Jirō's Inescapable Misfortune

Konoha.

With Naruto Uzumaki's return, the impact on the village was minimal, as Konoha had absorbed many Mist Ninja and Sand Ninja families, naturally drawing less attention to the so-called son of the Fourth Hokage.

Moreover, the Fourth Hokage has been gone for many years. People forget about him now; he's just a figure in the memories of the Fourth Hokage.

The new generation of ninjas wouldn't remember, and even for Naruto's generation, the Fourth Hokage was just a legend to them.

Q BBQ Restaurant.

Hatake Kakashi looked at Naruto and couldn't help but sigh with melancholy. He also had feelings for Team 7.

"Wow, Kakashi-sensei treated me to barbecue! Next time, I'll treat everyone to Ichiraku Ramen!"

Upon his return, Naruto Uzumaki excitedly shouted, while Kakashi's lips twitched involuntarily. Ramen—he didn't know whether to say Naruto, "You're so generous," or "You're so stingy."

In this life, as Uchiha Yoru's right-hand man, and with the policy change that granted ninja status, Hatake Kakashi naturally saw an increase in his salary and benefits.

No longer needing to go to ramen shops as often as in the original work, Hatake Kakashi is now very generous in treating people to barbecue.

"I'm late, Kakashi-sensei."

A figure in orange appeared, and the moment Naruto Uzumaki looked up, he couldn't help but smile excitedly, shouting, "Sakura, you're here!"

The person who arrived was Sakura Haruno from the Medical Department. She looked much more mature than she had three years ago, which made Naruto even more excited.

Upon seeing Sakura, Kakashi nodded and smiled wryly, "Sakura has grown up too."

He was well aware of Sakura's talent. Although she had become a disciple of Yakushi Nonō, he and Sakura Haruno Yakushi Nonō jointly guaranteed her the opportunity to learn advanced Ninjutsu.

The Fifth Hokage, Lady Tsunade's, Monster Strength Punch and Yin Seal.

Unlike the original story, Sakura Haruno directly became Tsunade, and learning these Ninjutsu seemed to be a given. However, this time Tsunade had already taken on many disciples, making Sakura Haruno's path to learning more difficult.

After all, people don't cherish things that are too easily obtained, and Sakura's values in the original work are also problematic.

In the original story, when Sasuke left Konoha to seek refuge with Orochimaru, Sakura tried to dissuade him but to no avail. Sakura then suggested taking her along as well. Sasuke insisted, and Sakura tried to call for help.

What is this? Is it impulsiveness? This is actually a betrayal of the village. Sasuke carries a deep-seated hatred and lives his entire life in revenge, so he can abandon everything.

So what about Sakura? She has parents, family, relatives, and friends. If Sasuke had agreed back then, Naruto wouldn't have just been chasing after Sasuke; he would have had to include Sakura as well.

At least during that period, Sakura Haruno's values were still problematic.

However, having endured three years of harsh realities in society and a difficult path of learning, Sakura naturally had to pass various tests to learn these Ninjutsu.

At the very least, loyalty is a must.

"So there are two people left."

Kakashi, seeing Sakura and Naruto arrive, said lazily, "Now Gaara and Sasuke left."

Just then, four figures walked in. Upon seeing this, Kakashi couldn't help but remark, "They've really grown up; they even bring their girlfriends now."

Gaara Naruto Uzumaki widened at the sight. Gaara was all alone, but Sasuke Uchiha had brought a female ninja on each side.

"Sasuke! You! You! You!"

Naruto Uzumaki's finger trembled as he pointed at Sasuke, as if he had witnessed something unbelievable.

Sakura Haruno gave a forced, stiff smile and said to Naruto, "Naruto, the black-haired one is Zabuza's teacher (the Sound Ninja 'Gold') from Team 9, Zabuza-sensei, and the orange-haired one is Tayuya from the Otogakure."

"What?!" Naruto Uzumaki's eyes widened, as if he were the only one unaware of this scene.

As Sasuke Uchiha walked in, a blush flashed across his face at Kakashi-sensei's teasing, but he still managed to maintain a cool demeanor and calmly said, "Kakashi-sensei, you're overthinking it."

Following behind, the black-haired ninja Jean greeted everyone with a gentle smile, showing no concern for Sasuke's strong-willed personality.

Tayuya smiled spiritedly, "Kakashi-sensei, why didn't you bring Sister Kurena tonight?"

Faced with Tayuya's teasing, Kakashi awkwardly scratched the back of his head, but secretly thought to himself, "No wonder they have similar hair colors; their personalities are exactly the same."

