One day later, in the Hokage Building.
The Third Hokage sat in his chair, puffing on his old pipe, listening intently as Team Seven recounted the details of their mission. He sank into deep silence afterward.
Two mysterious enemies clad in Red Cloud Robes, their affiliation unknown.
The entire Anbu squad, except for Yamato, had been killed in action!
Kakashi was critically injured and remained unconscious in the hospital.
And then there was Uchiha Itachi's sudden appearance.
One shocking revelation after another hammered at the Third Hokage's aging heart.
Upon receiving urgent reports from Takigakure, the Third Hokage was alarmed and immediately dispatched several elite squads to retrieve Team Seven and Yamato.
"During the mission, we encountered Rogue Ninja Suien, a former jōnin from Takigakure, who had joined forces with Amegakure to stage a coup. There were also four enemies wearing Red Cloud Robes, likely from the same organization. One had a shark-like face, a towering physique, and wielded the Samehada greatsword—likely Kisame Hoshigaki, formerly one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. The other..."
Sakura paused, glancing cautiously at Sasuke.
"The other was Uchiha Itachi, an S-Rank Rogue Ninja from Konoha," Sasuke finished, his expression remaining utterly impassive as he spoke of Uchiha Itachi, as if referring to a complete stranger.
"In addition to that, the two enemies who attacked Teacher Kakashi and the Anbu squad remain unidentified, but their strength is extraordinary, comparable to S-Rank Wanted Ninjas."
"Our intelligence is limited, making it impossible to confirm whether these suspected members of the same organization have any connection to Amegakure. It's also possible they were hired by Suien."
The Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe, remained silent for a moment, then turned to Sasuke, asking in a deep voice, "According to your report, you killed one of these unidentified enemies and defeated the other? And then you faced Uchiha Itachi?"
The Third Hokage found it hard to believe.
He knew Sasuke was exceptionally talented—the young ninja had reached Jonin level months ago—but these two enemies had wiped out Yamato's Anbu squad and severely wounded Kakashi.
Could Sasuke really be this strong?
To defeat two S-Rank Rogue Ninjas and still be able to confront Uchiha Itachi?
"The credit isn't mine," Sasuke replied, shaking his head slightly. His expression remained calm. "Most of the credit belongs to Teacher Kakashi."
"Teacher Kakashi held one enemy at bay, creating an opening for me to launch a surprise attack and kill him while his attention was divided. The other enemy had already been severely wounded by Teacher Kakashi before our engagement, greatly diminishing his strength. Even so, I couldn't kill him—I could only barely force him to retreat."
Sasuke's account was factual, though he exaggerated Kakashi's contributions and impact on the battle.
After using Kamui, Kakashi had been instantly struck unconscious, leaving him unaware of the extent of his technique's effects on Kakuzu.
"As for Uchiha Itachi..." Sasuke lowered his gaze, paused for a moment, and then continued, "It was likely just a secret technique clone. Sakura and Naruto encountered the same situation with Kisame Hoshigaki."
The Third Hokage glanced at Sakura and Naruto, who both nodded in agreement.
The Third Hokage remained silent for a moment, his expression solemn, before asking, "Are you certain of everything you've reported? You encountered Amegakure forces and enemies wearing the standard Red Cloud Robes?"
Team Seven exchanged glances before nodding in unison. Sakura then spoke up.
"Lord Third Hokage, on behalf of all of Team Seven, we guarantee that everything we've stated is true."
"I see." The Third Hokage nodded, took a slow puff from his pipe, and fell into deep thought.
Even if Sasuke had merely capitalized on an opportunity, as he claimed, it still demonstrated his formidable strength. The Third Hokage realized Sasuke's abilities had already surpassed his control.
Moreover, Team Seven's growth far exceeded his expectations.
For freshly graduated Genin to defeat a Ninja force of dozens and a clone of an S-Rank Rogue Ninja was unheard of.
But that was a matter for later. Now wasn't the time to dwell on Team Seven's strength.
'Amegakure... Red Cloud Robes...'
'Could this organization be the Akatsuki that Uchiha Itachi mentioned years ago?'
The night after the Uchiha Clan Massacre, Itachi had sought him out.
He warned of an organization called Akatsuki that posed a threat to Konoha and offered to infiltrate it as an undercover agent—a spy.
'A spy is fine,' the Third Hokage had thought. 'But since Itachi's infiltration, there's been no word from him. He's vanished as if into thin air, leaving no trace of intelligence.'
If not for today's events, the Third Hokage would have long presumed him dead.
