I, Uchiha: Split Konoha

Chapter 310 Pursuit of the Akatsuki Organization

Leaf.

"Brother Naruto, please!"

Naruto Uzumaki, who was still in bed early in the morning, was woken up by the noise. He saw Konohamaru Sarutobi, who was sitting in Shigeza, with tears in his eyes, and he was hitting the floor hard.

"Brother Naruto, the rogue ninja Asuma has appeared in the Land of Fire! Please, Brother Naruto, take me to avenge him!"

Looking at Konohamaru before him, Naruto Uzumaki asked in surprise, "Konohamaru, how did you know Asuma was in the Land of Fire?"

He didn't even know that, so how did Konohamaru know?

"Brother Naruto, it's Jonin Shikamaru. The Nara clan received the news, and Jonin Shikamaru has already gone to the Kage's office to ask for permission."

Shikamaru!

Upon hearing the name, Naruto Uzumaki was shocked, and then exclaimed, "Oh no!"

"Brother Naruto, wait for me!"

In a panic, Naruto Uzumaki ran towards the Shadow Building, with Konohamaru following closely behind.

Cinema Building.

The three Fifth Hokage—Tsunade, Mei Terumi, and Pakura—looked solemnly at the intelligence report in their hands.

"According to the news, the Fire Temple was attacked last night and no one survived. The killers are Hidan, codenamed Hokuto Kakuzu and Santai, from the Akatsuki organization."

As Tsunade spoke, Mizukage Mei Terumi picked up a piece of intelligence and teased, "I have some interesting intelligence here. Around midnight today, another member of Akatsuki entered the Land of Fire from the border area of ​​the Land of Water. Perhaps it was to provide backup, or perhaps it was some kind of conspiracy."

"The two Akatsuki members who entered the Land of Fire in the early morning were Sarutobi Asuma, codenamed Suzaku, and Tobi, the mysterious masked man from the Southern Dipper."

"Four S-rank dangerous ninjas, it seems the Akatsuki organization has big plans this time." Yekura's expression turned even more serious after hearing this information.

"Four S-rank Dangerous Ninjas are enough to cause a terrifying incident, not to mention that one of them is a mysterious ninja with the Mangekyou Sharingan and Wood Release."

After the three Fifth Hokage spoke first, Nara Shikamaru, who was kneeling on one knee below, respectfully bowed his head and said in a deep voice, "Five Hokage lords, Jonin Shikamaru is willing to take charge of the pursuit mission."

At this moment, Shikamaru's eyes, which were lowered, were filled with complex emotions, including an intense and unyielding hatred.

His trusted teacher, Asuma, dealt them the heaviest blow of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, causing them to diverge from that point on.

"The Akatsuki organization is too audacious, daring to cause trouble within the Land of Fire."

The Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, was filled with rage. Although they knew that they had secretly joined forces with the Akatsuki, her actions were too much. If they didn't retaliate, they would be truly underestimated.

"Immediately notify Kakashi Hatake, Itachi Uchiha, and Kisame Hoshigaki to lead their respective teams, Team 7!"

However, before Tsunade could finish speaking, Naruto Uzumaki pushed open the Hokage's door and shouted excitedly before even entering, "How can Shikamaru chase after Asuma alone? I have to go!"

Seeing Naruto Uzumaki's loud and disrespectful behavior, Tsunade's face showed a hint of anger.

"Naruto Uzumaki! You've gone too far! You think you can just barge into the Kage's office like that? You've completely disgraced your father, the Fourth Hokage."

As soon as he entered, he was met with Tsunade's angry rebuke. The impulsive Naruto wanted to argue back, but then he realized that he had acted rashly.

He has grown to some extent over the past three years. Jiraiya spoiled him, but others did not.

Therefore, Naruto Uzumaki looked at the casually pushed-open door and felt frustrated, but in the end, he didn't say anything.

After all, Tsunade used the Fourth Hokage as a pretext to reprimand him.

"Jonin Temari requests an audience!"

However, at that moment, although the door to the Shadow Gate was open, Temari appeared and stood respectfully outside the gate, looking down at her toes, speaking respectfully.

Without comparison, there's no way to appreciate the difference. One person walks in without a care, treating the place like their own home. The other, even with the front door open, politely announces their arrival at the entrance.

The difference was obvious, which made Naruto Uzumaki even more embarrassed.

"Enter."

In contrast, Tsunade's cold expression finally softened, and Temari, carrying a large fan on her back, walked in respectfully.

"Hokage, Mizukage, and Kazekage, Jonin Temari requests to join the team pursuing the Akatsuki!"

Upon entering, Temari respectfully requested permission, her straightforward personality revealing her true intentions without any pretense.

