The atmosphere was heavy. It was raining heavily as every ninja, civilian, and clan head stood before the grave of the Third Hokage.
Everyone's expression was sorrowful, but... there was one X-marked bastard who was happy.
"Haha! Hiruzen is dead! Now I'm gonna be the Hokage!"
Danzo laughed maniacally.
...
The morning sun rose over Konoha, casting long shadows over the damaged village. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, was gone. His funeral had left a lingering silence in the air, but from that silence, new resolve was born.
Outside the Hokage Monument...
Jiraiya stood tall with his arms crossed, the wind playing with his long white hair and red haori.
"Alright, brats!" he shouted, glancing behind him at the two boys.
Naruto, bubbling with energy and frustration.
Haruto, calm, sharp-eyed, but his fists clenched tightly.
"We're going on a trip," Jiraiya declared. "To find someone who's the only person crazy enough and strong enough to take the Old Man's place."
Naruto tilted his head. "Wait—who?"
Jiraiya smirked. "Tsunade. One of the Legendary Sannin. Medical genius. World-class gambler. And the only one who can punch through a mountain if you tick her off."
Haruto's eyes gleamed. "The Slug Princess."
"Ohhh, she's gonna be mad if you call her that," Jiraiya chuckled. "Now pack up. We leave in thirty minutes."
...
Danzo slammed his hand on his desk as he yelled, "Why?! Why did that damn Jiraiya get chosen?! And he rejected, and the bastards are still going for him!"
"He's got no damn luck getting Tsunade to join the village! And these stupid old guys think he has a chance to bring her back!"
Danzo smashed everything in his study room as his eyes glowed murderously.
"Oh, Jiraiya..."
...
At the village gate, the duo appeared as they walked side by side.
"Haaiya, Jiraiya-sensei!"
"Okay, let's go quick."
Jiraiya then sprinted into the forest, followed by Naruto and Haruto.
They stopped by a village as Naruto spoke, "Why are we here, Jiraiya-sensei?"
"Nothing... Do you guys have money?"
"Yeah... we have 10,000 ryo."
"Ehh... it'll be enough."
Jiraiya took the ryo and booked a room in a hotel as it was almost evening.
Naruto and Haruto tried out many street foods and then went back, where they saw Jiraiya enter.
Then, Jiraiya exited the house and said, "I got information on which village Tsunade was seen."
"You guys go and sleep while I continue gathering more info."
We both nodded and went to our room.
...
After a while, we heard knocks on the door—gentle ones—and I felt a chill down my spine.
'Jiraiya wouldn't knock like that... that must be... Itachi.'
But before I could do anything, Naruto opened the door and was greeted by a guy wearing a straw hat and a cloak with red clouds.
I dragged Naruto by the collar inside as Itachi entered the room.
"What is the meaning of this, Itachi-san?" Haruto spoke as Itachi and Naruto looked confused.
"Why is he getting the honorary -san?" I even questioned myself, then said, "Mistake."
"I'm here to see if you're worthy... if not, you'll die."
"I mean, Naruto be real—I can one-shot this guy."
As I said that, Naruto looked at Itachi with one eye squinted. "Absolutely."
"You genin underestimate my powers."
"You know Sasuke might have known by now that you're after us."
"And he won't budge."
Meanwhile, Sasuke...
Sasuke drank orange juice as he sneezed. "What... am I getting a cold?"
...
"Because he knows how strong his friends really are."
"Oh?..." Itachi's eyes turned into Sharingan and then into Mangekyō.
"It would be wise not to use the Mangekyō unless absolutely necessary," I spoke.
"Your illness won't take you anywhere but death. Although there are countless ways... you'll have to crack it."
Hearing that, Itachi stopped as he spoke, "You know, your sensei is fighting my teammate now."
"And he won't be scared for our safety because I'm with Naruto."
"Oh... you sure?"
"I'm not just sure, Mister Itachi... I'm 100% sure."
Just as Itachi drew his kunai, the Rinnegan activated in Haruto's eyes as he floated.
"You love having your brother alive, right?"
"So do me a favor... never tell anyone about my information. Just say we escaped from the window."
"Because there is Sasuke—your brother—still alive."
"I know you're a double agent and won't reveal my power, but just to be sure..."
Suddenly, Naruto was flung back from the window as Haruto spoke, "You should've known that killing your clan was the absolute worst mistake you could make."
Hearing this, Itachi just stood frozen. "You had many ways... like manipulating Danzo using Shisui's ability."
"How did yo—"
"I once broke into Danzo's base."
"I know what he did. And after finding out what really inspired you to kill, it made my heart melt."
"You really did what you shouldn't, Itachi. I believe even in the Akatsuki, someone is using you."
Itachi's eyes widened as he thought of Madara.
"And that someone would be telling you to conceal his identity. Because... a massacre can't happen without two strong ninja."
Itachi stayed quiet as Haruto spoke again.
"After we finish this mission, we'll have Tsunade-sama as our Fifth Hokage."
"We could entirely prohibit the rumors... and cure you, if Tsunade-sama can do that."
"Always remember, Itachi... the path you chose wasn't something good."
"If our paths ever cross... I hope it would be as friends, not foes."
"Because it will end with one of us dead."
Haruto floated out of the window as Itachi remained frozen in his spot.
Haruto's words echoed in his mind, giving him a chilling realization.
"Son... you chose this path, but remember... don't regret that you chose it."
Itachi then fell to his knees as he cried relentlessly.
...
Meanwhile
Haruto's chakra spread wide as he pinpointed Naruto and Jiraiya's location.
Naruto was walking on the streets trying to find his way home when he hit a tree, and Jiraiya slammed his palm on Naruto's back.
"Ahhhh!!"
"Oh, sorry! Naruto—wait, how did I get here?"
Then Haruto descended from above as Jiraiya yelped.
"This isn't a safe location anymore. With my chakra, I got over ten miles away from that place."
"Jiraiya-sensei, Itachi infiltrated our place. Now we have to move quicker, as dangers will keep increasing."
"Did Itachi tell you?"
"Sort of..."
As they sprinted through the village at night, they arrived at a gambling house.
"By the bar owner's record, he did see a woman with big breasts."
Jiraiya smacked Haruto on the head and spoke, "Be polite."
"Sorry."
"But I'm wondering how big it is..."
"Oh... then you're about to be surprised."
Just then, they entered the gambling house and saw Tsunade losing.
Then, Haruto appeared behind her and said, "I'll play in this lady's stead."
When Tsunade turned around and saw a boy—a little boy—she was angry and about to shoo him away until she saw silver long hair in the background... and she froze.
"Kid, you got any money to play?" the guy laughed, as I laughed as well.