Sasuke, Missing Without a Trace! A New Team Formation

Sunagakure.

Deidara exploited a loophole in Sunagakure's air defenses, riding a large bird to easily infiltrate the village.

After using his right mechanical eye to take down several air defense posts in Sunagakure, Deidara wore a smug expression.

"This village has some artistic charm, but its air defense capabilities are too weak."

Suddenly, a cloud of sand appeared out of thin air in front of the bird Deidara was riding.

Gaara stood on the sand, arms crossed.

"Oh, it seems the Sunagakure isn't all useless after all," Deidara said with amusement.

Then, he noticed the newcomer's attire and became happy. "Manipulating sand and carrying a gourd, it seems you're the person I've been looking for."

"However, I have another question: how did you find me?"

Gaara ignored Deidara's question, coldly replying, "There are no such birds in the desert."

Deidara gave a look of sudden realization.

Then, he secretly threw a Clay Bird at Gaara...

The Clay Bird flew at extremely high speed and exploded rapidly after approaching Gaara's body!

"Boom!!"

However, the Kakkō and smoke from the explosion dissipated.

Gaara is safe and sound.

A layer of sand floated in front of him.

Deidara's face showed surprise.

"I never imagined your sand would actually move automatically to protect you. This must be what people call 'Absolute Defense'."

"Today, I'll use my art of explosion to break through your Absolute Defenses!"

Gaara remained silent, manipulating the sand to form a giant hand.

Then, he waved his large hand.

Deidara looked puzzled. "This level of sand can't hold me."

The next moment, he looked at the ground with a surprised expression.

There, a massive Chakra Cannon is gathering energy!

Deidara:!!∑(°Д°ノ)ノ

Before he could react, the Chakra Cannon had finished charging!

"Call out!!"

A beam of intense heat was fired from the cannon barrel!

A beam of light flashed and struck the left wing of the giant bird that Deidara was riding!

In an instant, the bird's left wing exploded, causing it to lose its balance and fall to the side!

Deidara, who was sitting on the back of the giant bird, suddenly plummeted uncontrollably downwards!

Gaara pressed his advantage, manipulating sand to envelop the falling Deidara!

At the critical moment, Deidara threw out the Clay Spider.

"Drink!"

"Boom!"

The spider exploded, blasting away the sand.

Deidara quickly pulled out another Clay Bird, made hand seals to enlarge it, climbed onto the bird's back, and fled in a sorry state.

Gaara manipulates sand, relentlessly pursuing it!

Deidara simply couldn't understand why a Sunagakure like Sunagakure would have Chakra Cannon!

Ground.

The Sand Village ninjas who were in charge of operating the chakra cannon looked smug.

"This Chakra Cannon is really useful; we have to thank Konoha, our ally."

"I heard that the core technology inside this Chakra Cannon was developed by that Shinki; he's truly a young prodigy."

"Our Kazekage is the same; becoming a 'Shadow' at sixteen means your future is limitless."

"Okay, stop talking!"

"That blond weirdo riding the bird seems to have pulled out something incredible!"

Konoha.

After a friendly sparring session with the Konoha 11, Shinki and Naruto went to the Hokage's Office to report for duty.

Inside the Hokage's Office, Teuchi the two children over, growing more and more satisfied with them.

"I heard you can use the Uchiha Clan's Susanoo?" Tsunade asked.

Shinki nodded. "Yes, but I only have one eye, so I can't use my Complete Form."

Upon hearing Tsunade was so shocked she couldn't close her mouth.

(⊙o⊙)

If he can't use his Complete Form, does that mean he can use all forms below the Complete Form?!

"It seems that giving Shisui's eyes to you back then was definitely the right decision," Tsunade said approvingly.

"By the way, has Sasuke sent any messages back to the village all these years?" Shinki suddenly asked.

So much time has passed, I wonder how my best friend Sasuke is doing now.

Upon hearing Tsunade, Tsunade's expression instantly darkened.

"No, after you left, Sasuke never sent a single letter back to the village."

"Perhaps that child has other unspeakable difficulties."

Tsunade comforted her.

Although Tsunade said that, both Shinki and Naruto knew it.

Sasuke has been out of contact for so long; either he's dead, or he's completely betrayed us.

"No matter what, I will find him." Naruto said through gritted teeth.

"Oh, right."

Tsunade continued, "Now that you two are fully-fledged Ninjas, you can leave the one-teacher-three-student system and directly join a Ninja team to carry out missions."

"A typical Konoha Ninja team consists of three members and one captain."

So I put you two in a group.

Naruto asked expectantly, "Who are our other two companions?"

"Crunch~"

The door to the Hokage's Office opened.

Kakashi and Sai walked in.

Tsunade explained, "Since you're all familiar with each other, we decided to put you in the same team. Kakashi is Jonin, so he'll be the team leader."

Naruto suddenly realized something. "So, it seems I'm still a Genin..."

"Alright, you guys can go now. We'll let you know if there are any missions." Tsunade.

The four members of the Shinki walked out of the Hokage's Office.

On the way, Shinki took a book out of his Backpack and handed it to Kakashi-sensei.

"The latest installment of 'Icha Icha Paradise' hasn't been released yet; this is one that Naruto and I specifically asked Jiraiya- sensei for."

Kakashi's eyes lit up when he saw this: (´◊ω◊`)

"I knew I hadn't spoiled you two for nothing."

After saying that, Kakashi began to flip through the pages.

From the very first page, he was completely engrossed, his fingers constantly fiddling with the pages...

As he watched, Kakashi exclaimed in admiration.

"That was amazing! That was amazing..."

"Lord Jiraiya is truly a genius. Only he possesses such writing skills, only he could conceive such a plot..."

And so, Kakashi stood there from afternoon until night.

If he hadn't been called by the Shizune, he probably would have stood there until he finished reading the whole book.

On the other side.

Shinki and Naruto returned home.

After three years of absence, a thick layer of dust had accumulated on the furniture.

After tidying up the room briefly, the two began their daily cultivation practice.

The Shinki, sitting cross-legged, could never find peace of mind.

A mystery had been lingering in his mind for three years.

Who released the Crow that saved him from Danzo back then?

Knowing the power of the Eye of Shisui, he knew that only Kotoamatsukami could stop Kotoamatsukami.

In other words, that Crow possessed another Shisui eye.

Based on this clue, Shinki spent three years analyzing everyone in Konoha in his mind.

However, they still couldn't find the Benefactor released the Crows.

"What if that person isn't in Konoha...?"

The Shinki murmured.

He thought of Uchiha Itachi, that sickly man in Black Robes.

He always gives people the feeling that he's unfathomable.

Moreover, he was also a Genjutsu Master...