From the night of genocide, marching towards the strongest.

However, his keen mind allowed him to realize that Sasuke had been growing stronger over the years by relying on the resources left behind by Granny Cat and the Uchiha clan.

This discovery brought him both relief and some concern.

What's gratifying is that my younger brother's growth isn't just in terms of ability, but also in learning to think and plan.

What worries me is whether my younger brother, whose thoughts have become more complex, will notice something amiss that night.

After pondering silently for a while, just as Itachi Uchiha was about to say something, a vibration emanating from the ring on his finger interrupted him.

"The leader is summoning us."

Note: Suigan, a Jonin of Takigakure, a Water Release ninja, and the master of Shibuki, the young leader of Takigakure. She betrayed and fled, and joined forces with Amegakure to attack the village and launch a coup to seize the "Hero's Water". This is from Naruto OVA 3 "Battle at the Hidden Waterfall, I Am a Hero".

Chapter 96: A Not-So-Simple C-Rank Mission.

"Another C-rank mission!?"

Inside the Hokage Building, in an office.

After the Third Hokage announced the mission to Team 7 with a beaming smile.

The expressions on the faces of everyone in Class 7 were quite interesting.

Naruto stepped forward and shouted, "Third Hokage, just classify this mission as A-rank or S-rank. That will save us from having to go through all those complicated procedures when we get back. It's such a hassle."

Sakura didn't say anything, but nodded as if she deeply agreed.

Since graduating from Class 7, they have carried out three so-called "C" level missions.

They encountered several Rain Ninja ANBU squads and former Konoha rogue ninjas for the first time, stole the Thunder God Sword, and killed a squad of elite ANBU members, Green Blue Aoi.

The second mission, also known as a C-rank mission, involved encountering two former members of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist.

The third time was even more incredible, as they directly confronted the ninjas and soldiers of an entire nation!

Each time the difficulty increased, and each time the danger increased.

A woman's intuition told her that this so-called C-level mission was probably going to cause some trouble again!

"Cough cough..." The Third Hokage coughed violently a few times, put down his cigarette, and said, "Naruto, this is just a simple escort mission, we won't encounter anything..."

"Grandpa, you said the same thing last time."

Before he could finish speaking, Naruto interrupted him, waving his hand and shouting, "Last time you told us that you were just sending people to the Land of Snow to film a movie, but as soon as we arrived, we were surrounded and attacked by a group of ninjas and soldiers!"

Upon hearing this, the Third Hokage's expression froze, and he was momentarily speechless.

With Konoha's intelligence network, it was no surprise that Koyuki Kazahana was using the alias Fuji Kazahana.

He had initially suspected there might be something fishy going on, but the amount of money they offered was simply too much.

He was quite confident in the capabilities of the Seventh Squad, so he arranged for the Seventh Squad, who had just finished their vacation, to carry out this mission.

What the Third Hokage didn't expect was that this mission to the Land of Snow was to help her reclaim the throne.

Fortunately, although things went a bit beyond expectations, the final result was still a big profit.

His mind raced, and the Third Hokage quickly organized his thoughts before saying in a deep voice, "I assure you that this mission is a simple escort mission."

After a pause, the Third Hokage continued, "Even if something goes wrong with this mission, I promise you that you won't need to fill out any more forms after the mission is completed."

The Third Hokage knew that Naruto's displeasure wasn't about the change in mission rank, but rather the tedious procedures that followed.

Moreover, the Third Hokage confirmed that this mission was just a routine escort mission.

Unless, of course, Team 7 had just arrived in Takikage Village when the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki went berserk.

Otherwise, there would be no possibility of upgrading this mission.

Of course, that's impossible.

How could the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki suddenly go berserk?

"Really?" Naruto asked with a skeptical look.

"Hehe, of course, when have I ever lied to you?"

The Third Hokage chuckled lightly, then put on a serious expression.

"So, Team 7, your mission is to escort Shibuki, the young leader of Takigakure, safely back to Takikage Village..."

After explaining the mission details, I met with the somewhat timid and weak-looking mercenary once more.

Team 7 then walked out of the Hokage Building.

"I have a feeling that this mission is a bit unsettling."

As she was leaving, Sakura touched her forehead and sighed softly.

"It's alright, Sakura!"

