Under the sparse moonlight, the vacant thoroughfares of Konohagakure extended in profound silence.
Sasuke Uchiha, having just concluded an arduous training regimen, advanced wearily toward the Uchiha district.
Such relentless physical conditioning had become his standard protocol—after all, he embodied the role of avenger.
"Hm?"
During his ambulatory progress, he suddenly detected someone vocalizing his designation. He instinctively redirected his attention toward the auditory source.
What entered his visual field was a familiar yet irritating presence: Naruto Uzumaki, the youth who consistently generated an inexplicable sense of recognition while simultaneously provoking endless annoyance.
And positioned adjacent to Naruto was...
"Kitagawa Minamoto?"
Sasuke recognized Kitagawa Minamoto. This individual preceded him by several academic years and maintained reputation for considerable aptitude.
He had even received intelligence that Minamoto had successfully incapacitated all his teammates during their graduation assessment, becoming the sole individual to achieve certification independently...
"Training at this advanced temporal position, I observe?"
As Sasuke engaged in contemplation, Kitagawa Minamoto and Naruto approached. After brief visual assessment of Sasuke, Minamoto redirected attention to Naruto with facial musculature suggesting amusement.
"Observe? This represents the attitudinal framework of an individual aspiring to ninja status. If my recollection functions accurately, he maintained premier academic positioning in your educational cohort, correct? That constitutes the differentiating factor between you two."
"Tch..."
Naruto articulated dissatisfaction, manipulating his auditory organ with evident irritation. For undetermined causality, mere mention of Sasuke's designation provoked his annoyance.
"I'll definitively surpass his capabilities! I'll achieve ninja certification and Hokage status!"
"Intellectually deficient individual."
Sasuke refrained from restraint, producing derisive vocalization with frigid tonality.
"Successfully complete the examination initially, then engage in verbal discourse."
"Intellectually suboptimal Sasuke..."
Naruto immediately displayed agitation indicators, adjusting his upper garment as if preparing for verbal confrontation. Sasuke reciprocated his hostile visual focus with glacial countenance.
Kitagawa Minamoto refrained from intervention. From his perspective, these two "chakra siblings" provided endless entertainment value.
Additionally, he maintained curiosity regarding potential quest activation through their interaction.
After all, achieving merely 5% Sage Mode functionality had generated substantial benefit. If these two's chakra somehow triggered quest parameters, who could predict the potential reward structure?
"Hm?"
However, precisely as he derived enjoyment from their verbal altercation, Minamoto suddenly experienced thermoreceptive sensation suggesting danger along his vertebral column.
He perceived as if something—or someone—maintained surveillance on him. The sensation demonstrated acute and unmistakable qualities.
"What anomalous situation exists?"
Minamoto exercised caution regarding impulsive action. He recalled that ANBU operatives had been assigned Naruto surveillance responsibilities, but they had withdrawn following his reconvergence with Kakashi and Jiraiya.
So what entity could maintain current observation?
[New Side Quest Acquired]
At that precise moment, his System activated.
[Don't Get Cocky, Dead Last]
Objective: Implement proactive measures and engage Obito Uchiha.
"..."
Well, now he possessed intelligence regarding the visitor's identity.
But this merely generated additional interrogatives. Why had Obito Uchiha manifested here?
And more critically, through what methodology was he supposed to "engage" this individual?
Standard ninja combat scenarios didn't generate apprehension, but Obito Uchiha, with merely his Mangekyō Sharingan, represented one of the most formidable adversaries throughout the entire shinobi world!
"Nevertheless, this constitutes Konohagakure territory... and there exists that exclusive quest from Kakashi..."
Minamoto articulated in subdued tones. Meanwhile, Sasuke, apparently concluding verbal exchange with Naruto, approached and communicated with reduced vocal amplitude.
"Congratulations regarding your examination certification."
"Hm? Appreciation expressed..."
Minamoto indicated acknowledgment through cranial movement, though his expression demonstrated unusual qualities.
Was Sasuke... offering congratulatory sentiment? They didn't even maintain significant interpersonal proximity, did they?
"Additionally..."
As anticipated, Sasuke's tonal qualities rapidly transformed.
"I received intelligence suggesting that if you successfully incapacitate all teammates through hospitalization, you can still achieve certification. Does this represent factual reality?"
"..."
Minamoto executed ocular rotation. This unsubstantiated information was acquiring increasingly absurd characteristics.
"That depends on your Jōnin instructor's psychological state and your individual capabilities. I merely experienced statistical improbability."
"Tch. Statistical improbability, you assert? And you even acquired village departure authorization."
Naruto articulated in reduced volume, while Sasuke immediately focused on the critical informational component.
"Village departure..."
For Sasuke, exiting the village had consistently represented his paramount aspiration. It constituted the exclusive methodology through which he could pursue and terminate Itachi Uchiha—his ultimate objective.
"Affirmative, village departure."
Minamoto had already formulated strategic determination. As he accessed his equipment pouch, he initiated verbal communication.
"And during this operational assignment, we encountered an individual with whom you maintain significant familiarity."
"An individual with whom I maintain familiarity?"
Sasuke contracted his brow, demonstrating nascent comprehension. Minamoto displayed facial musculature suggesting amusement and continued.
"Affirmative. That individual was Itachi Uchiha."
