"How is this possible? The Sand Village has a shinobi of that caliber?"
Inside the Root headquarters, Danzo stared at the intelligence report in his hand, his face a mask of disbelief. He gripped the paper tightly, reading its contents over and over again.
"Two mysterious Kage-level shinobi have appeared in the Hidden Sand Village.
Subject One: Wields a clay explosion ninjutsu, suspected to be a rogue ninja from the Land of Earth. Capable of creating flying clay constructs and a massive dragon with explosive capabilities. One of his techniques is powerful enough to destroy an entire village.
Subject Two: A master puppeteer, though he was not observed fighting extensively. Suspected to be the Sand Village rogue ninja, Sasori, grandson of Elder Chiyo and the assassin of the Third Kazekage.
Mysterious Sand Village Kage-level Shinobi: Possesses the ability to manipulate sand and wind. Effortlessly blocked the attacks of both Kage-level intruders. The sword he wields can manifest a mysterious power, allowing him to directly control all sand and wind in the area, easily nullifying Subject One's village-destroying jutsu."
Danzo's fingers tightened on the report, his expression growing darker by the second.
The relationship between the Sand and the Leaf was not on solid ground. Root had been planning to make a move against the Sand when the time was right.
But now, that idea seemed completely unrealistic.
To be able to fend off two Kage-level shinobi and still have strength to spare… this Sand ninja was terrifying.
It had to be said…
The Hidden Sand Village had hidden its strength very, very well.
What made Danzo even more wary was the sword.
According to the report, that sword could also perform a Shikai.
This immediately made Danzo think of Naruto.
Could Naruto have some connection to that Kage-level shinobi?
His paranoid nature flared up once again. The thought of researching Naruto's Kekkei Genkai, which he had previously dismissed, resurfaced with a vengeance.
In the Hokage's Office.
"Unbelievable. To think the Sand Village was hiding a ninja like this." Jiraiya and Tsunade exchanged a look, both seeing the gravity in the other's eyes.
Beside them, the Third Hokage puffed anxiously on his pipe, his gaze filled with unease.
"Why are so many powerful individuals emerging all of a sudden? Those two who attacked the Sand Village are no simple matter, either."
"The ability to use clay explosions and puppetry… those two might be from the Akatsuki," Jiraiya said in a low voice, his brow furrowed.
Seeing Tsunade and the Third Hokage's questioning looks, Jiraiya explained, "I've been gathering intelligence during my travels these past few years. The Akatsuki has been very active. They are composed entirely of Kage-level shinobi, and their mission success rate is one hundred percent."
"I remember you telling me about them before," Tsunade said, a flash of understanding in her eyes.
"That's right. If I'm not mistaken, these two Kage-level shinobi are also members of the Akatsuki."
The entire Hokage's Office fell silent, a serious expression on every face.
"What could their objective be?" the Third Hokage murmured.
"To mobilize two Kage-level members… it couldn't be the Tailed Beasts, could it?"
"If it is the Tailed Beasts, then we in the Leaf will be their target as well."
Inside the Root headquarters.
"Master, I've arrived," Naruto announced as he entered the room.
Danzo stared intently into Naruto's eyes and asked, "Naruto, do you think it's possible that someone else in this world has a sword capable of Shikai, just like you?"
However, he saw no surprise or fear in Naruto's eyes. There was only placid calm.
"Kekkei Genkai are mysterious things. It's hard to say," Naruto replied with a faint smile.
He already had a good idea of what was going on.
It seems someone else's abilities have been exposed.
"Is that so?" Danzo fell into deep thought, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk.
Naruto waited with extreme patience, a perfect smile fixed on his face.
After a long moment, Danzo seemed to come to a decision.
"I have a new mission for you."
"Go to the Hidden Sand Village and gather intelligence. Your Kekkei Genkai is perfect for concealing yourself. This will be a solo mission. Do not expose your identity."
"Yes, Master," Naruto nodded.
"And one more thing—be extremely careful. There is a powerful Kage-level shinobi hiding in the Sand Village. Do not engage him unless absolutely necessary. You may go." After giving his instructions, Danzo closed his eyes to rest.
Once Naruto had left, Danzo's eyes snapped open, revealing his murky, aged iris.
Sending Naruto to gather intelligence served his purposes perfectly.
First, he wanted to use that mysterious powerhouse to probe the full extent of Naruto's strength. For Naruto, who could control one's senses, escaping should not be difficult.
Second, he wanted to gather more information on that mysterious shinobi.
If Naruto showed even the slightest hint of suspicious behavior, Danzo would not hesitate to proceed with the next phase of his plan.
