"Wow, Kakashi-sensei, why is this place so—"
"Dilapidated?"
"Yeah, yeah! It's my first time seeing a place that's entirely desert."
"Hey, Naruto, you don't actually think everywhere is like Konoha, do you?"
Amidst the yellow sands of the Land of Wind, Naruto had already gotten over his initial excitement and was now complaining.
Upon learning that he was to undertake a mission, Naruto immediately forgot that Takemi was already the Fifth Hokage.
He was more than just excited. After all, this was his first time leaving his parents to perform a mission alone in three years. Moreover, he had only read about the Land of Wind in textbooks, so it was impossible for him not to be curious.
But seeing the Land of Wind like this, he couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed. This godforsaken place was quite different from what he had imagined.
"The Land of Wind hasn't changed at all. This place is still the same."
Sakumo was in good spirits. Although he reluctantly had to wear a mask like his son to conceal his face and avoid too much trouble, it didn't affect his mood in the slightest. After all, this was his first mission with Kakashi.
"Kakashi-sensei."
As they walked, Sasuke asked curiously, "Did you and Takemi come here before? Can you tell me what happened?"
"That time, huh..."
Kakashi rubbed his chin, recalled for a moment, and then spoke, "Actually, that time didn't end well either, because we ran into Orochimaro, and even in the end..."
"In the end?"
Sasuke grew even more curious. He now wanted to understand Takemi's deeds in every aspect. After all, having Takemi as a senpai in front of him guided him in his direction.
"In the end, Takemi defeated Orochimaro, but he accidentally blew up the ancient city of Rōran."
Kakashi was a bit exasperated, shaking his head with his hands in his pockets. "Don't take it for granted. That was seven or eight years ago, and Takemi had only just graduated. Thinking back now, it's truly unbelievable."
"He defeated Orochimaro and blew up an ancient city shortly after graduating?"
Hearing Kakashi's words, the two youngsters' eyes widened, and even Sakumo found it somewhat unbelievable.
Orochimaro might not seem like much to them now, as they regularly interact with people of similar standing. The Sannin had been de-glamorized for them.
But for Takemi to have such abilities right after graduating, wasn't that too incredible?
"Rōran was blown up?"
Sakumo's face was also strange. Although he didn't know what was inside Rōran, he knew that Sunagakure had always coveted Rōran.
"Then wouldn't they... be furious?"
"Pretty much, since they didn't gain any benefit." Kakashi chuckled, then looked at Sakumo.
"But I think, if we're really talking, your story is even more interesting."
"Eh?"
Hearing Kakashi's words, Sasuke and Naruto unexpectedly turned their heads, looking at Sakumo with confusion.
"Dad was also very famous in Sunagakure back in the day, you know." Kakashi gave a mischievous smile, then scanned his surroundings.
"For example, right now..."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a furious roar came from a distance.
"Damn it, you actually dared to show up in Sunagakure?"
Along with the roar, several figures sped over, and the old man at the very front was already taking action.
"Prepare yourself! This time, I absolutely won't mistake you, you damned Konoha White Fang."
"..."
Sakumo awkwardly rubbed his white hair, while Kakashi's mischievous smile remained.
Naruto and Sasuke couldn't help but gulp. To hold such a grudge at such an old age, what did this uncle do back then?
And they realized something. Takemi said he had encountered it too, so...
"This guy holds grudges too..."
...
"What exactly are your plans?"
In the Land of Rain, within the Akatsuki.
Obito's expression was grim. After several days, he still hadn't received an answer.
Neither Madara nor Black Zetsu had explained how the Eye of the Moon plan was to proceed, which made him exceptionally anxious.
For him now, the Eye of the Moon plan was his only hope, he had to push it forward no matter what.
"Don't worry, we won't stop this matter, but before that, we need to consider a problem."
Black Zetsu felt helpless seeing Obito's state. Before, he would have been happy, but now he wished he could just cancel the Eye of the Moon plan.
Why release his mother?
To be devoured by Takeshiki as a 'Path to Godhood'?
But he also didn't want to dampen Obito's enthusiasm, and besides, if it didn't work now, they would still have to continue in the future.
"Ōtsutsuki Takeshiki, we must consider this guy carefully."
"Ōtsutsuki Takeshiki."
Obito frowned slightly, this was indeed a menace.
"He is indeed troublesome, but if we have the Ten-Tails, and Takemi, it should be possible."
Obito had intended to talk about his evolution, but after a moment's consideration, he still kept it hidden. After all, he also harbored the ambition of becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki.
"Indeed, becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki can solve many problems, and Takemi is indeed formidable."
Black Zetsu saw Madara snort and remain silent. He pondered for a moment and immediately said, "But why not make it more stable, and at the same time use Takeshiki to help clear up some troubles?"
"You mean..."
Obito suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu. Had he heard these words before?
"Use the Ninja World to deal with the Takeshiki crisis?"
"Exactly. We definitely have to proceed with the plan, it's something we decided long ago. It's just that we discovered something..."
Black Zetsu nodded and spoke, while Madara simply took over Black Zetsu's words.
"The Senju have relics, and the Uchiha do too. So the Sage of Six Paths's brother must also have them. Haven't you speculated about this?"
"But it seems there hasn't been much progress, or have you discovered something?"
"We've indeed discovered quite a bit. Haven't you ever thought that there's an order to viewing the relics?"
"Order? What do you mean?"
Obito frowned, not understanding what the two were talking about.
Madara frowned slightly, realizing this kid was too foolish. Black Zetsu, however, remained very calm, clearly accustomed to it.
"Obito, the Senju relic persuades Asura to reconcile with his brothers. If they truly reconciled, then one could naturally see the 'Power of All Creation'."
"It takes time to conceive the Power of All Creation. You should remember that I awakened the Rinnegan just before I died."
Madara looked at Obito with disdain and said coldly, "This gap should be for viewing the Sage of Six Paths's brother's relic, and only then is the Eye of the Moon plan."
"The Sage of Six Paths's brother's relic might contain more information about the Ōtsutsuki."
Black Zetsu immediately took over the conversation, speaking earnestly, "So, our key mission right now is to find this relic, understood?"
"And subsequently..."
Madara clenched his fist and said grimly, "Only then will we slowly settle scores with Takeshiki."
"..."
Obito silently watched the two of them. He was now beginning to understand. They were going to postpone, or even cancel, the Eye of the Moon?
This made Obito unable to hold back. Cancellation might be unlikely, but even postponement was something he was unwilling to accept. He had given up everything for this, and he had worked incredibly hard to execute this plan.
How could the effort he put in be put on hold now, just because of a Takeshiki?!
'Damn it, I absolutely cannot accept this—'
Obito didn't speak, but his fists clenched, and a crazy plan began to form in his mind.
'Since you want to unite the Ninja World to deal with Takeshiki, then I'll help you out.'
'I'm no longer willing to wait. I will use my own method to resolve all of this...'