Konoha.
"Brother Naruto, please!"
Early in the morning, Naruto was woken up while still in bed, only to see the little lord Sarutobi Konohamaru, with tears in his eyes, heavily kneeling on the floor.
"Brother Naruto, the rogue ninja Asuma has appeared in the Land of Fire, please take me to avenge him!"
Looking at Konohamaru in front of him, Naruto asked in surprise: "Konohamaru, how do you know that Asuma appeared in the Land of Fire?"
He didn't know about this, so how did Konohamaru know?
"Brother Naruto, it was Jonin Shikamaru, from the Nara clan, who got the news. Jonin Shikamaru has already gone to the Hokage's office to ask for permission."
Shikamaru!
Hearing this name, Naruto showed a shocked expression, then exclaimed: "Oh no."
"Brother Naruto, wait for me."
A flustered Naruto ran towards the Hokage's office, followed by Konohamaru, who was trailing behind like a shadow.
At the Hokage's office.
Hokage Tsunade, Mizukage Terumi Mei, and Kazekage Pakura, the three fifth-generation Kage, looked gravely at the intelligence in their hands.
"According to the information received, last night the Fire Temple was attacked and left with no survivors. The culprits are members of the Akatsuki organization, code-named Hidan and Kakuzu."
As Tsunade spoke, Mizukage Terumi Mei picked up a report and said teasingly: "I have some interesting information here. Around dawn today, other members of the Akatsuki organization also entered the Land of Fire from the border of the Land of Water. Perhaps they're here to rendezvous or maybe they're plotting something."
"And the two Akatsuki members who entered the Land of Fire at dawn are code-named Asuma and the Mysterious Masked Man."
"Four S-class dangerous ninjas. It seems the Akatsuki is up to no small feat this time," Pakura said, looking grave upon hearing the information.
"Four S-class dangerous ninjas are enough to cause a terrifying event, especially when one of them is a mysterious ninja who possesses the Mangekyo Sharingan and Wood Release."
While the three Kage were talking, Nara Shikamaru, kneeling on one knee below, respectfully bowed his head and said in a deep voice: "The three Kage, Jonin Shikamaru is willing to take responsibility for the pursuit mission."
At this moment, Shikamaru, with his head bowed, had a complicated look in his eyes, filled with deep, unyielding hatred.
The Asuma sensei he believed in had dealt the heaviest blow to their Ino-Shika-Cho, causing them to split up since then.
"The Akatsuki are too audacious, daring to cause chaos within the borders of the Land of Fire."
Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, was visibly angry. Although they knew that she had secretly allied with the Akatsuki organization, her actions were too excessive. Not retaliating would only lead to being underestimated.
"Immediately notify Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Itachi, and Hoshigaki Kisame to lead teams, each heading one of the seventh squads!"
However, before Tsunade could finish speaking, the Hokage's door was pushed open by Naruto. He hadn't even entered the room before he excitedly shouted, "How can you pursue Asuma Sarutobi alone? I must go!"
Seeing Naruto's unruly and disrespectful behavior, Tsunade's face showed a trace of anger.
"Naruto! You are too presumptuous! The Hokage's office is not a place you can just barge into. You're really disgracing your father, the Fourth Hokage."
As soon as he entered, Naruto faced Tsunade's scolding. The impulsive Naruto wanted to retort, but then realized his impulsiveness.
In these three years, he had grown somewhat. Jiraiya might indulge him, but others would not.
Therefore, Naruto, looking at the door he had carelessly pushed open, couldn't help feeling wronged and ultimately remained silent.
After all, Tsunade was reprimanding him by mentioning his father, the Fourth Hokage.
"Jonin Temari requests an audience!"
However, at this moment, even though the door to the Hokage's office was open, Temari, who appeared, stood respectfully at the entrance, looking down at her toes and spoke respectfully.
Without comparison, there would be no harm done. One pushed the door open casually, treating this place like his own home. The other, even with the door open, reported politely at the entrance.
The difference was clear, and it also made Naruto more embarrassed.
"Come in."
With this comparison, Tsunade's stern face finally relaxed a bit, and Temari, carrying a large fan, walked in respectfully.