At this moment, Sasuke Uchiha next to two women: Koto with black hair and Tayuya with pink hair. He was extremely embarrassed, especially in front of so many people.

He hadn't originally intended to bring the two of them, but under the intense, gentle gaze of his older brother Uchiha Itachi, he had no choice but to nod reluctantly.

"Sasuke, you have two of these?!"

Naruto Uzumaki stared wide-eyed, looking utterly ignorant, while Sakura forced a laugh and said, "Sasuke from a Noble Houses."

Noble Houses, so this is their privilege.

There is no such thing as monogamy in the Shinobi World, but most people still practice monogamy, with only some Noble Houses and noble families doing so.

But now that Uchiha Yoru's identity has been stripped of the title of Daimyo, he is a true being above both Daimyo and Kage, Uchiha Clan has naturally risen in status as well.

Within the Uchiha Clan, Sasuke, belonging to the Noble Houses of the Noble Houses, naturally bears different responsibilities.

"Team 7 is finally all together."

Kakashi remarked with a sigh, then lazily greeted the waiters and began preparing the meat.

Sasuke Uchiha, who was already feeling somewhat uncomfortable, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine when he faced Naruto Uzumaki, incredulous gaze, and a thought suddenly occurred to him.

Tayuya help but smile, whispering in Sasuke's ear, "Don't forget Brother Itachi's instructions."

Compared to Tayuya's straightforward temperament, Koto was relatively gentle. However, once they sat down, their red ears revealed that they were both putting on a brave face.

Sasuke Uchiha had no choice but to steel himself and, under everyone's gaze, pick up two pieces of grilled meat and put them into Tayuya's and Koto's bowls, though his trembling hands were a little embarrassing.

"The meat here is so delicious!"

After hesitating for a moment, Sasuke Uchiha finally managed to finish saying those words.

However, after speaking, Sasuke Uchiha secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Naruto Uzumaki's burning gaze.

In fact, all of this was an order given by Uchiha Itachi in the name of his elder brother before he came. After all, an elder brother is like a father, and from a perspective of interests, he also valued the two of them for their background in Otogakure.

It has to be said that Uchiha Itachi was a truly devoted older brother. After the original Night of the Massacre his clan, he went to great lengths to protect his younger brother.

"Naruto, let's eat some grilled meat."

Kakashi saw this scene very clearly, and he smiled as he spoke to everyone.

"I want to eat barbecue!" At this moment, Naruto Uzumaki seemed to have lost, and he turned his grief and anger into motivation, and began to eat like crazy.

This scene gives one a feeling... how to put it!

Sasuke Uchiha secretly rejoiced, perhaps his brother was right, at least he dispelled some people's ideas as soon as possible.

As for Tayuya and Koto, they naturally reached this point during the three years they spent in Otogakure, because they saw each other all the time, and with Itachi's deliberate matchmaking, they naturally got together.

Gaara was taciturn, while Sakura, trying to hide her embarrassment, kept asking about everyone's experiences over the past few years. Naruto Uzumaki, was thick-skinned and soon forgot everything, cheerfully recounting his experiences over the past three years.

Outside the barbecue restaurant, a pair of scarlet eyes, after witnessing this scene, finally revealed a satisfied expression before disappearing. This scene, of course, did not escape Kakashi's notice, and he couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Itachi really is a brother complex guy."

Uchiha Itachi, perched on a telephone pole outside the barbecue restaurant, looked up at the silver moon reflected in the water chestnut and smiled.

"Mother, Sasuke has grown up."

As Uchiha Yoru's right-hand man, he naturally knew many secrets, such as the reincarnation of Indra and Asura's wills.

However, based on historical records, he discovered something terrifying: the destiny between the two was somewhat excessive.

In particular, the previous ancestor, Madara Uchiha, never married, meaning that his so-called noble bloodline was not passed down.

On the other hand, Hashirama Senju got married. After calculating back a few more times, he couldn't help but feel secretly anxious.

It seems that the First Hokage didn't intend to get married at the time; he only succeeded because an elder in his clan made the decision.

So, through his secret observations as the eldest brother, he discovered something: Sasuke didn't seem to have any desire for women at all! Damn it! This won't do.

Therefore, Uchiha Itachi went to great lengths, observing the two girls in Otogakure for a while and discovering that they were both quite talented, especially Tayuya already possessed the Chakra reserves of Special Jonin three years ago.

So...

It has to be said that Uchiha Itachi also worried himself sick over his younger brother in this life as well.

