"Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, the Fifth Kazekage of the Sand Village, Gaara, has been captured by members of the Akatsuki organization. The Sand Village has requested our assistance. I am sending you to the Sand Village immediately to assess the situation and do everything you can to rescue the Kazekage!"
Naruto had just returned to the village for less than a day when Tsunade, the Hokage, dispatched him again on an S-rank mission.
**The mission: to rescue Kazekage Gaara!**
In the Hokage's office, Tsunade watched as Team 7 left, lost in thought.
"Has the Akatsuki begun their operations already? They're bold, barging into the Sand Village to abduct the Kazekage."
Tsunade murmured to herself, shocked by their audacity.
Such a reckless act left her deeply shaken.
In all her years in the ninja world, she had never heard of anything so outrageous.
Were the Sand Village's ninjas useless?
How could they just stand by and watch their Kazekage get captured?
Tsunade couldn't understand but was clearly rattled.
"Akatsuki's arrogance reveals a terrifying truth," Jiraiya said, appearing beside Tsunade without her noticing.
"And what truth is that?"
"Their power has grown so overwhelming that they no longer see any single village as a threat," Jiraiya said gravely.
"You've been investigating Akatsuki for years. Have you uncovered anything?"
Tsunade turned to Jiraiya.
"I have. But Akatsuki is no easy foe. About two years ago, they discovered my secret investigation, so now they're on high alert around me, making it harder to gather information. Even so, I've still managed to uncover some intriguing things."
"Like what?"
"First, let's talk about the strength of their members. I've learned that Akatsuki has ten core members, and each of them is formidable—at least on Kakashi's level."
Tsunade frowned slightly.
At Kakashi's level?
Even in Konoha, there were only a handful stronger than Kakashi.
And Akatsuki had ten members at that level?
"Orochimaru was once a member of this organization. It was while I was investigating him that I first discovered Akatsuki.
I don't know why, but Orochimaru later left the organization. Now, it seems like Akatsuki is still hunting him down."
"Hmph, that guy's always been lucky."
Tsunade snorted at the mention of Orochimaru.
"Tsunade, there's something I haven't confirmed yet, but you'll want to hear it."
"What is it?"
Jiraiya's mysterious tone piqued Tsunade's curiosity.
"About two years ago, a new core member joined Akatsuki, someone with the ability to manipulate bones."
"What?!"
Tsunade was startled, crushing the windowsill in her hand.
"If my guess is right, that person is Kaguya Kimimaro, the sound ninja who once participated in the Chunin Exams. Tsunade, I know you know him. His advanced medical ninjutsu is also related to you, right?
Three years ago, when I asked you to return as Hokage, you met him, didn't you?"
Though Jiraiya usually kept things to himself, he was well aware of many details.
After years of wandering the ninja world, his life experiences far exceeded most people's.
Tsunade looked down and grasped the crescent-shaped pendant hanging around her neck.
"Yes, I know him. His medical ninjutsu was already strong, and we progressed together. I learned a lot from him as well."
Tsunade shared her connection to Kimimaro with Jiraiya.
Hearing this, Jiraiya showed a hint of intrigue.
"So according to you, Kimimaro's goal was to cure himself and seek immortality, much like Orochimaru. If that's the case, why did he leave Orochimaru and join Akatsuki?"
Tsunade shook her head.
"I'm not sure. But knowing Kimimaro, he wouldn't do anything meaningless. There must be a reason he joined Akatsuki, and I suspect it's related to Orochimaru."
Tsunade offered her thoughts.
"Looks like our old friend is scheming again. None of them are easy to deal with," Jiraiya said with a resigned smile.
Such a powerful enemy was unlike anything he had faced before.
"Just sending Team Kakashi might not be enough. Guy's team should be back soon, and I'll send them to reinforce. Jiraiya, if you're free, could you check on things?"
Jiraiya, however, shook his head and said, "I can't this time. My informant just sent word that they've uncovered some intel on Akatsuki. I need to meet with them immediately.
Let the younger generation handle this mission. We can't always rely on old folks like us. These young seedlings need to grow into towering trees."
"Intel on Akatsuki? Be careful. Their power is truly terrifying."
Tsunade's voice held a note of concern for Jiraiya.
"Hahaha, don't worry! No one has been born yet who can kill Jiraiya, the Toad Sage!"
Jiraiya's confidence was meant to ease Tsunade's worry, though she could see through his act.
They had grown up together, and Tsunade knew Jiraiya well enough to recognize his façade.
But she didn't call him out on it. She only said, "Just be careful. You're the one person I can fully trust. I don't want to hear bad news about you someday..."
She trailed off, but the meaning was clear to both of them.
"Hahaha! Don't worry. A real man doesn't make a woman worry. See you next time, Tsunade."
With that, Jiraiya strode out of the Hokage's office with a big grin.
"That guy never stops trying to look cool," Tsunade thought, smiling to herself. She then tightened her grip on the crescent bone pendant.
"Kimimaro, what are you up to now?"
At that moment, Kimimaro, who Tsunade was thinking of, was meditating in a hidden location.
Suigetsu stood nearby.
"The boss has been summoned by the leader again. This time it's probably to seal the One-Tail, right? I'm really curious about how the sealing process works, and why so many people are needed. What do you think, Pikachu?"
"Pika!"
Pikachu had no answer.
Elsewhere, on the ten fingers of the Gedo Statue, figures once again gathered.
Deidara and Sasori were physically present, while the others appeared as holograms.
"Nice job, Deidara-senpai, though you look a bit roughed up," Kimimaro said.
Gaara lay quietly on the ground nearby, while Deidara was missing an arm.
Though the mission had been successful, Deidara had clearly paid a small price.
"That One-Tail brat had some skill. I got careless. But it's fine, just an arm. You can help reattach it later."
(End of Chapter)