The moment the name Uchiha Itachi was spoken, Sasuke's expression shifted dramatically, his face tightening as though pierced by a blade.
"What did you just say?" Sasuke blurted out, his voice raw with urgency. He was desperate to hear every detail about his brother.
Kakashi's gaze narrowed as well, his single visible eye darkening. It had been years since he last heard that name, and the weight it carried was no less heavy than before.
"Uchiha Itachi has already joined the Akatsuki," Senju Haruto revealed calmly. "He is currently heading for the Cloud-Lightning Gorge in the Land of Lightning, preparing to capture the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki."
At this point, Haruto had no reason to conceal the truth.
"I originally planned to assemble a squad to head there myself. No matter what else can be said, Uchiha Itachi is still a rogue ninja of the Land of Fire. He ought to be captured and brought back."
Haruto paused deliberately, his eyes flicking briefly toward Temari and Kankurō.
"I'm going to the Cloud-Lightning Gorge!" Sasuke burst out without hesitation. He finally had a lead—information about Itachi. There was no way he would let such an opportunity slip away.
He needed to confront his brother directly and demand answers: why had Itachi betrayed the village, abandoned his clan, and never returned all these years—not even to send word home?
As for Gaara… Sasuke couldn't care less.
"The Cloud-Lightning Gorge is in the Land of Lightning. Going there now might not be the best idea," Kakashi interjected, breaking his silence.
The relationship between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning had never been smooth. And Haruto had personally killed the Fourth Raikage in battle and captured the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki, Yugito. Even if their intentions were pure, the Cloud would never see it that way. On the contrary, such a move could easily spark another war between nations.
Unless…
Kakashi's mind suddenly clicked into place. Perhaps that was Haruto's true intent. Unlike the cautious Hiruzen Sarutobi, Senju Haruto's policy was one of unification—uniting the shinobi world under one banner.
"But what about Gaara?" Temari's composure broke as she cut in, her voice trembling.
Despite the fear she often felt toward her brother's terrifying power, she was still his elder sister. To simply stand by and watch Gaara be killed—that she could never do.
"If that's the case, then we should form two squads," Naruto declared firmly, casting a glance at Sasuke before speaking with conviction.
He didn't fully understand the connection between Sasuke and Itachi, but the emotions burning inside Sasuke were impossible to miss. At the same time, Naruto couldn't ignore Gaara's plight. Gaara was also a Jinchūriki, and Naruto knew too well what that meant.
Forming two teams, he concluded, was the only right choice.
"The blond brat…" Temari and Kankurō froze on the spot, stunned into silence.
In their hearts, they knew the truth: the Hidden Leaf was their only chance now. But the Leaf owed Sunagakure nothing. Even if Konoha refused to lift a finger, the Sand siblings would have no recourse.
"Naruto, you're a Jinchūriki too, aren't you?"
Sasuke's voice cut coldly across the room, surprising everyone. He turned on Naruto with sharp eyes.
"If the Akatsuki are targeting Jinchūriki, then they won't spare you either. Saying you want to 'rescue Gaara'—isn't that just like walking into the lion's den?"
"That's exactly why I have to go." Naruto spun around to meet Sasuke's gaze head-on. His grin widened, bright and unshakable. "Besides… I'm strong, you know!"
"Leave Uchiha Itachi to you, Sasuke. Gaara, on the other hand… he's my responsibility. I'll save him—because that's what a genius like me does."
He paused for effect, then looked past Sasuke toward Temari and Kankurō.
"And one more thing. Don't call me 'blond brat.' My name is… Uzumaki Naruto!"
"Uzumaki… Naruto," Temari and Kankurō repeated softly in unison, their voices trembling. For reasons they couldn't explain, their hearts swelled with gratitude at his declaration.
"By the way, Sakura," Naruto said suddenly, turning to her. "Which team are you going with?"
If possible, he wanted her with him. Her medical ninjutsu would be invaluable in Gaara's rescue mission. Still, Naruto had no intention of forcing her. Whatever choice she made, he would respect it.
"I…" Sakura's lips parted, but no clear answer came. Yet her sidelong glance toward Sasuke betrayed where her heart already leaned.
"Then I'll…" Kakashi started, after a moment of heavy thought.
Though Naruto was the Leaf's most important Jinchūriki and should, by all logic, remain under his protection, the mention of Uchiha Itachi weighed too heavily on Kakashi. He had once been Itachi's comrade, and he alone truly understood the bond—twisted as it was—between Itachi and Sasuke.
"Kakashi-senpai, you should accompany Sasuke to the Cloud-Lightning Gorge."
But before Kakashi could finish, another voice rang out from the doorway.
Everyone turned to look. Standing there were Yamato, Uchiha Izumi, Zabuza, and Haku—each of them formidable in their own right.
"Lord Hokage," Yamato said with a polite smile, "please allow me to lead the squad to rescue Gaara."
As a Wood Release user, Yamato was arguably even better suited than Kakashi to support Naruto.
"I'd like to join Kakashi-senpai's team for the Cloud-Lightning Gorge," Uchiha Izumi spoke up firmly, her voice ringing with determination.
As someone who harbored deep admiration—perhaps even love—for Itachi, there was no way she could sit this mission out.
Zabuza and Haku, meanwhile, seemed indifferent to which side they'd be assigned to.
"A true shinobi follows orders," Haruto said, surveying the group with satisfaction. He nodded, clearly pleased by their resolve.
"In that case, here's the assignment. Yamato will lead the Gaara Rescue Squad. Naruto, Zabuza, Haku, Temari, and Kankurō—you'll go with him. Any objections?"
"None!" the squad responded in unison.
According to Temari and Kankurō's account, Gaara had been taken by Deidara and Sasori of the Red Sand. With Naruto's current strength, he might very well hold his own against either one. Yamato and Zabuza were both seasoned powerhouses as well.
Still, to be safe, Haruto planned to send Guy's team as backup.
"As for the Cloud-Lightning Gorge…" Haruto's tone shifted as he continued, "…Kakashi, Uchiha Izumi, Sasuke, and Sakura will go."
But before he could finish, Yamato frowned, clearly troubled.
"Lord Hokage, with all due respect… this distribution might not be balanced. Based on what we know of Uchiha Itachi and the Land of Lightning, the Cloud-Lightning Gorge could be far more dangerous than the Gaara mission. Sasuke and Sakura are still only genin. Even with Izumi's Sharingan, she's only around elite chūnin level. Kakashi-senpai's chakra reserves are limited as well. Honestly, I fear that team might be wiped out."
"Don't worry."
Haruto's calm smile cut through Yamato's concern. He shook his head lightly.
"The leader of the Cloud-Lightning Gorge team will be me. I'll be going with you to meet Uchiha Itachi myself."
His eyes hardened, though his voice remained smooth.
"After all… Itachi and I are old friends."
...
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