At the Hokage office in Konoha, Tsunade was knitting her eyebrows while listening to Shizune reading Team Kakashi's and Guy's report out.

'This is a bit troublesome...'

"Shizune, did the Shiki Ryuu do something that can be considered hostile against us after that?" - Tsunade

"No...not that I know of..." - Shizune

"Hahaha! You worry too much. Despite what all happened he is still a former Konoha shinobi, but more importantly, I didn't sense any darkness in him like with Orochimaru." Jiraiya suddenly appeared leaning on the door while saying that.

"Sigh...this is exactly why I'm so worried...you wouldn't know since you didn't really interact much with him back then, but with his shameless and frivolous personality he can make your life hard on a whim..."

"Well, he certainly is a unique fellow...anyway, since we are on this topic, I have to report something." - Jiraiya suddenly got serious.

"?"

"You see...when I was connecting intel about Orochimaru, I found out that he is going to meet up with Eiji and Sasuke." - Jiraiya

"What's the reason? They are like dogs and cats, even more than Konoha is with Orochimaru..." - Tsunade

"I don't know why they are gonna meet, but Orochimaru is assembling a huge force." - Jiraiya

"...could it be? You reported how Sasuke destroyed a bunch of hideouts, so Orochimaru probably couldn't ignore the damage and wants to settle it and used some bait for them to agree...but shouldn't they know that this is a trap? Considering it's the Shiki Ryuu, there is no way they wouldn't know too that Orochimaru is gathering his forces..." - Tsunade

"Hmm...I agree. This doesn't make sense for both sides...so what will you do?" - Jiraiya

"Do you know the date and location of the meeting?" - Tsunade

"This is something which is kept by both the Shiki Ryuu and Orochimaru strictly secret, so only a few individuals would know that..." - Jiraiya

"Sigh...let me rephrase it: can you find it out?"

"Hehehe, who do you take me for? I am the great Jiraiya, master of the toads and one of the thee legendary Sannin!" - Jiraiya made one of his iconic Kabuki poses.

"Yes, yes...anyway, do that fast: We can't ignore such an event, so I plan on sending Team Kakashi there." - Tsunade

"Hmm...do you really think that a good idea? They still don't know that Sasuke joined the Shiki Ryuu instead of Orochimaru...and from what I picked up listening to a moment ago, they seem to have had a bit of a disagreement with Eiji Nakamura."

"Don't you think it's about time that they know about Sasuke? He is part of their team after all." - Tsunade

"If you think it's a good idea, I won't pry further...but are sure that for such an event one team will be enough?" - Jiraiya

"Of course not. With the additional manpower we got after Danzo's death, we don't have to be frugal. I plan on sending a whole Anbu squad with them." - Tsunade

"Seems good, but let me give you a word of advice. It's an event between Shiki Ryuu and Orochimaru, so don't interfere until there is a good reason to do so." - Jiraiya

"I know that." - Tsunade

At Amegakure, at the highest point of Pain's tower, a space distortion suddenly appeared.

Without even looking, Pain knew that it was Obito who teleported with Kamui here: "Aren't you currently traveling with Itachi and Kisame?"

"I told them I had diarrhea and teleported from a toilet, so they don't know." - Obito

"What are you here for?" - Pain

"I'm sure you heard it already from Zetsu, but it looks like an interesting event is about to happen."

"That doesn't have anything to do with us."

"We wanted to deal with Orochimaru for quite some time now, and now that the "Lost Hokage" is here as well, wouldn't it be the perfect opportunity to deal with both of them at once?"

"This isn't like you...what are you really after?"

"You got me there...it's because Sasuke Uchiha will be there as well...I want to see his abilities, so send Hidan and Kakuzu there to mess things enough up to make Sasuke go all out..."

Pain didn't answer, but Obito was sure that he would do as he said, so he started to teleport with Kamui away.

Konan, who was watching silently, knew that with Hidan, Kakuzu, Orochimaru, and Shiki Ryuu being gathered at the same location, will result in a great chaotic battle!

CrusadeAgainstFurries

Really no excuse for the last 2 days other than I was lazy and played video games...sorry, sometimes my self-control just completely vanishes, especially when I buy a new game. This is also the reason why only the usual chapter than the double-length...I'll try to do better tomorrow and only start playing after I'm finished writing chapters and not before...

Anyway, tomorrow Sasuke will finally appear.