Reunion (2)

"News from the Mist Ninja Village," Tsunade said solemnly, "They've discovered signs of the Three-Tails' revival."

Sakura Haruno frowned slightly and asked, "What does this have to do with our reorganized Team 7... Could it be that the Mist Ninja wants us to go and help capture the Three-Tails?"

The Fifth Hokage nodded.

"That's right. Mist Ninja currently lacks high-level combat power, and considering that Akatsuki is also coveting the Three-Tails, they hope that Konoha can send some strong ninja to help them capture Three-Tails. I think it's most suitable for your Team Kakashi to complete this task."

Team 7 has no shortage of strength and experience, and the Mist Ninja have worked with Sakura Haruno once before, so they trust her quite a bit.

"The Mist Ninja will allow us to participate in the capture of the Three-Tails?" Sakura Haruno asked, her face filled with doubt. "Aren't they afraid we'll secretly steal the Tailed Beast?"

She chuckled mischievously, "Hehe... actually, if we just rob them, they can't do anything to us."

It's not that Sakura Haruno looks down on the Kirigakure.

She went there herself and knew the current situation of Kirigakure was suffering from a severe shortage of talent and a lack of successors.

If it weren't for its isolated location overseas, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack, Kirigakure would probably have been wiped out long ago by some hot-tempered old men in the Shinobi World —yes, the same Kumogakure that has been secretly preparing for war and strengthening its military for the past decade.

In short, Kirigakure, once one of the five strongest Shinobi World Kirigakure, has been ruined by the Fourth Mizukage's decades-long relentless turmoil. Now, those who could fight are either dead in internal strife or have defected, leaving Mei Terumi to shoulder the burden alone.

This meant that even though the Three-Tails revived near their village, the Mist Ninja couldn't find a suitable person to capture it.

They had no choice but to ask Konoha for help.

"Compared to Akatsuki taking the Three-Tails, the Mist Ninja would rather risk trusting us," Tsunade explained, staring at Sakura Haruno. "Besides, we don't need to resort to any tricks at this crucial moment."

"Don't overthink it, Sakura."

"Tailed Beast are a very sensitive matter. Stealing the Tailed Beast from Mist Ninja could have consequences far beyond Kirigakure withdrawing from the alliance; other ninja villages would also be in a state of panic! If the Five Village Alliance collapses and they are unable to unite against Akatsuki, ultimately leading to the overthrow of the ninja villages and the destruction of the Shinobi World, then we will become sinners in history."

The Fifth Hokage solemnly gave his instructions.

Sacrificing the greater good for petty gains is Danzo's style. Given the current situation, Konoha doesn't need to offend Mist Ninja and other ninja villages for the sake of a mediocre Tailed Beast.

Konoha already has no shortage of high-end combat power from this Tailed Beast.

Sakura Haruno still admires her master's decisiveness and overall perspective.

She dropped her joking tone and nodded, "Okay, I understand. So, what's the situation over there? Should we set off now?"

"Not yet." Tsunade picked up the letter, waved it in her hand, and said, "In fact... the Mist Ninja have only discovered signs of the Three-Tails' revival; they haven't pinpointed its location yet."

"Why?" Sakura Haruno asked, puzzled. "Now that we've discovered signs of the Tailed Beast's resurrection, how come the sensory ninjas can't detect the Three-Tails' location?"

Tsunade and smiled.

"If it were really that easy to find the exact location of a wild Tailed Beast's resurrection, the Mist Ninja wouldn't be so nervous."

"News from the Mist Ninja indicates they've discovered a very strange storm forming on the sea, which is rare at this time of year... They believe it's a result of the Three-Tails' resurrection."

"As for the location where the Three-Tails revived, the Mist Ninja speculated that it was within that storm."

She pulled a page from the letter and handed it to Sakura Haruno and Naruto: "You can take a look at it yourselves."

Naruto pretended to read two pages, then his brows and nose furrowed.

He handed the letter to Sakura, then raised his hand, looking puzzled, and asked, "Tsunade, the mission is for us to help the Mist Ninja capture the Tailed Beast, right? But judging from what you've said, it seems like they've only seen some strange storms, and haven't even found a trace of the Tailed Beast. How are we supposed to complete the mission?"

"Hmm, Naruto has a point." Sakura Haruno took the letter, glanced at it, and nodded. "The information is too vague. We can't understand anything from this alone."

"So there's no need for us to rush," Tsunade said with a smile, putting the letter away.

"Before we get any further news from the Mist Ninja, you can team up and train to regain your previous synergy."

"Of course, don't Kirigakure! The fact that they sent such an urgent message shows they're very confident in the reliability of their intelligence. Just wait! I think more concrete news will arrive soon."

"In short, you must take this mission seriously. It not only involves other villages, but it's also very likely that it will involve Akatsuki..."

Tsunade spoke earnestly and sincerely.

Looking at the two children in front of him, whose childishness had not yet faded, the Fifth Hokage suddenly felt a pang of emotion.

For a ninja of such a young age to shoulder such an important mission, she didn't know whether to marvel at Konoha's promising future or lament the lack of talent among Konoha's middle generation.

