Hidden Danger

Jiraiya walked alone at the very front, reaching up to stroke his chin.

Sensing that Naruto Uzumaki behind him had fallen silent, a look of gratification appeared on his face.

Had his profound words finally stirred Naruto Uzumaki to thought?

"Hahahaha, that's great!"

Suddenly, a short, yellow figure flashed past from behind, shouting incessantly:

"If I'm like the Fourth Hokage, that means my talent is about the same as his, right? I really can become Hokage, this is great!"

"..."

Seeing Naruto like this, Lin Mu couldn't help but cover his forehead with his hand and let out a soft sigh.

Saying you're like the Fourth Hokage... that's because he's your father!

Jiraiya had originally worn a deep, knowing smile, preparing to offer Naruto Uzumaki further encouragement.

But when he saw Naruto step in dog feces due to his excessive excitement, his composure finally crumbled.

The muscles in his face twitched, his expression shifted, and finally, he pointed a finger at Naruto, helplessly striking back:

"The only things you have in common with the Fourth Hokage are your hair and your stubborn personality!"

"What did you say? You senile Pervy Sage!"

Hearing this, Naruto immediately flew into a rage, rushing forward to scuffle with Pervy Sage.

Lin Mu: "..."

You three are all very similar, aren't you?!

But then, a smile appeared on his face as well.

Walking along this journey... he truly felt very happy!

Just as Jiraiya, Naruto Uzumaki, and Lin Mu were walking along, bickering and playing around.

Atop a protruding boulder on a high mountain peak in the distance.

Two figures clad in black robes embroidered with red clouds were watching them.

It was none other than Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki!

After a long while, the mouth full of sharp, pointed teeth hidden beneath Kisame Hoshigaki's black robe parted slightly.

"Although he's an opponent you might find a way to deal with, I might not be able to... we aren't in the same league."

Itachi Uchiha's eyes remained fixed on the three of them, and he said indifferently:

"If we fight him, we'll both be killed! At best, it would be a mutual destruction... even if we increased our numbers, the result wouldn't change."

Kisame Hoshigaki's face resembled that of a shark; aside from its ferocious appearance, it was difficult for him to express other emotions, yet his expression shifted slightly when Jiraiya was mentioned.

"I didn't expect the one protecting him to be that legendary Sannin... if the opponent is him, then whether it's the Uchiha clan of Konoha or the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, they all become nobodies!"

"Hmm, however... even the strongest person has weaknesses."

Itachi Uchiha's tone remained cold. He stood up, his black pupils transforming once again into the glowing red Sharingan.

Those eyes seemed capable of seeing through everything in this world!

Inside Kakashi's room at Konoha Ninja Village.

Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai, and Might Guy were all present, yet the master of the room, Kakashi, still lay on his bed, unconscious.

"Judging by their appearance, it seems they haven't found Naruto yet."

Might Guy sat on a stool, breaking the silence first.

"Don't you find that strange? They've already infiltrated the village. Finding Naruto in this village should be very simple... Itachi knows what Naruto looks like!"

Asuma Sarutobi wasn't smoking, but he kept fiddling with the cigarette case in his hand.

Tap, tap, tap...

A sound of footsteps approached. Might Guy's eyes flickered, and he made a gesture for silence.

"Kakashi!"

Sasuke Uchiha pushed the door open and entered. His gaze fell upon the unconscious Kakashi, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

"Why is Kakashi lying in bed? And all the jonin are here—what are you doing? What on earth happened?!"

Sasuke Uchiha fired off a series of questions.

"N-nothing."

Might Guy's gaze darted away, trying to avoid the question.

Just as Sasuke was about to continue questioning them, another ninja suddenly rushed into the room and shouted loudly:

"I heard that Itachi is back. Is it true?"

Several jonin looked simultaneously at the ninja who had just entered, their expressions shifting slightly.

However, this ninja clearly had yet to grasp the situation, nor did he catch the subtle hints in the expressions of the jonin, as he continued on his own:

"And I heard he's looking for Naruto..."

It was only after uttering those words that he noticed Sasuke Uchiha standing in the center of the room.

"..."

Upon hearing the name that had appeared in his dreams countless times, bloodshot veins instantly covered Sasuke Uchiha's eyes.

Without looking back, he bolted out the door, a faint chill radiating from his entire body.

Swish, swish, swish!

Sasuke Uchiha's figure flickered rapidly across the rooftops of Konoha.

A cold arc gradually curled at the corners of his mouth.

That guy actually returned to this village, and he's looking for Naruto? What is going on?

He soon arrived at Naruto Uzumaki's home, only to find that Naruto Uzumaki was not there.

Sasuke Uchiha's expression shifted once more, and he flashed toward the distance.

If he gets caught by that guy, Naruto Uzumaki is dead! I absolutely cannot let him succeed.

Sasuke Uchiha ran through the village like a madman, searching everywhere for Naruto Uzumaki.

Where, where, where?!

Finally, Sasuke Uchiha thought of one place; he pivoted and dashed toward Ichiraku Ramen.

He rushed into the ramen shop and asked directly:

"Old man, Naruto Uzumaki must have been here. Do you know where he went afterward?"

"..."

The owner of Ichiraku Ramen looked at the frantic Sasuke Uchiha and scratched his head, a thoughtful look appearing on his face.

"Hmm... around noon, he came by with Jiraiya, had some ramen... and in the end, that kid Lin Mu came too... They seemed to say they were heading to the Post Town near the village..."

Lin Mu? Post Town?

Lin Mu and Naruto Uzumaki together?

Sasuke Uchiha was completely bewildered.

But now was not the time to ponder such questions; after confirming the location, he quickly sprinted toward the outskirts of the ninja village.

Meanwhile, Jiraiya and his party had arrived at the Post Town.

"This place seems suspicious..."

Naruto Uzumaki looked around and muttered.

But a meaningful smile appeared on Jiraiya's face.

As if he were intimately familiar with the place, he led Lin Mu and Naruto Uzumaki straight to an inn, secured a room, and shoved the key into Lin Mu's hand.

Then, looking at Naruto Uzumaki, he instructed:

"You go back to the room first, focus your chakra for training, and then go to sleep!"

Having said that, he walked out without looking back.

Lin Mu tilted his head, caught sight of the sexy, black-haired beauty walking past the doorway, and immediately understood everything.

He sighed and pulled Naruto Uzumaki along to find their room.

"What is this about?!"

Lin Mu understood, but Naruto Uzumaki remained completely confused. Now that Jiraiya had walked far away, he had no choice but to obediently follow Lin Mu back to the room to train.