Throughout the history of the Shinobi World,
ever since Senju Hashirama distributed the Tailed Beasts among the various villages, they had become weapons of war.
If Senju Hashirama were still alive, perhaps he would regret that decision.
Though the sealed Tailed Beasts seemed to have it rough, the Jinchuriki were the ones who suffered most.
Just look at Sunagakure now. For the sake of the village, the Fourth Kazekage had sacrificed his own son, Gaara, making him a Jinchuriki. That was how his tragic childhood began.
Naraku thought of all this and gave a bitter smile. Gaara's fate had nothing to do with him, but Naruto and Kushina were both Jinchuriki now.
Kushina had it a little better, since she had already gone through some of the things she needed to experience. But Naruto was different.
Because of him, Naruto wasn't struggling to meet even his basic needs like he had in the original story, but some things had still stayed the same.
Just as in the original story, Naruto's identity as a Jinchuriki had been exposed with the Third Hokage's tacit approval.
After that, the villagers' attitude toward Naruto had become extremely hostile. Even the Sarutobi Clan only looked after him because of pressure from the Third Hokage.
Even so, they didn't treat Naruto well.
Naraku had already noticed this when he went to visit Naruto recently.
I still need to hurry and get stronger. Naraku felt a wave of pressure.
Once Kushina woke up, she would naturally want to reunite with Naruto, but Konoha's leadership wouldn't agree so easily.
After entering the Land of Wind, the merchant caravan reached its destination in just half a day.
Naraku and Shisui then stayed there overnight with the caravan. Once the goods had been traded the next day, they set off on the return journey.
Three days later, they arrived back at the place where the caravan had set out. Their mission was considered complete.
After saying goodbye to Nakada Shun and the others, Naraku and Shisui set off for Konoha.
Perhaps Nakada Shun felt guilty, or perhaps there was some other reason, but he paid them double for this mission.
Naraku and Shisui weren't particularly concerned about the money. It wasn't of much use to them, at least not right now. But the Third Hokage was another matter.
Hokage Office,
"Good work on completing the mission, Shisui, Naraku." After reading the scroll in his hands, the Third Hokage's face broke into a faint smile.
An A-rank mission already paid well, and now that the reward had doubled, the extra money would be a big help to Konoha.
"Thanks for your hard work. Naraku, you can go get some rest," the Third Hokage added.
Naraku nodded. "All right, Lord Hokage."
He turned and left. Naraku could guess why the Third Hokage had kept Shisui behind.
It was undoubtedly to report what he knew.
"Oh, he's already at Special Jonin level?"
Naraku's guess had been right. Shisui had reported every detail of Naraku's actions during the mission to the Third Hokage.
When he heard that Naraku had already reached Special Jonin level, the Third Hokage looked surprised.
A seven-year-old at Jonin level—such talent was simply astonishing.
Even Hatake Kakashi, Konoha's most famous prodigy, hadn't become a Jonin until he was twelve.
Once his surprise had passed, the Third Hokage fell silent.
He gestured for Shisui to leave, and the entire office went quiet.
Uzumaki Naraku, the Fourth Hokage's younger brother. Normally, someone with that background should be loyal to Konoha.
Yet for some reason, the Third Hokage felt uneasy.
"Minato, Kushina..." he murmured.
Knock! Knock!
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
The Third Hokage gathered his thoughts and called out, "Come in."
The door creaked open!
A black mask and striking silver hair—the person who entered was Kakashi, returning to report after completing his mission.
"Lord Hokage," Kakashi said respectfully, kneeling on one knee and lowering his head.
The Anbu were a force under the Hokage's command, and every member was required to bow when meeting him.
"Ah, Kakashi. Have you completed the mission?" the Third Hokage asked warmly, gesturing for him to stand.
Kakashi nodded, rose to his feet, and handed the Third Hokage a scroll.
"Good. Thanks for your hard work, Kakashi," the Third Hokage said as he took the scroll. Then he continued, "I should let you rest for a few days after completing a mission, but as you know, the village is short on personnel. There's another mission I may have to trouble you with."
Kakashi showed no displeasure. He had been through this far too many times to be surprised anymore. Going on missions back-to-back was practically routine for him.
He was a little resigned, but he knew it couldn't be helped. Konoha really didn't have many capable people to spare these days.
The Third Hokage picked up a scroll from his desk and handed it to Kakashi. "This is an A-rank mission. Get some rest tonight, then set out tomorrow."
"Yes." Kakashi nodded and turned to leave.
"Wait," the Third Hokage called out.
"Naraku has joined the Anbu. Take him with you on this mission."
"Naraku joined the Anbu?" Kakashi was a little surprised, but quickly understood.
Aside from Naraku himself, Kakashi knew better than anyone in Konoha what Naraku was truly capable of.
With Naraku's strength so close to his own, it really wouldn't have made sense for him to keep attending the Ninja Academy.
"Understood, Lord Hokage."
Kakashi left with the scroll.
Watching him go, the Third Hokage's deep-set eyes took on a complicated look. "Bonds... I hope they can change a few things."
After leaving the Hokage Office, Kakashi went home to wash up, then set out to inform Naraku.
Meanwhile, after leaving the office, Naraku was on his way to Konoha Hospital when he ran into someone he knew.
Wearing a green jumpsuit and sporting a bowl cut, it was Guy.
At that moment, he was practicing handstands. When he saw Naraku, he pushed off powerfully with one hand, arcing through the air before landing neatly in front of him.
"Yo, Naraku! Where have you been lately? I haven't seen you in days."
"Guy," Naraku said with a smile when he saw his friend. Then he answered, "I went out on a mission."
"Yo, you've started going on missions already?" Guy flashed his brilliant white teeth.
"Not bad, Naraku. You really are my lifelong rival. Next time, we can go on a mission together!"