Konoha: Unable to learn ninjutsu, they had to develop their own.

Jiraiya was somewhat dazed.

For a fleeting moment, he almost thought the person standing next to him was Chiba, before realizing it wasn't—

If it were Chiba, he would probably have already taken out a pen and paper and started writing a plan, instead of just thinking of countermeasures.

There are still differences between the two.

but.

I have to say, I'm greatly influenced by Chiba every day.

He couldn't help but tease him.

"Will eating the same food make you start to look more and more alike?"

"Huh? What..."

Tenten didn't react at first, then blushed and spat out, "Lady Tsunade said you were indecent and told me to be careful, and it was true!"

"What's wrong with this? It's not a secret that you and Chiba have something going on."

Jiraiya answered frankly.

Tian Tian rolled her eyes at him, too lazy to pay him any attention, and left.

"Let's go, to Kakashi-sensei and the others. I wonder how they are doing there, whether anything unexpected has happened."

"Don't worry, if they can still escape, Kakashi and Asuma might as well commit suicide."

Say so.

Jiraiya quickened his pace, and Guy, Shikamaru, and the others quickly caught up.

As Asma's disciples, they would definitely want to go there first.

but.

Since Jiraiya hadn't let them leave, they dared not go ahead first.

Above, Kasa weaves directly through the bushes.

After a short while, they arrived at the battlefield.

This place is ten kilometers away from the previous battlefield. Jiraiya and Asuma are sitting cross-legged on the ground, seemingly recovering their chakra, while Kakashi is sitting to the side, leisurely reading a book.

"See? I told you nothing would happen."

Jiraiya said.

Three elite Jonin, all of whom were proficient in Sage Mode.

If even this can't keep Kakuzu, then Kakuzu's boasting is probably true.

To survive being surrounded by three elite Sage Mode users, one's strength is indeed enough to hold one's own against the First Hokage.

Kakashi nodded: "I did defeat him, but luckily I came to his aid quickly, otherwise he might have disappeared into the ground."

"None of the Akatsuki members are easy to deal with, and there should have been some insects underground just now; they probably already know the information."

Asuma said.

Di Lu stood up, clasped his hands together, and bowed, saying, "Thank you all for your help."

"No, we just happened to get information about him, and we also happened to be dealing with him, so we laid an ambush in advance."

Jiraiya smiled.

The ambush on Kakuzu was largely thanks to Chiba's Shikoku cooperation strategy.

If it weren't for this, they wouldn't have known about the existence of the black market. Konoha followed the informants planted in the black market and finally found a clue about Kakuzu.

"These are two different things; it is true that you all saved me."

Di Lu smiled gently.

If it weren't for Konoha's help, he really wouldn't have known that Kakuzu had such an ability. If he had been careless, even if he had mastered Sage Mode, the possibility of him suffering a loss would still be very high.

Asma stood to the side, too tired to speak.

He's different from Kakashi.

Although cells were implanted, they did not cultivate the Yin Seal, so they could only prepare natural energy in advance, which is why they were waiting here.

The original plan was to separate Kakuzu and Tobi, with each side fighting their own battles.

If that were the case.

They may not be able to keep their opponents in check.

"Unfortunately, Kakuzu destroyed himself in the end. Although his body was left behind, it was impossible to extract any more information."

Kakashi shook the sealing scroll in his hand.

"There's nothing we can do about it."

They headed towards Konoha.

So far, there has been no news of an attack on Konoha, which shows that the Akatsuki organization has not chosen this path. However, knowing that their main force is out, they may send someone to attack.

and so.

Now that their mission is complete, they need to return as soon as possible.

……

Konoha, Hokage Building office.

Tsunade was talking to Chiba when Chiba suddenly paused, a scroll appearing in his hand.

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted.

After a while, Tsunade asked, "Whose intelligence scroll?"

"In the direction of Sunagakure Village."

Chiba said.

He opened the scroll, and then his expression became somewhat strange.

After glancing at it, he handed the scroll to Tsunade.

Tsunade was stunned for a second after reading it.

Then, she quickly realized—

"They want to study our barrier techniques?"

"should be."

Chiba nodded.

He also felt that Obito and Black Zetsu attacked Sunagakure, the village most vulnerable, in order to study their barrier techniques.

"So, the Sand Village took the bullet for us this time?"

Tsunade's expression became subtle.

According to their deductions, the Akatsuki organization would likely take the opportunity to cause trouble in Konoha. They were fully prepared, and even if they couldn't defeat their opponents, they could at least hold them off while waiting for reinforcements to return.

result.

The news from Kakashi's side has all come back, but the Akatsuki organization has not yet arrived.

So they went to Sunagakure!

"The Akatsuki are now picking on the weak. It seems Konoha has really gotten stronger."

Chiba sighed, somewhat amused.

Tsunade chuckled lightly: "Of course, our Konoha is much stronger than before. Even the Third Hokage has been praising us."

The reason she changed her tune was simple—

The third generation is here!

Hiruzen Sarutobi entered the room, saw the two of them, breathed a slight sigh of relief, and then asked, "I heard there's been a large-scale troop movement here..."

"Yes, we've deployed some people to deal with the Akatsuki organization, and we've already successfully beheaded three of them."

Tsunade proudly stated, "The Akatsuki has forever lost three S-rank rogue ninja."

"Three?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat surprised.

Every S-rank rogue ninja is at least an elite Jonin, and those who can join the Akatsuki are the elite of the elite, pillars of their respective villages.

three...

He thought for a moment and said, "Could it be information sent by Itachi?"

"No, because Itachi is also among the targets."

"??"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat bewildered.

How come he knew nothing about these things, and Itachi was also among the targets...?

Could it be that?

Before he could react, Tsunade said, "Don't worry about it. I'll explain it to you later. By the way, teacher, since you're already here, why don't you cover for me?"

"What are you going to do?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi became alert.

Tsunade coughed lightly.

"Sunagakure has been attacked, and Rasa is nearly dead. I hope we can lend a helping hand to save him. Once Jiraiya and the others return, I will set off for Sunagakure with Chiba immediately."

"..."

Good guy!

Is Luo Sha dead?

How come I haven't been paying attention for just a few days, and one major event after another has happened in the ninja world?