Sai was tied up by Naruto with a bruised nose and a swollen face, a sock—of unknown origin—stuffed into his mouth.
"Who am I and what am I doing?" Sai looked dazed. I just came here to act cool and say hello—how did this happen? Didn't Danzo say there was no one in our generation better than me?
"Cough~ Naruto." Shikamaru couldn't stand it anymore. "He's still from Konoha, don't make him suffer so much..."
Naruto waved his hand dismissively. "It's fine! Some people just need a memorable welcome~!"
"That's too much!" Sakura shouted from behind. Beside her stood a Jonin with a somewhat vacant expression. "We're about to gather! Why haven't you shown up yet!?"
"Ah, come on, I caught a spy who attacked me inside Konoha!" Naruto waved at Sakura.
"This is..." the blank-faced Jonin beside her spoke up. "Naruto-kun, this is your new teammate."
"I'm Jonin Yamato, sent by Lady Tsunade to assist you." Yamato nodded. "Pleased to meet you all."
Then he pointed at Sai. "This is Sai, the top rookie from the Root Training Division, recommended by Lord Danzo."
Everyone stared at Sai, who was tied up with a sock in his mouth.
*The strongest rookie? Him?!*
Sai:
Then everyone released Sai.
Yamato said to the group, "From now on, I'll be replacing Kakashi-senpai as your Jonin team leader. I hope we can all get along."
"No problem," Naruto said as he patted Sai on his bruised and swollen face. "Right?"
Sai: "...Can I ask a question..."
Sai suddenly recalled Danzo's words: *That...*
"Huh?" Naruto gave him a side-eye.
"Nothing, Captain. Please continue," Sai gave up decisively.
"The four of us will be heading out on a mission together soon, so we won't have much time to bond. Why don't we do a round of introductions?"
"Yo, Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto greeted Sai with a grin.
"Haruno Sakura, nice to meet you." Sakura frowned as she turned to Sai. "Why does your smile feel so fake?"
"Really? My name is Sai." He muttered inwardly, *If this goes on, everyone will hate me. I should just be honest!*
"Actually, you seem quite genuine, ugly girl." Sai gave a small smile.
Sakura:
"You b*****d! Captain Yamato, move aside—I'm going to kill him!" Sakura, restrained by Yamato, clawed madly in Sai's direction.
"Let me explain the mission for Team Kakashi." Yamato interjected. "From here on, the four of us will head to the Tenchi Bridge, set up an ambush, infiltrate Orochimaru's network, and capture an Akatsuki member to gather intel. It's also a chance to retrieve Uchiha Sasuke."
"But—" Sai looked like he wanted to say something, then glanced at Naruto and shut his mouth.
"This is a vital opportunity to assassinate Orochimaru and bring Sasuke back." Yamato continued. "Assemble at the main gate in one hour, pack your gear—we leave then."
...
At Root HQ...
"Lord Danzo," Sai reported. "The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki's strength exceeds expectations, and the Jonin assigned by the Hokage did not follow the advisor's restriction protocols."
"Expected," Danzo replied, leaning on his cane and turning his back. "I didn't think Lady Tsunade would comply fully anyway. Remain embedded and wait for the right time..."
"Yes!" Sai vanished instantly.
Danzo blinked. *I didn't even finish the sentence...* He turned back. Sai was already gone.
"...Someone bring the confidential mission file to Sai and explain it!"
"Yes!" another voice responded. The chamber fell silent again.
Danzo stared at the folder in his hands, utterly speechless. "What kind of idiots have I been training..."
...
At the Hokage Residence...
Tsunade was flipping through mission reports.
*Thump... Thump...* came the sound of a cane on wood.
"Danzo? What do you want?" Tsunade asked without looking up.
"Have you appointed a capable Anbu to lead Sai's team?" Danzo asked grimly.
"Of course. I picked someone who's been in the Anbu since the Third Hokage's era." Tsunade smirked. "Is that why you're here?"
"Hmph. Didn't you agree to limit Naruto's missions regarding the Akatsuki and reduce his active scope?"
"I agreed," Tsunade said, smiling. "But whether *he* agrees is another story. Didn't you already send someone to test that?"
"Forget it." Danzo muttered. "As long as the Jonin leader hasn't been corrupted by Hiruzen's teachings—those cowardly ideals with no vision."
"Just like your grandfather taught the Third Hokage?" Tsunade sneered.
"You b*****d..." Her temple veins throbbed.
"Good. Then I can eat in peace," Danzo said suddenly and walked out of the office.
"Let Naruto kill you one day, you damn fossil," Tsunade thought, sighing as she touched her face.
...
On the way to the Tenchi Bridge…
The group walked through a damp, gloomy forest filled with snakes, bugs, rodents, and all manner of pests.
"Ah!" Sakura yelped as a spider startled her. "Captain Yamato! Why can't we just take the original route?!"
"Lady Tsunade instructed us to deviate," Yamato replied. "The intel we received might be false, or an Akatsuki trap."
"They're after you, Naruto." Yamato turned to him. "She feared a repeat of what happened two years ago, so she had me guide you through another path."
"Yawn~" Naruto stretched. "Unnecessary, but fine. Let's keep moving."
...
At Tenchi Bridge...
"So we really don't need to rehearse the plan?" Yamato asked.
"Nah," Naruto waved it off. "We've got this."
"Sai should scout ahead," Yamato said with concern.
Naruto waved again.
Sai pulled out a scroll and painted several small rodents.
"Super Beast Imitating Drawing—Mouse!"
The drawings sprang to life, scurrying off in different directions.
Not long after, they returned.
"No signs of an ambush," Sai reported.
"Alright! Then we move to the next stage!" Yamato said. "Wood Style Transformation!"
Wooden pillars rose around him, reshaping into the form of Sasori's puppet armor, Hiruko.
Naruto activated his Sharingan. Sakura looked dazed. Yamato spoke: "Now comes the voice test. I'll make some sounds—pick the one that sounds closest to Sasori."
"Got it!" Naruto nodded.
Yamato adjusted his tone. "Ah~ Ah~ Oh~ Oh~"
After a while, Naruto stopped him. "That's it! Perfect! Sakura?"
"Yeah, that's the one. It sounds most like Sasori. But it'd be better if it sounded a little more vicious."
Sai stood silent, completely clueless—he'd never met Sasori.
"Really?" Yamato blinked. "Strange voice, indeed. Alright, we proceed as planned! Disperse!"
*Whoosh!* The team scattered to their positions. Naruto deactivated his Sharingan.
...
Moments later,
A hooded figure appeared at Tenchi Bridge.
From the other side, Yamato—transformed as Sasori—approached slowly.
They converged in the middle.
"Long time no see, Lord Sasori," said the spy. "It's been over five years."
The spy turned.
It was Yakushi Kabuto.
And then...
From Yamato's puppet disguise came a sharp, high-pitched loli voice:
"Are you being followed?!"
Sakura: "..."
Naruto was laughing so hard he nearly collapsed. "Pffft—hahahaha!"
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