In the eyes of Konoha's high command, their Fifth Hokage was a top-tier troublemaker—utterly impossible to persuade.
At a small meeting with the village's top officials, Naruto Uzumaki informed Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado of his decision to go to the Land of Rice Fields. His reason was a bit peculiar.
"I'm still young," he said. "I should go out and see more of the world."
"..."
Everyone's eyes flickered slightly.
After a moment, Homura Mitokado offered his opinion. "The Land of Rice Fields is in a sensitive location. We must dispatch more people for your protection. The Hokage Guard Platoon is currently Team Three, correct? One Jonin and three Genin... that's not quite enough for such a major task, is it?"
"No need," Naruto interrupted him softly. "Might Guy-sensei is Konoha's strongest Jonin right now. Having him alone is enough."
It had to be said that Team Three was the most suitable choice for the Hokage Guard Platoon.
Might Guy, as a master of taijutsu, was an obvious pick. As long as he didn't encounter a Six Paths-level enemy, he was practically invincible. Among the other three, Neji Hyuga possessed the Byakugan and could handle reconnaissance. Tenten had a talent for spatial ninjutsu and could carry all their daily necessities.
As for Rock Lee... he was an extra.
Koharu Utatane frowned, remembering a certain Genin who had single-handedly defeated the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. "Well, an Eight Gates taijutsu user is indeed trustworthy."
It's just that his intelligence isn't very reliable, she thought.
Koharu pondered for a moment and continued, "Besides Team Three, let's add a few more ANBU squads... Do we need Jiraiya or Tsunade to accompany you?"
Konoha's Sannin were always reliable when matters were serious. Of course, when matters weren't serious, they were reliably a problem.
"Not necessary."
The young Hokage coldly rejected the elder's proposal, also refusing the suggestion to dispatch more ANBU. He didn't want too many people involved.
This decision was not made on impulse, and Naruto acted quickly. After notifying the Konoha high command at the meeting, he and his Hokage Guard Platoon set out for the Land of Rice Fields that very same day. As he left, he also gave an order for the ANBU to dispatch Sasuke to the Land of Rice Fields for reconnaissance.
-----
On the other side, the members of the Akatsuki launched a collective action, wiping out the remaining Stone ninja who were still wandering in the Hidden Rain Village. Afterward, they began to reassign tasks.
When they discussed the mission to assassinate the daimyo of the Land of Rice Fields, the two teams fell into disagreement. With the news of the Sound and Sand Villages' joint attack on Konoha, everyone knew Orochimaru was the one behind the Sound Village.
Sasori and Deidara believed that since they had been tracking the traitor Orochimaru all along, this mission was their chance to finally kill him.
Hidden under his Hiruko puppet, Sasori's voice came out hoarse and muffled. "That guy Orochimaru must die by my hands..."
Back when he and Orochimaru were partners, they couldn't stand each other. He had wanted to kill Orochimaru for a long time.
Arguing against them was Itachi Uchiha. With his hands hidden in his sleeves, he spoke slowly. "With all due respect, you are no match for Orochimaru..."
"Bastard, what did you say! Watch me blow you to pieces!" the blond youth, Deidara, instantly flew into a rage. When he first joined the Akatsuki, he had been defeated by Itachi. He had never forgotten that loss.
A large, bandaged sword slammed down between them.
A smile appeared on Kisame Hoshigaki's lips. He spread his hands and explained, "I suggest you calm down. Mr. Itachi has a point... If you go, there's a high probability you'll die at his hands."
As someone who had personally witnessed Orochimaru controlling reanimated ninja in battle, Kisame had to admit that all three of Konoha's Sannin had tricks up their sleeves. He himself had almost died in their encounter outside Konoha.
Although the First, Second, and Third Hokage might have escaped Orochimaru's control, the man could still have other trump cards. For example, the past leaders of other great ninja villages.
In Kisame's judgment, if Sasori and Deidara went, there was a good chance they would be killed by Orochimaru.
Deidara stood on his giant clay bird, pouting disdainfully. "You're the ones who are scared out of your wits!" he said with contempt.
"It seems you don't appreciate Mr. Itachi's good intentions!" Kisame chuckled, putting away his Samehada. He turned to his partner. "Mr. Itachi, why don't we just let them go to their deaths? After they die in battle, we can go and clean up the mess."
Hearing this, Deidara's face instantly turned furious. He reached into his clay bag with one hand. "Bastard... shark face, you're dead!"
"..."
Itachi ignored their argument and turned to look at Konan, intending to hand the decision over to her. This woman should be the most rational one in the Akatsuki, right?
The light-blue-haired kunoichi looked at them, a headache already forming as she furrowed her brow. The hot-tempered Deidara would explode at the slightest provocation. It was one thing that he couldn't defeat others, but he didn't even know when to back down.
Privately, she hoped Itachi and Kisame would go. Their duo had always been more reliable, their performance was solid, and their strength was unquestionable. In the last mission to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Itachi had fought as if his life depended on it.
It was said that he was ill and his Sharingan's vision was declining, yet he still took the initiative to use his taxing Mangekyo Sharingan to try and complete the mission. He could be called a model employee for the Akatsuki.
The problem was, Sasori was an old member she had personally recruited. When the Akatsuki first started gathering rogue ninjas, Sasori was the first one she brought in, and he had carried out many S-rank missions over the years.
Konan lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then looked at the two teams. "Forget it," she said. "You two teams will act separately. Each of you will go to the Land of Rice Fields. You must prioritize the mission. After all, the mission is no small matter, and the reward is very generous... Remember the organization's rules: members are forbidden from killing each other!"
In reality, this rule was useless. Unless the ninja who killed a member wanted to defect, the organization would never give up a powerful combatant. Kakuzu had killed many of his teammates, but what could Konan do? She could only choose to forgive him. Wasn't it because Kakuzu was powerful and brought in a huge amount of money?
Everyone present knew this well.
If you win, all is well.
If you lose, you just die for nothing.
"Ha... no problem!" Deidara spread his palm, a small clay figure appearing in it. The blond youth looked at Itachi with a sneer. "Don't hold us back, Uchiha idiot... or we'll take care of you too!"
"..."
Kisame's fingers suddenly curled.
"Kisame..." Itachi stopped him. He covered his mouth and coughed a few times, then slowly closed his eyes and shook his head. "Don't waste precious time. We should get going."
Kisame's small eyes blinked. He put his hand back into his sleeve and chuckled. "Mr. Itachi is as tolerant as ever!"
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Bonus:
Konan: Why are you defending him so much!
Kisame: Because he has a crow!
Konan: Bro, you're in the wrong show. This isn't that crow!
Kisame: Oh, oh, oh, because Mr. Itachi is handsome and speaks nicely...
Konan: What does that have to do with you?
Kisame: Does it have to do with you? Did you fall for Mr. Itachi?
Konan: No... I just think he's very responsible with his work...