256-260

*Chapter 256: Teacher Chika*

"Quite the way of ordering people around," Aizen muttered as he crouched beside Yugito’s corpse. He thought to himself, As expected? This character, who only appeared for a few seconds in the original story, couldn’t possibly pique his interest—let alone trigger a system option.

"Oh well, I’ll put the body away for now; whether to save it or not can be decided later."

To store items in the system warehouse, the target must be unconscious, and physical contact is required.

With this in mind, Aizen reached out to touch Yugito.

Perhaps due to the angle, Konan, who was watching him with a hint of distrust, turned back, and in her view, it looked as if Aizen was reaching toward the chest of the already-deceased Yugito.

Konan’s face turned cold immediately, and she asked icily, "What do you plan on doing with this body?"

"Just storing it. What else would I be doing? Or are you jealous of a corpse?" Aizen teased as he pressed his hand between Yugito neck and chest, instantly storing her in the system warehouse before turning to face her.

“Boring,” Konan replied haughtily, turning her face away. Outside, Pain, noticing Konan hadn’t followed, worried his dear friend might be bothered by Aizen’s flirtatious behavior, and called out.

Konan left, but not without casting Aizen a warning look, as if to say, Don’t even think of doing anything perverted with that corpse.

This left Aizen speechless, vowing internally that one day, he’d forcefully take her, strip her, and punish her until she called him “Daddy.”

Outside the Leaf Village, the vast, empty plains stretched endlessly, dotted with craters of various sizes.

Watching Naruto fail yet again, Chika couldn’t help but feel loss. She was already beginning to regret taking task training him.

She had seen slow learners, but none quite this hopeless.

As ninja, this guy seemed to have nothing going for him except his chakra reserves.

“Kakashi, has he always been this slow?” Chika glanced at Kakashi beside her.

"Well, yeah, sort of. But to accomplish this much in such a short time is already impressive, ha-ha," Kakashi chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. Whether it was out of guilt for the trouble Chika had with Naruto or embarrassment over Naruto's sluggishness, it wasn’t clear.

“Can’t believe Uncle Jiraiya managed to teach him for three years; apart from his chakra, he’s a mess.” Chika sighed in exasperation.

Kakashi didn’t deny it, and as if remembering something, asked, “Chika, that Rasenshuriken infused with wind chakra… I remember Lady Tsunade mentioned your basic ninjutsu skills were taught by Aizen Fujiwara. Does that mean he likely knows this jutsu too?”

“It’s not ‘likely’—he absolutely can. So far, I’ve only managed to fuse wind and fire chakra separately, but Aizen can fuse all chakra types.” Chika smiled proudly, openly praising her father.

Kakashi gasped, recalling Aizen’s image, feeling a bit hopeless. "It’s terrifying to think that someone that powerful left the Leaf to join the Akatsuki."

"You never know," Chika said, her cute face lighting up with a mysterious smile.

Kakashi assumed Chika meant she could defeat Aizen and smiled, convinced by her confidence.

Chika then waved at Naruto in the distance, “Naruto, come here.”

“Something wrong, Teacher Chika?” Naruto asked, pausing his training and hurrying over.

Yes, ever since Chika took on training Naruto, he had begun calling her “teacher.” He had no choice—even though Chika was younger than all of them, she was Tsunade’s daughter, putting her above entire Team 7.

Most importantly, they couldn’t beat her.

Indeed, even Kakashi wasn’t a match for Chika, who had mastered Rasenshuriken and possessed near-perfect sensory abilities.

“At this rate, even if you trained for a lifetime, you still wouldn’t master it. So, where’s the bottleneck?” Chika asked, folding her arms as she mimicked Aizen’s teaching stance.

Naruto scratched his head, pondering briefly before answering, “I think it’s about balancing left and right.”

“Just as I thought.” Chika recalled Aizen’s teachings, in which he mentioned this common beginner’s issue and how to address it. She replied, “If one shadow clone can’t balance it, then add another.”

