As dusk approached, in Konoha Village, Naruto and Sai were transporting the last of the supplies to be relocated.
Since Danzo's death, all Root Anbu ninjas had been reorganized and integrated into the main Anbu, now under Kakashi's leadership and command.
Even the tongue curse seal that once bound them had vanished.
Sai was now truly free.
Of course, other ninjas accustomed to Root's dark and bloody lifestyle might need time to adjust.
Blending with Naruto and the others as easily as Sai did was difficult for them.
"Naruto, based on the timeline, Akatsuki should be arriving soon, right?"
"Hmm, I know."
"If Sasuke is among them, you…"
"I won't let Sasuke harm the village!"
"I know. But Shikamaru spoke to me. He said if Sasuke does show up, he hopes we handle him. It'd be better for you and the village."
Sai cautiously offered his suggestion.
They all worried that if Naruto faced Sasuke again, an unavoidable tragedy would unfold.
Whether Naruto killed Sasuke or Sasuke killed Naruto, both outcomes were hard to accept. The best approach was to let others deal with Sasuke.
Shikamaru even approached Rock Lee, asking him to consult Might Guy, hoping if they encountered Sasuke, Guy could kick him to death on the spot!
This would prevent any potential tragedy.
And Guy agreed.
He vowed that if he saw Sasuke killing Konoha ninjas, he'd unleash his full power to kill the traitor!
"No way! You guys aren't a match for Sasuke. He'll kill you!"
Naruto reacted, immediately rejecting the idea.
"If Konoha ninjas—or we—die by Sasuke's hand, what will you do, Naruto?"
"I don't know… If that really happens, I… I won't let Sasuke get away!"
Naruto felt a piercing pain in his heart, recalling moments with Sasuke—training together, Sasuke protecting him from steel needles…
The bond between him and Sasuke was innate, nurtured step by step.
Sasuke was an irreplaceable best friend in Naruto's heart.
But if Sasuke truly harmed his other friends, Naruto couldn't let him destroy Konoha Village!
In his heart, Naruto was even prepared to die with Sasuke!
Killing Sasuke and then himself to atone was the most helpless way to protect the village—and Naruto's resolve.
"Naruto, this village belongs to you and all of us. If it comes to that, I'm sorry, but I and everyone else won't hold back against Sasuke. Understand?"
Sai spoke earnestly, relaying Shikamaru's idea and warning Naruto.
"I… I understand…"
Naruto nodded dejectedly, his heart bitter.
"Well, no need to worry too far ahead. If we lose this battle, the village might not exist anymore…"
"Sai, where'd you learn such a bad joke? It's not funny at all…"
"Not funny? Miss Ino taught me…"
"What?! You guys?!"
Just as Naruto exclaimed in shock, Sakura rushed over from a distance with new news:
"Naruto! Good news!"
"Tsunade-sama has woken up!"
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Meanwhile, in the temporary Hokage office hut.
The newly awakened Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, was eating ravenously.
On the not-so-large dining table, empty bowls were piled high, all devoured by her alone.
During the Pain Invasion War, she used Katsuyu to heal Konoha's wounded, expending massive chakra, aging, and fainting.
Now awake, she needed to consume vast amounts of food to recover energy and synthesize chakra.
Though not quite on par with Konoha's biggest glutton, the towering stack of empty bowls showcased this woman's 'extraordinary appetite'!
Likewise, news of the Fifth Hokage Tsunade's awakening spread through the village at lightning speed, calming the Konoha ninjas slightly.
Everyone respected Kakashi's strength and intellect, but compared directly, Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin, carried greater authority.
When Naruto arrived, Kakashi had been in the Hokage office for some time, briefing Tsunade on the latest information.
"I didn't expect the esteemed Five Kage to be mysteriously killed."
"True, if Pain was behind it, they'd have little chance…"
"In short: an unknown enemy revived and controls a new Akatsuki, preparing to attack Konoha Village, right?"
"Not certain they'll attack the village directly…"
Kakashi corrected seriously.
