152 Arrival

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Hidden Stone Village.

"Grandpa!" A woman banged the door open as she stepped into the Tsuchikage's office.

"What is it, Kurotsuchi?" Ohnoki asked from his seat upon seeing his granddaughter enter in a cheerful attitude.

"This just came in from the Hidden Grass," Kurotsuchi said as she handed over a letter to Ohnoki.

"Hm…" Ohnoki read through the lines one by one.

"WHAT?" Ohnoki's eyes widened.

"What is it, Grandpa? Is it about Deidara-nii?" Kurotsuchi asked curiously.

"No…" Ohnoki said as he lowered the letter.

("It can't be, he has a son and he's even faster than him…?") Ohnoki thought.

"Then?" Kurotsuchi asked.

"N-nothing important…" Ohnoki smiled.

"I see, that's good then." Kurotsuchi laughed, following which she skipped her way out of the office closing the door on her way out.

Ohnoki sighed in relief upon seeing the door close.

"Well, I think I should see how things play out…" Ohnoki said slowly as he thought back to Minato's exploits during the Third Ninja War.

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"Hehe," The Raikage smirked.

"What is it Raikage-sama?" C asked.

"Well, this may not be appropriate since he is a kid, but I now have a chance to see who's the fastest ninja alive again," Ay smiled as he held on to the paper in his hand firmly.

"Raikage-sama," Darui called out.

Ay turned towards Darui who stood by the side lazily scratching his head.

"What is it Darui?" Ay asked.

"Ah… the thing is… that kid is just 12-13 years old. Wouldn't we be bullying the kid?" Darui asked.

"Raikage-sama," C called out.

"Huh?" Ay looked at C.

"Word has it that there is an event in place to celebrate the peace between the Hidden Sand and the Hidden Leaf," C said.

"Hmph, that's just on the surface. Hasn't anyone learned that the Wind hates other nations, especially the Fire nation? Ever since their First Kazekage's request was shot down during the first five kage summit after the end of the first war, they were unwilling." Ay said.

"True…" C nodded subconsciously.

"During the Second Ninja War, the Third Kazekage stepped up to the task of confronting them on this very issue. However, misfortune struck, and he disappeared without a trace, to the point that the others could not find a single clue that led to his death," Ay paused.

("The Akatsuki, eh?") Darui stared at Ay.

"What was it?" C asked.

"The Akatsuki," Darui said.

"The Akatsuki?" C stared at Darui.

"Yes. The Hidden Sand used Akatsuki," Darui said.

"But how?" C asked.

"The Fourth Kazekage was unaware. The members started to randomly plunder resources from villages during the war while the others were fighting on the front lines. One of the ninjas asked who had ordered the task, and a member of the Akatsuki said that it was a task delegated to them by the eEders of the Hidden Sand," Darui explained.

"…" C was astonished.

"And what happened?" C asked immediately.

"Hmph, they got scammed," Ay said.

"What?" C was completely shocked.

"The Sand has always had a never give up attitude no matter what the result. I can only commend their efforts on those events alone. That is why this event is just a farce. I wouldn't be surprised if they used this event as a raiding tactic. The Sand cannot be underestimated," Ay concluded, following which he looked towards the door.

"Mabui!" Ay called out.

"Yes, Raikage-sama!" Mabui immediately rushed in after opening the door.

"Get me Bee, immediately." Ay ordered.

"At once, Raikage-sama!" Mabui saluted and ran out of the room quickly.

"Raikage-sama. What do you intend to do?" Darui asked.

"Hmph, we can't let the Sand steal all the goodies. Of course we will go in, but there is a problem." Ay said.

C and Darui immediately understood, especially after the Third Ninja War's events.

There was one person that their village had to be aware of…

The Fence Sitter Ohnoki, the Third Tsuchikage.

"That geezer from the Hidden Stone. Obviously, the Hidden Grass will do well to inform him as well." Ay said.

"This is dull…" Darui sighed as he scratched his head.

"That Geezer, I wonder what his reaction will be."

("Obviously he will choose to sit back until the events play out, But will he show up to take all the spoils at the end of it?") Ay wondered.

———————

Back in the Hidden Leaf Village.

Minato smiled as he finished tying up a bento for Naruto and himself.

"It should be about time he arrives," Minato thought as he turned to look at the clock that was hung against the wall next to the Dining table.

Minato then put his mask on and donned his ANBU robe.

"Time for work," Minato said. following which he uttered:

< Flying Thunder God Stage 2! >

Whoosh!

The next moment, Minato arrived at the office.

"Minato," Hiruzen called out without surprise.

"Good Morning, Lord Third!" Minato said.

