"This is…"
Sasuke was suspended in the air by chains, staring in astonishment at the glowing iron bindings.
They weren't ordinary chains. They sparkled gold, condensed from raw chakra.
They weren't even physical.
They were forged entirely from chakra.
"You missed!"
From the spot Sasuke was standing, the scythe that was aimed at him retracted.
Everyone turned toward the source of the danger—two Kirigakure shinobi who had been hiding under a tree at the roadside.
They had been there all along—camouflaged, blending into their surroundings.
Sasuke's attention had been drawn toward a puddle that appeared despite clear skies, a classic misdirection. The actual enemy lay concealed, not in the foliage, but quite literally buried within the puddle.
That puddle had been used to fool visual perception, and the two Chūnin-level shinobi had hidden themselves completely within it.
As a result, Sasuke had fallen for their trap.
"Cough, cough…"
Naruto coughed heavily.
His body was trembling with discomfort, and three chakra chains had erupted from him, binding Sasuke and lifting him away from the danger zone.
It was those chains that saved Sasuke and pulled him away from the Kirigakure attack.
But clearly, Naruto's current condition made using that technique difficult.
"This isn't right…"
"Are those Adamantine Sealing Chains?"
"I actually used them!"
Surprise and excitement showed on Naruto's face.
Kitahara Hitoshi had once told him about this technique of the Uzumaki Clan while they were at the apartment.
And now… he had used it himself!
"This technique…"
"The Uzumaki Clan…"
The Kirigakure Chūnin, who had just ambushed Sasuke, muttered with shock.
"Your knowledge is decent," Kakashi said, placing one hand over his Konoha forehead protector, covering his Sharingan eye.
"This is the exclusive sealing technique of the Uzumaki Clan—Adamantine Sealing Chains."
"Their chakra is rich and explosive, perfect for sealing."
Children and grandchildren chat group
Big Pillar Hanhan: Uzumaki Naruto really is amazing.
Big Pillar Hanhan: That's definitely the Uzumaki Clan's Adamantine Sealing Chains.
Senju Tobirama: That woman—my sister-in-law—could use them at any time.
Senju Tobirama: Naruto was just recently under the Nine Tails' chakra influence. But now that it's sealed, he's managed to use the chains.
Senju Tobirama: Minato, your son really is a genius in some ways.
Namikaze Minato: Yeah… yeah.
Namikaze Minato: I suppressed and restrained Naruto because of my own selfishness… but he really is a genius.
…
Outside the chat.
"…"
Sasuke was being gently lowered to the ground by Naruto's chains.
He regained his freedom.
The two Kirigakure Chūnin, perhaps realizing the severity of the situation, didn't act immediately.
"Konoha shinobi…"
The two of them exchanged glances. "We don't want to fight you."
The sentiment was questionable, considering they had just attempted to slice Sasuke in half.
But Naruto's use of the Adamantine Sealing Chains had thrown a wrench into their plans.
"Just hand over Dazna."
"We're willing to pay 100,000 ryō."
"…"
Kakashi stayed silent.
"Wait… wait a minute…"
Now that his name had been called out, and with the web of lies unraveling, Dazna quickly stepped forward.
"Konoha shinobi, please don't abandon me."
"I'm the only hope left for the Land of Waves."
"These Kirigakure shinobi aren't loyal shinobi anymore. They've become missing-nin, hired by Kado."
"Kado is a corrupt merchant. He's blocked all trade in the Land of Waves and is forcing everyone to sell their seafood to him alone."
"He's driven prices down harshly. That's why I'm trying to build a bridge—to restore trade and hope."
"But Kado's been hunting me!"
"I'm sorry I hid this from you…"
Dazna spoke quickly and desperately.
He realized now that the young shinobi from Konoha weren't normal rookies. Their strength wasn't ordinary.
Perhaps… they really could save the Land of Waves.
"…"
Kakashi, as the Jōnin instructor, didn't immediately respond.
Instead, he looked to Kitahara Hitoshi.
According to the First and Second Hokage, his role now was to nurture the next generation.
And when he looked at Naruto, at Sasuke, and at Kitahara Hitoshi…
It was obvious.
Kitahara Hitoshi came first.
In strength, this kid was a monster.
In mentality, he wasn't a normal Genin.
And Naruto and Sasuke—while powerful—still relied on Kitahara Hitoshi.
Sasuke was reckless and impulsive.
Naruto was growing but still emotionally tethered to Hitoshi.
Given the comparison…
Kakashi made his decision.
"On this matter…"
Kitahara Hitoshi thought aloud. "We should accept Dazna's request."
"We're Konoha shinobi. Abandoning a mission partway through will stain our name."
"Agreed," Kakashi nodded.
"So then…"
Kakashi turned to the two Kirigakure Chūnin.
"I refuse your offer."
"No—"
"I absolutely refuse."
"What do you think the honor of a Konoha shinobi is worth?"
Kakashi vanished.
In the blink of an eye, he appeared between the two Chūnin, who stood frozen for a moment—then collapsed.
Kakashi had neutralized them both with speed and precision.
"Impressive…"
Sasuke, now standing again, noticed Kakashi's technique. It was the kind of move that could only be refined through hundreds of battles.
"Kakashi-sensei, you should've held back a little," Kitahara Hitoshi suddenly said.
"Huh?" Kakashi paused.
By protocol, these ninja interfering with a mission were enemies.
"After all, we might still be able to negotiate with these Kirigakure ninjas," Hitoshi said.
"Ehhh?" echoed three voices—Kakashi, Sasuke, Naruto, and even Dazna.
"Based on what Mr. Dazna told us…"
"Kado has exploited the Land of Waves' resources, right?"
"That must mean he's sitting on quite a bit of wealth."
"Now that I've become a ninja, I've realized—this life costs money."
"Even a standard ninja tool kit costs 5,000 ryō. A deluxe set is over 10,000. A single exploding tag is more than 2,000."
"So…"
"Since Kado's so wealthy, there's no harm in taking a bit of that money for ourselves."
Kitahara Hitoshi continued calmly.
"Of course, as Konoha shinobi, we have honor. We'd never accept such a generous donation from Mr. Kado."
But if they couldn't do it…
Maybe the Kirigakure shinobi could.
Tick!
At that moment, the Hokages observing Kitahara Hitoshi's strange logic suddenly noticed a new member entering the group.
Invite Kage-level powerhouse — Mizukage candidate of Kirigakure — Terumi Mei to join the small group.
Terumi Mei, congratulations, you've found the treasure.
The name of this group is the Younger Generation Chat Group.
Also known as the Kitahara Hitoshi Live Group.
This group transcends time and space, bringing together qualified individuals from the past, present, and future—even those who have died.
Terumi Mei, current broadcast: your Kirigakure shinobi.
Mizukage Candidate — Terumi Mei: What treasure did I find? Let me see… wait, what…?
Mizukage Candidate — Terumi Mei: My Kirigakure shinobi were bribed!