The moment Sasuke processed that designation, his countenance transformed with intense rage.
The hatred radiating from him generated sufficient intensity to startle Naruto, who instinctively increased interpersonal distance.
"And," Minamoto proceeded, "that individual has established affiliation with a specific organization."
He temporarily suspended communication for dramatic effect before suddenly extracting multiple kunai from his equipment pouch.
"The membership of this organization demonstrates extreme hazardous qualities. For example..."
In the subsequent instant, the kunai, each incorporating explosive tag attachment, traveled with direct trajectory toward a proximal arboreal entity.
Boom—!!
The deafening explosive force and blinding illumination shattered the nocturnal tranquility, rendering the scenario increasingly dramatic.
"You..."
Both Sasuke and Naruto displayed cognitive disruption. However, before they could fully process the event, they observed a shadowy figure faintly materializing near the now-destroyed arboreal entity.
At that moment, Minamoto's vocalization resonated again.
"That individual..."
Meanwhile, within the Root operational base, Danzō Shimura maintained seated position while examining documentation.
Although he had experienced position termination due to the Uchiha clan's extermination, he maintained unwavering conviction regarding eventual reinstatement.
After all, he had survived orchestrating his longstanding associate Hiruzen Sarutobi's assassination attempt. What significance did one additional setback hold compared to eliminating a major threat to Konohagakure?
He still maintained access to village intelligence networks, which he utilized for strategic assessment.
"Jiraiya has returned?"
Danzō's countenance darkened as he contemplated implications.
"What motivates his return? Could it possibly indicate..."
His expression transformed to grim quality as cognitive realization manifested.
"Expletive. Is he present to assume Hokage responsibilities?"
"Extended temporal separation, Danzō."
A familiar vocalization suddenly permeated the environment, causing Danzō to experience momentary immobility.
"Substantial temporal interval has elapsed since your previous visitation, hasn't it, Hiruzen?"
Rapidly reestablishing composure, Danzō adjusted posture, his professional demeanor activating.
"How unusual for someone with your extensive responsibilities to finally visit your longstanding associate."
"You've generated these circumstances through personal action."
Hiruzen Sarutobi, maintaining smoking apparatus, occupied position opposite Danzō with audible respiratory exhalation.
"You should have refrained from pursuing Shisui, and you shouldn't have compelled Itachi to implement those actions. The Uchiha consistently represented integral Konohagakure components. You..."
"Sufficient, Hiruzen."
Danzō interrupted, executing negative cranial gesture with dismissive quality.
"Did you experience memory failure regarding Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan? Could you genuinely maintain nocturnal unconsciousness knowing he maintained biological functions?
"Dispatching Itachi to address Uchiha matters prevented civil conflict and maintained your ethical integrity. And yet you still experience dissatisfaction?
"All my implemented actions have served Konohagakure's interests. I merely uphold our instructor's philosophical framework."
"You've transcended rehabilitative potential. Have you forgotten Kagami? What evaluative judgment would he formulate regarding these circumstances?"
"Kagami represented exceptional deviation. Most Uchiha demonstrated characteristics similar to Setsuna Uchiha. I merely implemented necessary protocols!"
Hiruzen's visual focus acquired frigid qualities as he regarded Danzō, his labial region demonstrating subtle movement. But before vocalization could occur, Danzō intervened.
"Sufficient. You didn't manifest here merely to engage in argumentative discourse, did you?"
"..."
Hiruzen manipulated his temporal region, finally communicating after momentary silence.
"The Mist Village. How many of your operatives maintain active status there, and through what methodology do we activate them?"
"The Mist Village?"
Danzō's ocular region demonstrated increased luminosity, immediately comprehending Hiruzen's intent.
The Mist Village's situational parameters maintained notorious complexity, rendering infiltration exceptionally challenging. But the Root had specialized in such operational frameworks.
And Danzō recognized this represented strategic opportunity.
"I do maintain operative presence there, but activation protocols remain exclusively under my authorization."
"Danzō, refrain from excessive opportunism."
Hiruzen had anticipated this response but still contracted his brow at Danzō's audacity.
"I can implement partial authority restoration, but all activities must maintain mission-focused parameters. Your previous actions generated excessive damage, and people don't demonstrate cognitive deficiency."
"Hmph. I've previously articulated—all my actions serve Konohagakure's interests. I maintain indifference regarding external perspectives."
Danzō produced nasal exhalation, recognizing cautious progression necessity. For the present, he would exercise strategic patience.
"Rest assured, I won't experience mission failure. If I couldn't manage operational parameters of this nature, you wouldn't have maintained my position during that temporal period."
Hiruzen indicated agreement through cranial movement. Despite everything, Danzō's "professionalism" remained undeniable.
Just as he prepared to issue additional cautionary statements, an ANBU operative suddenly entered with evident distress indicators.
"Lord Hokage, anomalous circumstances have manifested...
...
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
Weekly Stable Updates with 30+ Chapters Always Available. High-Quality and Consistent Translations Are the Channel's Top Priority.
Current Books:
Naruto: Deidara's Struggle
God-Tier Kazekage: Building the Ultimate Hidden Sand Village
Naruto: The Ōtsutsuki Bloodline Development Manual
One Piece:The True Codex
👉patreon.com/GoldenLong