After Sakura's diligent treatment, the poison inside Kankuro's body was finally expelled by more than half. Although not completely cleared, he was no longer in life-threatening danger.
Watching Sakura move and command with such efficiency, Naruto couldn't help but stare in awe, as he had never seen Sakura like this before. Unknowingly, everyone had changed significantly.
"We need to quickly pursue the Akatsuki and rescue Gaara."
Naruto was eager to prove himself.
"Idiot, do you even know where the Akatsuki are right now?"
Sasuke's words were like a bucket of ice water poured over Naruto's fiery enthusiasm.
At that moment, Kankuro slowly regained consciousness.
He had a puppet release its grip, revealing a piece of clothing in its hand.
"This is the enemy's clothing. We should be able to find them through the residual scent on it."
Kankuro spoke with some difficulty, still not in great condition despite the treatment.
"Don't worry, Kankuro, we will definitely bring Gaara back safe and sound."
Naruto pointed to himself, as if to say, everything was under his control.
"Please, take care of Gaara, ninjas of Konohagakure."
Gaara bowed deeply, pleading with Naruto and the others.
"Summoning Jutsu: Eight Ninja Hounds."
With a slap of Kakashi's hand on the ground, eight ninja hounds appeared before everyone.
"Kakashi, Satoru."
The leading hound, Pakkun, greeted Kakashi and Satoru.
"Mm."
Satoru nodded, acknowledging him briefly.
"Hey, Pakkun, long time no see."
Naruto approached Pakkun with a smile and greeted him.
"Yeah, long time no see, Naruto. You haven't changed a bit."
"How could that be? I've grown a lot taller."
Naruto first gestured to show his previous height and then his current height.
"Alright, there's no time for chit-chat now, Pakkun. Find the person with this scent, quickly."
Kakashi held out the piece of cloth to the eight ninja hounds for them to sniff.
"If I Found it, I'll contact you immediately."
By evening, while everyone was still asleep, Pakkun jumped onto Kakashi's bed, startling him awake. However, seeing that it was Pakkun, Kakashi felt reassured.
Then, Pakkun took out a map, laid it on Kakashi's bed, and marked a location with his paw.
"So, this is their hideout?"
Kakashi asked.
"Seems so. Not only is that guy's scent there, but Gaara's scent is also emanating from that place."
The next morning, the restless sleeper Naruto fell off the bed, which jolted him awake, and he saw Pakkun sitting on Kakashi's bed.
"Pakkun? Kakashi-sensei, have you already found the Akatsuki's hideout?"
Naruto asked urgently.
"Yes, we're about to set off."
Kakashi packed up his Ninja Tools and said to Naruto.
Then, the group from Konohagakure quickly appeared at the entrance of Sunagakure Village. The Sunagakure side had also decided that Chiyo would personally rescue Gaara, or rather, Granny Chiyo wanted to see her grandson once more.
The group hurried towards their destination, and just over an hour after leaving Sunagakure Village, an unexpected figure suddenly blocked their path.
"Everyone, stop."
Kakashi immediately said.
However, despite Kakashi's words, one person did not stop, and that was Uchiha Sasuke.
"Uchiha Itachi, you dare to show yourself in front of me."
The moment he saw the other person, Sasuke immediately recognized who it was—his brother, Uchiha Itachi.
"Crackle~"
The piercing sound of thunder rang in everyone's ears, as Sasuke's right hand was enveloped in violent lightning, and his body sped towards Uchiha Itachi at a rapid pace.
"Hurry and help, Sasuke, you're not his match yet."
Kakashi tried to stop Sasuke with words, but Sasuke, blinded by anger, was not going to listen to Kakashi.
"Chidori."
With a loud shout from Sasuke, Chidori pierced through Itachi's body, but there was no joy on Sasuke's face for hitting the target.
Because in Sasuke's eyes, the part of Itachi that was pierced by Chidori became distorted.
"It's been a long time, Sasuke."
Uchiha Itachi's calm voice sounded in Sasuke's ear.
At the same time, his body turned into a flock of crows and reformed in the air behind Sasuke.
"You're still as impulsive as ever."
"Itachi, why? Why did you do this?"
Sasuke turned his head, glaring at Uchiha Itachi with a ferocious expression.
Although Sasuke was getting older and his thoughts were maturing, Konohagakure had erased all traces of Uchiha Itachi's mission.
So even if Sasuke wanted to investigate, he had nowhere to start.
"Uchiha Itachi."
Kakashi also looked at the other person with a serious expression.
"Is that Uchiha Itachi?"
Sakura thought to herself in shock. Just standing there, the mere presence of the other person gave Sakura a terrifying sense of oppression.
This time, Uchiha Itachi, not plagued by illness, was even stronger than in the original story.
"Hatake Kakashi, Namikaze Naruto, and teacher, it's been a long time."
Itachi did not answer Sasuke's question but turned his head to look at Kakashi and the others and spoke.
"Teacher?"
Sakura was shocked again, then turned her gaze to Hatake Satoru, who had been almost invisible in this mission.
"It's been a long time, Uchiha Itachi. Your strength has increased quite a bit. As your teacher, I'm glad to see you've become so powerful."
Hatake Satoru said.
"However, as an enemy, the more terrifying your strength, the more of a headache it gives me."
Satoru posed as if he was really troubled by a headache.
Itachi and Kakashi did not expose Hatake Satoru's poor acting.
"So, what is your purpose for appearing before us this time, Itachi?" Satoru asked.
"It's simple, just to delay you for a while," Itachi said calmly.
"Do you think you can stop us? And this is just one of your clones, how much of your real strength does it possess?"
Satoru saw through Itachi's current state right away.
(End of Chapter)
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