Sweat beaded on Shikamaru's forehead.
"I've read about this in Konoha's ancient books. It's called Susanoo. Some even call it 'the power of a god.' It possesses both offensive and defensive capabilities. It's terrifying."
The next second, a massive hand extended from the skeletal Susanoo that wrapped around Morkel!
With a powerful swing, the hand came crashing down toward them.
BOOM!!!
The impact shook the entire training ground.
Naruto pointed at the Susanoo armor surrounding Morkel.
"You cheated! We've been training together for three years! When have you ever used this?!"
Morkel sighed. "The people I've faced over the past three years weren't strong enough for me to need it."
"Using Susanoo against you now is proof that you've gotten stronger."
Naruto, Shikamaru, and the others were speechless.
This wasn't fair! They just wanted to beat Morkel for once. Why was it so hard?!
Despite their best efforts, they couldn't land a single hit. Half an hour later, they admitted defeat.
---
Deidara's Attack on Sunagakure
Meanwhile, Deidara exploited a weakness in Sunagakure's air defenses, sneaking in on a giant clay bird.
After using his right eye's mechanism to scan and eliminate several anti-air guards, Deidara smirked.
"This village has some artistic flair," he mused, "but its air defenses are a joke."
Suddenly, a wall of sand materialized in front of his bird.
Gaara stood atop the floating sand pile, arms crossed.
"Well, well," Deidara grinned. "Looks like Sunagakure isn't completely useless after all."
Noticing Gaara's gourd, he became excited.
"A sand user with a gourd? You must be the one I'm looking for!"
"But tell me—how did you spot me?"
Gaara's cold expression didn't waver. "There are no such birds in the desert."
Deidara's eyes widened slightly before he smirked. "I see."
Without hesitation, he hurled a small clay bird at Gaara.
The explosive soared toward him and—
BOOM!!
A cloud of fire and smoke erupted.
Yet, when the dust settled, Gaara stood unharmed behind a sand barrier.
Deidara's eyes widened.
"I see… Your sand automatically protects you. That must be the absolute defense I've heard about."
"Interesting. Today, I'll use my art to break it!"
Gaara remained silent, manipulating his sand to form a giant hand.
With a single swing, it crashed toward Deidara!
Deidara sneered. "You think sand can hold me back?"
His confidence turned to shock as his eyes caught sight of something below—a Chakra Cannon was primed and ready to fire!
WHOOSH!
A brilliant beam of energy shot from the cannon!
The blazing light struck the left side of Deidara's clay bird.
BOOM!
The impact caused the bird to tilt, losing balance!
Deidara tumbled off, plummeting toward the ground.
Seizing the opportunity, Gaara commanded his sand to engulf him!
At the last moment, Deidara tossed a clay spider—
BOOM!!!
The explosion repelled the sand, allowing him to escape.
Quickly, he pulled out another clay bird, enlarged it with a hand seal, and leapt onto its back before soaring away.
Gaara, undeterred, pursued him with his sand.
Meanwhile, on the ground, Sunagakure's ninja crew operating the Chakra Cannon exchanged proud looks.
"This thing is amazing. Konoha really helped us out with this."
"Yeah, I heard the core technology was developed by that genius Morkel. He's incredible."
"Our Kazekage is no slouch either. Becoming a 'Kage' at sixteen—his future is limitless."
"Enough talk! That blond weirdo just pulled out something nasty!"
---
Hokage's Office – Konoha Village
After their friendly match, Morkel and Naruto went to report to the Hokage.
Tsunade examined them, nodding in satisfaction.
"I heard you can use Susanoo?" she asked Morkel.
Morkel nodded. "Yes, but since I only have one Mangekyō Sharingan, I can't use the perfect form."
Tsunade's eyes widened.
Even without the perfect form, that meant he could use all the lower stages of Susanoo!
"It seems I entrusted Shisui's eye to the right person," she murmured.
Morkel suddenly asked, "Has there been any word from Sasuke?"
Tsunade's expression darkened.
"No. He hasn't contacted the village since you left."
Naruto clenched his fists.
"He's either dead or… he's completely betrayed us."
"No matter what, I'll bring him back," Naruto vowed.
Tsunade sighed before changing the subject.
"You two are now full-fledged ninja. No more three-man squads—you'll now be part of a proper ninja team."
Naruto perked up. "Who's in our squad?"
Just then, the office door opened.
Kakashi and Sai walked in.
Tsunade smiled. "Since you're familiar with each other, I've assigned you together. Kakashi is the captain."
Naruto suddenly remembered something. "Wait, I'm still a Genin!"
Tsunade waved them off. "Go. You'll be notified when there's a mission."
As they left, Morkel handed Kakashi a book.
"The new Icha Icha Paradise hasn't been released yet, so we asked Jiraiya-sensei for a copy."
Kakashi's eyes sparkled.
"You two really are the best."
He flipped it open and immediately became engrossed, whispering, "Masterful… Jiraiya-sama is a genius…"
He stood there reading for hours until Shizune finally called him away.
---
The Urgent Message from Sunagakure
The next morning, Naruto and Morkel were summoned to the Hokage's office.
"After three years of training, I wonder what kind of mission Lady Tsunade will give us?" Naruto mused.
Kakashi cautioned, "If the mission is easy, no complaining."
"Of course not!" Naruto assured.
Morkel smirked. Yeah right.
As they approached the Hokage's office, a shadow streaked across the sky.
They looked up—a brown-feathered communication eagle.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed. "That's Sunagakure's fastest messenger eagle."
"It's flying fast… This must be an emergency."
A short while later, Tsunade received a decrypted message.
She read it, eyes widening.
Morkel and Naruto peeked over her shoulder.
[Level 1 Emergency: Kazekage Captured. Suspect: Akatsuki Member Deidara. Sunagakure Requests Immediate Aid.]
Morkel's eyes narrowed. "Something's off."
Tsunade looked at him. "What do you mean?"
Morkel explained, "Akatsuki members always work in pairs. The numbers don't add up."
Tsunade frowned. "I was going to send Guy's team, but if there's another enemy… You'll go with them."
She smirked at Naruto. "Didn't you say B-rank missions were too easy? This one's S-rank."
Naruto and Morkel grinned. "We're in!"
---
Departure from Konoha
Half an hour later, Morkel's team and Might Guy's team assembled at the village gates.
Iruka arrived, holding two new forehead protectors.
"Your old ones are worn out. Here."
He tied them onto Morkel and Naruto with a proud smile.
"Your teacher will always be proud of you."
"Thank you, Iruka-sensei," Morkel said sincerely.
As they set off, Naruto grinned at his forehead protector.
"When I get married, I'll invite Iruka-sensei to my wedding."
Morkel laughed. "Have you decided who to marry?"
Naruto blushed. "I think… Hinata would make a great wife."
Morkel and the others burst into laughter.
Meanwhile, back in Konoha, Jiraiya confronted Tsunade.
"You know Akatsuki is after Naruto. Why did you send him?!"
Tsunade folded her arms.
"You underestimate my students, Jiraiya. And Morkel… He's stronger than both of us combined."
She smirked.
"But I do wonder… Where did he really come from?"