“Another shadow clone?” Kakashi, Yamato, Naruto, and Karin were all momentarily stunned. Naruto was first to catch on, and by using two clones, he finally managed to form a basic Rasenshuriken.

At that moment, Izumo Kamizuki, one of Leaf Village’s perpetual gatekeepers, arrived with news of Asuma’s death.

“When did this happen?”

Kakashi, Yamato, and Naruto were plunged into grief.

Karin and Chika exchanged looks with little reaction. To them, Sarutobi Asuma, who’d been hell-bent on killing Aizen, dying at hands of others was best outcome.

“Three days ago. Since your training was at a critical point, we didn’t want to disturb you, but now…” Izumo trailed off, his voice barely above a whisper.

That night, Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, and Choji Akimichi left the village to track down Hidan and Kakuzu, with Kakashi accompanying them.

Meanwhile, Chika, Karin, and Yamato stayed behind to help Naruto complete the Rasenshuriken, then planned to join the reinforcement efforts.

In a remote natural hot spring in the Land of Lightning…

Aizen and Pakura were soaking in the hot spring, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation.

“Ahhh…” Aizen stretched lazily, leaning against the rocky edge. “Natural hot springs are something else—there’s no artificial feel at all.”

“As comfortable as it is, Lord Aizen…” Pakura moved closer, hugging him from behind and whispering, “Is this really alright? leader did ask us to investigate Eight-Tails’ whereabouts.”

Sensing her touch, Aizen smiled and adjusted their positions. “I actually found out about Eight-Tails’ location long ago, so there’s no real rush. Besides, at this rate, Akatsuki’s downfall is inevitable. There’s no need to overextend ourselves.”

*Chapter 257: The Second Subordinate, Kakuzu*

“Indeed, even though all the Akatsuki members are incredibly strong, they’re also all rather arrogant. If their information is leaked, and they’re targeted and surrounded, they could easily be killed,” Pakura said, her face flushed and her breathing a bit rapid.

“So, what do you plan to do next?” she asked.

After a moment of thought,Aizen replied, “I’ll make a quick trip to Land of Fire. Hidan and Kakuzu’s information has already been leaked. That brainless Hidan dying isn’t a huge loss—the only thing notable about him was killing Asuma Sarutobi. But I think there’s still a chance to save Kakuzu. However, before that…”

“Before that, what?” Pakura asked, surprised.

“I’ll tell you after,”Aizen said with a mysterious smile.

Two hours later…

Aizen and Pakura, both with glowing faces, finished dressing.

Pakura nestled inAizen’s arms, feeling an even deeper reliance on him.

“Lord Aizen, can you tell me now?” Pakura looked up at Aizen with a gentle smile. She wasn’t too curious about his plans; she simply enjoyed being alone with him.

Aizen nodded slightly, making a hand sign, and the body of Yugito Nii, Two-Tails jinchūriki, appeared before them.

“This is…” Pakura gasped in shock.

Aizen nodded, and with Pakura watching in awe, he performed a god-level healing jutsu.

Meanwhile, outside the Leaf Village in a desolate forest with withered trees, Kakashi, Shikamaru, Ino, and Chōji encountered “immortal duo” and were locked in a fierce battle.

Just as in original story, Shikamaru managed to separate Hidan, leading him into trap he’d prepared in advance. Kakashi, Ino, and Chōji held off Kakuzu, awaiting reinforcements.

When Shikamaru used Hidan to take out one of Kakuzu’s lives, and Kakashi’s group was about to fall to Kakuzu, Naruto, Chika, Karin, and Yamato arrived as backup.

Naruto and Yamato combined their Wind Release: Rasengan with Yamato’s Water Release: Rapid Current, creating a water tornado to counter Kakuzu’s Wind and Fire Release combination attack.

Chika and Karin were then sent to assist Shikamaru.

Naruto, like in original story, tried to face Kakuzu alone with his still-developing Rasenshuriken.

But Kakuzu reacted differently from the original.

He had seen Aizen use this technique against Orochimaru.

