Mission Complete, A Helpless Kakashi

In the history of the ninja world, ever since Senju Hashirama distributed the various Tailed Beasts to the different ninja villages, they had become nothing more than machines of war.

If Senju Hashirama were still alive today, he might perhaps regret that decision.

While the sealed Tailed Beasts appeared miserable, the most tragic figures were the jinchuriki themselves.

Take the current Sunagakure, for instance; for the sake of the village's interests, the Fourth Kazekage sacrificed his own son, Gaara, forcing him to become a jinchuriki and thus beginning his tragic childhood.

Reflecting on this, a bitter smile tugged at the corners of Uzumaki Naraku's mouth. Although Gaara's fate had nothing to do with him, both Naruto and Kushina were jinchuriki now.

Kushina was doing a bit better, as she had already experienced what she needed to endure, but Naruto was a different story.

Although, because of him, Naruto did not suffer from a lack of basic food and clothing as he had in the original story, some things remained unchanged.

Just like in the original, with the Third Hokage's tacit approval, Naruto's identity as a jinchuriki was still exposed.

Ever since then, the villagers' attitude toward Naruto had become extremely hostile, and even members of the Sarutobi Clan only looked after him due to the pressure exerted by the Third Hokage.

Even then, their treatment of him was far from kind.

Naraku had discovered this firsthand when he went to visit Naruto recently.

Strength, I must focus on increasing my strength, Naraku felt a sense of pressure building within him.

Once Kushina woke up, she would inevitably want to reunite with Naruto, but the high-ranking officials of Konoha would not easily agree to that.

After entering the Land of Wind, the caravan took only half a day to reach its destination.

Naraku and Shisui spent the night there with the caravan, and once the goods were traded the following day, they began their return journey.

Three days later, they arrived back at the caravan's starting point, marking the conclusion of their mission.

After bidding farewell to Nakada Shun and his group, Naraku and Shisui set off to return to Konoha.

Perhaps out of guilt or some other reason, Nakada Shun gave them double the pay for this mission.

However, Naraku and Shisui did not care much about this; to them, money held little utility, at least for now. While they might not have cared, it was a different story for the Third Hokage.

In the Hokage's office:

"You completed the mission well, Shisui, Naraku," the Third Hokage said, a smile appearing on his face after reading the scroll in his hand.

The reward for an A-rank mission was already substantial, and with it doubled, it was of great use to Konoha at this time.

"You've worked hard. Naraku, you may go and rest," the Third Hokage added.

Naraku nodded upon hearing this. "Understood, Your Majesty."

He then turned and left the room. As for why the Third Hokage kept Shisui behind, Naraku could guess the reason.

It was nothing more than to report on his intelligence.

"Oh, so he already possesses the strength of a Special Jonin."

Naraku had guessed correctly; Shisui had reported every move Naraku made during the mission to the Third Hokage.

Upon hearing that Naraku already possessed the strength of a Special Jonin, the Third Hokage wore an expression of utter surprise.

A seven-year-old Jonin—such talent was simply unheard of.

Even Konoha's most famous genius, Hatake Kakashi, had only become a Jonin at the age of twelve.

After the shock subsided, the Third Hokage fell silent.

He gestured for Shisui to withdraw, and the entire office grew quiet.

Uzumaki Naraku, the younger brother of the Fourth Hokage; under normal circumstances, such an identity should ensure absolute loyalty to Konoha.

Yet, for some reason, the Third Hokage felt a sense of unease in his heart.

"Minato, Kushina," the Third Hokage murmured to himself.

Knock! Knock!

Just then, a knocking sound came from outside the door.

The Third Hokage collected his thoughts and spoke up, "Come in."

Creeak!

With a black mask and a shock of dazzling silver hair, the person who entered was none other than Kakashi, who had just returned from his own mission to report.

"Your Majesty," Kakashi knelt on one knee, lowered his head, and spoke in a respectful tone.

The Anbu was a subordinate force managed by the Hokage, and every member was required to pay their respects upon seeing him.

"Ah, it's Kakashi. Has your mission been completed?" the Third Hokage asked in a gentle tone, while raising his hand to signal for Kakashi to rise.

Kakashi nodded, stood up, and handed a scroll to the Third Hokage.

"Very well, you've worked hard, Kakashi," the Third Hokage said as he took the scroll, then continued.

"Normally, I would let you rest for a few days after just finishing a mission, but as you know, the village is short on manpower, so there is another mission that I may have to trouble you with."

Kakashi expressed no dissatisfaction upon hearing this; he had experienced such things far too often and had long since become accustomed to them. Executing consecutive missions was as routine as a daily meal to him.

Although he felt somewhat helpless, he knew there was no other way; the number of capable individuals currently available in Konoha was indeed limited.

The Third Hokage then picked up a scroll from his desk and handed it to Kakashi. "This is an A-rank mission. Rest for the night and set out tomorrow."

"Understood," Kakashi nodded, then turned to leave.

"Wait a moment," the Third Hokage spoke up again.

"Naraku has joined the Anbu. Take him with you to carry out this mission."

"Naraku? He's joined the Anbu?" Kakashi was surprised, though he quickly understood the reasoning.

If there was anyone in all of Konoha who understood Naraku's true strength, aside from Naraku himself, it was him.

With Naraku's strength, which was nearly on par with his own, it would indeed be inappropriate for him to remain at the Ninja Academy.

"Very well, Lord Hokage."

After saying this, Kakashi took the scroll and left.

The Third Hokage watched his retreating figure, a strange look flickering in his deep eyes. "Bonds—I hope they can change something."

After leaving the Hokage's office, Kakashi returned home to wash up briefly before preparing to notify Naraku.

On the other side, after leaving the office, Naraku ran into an acquaintance while on his way to Konoha Hospital.

Dressed in a green spandex suit with a bowl-cut hairstyle, it was none other than Guy.

He was currently practicing handstands, but upon seeing Naraku, he pushed off the ground with one hand, sent his body arching through the air, and landed steadily in front of Naraku.

"Yosh, Naraku! Where have you been lately? I haven't seen you for days."

"Brother Guy," Naraku said with a smile upon seeing his acquaintance.

"I went out to carry out a mission."

"Yo, you've already started going on missions?" Guy grinned, revealing his sparkling white teeth.

"Not bad, Naraku! You truly are my eternal rival. Doesn't that mean we can go on missions together next time?"