Chinya and Kabuto Yakushi returned to Otogakure Village.
Chinya first met with Yahiko at the leader's headquarters, informing him that Orochimaru had killed Rasa and infiltrated Sunagakure.
Yahiko nodded and said, "The Chunin Exams will begin in two weeks. I've already sent the list to Konoha. Your names—yours, Orochimaru's, and Sōnagi's—are all aliases, so don't blow your cover. You can depart in a week."
"Alright, I understand. Then I'll be going now."
Chinya had originally intended to visit Kushina Uzumaki, but suddenly the ring on his finger glowed. Judging from the glow's color, it was Kakashi contacting him.
Chinya found an empty room inside the leader's headquarters and established a connection.
"Kakashi, what's up?"
Kakashi was currently inside Konoha's archive room: "Regarding those two mysterious ninjas—one tall, one small—who wore spiral-patterned masks and attacked Hidden Hot Water Village, I've reviewed the mission reports. Konoha did investigate this incident. After attacking Hidden Hot Water Village, they also launched attacks on Star Village in the Country of Bears.
Moreover, according to the descriptions in these reports, both have the Sharingan."
Chinya frowned slightly: "Both have the Sharingan?"
A spiral-patterned mask and a Sharingan—it all pointed straight to Obito Uchiha.
After all, the signature mark of Tobi—the masked man who later became known as the Masked Man—is that spiral-patterned mask.
Kakashi answered, "Yes, definitely both have the Sharingan. Since this involves the Sharingan, the matter was classified as confidential. However, the targets are extremely elusive. Despite the attacks, no casualties were reported in the targeted villages, so their true objective remains unknown."
After pondering briefly, Chinya asked, "Kakashi, has anyone from the Uchiha clan in Konoha gone missing—someone who survived the Uchiha massacre?"
Kakashi thought for a moment before replying, "Actually, there is someone named Yoshihiko Uchiha. Before the proposal of using cursed seals to control the Uchiha clan, most of the clan accepted the measure, but nine members refused.
Among them, eight couldn't endure isolation any longer and eventually agreed to accept the cursed seal. But this Yoshihiko Uchiha absolutely refused to accept the cursed seal.
The day the other eight Uchiha received the cursed seal, Yoshihiko suddenly vanished. I was even assigned to search for Yoshihiko Uchiha, yet I found no trace of him whatsoever—as if he'd completely disappeared from the world."
Upon hearing Kakashi's explanation, Chinya fell into deep thought.
A spiral-patterned mask and a Sharingan—it matched Obito's characteristics too closely, or rather, it appeared to imitate Obito.
And Obito's [Kamui] technique could indeed make a grown man vanish without a trace.
Kakashi inquired, "Teacher, do you think the taller figure among those two might be Yoshihiko Uchiha?"
Right. "I'm only suspicious of that possibility. What about Jigen? Any leads?"
"No, there's practically no info. No place to start. I don't even know where to begin."
"Alright, I'm also trying to track down members of the Akatsuki Organization. Once I have more intelligence, I'll let you know. How are Minato Namikaze and Naruto Uzumaki doing?" Chinya wanted to know how Minato Namikaze and Naruto Uzumaki were doing.
Kakashi replied, "He's teaching Naruto how to train. He doesn't seem to have any idea what he's doing."
Chinya chuckled lightly, "Hmph, still hasn't improved at all. He's nothing but Hiruzen Sarutobi's puppet on a string."
Kakashi then said, "By the way, sensei, there's one more thing I think I should mention in advance. Neji is almost ready. He's now deciding whether to bring his clansmen to leave with you when you come to Konoha. I think Neji will take this chance to go with you, so be ready just in case."
Chinya said with a smile, "I understand. Neji chose a great opportunity. With Sunagakure Village covering for us, once we take him and hide in Otogakure, no one will find out."
"I don't have anything else to report. Then let's leave it at that, teacher. See you next time in Konoha."
"Okay."
After ending the communication, Kakashi put the scrolls back where they belonged.
After Kakashi left, he prepared to head to the bookstore.
Although Kakashi had no particular feelings for Jiraiya as a ninja, Jiraiya's [Make Out Paradise] was actually quite good.
Just as Kakashi was about to reach the bookstore, a figure appeared and stood before him.
"Zasuke? Do you want something?"
Standing in front of Kakashi was Sasuke Uchiha.
"Kakashi-sensei, can we talk privately?"
Kakashi glanced toward the bookstore, then turned his gaze to Sasuke. Eventually, reason overpowered desire, and he followed Sasuke to a small forested area.
Leaning against a tree trunk, Kakashi asked, "So, what did you want to talk to me about, Sasuke?"
Looking up at Kakashi, Sasuke Uchiha asked, "Kakashi-sensei, can you teach me how to train?"
Kakashi agreed readily, "Of course I can teach you how to train. Here's the plan: come find me tomorrow, and I'll teach you the advanced version of Tree-walking—Water-walking."
Sasuke Uchiha shook his head, "I've already learned Water-walking. By controlling chakra more precisely and concentrating it on my feet, I can stand on water."
Kakashi asked doubtfully, "Then do you want me to teach you ninjutsu? The Fire Release techniques from the Uchiha clan should be plenty for you to learn. As for genjutsu, you're an Uchiha yourself, so you don't need me for that. Are you looking for training in taijutsu then? That I could indeed teach you."
Sasuke Uchiha shook his head again, "Kakashi-sensei, can you teach me your [Thunder Breathing] technique?"
Kakashi still agreed immediately, "[Thunder Breathing], huh? Yeah, sure. Tomorrow I'll give you a scroll recording all the sword forms of Thunder Breathing. All the training methods are clearly explained on the scroll. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."
Sasuke Uchiha fixed his gaze on Kakashi. "Kakashi-sensei, the Thunder Breathing Sword Techniques I want to learn are not those practiced by others—it's your Thunder Breathing Sword Techniques that I desire. I've seen Naruto practicing Wind-Style Sword Techniques before, and I believe yours and those are of the same nature.
Other ninja may use Thunder Breathing, but I'm sure theirs don't compare to yours. What I truly seek is the Full Sword Forms of Thunder Breathing."
At this moment, a deep sense of urgency gripped Sasuke's heart.
This pressure did not come from Itachi Uchiha, but rather from Naruto Uzumaki.
Originally, Sasuke had wanted to go train together with Naruto, but he discovered that Konoha's resurrected Fourth Hokage—Minato Namikaze—was personally guiding Naruto's training.
Though he didn't understand why Minato was instructing Naruto, there was one thing Sasuke could be sure of:
Under Minato's guidance, the gap between him and Naruto would only widen further and further.
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