New Mission: Search for the Fifth Hokage

"Naruto, Naruto, how are you?" Sasuke helped Naruto up and asked anxiously.

"Heh... I overused my chakra. We won. How's Gaara, Sasuke?" Leaning on Sasuke's shoulder, Naruto rose to his feet with Sasuke's help.

Sasuke looked in the direction where Gaara had fallen and saw Kankuro and Temari supporting the weakened Gaara as they prepared to sneak away. When they noticed Sasuke's gaze, they shuddered uneasily.

"Run, Kankuro! Don't look into his eyes..." Temari jumped in fright when she saw Sasuke. If Kankuro had not slipped away while Sasuke, Naruto, and Gaara were fighting and dispelled the genjutsu on her, she would probably still have been unconscious and eventually captured alive by Konoha.

"Yes!" Kankuro hurriedly lowered his head and, together with Temari, quickly fled with Gaara.

Sasuke frowned slightly. Naruto was in poor condition, and there was no point chasing after them alone. He had also used up quite a bit of chakra; taking on Temari and Kankuro by himself would be too much.

"Sasuke!" Sakura and Ino waved and cheered excitedly.

"Tch... dead last, can you still walk?" Sasuke glanced at Sakura and Ino in the distance and gave up on pursuing Gaara and the others.

Naruto had already fallen asleep against Sasuke's shoulder. He was simply too exhausted. His soft breathing made Sasuke roll his eyes.

"This dead last, falling asleep whenever he feels like it..." Though Sasuke said that, he still carried Naruto on his back, his expression complicated. "Still, it's impressive that you managed to suppress that monster!"

Elsewhere, Temari, Gaara, and Kankuro fled in panic.

Naruto Uzumaki's image filled Gaara's mind. "That look in his eyes... He and I are clearly the same kind of person, so why does he have people by his side...?"

Naruto had already passed out. Before he could have much of a conversation with Gaara, they had gone their separate ways.

"Can I become like him too?" A sudden stabbing pain shot through Gaara's shoulder, making him frown. Sasuke's Chidori had severely injured his shoulder, leaving one of his arms completely immobile.

Temari asked worriedly, "What's wrong, Gaara? Did we accidentally hurt you?"

Gaara had become calmer. Since he wanted to change, he would start now. "Kankuro, Temari, I'm sorry..."

"Eh..." Kankuro and Temari were utterly shocked. Gaara had actually spoken to them like that.

"It's... it's nothing, Gaara. Hold on a little longer. Once we're out of the danger zone, we'll treat your wounds properly up ahead!" Kankuro still found it hard to believe. It felt like his sincerity had finally been returned.

"Thank you." Gaara was very weak now, and he looked vulnerable too. Temari suddenly felt like a big sister. She even imagined her two younger brothers, Gaara and Kankuro, coming to her for guidance in the future. This trip to Konoha had not been in vain after all.

Konoha's Crush had come to an end. Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi's battle had unfolded exactly as it had in Awen's memories. Hiruzen Sarutobi had long since resolved to die.

Orochimaru used Impure World Reincarnation to summon the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, to attack Hiruzen Sarutobi together. The sacrifices used for the Impure World Reincarnation were Kin Tsuchi and Zaku from the Chunin Ninja Exams, both abandoned without mercy by Orochimaru.

Afterward, Hiruzen Sarutobi used the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, the ninjutsu once used by the Fourth Hokage. At the cost of his own soul, he had the Death God take away the souls of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, along with Orochimaru's arms.

At the funeral of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Naruto wore black funeral clothes. The sky had turned gloomy that day, and the rain poured heavily. Konohamaru cried the hardest, while Ebisu and Asuma comforted him.

"Are you sad, Naruto..." Kurama's voice suddenly rang out.

"Yes, Kurama. Even though some things have changed, many things still haven't. Old Man Third should have been able to retire and enjoy his remaining years, but because the village had no successor, he had to continue serving as Hokage."

"You really are sentimental. According to Awen's memories, that white-haired brat will take you to find that Steel Gate, the Fifth Hokage." Naruto's performance in the Forest of Death had made Kurama see him in a new light. Naruto had grown a great deal.

"Steel Gate... Wait, Kurama, her name is Tsunade. She's one of the Three Sannin, just like Pervy Sage..." Naruto nearly broke down at Kurama's words and almost failed to keep a straight face. Fortunately, after laying flowers for Hiruzen Sarutobi, he had left the scene and sprinted straight home.

"Hmph..."

"I don't care whether she's Steel Gate, Tsunade, or Steel Gate Hands. I'm the Nine-Tails. I can't be bothered remembering so many human names. Do your best. Next time, don't end up nearly beaten to death by Kabuto Yakushi like in Awen's memories!"

"I won't, Kurama. I've nearly figured out the Rasenshuriken. Just watch me. I have no limits," Naruto said confidently.

"Copying some rabbit's line again..." Kurama teased.

"It sounded really cool, so I used it!"

"Heh, then why did you fall asleep while watching it..." Kurama asked.

"Uh, well... cough, cough... I couldn't help it. That story made my head spin, but one line from the lyrics stuck with me: pierced through by the stars, the moment we become one..." Naruto replied.

"Wildman Star Group, get lost! This is the Hokage production crew... Someone's coming!"

Naruto snapped back to attention and looked toward the window. Jiraiya came straight in.

"Yo, Naruto. You look pretty good!" Jiraiya greeted him with a smile after entering. Having witnessed countless deaths and partings, he had quickly returned to his usual self.

"Pervy Sage, why are you here? Are you planning to leave Konoha at a time like this?" Naruto looked Jiraiya up and down and asked.

"This trip involves an important mission. I need you to come with me!"

"A mission?" Naruto looked utterly uninterested as he leisurely changed clothes. "Fine, wait a moment, Pervy Sage. Let me get changed!"

Seeing Naruto completely unmotivated, Jiraiya narrowed his eyes. "Our goal this time is to find the Fifth Hokage. Get yourself together!"

"Mm." Naruto still sounded lazy, making Jiraiya feel exasperated.

Jiraiya took a deep breath. "Can you stop saying 'mm'?"

"Mm." Naruto remained in no hurry, leaving Jiraiya speechless on the spot.