Stepping out of the Root headquarters, Naruto raised a hand to shield his eyes from the glaring sun.
"The Sand Village? It seems Shukaku has been exposed." Naruto glanced over the mission scroll, his expression gradually turning serious. "And two more mysterious Kage-level shinobi… this world just keeps getting more and more interesting."
He let out a soft chuckle and set off, heading for the outskirts of Konoha.
Outside the Leaf Village.
Itachi and Kisame walked through the forest.
"Itachi-san, we'll be at Konoha soon," Kisame said, smiling at Itachi.
He had been partnered with Itachi for some time now. They had worked together, and gradually, they had both let down their guards. Kisame had truly come to see Itachi as a teammate he could entrust his back to.
"Yes. I'm looking forward to it," Itachi said softly.
The purpose of their trip was merely reconnaissance, yet they had made no effort to hide their tracks.
Itachi wanted to know how Sasuke was doing, to see if he had gotten any stronger. He also wanted to see the state of Konoha's current leadership. He had heard that Tsunade had taken office. He felt it was necessary for him to make an appearance, to warn Konoha that he was still alive and that they should not lay a hand on Sasuke.
Kisame didn't know why Itachi was being so brazen, but out of trust for his partner, he didn't ask.
Just as they were making their way through the forest, a purple figure suddenly appeared in their line of sight.
"What is that?"
Before their eyes, the figure turned and charged toward them. Veins bulged all over its body, its face was as grotesque as a demon's, and its eyes were filled with bloodlust.
"What is this monster?" Both of their expressions shifted slightly, and they immediately became guarded.
"Water Style: Water Stream Bullet!" Kisame was the first to act, launching a simple water jutsu that slammed into the monster.
The monster faltered for a moment, and in the next instant, Itachi's kunai slashed across its neck.
CRACK.
Flesh tore open and purple blood flowed out, a ghastly sight.
But the monster didn't stop. It swung a clawed hand straight for Itachi's head.
Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan flared to life, pulling the monster into a low-level genjutsu.
Pop.
However, as if hearing a faint sound, the monster only trembled slightly before continuing its attack.
Itachi used a Substitution Jutsu to escape and formed hand seals.
"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique!" A dragon of fire engulfed the monster, and the resulting blaze quickly burned it to ash.
"It's over. What a bizarre creature." Itachi and Kisame exchanged a look, breathing a sigh of relief.
But in the next moment, the sound of applause echoed through the air.
"How impressive." They looked up to see Naruto sitting lazily on a tree branch, a playful smirk on his lips.
"Uzumaki… Naruto?" Itachi said, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
"Isn't that our target?" Kisame was also stunned.
What kind of monster was this?
Konoha truly was a cradle for geniuses.
Buzz.
The ashes of the monster suddenly swirled together, forming a single purple thread that flew into Naruto's hand.
"A subordinate of Shion's? Is there something you wanted to tell me?" Naruto understood at once and placed the thread near his temple.
Before Itachi and Kisame's bewildered eyes, the purple thread burrowed into Naruto's head like a worm.
Shion's various prophecies flashed through Naruto's mind.
"I see." Naruto looked at Itachi and Kisame and gave them a friendly wave.
"Say, Itachi-san, I recall you're a rogue ninja, aren't you? Are you here for a visit?" His expression was gentle, like a hospitable host welcoming a guest.
Itachi and Kisame exchanged a look, and Itachi replied with a smile, "That's right, Naruto. Could I trouble you to pretend you didn't see us and leave?"
Itachi had other objectives for coming to Konoha; he didn't want Naruto interfering with his plans.
Although Kisame found this strange, he didn't say anything.
"Leave? I'm afraid I can't do that. I'm quite curious about you two," Naruto said with a smile, his right hand resting on the Zanpakuto at his waist.
Itachi's only reason for coming to Konoha was Sasuke.
And Sasuke was now Naruto's masterpiece. He wouldn't allow anyone to interfere.
They weren't far from the village. Naruto was confident he could use an 'appropriate' amount of force to 'hold out' until ANBU reinforcements arrived.
Of course, Naruto had no idea how mistaken he was.
Itachi and Kisame's target was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Itachi was also troubled. His only goal this time was to let Konoha know about the Akatsuki's objectives.
"Since you're so insistent, then you can have a taste of pain. Tsukuyomi."
In the next instant, Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan began to spin wildly.
When Naruto's consciousness returned, he found himself in a hellish landscape. He was bound to a cross, his limbs shackled.
Itachi stood before him, smiling, holding a scythe in his hand.
"Welcome to my world."