The Fire Temple.

Since the status of the Land of Fire Daimyo's Mansion plummeted, the Fire Temple has never been what it used to be, as one of its important sources of income has been lost.

Under the cover of night, a noisy battle erupted from the desolate Fire Temple.

After a long while, with the Fire Temple ablaze and two figures emerging from its dilapidated gates.

"Damn Kakuzu, I still have to pray to the Lord Jashin!"

"Hidan, your Lord Jashin might not be so bad this time." Kakuzu smiled for the first time as he looked at Hidan, whose mouth was full of blood but who was shouting as if nothing had happened.

His green eyes were filled with the blissful scent of money, and he was dragging a monk's corpse with one hand.

"Jiri, formerly one of the 'Twelve Guardian Shinobi' of the Jirō Land of Fire, now the abbot of the Fire Temple, with a bounty of 30 million."

Looking at the valuable corpse, Kakuzu was filled with happiness, and he even praised Hidan's Lord Jashin, which was rare for him.

"Fortunately, the price hasn't dropped yet; after a while, this monk probably won't be worth this much."

Upon hearing Kakuzu's words, Hidan scratched his head in confusion and asked, "Kakuzu, can this guy's bounty still drop?"

"What do you know?"

Kakuzu, looking like a seasoned veteran, was in high spirits after making a free 30 million yen today, and naturally didn't mind giving Hidan, his junior, a little more education.

"The Land of Fire is now under the command of Uchiha Yoru. The Daimyo's Mansion is said to be on par with the Kage, but who doesn't know that the Daimyo's Daimyo's Mansion is a thing of the past, and its status is nowhere near that of the Kage?"

"What does this have to do with the drop in the price of this bald guy?" Hidan looked suspicious. Perhaps it was due to the secret technique of the Evil God that he became arrogant and somewhat out of touch with reality.

Kakuzu gave Hidan a look that said, "You're so ignorant!" And so the two walked away into the distance amidst the raging flames of the Fire Temple.

"The Fire Temple is one of the most relied-upon forces of the Daimyo's Mansion, and this bald- Jirō, Jiraiya, is also a key figure who has always wanted to restore the Daimyo's supreme status. Recently, there has been intelligence indicating that this monk is secretly contacting people from other major countries. Do you think he can escape Uchiha Yoru's eyes and ears?"

"This monk's value lies in his status. He was worth 30 million bounty before because he was the abbot of the Fire Temple. But after Konoha makes its move in a few days, his bounty will be reduced by at least half. So we've made a profit this time."

Kakuzu, beaming with delight, couldn't help but urge Hidan.

"Hidan, stop dawdling! If we wait until Konoha announces that the Fire Temple has betrayed the enemy, this corpse won't be worth 30 million anymore. Let's hurry up and go exchange it for money."

After hearing Kakuzu's Kakuzu, Hidan looked enlightened and nodded with a smile, saying, "Although I don't understand what you're saying, Kakuzu, it makes a lot of sense."

Good heavens, it turns out he was talking to a brick wall. At this moment, Kakuzu stared at Hidan with his green eyes and couldn't help but curse him as an idiot.

"Kakuzu, didn't we make a promise with Asuma and Tobi?"

Hidan looked puzzled, Kakuzu snorted irritably, "A fool wouldn't make money if he could! What's wrong with these two bastards waiting a little longer? Are they even worth 30 million?"

"Kakuzu, I remember Asuma's bounty was thirty-five million."

Hidan directly exposed his weakness, but Kakuzu, of course, knew this and simply snorted disdainfully.

"What you're talking about is from three years ago. Asuma's head count dropped to 25 million, and now it's at most around 20 million, and that price is still inflated."

It's clear that without the added prestige of being the son of the Third Hokage, Asuma's bounty has dropped.

"Hidan, signal to Tobi and the others that you're lost and ask Tobi to come pick you up."

"Kakuzu is it me again, Kakuzu?!"

"After you collect the bounty, I'll give you two hundred thousand!"

Faced with Kakuzu's generous temptation, Hidan looked down on him as an idiot. Finally Kakuzu gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice, "Next time you pray to that Evil God, I won't interfere!"

Upon hearing this, Hidan immediately smiled, "The next offerings to the Evil God will all be mine."

Upon hearing this, Kakuzu narrowed his eyes, then nodded finally. "Alright, after the sacrifice, give me the body."

"Make a deal!"

"Haha, Kakuzu, I feel like the two of us are definitely the strongest combination."

"Kakuzu..."

"Shut up, Hidan!"

Seeking support