“This… Blond brat, where did you learn this move?” Kakuzu’s forehead beaded with sweat. He knew the technique’s power well; even with five lives, let alone three he had now, he would be severely wounded or killed.

The others, including Naruto, were taken aback by Kakuzu’s reaction, then realized he must have witnessed Aizen using Rasenshuriken before.

“It looks like this Kakuzu guy has seen Rasenshuriken before,” Kakashi said, standing behind Naruto.

Naruto nodded, creating a diversion with two shadow clones before charging at Kakuzu with his Rasenshuriken. Unexpectedly, Kakuzu turned and ran without hesitation, shocking everyone.

“Don’t let him escape!” Kakashi reacted quickly and began to pursue him.

Yamato, Ino, and Chōji followed closely behind.

During his escape, Kakuzu with his experience, sense something wrong. If Aizen were facing him, he would’ve already thrown Rasenshuriken, but Naruto didn’t throw it, and technique soon dissipated. In other words, Naruto couldn’t control it as well as Aizen.

Realizing this, Kakuzu stopped, smirking coldly at Naruto, Kakashi, and the others.

“Giving up on running, are you?” Naruto asked, glaring at him.

“No, not giving up,” Kakuzu replied. “It’s that there’s no need. That dangerous Rasenshuriken—although I don’t know where you learned it, you clearly haven’t mastered it. Without being able to throw it, it’s nothing to fear. I still need two more hearts, and I’ll take them from you.”

Kakuzu then launched a long-range attack at Naruto.

But, just as in original, the experienced ninja was outwitted. Naruto used his clones to trick Kakuzu and landed a solid hit with his Rasenshuriken on Kakuzu’s back.

Boom!

A deafening blast erupted.

Kakashi and the others watched as a blinding light and storm erupted from the impact.

The massive force swept the air, forming white shockwave from Kakuzu’s position, tearing apart large, withered trees like paper, scattering debris everywhere before turning it all to ash.

Even at distance, Kakashi and others instinctively raised their arms to shield their eyes from dust-laden gale.

When the storm subsided, Kakashi and the rest lowered their arms, mouths agape.

The forest had a huge clearing, a fifty-meter-wide crater now in its place.

Kakuzu’s body hung in midair, trapped in the storm of Rasenshuriken’s countless wind blades. His masks, representing his Wind and Fire hearts, shattered with a spray of blood mist.

Although he survived with one heart remaining, Kakuzu’s cells were destroyed, leaving him unable to move.

After wind subsided, he fell lifelessly into the crater.

At this moment, Shikamaru, who had just buried Hidan, arrived with Chika and Karin, who had gone to assist him.

At the same time,Aizen and Pakura arrived, having use Flying Thunder God mark left on Naruto.

“Looks like Hidan’s been dealt with, and Kakuzu’s barely clinging life. Good thing we’re not late; I wouldn’t have bothered reviving Kakuzu otherwise,”Aizen said as he arrived.

“True, but it’s surprising that the Nine-Tails jinchūriki learned your technique. Quite impressive,” Pakura agreed. “So, what’s the plan?”

“First, we’ll make Kakashi believe Kakuzu is dead, and give Kakuzu taste of despair. Then we’ll intervene—after all, we can’t rescue him for free. From now on, his life will belong to me, just like Sasori’.”Aizen smiled.

*Chapter 258: The True Spiraling Shuriken*

“The attack frequency is far beyond standard—it's no longer just about counting strikes; you could call it attack density. What terrifying jutsu,” Kakashi remarked as he glanced back at Naruto, then looked at Chika, his expression growing more solemn. In his mind, he thought, It's not just the jutsu that’s terrifying but the one who created it. Aizen, that guy, just by observing tailed beast bomb, managed to accomplish something even Fourth Hokage couldn’t. How strong is he really?

“Kakashi-senpai, I’ll leave the cleanup to you,” Yamato said, casting a deep look at defeated and barely breathing Kakuzu.

“Yeah, leave it to me.” Kakashi nodded and jumped into the pit, standing over Kakuzu.

