Hearing Naruto's reply, Tsunade smiled and nodded. Meanwhile, Chiyo, who had remained silent the whole time, frowned.
Tsunade tapped the table and called in an ANBU, instructing them to bring Kakashi and Haruno Sakura.
Before long, Kakashi and Haruno Sakura arrived at the Hokage's office. When Chiyo saw Kakashi's appearance, she recalled the culprit who had taken her son and daughter-in-law—Konoha's White Fang.
However, since she was on someone else's turf, she didn't act out, only glaring fiercely at Kakashi.
Kakashi, on the other hand, paid it little mind. He turned his gaze to Tsunade, quietly waiting for her orders.
"Kakashi, there's an S-rank mission I'm assigning to Team 7 this time." Tsunade handed him a scroll.
After taking the scroll, Kakashi read it carefully. Then he looked up at Tsunade and said firmly,
"Tsunade-sama, we understand. Leave this mission to Team 7."
Tsunade nodded, then looked at the members of Team 7. It felt like their numbers were a bit lacking. After all, the Hidden Sand Village had deployed their top combat power. If her side didn't show something comparable, it wouldn't look good.
Suddenly, an idea struck her. She turned to Shizune and asked, "Has that guy returned to the village?"
"Tsunade-sama, you mean…?" Shizune looked at her in surprise. Having followed Tsunade for so many years, she immediately understood who Tsunade meant from just a glance.
"I'll go confirm right away." With that, Shizune left the Hokage's office.
The others present were left puzzled. Chiyo looked at the reinforcements Konoha had sent and thought to herself: As expected, they're only sending these small fry for this mission. Hmph, an alliance? What a joke.
"Kazekage, when do you plan to begin the operation?" Tsunade asked Gaara softly.
"As soon as possible. We've already lost some time traveling from the Hidden Sand Village to Konoha," Gaara replied calmly.
Tsunade tapped her chin. If all went smoothly, they could depart today. But if that person wasn't in the village, they'd have to find someone else. Who? Guy?
...
Meanwhile, after a long flight, Deidara finally returned to the Land of Wind. His bird dove down toward the cave where they had previously stayed.
Inside the cave, Sasori was resting. Deidara dismounted and walked up to Kakuzu, asking with some irritation,
"Sasori-senpai, did you already know about Kakuzu's situation?"
Sasori paused slightly, then replied indifferently, "What are you talking about?"
Seeing Sasori play dumb, Deidara didn't press further. Honestly, it was his own fault for talking too much. From now on, he'd have to be more careful—just look at Hidan, always running his mouth. And now he'd been captured.
After a moment of thought, Deidara looked at Sasori.
"We need to speed up the mission. My arms are fixed now—let's attack the Hidden Sand Village again."
Sasori shook his head. "Plans have changed. Our target this time is the Tenchi Bridge in the Hidden Grass Village."
Deidara froze. "Why? Aren't we supposed to capture the One-Tail jinchūriki in the Hidden Sand Village?"
"According to my informant, the One-Tail jinchūriki has already gone to the Hidden Leaf Village. He's no longer in the Hidden Sand Village."
The Hidden Leaf Village? For some reason, when Deidara heard those words, Rorin's figure came to mind. He snorted coldly.
"Damn it, why is it always the Hidden Leaf? Such a nuisance."
"So our plan to capture the One-Tail jinchūriki will be put on hold for now. It just so happens it's about time for me to contact the spy I planted under Orochimaru."
"Orochimaru? What does he have to do with this? Weren't we supposed to capture the One-Tail first and then go after him?" Deidara asked, confused.
"I had a feeling this meeting wouldn't go smoothly, so I set up a scheme. I plan to use some pieces to test the waters."
"Oh, letting them fight while we benefit, huh?" Deidara smirked.
Sasori nodded. "Exactly. It's safer this way, and it'll also weaken the Hidden Sand Village's strength. Besides, if I'm not mistaken, since the Hidden Sand Village has gone to the Hidden Leaf Village, Konoha will likely send a team as well. When the time comes, we can catch them all in one net. Maybe that Leaf ninja you met last time will show up too."
Deidara clenched his fist and waved it sharply.
"Then what are you waiting for? Let's go!"
Sasori stared at him, silently complaining: What am I waiting for? Isn't it you?
Soon, the two left the cave together and headed for the Land of Grass.
...
Hidden Leaf Village, inside Rorin's home.
Rorin, dressed in sportswear, was training—doing one-finger push-ups, sweat pouring down his body.
Knock knock!
A knock came from the door. Rorin stood up, grabbed a towel from the table to wipe his sweat, and opened the door, revealing Shizune holding Tonton.
"Rorin-kun, it's great that you're home!" Shizune said in delight.
She had checked the registration office earlier and found Rorin's record of returning to the village, then rushed over without stopping.
"Hm? What's the matter?" Rorin asked, holding the ends of the towel draped around his neck.
"It's urgent—just come with me!" As soon as she finished speaking, Shizune grabbed his hand and started running.
"Uh, Shizune-san, what's going on?"
"There's no time to explain. Just come to the Hokage's office first!"
"Oh, is that so?" Rorin said calmly. Then he activated the Flying Thunder God, and in an instant, the two appeared at the entrance of Tsunade's office.
Shizune froze for a moment, then turned back with an awkward smile.
"Right… I forgot you can use Flying Thunder God."
Rorin chuckled, stepped forward, and knocked on the door. After receiving permission, the two entered.
"Heh, you really did come back," Tsunade said with a smile upon seeing him.
Feeling everyone's gaze on him, Rorin casually raised a hand and waved.
"Hello, everyone!"
Then he noticed Gaara and greeted him as well.
"Gaara, you're here in the Hidden Leaf. You're alright now, right?"
Gaara smiled faintly. "Yes, I'm fine now."
Watching Gaara and Rorin chatting so familiarly, Naruto couldn't help but feel shocked: Rorin and Gaara are this close?
Getting back to the point, Rorin turned to Tsunade.
"So, Tsunade-sama, why was I called here so urgently?"
Another round of explanations followed. It took Rorin some time to fully digest everything before he nodded.
"So, Tsunade-sama, you want me to carry out this mission together with Team 7?"
Tsunade gave a slight nod.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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