Asuma Sarutobi and Chiriku of the Fire Temple were both members of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, so they were old comrades.

After learning of Chiriku's death, Asuma's strongest desire was to avenge his fallen comrade.

Moreover, the Akatsuki had long been a major enemy of Konoha. Avenging his comrade while also striking a blow against the Akatsuki served both personal and public interests. So Asuma didn't think the Hokage would refuse his request to take on this mission.

However, Tsunade did not immediately approve. And when he arrived, he found several people already gathered in the Hokage's office.

Two "Anbu" dressed mysteriously. He could barely recognize one of them as the Hokage's personal guard, said to be the most enigmatic person in Konoha, with only a few people in the entire village knowing his true identity.

There was also Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, and… Ethan, who was quickly becoming a living legend of Konoha and currently served as Hokage's advisor.

"Lord Hokage, regarding the Fire Temple's request for help..."

"I'm still considering the matter."

Under normal circumstances, upon receiving a plea from the Fire Temple and learning that members of the Akatsuki were still active within the Land of Fire, Tsunade, as Hokage, would have mobilized all available forces for a full-scale search to capture or eliminate the two.

This would be the standard course of action. However, ever since Itachi was "rescued" from the Akatsuki by Ethan, Konoha had gained a clearer understanding of the organization's strength.

Take Kakuzu and Hidan for example. While Itachi didn't know their detailed combat abilities, he did possess some information.

These two had strange abilities that granted them immortality, or at least made them extremely hard to kill.

Whether it was true immortality, a rare kekkei genkai, or a forbidden technique, enemies like these clearly weren't ones that ordinary ninja could handle. Sending average forces would only lead to unnecessary casualties.

Tsunade didn't want Konoha's forces to be lost in vain, so this matter couldn't be approached with conventional methods.

There weren't many people in Konoha who could deal with such strange enemies safely.

In fact, there weren't many across the entire ninja world. The Akatsuki was composed of the most dangerous rogue ninja from across the continents, each of them with power capable of rivaling a Kage from one of the Five Great Nations.

Any ninja hearing this for the first time would probably dismiss it as nonsense from some backwoods mercenary group.

However, Itachi's intel suggested this was very likely true, and the previous incident with Gaara further confirmed it.

Rogue ninja capable of confronting a Kage...

Konoha now had quite a few powerful individuals, but Itachi still couldn't be exposed publicly.

Minato had just been resurrected. Realistically, he wasn't ready for high-risk combat and needed time to recover his peak condition.

Kushina was no longer the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki, and her strength had significantly declined from her prime.

Hiruzen was old, and his strength had long since waned.

When it came down to it, the only ones truly available were Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Ethan.

Ethan was clearly the safest choice, but he was about to accompany Jiraiya to Amegakure to scout the Akatsuki's base. Could Kakashi handle it alone?

Just as Tsunade was struggling with the decision, Ethan helped her make it.

"What's there to hesitate about? I'll go deal with those two first, then we can go wreck their base."

"Ahem, we are going to scout!"

Asuma kept a straight face, pretending he hadn't heard anything. He now understood why all these big shots were gathered—so the Hokage was already planning to attack the Akatsuki's base? (Tsunade: I'm not! I didn't! Don't talk nonsense!) Truly worthy of being Hokage!

"You're willing to take care of Kakuzu and Hidan?"

"Of course."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes, carefully watching him. Something didn't feel right. Ethan was usually reluctant to get involved. The only time he had shown strong enthusiasm was when dealing with Danzo. Since then, he had been more or less just going with the flow, not caring much about anything.

"Why are you suddenly interested in these two?"

Thinking about it, the most likely reason was that they had somehow offended Ethan. But based on Ethan's history, those two shouldn't have had the chance to meet him.

"Because Kakuzu always brags that he fought the First Hokage. I'm very curious to test the strength of someone like that..."

"The First Hokage?"

Tsunade was stunned. Not just her—everyone else in the room, except Ethan, instantly grew serious.

A ninja who fought the First Hokage? Never mind how old he must be, just surviving such a battle was terrifying enough.

Ethan saw their expressions and realized they might have misunderstood.

