Ino Yamanaka: "There's something wrong with this mission."
Sakura Haruno: "More than just something wrong?"
Sakura Haruno: "There's a massive problem!"
Sakura Haruno: "We almost died on this mission!"
Sakura Haruno: "Damn it... lying about a mission is truly dangerous!"
Even after all this time, Sakura was still a bit resentful.
A C-rank mission had repeatedly put them in life-or-death crises.
Although the Land of Waves was suffering, they were just Ninjas.
Moreover, they had nearly died because of the false report.
Tazuna also felt a bit embarrassed.
But he had no choice; the Land of Waves was indeed poor.
Besides... when his alcohol addiction kicked in, he'd accidentally spend the money on booze.
Of course.
Even if he hadn't, he wouldn't have been able to post a high-level mission.
The money still wasn't enough.
The reason Hiruzen Sarutobi let Team 7 take this mission—or rather, let Kakashi take it—was naturally not that simple either.
["Well then, gather at the Konoha main gate in half an hour."]
["Disperse."]
[After leaving the Hokage Building, Kakashi immediately issued the order.]
[The three didn't say anything and went their separate ways.]
[Half an hour was enough time to get ready.]
[Before long, Naruto returned home.]
["I'll be leaving for a while."]
["During this time, make sure to digest these things properly."]
[Naruto chuckled as he watched Izumi packing things for him.]
["Mm~"]
["Stay safe. When you get back..."]
["Don't overthink things, and don't put too much pressure on yourself," Naruto said, ruffling Izumi's Wife's little head.]
["It'll be about a month and a half. I'll leave a few Shadow Clones behind... and I'll leave teleportation Formulas along the way so I can return quickly."]
["Okay."]
[After Izumi packed the backpack, she helped Naruto straighten his clothes.]
[She looked just like a young wife reluctant to see her husband leave.]
["Don't worry, nothing will happen."]
["I'll have plenty of time on this trip to do some things... perhaps, once things stabilize, I'll let you stay outside."]
["There's some risk of exposure in the Village. Of course, I'm not afraid of being exposed now, it's just that for some of the subsequent plans..."]
[Before he could finish, his mouth was blocked.]
[After a long moment, Uchiha Izumi blushed and whispered, "I understand."]
[It was good that she understood.]
[During this trip to the Land of Waves, Naruto indeed intended to do many things.]
[Whether it was finding Tsunade or searching for the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools, these had to be put on the agenda.]
[Things were about to get busy.]
[Afterward, there was a high probability he would let the recovered Izumi take control of some forces to coordinate from within and without.]
[After a moment of tenderness, Naruto shouldered his pack and headed out.]
[Shadow Clones could last for a long time.]
[If they didn't engage in combat, they could last about two and a half days.]
[And a Shadow Clone could further divide into more Shadow Clones.]
[Though their duration would continue to shorten.]
[But it was enough.]
[Along the way, Naruto would leave Kunai engraved with permanent Chakra-infused Body Flicker Technique Formulas.]
[This way, the time it took to return would be greatly reduced.]
[After arranging everything, under Izumi's reluctant gaze...]
[Naruto waved his hand.]
[He left home.]
['When I get back, I can have Izumi take me to the Naka Shrine.']
['That seal can only be broken with the Sharingan.']
['Sasuke is too unstable, otherwise I could have opened it long ago.']
[He shook his head.]
[Without wasting time...]
[He quickened his pace toward the Village entrance.]
[In reality, leaving a Shadow Clone behind was for another reason besides teaching Izumi...]
[Naruto was somewhat afraid that Izumi might poison herself with her own cooking.]
[Those dishes she cooked... were truly beyond words.]
["Hey, hey, hey~"]
[As he passed the dango shop, he indeed saw Anko.]
[Looking at Anko, Naruto had a few thoughts.]
[Later on, why not let Anko follow Izumi?]
[However, he immediately snuffed out the idea.]
[Izumi might be led astray.]
[And Naruto hadn't figured out the Cursed Seal on Anko's neck yet, so he didn't dare gamble.]
[There was no telling if Orochimaru could use it to find Anko, which would put Izumi in danger.]
Anko Mitarashi: "..."
Discrimination!
Damn it!
Black-Framed Naruto, kneel for your big sister!
