Chapter 277: Itachi and Kisame's Return, Akatsuki's First Appearance
Then, under Shizune's astonished gaze, Akiyama Makoto hugged her. "Thank you, Big Sister Shizune, for supporting me all this time."
Being hugged by a member of the opposite sex like this for the first time in her life, and at such close range, Shizune instantly froze, her face flushing red.
She stammered, "I-I was also thinking of Lady Tsunade. It's rare for someone to like her, so I thought she should seize the opportunity to get out of the mud."
"Also, stop thanking me and go after her!"
He released Shizune. "Big Sister Shizune, has anyone ever told you that you're actually very cute?"
Shizune's face turned even redder, and she took a step back in fright. "You're not going to say you like me too, are you? Don't make that kind of joke, Makoto-kun!"
"Who can say for sure about these things?"
"I like Big Sister Tsunade because of her figure and dashing heroism. As for you, Big Sister Shizune, it should be your thoughtfulness and loyalty..."
"So you're saying I have no figure, right?"
Shizune joked to deflect. She didn't have Tsunade's composure; this was her limit.
She had followed Tsunade since graduating from the Ninja Academy, more than ten years ago. Facing someone like him, her resistance was almost zero.
"Big Sister Shizune's figure just can't compare to Big Sister Tsunade's, but holding you is still very comfortable."
"Alright, I'm going to chase after Big Sister Tsunade. We'll meet again in a week. I'll be responsible for Big Sister Tsunade's safety for this week. If anything happens, you can tear this to contact me."
He handed a talisman to Shizune, which bore his Hiraishin formula.
Shizune nodded, then watched him disappear from her sight. The smile on her face slowly faded.
Everything she did was for Tsunade, but if Tsunade really found her happiness and left, what about her—
In an instant, Shizune felt only a huge sense of loss.
She returned to the hotel room and tidied up the bedding for him and Tsunade. Just as she was about to go back to her own room, she saw his handwritten manuscript.
She picked it up and read it, a look of joyful surprise appearing on her face. Although it mainly praised Tsunade, it also mentioned her.
He called her Tsunade's right-hand woman, who had supported Tsunade through the ninja world with her youth, and an indispensable aid for Tsunade in practicing the Will of Fire in the future.
At the same time, she was also a kind medical ninja with superb skills, worthy of the name of Tsunade's disciple, and her smile could warm people's hearts.
Just a few simple sentences, but they were the warmest words Shizune had heard since she was sensible. They made Shizune feel that her years of following Tsunade had meaning and could be affirmed by everyone.
"Makoto-kun—thank you. I hope you find Lady Tsunade soon."
Shizune silently blessed him, unaware that he had already left a space-time mark on Tsunade.
He followed Tsunade from a distance, in no hurry. After all, there was still a week left.
He hadn't expected that wanting to be boyfriend and girlfriend with the youthful Tsunade for a week would turn into a game of "I run, you chase, and if you catch me, you can hehehe."
Tsunade moved quickly, leaving the range of Tanzaku Town before long. Judging from the direction, she was heading to another nearby town.
It wasn't until the early hours of the morning that Tsunade finally checked into an inn in the town, entered a room, and fell fast asleep.
He shook his head. Only she could be so careless when she was alone; the current Tsunade was indeed completely defenseless.
He didn't do anything sneaky. He just rented a room as well, swapped a shadow clone to stand guard, and returned to Konoha to rest.
In one day, naturally, nothing had changed in his home or Konoha.
The biggest change was that Temari had prepared her room. The style looked very simple, as if she didn't plan on staying here for long.
At dawn, there was a knock at the door.
Karin, who had gotten up early to help Kazematsuri Matsugu cook, opened the door and looked at Jiraiya and Naruto outside in surprise.
"Yo, good morning, little girl. I'm here to go on a mission with Akiyama Makoto as agreed. Is he up?"
"Ah, please wait a moment. I'll go get him."
Karin quickly turned and went to his room, knocking on the door. After he said "come in," she pushed the door open and slipped inside.
He was changing clothes, his sculpted muscles exposed to the air, making Karin dizzy.
"So early. What's up?"
He asked knowingly.
Karin explained the purpose of her visit. He finished changing and was about to leave, but Karin grabbed his lapel.
"Family Head, you forgot something—"
"What?"
"Good... good morning kiss—"
Karin bravely looked up, meeting his half-smiling gaze.
Then she received his good morning kiss. It wasn't until she collapsed on the floor that he stroked her cheek and went downstairs.
"Family Head, are you leaving already? Without breakfast?"
Matsugu came up to greet him. He said, "Pack it up for me. I still have to entertain the two at the door."
"So stingy. You won't even invite us in to sit?"
Naruto, hearing this at the door, couldn't help but speak up.
He rolled his eyes. "Inviting you is fine, but not the person next to you. What do you call him?"
"Pervy Sage—Ouch!"
Jiraiya punched Naruto in annoyance. Although Naruto hadn't meant it, Makoto clearly disliked his lecherous habits.
Jiraiya actually didn't want to go in either, because he had heard that there were many women in Makoto's family—How enviable. It's good to be young!
Soon, he walked out eating a rice ball and carrying a package. He threw a package to Naruto. "For you and Senpai Jiraiya. Eat anytime."