"Good Morning indeed!" Hiruzen smiled.

"You seem to be happy," Minato said.

"Haha, take a look." Hiruzen said as he handed over the letter on his desk.

"Hmm?" Minato read through the contents.

"The sports festival will be held at the Sand Coliseum?" Minato asked.

"Yeah, I am penning down a letter to agree to it. As you have already read it, the Kazekage needs our support to save him from his Daimyō," Hiruzen smiled.

"Mm," Minato nodded.

"That isn't the only reason for your happiness, is it?" Minato asked.

"Hehe," Hiruzen laughed.

"Things have been going good for us lately. I never expected a day would come where I could to talk to another Kage informally. The credits goes to your son, of course," Hiruzen said.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Speak of the devil. I think he's here!" Hiruzen laughed.

"Come in." Hiruzen said.

The door opened as Naruto, Asuma, Kiba, Shino, Karin, Hinata, and Kurenai entered.

"Naruto, Asuma, you guys..." Hiruzen looked at the people in front of him.

"Mission Accomplished, Old Man!" Naruto smiled.

"Haha, and just in the right time. We've got news from the Sand Village. They want to host the Sports Festival over there." Hiruzen said.

"That's great to hear!" Naruto exclaimed.

Bang!

"Karin! Hinata!" Ino and Sakura called out at the same time.

"Sakura-chan…" before Karin and Hinata could say any more, Sakura ran towards them and hugged them both.

"I'm glad. You two are back…" Sakura said emotionally.

"Sakura…" Ino stared from behind, following which her expression twisted.

"Hey, I'm here too!" Ino said as she tried to let herself in between them.

Naruto stood on the sidelines and smiled as he stared at the scene.

("Maybe she should have been with them since the beginning…") Naruto thought as he looked at Karin who stood amongst them.

Hinata turned back to look at him staring at their group.

She smiled at Naruto, thankful in her heart for being a part of Naruto's existence.

Sakura and Karin also noticed her gaze.

"Naruto," Sakura called out.

"Huh?" Ino stared at Sakura.

"Thanks for saving them," Sakura said.

"…" Ino was silent as she slowly looked towards Naruto.

("What did Naruto do?") Ino thought.

"Good to see all of you here," A voice interrupted.

"Tsunade-sama," Ino, Karin, Sakura and Hinata responded.

"Welcome back, Kurenai." Tsunade said.

"Tsunade-sama," Kurenai bowed lightly towards her.

"Granny," Naruto called out.

"Naruto, thanks for bringing my cute disciples back," Tsunade said.

"Ah, it's nothing," Naruto scratched his head.

"Naruto, you should go and take a rest." Hiruzen said.

"Old Man, we already slept on our way here." Naruto said.

"I see…" Hiruzen said.

"Are you guys ready for today's lesson, or do you want to take the day off?" Tsunade asked as she faced the four girls next to her.

"We are ready!" The four responded at the same time.

Tsunade's gaze slowly moved over the girls.

("Looks like they get along very well with each other…") Tsunade thought.

"All right, then follow me." Tsunade said as she headed out.

Kiba looked at Naruto.

"Just you wait, Naruto. I will become a Jōnin and surpass you!" Kiba said as he pointed towards Naruto with his index finger.

"Woof! Woof!" Akamaru barked in support.

"If you think people will wait for you, then you are dead wrong." Naruto said.

"Huh?" Kiba stared at Naruto.

"Work hard till you can't work anymore, train till you drop, don't stop until you surpass your limits, and don't stop after that as well. As long as you do that, one day, you might surpass me." Naruto said with a thumbs up.

"…" Kiba, Shino, Kurenai, Asuma, Hiruzen, and Minato stared silently.

"Hmph, let's go Shino." Kiba said as he started to walk away…

("Kiba…") Kurenai stared as Kiba walked away.

Upon reaching the door, Kiba turned back.

"Kurenai-sensei, I want to train." Kiba suddenly said with a serious expression.

"Yes," Kurenai smiled, following which she walked out of the room along with Shino and Kiba.

Hiruzen and Minato also smiled,

"Looks like we didn't have to tell them the truth to get them to train…" Hiruzen said.

"Indeed," Minato smiled.

"I guess, I'll head over to train as well…" Naruto said.

"Ah, Naruto," Minato called out.

"What is it…," Before Naruto could complete his words, he was shocked to see a box in his dad's hands.

("Really?") Naruto questioned himself upon seeing a bento box in Minato's hands.

——————————

Root Training Grounds.

Danzō looked at two people on the ground a few meters away from him.

"What did you just say, Danzō-sama?" Sai asked as he stared at the Shin who was in front of him with an expression of despair.