Naruto gave a thumbs up and shouted, "No matter what danger there is, I will protect you!"

"Who needs your protection?" Sakura rolled her eyes, counting on her fingers as she muttered, "First C-rank mission becomes B-rank, second becomes A-rank, third becomes S-rank, fourth..."

Could it be a double S-class?!

Sakura was shocked. S-rank was already the highest level of mission. She could hardly imagine what would be above S-rank missions.

"Are we going to encounter two S-rank wanted ninjas this time?!"

Sakura's eyes narrowed, and she exclaimed in disbelief.

"......"

Sasuke frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Don't overthink it, Sakura. She shouldn't......"

Sasuke wanted to comfort Sakura, but as he spoke, he himself became a little insecure.

"In short, it's always better to be careful."

"Ah."

Sakura nodded with a heavy expression.

Kakashi, who had been silently watching the group talk, twitched at the corner of his mouth, sighed, and said, "While being cautious is a good thing, you guys are being way too cautious. Don't worry, there won't be any problems. When I get back this time, I'll treat you to a big meal and tell you some good news."

Upon hearing this, Sasuke gave Kakashi a meaningful look.

'You've really set a good example!'

Originally, nothing might have happened, but after Kakashi said that, Sasuke knew that things were probably going to get serious.

'Could it be that the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki suddenly went berserk after we arrived at Takigakure?'

Sasuke stroked his chin, thinking that the greatest danger to Takigakure was the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki.

............

The Land of Waterfalls, a secluded place.

"I never imagined that Takigakure Village would be located in a place like this."

A young man wearing a mask and a headband with the Rain Ninja design gazed in amazement at the distant waterfall, which was nearly three or four hundred meters high, with a curtain of water hanging down and a torrent of water roaring down.

"But is it really safe to go into a place like this, Lord Shuiyan?"

The young man turned his head and looked at a middle-aged man wearing a headscarf and with his eyes closed, and asked.

“Of course.” Shuiyan opened her eyes and said calmly, “Although it is surrounded by four countries, it is precisely because of the huge waterfall and the unique geographical location that this village has never been invaded.”

"Heh..." The young man chuckled lightly, his tone ambiguous, "Lord Mizuki is indeed worthy of being a former Jonin and advisor of Takigakure, his understanding is so profound."

"Then, let's go."

"Wait a minute, Kirisame." Mizuki called out to him, and said in a deep voice, "Don't kill indiscriminately. Remember, keep the number to a minimum. Those villagers and ninjas are still useful."

"Is it because of your hometown that you can't bear to do it, Lord Suigan?"

Wu Yu smiled slightly, just as she was about to say something more.

"Shut up, Kirisame!"

Another woman dressed as a rain ninja spoke up: "We will cooperate with you, Lady Suiken."

The woman gave Wuyu a warning look and said, word by word, "After all, this is an order given to us by our leader."

Wuyu, who was about to say something, changed her expression slightly and quickly swallowed her words.

"Remember, don't kill indiscriminately!"

The minor incident that had just occurred did not bother Shuiyan, who reiterated the importance of not killing indiscriminately.

He wasn't concerned about the villagers' lives or deaths, but rather that they were indeed useful.

More importantly, he was afraid of indiscriminate killing.

It will provoke the wrath of the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki!

"Then prepare yourselves, let the battle begin!"

"Hi!"

As soon as he finished speaking, dozens of ninjas disappeared from the spot.

On a distant mountain cliff, two figures dressed in black robes and red overcoats silently watched this scene.

Chapter 97: I'm evenly matched with the First Hokage.

"So this is where Takigakure is hidden. Tch, it's really well hidden."

After watching the group disappear, one of the two Akatsuki members dressed in red cloud robes, a young man with short, slicked-back silver hair and purplish-red eyes, curled his lip.

"Hey, Kakuzu, I remember you're the one who defected from Takigakure, right?"

The silver-haired man turned to his companion, who was silently flipping through what appeared to be a wanted list, and teased him:

"Kakuzu, this place looks pretty good. I'll offer the people here as sacrifices to the evil god later, hehe."

"Don't do anything unnecessary, Hidan."

Kakuzu replied without even looking up.

"It's not superfluous at all. Sacrificing to the evil god is a very sacred thing, you bastard!"