Chapter 113: Impressive! Singlehandedly Challenge Itachi! The Seven Ninja Swordsmen!

"Although I still think of him often, I believe he is watching me from heaven."

"I will inherit my grandfather's will and become an excellent ninja!"

Tsunade smiled softly at Konohamaru's words.

This kid is actually trying to comfort me?

"Don't worry, I'm the Hokage. My heart is stronger than a little brat like you," she replied with a gentle smile.

"Yes, Lord Jiraiya will definitely bless you from above," Konohamaru added sincerely.

But the very next second…

From a distance came a familiar, energetic voice:

"Hey kid, are you the Third Hokage's grandson? Why are you out here spreading news that I'm dead!?"

Konohamaru whipped around.

"Eh? Lord Jiraiya's not dead?!"

He immediately spotted Naruto and Morkel walking beside Jiraiya and rushed over excitedly.

"Brother Morkel! Long time no see!"

Meanwhile, Jiraiya walked straight toward Tsunade. The moment their eyes met, Tsunade's tears began to fall uncontrollably.

"You… You're not dead… Why did it take you so long to come back?" she cried.

"Do you know how much I worried about you?"

"I've lost so many important people in my life."

"When I heard you'd died, I was filled with regret for letting you go..."

Jiraiya gently pulled her into a hug. "Alright, alright… I'm back now, aren't I?"

Then he glanced at Morkel and gave him a discreet thumbs-up.

Good disciple. Nicely done.

Naruto and Morkel shared a proud smile.

Indeed, the sunset truly is the most beautiful.

Later, Konohamaru tugged at Morkel's sleeve and pouted. "Tsunade-sama said she's stronger than me. I want to prove myself too!"

Morkel just patted his head in response.

---

After returning Jiraiya to Konoha, Morkel and Naruto spent a few more days in the village. It had already been several months since the two of them had left on their journey.

In Morkel's home, Naruto lay sprawled on the bed and casually asked, "Now that the Akatsuki are pretty much wiped out, what do you plan to do next?"

Morkel paused to think.

Honestly, he hadn't thought that far ahead.

Naruto continued, "You know about Sasuke, right? He's formed a team and is on his way to confront Itachi. I want to go with him."

Morkel nodded thoughtfully.

He'd always been curious about the truth behind Itachi and the Uchiha massacre.

Besides, there was something suspicious about the whole thing. The Rinnegan disappearing didn't make sense. There had to be someone pulling the strings behind Nagato.

"Alright," Morkel agreed. "We'll go after him in a few days."

Naruto's eyes lit up. "Also… I haven't eaten your cooking in forever! Can we have braised pork tonight?"

Morkel sighed.

You could cook it yourself, you know… But fine.

---

At the Konoha vegetable market, Team Konohamaru was doing an unloading mission, carrying boxes of produce.

"Did you guys hear?" Konohamaru said mysteriously. "Brother Morkel defeated the whole Rain Village by himself with just a sword! That's my big bro!"

Udon, adjusting his glasses, brought him back to reality. "Come on, someone analyzed his strength and said he's probably a once-in-a-millennium genius. We can't compare."

Konohamaru still looked hopeful. "Maybe I'm the exception!"

"I've learned all of Morkel's techniques anyway."

"Enough talking, get to work," Moegi said grumpily.

"Moegi, don't tell me you dislike Brother Morkel?" Konohamaru teased.

Moegi turned her head and mumbled, "I like him… But he's not here right now, so why waste time talking?"

Just as she finished speaking, Morkel appeared out of nowhere using Flying Thunder God and stood right in front of her.

Moegi's face turned crimson.

Wow… He looks even more handsome than before…

She stammered, "S-Senior Morkel…"

But before she could finish, Konohamaru ran over excitedly.

"Brother Morkel!"

"Tsunade-sama didn't let anyone disturb you these past few days. Now that you're out, does that mean you've rested enough? Can you teach me the Wind Style: Rasenshuriken?"

Naruto, watching nearby, looked expectant.

Morkel smirked. "Meet me in the training grove after dinner."

"Awesome!!" Konohamaru shouted, nearly jumping into the sky.

---

While shopping, Morkel overheard Konohamaru saying, "One day, I'll combine all the best techniques and surpass Brother Morkel!"

A chill ran down Morkel's spine.

Last time he said that about the Third Hokage… and he ended up hitting him with a Rasengan. If I teach him Rasenshuriken now, will he throw it at me someday?

---

After shopping, Morkel was heading home when he heard a familiar voice behind him.

"Morkel-kun?!"

He turned to find Ino smiling and waving at him.

"Long time no see."

