Support for Sunagakure

On the evening of March 2nd, Konoha 63, at the entrance of Sunagakure.

The pitch-black night sky was slightly dark and deep, cold and desolate, with the cold moon casting its not-so-bright light like frost, its dim light enveloping the entire night sky.

A large white bird swooped down from the sky, its tail coiling around a boy whose skin was covered in a layer of sand. Tiny grains of sand gradually settled from the armor formed by the cracked sand on the boy's face. Standing on the bird's back was a man with blond hair and blue eyes.

"Brother Scorpion, it's over..." The man jumped off the giant bird and said to the ball-like thing on the ground.

"Hmm, you've kept me waiting for quite a while. Didn't I tell you not to keep me waiting too long?" a ball-like thing questioned.

"Sigh, what can I do? This kid's skills are pretty good. It took me a lot of effort to take him down..." the man said, waving his hands.

"Hmph, stop dawdling, it's getting late, let's go..."

March 3rd, Konoha Year 63, morning, Hyuga Mansion.

"Sister Haku, is this the child you and Issui-kun picked up? Why does she keep calling you 'Mom' and Issui-kun' Dad'?" Hinata asked, looking at the sleeping baby in Haku's arms.

It turns out that after Issui lied about Xiao Zhixuan's situation, he made Issui and Xiao Zhixuan leave his Sumeru World. After all, it wasn't right to keep them in that deserted place forever.

However, Issui overlooked one problem: Xiao Zhixuan was already able to speak. As soon as she came out of the Sumeru World, she kept calling Issui "Daddy, Daddy," which greatly displeased Hinata. Although she agreed to let Bai join their team, it didn't mean that Bai could surpass her own status. Originally, she wanted Bai to be her helper to fight against Koyuki and Fini, but look at them now, it seems that they even have a child, and the child is calling them "Daddy" and "Mommy." What exactly is going on?

"Ah... actually, it was me who made her call her that. After all, seeing how pitiful she was, Issui-kun and I let her recognize us as her parents. Of course, Xiao Zhixuan can call you 'Mom' too. What's the difference between us, Hinata- chan..." Bai had to cover up the truth about her and Issui's situation. After all, revealing the Disaster Seed incident was like a bolt from the blue for Hinata. In order to maintain harmony in the clan, Bai had to take the initiative to compromise. She was well aware that even though she held a high place in Issui's heart, she was still inferior to Hinata. That was a fact. It wasn't a big deal for Xiao Zhixuan to call Hinata 'Mom.' After all, they would all live together in the future, and it would be normal for Hinata's future children to call her 'Mom.'

"Yes, yes, that's it. You won't blame us for making this decision on our own, will you..." Issui quickly added.

"Oh, it's okay, I understand. I was just asking. I really like this child too, Sister Haku. Can I hold her?" Hinata said. Actually, she was just Ichimon casually. She'd been seeing the child for about a week, Issui-kun and Sister Haku probably wouldn't hold her that long...

"Sure, come on..." Bai said with a smile, placing Xiao Zhixuan in Hinata's arms for her to hold.

"Hmm, she's so pretty. Her silver eyes look just like Issui-kun's. It seems that Xiao Zhixuan and Issui-kun are really destined for each other..." Hinata had just held Xiao Zhixuan in her arms when she noticed that her eyes had suddenly opened. A pair of beautiful silver eyes were perfectly displayed in Hinata's eyes.

"Ah, yes, it's fate, hahaha..." Issui was startled by Hinata's words and broke out in a cold sweat. He calmed down when he realized that Hinata didn't suspect him.

"Who are you... I want to find my mom... Mom..." As soon as Xiao Zhixuan got out of Bai's arms, she realized that she was no longer lying in her mother's arms. She hurriedly looked to the side and kept calling out to Bai.

"Xiao Zhixuan, be good, this is also a mommy..." Bai hurriedly placed his hand on Xiao Zhixuan's body and pointed to Hinata's face.

"No, she's not Mommy. Mommy's lying. Humph, I'm ignoring you. I want Daddy. Daddy, hug me..." Xiao Zhixuan didn't understand Bai's words at all. She immediately turned her gaze to Issui.

"..." Issui was both amused and exasperated; this little girl was just too clever and mischievous.

"Hello, Lord Hokage, I have something important to discuss with you. Please go now..."

Suddenly, an Anbu member wearing a cat-face mask appeared in the courtyard and spoke respectfully to Issui.

"Well, Hinata, you two chat here. I'll go check with the Lord Hokage first..." Issui said to Hinata and Bai. There was no other way; Tsunade had summoned him. It was probably about Sunagakure of Gaara being captured. Hayate was about to begin.

"Okay, go ahead..." Hinata nodded. Although she wanted to stay with Issui forever, it was impossible. After all, there were many things in the village that he needed to do. He had a strong desire for ability and a strong sense of responsibility. It was a proud thing for her man to be valued by everyone.

