Naruto: What Kind of Starter Pack is 13 Years Late?

"What? The Fire Temple was attacked?"

The next day, in Konoha.

Hiruzen slammed his hand on the report he held, his face filled with disbelief.

"What exactly happened? What's going on?"

Although the Fire Temple had nothing to do with them, this incident happening in the Land of Fire was unacceptable.

"Hokage-sama, we are not clear on the specific situation."

The Anbu members shook their heads helplessly, they were also very confused about this matter.

Having received the news early in the morning, they weren't entirely sure what was going on. They only knew that a battle had occurred at the Fire Temple, and even the entire mountain was gone.

They were also extremely curious about whose battle could cause such destruction. But unfortunately, they truly didn't know.

"However, according to the report, casualties seem to be minimal, and the monks of the Fire Temple have already set off for Konoha. Their abbot has something important to report to Hokage-sama."

"Coming in person?"

Hiruzen took a couple of drags from his pipe, then nodded after a moment of silence.

"I understand. Have Asuma go. He has a good relationship with that Abbot Chiriku. Let him receive them."

"Yes, Hokage-sama." The Anbu immediately replied.

Hiruzen thought for a moment before continuing, "Also, send a small squad to investigate the Fire Temple. Have Kakashi—no, have Inoichi lead the Anbu!"

Hiruzen had originally intended to have Kakashi lead the team, but then he remembered that squad's 'bad luck' attribute, the 'iron rule' that someone always ended up in the hospital.

He immediately felt that it would be better to send more professional individuals.

Recalling how he himself had suddenly been scared into the hospital in the village, and then Jiraiya had been punched into the hospital by Tsunade in the village, he felt it was better not to take risks.

"Hokage-sama, are you really not going to use Captain Kakashi?"

Upon hearing this, the Anbu's tone became a bit strange, but Hiruzen was firm.

"That's how it will be arranged. Inoichi is a professional, it will be better to let him handle this."

"I understand, Hokage-sama. I will take my leave now."

"Go."

Watching the Anbu leave, Hiruzen sighed helplessly.

He felt that troubles had been coming one after another recently. He even suspected if the Akatsuki had done something again.

"And Kumogakure isn't exactly peaceful either. The joint Chunin Exams are next year, but the Ninja World is getting more and more chaotic."

He felt a bit melancholic. He slowly fell into contemplation, holding his pipe.

He felt that for the Chunin Exams, he might need to strengthen security. Regardless of whether anything happened or not, all preparations needed to be made.

Glancing at the crystal ball beside him, he made a decision.

"Since things have come to this, I will take a good look at Konoha's situation and prepare for security."

While Hiruzen was pondering the 'Village's security' and the situation at the Fire Temple, Black Zetsu was currently concerned about Obito.

"Are you alright?"

Although he asked this, in his heart he only wanted to know what had happened last night, but he knew he couldn't rush now.

After all, too many problems arose from this battle.

"Not so good. I used Izanagi, but last night..."

Obito leaned against the wall, somewhat dejected. Last night, he was beaten severely, with no room to fight back at all.

Firstly, there were problems due to insufficient intelligence.

Secondly, there was also the constant oppression by an invisible force.

But no matter how many objective reasons, they couldn't change the outcome. If he hadn't prepared Izanagi, he probably would have truly died at that moment.

But even so, his body had replaced quite a few 'parts' now.

Shaking his head, Obito then spoke in a low voice, "What about the other two? How are they doing now?"

"They're not doing so well."

White Zetsu spoke up. He wasn't troubled, he was always smiling.

"Although Kisame was severely affected, he seemed to have immediately put himself inside his sword."

"That's how he fortunately survived the explosion, but he's so thin now he doesn't look human, and he's still in a coma."

Entering the Samehada not only allows for disguise and stealth but also avoids damage, but this was his last resort.

After taking such a heavy blow, the Chakra within the Samehada couldn't hold up, so it could only draw from Kisame's, but that could only ensure he stayed alive.

"As for Itachi, his condition is too terrible."

Watching Obito remain silent, White Zetsu continued to speak with a smile, "When I found him, he was already on the verge of death. His entire body was fractured, and he seemed to be in immense pain."

"Not only that, but his eyes also seemed to have problems. Now, we can only try to keep him alive for now and see if he can wake up."

"That damn bastard!"

Even though he was mentally prepared, Obito still couldn't hold back upon hearing all of this.

Damn it, he lost too badly!

Both of them were on the verge of death, especially Itachi, the pawn he had specially cultivated.

He actually ended up like this too. How could he not feel depressed?

"What exactly happened last night, Obito?"

Black Zetsu finally found an opportunity. He looked at Obito with a solemn expression.

"I arrived late and only saw a little. I don't know the specifics. I want to know what exactly happened. Who was that guy?"

"That guy..."

When Obito thought of the white-robed figure standing in the air, he gritted his teeth.

"That guy's target seems to be the Nine-Tails' Chakra. We went there because we detected the Nine-Tailed Chakra."

Thump.

Upon hearing about the Tailed Beast Chakra, Black Zetsu's heart skipped a beat.

"Moreover, his ability seems very similar to the Rinnegan, but his eyes are not the Rinnegan, they are a deep blue. We couldn't do anything to him!"

Power similar to the Rinnegan.

Black Zetsu's heart sank again. Even though he had a premonition, hearing this now made his body tremble.

"Also, he is incredibly arrogant."

Obito didn't notice Black Zetsu's abnormality. He clenched his fists and spoke through gritted teeth.

"His words sound polite, but he always acts superior. That kind of arrogance is disgusting."

"Even though he was wearing a mask, I felt like I could see his smile, but his eyes were empty and indifferent."

"Later, he kept calling us 'lower beings.' Who does he think he is?!"

Obito was roaring in anger, but Black Zetsu was on the verge of collapse.

Polite but indifferent.

Superior.

And 'lower beings'?

These descriptions made him unable to hold back. White Zetsu looked at Black Zetsu with some confusion, not understanding what was wrong with him.

"Oh, right, he also said a name."

Suddenly, Obito took a deep breath. Painful memories seemed to spread, but he still said, "I don't know if you've heard this name before."

"...Tell me."

"He said his name is Ōtsutsuki Takeshiki."

(End of Chapter)

Read 40 Advanced Chapters on patreon.com/astralicity