"Slow down, slow down... Oh, my poor back…"
As the group of three was about to dig into their meal, Gai's voice called out from a short distance away.
Before long, Gai appeared, sitting atop a turtle and directing it forward.
Smelling the aroma of food, he noticed everyone looking at him. Embarrassed, he quickly dismounted and dismissed the turtle.
After all, overworking a turtle wasn't exactly ideal…
"This is such a blessing—to return home and immediately enjoy the smell of delicious grilled fish…"
The atmosphere grew slightly awkward. Gai scratched his head and sheepishly spoke.
"Gai, what are you doing? You weren't helping with the meal, and now you're making us wait for you too…"
Seeing that Itachi and Kakashi had no intention of speaking, Kurenai quickly pretended to scold Gai, trying to ease the awkwardness and lighten the mood.
"Ah... sorry, sorry. It's just that Ashura was so powerful that I accidentally got sent flying…"
Taking advantage of Kurenai's intervention, Gai immediately tried to explain, looking even more embarrassed.
However, his eyes lit up when he glanced at Itachi.
Clearly, he'd found his silver lining.
For most people, losing a fight was a shameful experience. But for Gai, it was a stroke of luck—it revealed his weaknesses, allowing him to better understand how to improve his abilities.
Even better, Itachi was a Konoha ninja, which meant he could spar with him regularly in the future. The thought thrilled him to no end.
Gai's perspective was undeniably inspiring, if a bit... unusual.
When Gai finally joined the group around the campfire, the four of them each took a grilled fish and began their meal.
As dinner commenced, Gai became overwhelmed with emotion.
"Ah… this is youth at its finest…"
To him, after an intense and passionate battle, enjoying such a delicious meal was pure bliss.
The other three looked at Gai, their expressions hard to describe.
Although Kakashi was long used to this behavior, he pretended to wear the same puzzled expression as Itachi and Kurenai.
"Ashura, Aganzo, let's have a match full of youthful energy!"
When nobody responded to him, Gai raised his voice and suggested a competition, seemingly unfazed by the awkwardness of it all.
"No."
Before Gai could elaborate, Itachi and Kakashi rejected the idea almost in unison.
Competing while eating? That was just absurd.
Hearing their responses, Gai looked a little dejected, but his eyes gleamed with a sharp focus.
This Aganzo was just like Kakashi—the resemblance was uncanny. Despite attempts to conceal it, Gai recognized the subtle habits and mannerisms all too well. After all, no one understood Kakashi better than he did.
If Aganzo really was Kakashi, then why the disguise? This question plagued Gai, leaving him thoroughly puzzled.
The night passed uneventfully.
After dinner, the four of them rested against the trees.
While the others slept soundly, Gai tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.
His frustration and curiosity over Kakashi's mystery, combined with the physical pain from Itachi's attacks, kept him awake.
Even with his formidable physique, taking a direct hit from such a powerful Water Dragon Bullet felt like being slammed by a wild beast.
To Itachi's credit, he had held back. Otherwise, Gai's condition would've been far worse.
Battles are often like this.
A single misstep, and you could be taken down before you even have a chance to unleash your strongest moves.
But if you use your ultimate technique too early, it might just get dodged by a substitution jutsu.
The timing and rhythm of jutsu are an art—a true expression of strategy in warfare.
Finally, after a restless night, dawn broke.
The forest that had been silent gradually came alive with the sounds of morning.
"You're back."
In Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the four figures before him, his expression filled with a mix of emotions.
It hadn't been long at all since they'd left, yet here they were, already returned.
The team he'd sent to Kirigakure, on the other hand, had spent ten days to half a month negotiating, talking themselves hoarse, and achieving absolutely nothing.
This only deepened Hiruzen's dissatisfaction with the ANBU.
They consumed so much of the village's military budget and required extensive training, yet when it truly mattered, they failed to deliver results.
Who could tolerate such a lack of value?
Moreover, things aren't like they used to be.
In the past, the role of the Anbu was significant, but now the village is peaceful, and this force has no real opportunity to be utilized.
"Yes, Hokage. Lord Hokage…"
Four different voices rang out simultaneously.
Itachi, as always, addressed him directly, while the other three used honorifics.
...
"Asura, stay. The rest of you can return and rest."
After some thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi set down his pipe and spoke in a calm tone.
He planned to hear what Asura had to say first, then consult with Guy and Kurenai.
Although Asura seemed capable, he was still a newcomer. Hiruzen preferred to hear Guy and Kurenai's opinions. However, he didn't want Asura to feel slighted after completing his task. Allowing Asura to speak first was a way to maintain morale—a principle Hiruzen had adhered to for years in his leadership style.
"Understood, Lord Hokage…"
...
"Asura, how did your trip to Kirigakure go?"
Hiruzen smiled kindly as he looked at the unassuming Asura in front of him.
"Thank you for your concern, Lord Hokage. It went as expected. Kirigakure seems quite willing to cooperate, so there wasn't much trouble."
Itachi's response to Hiruzen's inquiry was calm and composed, as though he were unaffected by the situation.
"Then, can you tell me why several teams I sent before failed their mission, but as soon as you arrived, the Mizukage agreed to let us proceed?"
Hiruzen's sharp eyes locked onto Itachi, his gaze piercing and dark. His voice carried a cold, commanding authority.
This was both a test and not a test.
The speed and ease with which Asura completed the mission left Hiruzen unsettled. His deliberate tone was meant to probe further.
At the same time, a shadow of doubt crept into his mind—could Asura have some secret connection with Kirigakure?
In that instant, countless thoughts raced through his mind.
One thought of trust. One thought of suspicion. A single moment of reflection could tip the scales either way.
...
"Was it that hard?"
Itachi's voice was calm as he stared down at Hiruzen from a higher vantage point, his gaze indifferent as he looked at the elderly man sitting behind the desk.
This frail, thin old man—what could he possibly be thinking?
For Uchiha Itachi to handle a mission was already a favor. And yet, here Hiruzen was, nitpicking and questioning. Did he even realize how close he was to courting disaster?
Itachi thought these things but didn't let them show. His expression remained composed, his eyes unreadable. His entire demeanor radiated confidence and pride.
Itachi's gaze caused Hiruzen to hesitate momentarily. It was as if an aging lion faced a vigorous young lion in its prime.
For a brief moment, Hiruzen was actually overpowered by Itachi's presence.
Those eyes were too sharp, that aura too commanding. This was no ordinary person.
Countless thoughts flashed through Hiruzen's mind in an instant—thoughts that even included the possibility of elimination…
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