Chapter 178 – Itachi
"I almost had a heart attack…" Kakashi muttered, his eyes as lifeless as a dead fish.
"Next time you act that careless again, I won't hold back," Yusuke replied flatly.
"Yeah, yeah... I get it," Kakashi grumbled, though deep down, he knew it was entirely his fault.
Not long after, Yusuke and the others made their way to the Hokage's office, where Tsunade was waiting.
When Naruto heard the news about Gaara, he couldn't hide the emotion on his face. That boy… he remembered him clearly. A child burdened with the same fate as his own.
But now, that boy had become the Kazekage.
The weight of that truth stirred something deep within Naruto's heart.
"Akatsuki has started targeting the Tailed Beasts," Jiraiya explained grimly. "And it looks like Gaara is their first."
"I've already dispatched Team Guy to assist," Tsunade said firmly.
"I want to go too! Please, Granny Tsunade, let me help!" Naruto pleaded with fierce determination.
"You can't," Tsunade said sharply. "You're one of Akatsuki's targets now too."
"The current leader of Akatsuki is known as Pain. There's no word on Nagato or Yahiko," Jiraiya added, his brow furrowed.
Tsunade glanced toward Yusuke, her eyes narrowing.
But Yusuke simply looked around the room as if the conversation didn't concern him in the slightest.
"You know something, don't you?" Tsunade asked directly.
Yusuke had been the first to ever clash with Akatsuki. Of course he knew more than he let on.
"Me? Nah. I've been in Konoha this whole time," he answered lazily.
"Oh really? And who was it that snuck off to Kumogakure yesterday just to buy mochi?" Kakashi interjected.
Tsunade's eyes turned razor sharp.
Yusuke turned his head slowly and gave Kakashi a long, cold stare.
Kakashi quickly looked away, pretending to be utterly fascinated by the ceiling.
'Traitor,' Yusuke cursed inwardly.
"Fine. I'll talk. The leader is likely still Nagato—with Konan by his side. Yahiko… he's dead. How he died, I don't know," Yusuke said at last.
"…What?" Jiraiya's face stiffened with shock and unease.
"Then do you know why they're hunting the Tailed Beasts?" Tsunade asked, ignoring Jiraiya's reaction.
"Who knows?" Yusuke murmured, staring out the window.
But Tsunade didn't miss the flicker of emotion in his expression.
He was hiding something.
"Alright. This is serious. Kakashi, take Naruto and Sakura to rescue Gaara," she commanded.
"Yes, Lady Hokage!" Kakashi replied, unusually earnest for once.
"Kakashi, be careful," Yusuke said calmly.
Even though he didn't doubt Kakashi's strength, the warning was genuine.
"Don't worry, Nii-san," Kakashi replied confidently.
"You're going with them too," Tsunade added, this time pointing straight at Yusuke.
"…What?! Tsuna-chan, seriously? Me too? No, no! Just let Kakashi handle it. This is a Kage-level matter—basically a bunch of adults throwing tantrums. What do you need me for?" Yusuke groaned.
Everyone turned to stare at him.
Tantrums? This was a full-blown war between Kage-class shinobi.
"Fine, then send Toneri. I can summon him right now. The kid's strong enough to handle it," Yusuke argued.
"No need. I already granted him leave. Let him spend time with his parents," Tsunade replied coolly.
"Then what do you want me to do? I still have to look after Kurenai—"
"Kurenai doesn't need babysitting from you. You're going to Sunagakure. With them. And you'd better make sure Gaara returns alive. If he dies… don't bother coming back," Tsunade snapped.
"…Fine. Let's move. Time's tight. Lose anyone, and you'll regret it," Yusuke muttered, turning to Temari.
With a swift motion, he opened a swirling portal in the air.
Without hesitation, everyone stepped through. They were used to Yusuke's peculiar techniques by now.
Tsunade exhaled a long sigh as the portal closed behind them.
"…What are you hiding, Yusuke?" she whispered.
She knew him too well. When Yusuke resisted this strongly, there was always a reason.
"Maybe Lord Yusuke really doesn't know anything," Shizune offered, trying to ease her.
"No… You don't know him like I do," Tsunade replied, shaking her head.
Then her expression softened into something… different.
"By the way, how are things with you and Kakashi? Have you two set a date for the wedding?"
"N-Not yet, Lady Hokage…" Shizune stammered, her face flushing red.
The two had only recently begun a relationship—thanks mostly to Tsunade's and Yusuke's persistent meddling.
Kakashi had always liked her—but he was a difficult man, distant and unpredictable. Fortunately, Yusuke had "persuaded" him with everything from emotional lectures to outright intimidation.
"You should get married soon. After that, I'll hand over the Hokage seat to Kakashi. Besides… Kurenai's already pregnant," Tsunade muttered with a tinge of envy.
"E-Eh?! Lady Hokage…!" Shizune's face turned crimson.
"Come on, don't be shy. Once you're wed, I'll officially retire and dump everything on Kakashi," Tsunade smiled, already imagining her freedom.
"But… Kakashi-senpai said he's not interested in being Hokage…" Shizune said timidly.
"Then who am I supposed to pass it to? Honestly… I've spoiled you too much. Didn't we agree? Kakashi is next," Tsunade snapped.
Meanwhile, Yusuke, Kakashi, Temari, and the others arrived at Sunagakure's gate.
"That's Temari-senpai!" one of the Sand shinobi shouted, clearly alarmed.
"What happened?!" Temari asked urgently.
"Kazekage-sama… has been taken. Two unidentified attackers captured him," the ninja panted.
"No way…!" Temari's heart sank.
"To protect the villagers, Gaara willingly lowered his defenses. That's how they got him. Pakura and Kankurō went after them," explained Chiyo, stepping forward from within the village.
"Eh? And why didn't you go with them, old lady?" Yusuke asked, completely unimpressed.
"You—! Why are you here?!" Chiyo's eyes widened with fury and fear.
She hadn't forgotten. Her son had died by the hand of the White Fang… and her village had once been crushed under Yusuke's power.
"Hey, I asked first," Yusuke said with a bored look.
"I'm just an old woman. I can't move as fast as the younger ones," she replied curtly.
Truthfully, she still had doubts about Gaara becoming Kazekage. He was too young. If not for Pakura's insistence, she would've rejected it outright.
"Oh yeah? Old lady… did you know who's here this time?" Yusuke smiled thinly. "Your precious grandson—Sasori of the Red Sand."
"…What?" Chiyo froze, eyes wide.
"Yeah. So here's a warning: if you don't hurry, Kakashi might be the one who reaches him first. And by then, you may not even see what's left of your grandson," Yusuke said coldly.
Chiyo fell silent.
She knew Yusuke never joked about things like this.
Elsewhere, Might Guy had already engaged Kisame Hoshigaki in direct combat. Their clash shook the very landscape.
Kakashi's team didn't waste time. They pressed forward without pause. Even Yusuke, despite his reluctance, stayed close behind.
Then, midway through the desert, a familiar figure appeared before them.
"…Itachi," Naruto said, his voice sharp and tense.
The others froze.
"Itachi," Yusuke greeted calmly, eyes narrowing.
"Kakashi-senpai. Yusuke-nii." Itachi nodded politely, his voice cool as ever.
"You here to stop us?" Kakashi asked bluntly.
"Even knowing I can't succeed… this is still my mission," Itachi replied quietly.
"Then let's end this quickly," Kakashi said, drawing his blade.
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