"Hokage, Mizukage, and Kazekage, Jōnin Temari requests to join the pursuit team against the Akatsuki organization!"
After entering, Temari directly and respectfully requested permission, her straightforward nature leaving no room for pretense, clearly stating her purpose.
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, her father, had been killed by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen. She could no longer avenge her father, as Hiruzen had already passed away, but she would not let go of the opportunity to confront Hiruzen's son, Sarutobi Asuma.
Seeing this, Naruto quickly nodded, "Naruto also requests to join the pursuit team against the Akatsuki organization."
At this moment, Konohamaru also hurriedly arrived, like Naruto, treating the Hokage's office as his own home, and loudly said, "Genin Sarutobi Konohamaru requests to join the pursuit team."
Under this scenario, both the Mizukage Terumi Mei and Kazekage Pakura narrowed their eyes, showing their dissatisfaction with the situation, and Tsunade, as the Hokage, was even more furious.
"Naruto! Konohamaru! Do you really think of the Hokage's office as your own home? Or do you still think this is the decayed era of the Third Hokage!"
Tsunade, truly angered this time, did not show her anger but instead, her expression gradually became colder, her icy gaze fixating on the two.
Seeing this, Konohamaru became somewhat timid, but his years of temperament were not so easily changed, especially when his grandfather was still around. Wasn't he free to come and go in the Hokage's office?
Brother Naruto."
In the end, Konohamaru turned to his leader, Naruto. Seeing this, Naruto shielded Konohamaru behind him.
"I will protect Konohamaru!"
Such reckless behavior!
At this moment, Tsunade was truly disappointed with Naruto. His behavior was entirely due to being spoiled by Jiraiya, believing others would treat him the same.
"Immediately notify Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Itachi, and Hoshigaki Kisame to form a temporary pursuit team immediately. The members will be selected by them."
"Yes!"A member of the Anbu appeared and respectfully nodded.
After Tsunade issued her orders, she remained cold-faced and stopped paying attention to everyone. The clever Temari quickly realized what was happening and respectfully said, "I will take my leave first."
Temari then went to find her brother Gaara, as Kakashi was leading the team this time. As a member of Team 7, Gaara was certainly qualified to join them.
In Konoha, Kakashi, upon receiving the orders, showed a serious expression, knowing that each member of the Akatsuki organization was an S-rank dangerous ninja.
Being marked as an S-rank dangerous ninja meant that their strength could threaten the existence of a Kage, or they had reached the strength level of a Kage.
"Immediately gather Team 7."
Fifteen minutes later, outside the gates of Konoha, Kisame, carrying Samehada, smiled and said, "I didn't expect to be on a mission with Itachi this time."
Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki, teammates in a past life, were teamed up again in this life.
Itachi nodded lightly, "Yes, this time it's Kakashi leading the team."
Uchiha Sasuke, Gaara, Haruno Sakura, Uzumaki Naruto, Temari, Nara Shikamaru, and the young ninja Konohamaru were quickly gathered for the pursuit team.
Seeing Konohamaru hiding behind Naruto, Kakashi frowned, "Naruto, this mission is extremely dangerous." Implying that he couldn't guarantee everyone's safety, let alone with a burden.
However, the passionate Naruto smiled at everyone, "Don't worry, I'll protect Konohamaru."
Naruto, though passionate, sometimes failed to consider the feelings of others. For instance, in the original story, his stubborn pursuit of Sasuke often led others into danger.
Kisame, showing a cruel smile, said to Itachi, "I didn't expect such a ninja to exist in the village." He added, bloodthirsty, "Seems like they haven't experienced the burden of carrying a liability. It not only leads to mission failure but can also cause the entire team to pay a heavy price."
Kakashi, recognizing the problem with Naruto's attitude, said coldly, "Naruto, it was a mistake to let you graduate from the ninja academy if you don't understand such basic principles."
Kisame, ignoring Konohamaru, spoke about the team distribution plan, "Three people in one team, just right."
Kakashi agreed, "Yes, Guy's team has just completed their mission and is nearby. I have been sent a message by a hawk. Each team will be responsible for an Akatsuki member."
