Land of Lightning.
Kumogakure (Hidden Cloud Village).
BANG!
The Fourth Raikage, A, slammed his fist onto the iron desk in front of him, producing a deafening noise. The solid desk surface dented inwards.
"Bastards!"
"To think Orochimaru and those Sand scumbags beat us to it!"
The Fourth Raikage's eyes were wide with fury, lightning flickering faintly around his body:
"Konoha right now is an egg with a cracked shell!"
"Tell Samui to lead the reconnaissance unit and get close to the northern border of the Land of Fire immediately! I want the most detailed frontline report!"
"In addition!"
"Contact all our undercover agents in the Land of Fire to assess Konoha's current defensive loopholes and opportunities for exploitation!"
"Yes, Raikage-sama!"
Kumogakure's style had always been direct and aggressive.
In the Fourth Raikage's view, Konoha's weakness was a godsend.
Even if they didn't launch an all-out war immediately, they had to maximize military pressure to seize strategic advantages.
If they could bite a big chunk of fat off the big fat sheep that was Konoha, that would be fantastic!
...
For a time, the entire ninja world was turbulent and undercurrents surged due to the death of the Third Hokage.
In comparison.
Another piece of news.
Shimura Danzo conspired with Orochimaru to assassinate the Hokage and was officially listed by Konoha as an S-class rogue ninja wanted globally.
Although equally shocking.
In the face of the huge storm brought about by the fall of the Third Hokage, it seemed insignificant.
People's attention, the strategic focus of the high-level officials of the major ninja villages...
Almost all were attracted by Konoha losing the Third Hokage.
Border of the Land of Fire.
In a small town restaurant, under greasy lights, voices were noisy.
Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki sat at a corner table, silently eating the food in front of them.
At the next table, several ronin-like ninja were flushed with drink.
They were loudly discussing the explosive news they had just heard.
"...Did you hear? The Third Hokage of Konoha is dead!"
"Real or fake? Are you kidding? That's the Third Hokage!"
"Absolutely true!"
"They say it was their own village's S-class rogue ninja Orochimaru, and the leader of that 'Root' department, called Danzo, who joined forces to do it!"
"The Sand and Sound also got involved... Tsk tsk, Konoha really lost face big time this time!"
"Isn't that right! Not only were they stabbed in the heart by their own people! Even the village's Kage was taken out!"
"..."
Hearing this, Itachi's hand holding the chopsticks paused imperceptibly.
The Third Hokage actually died?
Kisame Hoshigaki grinned, revealing shark-like sharp teeth, smiled silently, and listened with interest.
The discussion of the ninja at the next table continued, with exaggerated exclamations and, of course, schadenfreude.
Itachi silently put down his chopsticks. The food in his bowl was more than half left, but he had no appetite to eat anymore.
"Let's go!"
Itachi said in a low voice, stood up, put the meal money on the table, and walked out of the shop without looking back.
"Eh? Full already? Mr. Itachi really can't stand nagging!"
Kisame shrugged, grabbed Samehada beside him, and followed.
The two walked into the dim street one after another, leaving the noise of the restaurant behind. The night wind carried a chill.
Kisame carried the great sword Samehada on his shoulder, breaking the silence first, his voice filled with unconcealed mockery:
"Konoha... Heh! Truly fallen in an eye-opening way!"
" The majestic number one ninja village in the ninja world actually ended up having its Kage assassinated by its own people."
"I thought only we of the Blood Mist Village produced such a 'tradition' of subordinates overthrowing superiors!"
Itachi did not respond, still walking non-stop in front.
The large bamboo hat covered most of his face and also hid all expressions.
However, beneath the calm exterior, Uchiha Itachi's heart was already churning with stormy waves.
The Third... died?
That old man who always smoked a pipe, had gentle eyes, and occasionally revealed complex emotions when looking at him...
Died?
Died from the joint attack of Orochimaru and... Shimura Danzo?
Danzo?!
This name was like a poisoned thorn, piercing fiercely into Itachi's heart.
He knew Danzo's darkness and ambition better than anyone!
But he didn't expect.
Danzo would actually go this far! Directly attacking the Hokage?
Then.
How is the village now? Are Sasuke and Yao safe?
Did they get involved? Would that madman Danzo take the opportunity to attack Sasuke and Yao in the chaos?
Countless questions and worries almost suffocated Itachi.
"Hey, Mr. Itachi, you seem to care a lot? Makes sense!"
Kisame's voice came from the side and rear, with a bit of playfulness:
"After all... Konoha is your hometown. How does it feel to hear such a big scandal in your hometown?"
Itachi's steps were not disordered at all, his voice coming through the fabric, still devoid of any ripples:
"...No feelings!"
"Rotten trees will eventually fall; it's just a matter of time."
"Is that so?"
Kisame smiled noncommittally: "Then, Mr. Itachi, where do we go next?"
"Continue north to meet up with Sasori and the others at the Land of Earth border?"
Itachi in front didn't stop walking, but his voice came back:
"No! Go to Konoha!"
"Oh?"
Kisame was obviously surprised: "Not going to execute the mission over there? That's not like you, Mr. Itachi."
Itachi had already thought of a reason, flawless: "The Third Hokage died in battle, Konoha is unprecedentedly weak!"
"Defenses and vigilance will inevitably be chaotic and flawed!"
"This moment is the easiest time to take advantage of the void."
"Capturing the Nine-Tails is one of the organization's primary goals. Now, might be the best opportunity!"
Hearing this, Kisame grinned, smiling silently. That smile contained a bit of understanding and a bit of amusement.
"Capturing the Nine-Tails, huh... sounds like a good reason!"
Kisame weighed the great sword on his shoulder, his tone relaxed:
"Perfect! I also want to see with my own eyes what kind of mess the number one ninja village has become."
"Maybe..."
"I can even find a decent opponent to stretch my muscles."
...
The next morning.
After breakfast, Sasuke prepared to go to the Naka River to continue training.
Just as he walked to the entryway, Yao's voice came from behind.
"Don't be in a rush to leave!"
Sasuke paused, turned his head in confusion, and looked at Yao.
Yao ignored him and lifted his chin towards the kitchen: "Karin, you come over too!"
Karin, who was washing dishes, hurriedly wiped her hands and followed Sasuke back to the living room, somewhat uneasy.
The two sat opposite Yao, not knowing what he was going to say.
Yao didn't explain much. He reached into his chest pocket, took out a sealing scroll, and spread it open on the low table between the three of them.
"Release!"
Yao formed a hand seal with one hand.
In an instant!
Whoosh! Whoosh!
A large number of scrolls spewed out from the small sealing scroll like a fountain, piling up rapidly.
In the blink of an eye, several stacks were piled up beside the low table, forming a small mountain.
These scrolls varied in age and material; some were old and made of leather, others were brand new paper, marked with different symbols and text.
"Th... This is?"
Both Sasuke and Karin stared wide-eyed at this sudden mountain of scrolls, bewildered and shocked.
Yao patted off some dust and explained: "After taking out Danzo, I completely emptied the Root base!"
"I destroyed some of the messy stuff directly!"
"But these..."
Yao pointed at the mountain of scrolls: "Ninjutsu, secret arts, forbidden jutsu outlines, cultivation insights, compiled data from various countries and clans..."
"I thought they might be useful, so I packed them all up and brought them back."
Yao looked at Sasuke: "There are Fire Release and Lightning Release jutsu formulas in here, and even some secret teachings involving nature transformation!"
"You can take them to study; it should be better than fumbling around by yourself!"