After a day of bell-snatching practice, Naruto and Sakura finally took Kakashi's bells when Naruto distracted him with the ending and protagonist of Icha Icha Paradise.
Early the next morning, a dark brown messenger hawk whose coloring blended into the desert surroundings arrived at Konoha's designated relay station.
Tsunade was arguing with Naruto, who was bargaining over his missions, when she accepted an urgent communication scroll suddenly handed to her.
After a quick read, Shizune beside her was the first to cry out in surprise. Tsunade's expression also turned grave as she said,
"Sunagakure's Kazekage has been abducted by an organization called the Akatsuki. Since we have more information about the Akatsuki, Sunagakure has sent us a formal request for assistance.
"I'm issuing Team Kakashi a new mission. Head to Sunagakure immediately, gather intelligence, and relay it to Konoha. After that, follow Sunagakure's instructions and support them. Oh, and take Yi Xiang with you. This involves S-rank rogue ninja. We can't afford to be careless!"
Two days after the group set out, cracks suddenly appeared in the teacup on the Hokage's desk, as though it was about to shatter. Tsunade pulled open a drawer, rummaged out a lottery ticket, and muttered,
"Group 3, 117037. Just as I thought. I actually won. That's hardly a good omen."
Tsunade rose, intending to call Shizune and arrange reinforcements, but then she recalled Yi Xiang's air of indifference toward anyone he faced, along with his ability to complete an S-rank mission a year earlier.
No one could guess what other important trump cards the kid was hiding. No one in Konoha had even seen his mangekyo sharingan's abilities. They had only heard from Jiraiya that he could summon purple, giant armor that encased his entire body.
"With Yi Xiang and Kakashi there, handling two