In the conversation, Uchiha Sasuke nodded indifferently, "I am good at lightning and fire release, which complements well with Brother Itachi's team."
Sakura also hurriedly nodded in agreement, "I'll be in the same team as Sasuke."
Kisame smiled and added, "The Akatsuki is a group of four, I excel in water release, which can effectively counter Asuma's fire release."
When it was announced that Kisame would handle Asuma, both Temari and Shikamaru immediately expressed their intention to join Kisame's team.
Kisame showed an amused smile at this, but Temari glanced at Shikamaru with a sneer.
Shikamaru was particularly eager to confront Asuma this time, essentially to completely sever ties and prove the Nara clan's determination to the village.
"Let's set off. Our main goal is to capture the masked man Tobi. Konoha has a deep grudge against him. Itachi and I will handle him."
This was their primary objective, especially since Kisame's large-scale jutsus might not be effective against Tobi's space-time techniques.
Kakashi gave the order to depart to everyone.
However, Naruto, seeing the determined look in Konohamaru's eyes, felt a twinge in his heart, but seeing everyone else's disregard, he could only sigh helplessly.
"Konohamaru, you wait here in the village."
After saying this, the group at the village gate disappeared, leaving Konohamaru alone, his head hanging low in emotion.
As the figures in the forest faded from sight, Konohamaru raised his head, his eyes filled with hatred, staring resentfully at the departing figures.
"I am an avenger, I live for revenge, and for it, I can give up everything!"
With his eyes full of hatred, Konohamaru's current state mirrored Uchiha Sasuke from the original story; both were avengers willing to sacrifice anything for revenge.
But unlike Sasuke, who was a reincarnation of Indra and had the protagonist's aura, what did Konohamaru have? His grandfather, the Third Hokage, had long passed away, and the once-great Sarutobi clan had all but disappeared.
The remaining few Sarutobi had abandoned their family name, some even to avoid hatred.
The Sarutobi clan had faded into history.
Within the Land of Fire.
A figure in a black robe with red clouds appeared, under his mysterious purple eyes, the leader of the Akatsuki, Pain, had personally emerged.
All six paths of Pain appeared, along with Nagato and Konan in the background.
Both of them looked solemn.
"Is such a large-scale operation necessary?"
Nagato had suddenly contacted him to secretly ambush and deal with the masked man, and Uchiha Yoru was somewhat surprised, but it seemed reasonable.
Upon realizing that all his actions were part of a conspiracy, it was natural to investigate, especially since the mysterious person claiming to be Uchiha Madara was the most suspicious.
Now that Nagato, with the power to change the ninja world, was involved, even in a good mood, he would not remain passive.
"Mr. Yoru, this person also has a deep grudge against Konoha. How about we join forces to eliminate him this time?"
Looking at Nagato filled with killing intent, Uchiha Yoru shook his head and sighed, "If it was earlier, I would agree, but now I think you might need to reconsider."
"Why?"
If it were someone else, Nagato would have already bestowed a Shinra Tensei on them, but he still holds immense respect for Uchiha Yoru.
Even Konan couldn't help but frown and say solemnly, "I have thoroughly investigated the information about the man in the mysterious mask. His ability to phase can only be maintained for a maximum of five minutes. Together, we can set up a trap to eliminate him."
Seeing Konan revealing her intent to kill, Uchiha Yoru was truly speechless and shook his head.
"Because I have discovered the identity of the man behind the mask. He is likely just a puppet being manipulated, with someone else behind the scenes."
"What!" Both Nagato and Konan were shocked. The masked man was already troublesome enough, having deceived them for so many years, and now there was someone else behind him.
"The identity of this person is quite ludicrous, an unbelievable matter, but I have concrete evidence."
"Based on his identity, Nagato, you already had the Rinnegan at that time, so there must be someone else behind the scenes."
Regarding Uchiha Obito, Uchiha Yoru, squinting his eyes, did not want to alarm the enemy prematurely, especially since he needed Obito to gather the nine Tailed Beasts and incite the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Moreover, if Obito were eliminated now, Zetzu would go into hiding, and who knows how many years it would be.