The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, lost her father to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. She could no longer avenge her father, as the Third Hokage was gone. However, she would never let the Third Hokage's son, Asuma Sarutobi, get away with it if given the chance.

Seeing this, Naruto quickly nodded, "Naruto Uzumaki also requests to join the task force pursuing the Akatsuki."

Just then, Sarutobi Konohamaru also rushed over. Like Naruto, he treated the Kage's office building like his own home, walking in and shouting, "Genin Konohamaru requests to join the pursuit team!"

Seeing this, both Mizukage Mei Terumi and Kazekage Pakura narrowed their eyes, showing their dissatisfaction with the situation, while Tsunade, as Hokage, was even more furious.

"Naruto Uzumaki! Konohamaru Sarutobi! Do you really think the Hokage Building is your own home? Or do you still believe this is the decadent era of the Third Hokage?!"

This time, Tsunade, who was truly enraged, did not show her anger. Instead, her expression gradually turned cold, and she stared at the two of them with a chilling gaze.

Konohamaru was somewhat intimidated upon seeing this, but his long-standing temper was not so easy to change, especially back when his grandfather was still alive. He could come to the Hokage Tower whenever he wanted.

"Brother Naruto."

In the end, Konohamaru found his boss, and when Naruto saw this, he protected Konohamaru behind him.

"I will protect Konohamaru!"

Reckless and willful!

At this moment, Tsunade was truly disappointed in Naruto Uzumaki. This kind of personality was entirely due to Jiraiya's favoritism, and he thought that others would be the same.

"Immediately notify Kakashi Hatake, Itachi Uchiha, and Kisame Hoshigaki to form a temporary pursuit team. The members will be chosen by them."

"Yes!" A member of the secret service appeared and nodded respectfully.

After giving the order, Tsunade turned cold and ignored everyone. The quick-witted Temari immediately realized what was happening and respectfully said, "I'll take my leave now."

Temari went straight to find her younger brother Gaara after leaving the group. After all, Kakashi Hatake was leading the team this time, and as a member of Team 7, Gaara's strength naturally qualified him to join as well.

Konoha Village.

Upon receiving the order, Kakashi immediately became serious, as every member of the Akatsuki was an S-rank dangerous ninja.

Being marked as an S-rank danger level ninja means that the opponent's strength is already enough to threaten the existence of a Kage, or that they have reached the mark of a Kage-level powerhouse.

"Immediately assemble Class 7."

Fifteen minutes later, outside the gates of Konoha.

Kisame Hoshigaki, carrying Samehada on his back, grinned. "I never thought I'd be able to go on this mission with Itachi-san."

Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki were teammates in their previous lives, and they are the same in this one.

Uchiha Itachi nodded slightly. "Yes, this time Kakashi is leading the team."

"Brother Itachi, Senior Kisame."

Sasuke Uchiha, who had just arrived, first greeted his brother, and then nodded respectfully to Kisame.

In less than five minutes, the assembled pursuit team members had gathered.

Uchiha Sasuke, Gaara, Haruno Sakura, Uzumaki Naruto, Temari, Nara Shikamaru, and a little genin named Konohamaru.

When Kakashi Hatake saw Konohamaru hiding behind Naruto, he frowned. "Naruto, this operation is extremely dangerous."

The implication is that even I can't guarantee anything, and yet you're still carrying a burden?

However, the hot-blooded Naruto Uzumaki grinned at everyone and said, "Don't worry, I'll protect Konohamaru."

Although Naruto is passionate, he sometimes doesn't consider other people's feelings.

For example, in the original work, he was determined to bring Sasuke back, and he put those around him in danger many times. Should others go with him?

"Heh, Mr. Itachi, I didn't expect there to be such a ninja in the village."

Kisame Hoshigaki grinned cruelly, his eyes gleaming with bloodlust as he said, "It seems that those who haven't experienced the burdens of life will not only cause the mission to fail, but will also cause the entire team to pay a heavy price."

After saying this, Kisame Hoshigaki looked at Kakashi. Although Kakashi was the captain this time, he would never allow such a person to exist.

Knowing that the other person is a burden, yet still bringing them along—that's the captain's problem.

Kisame Hoshigaki is a pure ninja with a very simple mindset.

Kakashi Hatake naturally saw this as well, and frowned, saying coldly, "Naruto, it seems that letting you graduate from the Ninja Academy was a mistake. You don't even understand such a simple principle."

"Hehe, three people per team, perfect." At this moment, Kisame Hoshigaki completely ignored Konohamaru Sarutobi and calmly stated the team allocation plan.

Kakashi nodded and said in a deep voice, "Yes, Team Guy has completed their mission and happens to be nearby. I have already sent a message via hawk, and each squad will be responsible for one Akatsuki member."