“To think... I'd be taken down by kids...” Kakuzu muttered weakly, despair and frustration filling his gaze.

“It’s true. You may see us as mere children, given you once fought First Hokage. But to us, you’re just an outdated relic. New generations will keep surpassing you. That’s why you’re here, barely alive.”

Kakashi closed his left eye and raised his right hand, crackling lightning appearing in his palm.

Kakuzu let out a bitter laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Kakashi hesitated, stopping his attack.

“So, I really am an old man left behind by time,” Kakuzu said, his smile fading. Looking up at Kakashi, he added, “But you too will eventually face same fate.”

“What do you mean?” Kakashi frowned, hoping to extract some intel on the Akatsuki before Kakuzu’s death.

“I remember Aizen… wasn’t he once Konoha’s shinobi?” Kakuzu said.

Kakashi’s frown deepened as Kakuzu continued, “That guy Aizen is incredibly strong—ten, no, a hundred times stronger than me. The strength you’ve shown here is nothing compared to when he joined the Akatsuki at age thirteen and destroyed four of my hearts in an instant.”

“Even that jutsu was just an imitation.”

“Kakashi, whether it’s you or that Nine-Tails kid, Konoha, or Five Great Village—all of you will eventually…”

Kakashi let him finish, knowing that no further intel could be gained. He struck quickly, but what he didn’t expect was that his Kamui missed its mark.

At the last moment, Aizen intervened, using Mirror Flower, Water Moon to distort Kakashi’s perception.

Yamato turned to the Konoha group. “Alright, everyone, let’s head back to Konoha.”

Hearing this, everyone nodded slowly.

“Huh? Why is Naruto still lying there…” Ino and Choji noticed Naruto still on ground, rushing over to help him up.

Chika stood behind them and said, “This is what happens when you forcefully use a technique like Wind Release: Spiraling Shuriken.”

“True. That’s not right way to use Spiraling Shuriken.” Suddenly, a calm, pleasant male voice echoed.

“Fujiwara Aizen…” Everyone, except for Karin and Chika, turned pale.

Kakashi, who was about to retrieve Kakuzu’s body, heard gasps and quickly appeared beside Yamato, staring forward with a grave expression.

Aizen walked toward them, alone. He still looked as handsome as ever, his cheerful smile unchanged, but Konoha team couldn’t help but feel a chill.

After hard-fought battle to take down two members of Akatsuki, the appearance of one person who caused them the most trouble was the worst possible outcome.

“Everyone, stay alert. Ino, Choji, take Naruto and leave. The upcoming fight is beyond your level,” Kakashi said, pulling out a kunai and preparing his Kamui.

This was their only chance to defeat Aizen.

Aizen stopped a few meters in front of them, smiling. “Looks like I’m a bit late. To think even that old fool Kakuzu, who’s over ninety, was taken down by you all.”

“But it’s fine. Now I’ll show you what true Wind Release: Spiraling Shuriken looks like.”

With those words, Aizen slowly raised his right hand, palm up.

The sound of sharp air slicing filled the air as the Spiraling Shuriken rapidly took shape, expanding to over ten meters in diameter.

“It’s… huge…” Kakashi, Yamato, and Shikamaru looked on in shock, their faces turning pale.

Ino, who was fleeing with Naruto, turned back and collapsed in fear, falling to her knees.

Choji, too, was paralyzed by fear.

Compared to Aizen’s, Naruto’s Spiraling Shuriken seemed insignificant.

“Everyone, don’t just stand there! Run as far as you can. Leave this to me…” Kakashi was the first to react. His Sharingan transformed into the Mangekyo, urging the Konoha team to flee while unleashing Kamui toward Aizen.

Aizen, using Kenbunshoku Haki, had already sensed Kakashi focusing his chakra into his right eye.

The instant Kamui was activated, Aizen moved and dodged.

The space where he once stood warped as nearby trees and debris were sucked into a strange dimension.

