.Following that, the [Adsorption] property of the Vibration Release Chakra Naruto had imbued into the Rasengan began to show an amazing effect on the flying sphere.The azure Rasengan seemed to turn into a magnet, releasing a massive gravitational pull.Along its whistling trajectory, flying dust, fallen leaves, tiny pebbles, and even a few dry branches...In short, no matter what it was, everything was pulled into the air by an invisible force and stuck to it with a clatter.By the time the Rasengan had flown ten meters away, the original fist-sized sphere had turned into a clump of matter nearly a meter in diameter, forcibly aggregated from various debris and crushed stones.However, as the Chakra inside the Rasengan was exhausted, the Adsorption force maintaining the sphere also dissipated.With a dull thud, the giant ball collapsed weakly in mid-air, and the soil, stones, and broken branches fell like rain, kicking up a cloud of dust on the ground."Great! My hypothesis was indeed correct!"Naruto looked at the large mess on the ground ahead, an uncontrollable smile appearing on his face.The repeated deductions of the past few days were finally verified at this moment. He felt his blood boiling with excitement, wishing he could try it a few more times immediately.But almost instantly, the smile on Naruto's face froze.He turned around abruptly, his expression becoming solemn as he looked toward the nearby forest.Through Hamon, Naruto could clearly feel an extremely powerful surge of life energy appearing.And judging by the trajectory, the other party was clearly coming for him."Oh? Discovered so quickly? As expected of the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki."A low, rough voice rang out from the shadows of the forest, and an unusually tall figure slowly walked out.The newcomer's face was an almost sickly pale blue-white, his deep blue short hair stood up defiantly, his features were as fierce as a shark's, and he carried a massive weapon tightly wrapped in layers of bandages on his back.Naruto's pupils constricted slightly, recognizing the other party's identity almost at a glance: "Kisame Hoshigaki?"As for the physical characteristics and intelligence on Uchiha Itachi and his teammate Kisame Hoshigaki, he had carefully and repeatedly consulted Kakashi and Jiraiya. The relevant information was already etched into his mind, so he naturally couldn't be mistaken now."That would be me," Kisame Hoshigaki grinned, replying very politely. "It seems you are quite familiar with me."Naruto stood his ground, tilting his head slightly; there were no other life energy reactions in his Hamon perception.His tone carried a hint of annoyance, yet also a trace of eager restlessness: "To think they only sent one person... why do I feel a bit looked down upon?""Your Ninjutsu seems quite troublesome," Kisame Hoshigaki said, raising his hand to grip Samehada's hilt. "How about I cut off your hands first?"
Chapter 129: Vibration Style: Spiral Suction Sphere!"Kisame Hoshigaki, one of the former Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and the wielder of the great blade Samehada, defected from the Hidden Mist Village and was classified as an S-rank rogue ninja for the suspected assassination of the Land of Water's Daimyo and a series of state-destabilizing crimes. He joined the Akatsuki Organization at an unknown point and became Uchiha Itachi's partner.""This guy specializes in Water Release, and his blade Samehada has the ability to devour an enemy's Chakra. His own Chakra reserves are also incredibly vast, earning him the title of the 'Tailless Tailed Beast'."Naruto did not rush into battle; instead, his gaze was locked onto the tall figure not far ahead as his mind quickly recalled the intelligence Jiraiya had previously shared with him.Although he had once fought Zabuza Momochi, another of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, in the Land of Waves and eventually emerged victorious...the man before him was capable of being Uchiha Itachi's teammate; his strength was likely even greater than Zabuza's!"What's wrong? Aren't you going to attack?"Seeing Naruto standing there observing him, Kisame Hoshigaki grinned and asked with a smile.Although his tone sounded quite friendly, there wasn't a trace of warmth in those small eyes. Instead, they held the coldness unique to a predator on the hunt.While speaking, Kisame Hoshigaki's hands were already rapidly weaving signs, so fast they almost left afterimages."Since you're being so polite, I'll make the first move!"Before his voice even faded, Kisame Hoshigakistepped forward, leaving a deep crater in the ground, and leaped high into the air.Mid-air, he took a deep breath, condensing his vast, ocean-like Chakra at his throat, his chest visibly swelling.Water Release: Water Shockwave!BOOM!!!Accompanied by a deafening roar, an overwhelming torrent of water, like a massive tsunami, transformed into a giant hand that blotted out the sky, crashing down from above toward Naruto's position.Seeing this, Naruto's brow furrowed tightly.Back in the Land of Waves, Zabuza had also used this technique.But the volume of water produced between the two was like night and day; they weren't even in the same dimension.He felt the sky above his head darken in an instant as the massive curtain of water