A special thank you to my patrons:
—Cain, Shahzaam, Varun Madhu, Mp Gaming, kevin Williams, Jose Carrillo, ZaberZ, Jose Sierra, Salim, Silver, ManyEB, Archer Sterling, John Doe, Kyle Bates, Acedia, Zhandos Kauzhanov, Kylo Ren.
You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - [email protected]/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
"Then, Leader, which members do you plan to send to assist me?" Kagaya inquired. This was the real purpose of his participation in this gathering.
Pain thought for a moment before speaking. "Don't be impatient. When the time comes, I will send people to Konoha. For now, everyone should carry out their respective missions. When the time is right, I will dispatch one team to assist you."
Kagaya nodded. "Understood."
Sasori rolled his eyes, looking at Kagaya with disgust. "I didn't expect you, brat, to actually cooperate with that stinking snake."
Kagaya just rolled his eyes and simply said. "So what?"
"Hmph!" Sasori snorted coldly, not wanting to bicker with Kagaya.
After three years of training, both Kagaya and Haku had made significant progress. Strength was the foundation of one's confidence when speaking, and currently, Kagaya's confidence was very substantial!
Kakuzu spoke up. "The brat has become even more arrogant."
"So what?" Kagaya remained unmoved.
This time, Kakuzu didn't continue either.
Unlike three years ago, if Kagaya had dared to talk back to Kakuzu then, Kakuzu would have undoubtedly retorted without restraint.
Because, three years ago, Kakuzu sensed no threat from Kagaya whatsoever!
And that was indeed the reality. Three years ago, facing Kakuzu, Kagaya could only rely on his speed to remain undefeated. Without using the Mangekyō, it was unlikely he could injure Kakuzu. Even if he activated the Mangekyō, he could at most take one of Kakuzu's lives, after which he himself would be incapacitated.
So, overall, three years ago, Kagaya stood no chance of completely killing Kakuzu; even injuring him was difficult. That's why Kakuzu had looked down on him so much.
But now, Kakuzu narrowed his eyes slightly; he could already sense a lethal threat from this brat!
This guy had the ability to kill him completely!
Deidara grinned provocatively. "You, bastard! If the Old Man and I are sent to assist you, I'll definitely make you witness my art!"
Kagaya glanced sideways at Deidara, couldn't be bothered to respond.
Kisame grinned. "So this is the rogue ninja from the same clan as you, Itachi? I wonder how strong he is."
Itachi spoke to Kisame. "Very strong."
Kisame was surprised. "Ohya ohya, even Itachi thinks he's strong?"
Itachi closed his eyes and said a few words faintly. "He also has the Mangekyō."
At that, Kisame fully understood. Having witnessed the terror of Itachi's Mangekyō, he naturally knew how fearsome that power was.
"This place really is a gathering of monsters, isn't it?" Kisame remarked.
Hidan spoke impatiently. "Who cares about monsters or not! I just want to know if this meeting can end already? I'm busy, I need to go spread the teachings! Damn it!"
Pain intervened appropriately. "In that case, let's end it here."
As he spoke, the projections of the members vanished one after another.
Not far outside Konoha Village, in a dense forest, a youth who appeared to be sixteen or seventeen years old opened his eyes.
This person was Kagaya. Perhaps due to long-term traveling and hardship, Kagaya's appearance seemed older than his actual age, and his height had increased relatively quickly.
Just like Itachi, who, at thirteen during the massacre, looked like he was eighteen.
"Ah, Kagaya, you're awake," Haku, who had been standing guard nearby, said happily. Haku now looked no different from his first appearance in the original story.
However, Haku was now dressed in a set of white clothes, as requested by Kagaya, who believed white suited Haku better.
Kagaya smiled slightly at Haku, then turned his gaze towards Konoha.
'Naruto, Sasuke... we'll meet again soon. What will you do then?'
***
In the afternoon, Mizuki and Naruto sat on a high platform.
"Iruka-sensei definitely wasn't trying to deliberately give you a hard time," Mizuki said.