With his large Spiraling Shuriken still in hand, Aizen chuckled. “So this is your Mangekyo technique, the one that tore off Deidara’s arm? A rare space-time jutsu, impressive in both power and speed, but unfortunately… useless.”

“No matter how powerful dojutsu, it requires chakra to activate. When I sense your chakra gathering in your eye, I can simply dodge in advance.”

“He… he saw through it?” Kakashi, realizing his Sharingan technique was ineffective, slumped to the ground, gasping for breath. The earlier fight with Kakuzu and Hidan had already left him severely weakened.

Shikamaru, who had been running, turned back, unwilling to abandon his friends, and tried to pin Aizen with his Shadow Possession Jutsu. But, as expected, Aizen broke free in an instant, just as he had three years before.

---

Chapter 259: Aizen Doesn’t Want to Go Home

Yamato tried to unleash his Wood Release jutsu to force Aizen back. However, before the wood could even approach Aizen, it was shredded by a massive Rasenshuriken.

Everyone was instantly filled with despair.

Kakuzu's recent defeat was still fresh in their minds.

“Stop it, Brother Aizen,” Naruto called out weakly, struggling to stand with Ino and Choji's support.

Aizen was once the only person who was kind to him, the first to recognize him, the first to care for him. Like his bond with Sasuke, Naruto couldn’t sever this connection. Even if Aizen’s gesture of treating him to ramen had only a whim at time.

Ignoring Naruto, Aizen hurled a massive Rasenshuriken at Kakashi.

“No!” Ino-Shika-Cho, Naruto, and Yamato shouted. Kakashi, closing his eyes, was filled with despair, memories of his failures rushing through his mind.

His father was gone. His friends were gone. His teacher and his teacher's wife were also gone.

Now he was finally about to join Obito, Rin, and his sensei.

Yet, the attack never came. To everyone’s astonishment, the giant Rasenshuriken narrowly missed Kakashi, grazing his neck and leaving a thin line of blood before soaring into the distance.

*BOOM!*

A thunderous explosion erupted, filling the area with blinding light and heat.

The sheer force of the blast displaced the air, creating white shockwave that radiated outwards, shredding massive trees like they were paper, scattering debris everywhere, and reducing everything to ashes.

Even at a distance, the roaring winds blasted the Konoha shinobi back. Only Karin and Chika managed to avoid a rough landing, thanks to Chika’s quick Earth Release jutsu.

Once storm subsided, Kakashi and others gazed toward the explosion’s origin, mouths agape.

The towering peak in the distance had completely vanished.

A massive crater, easily two or three hundred meters across, was visible before them. From center of pit, a colossal pillar of water erupted into the sky, crashing down and filling the newly-formed lake.

“So… this is true power of Rasenshuriken?” The group stood paralyzed in fear, looking at the distant, obliterated mountain range.

Aizen gave a small cough, as if embarrassed. “Looks like I miscalculated my aim. Guess age is catching up to me.”

Then he looked at Kakashi. “Kakashi.”

“What?” Kakashi’s hand instinctively went to his still-bleeding neck. Amidst his terror, he was puzzled. Aizen’s attack could have shredded him easily. So why did it veer off at the last second? Was it because of Naruto?

Thinking this, Kakashi glanced at Naruto, who was still too stunned to react.

“I realized killing you would be too boring. I’ll be taking Kakuzu’s body with me,” Aizen said. “So why don’t we pretend you never saw me here today?”

The Konoha shinobi exchanged confused looks, furrowing their brows.

Seeing this, Aizen added, “Let me put it this way: if anyone say word about seeing me today, or if word of my presence here spreads, I’ll hurl Rasenshuriken at Konoha.”

“Don’t underestimate me just because I lack bloodline abilities—I have a huge reserve of chakra.”

“With a thousand shadow clones using this scale of jutsu simultaneously, I could launch it three thousand times in a row. What do you think would happen to Konoha after three thousand attacks like this?”

“It would probably be gone” Kakashi sighed, closing his eyes. He knew Aizen wasn’t bluffing. The same man who had annihilated the Sarutobi clan was also capable of destroying Konoha if he chose to.

