After quickly regrouping, Hyuga Gakuya's escort team set out once more. Temari, now properly dressed, followed closely behind him, her eyes still glistening with tears.
Following a forced march, the group swiftly arrived in Sunagakure. Chiyo and other high-ranking officials of the village were already there waiting for them.
When Chiyo saw Temari walking beside Hyuga Gakuya, her expression turned somber. She silently blamed herself for being so powerless that even her own village's shinobi had to pay with their bodies.
"Chiyo-dono, it's been a while," Gakuya greeted warmly, extending a hand. The two shook.
"You haven't changed a bit, Supreme Leader," Chiyo said with a tired smile. "I'm practically halfway into the grave by now."
Gakuya gave a soft chuckle.
"You're too modest, Chiyo-dono. You're still full of life."
"Please, come inside. We've prepared tea."
"No need. I'm here on behalf of someone," Gakuya said, glancing at Temari beside him. "Take us to see the patient first."
Temari bowed deeply. "Thank you, Supreme Leader."
Chiyo felt a deeper pang of shame at that moment—her suspicions had been right all along, and that only made her feel worse.
"This way, please."
...
They arrived outside the medical ward. Through the doorway, Gakuya could see Kankuro lying unconscious on the bed, his life hanging by a thread. His breathing was rapid, as if even in a coma he was enduring intense pain.
Gakuya stepped forward. A Sunagakure medical-nin approached, holding a report.
"No need," Gakuya said, waving them off.
From his arm, a white snake about a foot long slithered out. It bared its fangs and bit into Kankuro's arm, beginning to extract the poison.
Chiyo, watching from behind, let out a sigh and gently placed her hand on Temari's shoulder.
"You've been through a lot, Temari."
Temari blushed furiously. "Grandma Chiyo, it's not like that… The Supreme Leader didn't… do anything to me."
Chiyo thought it was just a young girl's embarrassment.
"Sigh… It's not your fault. It's ours. We were too weak, and you've had to carry the burden."
Within half a minute, Gakuya entered Sage Mode and synthesized an antidote.
The white snake remained attached to Kankuro's arm. Suddenly, his body convulsed violently, and he began coughing uncontrollably. Gakuya's medical aide rushed forward to help him turn over.
Kankuro immediately vomited a large amount of blackened blood. Once he'd been turned, his breathing began to steady. Gakuya retrieved the snake and let it coil onto his shoulder.
In under a minute, Gakuya had cured the illness that had left all of Sunagakure helpless.
"This… How is this possible?" Chiyo stepped forward and placed her hand on Kankuro's chest, completely stunned. She could no longer sense a trace of the poison.
"Nothing's impossible," Gakuya's doctor said, eyes shining with admiration. "The Supreme Leader can do anything."
Gakuya smiled faintly. "You flatter me."
"Yes, sir." The doctor bowed respectfully, though clearly still held the same belief.
Temari stepped in front of Gakuya and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Supreme Leader, for saving my brother."
"I keep my promises," Gakuya replied simply.
Kankuro slowly opened his eyes and, once lucid, explained that one of his puppets still held a scrap of Sasori's clothing. It might be useful in tracking the enemy.
Just then, a voice rang out in the distance.
"Mokushu!"
Everyone turned to see Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, and Sai—the new Team 7—arriving.
"Naruto! Sakura! And Kakashi. Long time no see, everyone," Gakuya said with a warm smile.
After greeting the group, Chiyo's eyes narrowed as she spotted Kakashi. In a flash, she moved to strike him dead—only to be stopped by the others.
"Chiyo! Look carefully, that's not Sakumo Hatake!" Ebizō shouted, rushing forward.
"Oh... Right," Chiyo said sheepishly. "I'm getting old. My memory's not what it used to be."
"Mokushu, are you here to support Sunagakure too?" Naruto asked.
Gakuya nodded. "We originally came for a diplomatic visit. But when we heard Sunagakure had been attacked by a terrorist group, we came to help."
