"Hmm, this suggestion is good."
Tsunade nodded in agreement, her expression serious. "Kakashi, in the name of the Hokage, I order you to assemble the team and immediately head to the Sand Village for support!"
"Hokage-sama, considering the possibility that we may face the Aurora Order head-on this time," Kakashi paused briefly before continuing, "I think it's necessary to recall Team Guy as reinforcements and send them as the second batch. What do you think?"
"I will have the Anbu notify Team Guy. Once they return, they will depart immediately."
Tsunade agreed, her gaze heavy as she looked at Kakashi. "Be extremely careful, Kakashi."
This was Konoha's first chance since the Fourth Hokage's death—and the disappearance of the First, Second, and Minato—to directly confront the Aurora Order and even uncover their secrets.
No caution was too much; they had to handle this carefully.
"I will gather the other members right away, Hokage-sama."
Kakashi hurried off. The mission was urgent, and they had to reach the Sand Village as soon as possible.
Soon, at the gates of Konoha, Sakura Haruno, Neji Hyuga, and Yamato, all packed and ready, waited for Kakashi before setting off towards the Sand Village.
Half a day after Kakashi's team left, in the afternoon...
Jiraiya, his hair completely white, returned from training with Uchiha Sasuke.
Looking at the newly refreshed Konoha, Sasuke—who had grown from a girl into a young lady—smiled gently.
"We've finally returned, Jiraiya-sensei."
"Yeah, yeah. Finally, I'm free from you."
Jiraiya's expression was one of utter resignation, making it hard not to think he had been through some kind of torment.
"Sensei~"
Sasuke glanced at Jiraiya, who was teasing her. "You make it sound like I was abusing you."
"Eh," Jiraiya sighed deeply.
It wasn't exactly torture, but these past two years, Sasuke had completely drained him.
Don't get it wrong—it's literally drained.
Sasuke's talent was just too outstanding, so much that in only two short years, Jiraiya felt like he had nothing left to teach.
As the two talked, they stepped through the gates of Konoha.
After two years, it seemed Konoha had finally shaken off the shadow of the 'Third Hokage' and regained its vibrant life.
Many buildings and streets that were damaged during Konoha's collapse had been repaired over those two years, and the village was even livelier than before.
"Strange, it feels like a lot of people are missing."
Sasuke looked around the street, even using sensory ninjutsu, but didn't detect anyone familiar.
"Maybe they're out on missions."
Jiraiya didn't think it was unusual and led Sasuke towards the Hokage building.
"What? They're back?!"
Tsunade was shocked when she heard the news, slamming the table into pieces.
Nearby, Shizune sighed and covered her face. "This is already the third table this month, Lady Tsunade. Please, for my sake, can you be more careful?"
"Ah? Sorry, sorry!"
Tsunade quickly apologized, waving her hand.
At that moment, Jiraiya and Sasuke pushed open the door and saw the Hokage office in complete disorder, falling into a brief silence.
"Ahem, welcome back!"
Tsunade coughed nervously, then forced a bright smile.
"By agreement, I'm leaving this girl to you~" Jiraiya pushed Sasuke forward with a regretful look. "You have no idea how miserable these two years have been for me!"
"Lady Tsunade, we're back."
Sasuke's lips curled into a sweet smile as she tilted her head slightly and greeted Tsunade.
"Good to have you back. Good to have you back."
Tsunade showed a relieved smile, but when her gaze fell on Sasuke's forehead, it suddenly stiffened. "Your… your forehead—"
On the young girl's forehead was a pale purple, diamond-shaped mark. Her high nose bridge, thin lips, paired with those eyes like cherry blossoms, and her black hair tied up in a high ponytail gave her a look both sharp and fresh — the perfect blend of a ninja's sharpness and a woman's youthful charm.
Sasuke touched the diamond-shaped mark on her forehead and smiled. "That's right, Lady Tsunade. Just as you thought."
"You really mastered the Yin Seal?!"
Both Tsunade and Shizune were stunned.
They knew how terrifying the chakra control and amount required for the Yin Seal technique were!
When Tsunade first explained the principles of this jutsu to Sasuke, she never thought this young girl could learn it.
No matter how talented, it would normally take years of deep immersion, along with medical ninjutsu training.
If Sasuke had focused solely on medical ninjutsu and the Yin Seal, it wouldn't be so surprising to learn it in two years.
But Sasuke had been training under Jiraiya, practicing ninjutsu and taijutsu, while simultaneously studying medical ninjutsu and the Yin Seal. To master it in just two years was incredible — her talent was terrifying!
"There's more surprises yet," Jiraiya said with a sly smile, watching Tsunade and Shizune's shocked expressions.
Finally, someone could truly share in his amazement. Sasuke's talent was simply astonishing!
"More?"
Tsunade swallowed hard, stiffly turning her neck to look at Jiraiya. "What else?"
"In these two years, this child improved that 'ninjutsu,'" Jiraiya chuckled. "What exactly it is, I'm keeping secret for now. But paired with the Yin Seal, it creates a truly terrifying effect."
"How scary is it?" Tsunade obviously didn't believe him.
"Fine, then I'll show you."
Jiraiya said as he lifted his shirt, revealing the inner lining of his chainmail and a set of eight strong abdominal muscles.
However, right in the middle of his stomach was a terrifying, fierce-looking fist mark.
With Tsunade and Shizune's shocked eyes on him, he said calmly, "In my life, I've faced several life-threatening moments. One of them was when I peeped on you while you were bathing, and I nearly got beaten to death."
"Tsk."
Tsunade curled her lips in disdain.
"There was another time — Sasuke."
Jiraiya's expression grew serious as he spoke in a low voice, "This scar is from when Sasuke finished a jutsu and, to test its power, left it on me. It kept me bedridden for three whole months."
Sasuke, standing nearby, looked clearly guilty. "Sorry, Sensei. I… I couldn't control the strength at that time."
"Ouch—!"
The air in the room seemed to drop a few degrees.
Just when Tsunade and Shizune thought this was the limit, they heard Jiraiya say softly, "There's one more surprise. I almost forgot. Sasuke has already started training in 'Sage Jutsu.' At this rate, she shouldn't take long before mastering it."
Tsunade: ???
Shizune: ???
At that moment, both had the same thought deep inside.
Is this girl really human?!
What does it even mean to be a 'genius'!!!
*******
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