"No, no. I mean, he's always bragging that he fought the First Hokage! I don't think someone like that could have survived a direct confrontation with him..."

Once he clarified, everyone understood: Kakuzu's strength might not be as fearsome as imagined. But then why was Ethan so fixated on him? Did he admire the First Hokage so much that he couldn't tolerate someone tarnishing his reputation?

Tsunade finally figured it out.

"So... you just can't stand this guy bragging?"

"Ahem, I'm just teaching a lesson to someone who's disrespecting the First Hokage... on behalf of Lord Hashirama."

"..."

Tsunade stared at him with a look that said, "I'd believe that if I were crazy." Ethan decisively changed the subject.

"I'll go prepare and set off. I figure those two are still near the Fire Temple."

Back to business, everyone stopped joking. Though Asuma now understood how strong the enemy was, he still didn't want to give up the mission.

"Searching for them will be troublesome. To find them quickly, how about I lead a small elite team for reconnaissance?"

Tsunade didn't see anything wrong with that. After the attack, even if Kakuzu and Hidan were still nearby, the area was too large to search easily. To locate them quickly, enough manpower would be needed.

Considering their strength, the search team also had to be capable of defending themselves.

"Asuma, you and Kakashi each lead a temporary squad. Remember, do not engage. Once you locate the targets, report their position immediately."

The targets were extremely dangerous. Only the village's elites would be deployed. Even if the squads lacked perfect synergy, ninja with inadequate strength couldn't be sent to their deaths.

"Wait."

Just as Asuma turned to prepare, Ethan handed him a scroll.

"When you find them, just open this scroll. I'll know immediately."

As he spoke, Ethan also patted Asuma's shoulder. To others, it seemed casual, but Minato instantly recognized that Ethan had placed a Flying Raijin mark on him.

With the scroll and the Flying Raijin, there was no need to worry about the scouts being eliminated before they could report.

Minato, who had originally been considering whether to offer support, realized he wouldn't be needed after all. He quietly resumed pretending to be an ordinary Anbu.

No one else raised objections, and the matter was settled.

Asuma and Kakashi each selected a few Special Jonin, forming two squads to investigate the underground bounty stations near the Fire Temple in search of Kakuzu and Hidan.

Meanwhile, Ethan and Jiraiya began their own preparations for departure.

This wasn't just for the current operation. If everything went smoothly, Ethan and Jiraiya wouldn't be returning to Konoha after dealing with Kakuzu and Hidan, but would instead head straight to Amegakure to scout the Akatsuki's base.

"So, I need to pack a bit more."

After organizing his gear, Ethan strapped the long sword he had picked up a few days ago to his waist. Since his identity would remain concealed for this mission, he didn't even bring his Konoha forehead protector.

Once everything was packed, he and Jiraiya sat in the garden, spacing out and chatting idly, discussing how Kurenai seemed to have gained weight recently.

"Of course she has. She's pregnant."

"..."

Jiraiya didn't reply, but his expression said it all: You can tell that?

"A woman whose complexion is radiant, who gains weight instead of losing it, and who's been visiting the hospital regularly... what else could it be?"

"Alright, fair enough." Jiraiya thought of Asuma, who was currently on a scouting mission, and suddenly felt uneasy. "I have a bad feeling about this."

"..."

Ethan was speechless. Did this guy and Tsunade both have precognitive powers?

Then he remembered that Jiraiya had learned Sage Mode, which used natural energy. And natural energy was everywhere. Who knew what kind of strange signals were mixed into it? Maybe it really could give people a sense of what was to come.

"Ethan."

"Hmm?"

"That power you used to revive the dead..." Jiraiya hesitated for a moment, then decided to speak his mind. "Don't use it again."

Ethan looked at Jiraiya's serious expression and immediately understood why he was saying this.

"You're overthinking it... There aren't many people I'd consider worthy enough to revive... And those I don't like? Do you think they have the power to force me to do something I don't want to do?"

Just like the goal Ethan had set countless years ago: He trained so hard and became so strong just so he could do what he wanted, and never do what he didn't want to.

(To be continued.)