"So we get to fight alongside you again?!" Naruto beamed.
"Idiot," Sakura said, smacking him lightly. "Mokushu-senpai is a national leader now. You think he's gonna fight on the front lines?"
Gakuya nodded in agreement. "I'll be sending two of my personal guards."
"I see…" Naruto scratched his head. "So, when are we heading out?"
Chiyo answered, "We move tomorrow. Everyone needs to be at full strength."
"No," Naruto said firmly. "Every second Gaara stays in enemy hands is another moment of danger."
He was right. In another location, Gakuya's shadow clone was already cooperating in the extraction of the Tailed Beast.
It would take three full days to extract Shukaku. Tomorrow would be the third day—just in time.
Naruto and Gaara had gone through similar fates. Back in Konoha, they'd even clashed while in partial Tailed Beast form. That bizarre connection had brought them closer.
"We still need rest. Plus, the ninja hounds need time to track the Akatsuki," Kakashi reminded them.
Meanwhile, Sakura was collecting samples of the black blood Kankuro had coughed up, hoping it might help her develop an antidote.
Gakuya pulled Kimimaro and Jūgo aside and instructed them,
"If enemies appear on the way, you'll be the ones to stop them. The actual rescue of the Kazekage will be left to Konoha and Sunagakure."
"As you command," the two responded without hesitation. They followed Gakuya's orders without question.
Gakuya didn't want them to go all out—it would disrupt the natural progression of events.
...
The group stayed overnight in Sunagakure. At dawn, the newly formed rescue squad—Konoha's new Team 7, Chiyo, and the Federation's Kimimaro and Jūgo—set out.
Elsewhere, Might Guy's team from Konoha, guided by Kakashi's ninja hounds, was also heading toward the Akatsuki's location where the Tailed Beast was being extracted.
Kakashi summoned his ninken, who led the team along the trail they'd scouted the day before.
After watching them leave, Gakuya returned to his quarters in Sunagakure to begin planning his next move.
...
In a cave on the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Grass, members of the Akatsuki stood atop the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, continuing the extraction of the Tailed Beast.
Gakuya suddenly opened his eyes.
"The rescue team's already on the move," he said. "The Federation and Konoha are involved—and the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki is with them."
"Stall them," Pain suggested.
"I'll go," Itachi volunteered immediately.
He was worried the others might go too far and accidentally kill the rescue team, so he chose to handle it himself.
"Very well. Kisame, go with him," Gakuya ordered.
In his heart, Gakuya had another plan.
He knew Neji hadn't seen his girlfriend in a long time. This was the perfect opportunity for him to return to Konoha. Gakuya didn't have high expectations for Neji—he just wanted him to be happy.
He hoped Neji could use this mission as a chance to reunite with Tenten, maybe even start a real relationship and enjoy a peaceful life.
If Neji ended up returning to Konoha with Team 3, so be it. And if he could manage to whisk Tenten away for a little journey, even better.
These days, Konoha under Tsunade's rule was no longer shrouded in darkness. Plus, with Gakuya's reputation, Tsunade wouldn't dare lay a hand on Neji—not unless she wanted to throw Konoha into chaos.
To ensure Neji's safety, Gakuya had sealed some of his Tenseigan's power into Neji's Byakugan. If Neji were ever in danger, the Tenseigan would automatically activate and obliterate any threat.
And if that happened, Gakuya would use Kamui to retrieve him instantly.
----------------
Hey everyone!
I recently found a really good fanfic called "Starting from One Piece with the Rinnegan", you can also find it on my Webnovel profile. It's about a character with the Rinnegan who ends up in the One Piece world.
He's not some overpowered guy crushing Yonko on day one, but he's definitely not weak either. He's strong enough to survive and grow, which gives the story a nice balance.
I'd say the pacing is smooth, easy to read, and packed with action. Personally, I didn't feel bored even when rereading it, which is rare for me!
Highly recommend checking it out if you're looking for something fun and engaging to read.
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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