Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 123: S-Class Mission: Bring Back Uchiha Sasuke

The sudden proposition from Kazuma left Hagoromo Gengetsu quite surprised. He had a faint recollection of Kazuma as a character who would rather die than surrender, only to end up being defeated and eliminated by Konoha. Nevertheless, Kazuma's analysis of the Uchiha massacre was surprisingly accurate.

Aside from not knowing that Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Obito were the ones who actually carried out the massacre, with Konoha merely sealing off the scene afterwards, everything else Kazuma said was nearly spot on.

As Hagoromo Gengetsu locked eyes with Kazuma, the latter seemed ready to elaborate further but was abruptly cut off by a sudden flash of red in his vision. Before he could react, his eyelids drooped, and he fainted.

“Lord Kazuma!”

Kazuma's subordinates, Fuka, Fudo, and Fuen, turned pale and were about to act, but the next moment, they too fell into the world of illusion, unaware of what had just happened.

Hagoromo Gengetsu, having dealt with them using his Sharingan's genjutsu, showed no interest in Kazuma's grand plan. He had no intention of changing his plans or joining forces with these incompetent individuals in a plot to destroy Konoha. To avoid any further entanglements, he quickly subdued them all.

“Let's go,” he said calmly to Sasuke, resuming their journey.

Sasuke glanced at the unconscious Kazuma and his group, then quickly caught up to Gengetsu. He couldn't help but ask, “Lord Gengetsu, was what Kazuma said true?”

The possibility that Konoha was involved in the Uchiha massacre had never occurred to Sasuke before. Kazuma's analysis had opened up this unsettling possibility, making Sasuke ponder deeply.

Without turning his head, Gengetsu replied, “If you want the truth, ask the people involved directly.”

Gengetsu didn't elaborate, not wanting to risk prematurely awakening Sasuke's Mangekyō Sharingan with the truth. Sasuke's intense emotions upon hearing the truth might lead to unexpected consequences, as Sasuke had awakened his Mangekyō only after learning the truth from Obito following Itachi's death.

Sasuke fell silent, gripping his fists tightly. The desire to confront Itachi again, stronger than ever, burned within him.

---

In Konoha, the village had returned to normalcy after the initial shock of Root's destruction. The atmosphere had been tense, but with the return of the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, everything had calmed down. Despite the sorrow over Root's loss, there was also a sense of relief among those who opposed its extreme methods.

The quiet was abruptly shattered by a messenger hawk from the Fire Temple. 

“Tsunade-sama!” Shizune hurriedly burst into the Hokage's office, where Tsunade was busy signing documents at an incredible speed. 

Seeing Shizune, Tsunade sighed, “Don't tell me there's more paperwork... I’ve missed my drinking time.”

“Tsunade-sama, an urgent report from the Fire Temple!” Shizune handed her a scroll.

“Fire Temple? What do those monks want now?” Tsunade muttered as she opened the scroll. Her expression quickly turned serious.

“Uchiha Sasuke appeared at the Fire Temple? And there’s another Uchiha with him, possibly not Hagoromo Gengetsu?” Tsunade couldn't believe the shocking news.

Sasuke's appearance was concerning enough, but the presence of another Uchiha was even more alarming. Could it be Itachi? No, it couldn't be—those two would definitely clash violently if they met. Was there another Uchiha outside of Konoha?

Her expression hardened. Shizune asked, “Should we send someone after them?”

The Fire Temple wasn't far from Konoha, and it had only been a couple of hours since the incident. They could still catch up.

“Absolutely!” Tsunade quickly decided.

Capturing Sasuke and identifying the other Uchiha were critical for Konoha. Besides, as allies, they had to respond to the Fire Temple’s call for help.

Tsunade quickly gave orders, “Summon Team Three and Team Eight to the office, and inform Kakashi Hatake to join them.”

“Understood!” An ANBU operative appeared, acknowledged the order, and disappeared.

In less than ten minutes, Kakashi Hatake, Team Three (led by Might Guy, including Neji Hyuga, Tenten, and Rock Lee), and Team Eight (led by Kurenai Yuhi, including Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame) had assembled.

After briefing them, Tsunade issued the mission order, “This mission is classified as S-rank. Your primary objective is to bring back Uchiha Sasuke. Proceed with caution regarding the other Uchiha. Kakashi, you will lead the mission.”

Kakashi, having received the first concrete lead on Sasuke in months, nodded decisively, “Understood, Hokage-sama!”

As the group prepared to set out, Kiba couldn't contain his excitement, “It's a shame Naruto isn't here. We'll bring Sasuke back and surprise him!”

“If we manage to bring Sasuke back, Naruto... will be very happy,” Hinata added shyly.

Rock Lee, full of determination, raised his arm, “We failed last time, but this time we'll bring Sasuke back.”

Shino adjusted his glasses, ready to speak, when Might Guy's voice boomed with enthusiasm, “This is the springtime of youth! Let's all do our best!”

Kurenai smiled gently at Guy’s exuberance. Finally, Kakashi, after a moment of reflection, commanded, “Move out!”

In an instant, the group dashed out of Konoha, swiftly heading into the dense forest beyond the village gates.

Minutes later, Sakura arrived at the now-empty gates, sighed deeply, and clasped her hands together, silently praying for their success.

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