Naruto: Set a goal, conquer the universe.

Page 59

Finally, it evolved into a Tengu armor that covered half of its body.

“The Mangekyou Sharingan is powerful, but every time it is used, it causes blindness and eventually leads to its complete sealing. However, if you transplant your brother’s eyes, the Mangekyou Sharingan will regain its sight and become even more powerful,” Itachi said to Sasuke, panting.

"Why are you telling me all this!" Sasuke shouted at Itachi, gripping his Flying Thunder God kunai.

"So after I die, you can transplant my eyes, then there's no need to worry about going blind," Itachi replied with a gentle smile.

Sasuke froze, staring at Itachi's gentle yet unfamiliar smile, his mind in complete turmoil.

"Why, why are you telling me all this?!" Sasuke shouted at Itachi in a terrified voice.

"Ugh!" Itachi suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood. Although Susanoo was powerful, the backlash on his eyes and body was also very strong.

The Susanoo that enveloped him disappeared; Itachi could no longer maintain the existence of Susanoo.

"I..." Before Itachi could finish speaking, a figure rushed over, picked him up, and quickly disappeared into the water, swimming rapidly towards the edge of Konoha.

Watching the two figures disappear quickly into the distance, Sasuke hesitated for a moment before putting away his Flying Thunder God Kunai instead of using his ultimate move.

Kakashi and his two companions came running from a distance, looking disheveled.

"Sasuke, are you alright?" Kakashi asked breathlessly as he tried to help Sasuke up.

Sasuke waved his hand, signaling him not to move. The backlash from the Eight Gates hadn't subsided yet, so he should rest for a while.

He glanced at Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai.

The three of them were panting heavily, looking weak and exhausted from running out of chakra.

He couldn't help but ask, "Is the person next to Itachi also that strong?"

Kakashi gave a wry smile and said, "That guy's chakra is astonishingly large. His weapons and the ninjutsu he uses can absorb chakra and use it for their own purposes."

Asuma, panting, said, "We suffered a great loss because we didn't know anything about that guy at the beginning. If we fight him, using ninjutsu will only make him stronger. We can only use taijutsu to deal with him."

Hong continued, "Coincidentally, we are not good at physical combat, so we can only barely keep up with him."

Sasuke frowned slightly and looked at Kurenai, saying, "Even genjutsu isn't working?"

He knew that Kurenai was skilled in genjutsu, and that Kakashi also had the Sharingan and could release genjutsu.

"He seemed to have a lot of experience fighting Sharingan users, and he didn't look me in the eye the whole time," Kakashi shrugged in response.

“At first, I used illusion magic to make him suffer some losses, but!” A serious look flashed in his red eyes.

"The weapon in Kisame's hand is not an inanimate object, but a living thing. Once I use genjutsu, that weapon will be infused with chakra to help Kisame interrupt the chakra flow and break the genjutsu."

“I can’t do anything to him unless I can get him to put down his sword.”

Chapter 92 Akatsuki Exposed

But thinking about it, it's obvious that this is impossible. Kisame isn't Zabuza; he wouldn't fling Samehada out to look cool.

Sasuke nodded slightly, indicating that he understood Kisame's information.

"What about you? How's Itachi?" Kakashi asked.

"He's not dead yet. Kisame rescued him," Sasuke said with a slight sigh, but his expression showed little regret.

He has already defeated Itachi once, and he will be even stronger the next time he finds him!

Itachi demonstrated Susanoo to him. Although this ability is powerful, Sasuke's Ashes of Destruction can also counter Susanoo.

If Itachi had used this technique from the beginning, Sasuke's eye technique wouldn't have been able to be hidden for so long.

"Your Kirin didn't kill him?" Kakashi asked, his voice filled with shock.

Kakashi was involved in the entire process of Sasuke developing Kirin, and he was well aware of how powerful Kirin was.

How did Itachi dodge such a fast and powerful ninjutsu?

Sasuke shook his head slightly, offering no explanation.

The ninjutsu Itachi used was a secret technique of the Mangekyou Sharingan, which Sasuke didn't want to elaborate on.

He only holds nothing back in front of Naruto.

After the four finished exchanging information, many fast ninjas had already arrived.

