With the worldwide distribution of the "Ninja World Daily," news and bounties spread across the ninja world. The victims' personal authentication further bolstered the news's authority.
Outside of Konoha and Kirigakure, the Hidden Sand, Stone, and Cloud Villages—countless ninja were enjoying the show.
What a rare opportunity! To witness such scandals involving Konoha and Kirigakure.
Konoha's spectacle: their very own rogue ninja, Obito Uchiha, released the Nine-Tails, causing Konoha to lose an entire half-generation, even leading to the Fourth Hokage's sacrifice. He even spearheaded the destruction of his own clan—the Uchiha Clan! It was utterly preposterous.
Kirigakure's drama was even more laughable. A Kage, and a Jinchuriki at that, was controlled by someone, and furthermore, was controlled into inheriting and expanding the Bloody Mist Village. Kirigakure lost an entire generation because of this, countless Kekkei Genkai ninja died, and the village's strongest Seven Ninja Swordsmen all defected.
What kind of ridiculous plot was this?
The misfortunes of Konoha and Kirigakure brought satisfaction to many.
It was said that Onoki, upon seeing this news, laughed so hard his old back problem flared up, almost making him unable to straighten up.
According to Ninja World Relativity:
Enemy Weakened = I Become Stronger.
Countless people eagerly anticipated "Madara Uchiha," no, Obito Uchiha, making another big splash! To severely weaken Konoha and Kirigakure once more.
However, Obito Uchiha's ability to control Jinchuriki also made the Five Kage wary. Who among them didn't have a Tailed Beast?
The Five Kage tacitly joined forces to issue a bounty, compounded by various personal grievances, resulting in a total of thirteen consecutive bounties.
Obito Uchiha's total bounty reached 250 million Ryo.
Ninja across the world, aspiring to get rich quick, all set their sights on Obito Uchiha, preparing to go treasure hunting—no, they were preparing to become bounty hunters, seeking Obito Uchiha's scalp!
Compared to ninja enjoying the spectacle, civilians preferred to glimpse the world of the "ninja lords" through this newspaper, satisfying their morbid curiosity.
Meanwhile, the spread of the news boosted the sales of the "Ninja World Daily," keeping them consistently high for days, quickly making it the most influential newspaper in the ninja world.
The authenticity and authority of the "Ninja World Daily" were verified, and the newspaper itself even began to turn a profit.
And the "Ninja World Daily's" partners, Xiongshi Xiaoyao Pill and Laoganfu Fast Food, experienced an explosive surge in sales.
Xiongshi Xiaoyao's powerful healing effects even became famous throughout the ninja world!
Laoganfu Fast Food's fried chicken burgers and soda spread across the world, bringing more smiles to the children of the ninja world.
In short, Naruto made a fortune!
Compared to making money, Naruto was actually more concerned about Kakashi-sensei's condition.
Ever since reading that newspaper that day, Kakashi-sensei had been completely out of sorts.
However, Naruto was certain: Kakashi-sensei was definitely not infatuated with the "Flower-Flower Sister" he'd introduced.
Naruto even guessed: the object of Kakashi-sensei's distraction wasn't a woman, it might be a man.
It's Obito Uchiha!
Naruto noticed something unusual the day he read the newspaper. Could Kakashi-sensei and Obito Uchiha have some connection?
Friends?
Or something else?
It couldn't be lovers, could it?
Teammates was highly probable.
However, why had Kakashi-sensei never mentioned it?
If such a villainous, inhuman piece of trash had gone rogue, why would Kakashi-sensei be so shocked?
From Naruto's years of watching melodramatic short dramas, this Obito Uchiha, might he have faked his death to escape?
And then returned as a villain?
It was all just speculation.
From Kakashi-sensei's expression, he seemed completely unwilling to bring it up.
Kakashi not only didn't want to bring it up, but he was also even more eager to return home!
Fortunately, time flew by.
One day, at the gates of Konoha Village.
"Finally back!"
