Escort the Little Panda Back to the 'Sand Village' Zoo

On a small bridge in Konoha, Hinata and Naruto looked at each other in silence.

Team 7 is no longer complete.

Although Sasuke usually likes to act cool, Naruto and Hinata always find a way to make Sasuke's cool persona crumble.

Hinata used to find Naruto and Sasuke's constant bickering annoying, but now she finds herself missing them.

Humans! They never learn to cherish what they have.

Hinata sat on the bridge, staring blankly at the rushing river below.

Some people compare time to a long river, because time, like river water, is always flowing, and it seems that no scenery can ever stop the river of time.

But just as rivers have tributaries, people also experience joys and sorrows, separations and reunions.

No matter how many tributaries a river branches into, they will all eventually meet in the sea.

"So... Team 7 will eventually reunite!"

Hinata was absolutely certain!

"Well said!"

Kakashi appeared using the Body Flicker Technique, a slight smile playing on his right eye, and waved, saying, "Good morning! Naruto, Hinata!"

Hinata looked at Kakashi in surprise and said strangely, "Teacher Kakashi, you're not late today? That's so unlike you!"

Kakashi scratched his head and said in a somewhat lazy tone, "Well! Oh well, I have a very important mission to do today!"

Hinata gave Kakashi a disdainful look and snorted, "Teacher Kakashi is indeed a bully who picks on the weak and fears the strong!"

There's no other way!

Kakashi's expression turned serious as he said calmly, "We need to assemble at the Hokage's Office immediately. If we're late, we'll definitely get a severe scolding!"

Speaking of being scolded... Naruto suddenly glanced at Hinata and accused her, "Hinata! You were really unfair yesterday, running off all by yourself. Tsunade scolded us for a whole hour yesterday!"

Hinata retorted, "I guess Big Sister is just using the excuse of swearing to avoid her Hokage duties!"

You have suffered!

Kakashi called out, "Alright, enough talk, let's go!"

The Hokage's Office.

As soon as Hinata entered the office, she sensed the heavy atmosphere.

Besides Tsunade and Shizune, both of Konoha's Hokage Advisor were present, as were the four members of Might Guy's Team.

Besides, aren't those four people standing in the corner of the office Gaara, Kankuro, Temari Kazuma the ones?

Hinata asked, puzzled, "What are you all doing here?"

Baki looked embarrassed, Kankuro retorted, "Didn't you capture us?"

Tsunade's gaze swept across the entire room as she declared with an air of authority, "Alright! If you want to catch up, you'll have plenty of opportunities along the way!"

Kankuro: What past relationship do we have with that scheming girl?

Tsunade said in a deep voice, "Now that everyone is here, the task of escorting the group from Sunagakure will be carried out jointly by Kakashi's Team and Might Guy's Team."

Naruto asked in surprise, "Escort?"

Tsunade explained, "It means escorting the group from Sunagakure back to the Land of Wind."

"We have already reached an agreement with Sunagakure. All you need to do is escort the four of them to the border of the Land of Wind, and Sunagakure will naturally send someone to meet them."

Hinata, then suddenly looked up and asked, "Big Sister, what level is this mission?"

Tsunade stared at Hinata with a dark expression, and after a long while, she finally managed to utter a sentence: "It's A-rank mission!"

Hinata immediately understood what was going on.

Hinata asked this question not just for the reward of the mission.

B-rank mission means there will be ninja battles.

A-rank mission, on the other hand, mean that the other side is not only sending Jonin, but more likely a ninja squad led by Jonin.

In other words, this escort mission is not safe.

Who in the Shinobi World would sabotage the peace talks between Konoha and Sand Village?

It is clear that the three forces involved are Iwagakure, Kumogakure, Danzo.

The escort route and timing on Konoha's side were top secret, and it was impossible for Iwagakure and Kumogakure to know them.

Therefore, the only person who could potentially disrupt the peace talks between the two villages is Danzo Shimura, the leader of Konoha's Root Shimura Danzō.

The reason is actually quite simple.

Danzo always hoped that Konoha could unify the Shinobi World.

In this Konoha Crush Plan, the most devastating losses were not suffered by Konoha, but by Sunagakure and Otogakure.

Leaving aside the cannon fodder from the Otogakure, it's estimated that more than half of the ninjas sent by the Sunagakure to attack Konoha will also be lost.

On the way back to the village after Gaara Hinata, countless Sand Ninja tried to take Gaara back, but they all died at the hands of Konoha Genin led by Hinata.

Hinata was shouting and drawing hatred all the way, and she killed at least thirty Sand Ninja!

Not to mention the Sand Ninja who died at the hands of other Konoha Ninja.

Konoha now has Tsunade succeeding as the Fifth Hokage, Jiraiya has also returned to the village.

But what about Sunagakure?

Sunagakure cannot even select a Kazekage; the entire village lacks someone capable of serving as Kazekage.

Furthermore, the One-Tail Jinchuriki of Sunagakure also fell into the hands of Konoha.

If Gaara is killed, Sunagakure will inevitably suffer a great loss of strength.

Without the Kage and the Tailed Beasts, what will Sunagakure rely on to protect the village?

Although most of the Land of Land of Wind is desert, once Sunagakure is wiped out, Konoha will have one less enemy around it.

Danzo must have thought so.

Tsunade didn't give the others a chance to ask further questions, and said calmly, "Might Guy, you take the people from Sunagakure to the Konoha Gate first. Kakashi's Team will stay behind."

"Yes!"

"Gentlemen from Sunagakure, this way please!"

After Might Guy and the others left, Tsunade turned to look at Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, and said coldly, "You two get out too!"

"I..."

Utatane Koharu, looking displeased, was dragged out by Mitokado Homura.

Tsunade turned her gaze to Hinata and said in a serious tone, "Hinata, Jiraiya has already told me about your situation!"

"This mission is extremely important. Konoha can no longer afford war, and the Shinobi World cannot afford another major war."

"The Sunagakure has already investigated and found out that Orochimaru was behind everything. The Sunagakure is also willing to form an alliance with Konoha again."

"So when necessary..."

At this point, Tsunade turned her gaze to Naruto, her meaning clear.

If the enemy is too strong, then borrow the power of the Nine-Tails.

Hinata nodded, patting her chest to assure everyone, "Big Sister, don't worry, with me here, everyone will be alright!"

Tsunade nodded slightly, then said to Kakashi, "Then I'm leaving everything to you, Kakashi!"

Kakashi nodded

With a light laugh, Tsunade said leisurely, "I hope you all can still attend my ceremony to become Hokage."

No wonder Jiraiya refused to take Naruto away from the village now; it turns out he hadn't attended Hokage's inauguration ceremony Tsunade yet!

What a devoted man!

Hinata laughed and said, "Don't worry! We'll definitely be back in time! If we can't get back... Big Sister, you can just postpone the ceremony for a few more days!"

"Oh, right! Big Sister, I've come up with a new nickname for you!"

"What do you think of the title 'The strongest queen who dominates the Shinobi World, is invincible, brave and unparalleled, and whose power shakes the world'?"

"Get out of here!"