"I heard you were back," she said, walking up to him. "But Lady Tsunade said you needed rest, so I didn't dare bother you."

Morkel chuckled. "Yeah, I was pretty wiped out, but I'm all good now."

Ino continued, "I heard you defeated Pain all by yourself. That's incredible."

"We graduated the same year, and now you're a top-tier ninja."

Morkel, unsure how to respond, gave a stiff nod. "Uh… yeah."

Seeing his awkwardness, Ino misinterpreted it as disinterest.

"If you've got stuff to do, I'll get going," she said with a tinge of disappointment.

She turned and walked away, thinking, He really is clueless about girls…

But behind her, Morkel couldn't help but admire her back.

She's gotten more beautiful…

Ino's body stiffened.

Did I hear that right?! He said I'm beautiful?!

Maybe I should just confess! Then we can get married, have kids… What should I name our child?

Ino, you got this! Go for it!

She turned around with her most charming smile.

"Morkel-kun, I like—"

Gone!

Morkel had vanished.

Ino stomped in frustration. "Blockhead! He's a total blockhead!"

Nearby, Konohamaru witnessed the whole thing and sighed in relief.

"Whew, that was close!"

"Big Brother Morkel almost escaped bachelorhood!"

---

At home, Morkel returned with his groceries.

Naruto looked up. "Hey, Tsunade sent someone while you were out. She wants to see us. Maybe something big is going on?"

---

Using Flying Thunder God, Morkel and Naruto teleported to the Hokage's office.

Tsunade didn't waste time.

"Although Pain is dead, Akatsuki's activity hasn't stopped."

"Scattered members are still after the Tailed Beasts."

Morkel nodded. He suspected something like this, especially with the Rinnegan vanishing.

"Behind Akatsuki," Tsunade continued, "there's still an unknown leader."

"You two have experience fighting them, so I'm assigning you to investigate."

There was no set deadline or specific objective—it was practically a government-funded road trip.

Just in time, since they were planning to find Sasuke anyway.

"Alright," both Morkel and Naruto agreed.

"Any info you find, report it back immediately," Tsunade instructed.

That night, they enjoyed one last home-cooked meal.

---

After dinner, Morkel met Konohamaru in the grove for training.

Three days later, Konohamaru had grasped the basics of Rasenshuriken.

"From here on, it's all about practice," Morkel said.

"You're leaving again, aren't you?" Konohamaru asked, looking downcast.

Morkel nodded.

"No matter where you go, you'll always be my big brother!"

"What are you talking about?" Morkel laughed. "I'm leaving on a mission, not for good!"

"Oh…" Konohamaru scratched his head. "Then I'll work hard so next time I'll surprise you!"

"I look forward to it."

---

The next morning, Morkel and Naruto stood at the village gates.

Jiraiya gave them a firm pat on the shoulder. "Be careful."

After goodbyes to their friends, they left the village under the golden morning sun.

"Didn't Sasuke say he'd meet us outside the village?" Naruto asked.

"He probably didn't wait this long," Morkel replied.

"Wait… you didn't leave a Flying Thunder God mark on him?"

Morkel shook his head. "Forgot."

"Then how do we find him?"

"We'll buy information."

They visited a bounty station disguised in plain clothes and quickly bought info on Sasuke's location.

Turns out, he was still in the Land of Fire.

Inside the bounty office, people were gossiping about Morkel.

"Did you hear what happened in Rain Village?"

"Yeah! Morkel turned the whole place into a forest with one swing of his sword!"

"Morkel's bounty hit 320 million! He's number one now!"

Morkel and Naruto left quietly.

Morkel couldn't help but wonder if he'd gone too far in Rain Village.

---

In a forest on the border of the Land of Fire…

Sasuke's team moved swiftly toward Uchiha territory.

"Wait!" Karin shouted. "There's a strange chakra nearby!"

A flock of crows swirled through the air, forming into Itachi's shape.

Everyone stepped back.

Suigetsu was drenched in sweat. "That's Sasuke's brother? He's terrifying!"

Karin muttered, "Still not as handsome as Morkel."

Sasuke gripped his sword. "Itachi!"

Itachi smiled calmly. "You've grown. Come to the Uchiha base. We'll end it there."

Before he could finish, Sasuke's Chidori Spear pierced through his illusion.

The crows scattered.

"Sasuke!" Suigetsu called.

"Let's go. We end this now," Sasuke said coldly.

As they ran, Suigetsu grumbled, "He promised me swords… All I've gotten is cardio."

Karin sighed. "I only joined hoping to meet Morkel again."

Suddenly, a flash of red light appeared in the distance…

---