Reincarnation Paradise Park

Chapter 550: Chapter 38: Attitude Problem

Sand Ninja Village, five minutes after the explosion.

The pungent smell of gunpowder permeated the air, and numerous buildings on the outskirts of the Sand Ninja Village had collapsed, with cracks all over the surrounding crater walls.

”Help... help me.”

”Someone, please, my leg.”

A massive stone shook and was pushed aside with a rumble.

”Temari, are you okay?”

Kankuro had Chakra lines extending from his ten fingers. He was conducting post-battle rescue work.

”Cough, cough, cough...”

Temari coughed several times. When she looked around, her first thought was, where is this? Is this really the Sand Ninja Village?

Scattered around Temari were a few charred corpses, and the surrounding ruins and broken walls stimulated her nerves constantly. She seemed to suddenly think of something and grabbed Kankuro’s arm.

”Where’s Gaara?”

Upon hearing Temari’s question, Kankuro lowered his head, his teeth gritting audibly.

”The Kazekage-sama was... taken by Akatsuki’s thieves.”

A female Sand Ninja with half her body blasted away was gasping for breath, her blood-stained hand reaching out to Temari. Temari quickly stepped forward and grabbed the female Sand Ninja’s hand.

”You must... save... the Kazekage-da...”

As she spoke, the female Sand Ninja lost her voice, her arm hanging limply. This was Temari’s dearest friend, her best friend.

”Ah!!”

Temari screamed to the sky, tears streaming down her face. After a long time, she calmed down.

”Kankuro.”

”What.”

Kankuro seemed to notice something off about Temari.

”Find a way to request aid from Konoha. Any demand they make can be met. Akatsuki’s thieves must pay the price.”

”Yeah, Maki-sensei has already sent an appeal for help. With the peace treaty in place, Konoha won’t stand by and do nothing.”

Hatred also flashed in Kankuro’s eyes. The figure under moonlight holding a long knife and standing high above was already branded in his mind. The moon behind them seemed to be stained blood red, dyed by the blood of the Sand Ninja.

...

Konoha Village, inside the Hokage Office Building.

Two hours after Sand Ninja Village’s appeal for help, the Fifth Hokage Tsunade learned of the news.

”Shizune, did Sand Ninja Village provide any other information?”

Tsunade wore a loose green outfit, but her ample bosom couldn’t be concealed. Although she was not young, her appearance showed no signs of aging, resembling a mature woman in her twenties or thirties.

”Tsunade-sama, here is the specific information on the three who attacked Sand Ninja Village.”

The Hokage’s secretary, Shizune, handed over three files.

”Could this be a trap?”

Tsunade had participated in the Second Ninja World War and didn’t have a great impression of the Sand Ninja Village.

”These three guys...”

A white-haired man sitting opposite Tsunade spoke. He was Jiraiya, who had just returned to Konoha not long ago.

”What’s up, Jiraiya?”

Tsunade looked at Jiraiya with curiosity.

”I fought against these three before.”

”What!”

Tsunade sat upright, picking up the three files on the desk to examine them closely.

Others were also in the Hokage’s office: a blond-haired young man, a pink-haired female ninja, and a white-haired masked ninja.

These three were: Naruto Uzumaki, the protagonist, Sakura Haruno, the medical ninja, and Kakashi, known as the Copy Ninja.

The three of them remained silent, just quietly watching.

Naruto at this time was somewhat different from his younger days; he was still impulsive but no longer made a big fuss over nothing. After three years of training with Jiraiya, he had matured noticeably.

”Sand Ninja Village’s rogue ninja Sasori, Iwagakure Village rogue ninja Deidara, and... the ninja Bai Ye who doesn’t use Ninjutsu? Is this guy a reserve member of Akatsuki?”

Tsunade discarded Su Xiao’s file and began looking closely at the files of Sasori and Deidara. These were very infamous rogue ninjas.

The information sent by Sand Ninja Village to Konoha only detailed the attack and the abduction of the Kazekage; the specific details were not introduced as it was too humiliating.

Jiraiya took Su Xiao’s file from the desk.

”Tsunade, this guy is no ordinary reserve member.”

Tsunade looked up at Jiraiya. Although a ninja using a ’Shinobi dagger’ wasn’t weak, ninjutsu and taijutsu were the mainstream battle tactics for ninjas.

