Land of Fire, Konohagakure.
Upon receiving a call from Ay, Tsunade immediately convened a meeting with Konoha higher ups.
"What do you all think about the Raikage visiting Konoha?"
Homura frowned, "The Raikage isn't someone to mess with. Why are the Cloud Shinobi visiting Konoha anyway?"
"They're not here with good intentions," Koharu added.
Despite her disagreements with Tsunade over recent matters, she knew this was a serious issue concerning the Hokage, so she set aside her grievances.
"Tsunade, has there been any recent friction between our village and the Cloud village?"
"Or any missions that might have caused conflicts with them?"
Missions, huh.
"There might be a chance of conflict with the Cloud Shinobi over an A-rank mission in the Land of Flowers."
A mission in the Land of Flowers?
Isn't the Land of Flowers allied with the Land of Lightning?
Why would they commission a mission from the Land of Fire?
"Who took on the mission in the Land of Flowers?"
"Ryujiro."
What?
Both the elders were stunned.
Ryujiro, an assistant to the Hokage, personally took on a mission?
Shouldn't an assistant to the Hokage be by the Hokage's side?
"Tsunade, you're being too lenient with Ryujiro."
"He's the Hokage's assistant."
Tsunade scoffed.
"Do you want him to stay in the Anbu instead? He'd turn the Anbu upside down.
Recently, Danzo has been keeping a low profile, and all his Root members have been absorbed into the Anbu."
Of course, Tsunade wasn't entirely at ease with the Root members. Some of them had been brainwashed by Danzo.
On the surface, they seemed loyal to the Hokage, but in reality, they were still aligned with Danzo.
However, as long as Ryujiro was in Konoha, even Danzo couldn't stir up too much trouble.
Tsunade had plans to sit as Hokage for a few more years and then pass the position to Ryujiro.
However, Ryujiro wasn't interested at all, thinking the position of Hokage was a hassle.
Although Tsunade shared the same sentiment, every young ninja in the village fought for the position of Hokage.
This kid is truly unique.
"Has Ryujiro returned to the village?" Koharu asked.
Tsunade shook her head, "We haven't received any news about Ryujiro and Naruto returning yet."
Koharu rubbed her temples in frustration.
Ever since Tsunade took the position, their roles as Hokage advisors had become almost ceremonial.
Tsunade's special status made it difficult for them to exert pressure on her.
'An assistant to the Hokage taking the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki on a mission; Tsunade you have a big heart.'
With the Raikage coming to Konoha, all the higher ups were on edge.
If this news got out, other major nations would focus their attention on Konoha.
It could very well lead to the possibility of war.
---
"Ding ding ding—!"
Three figures clashed in the desert, each collision stirring up a massive sandstorm.
With a detached gaze, Kimimaro wielded his Zanpakuto effortlessly against Sasuke and Gaara.
Kimimaro was becoming increasingly proficient with his newly acquired powers.
"Sand Drizzle!"
Whizz whizz whizz!
Sharp sand bullets rained down on Kimimaro's head, and Gaara's sand also bound his feet.
Clang clang clang—
The sand bullets hit Kimimaro without causing any damage. With his steel skin, the sand bullets had no effect on him.
"Tch!"
Gaara clicked his tongue in frustration.
Can't even break through his defense—was this even a human body?
Kimimaro exerted his strength and easily broke free from the sand bindings. Just then, Sasuke appeared behind Kimimaro.
"Chidori!"
Blue lightning crackled in Sasuke's right hand, producing a sound like a thousand birds chirping.
In his Cursed Seal state, Sasuke's power was on par with a Jonin.
Chidori, an A-rank jutsu, enhanced by the Cursed Seal's black lightning, was enough to make any Jouin wary.
However, Kimimaro had already anticipated Sasuke's attack.
He could have easily dodged Sasuke's strike, but Kimimaro extended a hand.
Bang—
Zzzzzzzzz!
Sasuke's face changed drastically, exclaiming in shock, "How is this possible!"
"He blocked Chidori with his hand!"
Is he still human?
"Ah!"
Before Sasuke could react, Kimimaro grabbed his wrist and threw him several hundred meters away.
Excellent.
This power is incredible.
From the start, Kimimaro had asked Gaara and Sasuke to use their full strength against him.
For him it was hard to imagine the power Ryujiro possessed. In such a short time, Ryujiro granted him such power.
A god?
Kimimaro once believed Ryujiro was like a god, akin to the Sage of Six Paths.
To be reborn and gain such power, it was beyond what any jutsu could achieve.
"Bah!"
From a distance, Sasuke climbed out of a sand dune, a look of frustration on his face.
Damn it!
No way! I have no way to fight back at all.
If he had such power, would he be able to kill Itachi.
But!
But Ryujiro wouldn't let him become like Kimimaro.
I am too weak!
Sasuke clenched his fist.
You promised to help me gain power!
Ryujiro! You liar!
Kimimaro looked at Gaara and smiled, "Want to continue?"
Gaara shook his head and spread his hands, "No, regardless of what we do, we can't beat you."
"Continuing this would be pointless."
"This is a meaningless battle."
Kimimaro smiled at Gaara, "If I'm not mistaken, you're hiding your true strength, right?"
Gaara trembled, looking at Kimimaro in surprise.
He even noticed that.
"Sort of."
"Then why not use your full strength?"
Gaara pointed at Sasuke walking towards them, "You want to crush his spirit?"
Kimimaro scratched his chin thoughtfully and then glanced at Sasuke.
Seems so.
Not sure why Ryujiro likes to push Sasuke so much. I heard the Sharingan evolves with strong emotions.
Does Ryujiro want Sasuke's Sharingan to evolve?
Feeling his own weakness, Sasuke walked over with a gloomy expression.
At that moment, he recalled everything that happened on the night of the massacre and the embarrassing events while challenging Ryujiro.
Weak!
He was too weak!
Intense emotions surged through Sasuke's mind. Kimimaro noticed the change in Sasuke's chakra and focused on his eyes.
"Oh?"
Kimimaro looked at Sasuke's eyes with interest.
Sasuke's Sharingan now had one more tomoe compared to before.
The Three Tomoe Sharingan.
---------------
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