"Well then... the rest of the time is up to you."

Tsunade said quietly.

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

Sakura Haruno sensed Tsunade's intention to see her out.

She tactfully pulled Naruto out of the Hokage's office, leaving the two single men in their fifties alone.

"Hey! Hey!" Naruto exclaimed, being pulled along by the back of his collar by the girl. "Why are you in such a hurry to drag me out? I still have something to say to that Pervy Sage!"

Sakura Haruno dragged Naruto out of the Hokage Building before stopping, and upon hearing this, she glared at him fiercely.

"Fool!"

"Naruto, can't you be a little more perceptive? Can't you see what my master means? Or do you want to stay there and be a super third wheel?" she explained irritably. "You can talk to Jiraiya it later."

"Is that so..." Naruto scratched his chin, which still lacked a beard, and frowned as he tried hard to recall, "So that's the relationship between that Pervy Sage and Tsunade!"

"No, based on my observation, they're not in that relationship yet."

Sakura Haruno looked around and, seeing no one was around, leaned close to Naruto's ear and whispered, "It seems your master is pursuing my master, but my master is still hesitating!"

Naruto frowned in frustration. "I don't really understand... The adult world is too complicated!"

"Never mind if you don't understand." The girl shrugged and walked forward aimlessly. "Where do we go next?"

"Of course we're going to find Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto grinned, following behind Sakura Haruno, and said without hesitation, "It's been so long since I've sparred with Sasuke."

"Hehehe... I'm going to use my new ultimate move to surprise Sasuke!"

Sakura Haruno glanced at him.

This guy's new trick is easy to understand; it's either a new technique for making dumplings or a new way to grow a long tail...

Anyway, Naruto would tell her about any progress he made, and he even asked her to keep it a secret from Sasuke.

"Sasuke and Kakashi are probably still on a mission with the Anbu right now..." she thought for a moment and said.

We can--

Just then, a loud shout came from behind, "Sakura-sensei!"

The two turned around and looked back. A young ninja waved to the girl and ran over.

The boy had a long scarf draped around his neck, almost dragging on the ground, which fluttered in the air as he ran; the newcomer was none other than Konohamaru from Sakura Haruno's Team.

"Sakura-sensei, you're back!" Konohamaru rushed to the girl, grinning from ear to ear. "We haven't seen you for a month!"

After greeting him, he noticed the person standing next to Sakura Haruno.

"Ah! It's Naruto -san!" Konohamaru's eyes widened as he pointed at Naruto and shouted, "Naruto -san, you're back in the village!"

"It's Konohamaru!"

Naruto chuckled, looked over, and was somewhat surprised to see that he was wearing a Forehead Protector: "Huh? You... you've already graduated?"

"Hehe, I graduated last year!" Konohamaru struck a pose and laughed smugly. "I'm a full-fledged ninja now, and under my teacher's tutelage, I've become very strong!"

Sakura Haruno nodded with satisfaction.

Konohamaru is a student she personally trained. He is proficient in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu, has rich combat experience, and is quite outstanding for his age group. He can be called a new generation talent of Konoha.

Although this child is usually a bit mischievous, he has always had great respect for Sakura Haruno.

"Let me show you my Ninjutsu!" Konohamaru said smugly.

What kind of Ninjutsu could it be?

Konohamaru should have already mastered "Genjutsu: Illusory Sound of Silence". If he were to unleash it, even Naruto would be startled.

It's also possible that he was using a combination Release Techniques he learned from the Third: Combination Ninjutsu that doubles the power of a ninja technique by simultaneously using different elemental Release Techniques with his main body and Shadow Clone.

It could even be a newly created Ninjutsu of his recently developed...

Sakura Haruno is eagerly anticipating what kind of impressive Ninjutsu her student will use.

Konohamaru's hands moved swiftly, forming Hand Seals.

With a loud bang, a cloud of Chakra smoke suddenly billowed from the open ground; amidst the swirling mist, a curvaceous and slender woman emerged.

"Secret Technique: Sexy Jutsu!"

Unlike in the manga and anime, in the real Hokage world, the smoke generated due to imperfect Chakra control dissipates quickly, rather than continuously obscuring vital parts...

Therefore, Sakura Haruno could see it perfectly clearly.

The girl's expression suddenly froze.

"How is it, Naruto- nii-san!" Konohamaru, completely oblivious to the strange look on Sakura Haruno's face, excitedly pulled Naruto along, saying, "Isn't it perky, firm, and white enough?"

"Hmph." Naruto chuckled dismissively.

"... Konohamaru, we're real ninjas now." He said seriously, patting Konohamaru on the shoulder, "We can't use techniques of this level like we're playing house anymore!"

Konohamaru was stunned, completely taken aback by Naruto.

Sakura Haruno's expression softened slightly. "Naruto has indeed grown quite a bit after traveling for two years..."

"I'll teach Konohamaru a good lesson later!"

Then she heard Naruto continue with a righteous expression, "A true ninja should use more complex and practical Sexy Ninjutsu!"

"Behold my Harem Jutsu!"

The girl's eyes widened.

[There should be one more chapter.]