Jiraiya hesitated for a moment, unbuttoned his shirt, revealing the wound still wrapped in bandages.

He removed the bandage, revealing a terrifying wound over half a meter long and deep enough to reach the bone, looking fierce with faint traces of blood.

”This is what that guy left me. If I hadn’t dodged in time, my heart would have been cut through.”

Seeing the wound on Jiraiya’s chest, Tsunade furrowed her brow, green light flashing on her hand as she placed one hand on Jiraiya’s chest.

”Such an injury...”

Beside them, Sakura Haruno saw Jiraiya’s shocking wound and was somewhat horrified. Being a medical ninja, she knew how severe such a wound was; the fact that Jiraiya hadn’t died only showed his strong life energy.

”Even the ribs are broken. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Tsunade’s face showed some displeasure.

”I’ve almost recovered. You’ve been so busy since becoming Hokage that I didn’t want to bother you.”

Jiraiya laughed heartily, scratching his head.

”Idiot.”

Tsunade cursed quietly, her hand movements never stopping. After some time, Jiraiya’s face appeared more vibrant, and the knife wound was somewhat healed.

”Tsunade, how do you plan to handle this?”

Jiraiya was hesitant about whether to personally support the Sand Ninja Village, as he had other important matters to attend to.

Seemingly sensing Jiraiya’s thoughts, Tsunade quietly said to him, ”How is the investigation on that matter going?”

”There are already some clues. It’s very likely Akatsuki’s base is in the Hidden Rain Village, though that’s just my speculation.”

”The Hidden Rain Village?”

”Yes.”

Tsunade appeared thoughtful. It was unlikely to send forces directly to the Hidden Rain Village as it would create diplomatic conflict.

”This mission...”

”No.”

Tsunade interrupted Jiraiya.

”Continue investigating Akatsuki. As long as the Akatsuki Organization exists, Konoha could be attacked. I have a feeling that what happened with the Sand Ninja Village is just the beginning. Besides, our support is merely a gesture, as the distance is too far.”

Jiraiya nodded. It was clear to both Tsunade and him that even if they supported the Sand Ninja Village, it might not lead to battle; it was more about showing their stance.

”Understood.”

Jiraiya stood and left. Although supporting the Sand Ninja Village was important, he had more crucial matters; the Sand Ninja Village was indeed an ally but not more important than home concerns.

”Aid is necessary, but...”

Tsunade wore a troubled expression. Most of the Jonin squads in the village were out on missions, and those remaining had to guard Konoha, especially since their neighbor, the Sand Ninja Village, had just been attacked. Konoha needed to strengthen its defense, not to mention the mysterious forces appearing in the Country of Fire recently.

”Granny Tsunade.”

Naruto spoke up, and it seemed a tic mark appeared on Tsunade’s forehead, her gaze saying: ’Call me granny again, and I’ll hang you up and whip you.’

Women care about their age, and the Hokage was no exception.

”What’s up.”

Tsunade’s tone wasn’t very friendly. Naruto smiled brightly, seemingly realizing he had said the wrong thing.

”Let our Team 7 go.”

Naruto had just returned to Konoha after three years of training and was ready to show his skills.

”But...”

Tsunade hesitated. She had previously heard from Jiraiya that the Akatsuki Organization seemed to be targeting Tailed Beasts, and from the incident of the One-Tail Jinchuriki being abducted, this information was confirmed.

A tough problem lay before her. Now there was no one available in the village, with many Jonin squads out, and Team 7 seemed the best option.

Tsunade knocked on her desk with a bang.

”Fine, you will act as the advance team to support. Now head to Sand Ninja Village at full speed.”

”Yes.”

Kakashi nodded and led Naruto and Sakura out of the Hokage Office.

”Tsunade-sama, is this really okay?”

Shizune seemed a bit worried.

”What’s not okay?”

Tsunade looked at Shizune with a smile.

”About letting Naruto go to support.”

Hearing Shizune’s words, Tsunade shook her head.

”It takes three days to travel from Konoha to the Sand Ninja Village. Even if the Kakashi squad travels day and night without rest, it will still take about two days. Sending people to the Sand Ninja Village is just a gesture. The Akatsuki Organization, after capturing the Jinchuriki, wouldn’t be so arrogant as to stay near the Land of Wind.”