At the same time, somewhere in a dark cave.
Nine blurry figures stand on the fingers of their respective stone statues. Their figures flicker in and out, and only their outlines can be clearly seen.
Under the stone statue, three figures lay quietly on the cold ground.
A woman wearing Kumogakure uniform, with long hair scattered, body covered with scars from the battle, eyes closed, breathing weakly.
A huge turtle, its carapace covered with cracks, its limbs hanging limply, had long lost consciousness.
There was also a man with long red hair messily hanging around his shoulders. The stubble and wrinkles on his face showed the vicissitudes of life. His chest rose and fell slightly, proving that he was still alive.
Two-Tails Jinchūriki--Yugito.
Three-Tails--Isobu.
Four-Tails Jinchūriki--Roshi.
Pain stood on the highest finger, and the pair of Rinnegan glowed with a faint purple light in the shadow.
He looked around to confirm that everyone was here and spoke calmly.
"Let's get started."
As the words fell, nine figures simultaneously Hand Seals.
Chakra surged out of their bodies, spread along the fingers of the stone statues under their feet, and finally merged into the huge body of Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
As Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's eyeballs slowly move, it also means that the ceremony has officially begun.
"Receive."
Pain's voice echoed in the cave, cold and emotionless.
Demonic Statue of the Outer Path opened its huge mouth, and a translucent chain condensed by Chakra suddenly shot out, accurately wrapping the bodies of the three people below.
The chain slowly tightened.
Tailed Beast Chakra was forcibly extracted from their bodies, turned into balls of Chakra, and slowly floated into Demonic Statue's mouth.
The bodies of Yugito and Roshi were slightly suspended, and Chakra continued to flow out of their seven orifices.
Isobu's huge body shone slightly, and Chakra's light kept flickering on and off the surface of the carapace.
Deidara stood on his stone statue finger, looked at the three people below who were being pulled out of Tailed Beasts, and yawned in boredom.
"It's really boring to have to wait for several days."
Tobi answered immediately, with exaggerated sympathy in his tone.
"Oh my, Deidara senior, can't you be a little patient? Art takes time."
"Shut up."
"Okay."
Hidan carried the sickle and licked his lips, his eyes filled with excitement.
"When these Tailed Beasts are drawn, who will be the next target? I can't wait to sacrifice."
Kakuzu stood beside him and snorted expressionlessly.
"Shut up and get to work."
Hidan curled his lips but said nothing.
Itachi stood in the shadow, his scarlet Sharingan looking down calmly, without saying a word.
Kisame was leaning next to the stone statue, with Samehada on his shoulders. His eyes also fell on the figures bound by chains, wondering what he was thinking.
Jue's strange black and white figure looked at the three Tailed Beasts being absorbed below and said.
"At this rate, it will take about ten days."
Pain nodded, his tone still calm.
"Everyone, please be prepared for the long term. The meeting will be dismissed in ten days."
On the other side, Konoha.
A waterfall training ground somewhere.
The sun shines on the ground through the gaps in the leaves, and the mottled light spots sway gently with the breeze.
Under some old trees, three figures were sitting around a wooden table, each holding cards in their hands, but their expressions did not look like they were entertaining at all.
Jiraiya leaned against the tree trunk, holding the cards in his hand, but his eyes occasionally glanced at the figure tumbling in the waterfall in the distance.
Kakashi sat opposite him, Forehead Protector covered the Sharingan tightly, and only the exposed eye looked at the cards in his hand calmly.
Yamato sat next to Kakashi and dropped a card with an expressionless face.
"To three."
"Right six."
"Right two."
The sound of playing cards falling on the stone table was very soft, and was soon completely swallowed up by the roar of the waterfall in the distance.
In the distant water pool, several figures were tumbling.
Naruto, naked to the waist and soaked to the skin, together with a dozen Shadow Clone, desperately tried to cut off the huge water pouring from the top of the waterfall.
Each impact can only temporarily separate the water flow.
And the moment they let go, the waterfall will close again.
Time and time again, all in vain.
"Ah--! Pervy Sage! What kind of practice is this?!"
Naruto poked his head out of the puddle, shook his wet blond hair, and shouted towards the shade of the tree.
But the sound of the waterfall was so loud that his voice was completely drowned before it could reach far.
Jiraiya looked away and threw the cards on the table.
"Lost again."
Kakashi also put down his cards, his exposed eye slightly curved with a hint of smile.
"Lord Jiraiya, you are a little absent-minded today."
Jiraiya didn't deny it, he just leaned against the tree trunk and looked up at the fragmented sky above his head that was covered by leaves.
The sunlight fell on his face through the cracks, making the fatigue even more obvious.
"Naruto That kid... his recent cultivation progress is not very satisfactory."
There was a touch of worry in his tone.
"He's too impatient."
Yamato put down the cards in his hand and looked at the figure in the distance.
"He has been like this since he learned about Sasuke and Orochimaru."
Kakashi was silent for a moment and sighed softly.
"I can understand how he feels."
"But with his current strength, whether he faces Sasuke or Akatsuki, he is still far behind."
