Chapter 198 Akatsuki's Entry

Seeing Temari and Kankuro's worried expressions, Gaara was taken aback, but after a brief moment, he lowered his head and muttered, "I'm sorry."

Temari and Kankuro froze, their eyes wide in shock. Gaara, who had always been distant and indifferent, had never shown any vulnerability like this before. To hear him say such words was unexpected.

Tatsuya, noticing their confusion, spoke up, "He's exhausted. After causing such a commotion, he used up a lot of chakras and needs rest."

Temari and Kankuro nodded in understanding, expressing their gratitude to Tatsuya before carefully guiding Gaara away to rest.

The onlookers, including Hatake Kakashi, were left stunned by Tatsuya's methods of subduing Gaara, especially considering how the young Kazekage had been rampaging just moments earlier.

At first, Tatsuya had repeatedly struck Shukaku's physical form, then, without hesitation, moved directly to Gaara's side, standing still. The sudden shift had caught everyone off guard.

"You're still too inexperienced," Tatsuya remarked coolly, his voice laced with quiet authority. "It's normal not to understand."

He offered no further explanation, leaving behind only those words as he turned and walked away.

"Old man that was amazing! I want to be as strong as you when I grow up!" Naruto shouted eagerly, his voice filled with admiration.

Though still a distance away from the battlefield, Naruto had seen enough to understand the gravity of what had just occurred. He knew that the white-haired old man in front of him had not only defeated another tailed beast but had also managed to subdue it and return it to its Jinchūriki's body. At that moment, Naruto's respect for Tatsuya soared.

Just as Naruto was lost in his thoughts, a sharp, loud voice echoed from behind him. "Naruto Uzumaki!"

It was Kushina, and her tone carried the familiar sharpness that came with her concern. Ever since his loss in the Chūnin Exams, Kushina's attention toward Naruto had become even more intense. Despite Minato's efforts to ease the tension, Naruto had found himself subjected to even more rigorous training under his mother's watchful eye.

Had it not been for the chaos of Shukaku being out of control, Naruto would have still been under Kushina's strict control.

As Tatsuya passed by the area, he couldn't help but notice Kushina's determined efforts with her son. With a quiet smile, he slowed his pace, content to let her have her way. After all, only a knucklehead could teach another knucklehead.

Now that Tatsuya had left his house, there was no reason for him to return and trap himself inside. He had already anticipated what Terumi Mei and Kurenai would be saying about him behind his back. However, for the time being, neither of them noticed his absence, so they turned their attention to entangling Hatake Kakashi.

Of course, Kakashi had no idea where his uncle had gone. After the tailed beast was subdued, Tatsuya quietly slipped away. When it came to hiding in Konoha, no one could track him down when he didn't want to be found.

After all, his strength was now second only to the Hokage, and no one dared claim the top spot above him. Even the five Kage together might not stand a chance against him.

Seeing that Kakashi couldn't find any trace of Tatsuya, Terumi Mei and Kurenai shifted their focus, deciding to search for Hatake Sakumo instead. If Tatsuya wasn't with his nephew, it was likely he had gone to visit his old brother to reminisce.

Unfortunately, their assumption was wrong.

Tatsuya wasn't exactly hiding. He had simply chosen to spend time at Rin's apartment—a place so seldom visited by others that it made for an ideal sanctuary. Unlike the battles Terumi Mei and Kurenai often found themselves entangled in, Rin's home was a stark contrast—a quiet, almost untouched corner of the village.

Leaning against the wooden frame of her balcony, he let out a small sigh. "You know," he murmured, glancing at Rin, "for all of Obito's… quirks, I have to admit, his taste was impeccable."

Rin, who had been sorting through some medical scrolls, raised an eyebrow at him. "That better not be your roundabout way of flirting," she said dryly.

Tatsuya smirked. "That depends—is it working?"

She rolled her eyes but didn't bother answering. Instead, she stretched her arms and turned toward the window, watching as construction workers continued the rebuilding of Konoha. The last attack had left its mark—roads still bore cracks, training grounds were in ruins, and houses once filled with laughter had been reduced to rubble.

"The village still looks so… broken," Rin murmured, voice tinged with quiet sadness.

Tatsuya tilted his head slightly. "Konoha always rebuilds. It's what it does best."

She gave him a small, melancholic smile. "You sound like you've seen it happen a thousand times before."

"Maybe I have."

But before she could press further—a presence. No, two.

Tatsuya's posture didn't change, but his senses sharpened instantly.

Outside, among the half-repaired streets of Konoha, two figures moved with eerie ease.

The first was tall, clad in the unmistakable black-and-red cloak of the Akatsuki. His hat obscured his face, but the unmistakable weight of his chakra left no doubt—this was a hunter, a predator moving through the village undetected.

The second… was smaller, but just as unnerving.

Rin noticed it too. Her expression shifted. "Akatsuki," she whispered.

Tatsuya exhaled through his nose. "They sure have some nerve, walking in like this. Any guesses?"

Rin's hands balled into fists. "One of them feels… different. Not like the others."