It was only a matter of whether he found it necessary.

“Then it’s settled. Farewell, everyone. I look forward to our next encounter, which may well be the final battle.”

With a wink at Chika, Aizen disappeared in a puff of smoke, taking Kakuzu’s “body” with him.

“Thank goodness…” Choji gasped, lying flat on his back, exhausted, as the storm’s aftermath finally calmed.

“Karin, Chika.” Cautious as ever, Kakashi immediately asked them to check for traces of Aizen’s chakra.

Once they confirmed that Aizen had truly left, his tense nerves relaxed. Chakra depleted, he collapsed face-first on the ground.

“How are you feeling, Kakashi-senpai?” Yamato asked, rushing over to help.

“Oh, still alive, thanks to Naruto,” Kakashi smiled wryly, glancing at Naruto, assuming it was his intervention that had stopped Aizen.

“Just now…” Yamato began, but Kakashi silenced him with a look.

“I understand. Everyone, nobody should mention seeing Fujiwara Aizen today. We’ll personally report it to the Hokage. And Chika?”

Yamato looked around, realizing Chika was gone.

“Oh, she used Reverse Summoning to leave earlier,” Karin lied, her mind racing. I want to go see Lord Aizen too.

Meanwhile, Chika hadn’t gone far when a hand suddenly rested on her shoulder.

Without hesitation, Chika turned and leaped into his embrace.

“So sure it’s me? Aren’t you worried it’s the wrong person?” Aizen gently stroked his daughter’s head, speaking softly.

“Hehe, only you can evade my senses so well. I’d never mistake you.” Chika breathed in his scent, pressing her face to his, her slender arms wrapped around his neck, as though she’d never let go.

“There are no guarantees in life; don’t rely too much on your special abilities. Someday, you’ll meet someone even stronger, and you might pay dearly for it,” Aizen warned.

“I understand, Aizen.” Chika gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“You know, I keep telling you to call me Dad,” Aizen sighed. “By the way, how are things at home?”

“Everything’s great! Mom moved Aunt Kurenai in to help care for my baby brother on the way. Aizen, when will you come home and visit?” Chika grinned mischievously.

Aizen’s face twitched slightly. Suddenly, he lost any desire to return home. That tiger, Tsunade, must be lying in wait.

*Chapter 260: Tsunade’s Rage*

Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, Aizen teleported Chika back to Konoha, then headed to the rendezvous point to meet up with Pakura.

Kakuzu had already been brought there by Pakura.

Looking at the barely-alive Kakuzu, who seemed on the verge of death, Aizen smiled and said, “Your vitality sure is tenacious. Surviving that attack—how does it feel?”

“Never thought it’d be you guys saving me.” Weakly, Kakuzu trembled, struggling to lift his head and look at Aizen. “Where’s that idiot, Hidan?”

“That fool got one of your hearts destroyed, then fell into a trap someone had set up. He was blown to pieces, buried underground. Without healing, he’s likely to die soon,” Aizen said with a smirk.

“That idiot…” Kakuzu muttered bitterly, cursing under his breath.

Understanding Kakuzu’s thoughts, Aizen said, “What, feeling sad about your partner’s death?”

“No… not really,” Kakuzu replied, looking away. “Weren’t you sent by the leader to capture the Eight-Tails in the Land of Lightning? Why are you here?”

“That mission can wait,” Aizen said nonchalantly before changing the subject. “What’s important is what you do next. As it stands, you’ve already ‘died’ in the outside world at the hands of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki’s team.”

“You want me to betray the Akatsuki?” Kakuzu quickly grasped Aizen’s intent.

“I wouldn’t call it betrayal—just a temporary leave,” Aizen explained. “After what you just went through, I’m sure you realize Akatsuki’s situation is dangerous. At this rate, we’ll all die eventually. You’d agree, right?”

“Perhaps…” Kakuzu didn’t deny it. “But I can’t do anything now. My Earth Grudge Fear tendrils are nearly all destroyed, and I can’t even replace my hearts anymore.”