Looking at the familiar gates, Naruto was filled with emotion. It had only been less than a month since they left, but it felt like half a year.
"Boring," Sasuke was still immersed in the rapid increase in his strength over the past half-month. He didn't want to return to the village; he just wanted to stick with Naruto.
"Kakashi-sensei, let's take a day off tomorrow, and the day after, can we continue with C-rank missions?"
At these words, Naruto was flabbergasted.
What kind of maniac was this?
"007" wasn't even enough to describe you, Sasuke! Even the production team's donkey wouldn't dare work like that. He hadn't been this busy even when he was a grunt for his advisor in his past life.
"Let my chicken... give me a break!"
"Sorry, Sasuke."
Thankfully, Kakashi stopped Sasuke's wicked plan. "Sensei will be busy these next few days. You two can train on your own."
Kakashi took half a step forward, then turned his head to look at his beloved Team 7. He gazed at the three of them with a precious look, as if saying goodbye.
"I'll notify you separately for our next meeting. For now, dismissed!"
With that, he took another step forward.
Whoosh~
He vanished.
"Kakashi-sensei left in such a hurry. Is he scared of meeting Flower-Flower Sister?" Naruto said, trying to liven the mood.
"What are you talking about~" Sakura was speechless. Were these two really that dense? She then added, "Hey~ didn't you guys notice?"
Sasuke interjected, "Kakashi-sensei and Obito Uchiha's relationship? It's not ordinary, is it?"
While the three discussed Kakashi, Kakashi had already arrived at the Hokage's Office.
As he reached the office, he heard voices from inside. The voice was surprisingly familiar to Kakashi, seemingly from the Hokage's advisor.
"Hiruzen, now you know what the Uchiha clan's Sharingan means. You let him get so close to the Nine-Tails brat. Hand Sasuke over to me, and I'll train him to be Konoha's sharpest sword!"
The Hokage's voice was too low for Kakashi to hear clearly.
Then came Danzo's furious roar: "You'll regret this!"
"I am the Hokage!"
The Third Hokage's voice followed immediately.
Whoosh~
The door was abruptly flung open, and Danzo stormed out, his expression grim.
Danzo glanced at Kakashi, then retracted his gaze.
Then, bang~
The door slammed shut violently.
After waiting for a moment, Kakashi walked in.
"Lord Hokage."
"Kakashi, is that you?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose face had been sullen, looked up and nodded softly at Kakashi.
"Yes."
Kakashi continued, "Lord Hokage, I request to be assigned to pursue Obito Uchiha."
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not immediately agree.
He took a puff from his pipe and fell into thought.
The burnt smoke curled upwards.
After several deep puffs, he finally spoke.
"Kakashi, you should know why I had you leave the Anbu and become a team leader."
Without waiting for Kakashi's reply, Hiruzen Sarutobi answered himself.
"It was Asuma, Kurenai, and Might Guy who requested me, saying you were too immersed in past memories and couldn't move on. That's why I agreed to them."
"I saw you doing well with Team 7, you seemed much brighter. Why do you still want to get involved with this Obito Uchiha matter?"
"I know Obito Uchiha was your teammate, but this time, I will not grant your request."
"But Lord Hokage," Kakashi emphasized, "No one understands him better than I do. I even have the same eyes as him. If I pursue him, it could reduce unnecessary casualties."
Taking another puff from his pipe, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into thought.
Obito Uchiha, Mangekyo Sharingan, his strength was not to be underestimated.
This strange Mangekyo meant that ordinary people might not even be able to catch him.
But Obito held a deep grudge against Konoha, so he couldn't be allowed to roam free; he had to be caught.
And Kakashi was the strongest of the younger generation, definitely on the candidate list.
This...
After long deliberation, Hiruzen Sarutobi replied:
"What about Team 7? Are you going to abandon them?"
Kakashi choked at these words.
"The Chunin Exams are in two months. Let's discuss everything after the Chunin Exams," Hiruzen Sarutobi finally said.