Tatsuya's smirk faded. "That," he said, "is because the most dangerous ones are usually the quietest."

Although the two figures wore hats deliberately to conceal their identities, their clothing and the rings on their fingers quickly gave them away. In Konoha, anyone walking around wearing a hat like that was practically advertising the fact that they had something to hide. The moment they appeared in the village, it was clear that the residents wouldn't let them leave without consequences.

After all, the Akatsuki was a notorious organization made up of renegades, each member more dangerous than the last. Killing even one of them would be seen as an act of justice—an opportunity to rid the world of one more threat to the peace.

Kakashi and Minato, as always, were at the forefront of this danger, ready to take action. But what was truly surprising was the unexpected assistance from Mizukage Terumi Mei and Kurenai. In Tatsuya's absence, their presence had brought a level of unrest to Konoha that hadn't gone unnoticed. Both Kakashi and Sakumo had headaches over the situation.

The women they encountered these days were unlike any they had dealt with before—trickier, more difficult to manage. The two of them had come to admire Tatsuya's methods, even if they didn't fully understand him anymore. A woman with such a fiery temper wasn't something just anyone could handle.

As soon as the Akatsuki's presence in Konoha became known, whispers turned to alarm. The news spread like wildfire, setting the village into motion.

Civilians, those who knew better, hurriedly withdrew into their homes, sliding doors shut and snuffing out lanterns as if darkness could make them invisible. They understood—this wasn't a battle for them. They would only get in the way.

The shinobi, however, had no such luxury.

On the rooftops, in the shadows of alleyways, and within the damaged streets, capable ninjas rallied, shifting into position like pieces on a battlefield.

"They really think they can just walk in here?" one of the shinobi muttered, adjusting his forehead protector. His grip on the kunai in his hand tightened.

"Don't underestimate them," another warned. "They wouldn't come unless they were confident."

At the heart of the village, Kakashi stood beside Minato, his single visible eye fixed on the incoming threat. His voice was calm, but laced with something sharper.

"Akatsuki making a move here of all places… Bold," he mused, fingers tapping against his sleeve.

Minato nodded, his gaze unwavering. "It's not just bold. It's calculated. They wouldn't risk stepping into Konoha unless they had a reason."

A younger shinobi landed nearby, slightly out of breath. "Hokage-sama! We've secured the perimeter. No other Akatsuki members detected so far, but the two who entered are holding their ground. It's almost like they're… waiting for something."

Minato narrowed his eyes slightly. "Waiting?"

Kakashi exhaled. "That's never a good sign."

The younger shinobi hesitated. "Should we… engage?"

Minato's voice was quiet, but firm. "Not yet."

Kakashi glanced at him. "You're thinking the same thing, aren't you?"

Minato nodded. "This isn't an attack. At least, not yet. They aren't here to destroy—they're here to draw someone out."

Kakashi folded his arms. "And I have a pretty good guess who that is."

Tatsuya, too, told Rin to stay put in the house. In the original timeline, Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame appeared in Konoha after the death of Hiruzen, with Sarutobi Asuma and Kurenai leading the charge against them. But now, with Asuma gone, the question remained: would Kurenai step up in his place?

Amidst the constant shifts and unpredictability of this world, Tatsuya found it difficult to determine the direction of the plot. He had originally planned to stay until the Chūnin exam finals, but things had taken an unexpected turn, forcing him to leave early.

After all, Tatsuya would never tolerate anything that threatened those he cared for—especially the women in his life. He had always believed in one simple principle: "I protect what matters to me, and that's all that matters." This belief guided his every action and decision.

It's this very belief that has captivated people like Terumi Mei and Kurenai. In a world where power reigned supreme, there was no one quite like Tatsuya. His combination of looks, strength, and favor made him an exceptional man—one who was truly unparalleled.

Tatsuya swiftly escorted Nohara Rin to the location where the battle was about to erupt. When Terumi Mei and Kurenai saw Tatsuya arriving with Rin, their expressions froze in disbelief.

The reason the two women were here was simple: they were waiting for Tatsuya to show up. After all, whenever a situation like this unfolded, Tatsuya would inevitably make an appearance. Even if he didn't intervene directly, he would never miss the chance to watch the spectacle. But the way he made his entrance this time was unlike any they had expected.

Their eyes narrowed as they realized where Tatsuya had been hiding all this time.

"You...?" Terumi Mei began, but she was swiftly cut off by Tatsuya.

"Let's focus on business first," he said firmly. "The personal matters can wait."

This response left Terumi Mei speechless, and Kurenai looked on with a mix of confusion and frustration.

Meanwhile, Minato and Kakashi were left wondering if the man before them was truly Tatsuya. After all, the Tatsuya they knew was notorious for being deeply involved in "matters of the heart." The idea that he was prioritizing "Konoha matters" over personal affairs seemed almost foreign.

Minato, ever the strict husband, couldn't help but feel uneasy. The expressions on Terumi Mei and Kurenai's faces were telling—whatever was going on, it was serious. And in that moment, it was clear that these two women were far more terrifying than the two Akatsuki members they were preparing to face.

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