Seeing the horrific battlefield on this side of the river, everyone was terrified. What kind of fierce battle had taken place?

Even the Third Hokage donned armor and came in person.

He surveyed the battlefield. [Sasuke even used Kirin, and all four are incredibly weak. Who could have infiltrated Konoha?]

"Kakashi, Asuma, what happened?" he asked in a deep voice.

"Things are a little complicated, Third Hokage. Perhaps we should report to you privately?" Kakashi said.

It means there are too many people around and too much information to discuss further.

"I understand. You should go to the hospital for treatment now, and come to my office after you're done," the Third Hokage nodded and said.

"Sasuke!!!" A girl shouted as she rushed over; it was Xiangling.

"Are you alright?" Xiangling was startled when she saw Sasuke's disheveled appearance and carefully tried to help him up.

But as soon as her hand touched Sasuke, he groaned. The pain from the Eight Gates hadn't subsided, and Karin's touch made it even worse.

"Take a bite out of me, Sasuke!" Xiangling said quickly, stretching her arm to Sasuke's mouth.

Her constitution is special; as long as she bites Xiangling, she can quickly recover her strength and injuries.

But Sasuke shook his head: "No need, this is Konoha, go to the hospital to recover."

Naruto once judged that although Karin's ability was very healing, it might shorten Karin's lifespan.

Because Xiangling's mother died at a young age, and Xiangling said that her mother already had a head of white hair when she died.

It's not a critical moment now. The powerful enemy has retreated, and he can go to Konoha Hospital for treatment at his own pace. There's no need to overdraw on Xiangling's lifespan.

Xiangling bit her lower lip lightly. At that moment, she felt that if she had the strength of Naruto or Hinata, she might be able to help Sasuke.

Sure enough, Naruto shouldn't have slacked off when training her.

She wanted to help Sasuke, but she was also afraid that he would get hurt again.

Finally, Kakashi picked up Sasuke and took him to the hospital, with Karin following closely behind.

"Sasuke, you're quite charming," Kakashi said, raising an eyebrow as he looked down at Sasuke.

"Tch!" Sasuke closed his eyes, refusing to look at Kakashi.

Xiangling blushed slightly but didn't say anything.

After some treatment, Kakashi and the others were fine; they were just a little exhausted from excessive chakra consumption and recovered after resting at home for a few days.

However, Sasuke will have to stay in the hospital for a few days. He opened the fifth gate, the Gate of Death. Although the Eight Gates Formation is powerful, its backlash is also severe. He needs to be treated properly to avoid leaving any hidden injuries.

He doesn't have Naruto's abnormal healing ability.

Kakashi and Asuma went to the Hokage's office and reported the situation of the battle to the Third Hokage.

"Itachi and Kisame?" After listening to Kakashi and Asuma's account, the Third Hokage leaned back in his chair and pondered for a moment.

Itachi mentioned he was going to ambush an organization called Akatsuki; apparently, their goal was to collect the Tailed Beasts! Yes, Konoha was attacked, so they wanted to take advantage of the chaos to abduct Naruto? And Itachi could also come and observe Sasuke's progress.

The Third Hokage quickly reviewed the known information in his mind and soon figured out Itachi and Kisame's purpose in coming to Konoha.

[With Jiraiya by Naruto's side, and Naruto's own strength not to be underestimated, and with Itachi already defeated by Sasuke, Naruto is still safe.]

[But how many members does the Akatsuki organization actually have? Jiraiya even mentioned that Orochimaru was once a member! Could it be that everyone in this organization possesses Kage-level strength?]

Thinking of this, the Third Hokage's expression darkened.

"Kakashi, also send the information about Itachi and Kisame to the other four great nations. The Akatsuki organization wears red cloud robes and straw hats. Their purpose is to capture tailed beasts. Let the other four great nations be careful of them. The members of this organization are not to be underestimated," the Third Hokage said.

The arrival of Itachi and Kisame in Konoha this time will allow him to openly expose the Akatsuki organization to the ninja world.

You guys still want to hide your development?

Don't even think about it; with all five great nations on guard, capturing the tailed beasts will become much more difficult.

Tailed beasts are the ultimate weapons of various countries, and the Jinchuriki are protected when the Tailed Beasts are not used.

