While the Akatsuki members were busy gossiping, Sakura and her group were feeling pretty bored elsewhere.
"Not even one lousy enemy? Come on!" Naruto kept turning his head, scanning around in hopes that someone would pop out so he could get some action.
"Isn't it better without any enemies?" Sakura paused from doodling and said, "If we can keep things peaceful all the way, we'll save a lot of energy!"
"That's true, but if there's not even a little excitement along the way, this mission's just too easy!" Naruto sighed. "I was really hoping for something awesome this time!"
"Well guess what—here comes the excitement!"
Sakura shot an exasperated glance at a puddle up ahead on the road. Zabuza's two henchmen must've been missing a few brain cells to turn into a puddle on such a bright, sunny day. Anyone with half a brain could see something was off.
"Huh?" Naruto, who had looked puzzled, suddenly changed expression. His eyes narrowed suspiciously at the puddle.
"What idiots!" Sasuke opened his eyes, revealing three swirling black tomoe patterns within them.
As the group prepared to leap past the puddle, it suddenly began churning violently. Two heavily wrapped ninja burst out, hurling chains straight at Kakashi.
"Trouble again. Why am I always the first target?"
Kakashi sighed but didn't take his eyes off his book. As the Demon Brothers confidently pulled the chain tight around him, preparing to crush him, a sudden flash of lightning erupted.
"The first one."
Electricity surged through the chain and into the Demon Brothers. For a brief moment, Sakura and the others swore they smelled something like grilled meat hanging in the air.
[Rasengan] [Chidori]
As the Demon Brothers convulsed from the shock, Naruto and Sasuke struck simultaneously. A Rasengan and Chidori smashed into each opponent, instantly knocking both brothers unconscious.
"That was so weak!" Naruto complained. He had expected those two to be much stronger. Getting knocked out in one hit? Totally lame!
"Mist Village rogue ninja known as the Demon Brothers—just a pair of average Chunin," Kakashi said, glancing slightly frowning at their bodies on the ground. "Never thought we'd run into ninja from Mist Village. This complicates things."
"Do Mist ninja really have strong power?" Naruto asked curiously.
"Mist ninja aren't necessarily the strongest," Kakashi replied, "but what matters most is their attitude toward missions—they'll stop at nothing to finish a job—even if it kills 'em. Fighting people like that will definitely bring us trouble."
"Heh, bring it on! Let 'em all come if they want!"
Sasuke gave a contemptuous snort, his eyes burning with deeper crimson.
"I mean, you've just awakened your Three-Tomoe Sharingan and already think you're all that?" Sakura glanced at him. "If I gave you the Mangekyō Sharingan, would you literally fly to heaven?"
"Putting that aside for now," Kakashi cut in, curious, "how exactly did Sasuke awaken his Three-Tomoe Sharingan? Normally the Sharingan awakens or evolves after experiencing some intense emotional stimulus. But recently Sasuke has only been doing simple D-rank missions. What kind of shocking experience could he have had?!"
"Hmph!" Sasuke stiffened, letting out another cold grunt before closing his eyes and sitting silently to one side with an icy demeanor.
"What's wrong with him?" Kakashi looked genuinely confused.
"Nothing serious, just having an existential crisis," Sakura waved her hand casually as she explained. "I helped him unlock his Three-Tomoe Sharingan. I cast a Genjutsu on him showing... well, let's just say he caught Itachi and Shisui in a compromising situation. The shock was so intense that he still hasn't regained his senses."
"Itachi and Shisui... in a compromising situation?!" Kakashi nearly dropped his Make-Out Tactics book in shock. This was truly unheard of - definitely the most surprising Sharingan evolution story he'd ever heard.
Sasuke sat nearby with a gloomy expression, radiating ominous vibes. The illusion still replayed constantly in his mind, making him feel betrayed every moment.
"Actually," Kakashi turned his attention to Dazuna, "don't you owe us an explanation? These two clearly came after you specifically. According to protocol, C-rank missions shouldn't involve enemy ninja. Don't you fear Konoha's punishment for misrepresenting this mission's rank?"
"I didn't do it on purpose!" Dazuna trembled slightly while stammering his explanation. "The Land of Waves simply doesn't have any money anymore! An extremely terrifying man has taken control over our country, leaving us completely broke. I barely escaped with my life and made it all the way to Konoha to beg for protection. A C-rank mission was the most we could afford!"
"Then where does your daily alcohol come from?" Sakura eyed the bottle hanging at Dazuna's waist. If their budget only stretched far enough for a C-rank mission, how could he afford daily drinking?
"Well..." Dazuna hesitated, unable to answer immediately. Truth is, the original payment should have covered a B-rank mission, but he'd spent part of it on alcohol first. When funds ran short, he intentionally requested a C-rank mission specifically to attract newly graduated Genin teams - thus getting a Jonin-level bodyguard practically for free.
"The 'terrifying' person you mentioned," Kakashi pressed further, "who exactly is he?"
"Gato," Dazuna wiped tears from his face. "I barely escaped from his pursuers. While he appears to be an ordinary businessman, behind the scenes Gato collaborates with yakuza-style crime syndicates, effectively controlling our entire national economy. My plan to build a bridge linking the Land of Waves to the mainland threatens his stranglehold on our economy."
Dazuna began sobbing openly. "We had absolutely no other options left. I devised this plan hoping you could protect me while I complete construction of the bridge - our people's final hope for liberation."
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