Chapter 159
Although he considered himself an invincible god, the power of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki still exceeded his expectations.
Itachi: "When we finally capture the Nine-Tailed, we will suffer heavy losses..."
"It's alright, I will personally handle it then."
Pain interrupted Itachi, quickly ending the meeting... After Pain's consciousness returned to the Hidden Rain Village thousands of miles away, he discussed the contents of this meeting with Obito.
"Oh?"
Regarding Orochimaru and Itachi's statements, and Pain's retelling... Obito slightly raised his eyebrows.
Has that kid, Uzumaki Naruto, become that strong already?
Allowing him to grow unchecked would indeed be a disaster.
"I will go and observe..."
Obito immediately stated that he would find a way to make contact with the Nine-Tailed kid.
Time flies.
So many years have passed, and they will meet again.
Uzumaki... Naruto.
Hearing that Obito would personally take action, Pain felt relieved.
"By the way, regarding the new members..."
Konan, who was nearby, began to talk about the new candidates the Akatsuki Organization had discovered.
One was Deidara, a disciple of the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki... an explosion maniac who used to be active in the Iwagakure Explosion Corps.
The other was an immortal rumored to be from Yugakure... It was said that he possessed an immortal body and could not be killed.
"Let Itachi and Sasori go and recruit Deidara... As for the immortal from Yugakure, let Orochimaruand Kakuzu go and check him out..."
Pain, determined to expand the organization's ranks, gave Konan his instructions.
"Understood..."
Konan's figure then disappeared.
The rain in Hidden Rain Village was falling steadily.
Pain looked up at the sky, longing for the arrival of peace... Konoha.
Kakashi took some effort, but finally found Narutoand Sako's hiding spot.
The two youngsters were hiding in an unoccupied house somewhere.
So... Kakashi pushed the door open.
Sakura followed behind him.
Splash.
A basin of miscellaneous items fell from above.
Kakashi was drenched.
"Hmm... how should I put this..."
Kakashi stroked his chin.
"My first impression of you two is quite annoying..."
"Tch... He fell for such a low-level trap, is this guy really a Jonin? He can't be an idiot, can he..."
Sako muttered about Kakashi, feeling that their future was uncertain.
After Kakashi dried his hair and shirt, everyone went to the rooftop and began their self-introductions... Chapter 104. The First Appearance of Naruto, the Path to the Rise of a Devil.
"I am Uzumaki Naruto, and my dream is to become the Seventh Hokage. And you? My friend..."
Naruto's mouth curved slightly as he pointed a finger at Kakashi.
His firm yet gentle gaze instantly made Kakashifeel as if he was seeing the Fourth Hokage.
And in fact, it was true.
Years of Yin Release training had made Narutotaller than both Sako and Sakura.
He was also more mature.
And with his slightly longer hair, Naruto resembled a miniature Minato Namikaze.
—If he hadn't been wearing that rather silly-looking orange tracksuit.
"Sensei..."
Kakashi shook his head, dispelling the illusion in his mind.
It's all good.
But, hmm... something still seemed a little off.
"My friend..."
When Naruto said "my friend" for the second time, Kakashi quickly made him stop.
"I don't have any particular dreams... just to be an ordinary Jonin is fine..."
Kakashi, with a calm tone, summarized his tragic life.
"I am Uchiha Sasuke, and my dream is to revive the Uchiha... and to kill that man!"
As soon as Sako finished her introduction, Kakashi's gaze became serious: "Indeed..."
Itachi's defection had a huge impact on Uchiha Sako.
"I'm Sakura..." Sakura shyly looked at Sako.
Kakashi understood immediately.
But... is this really okay?
Sako is a girl, after all.
Of course, Sakura and the others didn't know that.
Or perhaps she did know, and the current trends among young people were just beyond her comprehension?
Kakashi complained inwardly, only feeling that the world might be getting worse and worse... "Then... Team 7's outdoor survival exercise... begins now!"
...Training Ground Three.
Kakashi held two bells in his hand.
"There are three of you, but only two can get these bells. That means... at least one person will have to go back to the Ninja Academy..."
Kakashi put on a stern face, deliberately intimidating the three newcomers.
"If you don't have the resolve to kill me, you won't be able to get the bells..."
"Then isn't the outcome obvious..."
Sako, who had no team spirit at all... or rather, Sako, who only cared about Naruto, subconsciously assumed that the loser would definitely be Sakura.
Having spent so much time at the Ninja Academy, they knew each other inside out.
Who was the weakest... was clear at a glance.
"..."
Facing Sako's cold words, Kakashi narrowed his eyes, his expression growing even more somber.
Meanwhile, Sakura, after a moment of panic, lowered her head and forced a smile.
"Sa-Sasuke-kun is right, among the three of us, my strength is the weakest..."
Sako didn't care about Sakura, and Sakura cared too much about Sako's opinion... Kakashi observed the expressions in their eyes.
Then, he looked at Naruto.
So... what would the teacher's child's attitude be?
"Hey, hey, hey... Sasuke... Stop..."
Naruto spread his hands.
"Don't be like that, what will Sakura think if you say that? We are comrades from the same Village, whether in Team 7... or elsewhere."
Naruto, you are so gentle.
Kakashi watched Naruto gently and sincerely persuade Sako, and couldn't help but be deeply moved.
Yūgao and others' evaluations of Naruto resurfaced in his mind.
Without a doubt.
Everyone's evaluation of Naruto was absolutely positive... Everyone believed that Naruto inherited the demeanor of the Fourth Hokage.
He was gentle, kind, considerate of others, and able to think for others.
He united his classmates and cherished his companions... Although he bore the title of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, he never resented the world.
He faced life with a positive, optimistic, and cheerful demeanor.
He bore all hardships alone... "Tch..." Sako averted her gaze.
After being lectured by Naruto, although she still didn't care much, she had clearly listened a lot more.
"Naruto..."
Sakura, on the other side, was even more deeply moved.
She never expected that Naruto, whom she had always teased and looked down upon, could say such words.
"Thank you, Naruto..."
For the first time, Sakura showed Naruto a sincere smile.
"Sakura, your smile is very healing. Keep it that way... The team needs the smile of a cute girl."
Naruto pointed a finger at Sakura.
Watching Naruto, with just a few words, manage to completely win everyone over.
The Nine-Tailed couldn't help but exclaim about Konoha's downfall.
As Uzumaki Naruto became an official Genin, his identity also underwent a transformation.
In Konoha, to make small moves and gain some control, one couldn't do it without an official position.
A formal position like Genin was the best starting point for advancement.
Unlike in the past.