Though Tsunade wasn't wrong, the last Pain invasion could've been handled better.
Negotiating a battlefield outside the village could've reduced losses.
This time, Kakashi feared Tsunade would, without a word, charge into battle again…
"Same difference! That guy called Pain… no, Nagato, is like that."
"He suffered himself, so he inflicts suffering on others. An irredeemable bastard!"
"That idiot Jiraiya, dying by his own student's hand. How did he teach his students? If I'd known, I should've listened to Orochimaru and killed him…"
Tsunade was furious, her voice softening, clearly pained by Jiraiya's sacrifice, growing sadder and regretful.
Unlike Naruto, she held no fondness for Nagato, who destroyed Konoha.
Though Nagato's final sacrifice to revive Konoha's dead eased her hatred slightly, she still remembered Jiraiya's vengeance!
At that moment, Naruto's cheerful voice rang out:
"Grandma Tsunade! You're finally awake? Are you okay?"
Tsunade, munching eagerly, looked at Naruto with enthusiasm.
"Naruto! The great hero arrives so fast!"
She reached out, hugging Naruto tightly, pressing his head to her chest and ruffling his hair wildly, nearly suffocating him.
But Tsunade was genuinely grateful. Frankly, without Naruto, Konoha Village would be gone.
Days ago, he saved the village again. Naruto was now an undeniable great hero.
Thinking how the boy she could once knock down with a finger had grown into Konoha's main pillar, Tsunade couldn't help but feel moved and proud.
"Naruto, thank you for saving the village!"
"Ow! I didn't do much—it was a team effort. My goal is to become Hokage, so protecting the village is my duty!"
Naruto broke free, scratching his head with an innocent smile. He didn't boast, as this was his ninja way and life's principle.
"Alright, let's move to more pressing matters. Have you evacuated the villagers?"
"Yes. I'm worried the next fierce battle might affect them again. I consulted the two Hokage advisors, and they agreed to relocate the villagers."
"Evacuation's good—it reduces some worries. But what about those two old advisors?"
"They've been moved to the Tanzaku area…"
"Hmph! They sure escaped fast!"
"Managing the relocation of so many villagers requires their leadership. They're experienced in this…" Kakashi answered honestly.
Though he didn't particularly like them, he didn't hate the advisors either. They were loyal to Konoha and unanimously supported his Hokage succession.
At least they weren't like someone who seized power.
"Forget them."
"Let's talk about that Kabuto. Orochimaru's little assistant has grown to this level?"
"You plan to work with him to fight the new Akatsuki?"
Kakashi nodded: "That's the plan. If the information is correct, Konoha's strength alone can't defeat the new Akatsuki…"
"Can he be trusted?"
"No. But we've carved seals on his body, and former Root ninjas placed a tongue curse seal on him. It's not foolproof, but we have no better options. Should we cancel the cooperation, Tsunade-sama?"
After days of discussion, Kakashi and the others agreed to work with Kabuto, imposing strict restrictions, allowing him to use Edo Tensei and study Hashirama's cells on Yamato…
Hearing this, Tsunade hesitated but didn't object:
"Proceed, prioritize village safety! Edo Tensei can be a trump card, but monitor him closely!"
Tsunade recalled the helplessness during Shinra Tensei's explosion, unwilling to let that scene repeat.
She allowed Kabuto's actions.
"Tsunade-sama, any other orders?"
"For now, none. Remind the village ninjas to stay vigilant. Also, add twenty more large bowls!"
Tsunade roared for more food, clearly still hungry.
"Very well, please rest, Tsunade-sama."
Kakashi led Naruto and Shizune out, leaving space for Tsunade.
Tsunade continued eating voraciously, like a reincarnated starving ghost. After devouring over ten more bowls, she felt seventy percent full, slowing down slightly.
Suddenly, a highly familiar voice and chakra sounded behind her:
"Tsunade, your appetite's still impressive, huh?"
Tsunade's body trembled, frozen as if struck by lightning.