I'm in Konoha, and I started with Ashura Chakra.

Chapter 114 Naruto Returns, Three-Tails Revived

"Cheers——"

Nighttime, inside Tsunade's mansion.

At a long dining table laden with delicacies, Yagyu and the other girls clinked glasses, reuniting after a long time.

Since growing up, Yagyu has remained inseparable from Hinata, but has spent little time with Sakura and Ino.

After all, none of them had become Jonin capable of standing on their own yet, and Team 7 and Team 10 had not yet disbanded.

Unless they get married and choose to be housewives, they must go out to work and earn money.

For example, Ino isn't here right now.

So every time he returned, even without Tsunade organizing it, Yagyu would gather the women together.

After clinking glasses, Liu Sheng and his companions began to eat and chat.

With Kurenai Yuhi absent, Tsunade forcibly dragged Shizune along for a few drinks.

Hinata and Yakumo Kurama, being elegant young ladies, were quietly eating their meal.

Only Yagyu, Sakura, and Hanabi were chatting about the interesting things that had happened during this time. Then they tried to find topics to bring Hinata and Kurama Yakumo into the conversation, and the atmosphere quickly became lively.

Even though they are adults, Tsunade and Shizune occasionally get involved in conversations with young people.

After a few drinks, Tsunade, whose face was already flushed, suddenly said, "By the way, Jiraiya sent a message back; he and Naruto are on their way back."

"They should be back in Konoha in a few days."

"Really?"

Sakura's beautiful eyes lit up immediately, and she asked, "Does that mean Team 7 is going to be restarted?"

"Um."

Tsunade nodded, her expression grave, and said, "Orochimaru will be reincarnated again soon. Your Team 7 will be facing the murderer who killed the Third Hokage."

Upon hearing this, Sakura's expression immediately turned serious.

Memories from three years ago resurfaced in my mind: the helplessness and despair I felt when facing Orochimaru, who was disguised as a Grass Ninja, during the Chunin Exams.

But unlike the fear she felt back then, Sakura, now completely transformed, said with a resolute expression, "We won't let Orochimaru succeed. We will definitely bring Sasuke back."

"Let me know if you need any help."

"I'm smiling," said Yagyu.

He didn't tell Sakura and the others that Orochimaru had already been reincarnated, and that Sasuke Uchiha had left as a victor.

At the same time, Liu Sheng was secretly shaking his head in his heart.

Apart from Kakashi Hatake, neither Naruto nor Sakura could understand or comprehend Sasuke Uchiha in his current state.

One was born without parents, while the other had both parents alive.

They had never experienced the pain of Sasuke Uchiha losing his family and clan, nor the hatred he felt for Itachi Uchiha.

If you can't feel or understand, you're not qualified to advise Uchiha Sasuke.

Even if they find Sasuke Uchiha, Sasuke Uchiha will not come back with them.

Only by experiencing such pain can one understand Sasuke Uchiha's feelings and be qualified to pull him back.

That's why, in the original story, Naruto disappointed Sasuke during the Tenchi Bridge incident, even to the point of wanting to completely sever his bond with Naruto.

After Naruto lost Jiraiya and nearly turned to the dark side, he finally let go of his hatred and fully awakened his talk-no-jutsu, only then was he qualified to return to Sasuke Uchiha.

It is no exaggeration to say that Naruto's ability to become a hero of Konoha, a savior of the ninja world, and the Seventh Hokage was all thanks to Jiraiya's sacrifice.

If Jiraiya hadn't died, Yagyu would have been very curious whether Naruto could have brought Sasuke Uchiha back.

"Um!"

Sakura, of course, had no idea what Yagyu was thinking.

Hearing Liu Sheng's words, her confidence instantly soared.

With Yagyu as their backing, Team 7 will definitely be able to bring Sasuke back this time!

------

Five days later.

At 12:30 PM, at the gates of Konoha.

Few people were coming and going from Konoha today. It was Izumo Kamizuki and Tetsuo Koko's turn to be on duty, and they were yawning in the duty room.

At that moment, two figures suddenly passed by the duty room and entered Konoha without registering.

"That...that is..."

Slightly startled, Izumo and Kotetsu instinctively rushed out of the duty room to stop the two figures.

However, upon seeing one of the familiar figures from behind, the two suddenly looked at each other, both able to see the surprise in each other's eyes.

Clearly, they all recognized the two figures.

After nearly three years, Jiraiya and Naruto finally returned.

really……

Not long after completing an S-rank mission and officially entering vacation mode, Yagyu, who was guiding Kurama Yakumo and Hanabi, who were eager to become stronger, in a deserted training ground, received news of Jiraiya and Naruto's return.

Liu Sheng did not go to see them, but smiled slightly, his eyes full of expectation.

The return of the Chosen One means that Shippuden will begin very soon.

The millennia-old game of chess is about to enter its most intense phase.

------

In the Ninja World, there is a huge lake that connects to the sea.

It was midday, yet the area was shrouded in white mist, surrounded by pristine natural scenery.

A giant pitcher plant suddenly sprouted from the top of a towering tree that would take more than ten people to encircle.

Looking down at the enormous lake, White Zetsu laughed, "The chakra is already gathering, and the fluctuations are getting bigger and bigger."

"Um."

Black Zetsu said calmly, "In a few more months, the Three-Tails should be able to fully revive."

"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki should have returned to Konoha by now."

White Zetsu said slowly, "Now that the jinchūriki and positions of the nine tailed beasts have been determined, we should be able to start planning at the beginning of next year."

"At this rate, we might not have to wait until next year."

"Let's go back first and tell 'Lord Madara' and Payne this news."

Soon, the pitcher plant disappeared again.

Meanwhile, at the easternmost edge of the Land of Fire, on the sea, in the Land of Waves, which is closest to the land, three uninvited guests also appeared.

"Sasuke, you're not lying to me, are you?"

Arriving in the Land of Waves via the Naruto Bridge, Hozuki Suigetsu, hands behind his head, looked at Uchiha Sasuke, who walked in the middle of the three—handsome, aloof, and attracting the attention of many women—and asked curiously, "Is the Executioner's Blade, one of the Seven Ninja Swords of Kirigakure, really in this remote little country?"

"If it hasn't been taken, then it's here."

Sasuke Uchiha said expressionlessly, then added with a mysterious confidence, "It doesn't matter if it's taken away. Itachi Uchiha's partner is also one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. As long as you kill him, his ninja sword will be yours."

"Hey……"

Hozuki Suigetsu grinned, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth, and said with a mysterious confidence, "Kisame Hoshigaki, the wielder of the greatsword Samehada, I really want to cut off his hands, feet, and head!"

As if sensing Hozuki Suigetsu's bloodlust, Uchiha Sasuke finally frowned slightly and warned, "Remember our agreement, you are not allowed to kill indiscriminately."

"Yes, yes..."

(End of this chapter)