"It's not just him."
Jiraiya sat upright and glanced over Kakashi and Yamato.
"Tsunade already told me about the last battle."
"Just two people, Deidara and Xie, have already made it difficult for you to cope."
Kakashi didn't answer, just lowered his head slightly.
Yamato is also silent.
"The purpose of Akatsuki is already very clear - to collect Tailed Beasts."
Jiraiya paused and his voice became a little lower.
"And inside Naruto..."
"Sooner or later it will become their target."
"Even if Naruto doesn't take the initiative to find Sasuke or contact Xiao."
"Xiaoya will definitely come to him."
"Then what does Lord Jiraiya plan to do?"
Kakashi raised his head and looked at Jiraiya.
Jiraiya was silent for a moment and looked again at the figure still struggling in the waterfall in the distance.
"After this special training is over, I may personally investigate the information on Akatsuki."
Kakashi frowned slightly.
"Too dangerous."
"I know."
Jiraiya's tone was very calm.
It was so calm that it didn't look like they were discussing a matter of life and death.
"But someone has to do it."
"Akatsuki is collecting Tailed Beasts, and Naruto is determined to find Sasuke. Sasuke will have contact with Xiao sooner or later."
"More importantly-"
"Sooner or later Xiao will come to Konoha."
He slowly closed his eyes.
"So no matter which way you look at it, I have to go."
"Naruto Do you know?"
Kakashi suddenly spoke.
Jiraiya shook his head.
"Don't know yet."
"If I can come back alive this time..."
When he said this, there was a rare hint of melancholy in his eyes.
"I will take Naruto to practice at Mount Myoboku."
Hearing these words, Kakashi and Yamato were both silent.
They know it very well.
Some decisions, once made, cannot be persuaded by anyone.
The roar of the waterfall is still deafening.
The figure of Naruto is still tumbling in the pool.
Under the shade of the tree, the three of them picked up the cards again.
"Well, let's play another round. I was just careless just now."
The other side.
Konoha Somewhere in the training ground.
"Five hundred and thirty-one! Five hundred and thirty-two! Five hundred and thirty-three--!"
Rock Lee was kicking his legs and counting loudly with enthusiasm.
Tenten stood at the edge of the training ground, holding a water bottle in his hand, looking at the almost crazy figure, and sighed helplessly.
"Li, please take a rest. You have been practicing all morning."
Rock Lee kept moving and his tone was extremely serious.
"No! I can't rest yet! Youth doesn't allow me to stop!"
Tenten The corners of his mouth twitched slightly and he shook his head helplessly.
Then, she turned to look at the other side of the training ground.
The place was empty, with only a few wooden piles standing alone.
"Neji didn't come again today?"
Rock Lee then stopped and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Didn't come."
"He's been feeling weird these past few days. If I ask him, he won't say anything."
Tenten frowned slightly.
In recent days, something has definitely gone wrong with Neji.
I can't train, and I can't see anyone outside of missions.
"Is nothing going to happen to him?"
Tenten sounded worried.
Rock Lee shook his head.
"Probably not. Neji is not the kind of person who makes people worry easily."
So, where is Neji at this moment?
Konoha task release center.
Neji stood in front of the task bulletin board, glanced at the densely packed task strips, and then raised his hand to tear off a B-level outing mission.
The ninja responsible for issuing the mission glanced at him with a somewhat surprised tone.
"Neji, you've been taking on missions too frequently lately, haven't you? Don't you need a break?"
"No need."
Neji folded the task strip and stuffed it into his pocket, and left the task hall with a somewhat ugly expression.
The ninja looked at his back, shook his head, and muttered in a low voice.
"Hyuga Clan's people are indeed more desperate than the others."
He suddenly remembered three years ago.
The white-haired Hyuga tribesman who is also tireless and crazy about taking on tasks.
Empty District.
A deserted town.
Most of the buildings on both sides of the street have collapsed, leaving only ruins and endless desolation.
Sasuke was walking at the front, his pace was neither hasty nor slow, obviously he was no stranger to this place.
Suigetsu carried Kubikiribōchō and followed behind, looking around.
"I never expected that there would be a stronghold in such ruins."
Sasuke said without looking back:
"This has nothing to do with Orochimaru."
"This is the weapons store that we Uchiha Clan have been visiting for generations."
Suigetsu was stunned for a moment, then smiled.
"Oh? You Uchiha actually have this kind of industry?"
Sasuke did not answer, but stopped at a fork in the road.
On the right, there is a tunnel that slopes downward.
The entrance is blocked by several huge curtains.
"This is it."
After saying that, he took the lead and walked in.
Ning Xue followed closely.
The tunnel is very long.
In the dim passage, only a few old downlights flickered faintly.
Suigetsu Looking at those almost identical forks and corners, I couldn't help but complain.
"Why are the roads here all the same? Are you really not going to get lost?"
Karin pushed up his glasses, frowned, and continued.
"And it always feels so depressing here. I can hardly breathe."
Ning Xue walked in the middle of the team, glanced around, and made a rare comment.
"I think it's nice here. It's warm in winter and cool in summer."