"No need, we've eaten. Save it for lunch. Shall we go?"
He nodded, and the three of them leisurely walked out of Konoha.
Jiraiya glanced at him from time to time, which made him feel strange. "Is something wrong?"
"I just wanted to ask, you have the Flying Thunder God. Why are you traveling with us?"
"Didn't you invite me? If I used the Flying Thunder God, why would I be with you?"
"No, I mean, I thought you would just send a shadow clone—"
The reason Jiraiya knew he was the main body was because he was eating.
He didn't beat around the bush and continued, "Alright. I left to make those two guys relax their guard."
"Later, I'll use a shadow clone to accompany you. In a while, my main body will return to Konoha to deal with them."
Jiraiya frowned. "Who?"
"I don't know them either. Two men in black cloaks with red clouds. They seem to be members of some organization. But they look like trouble—oh right, they are rogue ninja from Konoha and the Hidden Mist."
Wearing a scratched forehead protector meant one was a rogue ninja. He should know this.
Jiraiya's pupils constricted slightly. He had already guessed who was coming.
He had sensed the existence of the Akatsuki long ago, but since they hadn't done anything earth-shattering yet, he hadn't pursued them deeply.
But now Itachi Uchiha had returned, bringing a teammate back to Konoha at this time. What were they going to do? Were they going to take revenge on Konoha?
Jiraiya didn't know Itachi was a spy, so this vigilance was normal.
"Can you handle them alone? Itachi Uchiha should have awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. Every pair of Mangekyō has powerful genjutsu abilities, and can even summon Susanoo, a giant chakra entity used for combat."
"Back then, Madara Uchiha fought the First Hokage at the Valley of the End, possibly using this power."
"The guy next to him should be a ninja from the Hidden Mist, probably skilled in Water Style. Be careful when dealing with them."
He looked at Jiraiya in surprise. Is 'Intelligence Jiraiya' online?
Well, with Jiraiya's experience, it wasn't strange for him to know of the existence of these abilities, but he probably knew nothing about their specific effects.
He nodded. "Don't worry. If I can't beat them, I'll call you for help."
"That works too."
Jiraiya then smiled. "Having the Flying Thunder God is convenient—Naruto, you must work hard to master this jutsu in the future too!"
"Flying Thunder God plus a thousand shadow clones... there won't be many people in the ninja world who can match you."
"Oh, oh, oh! Can I learn it too? Then I want to learn!"
Naruto immediately got excited. He had witnessed Makoto's powerful strength that day, so he naturally looked forward to it.
He stopped paying attention to Jiraiya and Naruto's chat, and instead had the shadow clone he left at home use the Mind's Eye of Kagura to monitor the two people outside the village.
"Mr. Itachi, they've left. Should we act?"
Kisame always wore an elegant smile, while Itachi had his eternal poker face.
Itachi shook his head slightly. "Akiyama Makoto is a mysterious opponent who knows the Flying Thunder God. We need to prevent the people of Konoha from contacting him, so let's wait until noon."
"It's just the Flying Thunder God. If he can't hurt us, he's no threat, right? Mr. Itachi, you're too cautious."
"Kisame, don't underestimate someone who killed a Kage-level powerhouse. What's more, he can bring Sannin Jiraiya back at any time. I'm no match for him."
"Alright, alright. We'll wait until noon."
Kisame sat on a tree trunk, hugging Samehada. Itachi also sat cross-legged, closing his eyes to rest. It wasn't until noon that the two of them arrived at the Hokage Rock and jumped down.
Such an arrogant move naturally alerted the Konoha ninja. Many ninja stepped forward to stop the two, but were hypnotized by Itachi and fainted upon meeting him face-to-face.
Itachi and Kisame walked onto the streets of Konoha as if returning home. Their strange attire drew many backward glances, but didn't cause a commotion.
Konoha civilians were long used to ninja wearing all sorts of strange outfits.
However, more and more Konoha ninja gathered towards them. But in the end, only Kurenai, Kakashi, Asuma, and Guy were qualified to appear in front of Itachi and Kisame.
Kakashi recognized Itachi. He knew how strong Itachi was, and how dangerous he was.
Most critically, the person in Konoha who was qualified to inflict damage on Itachi had left the village this morning.
In other words, if Itachi went on a killing spree in Konoha, they would probably only be able to stop him with their lives.
At this thought, cold sweat broke out on Kakashi's forehead, and his desire for strength grew stronger.
"Let's go."
Kurenai spoke at this moment. Her calm demeanor surprised Kakashi.
"Kurenai, are you confident you can deal with them?"
She shook her head. "I can bring Makoto-kun back at any time."
Hearing this, Kakashi's eyes lit up, and he instantly felt reassured.
However, Asuma's eyes dimmed completely. He had just been considering whether to say something like "I'll protect you."
Now it seemed he had forever lost the right to say such words.
"Alright then, let's move. Try to resolve the battle outside the village."
Seeing everyone nod, Kakashi stepped forward to the dango shop, where Itachi and Kisame were leisurely drinking tea and eating dango.
"Are Konoha's sweets good? Even if they are, next time please enter through the main gate. For intruders like you, we can only expel you."
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