128. Uchiha Itachi Returns to the Village!

"SCREEEEECH!"

The piercing cry of an eagle echoed across the sky above Konohagakure as a majestic messenger hawk circled overhead, its powerful wings cutting through the air.

Every ninja in the village looked up simultaneously, their eyes tracking the bird as it gradually descended toward the Hokage Tower.

"What could be so urgent?" one villager wondered aloud.

"Is something wrong with the war on the front lines?" another asked with concern.

"Master Jiraiya just departed with his forces. What could have happened with Lord Naraku's campaign?"

The Konoha shinobi watched anxiously as the messenger hawk disappeared from view, landing somewhere within the administrative district.

Whenever unexpected developments occurred during wartime, it affected everyone in the village. The uncertainty was always nerve-wracking.

Compared to Jiraiya, who had led troops into battle many times throughout his long career, Shihouin Naraku was a much greater source of worry for the villagers.

No one questioned Shihouin Naraku's individual strength - his power was undeniable. However, strength alone was different from leadership ability, and many people had doubts about Naraku's capacity to command large forces.

Battlefield situations changed rapidly and unpredictably. A qualified commander needed to possess crucial strategic thinking, the ability to make critical decisions under pressure, the emotional intelligence to communicate effectively with subordinates, and the courage to think clearly and act decisively in the most dangerous moments.

Since Shihouin Naraku had never been tested in actual battlefield command, no one could be certain whether he possessed these essential leadership qualities.

"Tsunade-sama!"

Shizune burst through the door and rushed into the Hokage's office. Tsunade was currently buried beneath towering stacks of administrative documents, working so frantically that she didn't even have time to look up from her paperwork.

"What's the matter?" Tsunade asked without pausing in her writing.

"Front-line battle report!"

"Give it to me immediately!"

Tsunade instantly shot to her feet and snatched the intelligence scroll from Shizune's hands, her expression deadly serious.

"Let me see..."

She quickly unrolled the scroll and scanned through the contents at lightning speed. Gradually, a smile began to spread across her beautiful face.

"Hahaha..."

"That kid Naraku is absolutely incredible!"

After rapidly reading through the entire report, Tsunade placed her hands on her hips and laughed with genuine delight. The tremendous pressure that had been weighing on her shoulders was suddenly lifted.

"Tsunade-sama, could it possibly be that..." Shizune looked at her mentor with surprise and hope, asking tentatively.

"Yes, exactly what you're thinking."

Tsunade read through the intelligence report once more, the smile on her face growing even brighter with each passing moment.

"Naraku has achieved complete victory! The Cloud forces have been driven entirely out of the Land of Hot Water, and Naraku's team, working with Shikaku, has even managed to launch a successful invasion into the Land of Lightning itself!"

"That's wonderful news!"

Shizune felt genuinely happy for both her mentor and the village. "Now Tsunade-sama can finally breathe easier."

"Hah!"

Tsunade couldn't help but grin with pride. "I already knew that Naraku was an exceptional fighter, otherwise why would I have appointed him as front-line commander?"

"He's worthy of being my student!"

Thinking about this achievement, Tsunade couldn't help but feel immensely proud of herself.

Forget about Orochimaru for a moment - even Jiraiya had successfully trained a Fourth Hokage!

Now she had finally caught up in this regard. Shihouin Naraku was certainly not inferior to Namikaze Minato in terms of both natural talent and raw strength.

No matter how anyone looked at it, she had trained an outstanding ninja for Konohagakure - Shihouin Naraku!

At this moment, Tsunade had completely forgotten that she had actually spent far less time personally training Shihouin Naraku compared to the extensive mentoring that Jiraiya and Orochimaru had provided to their respective students.

Of course, Tsunade didn't particularly care about such minor details.

"Shizune, spread this wonderful news immediately! Post public announcements so that everyone in the village can celebrate together."

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Wait a moment..."

As Shizune prepared to leave on her mission, Tsunade paused thoughtfully. "Also notify the village advisors to come for an emergency meeting!"

"Understood!"

Shizune turned and departed immediately, ready to deliver the news of their victory to the entire village.

Within minutes, all of Konohagakure began erupting in celebration.

"Hahahaha... the war will be over soon now!"

"I told you that Lord Naraku was incredibly powerful! How could he possibly lose a war? You still didn't believe me..."

"Are the Cloud ninja really that weak? They were beaten back in such a short time!"