“That’s not a problem.” Aizen pulled out a Senzu Bean. “This is a special medicine. As long as you’re still breathing, eating it will restore your strength and energy, bringing your body back to its best state.”

“A miraculous drug?” Kakuzu looked at the humble-looking bean in Aizen’s hand, not doubting him; he knew Aizen wouldn’t deceive a dying man.

“So, what’s your choice?” Aizen asked persuasively. “Will you wait for your last heart to stop and die in agony, or take this bean and pledge loyalty to me?”

“Do I have a choice?” Kakuzu gave a bitter smile. If there’s a chance to live, who would choose death?

Then, as if recalling something, he asked, “But I have one condition. If it’s not met, living would be torture.”

“Money, right?” Aizen grinned, already imagining Kakuzu’s reaction when he saw Konan pulling out six hundred billion explosive tags.

Kakuzu nodded heavily. “Money is the only thing that never betrays.”

“Fine. If you still want to be treasurer, that’s acceptable. But you should lay low for now. I’ll take you somewhere. There’s an old acquaintance there.”

Kakuzu was surprised. “An old acquaintance?”

Realizing who Aizen meant, he asked, “Is it Sasori?”

It made sense; if he was alive, then Sasori likely was, too.

Aizen nodded, flicked his finger, and shot the Senzu Bean into Kakuzu’s mouth.

In an instant, the Earth Grudge Fear tendrils that had lost their vitality started to move, then grew increasingly active.

“What… is this?” Kakuzu was shocked as his chakra and Earth Grudge Fear visibly regenerated.

Even the four lost hearts seemed to regrow out of nowhere.

“Looks like you won’t need to steal hearts to survive anymore.” Seeing Kakuzu’s heart restored, Aizen was also a bit surprised. Placing a hand on Kakuzu’s shoulder to leave a Flying Thunder God mark, he said, “Let’s go.”

With his other hand on Pakura’s shoulder, Aizen transported them both to Sasori’s location with the Flying Thunder God Technique, leaving Kakuzu astonished.

---

*In the Hokage’s Office*

“That Aizen…”

With a loud crash, the new desk Yamato had created with Wood Release a few days earlier was smashed by Tsunade.

“Hokage-sama, please calm down,” said Kakashi, Yamato, and Naruto, assuming she was furious over Aizen’s threats to Konoha. They rushed to calm her, not realizing she was angry that Aizen dared not come home.

“This is over. For Konoha’s safety, don’t mention that man’s appearance today to anyone,” Tsunade ordered sternly, crossing her arms.

“Understood,” Kakashi nodded, then heard her add, “Also, Naruto, from now on, the Rasenshuriken is classified as a forbidden jutsu. You’re not allowed to use it again.”

Naruto protested; this was his hope of catching up to Sasuke. “Why, Grandma Tsunade?”

“You should understand its power by now. As the Jinchuriki, you’re unable to perfectly control chakra due to the Nine-Tails’ influence. The Wind Release: Rasenshuriken is more poison than attack—it disrupts the central nervous system, severing cellular connections.”

“Since you can’t throw it like Chika and Aizen, you’re bound to take damage. If you keep using it, one day, your right hand won’t be able to gather chakra.”

Tsunade’s words shattered Naruto’s hope. If his right hand couldn’t gather chakra, he’d not only lose his dream of surpassing Sasuke but might not even remain a shinobi.

---

*Orochimaru’s Base*

For three years, Sasuke trained rigorously, practicing Chidori in his personal training field.

Elsewhere, in the dim and gloomy underground chamber, candlelight flickered.

Lying on a sickbed, Orochimaru listened to Kabuto’s report with great interest, “So, both Kakuzu and Hidan are dead?”

“Yes, apparently it was Naruto’s team that did it,” Kabuto replied, mixing baby formula.

Nearby, a baby girl who bore a striking resemblance to Orochimaru lay in a crib. Hearing their conversation, she suddenly woke up and began to cry, her neck and face flushed red.