["You're leaving the Village for a mission?"]
["Uh... how about I secretly follow you?"]
[Anko thought of a desperate solution.]
[She couldn't help it; her appetite had been spoiled.]
[Kurenai went out on a mission, and Yūgao went out too.]
[Originally, Anko was happy that she could have Naruto and the delicious food all to herself.]
[She hadn't expected that after only a few days, Naruto would also be leaving the Village for a mission.]
[Of course, Anko wanting to follow secretly wasn't just for that reason.]
[Naruto's status was special, so it was normal for her to be worried.]
[Plus, her two best friends had given her a series of instructions before they left to look after Naruto.]
[And so, Anko came up with this plan.]
["Stop messing around, it's not convenient for you to leave the Village."]
["In fact, there's no telling if a bunch of Anbu Ninja and Root Organization Ninja will be following behind me."]
[Naruto said helplessly.]
[This Red Bean, sometimes she really was like a child.]
["Alright, time's almost up. We'll talk when I get back."]
[As the words fell, Naruto's figure instantly vanished.]
[Anko pouted; why did it feel like she had just been lectured?]
[Before long, Naruto arrived at the Konoha main gate.]
[The gate was huge.]
[This was the first time Naruto had come this close.]
[In the past, as long as he got close, he would be stared at by countless eyes.]
[Naruto didn't want to expose himself, so he hadn't tried to force his way out.]
[When the Root Organization and the Konoha Military Police Force had their scandal, there was an opportunity, but Naruto hadn't been ready then.]
[But now, for Naruto, leaving the Village was no longer a difficult task.]
[The Village was indeed covered by a Barrier.]
[But Naruto already had a way to leave the Village without triggering the Barrier's response.]
["Over here~!"]
[Sakura and Sasuke had already arrived.]
[Even Kakashi was there, holding a little imperial uncle book, leaning against the gate.]
[Naruto quickened his pace slightly.]
[He glanced at both sides of the Konoha gate.]
['Their strength isn't very high, but it's enough for guarding the Konoha gate.']
The Twin Gate Gods of Konoha.
Kotetsu Hagane, Izumo Kamizuki: "..."
"What do you mean 'guarding the gate'?!"
"Izumo, this kid is a bit arrogant!"
Izumo Kamizuki glanced at his close friend.
He shook his head somewhat helplessly.
He withdrew his gaze from the black-framed large screen.
Seeing that Kotetsu Hagane was still a bit angry...
Izumo Kamizuki pointed to the massive gate behind them.
"Kotetsu, look at what's behind us?"
Kotetsu Hagane was stunned and looked back.
He instantly shut his mouth.
Even for watching the comparison screen, they were doing it at the Konoha gate... ["Well... how rare, you're actually late for once." Kakashi put away his little imperial uncle book and looked at Naruto with a half-smile.]
[Naruto gave an apologetic smile.]
[At this moment, the originally smiling Sakura suddenly frowned.]
[She stared intently at Naruto's mouth.]
["Alright, since everyone's here, let's head out."]
[Kakashi gave the order.]
[He nodded to Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki.]
[Then he took the lead and stepped out of the Konoha gate.]
[Tazuna followed with his wine bottle.]
[The three walked behind, keeping Tazuna in the middle.]
[Soon, at a signal from Kakashi's eyes...]
[Naruto also sensed something different.]
[That faint, indistinct feeling...]
['Is this Konoha's Barrier?']
['The distance should be consistent... it wouldn't be too hard to leave the Village without triggering the Barrier.']
['However, if there are sensory ninjas constantly monitoring the Barrier, it wouldn't be quite so easy.']
[As he thought this, Naruto glanced at the dense forest in the distance.]
[Kakashi also slightly turned his head to look.]
[Someone was there.]
[More than one, and they were Ninjas.]
[At the same time.]
[Hokage Building, Hokage Office.]
[Bang—]
["Hiruzen!"]
["Why did you let the Jinchuriki leave the Village?!"]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at him indifferently.]
[Had he been giving him too much face lately?]
["Danzo, I am the Hokage."]
[Danzo Shimura: "..."]
[Before he could even state his case, his momentum was cut short.]
["Hiruzen, you will regret this!"]
[Bang—]