Naruto, my father's name is Uchiha Madara.

Page 198

"Look at your physique, your aura... The toads of Mount Myōboku have not treated you badly!"

"Hehe, of course!" Naruto grinned, his familiar silliness now tinged with a calm confidence.

Sasuke nodded slightly: "Thank you for your trouble, Fifth Hokage."

"Alright, enough with the formalities!"

Tsunade instantly switched back to her decisive Hokage mode, pointing to the huge ninja world map on the table.

"You should have learned about the mission from the letter."

"The priestess of the Land of Demons is currently hiding in a hideout within the Land of Fire. Go and meet up with Sakura, then set off."

"As for the vanguard of the undead army, it has already broken through several border outposts and is spreading towards the Swamp Country. It is not moving fast, but its numbers are huge and it is extremely difficult to deal with."

"By the way, what about Jiraiya?"

"Oh! Tsunade, you missed me?"

Before Naruto could finish speaking, the office door was flung open again!

Looking at that familiar yet unreliable man, Tsunade suppressed the urge to hit him: "If you're late again, you'll be spending a few days in jail!"

"No, no, no!"

Jiraiya habitually patted Naruto and Sasuke on the head and said proudly, "How about it? My two precious students!"

"Perverted sage! Let me go! You've messed up my hair!" Naruto struggled, but his face was filled with an undisguised smile.

Sasuke quickly dodged away, since he didn't like being touched by anyone other than Itachi.

Looking at Jiraiya's smug expression, as if saying, "My son has grown up."

Looking at the two disciples before her, who were so different in temperament yet equally outstanding, Tsunade took a deep breath.

Suppressing the excitement in my heart and a hint of barely perceptible emotion.

She tapped the table, drawing everyone's attention back: "We can catch up after the mission is over! Jiraiya, your mission is to go and support the front lines."

Jiraiya also switched to a serious state: "I already knew on the way here that those damned things are more troublesome than I imagined."

"According to the intelligence provided by the Anbu, physical attacks are ineffective, and they also have a certain resistance to chakra attacks."

"Not only that, it can also absorb the dissipated energy and repair its own divisions."

A confident smile played on his lips: "But it's alright. Since we can't reduce their numbers, we can just block them in one place. I have plenty of ways to do that."

He looked at Naruto and Sasuke, his eyes becoming extremely serious: "Naruto, Sasuke, you two listen up."

Faced with Jiraiya's serious expression, the two also became serious: "Escorting the priestess through areas that may be filled with undead and unknown enemies, all the way to the sealed shrine in the Land of Swamps... this is by no means an easy task."

"Although the soul of the demon has been released, its power has not been fully restored. Its greatest reliance is the endless army of the dead and the possible allies who liberate its body."

"What you're about to face might be elite undead warriors, bizarre monsters, or even... the mastermind himself!"

Tsunade picked up the conversation, her gaze fixed intently on Naruto and Sasuke: "Team 7's mission, codename 'Miko's Protection'!"

"Core objective: Ensure the safety of the Violet Priestess at all costs and escort her to the Shrine in the Swamp Country to complete the seal!"

"This is the key to stopping the demons from destroying the world! Do you understand?"

Naruto and Sasuke spoke in unison, their voices strong and resolute, their eyes burning with unwavering determination.

Three years of hard work, wasn't it all for this moment, to protect our important partners and this world?

Tsunade added, a meaningful smile playing on her lips: "Your other teammate is already on standby at the embassy. It's been three years, don't let him outdo you."

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of expectation and a smile in each other's eyes.

Class 7, after three years, are finally going to fight side by side again!

Just then, there was another gentle knock on the office door.

"Lady Tsunade..." A familiar voice came from outside the door.

"Come in," Tsunade said.

The door was pushed open, and a familiar figure walked in.

Her long pink hair was no longer draped over her shoulders as a young girl, but neatly tied into a high ponytail, making her look dashing and heroic.

She wore a modified, easy-to-move light green medical ninja suit, which accentuated her agile and powerful figure.

The childishness and shyness that once characterized her have faded, replaced by a confident, capable, and composed demeanor.