"Third Grandpa, why were the Anbu there? And why did they encounter enemies?" Naruto blurted out, breaking the Third Hokage's silent contemplation.
Startled back to reality, the Third Hokage flicked the ash from his pipe and said, his expression carefully neutral, "Their squad happened to be on a mission in the Land of Waterfall. They simply weren't expecting to encounter such formidable, mysterious foes."
"Oh, I see," Naruto nodded with dawning understanding.
Sakura, ever perceptive, glanced between Naruto and the Third Hokage, her mind racing. Something didn't quite add up.
"All details regarding your mission—circumstances, outcomes—are classified. You must not disclose any information about it. Do you understand?"
Seeing all three nod, the Third Hokage continued gravely, "To maintain secrecy, the mission's classification will remain C-rank. There will be no changes."
Naruto pouted slightly, inwardly disgruntled, but remained silent.
Observing Naruto's subtle reaction, the Third Hokage glanced at the members of Team Seven. After a long pause, a faint smile softened his stern, aged face.
"The unexpected developments during this mission were partly due to my oversight. Although the mission remains C-level, I will personally reward each of you with a unique ninjutsu technique as compensation."
"Now, go get some rest."
After Team Seven left, the Third Hokage continued reviewing the mission reports, a cigarette smoldering between his fingers.
After a long while, he sighed, exhaustion etched across his wrinkled face.
'Red Clouds, Akatsuki.'
'Dawn?'
'Could you be the leader of Akatsuki that Itachi mentioned?'
'Hanzō!'
The Third Hokage's gaze turned grave as he muttered inwardly.
Dawn, also known as daybreak, refers to the moment when darkness begins to recede, giving way to light.
Geographically, the Rain Country is perpetually shrouded in rain and thick, low-hanging clouds, depriving its people of sunlight.
Politically, the Rain Country occupies an awkward position at the intersection of the three great powers, often becoming a pawn in their power plays.
The meaning of "Akatsuki" isn't difficult to decipher: to clear the clouds and reveal the sun, symbolizing the rise of a small nation.
Decades ago, during the Second Great Ninja War, Hanzō had attempted this very thing, only to fail.
None of the great nations—Fire, Earth, or Wind—would ever allow the Rain Country to become a major power.
This wasn't a matter of personal grudges, but rather a matter of national interests.
The Third Hokage had believed that after repeated crushing setbacks, Hanzō had abandoned his dream of a great nation.
Yet the old fox had not only clung to his ambition but had concealed it so deeply.
In an instant, the Third Hokage sensed the resurgence of dark undercurrents threatening to roil the shinobi world once more.
"Summon Shikaku at once!"
After a moment of silent contemplation, the Third Hokage clapped his hands and spoke softly.
"Yes, sir!"
Meanwhile, in the Land of Rice Fields, at the Hidden Sound Village...
Orochimaru sat regally in his chair, a playful glint in his eyes as he listened to Yakushi Kabuto's report.
"Uchiha Sasuke's talent is truly exceptional. In the two years I've observed him, he has mastered Medical Ninjutsu of all levels in an astonishingly short time, all while simultaneously training in other ninjutsu and taijutsu."
Yakushi Kabuto adjusted his glasses, a glint of ambition in his eyes, and chuckled softly.
"Mastering Medical Ninjutsu requires incredibly precise Chakra control, and Uchiha Sasuke's Chakra control is unparalleled among everyone I've ever met. Neither I nor even you, Lord Orochimaru, can match him."
"Oh?" Orochimaru licked his lips, a hint of surprise flickering across his face. "Even you can't match him?"
"Indeed, Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto replied with a nod, his tone tinged with puzzlement. "I truly don't understand how he possesses such refined and precise Chakra control."
"Talent, perhaps," Orochimaru concluded flatly. "Just like his brother, Uchiha Itachi, he possesses unparalleled innate ability. Heh heh heh... Someone like him would make the perfect vessel."
Orochimaru let out a sinister laugh, his eyes burning with intense longing.
Yakushi Kabuto smiled faintly and was about to continue speaking when his expression shifted slightly. He said gravely, "Lord Orochimaru, please wait a moment."
"Go ahead, Kabuto," Orochimaru chuckled, waving dismissively.
Kabuto hurried out and returned moments later, his expression somewhat peculiar.
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow slightly. "Speak," he said coolly. "What did that Sasori fellow contact you about? What does he want you to do?"
Kabuto was Orochimaru's spy planted with Scorpion, but Scorpion had also arranged for him to infiltrate Orochimaru's ranks and gather intelligence.
Orochimaru had decided to turn the tables, feeding Kabuto half-true information while simultaneously extracting intelligence of his own. It was a game of cat and mouse, essentially.