"This is fantastic! Absolutely fantastic news!"

Because of the outbreak of war, the normally quiet atmosphere of Konoha Village suddenly transformed into one of pure joy and celebration.

Street vendors began shouting out special victory discounts, civilians cheered and embraced each other, and children ran through the streets playing war games and pretending to be great heroes.

The entire village seemed to be immersed in an ocean of happiness in just a few short moments.

The Hyuga Clan's Quiet Satisfaction

In the territory of the Hyuga clan, which occupied a substantial area within Konohagakure, faint sounds of celebration could be heard. This was extremely unusual for the Hyuga, who typically valued peace and quiet above all else.

However, there was good reason for their rare display of emotion. The Hidden Cloud Village had previously set its sights on Hyuga Hinata, the heir to the main family of the Hyuga clan.

After the Cloud ninja kidnapping incident that had occurred years earlier, the entire Hyuga clan had suffered tremendously.

Not only had the relationship between the main family and branch house deteriorated significantly, but the powerful branch house ninja Hyuga Hizashi had died as a direct result of that crisis.

So even though the main family and branch house members didn't always get along well, everyone was genuinely happy to see the Cloud ninja suffering such a humiliating defeat.

This was also the primary reason why Hyuga Hiashi had volunteered to serve under Shihouin Naraku's command and fight on the battlefields between Konoha and the Hidden Cloud Village.

"The Cloud ninja actually lost?"

A hint of satisfaction flashed through Hyuga Neji's normally calm white eyes.

Ever since losing to Uzumaki Naruto during the Chunin Exams, Neji had learned from Hyuga Hiashi the complete details surrounding the Cloud ninja's attempted kidnapping of Hinata. Although he still carried some resentment in his heart, he had become much more cheerful and open-minded than before.

After Hyuga Hiashi had departed for the battlefield with his forces, Neji had begun spending time helping to train the Hyuga sisters, Hinata and Hanabi.

Neji felt genuinely pleased to hear news of the Cloud ninja's devastating defeat. Although there had been other factors contributing to his father's death, the coercion and threats from the Hidden Cloud Village had been the most significant cause.

How could he not feel happy now that he was hearing news of the Cloud ninja's complete disaster?

Team 7's Training Interrupted

"Victory already?"

Hatake Kakashi looked up in surprise from where he was observing his students' training. On the practice field, Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke were engaged in rapid combat, while Haruno Sakura stood nearby holding a lunch box she had prepared.

The celebratory cheers from throughout the village naturally reached the training grounds as well.

"That's exactly what I'd expect from Naraku!"

Kakashi felt both surprised and genuinely happy that news of victory had come so quickly.

"But if that's the case, I won't need to take anyone to support Naraku after all. The most important concern now is Master Jiraiya's mission."

Kakashi thought carefully about the implications. According to their original strategic plan, he would soon be taking a team to provide additional support for Shihouin Naraku's forces.

Shadows at the Gate

Just as Konohagakure was completely immersed in its ocean of celebration and joy, three figures wearing distinctive black cloaks embroidered with red clouds and bamboo hats with bells attached appeared at the main entrance to the village.

"You there..."

The two ninja responsible for guarding Konoha's main gate looked at each other with suspicion and stepped forward to question the strangers.

At that precise moment, a pair of blood-red Sharingan suddenly appeared in the pupils of one of the mysterious visitors.

"Genjutsu..."

Before either of the Konoha guards could finish their words of challenge, their pupils contracted slightly and they were instantly trapped within a powerful illusion.

They then proceeded to act as if they had noticed nothing unusual about the three suspicious figures and resumed their normal gate-guarding duties with complete seriousness.

"Let's proceed."

The spinning tomoe patterns in Uchiha Itachi's eyes faded back to normal as he calmly led the way into Konohagakure.

"That technique is absolutely chilling every single time I see it," Momochi Zabuza commented quietly. His tall, imposing frame was completely concealed beneath his black Akatsuki cloak. A cold sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth as he observed Uchiha Itachi's retreating figure.

"Thank you for your assistance, Itachi-san," Haku said politely, his voice soft and respectful.

"Don't mention it. Just follow my lead."

Haku glanced at Momochi Zabuza with obvious concern, but said nothing further. He quickly fell into step behind the others.

Uchiha Itachi!

Momochi Zabuza!

Haku!

Three members of the notorious Akatsuki organization had just quietly infiltrated Konohagakure, undetected by anyone!

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