The words just fell.
Suddenly a lazy voice came from behind.
"This guest is still discerning."
The four people stopped suddenly and turned around at the same time.
In the shadows, two figures appeared at some point.
Are those two cats?
No, to be more precise - two brown Ninja Cat wearing clothes.
Suigetsu was stunned.
Karin was also stunned.
Jugo remains expressionless.
Ning Xue raised his eyebrows slightly, a hint of surprise flashed through his eyes under the mask.
Sasuke Hearing a familiar voice, he turned around calmly.
"Long time no see, Denka, Hina."
Denka, who was wearing blue clothes, spoke first.
"Long time no see, Sasuke kid."
His tone was as friendly as if he was greeting an acquaintance he hadn't seen for a long time.
Hina tilted her head and looked at Sasuke curiously.
"What's the matter with your visit this time, meow?"
Sasuke walked forward with a calm tone.
"I need weapons, medicine, and some other things."
He paused and glanced at the people behind him.
"From now on, we have to prepare for battle."
When Suigetsu saw the talking cat, he immediately became interested. He squatted down and reached out to touch Denka's chin.
"What, it turns out to be a talking civet cat."
His tone was full of frivolity.
Denka's eyes instantly became fierce.
All the hair on its back exploded, and the cat arched its body, making a low "ha--" sound from its mouth, revealing its sharp canine teeth.
Suigetsu's movements suddenly froze, and he suddenly retracted his hand in fear.
Sasuke glanced at him lightly.
"They are Ninja Cat, don't provoke them casually."
"Otherwise you will be scratched badly."
Suigetsu Sansan took back his hand and whispered softly.
"You didn't tell me earlier."
At this time, Hina in red clothes suddenly jumped in front of Sasuke, looking up at him with bright eyes.
"Did you bring any souvenirs, nya?"
Sasuke nodded and took out a small glass bottle from his arms.
The bottle contains a transparent liquid, and the mouth of the bottle is tightly sealed with a cork.
"I brought it with me, bottled Moutian Polygonum."
Hina's eyes instantly lit up like light bulbs.
She jumped up suddenly, grabbed the glass bottle with precision, and raised her tail high after landing.
"Thank you, meow! Come along, we will take you to see Cat Granny."
After saying that, she walked briskly towards the depths of the tunnel.
Denka followed behind, and when he passed by Suigetsu, he didn't forget to "ha" him again.
Suigetsu touched his nose.
"How stingy."
The screen changes.
Cat Granny home.
Under the dim light, the room was not big, but it was filled with various tools and sundries.
There are scrolls hanging on the walls, bottles and cans on the shelves, and a few stacks of old books in the corner.
Sasuke squatted on the ground, inspecting the spread out ninja tools.
Shuriken, Kunai, Explosive Tag are neatly arranged on the dark cloth.
"I will remember your kindness, Cat Granny."
He took stock and said without raising his head.
Cat Granny is sitting on the carpet, surrounded by seven or eight Ninja Cat of different sizes.
Some are lying on their legs, some are nestled on their shoulders, and some are curled up at their feet.
She took a puff from the cigarette rod and slowly exhaled the white smoke. Her cloudy eyes looked at Sasuke with worry.
"I haven't seen you for such a long time, but we were in such a hurry when we arrived."
The voice was hoarse and helpless.
"Yeah."
Sasuke's tone is still calm.
"There's still a lot of important things to do."
His fingers lightly ran across the Kunai blade to confirm its sharpness.
Ning Xue squatted beside him, stretched out his hand towards him, and motioned to hand him the medicine.
Sasuke understood, took out a few medicine bottles from the bag next to him and handed them over.
Ning Xue opened the cork and smelled it. After confirming that it was correct, he put it into his backpack.
Sasuke stood up, patted the dust on his knees, and walked to Cat Granny.
Cat Granny raised his head, looked at the child he had seen since childhood, and couldn't help but sigh.
"I watched you two grow up."
"Do we really have to go to the point of fratricide?"
Sasuke lowered his eyes, his voice was low and calm.
"He is no longer my brother."
Cat Granny opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something else.
But he was interrupted by a crisp voice behind him.
"Grandma, we don't have any clothes suitable for him here."
Huan stood in front of Jugo, holding several pieces of clothing in his hand and gesticulating with his brows furrowed.
Those clothes were either too short or too narrow, and none of them fit me at all.
Cat Granny waved his hand impatiently without looking back.
"Then just pull a curtain and wrap it around him."
Huan's mouth twitched, and he could only sigh helplessly, turning around to dig through the old fabric in the corner.
Soon after.
Everything is ready.
Tools, medicines, and dry food were all sorted into categories and placed in everyone's bags.
Sasuke checked it over and confirmed that nothing was missing, then turned around and prepared to leave.
"Hello, Sasuke."
Ning Xue suddenly spoke.
The sound was not loud, but it made Sasuke stop in his tracks.
He turned back and looked at Ning Xue with some confusion.
"What's wrong?"
Ning Xue didn't look at him, just walked straight out and said lightly:
"I have something I want to talk to you about alone."