I am Uchiha Sasuke Uncle

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"Bee!!!" 

The Fourth Raikage, A, roared furiously, lightning flaring around his entire body and evaporating part of the seawater enveloping him. 

"Damn it!!!" 

He bellowed angrily, his voice resounding across the sea. Further away, the seawater rushed back to fill the void left behind. 

"Raikage-sama!" Darui swam over with a concerned expression but got straight to the point. "Neither those two enemies nor Lord Killer Bee have left any traces. They must have been teleported away using space-time ninjutsu." 

The lightning around A's body gradually dimmed. He gestured silently and swam toward the surface. 

Darui waved at the others in the distance before following behind A. 

Splash! 

A broke through the water's surface and quickly made his way to the shore. 

In the depths of Thundercloud Canyon, the figures of Kumogakure's ANBU flitted about hurriedly. Mabui, the Raikage's secretary, approached with three disheartened figures trailing behind her. 

"Raikage-sama." Mabui bowed slightly. "Our deepest apologies for arriving late." 

A's gaze skipped past her and fixed on the three figures behind her. 

"Samui, Omoi, Karui," his voice carried heavy discontent, "as Bee's disciples, why weren't you three by his side?" 

"Our deepest apologies," the three knelt on one knee immediately, heads lowered, not daring to look up. 

"Raikage-sama," Samui spoke calmly, "please allow us to expand the search area. Based on Lord Bee's personality, there's a high chance he might have severed his tail to escape and wandered off to play somewhere." 

"That guy!" 

A clenched his fists, acknowledging the possibility but still unable to rest easy. 

"You three handle it," he waved dismissively. "No one else can be spared to search for Bee's whereabouts. This task is yours alone." 

"Yes!" 

The three stood and departed swiftly. 

"Mabui!" A turned his head. "I'm heading back to the village. Have everyone else withdraw afterward!" 

"Yes, Raikage-sama!" 

Mabui bowed deeply and watched A's retreating figure disappear into the distance. 

"Raikage-sama carries the weight of all Kumogakure on his shoulders. Not being able to fully focus on saving Lord Bee must be the most painful thing for him," Mabui murmured. 

Darui stood beside her. 

"Let's just hope Lord Bee is safe." 

Mabui sighed, then composed herself and said firmly, "That man is the Raikage of Kumogakure. No matter what happens, nothing can truly defeat him." 

"Yeah." Darui turned around. "The Akatsuki's actions are becoming increasingly blatant. The shinobi world might be heading for a major upheaval." 

"Raikage-sama won't let this slide," Mabui stated with certainty. 

"Maybe we've been too lenient with them. The incident with Yugito…" Darui trailed off, regret in his voice. 

"Perhaps everyone thought the same way," Mabui shook her head. "Every village shared similar sentiments, which allowed the Akatsuki to remain active for so long. Now, every village is tasting the consequences." 

--- 

Konoha's Main Gate. 

Jiraiya, weathered and carrying a massive scroll on his back, swaggered up from a distance. 

"Yo!" 

As he approached the gate, he casually raised his hand in greeting. 

Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki, sitting idly by the gate, immediately stood to attention. 

"Jiraiya-sama, welcome back!" 

"Hahaha…" Jiraiya laughed heartily. "Thanks, thanks. Why are you two still stuck on gate duty?" 

"Well…" Izumo scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Jiraiya-sama, being a gatekeeper is an important job too, you know." 

"Good attitude!" Jiraiya patted Izumo on the shoulder as he passed. "Keep it up!" 

"Yes, I'll do my best!" 

Izumo responded enthusiastically, puffing out his chest. 

Jiraiya waved nonchalantly and strode into the village. 

"Did you hear that? Jiraiya-sama just encouraged me!" 

Izumo grinned at Kotetsu triumphantly. 

"Oh, please…" Kotetsu rolled his eyes. "He was just being polite. Even if he wasn't, it was meant for both of us!" 

"Yeah, right. He clearly meant me." 

Izumo smugly leaned back in his seat. 

"Are you saying you want to work solo or find a new partner?" 

Kotetsu shot back, annoyed. 

"Of course not, Kotetsu. You're the only one for me." 

"Ugh… get lost!" 

--- 

Jiraiya strolled leisurely through the streets of Konoha. 

"Winter really is a lonely season." 

His eyes darted about as he muttered this soulful lament. 

"Without any scantily clad beauties, Konoha's scenery loses its charm." 

A cold breeze blew, and he involuntarily shrank his neck. 

"Ah, well. I'll go check on Tsunade first." 

Swoosh. 

His figure vanished abruptly. 

--- 

Hokage's Office. 

Tsunade was busy working at her desk when she heard a knock. 

She turned around. 

"Yo!" 

Through the glass of the window, Jiraiya enthusiastically waved at her. 

"You idiot!" 

Tsunade stood up, glaring at him angrily. 

Knock knock. 

Jiraiya chuckled awkwardly and tapped the glass. 

Rolling her eyes, Tsunade opened the window. 

"Ah, it's freezing!" Jiraiya climbed into the office, shut the window, and began rubbing his hands together for warmth. 

"Jiraiya-sama," Shizune greeted with a small bow. 

"Shizune!" Jiraiya plopped onto a nearby couch and waved. "Could you pour me some tea?" 

"Of course. Please wait a moment." 

Shizune quickly returned with a steaming cup of tea. 

Jiraiya cradled the cup in his hands, took a sip, and exaggeratedly sighed, "Ah, I'm alive again. Thanks, Shizune." 

"You're welcome, Jiraiya-sama," Shizune replied politely before returning to Tsunade's side. 

"You!" 

Tsunade sat down across from Jiraiya, her irritation evident. 

"If you're feeling alive again, then hurry up and talk business!" 

Jiraiya put down the teacup and struck a dramatic pose, shaking his head. "You haven't changed a bit, Tsunade. Still lacking a sense of fun." 

"Shut up!" 

Tsunade's fist hovered threateningly in front of his face. 

"Alright, alright." 

Jiraiya straightened up, dropping the act. 

"You already know why I called you back," Tsunade began, her tone serious. "I'm entrusting Naruto to you." 

"Don't worry." 

Jiraiya examined Tsunade closely. 

"I came as soon as I got your message. Looks like a lot has happened in the village." 

"It's not all bad," Tsunade said, referring to the Hyuga incident. "That was always a hidden issue. Better that it's resolved now." 

"The Caged Bird Seal, huh…" 

Jiraiya mused, though he didn't delve deeper. 

"You don't need to concern yourself with those matters," Tsunade said, rising and returning to her desk. 

"I'm swamped here. Go check on Minato and Naruto. They're training in the woods east of the village." 

"Cold as ever, huh," Jiraiya muttered as he stood and headed out, grumbling to himself.