In the Hokage's Office, Tsunade looked at Sasuke and spoke seriously.
"You mean… you want to add Yamato to Team 7?" Sasuke raised a brow, clearly surprised.
"Exactly. Naruto's currently traveling with Jiraiya outside the village," Tsunade explained. "Little Sakura has become my disciple and is learning medical ninjutsu. Her strength still can't match yours… So, technically, Team 7 now consists of just you and Kakashi."
She smiled faintly. "That's why I've held off on giving your team any missions—until now."
Sasuke folded his arms. "A mission? What kind of mission are we talking about?"
"You'll see soon enough. This one's special," Tsunade said with a hint of mischief in her eyes. "The reward is massive—hundreds of millions of ryo."
Sasuke's eyes widened slightly. "Hundreds of millions?"
Tsunade nodded. "This isn't a mission I'd normally give even to elite jonin unless absolutely necessary. But you, Kakashi, and Yamato will handle it together. Besides, Sasuke… I know you're planning to restore the Uchiha Clan. You'll need resources."
Sasuke's interest was clearly piqued. "With that kind of reward, it must be dangerous."
"We'll wait for Kakashi and Yamato to arrive," Tsunade said just as the office door opened.
Kakashi entered with Yamato by his side.
"Tsunade-sama," Yamato greeted.
Kakashi gave a casual wave and smirked. "Looks like you and Sasuke are getting along well."
"Ahem! Don't talk nonsense," Tsunade snapped, quickly looking away.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow at her overreaction, but let it slide.
"Anyway, back to the mission," Tsunade said, clearing her throat. "This assignment is a special commission—directly from the Daimyo of the Land of Rivers."
Sasuke and Kakashi exchanged glances. That wasn't common.
"The Land of Rivers is fairly strong and wealthy," Kakashi muttered. "They have their own ninja village… It's unusual for them to turn to Konoha."
Tsunade continued, "Recently, there have been a series of devastating explosions in the region. The damage has been catastrophic, and the culprit seems to be airborne and extremely fast. The local ninja have tried and failed to catch him."
Sasuke's expression darkened. "Is this guy shouting about 'art' while blowing things up?"
Tsunade blinked. "You know him?"
"If it's who I think it is… the culprit's Deidara of the Akatsuki. He was once a ninja of Iwagakure before being labeled a rogue for similar bombings."
Kakashi nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. The Akatsuki have been quiet lately, but they're still a serious threat."
"We'll handle it, Tsunade-sama," Yamato said.
Tsunade gave a firm nod. "This is an S-rank mission. Be careful."
"Yes, ma'am," the three of them replied.
After gathering supplies, the trio met at Konoha's gates. Kakashi checked the map.
"The Land of Rivers lies between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind. At our pace, we should reach it in two days."
Sasuke frowned. "I haven't marked any teleportation points in that region yet. We'll have to travel the old-fashioned way."
"Not exactly," Sasuke smirked. "Let's move faster."
He formed a hand seal and slammed his palm to the ground. With a burst of smoke, a massive thunder condor appeared—Raiko, Sasuke's personal Summoning Beast.
Kakashi and Yamato stared in awe. The creature radiated power.
"This is your summon?" Kakashi asked, dumbfounded.
Sasuke nodded as they hopped onto Raiko's back. "He'll get us there much faster."
Raiko took to the skies with a powerful flap of his wings, cutting through the air like lightning.
As they flew, Yamato occasionally glanced at Sasuke, astonished by the teen's growth.
"He's even more powerful than the rumors said," he thought silently.
In just over two hours, they reached the Land of Rivers.
"Let's head to Yugakure. That's where the Daimyo is staying," Kakashi said, scanning a scroll.
Raiko soared toward the small village. From above, the land appeared devastated—many buildings lay in ruins.
"They knew the Daimyo was here," Yamato said grimly. "Akatsuki must've targeted the area directly."
The trio landed and approached the village gates, guarded only by two weary Chūnin.
Sasuke frowned. "Only two guards?"
"They've been at peace for a long time," Kakashi explained. "Yugakure is known for being a pacifist village. It didn't get involved in any of the Great Ninja Wars. Their combat ability has weakened over time."
"I see," Sasuke muttered. Peace was good… but too much peace bred weakness.
Led by local ninja, they entered a well-decorated hall where a round, affable man stood to greet them.
"Welcome, Konoha nin! I am Rokuin, Daimyo of the Land of Rivers."
He gestured grandly. "If you can catch that destructive bomber, I'll make sure you're handsomely rewarded!"
"We'll need all the details," Kakashi said calmly.
"Of course," Rokuin began, preparing to recount recent events.
Meanwhile, high above the clouds, Deidara lounged on a massive clay bird.
Beside him was a masked man—Obito, disguised as Tobi.
"Deidara-senpai, are you really going to show off your 'art' again?" Tobi asked in a high-pitched voice. "Didn't Pain order us to lay low?"
"You don't get it, newbie!" Deidara sneered. "Art must be seen. I've been cooped up for too long—time to make the world appreciate true beauty!"
He glanced down at the land below.
"This country is remote. Konoha won't notice. I'll use C2—blow the whole village sky-high!"
Tobi watched silently beneath his mask.
"Let him play his part," Obito thought coldly. "He'll be a fine distraction... maybe he'll even lure out a few valuable targets."