"He wants me to collect all information regarding Uchiha Sasuke."
"Oh?" Orochimaru murmured, his eyes narrowing slightly. His elongated golden pupils flickered with a serpentine menace.
"Why would he suddenly want information on Uchiha Sasuke?" Orochimaru mused, a hint of unease creeping into his voice.
Uchiha Sasuke was his prey, the vessel he had long coveted. He wouldn't tolerate anyone else reaching for it.
Yakushi Kabuto shook his head, his voice grave. "I don't know. The message he sent only contained that single line."
"Lord Orochimaru, what should I do about this?"
Orochimaru remained silent for a moment before answering, "Leave it to you, Kabuto. I trust you'll handle it well. And remember to uncover his true motives."
"As you command, Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto replied solemnly, then hesitated before adding, "Lord Orochimaru, Uchiha Sasuke's current strength far exceeds our initial expectations. His growth rate is truly astonishing. When do you plan to act?"
"Precisely because of this, he remains the perfect vessel in my eyes, Kabuto," Orochimaru's sinister voice echoed.
"However, you raise a valid point. His progress is indeed too rapid. To prevent him from slipping beyond my control, we must strike swiftly."
As he spoke, Orochimaru gazed into the distance, a flicker of emotion crossing his eyes, and his lips curled into a sinister smirk.
"The three-year period for the Reincarnation Technique has come to an end. After offering a grand farewell ceremony to my former teacher, the Third Hokage, we'll proceed with Sasuke's reincarnation."
Uchiha Sasuke's current strength has indeed exceeded Orochimaru's expectations.
He had actually managed to defeat Raiga Kurosuki of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist in a one-on-one battle.
While Sasuke's power remains within Orochimaru's control for now, allowing him to grow for another year or two would make things unpredictable.
After all, Sasuke was only twelve years old now, and his brother had defeated Orochimaru at the mere age of fourteen.
The thought filled Orochimaru with a growing sense of urgency.
"As Lord Orochimaru has decided, so shall it be."
Yakushi Kabuto adjusted his glasses and raised another matter.
"What about Shin, the boy we captured? Will you simply let him leave?"
Shin possessed an extremely unique constitution, and Orochimaru had conducted numerous experiments on him, later cloning him into countless Shin clones.
A few days ago, while Orochimaru was visiting Sunagakure, Shin escaped from the laboratory with several of his clone "sons."
"Ignore him, Kabuto," Orochimaru said with an inscrutable tone.
"I saw the potential for the Sharingan to evolve in that child, which is why I allowed him to leave. A fledgling eagle confined to its cage will never learn to fly. Letting him go might lead to some interesting discoveries...hehehe."
Shin could not only perfectly integrate the Uchiha Sharingan, but he could also evolve a one-tomoe Sharingan into a three-tomoe state.
This discovery had piqued the intense curiosity of Orochimaru, the research maniac. Despite knowing Shin's hiding place, he had no intention of bringing him back.
He wanted to see if Shin's Sharingan could transcend into the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Even if he acquired Uchiha Sasuke's body in the future, defeating Uchiha Itachi and washing away his humiliation would require finding a way to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Shin was one of his contingency plans.
"Everything is within my control!" Orochimaru declared nonchalantly, falling silent thereafter.
A few days later, at the Uchiha clan compound, inside the training hall.
Sasuke wielded the Futsu no Mitama Sword, clad in a form-fitting black suit with blue patterns and armor bearing the yin-yang taijitu symbol on his chest.
This armor was a trophy he had claimed after defeating the mastermind Kazahana Dotō during their mission to the Land of Snow.
It was called the Chakra Armor.
This custom-made Chakra Armor offered formidable defense.
While it couldn't match the Susanoo's impenetrable shield, it was impervious to most B-Rank and C-Rank ninjutsu attacks from ordinary ninja.
Even Sasuke had only managed to breach its defenses by using Chidori.
It was essentially an automatic defense system akin to the Kaiten and Sand Armor techniques, requiring no activation—functioning at the level demonstrated by Neji and Gaara during the Chunin Exams.
"Ninpō: Lightning Armor!"
With a swift slash of the Futsu-no-Mitama Sword, a layer of crackling lightning enveloped Sasuke's body, radiating a brilliant, blinding light.
Sasuke's goal now was to draw inspiration from the Chakra Armor's operational principles and combine it with the lightning blade techniques he had acquired from Kurosuki Raiga.
He was attempting to develop his own unique Lightning Release Armor.
Or rather,
The Lightning Release Chakra Mode!
___
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