Rescue Gaara!

Naruto Uzumaki's return was like a stone tossed into a still lake, sending considerable ripples through Konoha.

But for Ye Chuan, it made little difference.

His life still revolved around endless training.

Until a few days later, when the Hokage summoned him again.

"Hey, Ye Chuan. You're here."

In the Hokage's office, Tsunade put down the documents in her hands and looked up at the boy walking in, a faint smile on her face.

After two and a half years together, their relationship had long since gone beyond that of ordinary superior and subordinate. They were more like... friends despite their age difference. Tsunade greatly admired Ye Chuan's talent and composure.

"Lady Tsunade, what did you need me for?" Ye Chuan asked calmly.

He noticed that Tsunade looked somewhat serious, not as relaxed as usual.

"Yes, there's an urgent mission I need you to handle." Tsunade's expression grew grave. "An S-Class mission!"

S-Class?! Something stirred in Ye Chuan's heart.

Tsunade did not keep him in suspense. She said directly, "We just received an emergency request for aid from Sunagakure."

"The newly appointed Fifth Kazekage-Gaara-has been captured by the Akatsuki!"

Gaara was captured?! Ye Chuan's gaze sharpened.

Sure enough, the plot was following its established course! The Akatsuki had finally begun officially targeting the Jinchūriki!

"I've already sent Team 7, led by Kakashi, as the advance team. They're heading to Sunagakure immediately to provide support." Tsunade looked at Ye Chuan.

"But we're dealing with the Akatsuki, and according to our intelligence, it's very likely that two of their members abducted Gaara. Their strength absolutely cannot be underestimated! I don't feel comfortable relying on just Kakashi and the other two."

"So..."

Tsunade looked at Ye Chuan, her gaze sharp.

"I need you to leave immediately for the Land of Wind as the second support wave!"

"Your mission is to assist Team 7 and cooperate with Sunagakure to rescue Kazekage Gaara, whatever the cost!"

"Yes, Lord Hokage," Ye Chuan answered without hesitation.

An S-Class mission, the Akatsuki as opponents, and a chance to join up with Team Kakashi...

This was practically a huge experience package delivered right to his door! How could he refuse?

"Good." Tsunade nodded. "Remember, safety comes first."

"If you encounter an enemy you can't defeat, you have permission to retreat. Your very existence is a precious asset to Konoha."

She still could not help adding that reminder, clearly placing great importance on this genius she had watched grow.

"I understand."

Ye Chuan did not delay. He immediately left the Hokage's office, made a few simple preparations, and set out.

With his current speed, which combined [Soru] and the [Body Flicker Technique], along with the occasional midair foothold provided by [Geppo], he traveled extremely efficiently, streaking through the woods.

As he neared the Land of Wind's border in the direction of Sunagakure, his powerful Observation Haki suddenly detected two familiar presences up ahead.

"This feeling... Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki?"

Ye Chuan's heart tightened.

"No, the amount of chakra doesn't seem right. It's only about thirty percent of the originals'... Is this the Akatsuki's [Shapeshifting Technique]? Puppets meant to block pursuers?"

Rather than slowing down, he sped up, charging straight toward those two presences!

Soon, on a barren stretch of desert and stony wasteland, he saw two familiar figures blocking the way, seemingly waiting for something. One looked just like Uchiha Itachi, the other just like Kisame Hoshigaki.

"So they really are Shapeshifting Clones." Ye Chuan's gaze turned cold.

Although they were only puppets containing thirty percent of the originals' chakra, their techniques and fighting styles should be similar to the originals'.

Perfect for a warm-up!

Without a single wasted word, Ye Chuan drew Wado Ichimonji!

Facing the charging "Itachi" and "Kisame," he did not even bother dodging the Fireball and Water Shark Bullet Technique they unleashed.

Jet-black Armament Haki instantly covered his entire body and blade!

Boom! Boom!

The fireball and water shark struck the jet-black armor and instantly broke apart, failing to hurt Ye Chuan in the slightest.

"What?!"

The Shapeshifting Clones of "Itachi" and "Kisame" seemed to retain some ability to think, and astonishment appeared on their faces.

But Ye Chuan had already appeared before the "Kisame" clone as though he had teleported!

Slash!

A jet-black blade gleaming with Armament Haki flashed past!

The "Kisame" clone, along with his Samehada simulated from chakra, was cleaved in two with a single stroke, crumbling into broken earth and dispersing!

Immediately afterward, without even looking at the result, Ye Chuan swung his sword backhanded, sending a slash through the air!

A concentrated black sword wave tore through the air, instantly striking the "Itachi" clone as he attempted to form hand seals to cast a genjutsu!

Splat!

The "Itachi" clone was also cut to pieces without any suspense, dispersing into the air.

Instant kills!

Two Shapeshifting Clones strong enough to rival most jōnin had failed to withstand even a single move from Ye Chuan as he was now!

After another half day or more of pursuit, he finally sensed Team 7 outside a forest near the Akatsuki's hideout.

With a few flickers of movement, he appeared before them.

"Ye Chuan?!" Kakashi was somewhat surprised to see him.

"Great! You're here too, Ye Chuan!" Naruto immediately shouted excitedly at the sight of his companion.

"Ye Chuan!" At the sight of him, clear relief appeared on Sakura's face.

Over the past two and a half years, since they had both been studying under Tsunade, they had had far more opportunities to interact than before.

Sakura knew Ye Chuan's strength well, particularly his astonishing talent and progress in Medical Ninjutsu.

The [Yin Seal] on Ye Chuan's forehead already seemed to be faintly taking shape. His progress was even faster than hers.

Ye Chuan nodded to everyone in greeting, his gaze settling on the short elderly woman:

"You must be Adviser Chiyo of Sunagakure?"

"Oh? You know me?" Granny Chiyo's clouded eyes studied Ye Chuan with a hint of scrutiny.

"I've long heard of you," Ye Chuan said calmly.

After a brief exchange, they prepared to break the barrier at the entrance to the Akatsuki's hideout ahead.

Ye Chuan did not wait for Neji to find the paper seals and then have Team Guy go to the trouble of removing them simultaneously, as had happened in the original story.

He merely drew Wado Ichimonji slowly.

Slash-!!!

A jet-black blade gleam, even more restrained than the one he had used to slay the giant snake, struck hard against the barrier on the rock face!

Crack... rumble!!!

Under this supremely pure slash, the incredibly sturdy Five-Seal Barrier actually shattered like fragile glass!

The corners of Kakashi's and the others' eyes twitched as they watched the barrier being broken through with brute force.

Just how much stronger had this guy become?!

With the barrier broken, the scene inside the cave came into view.

In the center of the spacious cavern, a blond figure sat on a lifeless red-haired boy, seemingly performing some sort of ritual. Beside him was another figure encased in a giant puppet.

They were none other than the Akatsuki's Deidara and Sasori of the Red Sands!

And the person he was sitting on was Gaara, from whom Shukaku the One-Tail had already been extracted!

"Damn it! Gaara!" At the sight, Naruto roared and was about to charge inside!

"Hmm? We've been found? Art is an Explosion!"

Deidara let out a strange cry, immediately grabbed Gaara's corpse, and jumped onto a giant white Clay Bird, soaring into the sky.

"You're not getting away!"

Naruto immediately gave chase, with Kakashi following close behind to support him.

Ye Chuan looked at Sasori, who had stayed behind, then glanced in the direction Naruto and Kakashi had gone.

"Splitting into two groups? Fine by me."

He did not pursue Deidara, instead fixing his gaze on Sasori.