"Sakura, you seem to really dislike that old man. Why?" Naruto asked curiously as they walked home.
"Because he lied about the mission rank. This mission is definitely not a C-rank. His goal isn't simply to have us escort him home!"
Sakura huffed. Just like last time, Dazuna had manipulated them emotionally while using Konoha's reputation as leverage. Because Naruto was so kind-hearted, Kakashi ended up staying behind to oversee the bridge building—and took down the Gato group in the process. However, Dazuna's official mission was merely to escort him home—the Bridge Building wasn't part of the assignment.
"Lying about the mission rank? He actually dared to do something like that?" Sasuke frowned. Every ninja knows how important mission ranks are. Different ranks of missions are assigned to different ranks of ninja. Genin are strictly forbidden from accepting high-level missions. High-level missions almost always involve enemy ninja, and young, weak genin could easily lose their lives. No ninja village would recklessly assign missions carelessly.
"Probably because Konoha has been too lenient in recent years, which emboldened them." Sakura sighed. After the Fourth Hokage's death, the Third Hokage had taken power again, maintaining a peaceful approach. Most likely because of this, Dazuna had dared to risk his life by falsifying the mission rank.
"Don't worry, Sakura. No matter what enemies come at us, I'll beat them all off! I'll definitely protect you!" Naruto knocked on his forehead protector confidently.
"I'm not worried about the enemies. I'm just angry that Dazuna doesn't value the lives of Konoha ninja. He thinks he's making sacrifices for his country, but he never stopped to think about the Konoha ninja who might get hurt—or die—because of his false mission report!"
Actually, for Sakura, resolving the situation in the Land of Waves wasn't difficult. She already had countermeasures ready for Zabuza and Terumi Mei. A jonin and Terumi Mei, who was unwilling to kill, wouldn't stand a chance against Team 7 now. As for Gato's organization, while it might be powerful to ordinary people, whether it was the Haruno Corporation under her family's control or the Celestial Society jointly managed by them, it could easily eliminate Gato's company. If Dazuna had sincerely asked for help, she wouldn't mind assisting. However, Dazuna's disregard for the lives of Konoha ninja infuriated her.
"Naruto, think about it. Our team is strong enough, so we're not afraid of the dangers. But what if it were other ordinary genin? They could easily get hurt or even die—just because of Dazuna's arrogant calculation!"
Sakura carefully explained the situation, and Naruto's expression immediately changed.
The current Naruto was no longer the straightforward kid he used to be in the original story. Thanks to Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki's guidance, he could now tell right from wrong. As for Daizuna's actions, Naruto couldn't help but feel somewhat annoyed.
"Falsifying a Mission Rank is absolutely unforgivable, no matter when it happens!" Minato Namikaze slightly frowned. Though known as the Golden Flash and regarded by many as a bright ray of sunshine, he would never forgive Daizuna for pulling such a stunt.
"Anyway, there's no need to overthink it. We just need to complete our own mission properly. As for other matters, we'll deal with them as they come."
Sakura made the final call decisively. Neither Naruto nor Sasuke raised any objections, nor did Minato. In fact, Kushina Uzumaki was already calculating how to punish Daizuna for nearly endangering their son.
At Konoha's main gate, Kakashi carried a rather large backpack, clearly ready for a long journey.
"So where's your luggage?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow—why were these three unlucky kids all empty-handed? Didn't they bring anything?
"It's sealed in this scroll!" Sakura waved the sealing scroll in her hand and said, "We brought some daily necessities. But Kakashi-sensei, why are you carrying a tent?"
"Wild camping can't always mean sleeping on the ground. A tent is essential!" Kakashi started explaining like a tour guide.
"Kakashi-sensei, maybe you're getting old and have developed amnesia?" Sakura sighed and said, "Have you forgotten I have [Wood Release]? What do we even need a tent for anyway?"
[Wood Release]... Kakashi's expression immediately froze. How could he have forgotten? With [Wood Release], they could conjure up a full apartment with three rooms and a living area anytime, anywhere. Who needed tents anymore?
Realizing this, Kakashi immediately took off his backpack, separated out the tent and related equipment, and handed everything to Izumo Kamizuki—who stood guard at the village entrance—before setting off lightly with Sakura, leaving a completely stunned Izumo behind.
Chapter 130: Akatsuki's Gossip Fire [Part 1]
"Sakura, may I ask you a question?"
Sitting atop the demonic weapon sword, Kakashi gently tapped its blade twice with his finger and asked, "Exactly how does this flying sword work? I understand Iwagakure's Light-Heavy Rock Technique—it allows people to fly by reducing body weight—but yours..."
Actually, Kakashi had been dying to ask this question for quite some time now. Although there were methods of flight within the shinobi world—such as Iwagakure's Light-Heavy Rock Technique, the former glider wings from the Sky Country shinobi village, or even Kujaku's Peacock Method—all of those fundamentally relied upon chakra. Yet Sakura's demonic sword remained completely incomprehensible to him. Oh, and there was also that pink little cloud the Third used—which was equally mysterious.
"Because I want it to fly, it *can* fly!" Sakura put down her pen and looked up, saying, "As long as I wish, everything becomes [Reality]!"
Kakashi: "???"
Compared to Kakashi and the others who were relaxed and enjoying themselves, Dazuna, sitting on a wooden board resembling a surfboard, was trembling with fear. The wooden surfboard could barely hold just one person. Looking at the seemingly light board hovering above the ground, Dazuna's heart pounded. He felt like he could fall any second. He didn't even dare touch his favorite drink—he was terrified he'd get drunk and fall to his death.
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