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

"I never thought that the outbreak of the Third Great Ninja War was actually such a fuse. Even if this war was bound to ignite sooner or later, all of this is too absurd."

The Ninja World was a powder keg. The end of the Second Great Ninja War did not eliminate hatred. Instead, it buried deeper roots of disaster.

Resource issues and development issues were all problems that the major Ninja Villages needed to solve. The best and simplest way was actually plunder.

Especially in places like the Land of Fire, it would be a good thing if they could take a bite.

Jiraiya understood all of this, so he could only sigh at this moment.

"Let's not talk about this, it's too heavy. Let's talk about something else."

"Okay, Kakashi-sensei told me we're going on another mission?" Takemi nodded, then asked curiously.

"Not now, this matter hasn't been completely clarified yet." Jiraiya shook his head and said.

He stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and continued, "You've seen him, it's information provided by a one-eyed old man. This matter concerns Orochimaru, so I'm quite interested."

"And he is also investigating some other things. It is said that he has old ties with Hanzo, so we have to wait now."

"Oh, I see."

Takemi wanted to laugh a little. Hanzo and Danzo were almost side by side, both being chased by Nagato, screaming and running.

It was probably during that time that their old friendship turned into hatred. Of course, this small grudge was of no avail now.

"After all, Hanzo has already become 'Chopped Pepper Hanzo'."

Hanzo's death changed the master of Amegakure. If Danzo went to inquire, maybe...

"Hiss! This is like a sheep entering a tiger's den!"

Besides Hanzo, the other target of Nagato and his two companions' hatred was Danzo.

Suddenly, Takemi also realized why Orochimaru would pop up at this time.

This was probably Danzo's doing. He most likely didn't dare to go to Amegakure, so he brought out Orochimaru, right?

Although many things weren't clear, Takemi, who knew so much information, still guessed the general idea.

Danzo is going to cause trouble?

"Alright, let's not talk about these things. We still have to wait for a result, but during this time..." Jiraiya laughed heartily, interrupting Takemi's thoughts.

He turned to Kakashi and suddenly spoke, "I think we can also do some other missions, some valuable missions."

"Missions? What missions?"

Takemi blinked. He would never refuse missions, as they always benefited him.

"Is there more trouble?"

Kakashi was different. Takemi's arrival seemed to have changed his luck. He no longer had to worry about his comrades having problems again, this was definitely a new beginning.

But...

The difficulty of their current missions seemed to be getting higher and more absurd each time, which made him a little flustered.

"Don't worry, this mission will definitely not be difficult."

Fortunately, Jiraiya smiled and shook his head.

He patted Kakashi's shoulder heavily and said seriously, "This time, I plan to bring Tsunade back!"

"Tsunade-sama?"

Kakashi was stunned for a moment, then nodded.

This was a good thing!

That mysterious organization was becoming more complex and stronger, and Konoha indeed needed a powerful Ninja like Tsunade to be in charge.

Especially since Obito also had Wood Release, Tsunade's return would clearly help clarify more issues.

"That's a good idea, Jiraiya-sama."

"Indeed, that's a good idea, especially since I heard Tsunade-sama's Medical Ninjutsu is very powerful."

Before Jiraiya could speak, Takemi on the side nodded.

"In that case, Kakashi-sensei will recover faster when he comes back to the hospital!"

"..."

Kakashi covered his forehead. He really didn't want to talk anymore.

— — —

Land of Rice Fields, underground laboratory.

Orochimaru looked at the scroll in his hand, his expression turning somewhat strange.

"More Wood Release materials, along with some Sharingan materials, in exchange for investigating Hanzo the Salamander?"

Others might not know, but Orochimaru, who had at least been part of the Akatsuki, had some understanding.

He knew what kind of monster was hidden in the Land of Rain. He had once tried to seize that Rinnegan, only to be instantly countered.

That was why he chose to join the Akatsuki!

Even though he was expelled not long after Itachi joined.

"With such a terrifying guy there, can Hanzo the Salamander still be alive?"

Orochimaru tossed the scroll aside. Clearly, that old man couldn't possibly be alive, especially since he had been inside Amegakure.

"Danzo is practically giving me free stuff."

Knowing this information, Orochimaru naturally held the initiative. With Danzo as the scapegoat paying the bill, he wouldn't let go.

Especially now that he had established his own Otogakure, he was in dire need of money.

Although scamming allies was immoral, Orochimaru knew that Danzo was a moral black hole. Moreover, he himself had no morals.

"I must make him pay more. Information on Hanzo isn't that easy to get."

The title of Sannin, strictly speaking, wasn't really an honor.

After all, he, Jiraiya, and Tsunade had fought Hanzo the Salamander together back then, but they couldn't do anything to him.

It was just that the old man was wary of their identities, and with the Land of Rain already breached, truly killing the three of them would have been difficult to clean up.

Hence, the title of 'Sannin' came about, and Konoha and Amegakure ceased hostilities.

Even if he didn't think there was anything wrong with the title, it was a warning, a lesson, telling him to remember his failures and to change and make up for them in the future.

But he still firmly remembered Hanzo the Salamander.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

As he pondered, a sudden fit of coughing came from behind him, causing him to frown slightly.

He said, "Kimimaro, didn't I tell you to rest properly and not wander around?"

"Orochimaru-sama, I'm fine." Kimimaro slowly walked behind Orochimaru and bowed slightly.

"I want to undertake more missions instead of constantly recuperating. If I continue like this, I won't be able to become your vessel."

"…"

Orochimaru couldn't help but shake his head upon hearing this. With such a physical condition, how could he become his vessel?

In the previous battle against Jiraiya, Kimimaro used Dance of the Willow, which worsened his already poor physical condition.

And according to Jugo, that kid was not only extremely powerful in combat, but also...

"He's also exceptionally good at using his brain?"

He carved his face onto his Earth Release: Earth Style Wall, leaving Kimimaro with no way to attack, and then he even took the opportunity to launch a sneak attack.

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru didn't know whether to be annoyed or to laugh.

"But this can't go on either."

Looking at Kimimaro, whose expression was indifferent yet resolute, Orochimaru frowned and began to ponder.

Kabuto's medical skills were decent, but he was currently in Konoha, and he couldn't resolve Kimimaro's condition.

And although he himself was intensifying his research, he also had no idea how to approach Kimimaro's situation.

The stronger Kimimaro's power, the more it consumed his life force.

If this continued, Kimimaro would probably die from his Shikotsumyaku in just a few years.

"Perhaps, someone truly can do something?"

Suddenly, Orochimaru seemed to think of something, which made him stroke his chin and ponder seriously.

After a while, he finally made a decision.

Turning to look at Kimimaro, he suddenly smiled and said, "It seems you really will have to move with me. Perhaps your condition can still change."