"Alright, let's go..." Issui nodded to the cat-faced Anbu and vanished instantly.

"Thump..."

After arriving at the Hokage's office a moment later, Issui gently knocked on the door.

"Come in..."

Tsunade's authoritative voice rang out.

"Squeak..."

Issui Gate of Opening and walked in, only to find Kakashi, Naruto, and Sakura already there.

"Lord Hokage, did you need something from me?" Issui asked bluntly.

Tsunade nodded, handed the paper to Shizune, and then said to Issui, "Yes, they've already started their operation. Our ally, Sunagakure, just sent word that last night their Fifth Kazekage, Gaara of the Sand Waterfall, fought an unknown enemy wearing Akatsuki cloak and was captured. They sent word of their rescue this morning."

"Oh, I see. So, what brings you here?" Issui asked.

"I'm having you temporarily form a rescue team with Team Kakashi, with Kakashi as the leader, you as the deputy, and Sakura and Naruto as team members. You'll be heading to Sunagakure in the Land of Wind as fast as possible to rescue Gaara from the enemy and prevent them from achieving their goal. With your assistance, there shouldn't be any problems..." Tsunade said.

"Yes, no problem. Then please guide me Kakashi-senpai..." Issui said to Kakashi.

"No, no need, actually..." Kakashi quickly waved his Tsunade. Tsunade had put him in charge this time, with Issui assisting him. It was a lot of pressure for him. It wasn't that Issui was disobedient, but that the kid was too strong. He couldn't see through him, and Ikki's reputation in the village was not much lower than his own. This time, making him the captain of the rescue team was actually a test for him. After all, commanding someone stronger than himself was not an easy task. The reason he was able to become the team captain was partly due to his age.

"Kakashi-senpai, don't worry. I'm not the kind of person who likes to show off. I'll just do what the mission requires. As long as we can accomplish the mission, that's all that matters. Now is not the time to argue about who should be the captain. It doesn't matter who is captain. Besides, Kakashi-senpai has much more experience than me. You don't need to be so modest..." Issui said calmly. He knew what Kakashi was thinking. Actually, it didn't matter who was captain. There wasn't that much to it.

"Yes, we need to hurry up and get Gaara out of the enemy's clutches..." Naruto said anxiously. As a Jinchūriki, he felt a deep connection with Gaara, and every second wasted increased the danger to Gaara.

"Yes, Naruto is right. It's decided then. Kakashi will be the captain, Issui will be the vice-captain. Head to Sunagakure immediately to provide support!" Tsunade on the table and shouted.

"Okay, I understand. I'll trouble the Lord Hokage to have someone inform my family. Let's set off now; the situation is urgent and cannot be delayed..." Issui said.

"Alright, let's go!" Naruto shouted.

Afterwards, Issui and the others arrived at the gates of Konoha, ready to depart, when Jiraiya suddenly appeared.

"Oh, you guys are going to rescue Sunagakure, right? Issui, you're here too? That puts my mind at ease. Please keep a close eye on things..." Jiraiya breathed a sigh of relief upon spotting Issui. With him there, Naruto wouldn't easily fall into the enemy's hands.

"Okay, that's enough. You can set off now..." Tsunade said decisively.

"Alright, everyone, let's go..." Kakashi said as the team leader.

In an instant, the four of them quickly moved forward towards the direction of Sunagakure.

"Tsunade, why did you let Naruto... You know Naruto was also one of their targets..." Jiraiya asked Tsunade after seeing Team Kakashi.

"The situation is urgent, we can't find anyone to help right now, and we have to believe in Naruto's power..." Tsunade said confidently, she had great faith in Naruto.

"Yes, I understand. With Issui here, I feel much more at ease. That kid's strength has caught up with ours now. He's growing so fast..." Jiraiya said, gazing at the sky.

"It's alright, that child is fine. He's the seed left by the Third, not someone like Orochimaru. He's also a member of Konoha. Don't worry, have faith in that child..." Tsunade's impression of Issui was alright. Given Teacher Sarutobi's personality, if Issui really posed a threat to Konoha, he probably wouldn't be in Konoha anymore.

"I hope so. Maybe I'm overthinking it. My main concern is that during the competition for the next Hokage, Naruto and Issui will inevitably clash. That's unavoidable..." Jiraiya said.

"You're thinking too far ahead. Naruto isn't the type to attack his comrades. Issui has always considered protecting Konoha his duty. Let them handle their own affairs; we don't need to interfere. I actually hope there will be more and more candidates for Hokage in the village. That way, Konoha will become much stronger. Back when Eight Colors of Konoha existed at the same time, wasn't Konoha perfectly normal?" Tsunade said with a sneer.

"Yeah, you're right. I've been overthinking things. Indeed, Konoha was full of strong people back then, and nothing bad happened. It's even less likely now. I've been thinking too much. Sigh, maybe I've been having insomnia lately, and my mind is a bit off..." Jiraiya said, patting his head.