During the conversation, Sasuke Uchiha nodded calmly, "I am skilled in Lightning Release and Fire Release, so it's perfect for me to be on a team with Itachi-nii."

Sakura nodded quickly after hearing this and said, "I'll team up with Sasuke."

Kisame Hoshigaki smiled and nodded, saying, "Of the four Akatsuki members, I am skilled in Water Release, which is perfect for countering Asuma Sarutobi's Fire Release."

Upon hearing that Kisame Hoshigaki was in charge of Asuma, Temari and Shikamaru Nara immediately declared in unison, "We're on Kisame-senpai's team."

Kisame Hoshigaki smiled with amusement at this scene, but Temari glanced at Shikamaru to the side and gave a cold laugh.

Shikamaru was also in a hurry this time. His enthusiasm for targeting Asuma was, in essence, to completely sever all ties and prove the Nara clan's determination to the village.

"Alright, let's set off. This time, the main purpose is to keep the masked man, Tobi, in check. Konoha has a blood feud with him, and Itachi and I will take care of him."

This is the primary objective, and Kisame's wide-range ninjutsu is not very effective against space-time ninjutsu.

Kakashi gave the order to everyone and they set off.

However, Naruto Uzumaki felt a tremor in his heart when he saw Sarutobi Konohamaru's determined gaze, but when he saw the indifferent looks from everyone else, he could only sigh helplessly.

"Konohamaru, wait patiently in the village."

After saying that, the figures of the group at the Konoha gate disappeared, leaving Sarutobi Konohamaru alone with his head down, his mood low.

When the figures in the distant forest could no longer be seen, Sarutobi Konohamaru raised his head, revealing a hateful gaze as he stared resentfully at the departing figures.

"I am an Avenger. I lived for revenge, and I will give up everything for it!"

Under the gaze of hatred, Konohamaru now resembles Sasuke Uchiha from the original story. Both are avengers, and they are willing to give up everything for revenge.

However, the difference is that Uchiha Sasuke is the reincarnation of Indra and has the protagonist's halo, so what does Konohamaru have? The Third Hokage's grandfather has long passed away, and the huge Sarutobi clan has disappeared.

The remaining Sarutobi families abandoned their former clans, and some even gave up the Sarutobi surname to avoid hatred.

The Sarutobi clan has long since disappeared into the annals of history.

Within the Land of Fire.

A figure dressed in a black robe with red clouds appeared, and beneath mysterious purple circles around his eyes, Pain, the leader of the Akatsuki organization, actually came out in person.

All six Paths of Pain made their appearance, along with Nagato's main body and Konan behind them.

Both of them were filled with solemnity at this moment.

"Is this all the fuss about?"

Nagato suddenly contacted him, wanting to ambush and deal with the mysterious masked man. Uchiha Yoru was somewhat surprised, but thinking about it, it made sense.

When they discover that everything they've done is a conspiracy, they naturally want to investigate, and the mysterious person who initially claimed to be Uchiha Madara is the most suspicious.

Now that Nagato possesses the power to change the landscape of the ninja world, even if he's in a good mood, he'll still be unhappy, so how could he possibly hold back?

"Mr. Ye, this person also has a blood feud with Konoha. How about we cooperate to eliminate him first?"

Looking at Nagato, who was filled with murderous intent, Uchiha Yoru shook his head and sighed, "If it were before, I would have agreed, but now I think you should reconsider."

Why?

If it were anyone else, Nagato would have already bestowed upon them a Shinra Tensei, but he still held Uchiha Yoru in high esteem.

Even Xiao Nan couldn't help but frown and say in a deep voice, "I have already found out the information about the mysterious masked man. His ability to become intangible can only last for five minutes at most. If we work together and make arrangements, it will be enough to kill him."

Good heavens, seeing Konan unable to resist revealing murderous intent, Uchiha Yoru was truly speechless and couldn't help but shake his head.

"Because I've discovered the masked man's identity. He's probably a puppet being pushed out, and there's someone else behind the scenes."

"What!" Nagato and Konan were shocked. They knew that this masked man was already difficult to deal with, and he had deceived them for so many years. There was actually someone behind him.

"I can only say that this person's identity is ridiculous and unbelievable, but I have solid evidence."

"Based on this person's identity, Nagato, you already possessed the Rinnegan at that time, so there was someone behind it all."

As for Obito Uchiha, Yoru Uchiha, with his eyes narrowed, didn't want to alert him so early. Besides, he still wanted to use Obito to collect the nine tailed beasts and start the Fourth Shinobi World War.

Moreover, now that Obito has been eliminated, who knows how many more years it will take for Black Zetsu to hide away.

This book is expected to be completed by the end of this month, or around the middle of next month.

(End of this chapter)