His bright, determined emerald eyes, like polished jade, shimmered with wisdom and strength.

A striking diamond-shaped black mark stood out on her forehead.

This person is none other than the third member of their Class 7, Haruno Sakura!

"Sakura! Long time no see!"

"long time no see!"

When Sakura's gaze fell on the two people in the office, her body suddenly froze.

His emerald green eyes widened instantly, his pupils contracted sharply, and his lips trembled uncontrollably.

"Naruto...Sasuke-kun..." Her voice choked, as if something was blocking her throat.

The next second, Sakura rushed over without regard for anything else.

The medical ninja's precise control completely collapsed at this moment, and her movements were so fast that she almost knocked the two of them over.

Tears welled up and streamed down her face, tracing glistening arcs in the air.

"Great! You're finally back!"

She cried out and opened her arms to hug the two of them tightly.

The force was so great that Naruto let out an exaggerated "Aww!" and Sasuke's eyes widened slightly.

Sakura buried her face between their shoulders, and her tears quickly soaked their clothes.

"We're back!"

After a long while, Sakura finally let go of the two, and then the three of them simultaneously bumped their fists together, just like when they parted three years ago.

Three years have changed more than just the two of them.

Class 7, all members, assemble!

A new journey begins!

The shadow of the demons will be dispelled by their own hands!

Chapter 223 A Critical Moment! Naruto Makes His Appearance!

The brief reunion in the Hokage's office was quickly overshadowed by the urgency of the mission.

Tsunade gave a brief but powerful mission briefing, and Shizune provided detailed maps and supplies.

The intelligence that Jiraiya received from the front lines regarding the undead army further underscored the severity of the situation.

Class 7, after three years, without even having time to sit down and have a proper meal, embarked on their journey once again.

Objective: A secluded valley fortress on the border of the Land of Demons—the temporary hideout of the priestess Shion.

The three of them transformed into three swift afterimages, speeding through the dense forest canopy.

Three years have not only brought about a leap in strength, but also honed an amazing teamwork.

Without a word, their speed, rhythm, and even the subtle fluctuations of their chakra remained highly coordinated.

Naruto charged ahead, his powerful senses spreading outwards like an invisible radar network centered on him.

Chakra fluctuations became an extension of his perception: the breath of plants, the flapping of insects' wings, the moisture of the soil...

All life and energy fluctuations within a one-kilometer radius are clearly reflected in his "heart net".

Suddenly, Naruto's speeding figure came to an abrupt halt!

Those deep blue eyes, which appeared exceptionally profound in Sage Mode, suddenly contracted, as if a storm was gathering deep within their pupils!

A nauseating aura of death, mixed with the smell of blood and violent chakra fluctuations.

Like a cold steel needle, it pierced his senses!

"Our hiding place...something's happened!"

Naruto's voice was low and urgent, carrying an unprecedented solemnity.

His senses clearly "saw"—the entrance to the valley fortress.

The area, which should have been heavily guarded, was now a complete mess!

Dozens of corpses dressed in the uniforms of the Demon Kingdom's guards lay scattered on the ground, their blood staining the soil.

Deep within the fortress, a few last, stubborn chakra fluctuations persisted.

Like a candle flickering in the wind, it is being rapidly surrounded and devoured by four powerful and chilling chakras!

"The enemy has broken through! The guards are almost all dead!"

Naruto turned around abruptly and said to Sasuke and Sakura, who were following closely behind.

His voice was filled with anxiety: "I'll go save them first! You guys follow!"

Before he could finish speaking, Naruto's chakra exploded beneath his feet!

After three years of training, his speed instantly reached its peak!

He transformed into an orange lightning bolt that tore through the air.

With a sharp sonic boom, it sped towards the valley fortress at several times the speed it had before!

All that remained was a swirling shockwave and a few fallen leaves.

Sakura exclaimed in surprise and instinctively tried to speed up and catch up.

Her emerald green eyes were filled with worry—

The number and strength of the enemies are unknown, and it would be too dangerous for Naruto to charge in alone!

However, a steady and strong arm blocked her way.