Naruto frowned bitterly. "Then why has he always been targeting me?"
Mizuki looked into the distance. "I think it's because he wants you, Naruto, to truly become stronger. After all, both of you lost your parents."
"But I really want to graduate..." Becoming Hokage was Naruto's dream, and the first step towards that dream was graduation.
Mizuki couldn't help but laugh. "There's no other way."
"Huh?"
"I'll tell you a special big secret!"
Mizuki smiled slightly and began to tell Naruto about the so-called "big secret."
However, Mizuki completely failed to notice that not far away, on a Konoha street, a person wearing a black cloak with red clouds and a conical hat glanced slightly in Mizuki's direction.
Beside this person followed a youth dressed entirely in white.
'Heh, to think that on the very first day after infiltrating, I'd encounter the incident of Naruto stealing the Scroll of Seals.' Kagaya slightly lowered his hat. It seemed he might have to stay up a bit late tonight.
After all, the Scroll of Seals... it was very likely that the Third Hokage intentionally let Naruto steal it. Otherwise, forget Naruto, even if Kagaya tried to steal it now, it would be very troublesome, and not necessarily successful.
This opportunity was unique and precious. Kagaya was also very interested in the Scroll of Seals.
***
After becoming a Genin, Sasuke showed no sign of joy. He quietly went to the training ground and began his training as usual.
'Bastard! Bastard! Bastard!'
Shuriken flew incessantly from Sasuke's hands, striking heavily into a wooden post not far away. Sasuke seemed to be venting his hatred for certain people, throwing shuriken tirelessly.
By evening, the increasingly weak sunlight reminded Sasuke it was time to go back.
Sasuke sighed, gathered the kunai he had thrown during training, and headed home.
On his way back, walking along the street, seeing the bustling and lively scene, Sasuke pursed his lips, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.
Many people had successfully graduated today, so numerous adults had taken their children out for big meals. The entire Konoha was filled with a joyful atmosphere.
As Sasuke walked down the street, for some reason, he always felt so out of place—incongruous with this street, with this village.
Like a block of ice suddenly appearing amidst a field of fire—cold, lonely.
With his head lowered, Sasuke walked slowly down the street. This dejected expression was identical to Naruto's from the morning.
As he walked, Sasuke brushed past a person wearing a black cloak with red clouds and a conical hat.
The moment they passed each other, Sasuke froze. He seemed to sense something. He raised his head and quickly looked behind him.
But behind him was the same bustling street as always. Where was there anyone in a black and red cloud cloak?
But...
'Is it you? Is it you?! Is it you!! Kagaya!!!'
Sasuke shouted with certainty in his heart. He started running, heading towards the demolished former Uchiha clan grounds.
'Where? Where? If it's you, you would definitely return to the clan grounds, right? Where?!!'
Arriving at the former clan grounds, now a wilderness, Sasuke ran incessantly across this desolate land.
"Come out! Come out! Show yourself!"
He kept shouting. He didn't call Kagaya's name. He knew Kagaya would understand he was calling for him.
"You bastard, where are you? Damn it! Have you become a coward? Get out here!"
Sasuke kept shouting. Did he want to take revenge on Kagaya? Perhaps. But then, why didn't he call Kagaya's name? Was he afraid that other Konoha ninja, hearing Kagaya's name, would come to pursue him?
Then, why would Sasuke fear Kagaya being hunted by Konoha ninja?
Yes, perhaps deep down, he actually wanted to find a [clan member], find [family].
"Come out! Let me kill you! Bastard! I'll kill you!"
Sasuke shouted with all his might. He was sure! He was absolutely sure! Kagaya had returned!
But no matter how he shouted, no one came out to answer him.
Finally, tired and weary, Sasuke—not even noticing the tears streaming from the corners of his eyes—lay down on the ground, exhausted, and continued his "shouting" in a faint voice.
"Come out... I... I graduated... I successfully graduated... Kagaya... Brother... I... I really want to hear your blessings..."
Deep in his heart, he still held onto expectations for Kagaya, for Itachi.