After learning of Chinya's conditional approval for him to leave Otogakure to seek his fortune, Uzumaki Sōnagi happily hugged Chinya.
Chinya said sternly to Uzumaki Sōnagi, "I haven't agreed yet. I'm just giving you an opportunity. If you don't pass my trial, I still won't approve."
Uzumaki Sōnagi energetically replied, "Dad, tell me already! What kind of trial is it?"
Chinya explained, "Next, I'll take you to Konoha. Orochimaru already plans to help Hiruzen Sarutobi complete his final journey. There will definitely be a battle then. Your performance during the fight will determine everything.
Your evaluation won't be based solely on strength—it will be a comprehensive assessment. Let me put it this way—if you win but fail our comprehensive evaluation, you still won't pass the trial."
Kushina Uzumaki asked in shock, "Is Orochimaru really going after Hiruzen Sarutobi?"
Chinya answered, "Yes, I think Miyuki probably told you too. Minato Namikaze has awoken. Actually, Orochimaru does have some feelings for Hiruzen Sarutobi. If Hiruzen were to decide to return the Hokage position to Minato Namikaze, Orochimaru wouldn't raise his hand against him. He'd let him live out his remaining years peacefully since Hiruzen is already very old.
But right now, Hiruzen is clinging to the power of the Hokage position. That's completely disappointed Orochimaru. He's decided to send him off one last time and allow him to die as a hero.
Orochimaru already has a plan. Two days from now, we'll depart for Sunagakure to assassinate Kazekage Rasa. Then Orochimaru will disguise himself as Rasa to manipulate Sunagakure into attacking Konoha.
This way, the conflict will involve Orochimaru, Sunagakure, and Konoha. Our village won't get dragged into it."
Kushina Uzumaki echoed Orochimaru's worry.
Kushina Uzumaki worried, "If Sōnagi's Thunder Breathing gets recognized, won't your activities in Otogakure also be exposed?"
Before Chinya could answer, Uzumaki Sōnagi hurriedly said, "I don't have to use Thunder Breathing!"
Chinya nodded and continued speaking to Kushina Uzumaki, "Exactly. One of the rules of this trial is that Sōnagi must not use Thunder Breathing. Even if he really gets exposed, I will intervene personally and come up with some excuse—for example, I intercepted an Otogakure team participating in the exams and came here to assist Orochimaru's invasion of Konoha. That should be enough to cover things up. No need to worry.
If Sōnagi passes this trial, I'll agree to let him make his mark across the Shinobi World together with Kimimaro and the others. But if he fails, he'll have to remain obediently in Rice Country until he passes the trial. Then he may leave. Kushina Uzumaki, what do you think?"
After a long silence, Kushina Uzumaki sighed, "You've already made your decision. What else can I say?"
Uzumaki Sōnagi sat beside Kushina Uzumaki and rested his head on her arm affectionately, saying, "Don't worry, Mom. I'll contact you every day using the ring to report how I'm doing."
Kushina Uzumaki shot Sōnagi Uzumaki a sidelong glance. "I hope you keep your word. If you pull the same disappearing act like before—sneaking out of the Rice Country and going silent—I'll drag you back here myself, with your father in tow!"
Sōnagi quickly reassured her, "I promise—I won't disappear on you like that ever again!"
Chinya yawned and stretched, then said, "Alright, Sōnagi, start getting ready. Once Orochimaru-sensei and I get back from Sunagakure, we head straight to Konoha."
At that moment, Sōnagi felt a surge of excitement and silently vowed to prove himself and pass Chinya's test.
The next day.
Chinya went to the leader's building and found Yahiko.
Yahiko shot Chinya a disapproving look. "Let me guess," he began, "you're here to tell me about your plans with Orochimaru to stir up trouble in Konoha?"
Chinya smirked. "So Orochimaru-sensei already filled you in—no need for me to repeat it."
Yahiko grumbled, "What the hell! You two just casually decide to cause chaos—you even plan to assassinate the Kazekage from Sunagakure and the Hokage from Konoha. Aren't you worried about sparking another massive war across the Shinobi World?"
Chinya chuckled. "No need to worry. Whoever ends up as Kazekage in that dump called Sunagakure doesn't really matter—it won't affect much. As for Konoha, now that Minato Namikaze is awake and Hiruzen Sarutobi is dead, Minato can simply take over as Hokage. Everything stays stable. So no, none of that 'massive chaos' you're imagining will actually happen."
Yahiko muttered, "I was originally planning to just send some random genin to go through the motions… Whatever. Who are the three people you're bringing to Konoha? Besides Sōnagi, who else?"
Chinya asked, "Who did Orochimaru-sensei bring along?"
Yahiko answered, "Kidomaru, Sakon Ukon, and Tayuya. Jirobo's tagging along too, pretending to be a spectator tourist. Orochimaru apparently wants them all to activate the Four-Corner Sealing Barrier together when the time comes."
Chinya thought for a moment, then said, "Since four members of the Sound Ninja Seven are already involved, besides Sōnagi, I'll bring Kimimaro and Jugo. Even if Orochimaru-sensei didn't plan to include them, I was determined to have them come along anyway."
Yahiko nodded understandingly and warned him, "Got it. Listen—if things go south, immediately cut ties with the village. We can't handle this kind of pressure. The thought of both Sunagakure and Konoha coming after us gives me a headache already."
"Don't worry. The village won't get dragged into this. Anyway, you stay busy. I'm off. Tomorrow, I need to head to Sunagakure with Orochimaru-sensei. I still have preparations to make."
"Watch your back. Don't blow it—they're a Kage after all."
"Yeah, I will."
Chinya gave Yahiko a nod before turning and leaving the leader's building.
The following morning.
Chinya, Orochimaru, and Kabuto Yakushi met at the entrance of Otogakure before heading toward Sunagakure together.
...
A few days later.
Thanks to Tazuna and his crew working around the clock, the bridge spanning the Land of Waves was finally completed.
This bridge was called the Bridge of Hope, standing as a symbol of the Land of Waves' dreams for a brighter future.
With the bridge completed, Team Kakashi's mission officially ended, and they began their journey back to Konoha.
On the way home, Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura occasionally cast puzzled glances at Naruto Uzumaki beside them.
Most of the time, Naruto stayed expressionless, but every now and then, you could clearly tell he was happy.
They sensed those joyful moments whenever Naruto had just spoken to Uzumaki Miyuki—it naturally lifted his mood.
But sometimes—like now—you could practically feel how awful his mood was.
The reason for Naruto's sour mood was obvious—he'd have to face the one person he never wanted to see again once he got back to Konoha: Minato Namikaze.
And on top of that, he had to pretend to obey Minato Namikaze just like he did with Hiruzen Sarutobi—putting on a front while secretly resisting.
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