Tsunade's gaze swept over the two shinobi before her — Naruto and Sakura — then shifted to Yamato.
"To keep Team 7 operating smoothly," she said, "I'm assigning another member to join you for this mission."
She turned toward the door. "Come in."
The door slid open, and a pale young man with short black hair stepped inside. His expression was unreadable, almost too calm.
"Reporting to the Hokage," he said in a flat, almost polite tone.
"This is Sai," Tsunade explained. "From now on, he'll be part of Team 7 during field assignments."
Sakura studied the newcomer with open curiosity, but Naruto's expression remained indifferent.
After giving Yamato a few final instructions, Tsunade dismissed them. "You'll depart early. Prepare accordingly."
The four of them left Konoha together, the afternoon sunlight stretching long shadows across the road.
Sakura slowed her pace to walk beside Naruto, speaking in a low voice. "Naruto… what do you think about this, Sai? He hasn't said much since we left. Even when I asked him something, he barely replied."
She glanced ahead. "At least Yamato-senpai talks a bit more."
Naruto snorted. "Don't worry about it. Those two are just like that — one's a fake-smile type, the other's a fish-eyed guy."
He said it without lowering his voice in the slightest. Sai's steps didn't falter, but his eyes flicked sideways. Yamato, on the other hand, turned with a deadpan look.
Naruto? You had to say it loud enough for us both to hear?" Yamato's tone was more exasperated than angry.
Naruto clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't take it personally. Just speaking my mind."
Yamato let out a resigned sigh and changed the subject. "When we reach the target location, I'll be using a transformation technique to impersonate Sasori. I'll arrange a private meeting with Orochimaru. The three of you will remain hidden until I give the signal. Understood?"
"Got it," Naruto, Sakura, and Sai replied together.
They moved swiftly, traveling through forests and rocky passes until the landscape opened into a mist-covered gorge. In the distance, the worn planks of Tenchi Bridge stretched across the chasm.
Far away, within a dimly lit underground chamber, Kabuto Yakushi approached Orochimaru with a measured bow.
"Orochimaru-sama, we've received a request for a private meeting. From Sasori of the Red Sand."
Golden eyes gleamed in the shadows. "Sasori…? How intriguing. Very well — we'll meet him. Though I doubt it's truly him."
Orochimaru's voice lowered to a purr. "How is Sasuke-kun's training?"
Kabuto adjusted his glasses. "You needn't worry. His progress has been exceptional. I believe he will exceed your expectations when the time comes."
Orochimaru's lips curved into a slow, serpentine smile. "Heh… I'm looking forward to it."
At Tenchi Bridge, Yamato's transformation was complete — the puppet master's hunched frame, expressionless mask, and heavy cloak now his own.
Kabuto emerged from the mist, eyes narrowing as he approached. "Sasori-sama," he said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, "you seem… different."
The words tightened something in Yamato's chest. Had his disguise already been compromised? Still, he kept his posture steady.
But Kabuto moved without warning. Chakra scalpels flared in his hands, and with a swift arc, he sliced through Yamato's false head. The transformation dispelled instantly, revealing the Konoha jōnin beneath.
Yamato stepped back sharply, stance guarded.
"A Konoha ninja," Kabuto murmured, pushing up his glasses. "Then Sasori must be… dealt with already. And here I thought we were meeting in confidence."
Yamato's jaw tightened — there was no salvaging the cover now.
From the mist beyond, footsteps echoed. A tall, pale figure emerged, snake-like eyes glinting in the dim light.
"Orochimaru," Yamato said grimly.
The sannin's mouth curved into an unsettling smile. "How careless of you to walk into my territory, little mice. You can come out now — no need to hide."
Naruto, Sakura, and Sai dropped from their hiding places, landing beside Yamato.
In the original flow of events, Naruto would have demanded to know Sasuke's whereabouts immediately. But now, he said nothing. His mind was elsewhere — calculating.
When he first arrived in this world, fragments of Kushina's chakra had scattered into him, granting him pieces of her memories. Among them was forbidden knowledge: the art of corpse reincarnation seals — and how to undo them.
Right now, half of Kurama's chakra — the Yang half — was sealed within him. To restore the complete Nine-Tails, Minato Namikaze's spirit would need to be drawn back into the living world.
Orochimaru's knowledge, his skill in forbidden jutsu… it would be invaluable for that.
Sakura's fists clenched. She stepped forward, voice sharp. "Orochimaru — where is Sasuke-kun?"