Chapter 84
"Have you all read the mission scrolls?"
The Third Hokage asked, seeing no response, he continued:
"According to reports from our spies, Sunagakure is conducting a large-scale search in the Land of Wind for something."
"They've already reached the Land of Rivers, and Sunagakure's top official, Chiyo, has traveled to the Land of Rain, likely seeking to form an alliance with Hanzo."
"Sunagakure could declare war on Konoha at any moment!"
"The village needs reliable intelligence and must prepare for the possibility of war breaking out."
At this point, the Third Hokage paused, then addressed Sakumo and Orochimaru:
"Sakumo, you will lead Team 9 to the Land of Rain to investigate the purpose of Chiyo's meeting with Hanzo, as well as Hanzo's stance toward Sunagakure and Konoha."
"Orochimaru, you will lead Team 3 to the border between the Land of Rivers and the Land of Rain, serve as a deterrent to both Sunagakure and Amegakure, and be ready to provide support at any moment."
"Here are the orders. For the safety of Konoha, I leave this in your hands."
The Third Hokage handed the command orders, symbolizing authority, to Orochimaru, then stepped over to Sakumo, speaking softly:
"If something unexpected happens during the mission, Sakumo... make sure to bring your students back safely."
"I will, Lord Hokage," Sakumo nodded in agreement.
As a father, he fully understood the Third Hokage's concern. Besides, Haneda's importance to the village's stability had only grown.
With few words, the missions were assigned, and both Team 3 and Team 9 left.
As they passed through the office doors, Haneda couldn't help but notice Orochimaru holding the command orders, licking his lips with a look of excitement.
Recalling when Orochimaru began his human experiments, a chill ran down Haneda's spine.
'With war looming, Orochimaru would have plenty of material for his experiments, wouldn't he?'
Thankfully, Haneda reassured himself that Orochimaru hadn't yet reached the point where he'd experiment on his own comrades.
After leaving the Hokage's office, Gai and Asuma seemed to become instantly excited, as if some kind of restriction had been lifted.
"Haneda, we'll be fighting side by side on this mission! I had a special move saved for you, but I guess I'll use it on the enemy instead," Gai said, his tone shifting from excitement to slight disappointment.
Judging by his tone, Haneda realized Gai didn't seem to have any particular feelings about the war.
As for the "special move" Gai had reserved for him, was he referring to the Eight Gates?
Thinking of the night Gai used *Night Guy* to kick half of Madara's body to pieces, Haneda couldn't help but feel a surge of energy.
'Better save that move for Madara and Kakashi,' Haneda thought, not believing he could endure Gai's full youthful power.
Shortly after, Asuma chimed in excitedly:
"Haneda-bro! This time, I won't be as useless as I was in the last mission!!"
"Oh?" Haneda glanced at the confident Asuma, thinking he was still too young.
The last time, they had faced a dual-Kekkei Genkai user named Ichiro, who had been tough enough. But this time, they would be up against Sunagakure's veteran Kage-level opponent—Chiyo!
Facing someone like her, even a Jonin could only provide some support at best.
'Do your best, Asuma,' Haneda thought, but outwardly he still offered encouragement.
Traveling quickly, the eight of them reached the village gates.
There, Orochimaru stopped and said to Sakumo:
"Let's split up here, Sakumo."
"I have some personal matters to attend to."
"Alright," Sakumo, though slightly puzzled by Orochimaru's strange behavior, didn't question it further.
But Haneda knew that Orochimaru was likely off to see Danzo or deal with his experimental materials left behind in Konoha.
Seeing their teacher leave, Gai and the others followed suit, but after walking a few steps, Gai suddenly stopped, turned around, and said to Haneda with deep resolve:
"Once we finish this mission, I'm going to challenge Kakashi and defeat him!"
"Haneda, our next duel will be the decisive battle where I stake my youth to end our rivalry!!"
"Alright," Haneda waved as he said goodbye.
He didn't believe Gai could defeat Kakashi—at least, not a non-depressed Kakashi.
...
In the hidden mist of a secret underground chamber, White Zetsu emerged from the ground and reported to Madara, who sat on a stone chair, seemingly asleep:
"Lord Madara, Haneda's Team 9 is leaving the village again."
Madara slowly opened his eyes at the sound of White Zetsu's voice and asked:
"What mission have they taken on? Where are they headed?"
"They're going to the Land of Rain, where Nagato resides, to investigate Chiyo's reasons for visiting Amegakure."
"Nagato?" Madara frowned, then asked, "How many people are going with them?"
"A squad of ANBU is accompanying them, and Orochimaru might be involved too."
"Then arrange for Sakumo to die there," Madara said, tapping the armrest of his chair, as if contemplating how to execute his plan.
After a moment, Madara gave further instructions:
"Sasori has already made the Third Kazekage into a puppet. He's eager for revenge, isn't he? Reveal their location to him."
"Also, put a high bounty on the black market to attract that bounty hunter named Kakuzu."
"At the right time, have some Hidden Mist shinobi disguised as members of Root assassinate Sakumo and make it known that Sasori wants his body to create a puppet."
"In the face of such a crisis, force Haneda to helplessly watch his own teacher die."
Beside him, Black Zetsu immediately flattered, "Lord Madara, your plan is flawless!"
"Haneda, driven by his desire for revenge against Konoha, will undoubtedly join us!"
"And his bond with Obito will ensure the success of the Eye of the Moon Plan!"
Madara merely gave Black Zetsu a cold glance, then closed his eyes, returning to his slumber.
...
One day later, in the Land of Wind, inside a man-made mine.
Sasori's eyes were fixed on a puppet with blue hair and black eyes, its limbs stiff.
As Sasori manipulated the chakra strings, tendrils of iron sand coiled around the puppet.
A satisfied smile appeared on Sasori's face, though it seemed slightly stiff.
"Truly a perfect work of art!"
"Eternal beauty!"
Sasori controlled the Third Kazekage puppet as the iron sand swirled and raged around it.
Like a child with a new toy, he excitedly played with the Third Kazekage puppet.
At that moment, someone cautiously entered the chamber and reported to Sasori:
"Lord Sasori, there's news about Konoha's White Fang, Sakumo."
"Where is he going?"
Upon hearing the name "Konoha's White Fang," Sasori's expression instantly turned cold, his gaze filled with murderous intent.
Sakumo Hatake was the man who had killed his parents. When Sasori assassinated the Third Kazekage, he did so not only in pursuit of his art but also with the intent of gaining enough power to kill Sakumo.
He needed strength to exact his revenge!
"The Land of Rain!"
"Lord Sasori, Sakumo will be leading the Third Hokage's son, Sarutobi Asuma, Uchiha Haneda, and Yūhi Kurenai on a classified mission."
As soon as the messenger finished, a tendril of iron sand instantly killed him, like crushing an ant.
Sasori's expression remained cold as he left the chamber, his iron sand swirling through the entire mine, burying all traces of information beneath the ground.
"The Land of Rain…"
"I'll make you into a puppet—one both beautiful and grotesque—in that forever weeping country!"
As Sasori's solitary figure disappeared into the desert, the last traces of his presence were swept away by the wind and sand.
...
***
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