completely blocked out the sunlight, casting a terrifying shadow.That suffocating sense of oppression descended even before the water did.Naruto couldn't help but swallow hard. "Are you kidding me?"This was the top of a mountain!It was so dry that even the trees were sparse, and moisture was extremely scarce—completely different from a place like the Land of Waveswhere the air was always damp!Furthermore, even when Zabuza had the geographical advantage, the amount of water he produced was nowhere near this!This guy's strength...is on a completely different level than Zabuza's!Naruto made the most calm judgment almost instantly.When dealing with Zabuza's Great Waterfall Technique before, he had used Hamon to stabilize and counter the opponent's Water Release.But that kind of move couldn't be used against Kisame Hoshigaki's Water Release at all."Tsk tsk!"Naruto clicked his tongue. Originally, he didn't think he would lose to Kisame Hoshigaki.Although his overall strength was only at the Joninlevel, the countering effect of Hamon against Water Release Ninjutsu was very real, so he hadn't doubted the outcome of victory.However, Kisame Hoshigaki was now using his actions to teach Naruto a lesson—In front of a true stat monster, a small mechanical counter is completely insufficient!Therefore, Naruto didn't hesitate for even half a second and chose the most correct path."Hamon Overdrive!"He took a deep breath and roared with boiling blood, his fists clenched as a brilliant golden light erupted from his body.Hearing this powerful battle cry, Kisame Hoshigaki's gaze sharpened, and he instinctively lowered his center of gravity, fully on guard for the attack the opponent was about to unleash.However, something unexpected happened.While shouting at the top of his lungs, Narutosuddenly kicked off the ground, spun 180 degrees, and sprinted away without looking back.He was so fast that before the dust he kicked up could settle, he was already over ten meters away, his golden hair trailing behind him in a straight line.Kisame Hoshigaki froze for a moment, then threw his head back and laughed. "Interesting! This is truly interesting!"He said it was interesting, but his movements didn't slow down a bit.With his legs slightly bent, he leaped lightly onto the crest of the massive wave created by the Water Shockwave.Kisame Hoshigaki stood firmly on the surface of the water as if on a moving surfboard, using the massive momentum of the crashing wave to chase after the fleeing Naruto at an incredible speed.His voice sounded somewhat leisurely. "As expected, to prevent further trouble, I should probably cut off those legs of yours that like to run around so much."Kisame Hoshigaki's speed was truly too fast; by the time he finished speaking, he had already closed in behind Naruto, the distance between them less than ten meters."Then why don't you try it!"The sprinting Naruto suddenly spun around, his eyes showing no fear, but rather a burning Battle Intent.Before his words finished, his figure blurred into a series of afterimages.In the next second, Naruto appeared before Kisame Hoshigaki like a ghost, the Kunai held in a reverse grip tracing a cold arc as it stabbed straight toward the center of the opponent's chest with a piercing edge."Humph, you want to fight me in close quarters?"Kisame Hoshigaki wasn't surprised at all by Naruto's sudden counterattack.Rather, it would have been more surprising if this Genius, recently famous in the Ninja World for his fierce and brave fighting style, had been scared into running away by a single Water Release technique.Kisame Hoshigaki curled his lips into a cruel grin and reached behind him to grab the hilt of Samehada.With a dull sound of rushing wind, the large, bandage-wrapped sword was drawn with one hand.The wide blade acted like an iron wall in front of him, blocking Naruto's sharp Kunai strike with a loud 'clang'.Then, Kisame Hoshigaki flicked his wrist and tightened his grip on Samehada's hilt."Chakra Shredder!"With the sound of tearing cloth, countless sharp spikes on Samehada's blade suddenly stood up, shredding the layers of bandages wrapping the sword.The sword, its blade covered in spikes, writhed as it pressed down hard toward Naruto's body like a giant iron brush, intending to tear large chunks of flesh from him.But Naruto had already used Hamon to sense the restless life energy fluctuations of Samehada in advance.So he decisively took two steps back, narrowly avoiding Samehada's bite, while raising his left palm toward the Kisame Hoshigaki in front of him.A ball of azure Chakra rapidly condensed into form.It wasn't the standard Rasengan Jiraiya had taught him, but one he had just finished refining—"Vibration Style: Spiral Suction Sphere!"The moment the sphere formed, a violent, invisible suction force erupted, like an invisible hand pulling everything around it toward the center.Kisame Hoshigaki's expression changed drastically. The suction came so suddenly that, caught off guard, he was yanked into the air by that domineering force, crashing toward Naruto against his will."It worked!"A smile finally broke out on Naruto's face.At the same moment the suction dragged his opponent in front of him, the Kunai in his hand struck out again, turning into a lethal flash of cold light aimed straight for the other's heart.