Now that he has reminded us, we believe that countries will strengthen their protection of Jinchūriki.

"I understand!" Kakashi nodded and said.

After Kakashi and the others left, the Third Hokage's eyes darkened slightly as he considered whether or not to explain Itachi's situation to Sasuke.

"Hiruzen!" Danzo pushed open the door and entered.

"Why aren't you staying at Root? What are you doing here?" Danzo interrupted the Third Hokage's thoughts, and the Third Hokage glanced at Danzo and said.

"The Akatsuki has already been dispatched to capture the Tailed Beasts. It's too dangerous for Naruto to still be outside the village at this time. Only by having Jiraiya bring him back to the village can we ensure his safety!" Danzo said in a deep voice.

The Third Hokage gave Danzo a subtle, disapproving look. Did he not know what his old friend was up to?

Isn't it just that they don't want Tsunade to return to Konoha and inherit the Hokage position?

The Third Hokage sighed slightly. Danzo was still unwilling to give up on the position of Hokage. He was already so old, he should retire and enjoy his old age like him. You know, this world will always belong to the young!

They are very old.

“Naruto has Jiraiya by his side, so there’s no need to worry about his safety!” the Third Hokage replied in a deep voice.

Chapter 93 Xiangling Fights Two Alone

"Speaking of which, where was your Root organization when Konoha was invaded?" The Third Hokage stared sharply at Danzo.

"Nature is also resisting the invasion!" Danzo replied calmly.

"That would be best, Danzo. You need to understand that the purpose of Root was to protect Konoha, not to become your private army! If you have any other ideas, I will dismantle Root and it will never be re-established!" the Third Hokage said sternly.

"My idea is also to protect Konoha!" Danzo retorted, meeting the Third Hokage's gaze head-on.

"Hmph, you can leave now! Naruto's safety is none of your concern," the Third Hokage said, waving his hand dismissively.

Danzo snorted coldly and turned to leave.

As he stepped out the door, he heard the Third Hokage's voice: "Remember, I am the Hokage!"

Danzo slammed the door shut in anger, "Bang!"

The Third Hokage looked at the gate that had been innocently harmed, a resolute glint in his eyes. Since he was going to retreat, then he would lead the others to retreat as well.

With Jiraiya's support and her own sufficient experience, Tsunade doesn't need any other Hokage to assist her.

Tsunade and Minato are different.

Minato was only in his early twenties when he took over as Hokage; he was too young and lacked experience in leading the overall situation.

It's important to understand that the Hokage is different from ordinary ninjas; the Hokage is responsible for all matters, big and small, in the entire Hidden Leaf Village.

Furthermore, Minato's own strength is still on the rise, and he cannot spend too much time on official duties. His own cultivation also takes time, so he still needs their assistance.

However, Tsunade is different. She is experienced and her strength has already stabilized. Unless there are special opportunities, her strength will not change much, so she does not need their assistance.

The Third Hokage also somewhat regretted letting Minato take over the Hokage position too early.

If he had been given more time to train, Minato might not have died in the Nine-Tails Night.

Upon hearing the news of Sasuke's injury, Sakura and Ino rushed to the hospital to visit him.

As genin, they were responsible for leading the villagers to the shelter the moment the village alarm sounded, so they couldn't get to the battlefield in time.

But as soon as they entered Sasuke's hospital room, they saw a red-haired girl feeding Sasuke an apple.

Sakura and Ino were furious; how dare someone steal their house!

The two of them, like two lit fuses, stormed into the ward in a fit of rage.

Seeing that the unfamiliar red-haired girl was feeding Sasuke an apple so intimately, and that Sasuke, though with his eyes closed, showed no sign of refusing, their jealousy instantly flared up.

"Hey! Who are you?! Stay away from Sasuke-kun!" Sakura was the first to shout, her pink hair almost standing on end as she angrily pointed at Karin.

Ino wasn't about to back down either. She flicked her golden ponytail, took a step forward, and said in a questioning voice, "That's right! Where did you come from? Our Sasuke doesn't need you to take care of him!"

Karin was startled by the sudden roar, and her hand, which was feeding the apple, froze in mid-air.

After a brief moment of surprise, her signature volatile temper immediately flared up.

The women of the Uzumaki family are known for their fiery tempers.