https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-152-Exposure-in-Fetters-Village-Naruto-Arrives/12553387/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-154-Long-Time-No-See-Naruto-Sakura/12553389/
Chapter 153: Naruto, Keep Growing
Chapter 153: Naruto, Keep Growing
An awkward atmosphere hung in the air until Naruto finally broke the silence with a determined proclamation: "Sasuke is our companion! I will bring him back! I'll plead for him before Granny Tsunade, and everything will go back to the way it was. It will!"
"That's right!" Sakura, who had been feeling heavy-hearted a moment ago, nodded vigorously in agreement.
"Is that possible?"
Sai looked quite surprised.
But seeing Naruto confidently pat his chest in assurance, he could only attribute his own reaction to his limited knowledge of the situation.
Just then, a snicker sounded from the side.
Naruto turned his head.
It was Kurotsuchi.
Compared to the time of the Five Kage Summit, her legs had grown quite a bit.
However...
Although Naruto had ghostwritten Jiraiya's steamy romance novels, which were well-received by male readers and earned him acclaim as a rising star in the erotic literature world, and had even developed his own seduction jutsu, he had never harbored any inappropriate thoughts toward girls other than his love interests.
Turning to Kurotsuchi, he asked in confusion, "What's with the 'tsuchi' in your name? Oh, right! With your pale skin, you must be called White Soil, or Byakutsuchi, right? What's so funny anyway?"
Kurotsuchi's face darkened instantly.
'This guy hasn't changed at all since the Five Kage Summit. He's still as out of touch,' she thought.
Taking a deep breath, she said, "I'm glad you complimented my skin, but Naruto, could you at least get my name right? I'm Kurotsuchi!"
"Sorry! Sorry!" Naruto quickly apologized, realizing his mistake.
Seeing Naruto's sincere attitude, Kurotsuchi's expression softened a bit, and she replied to his question, "I was just laughing at how naive you guys are."
"Calling me a brat again?" Naruto recalled that during the Five Kage Summit, Kurotsuchi had also addressed him in the same manner.
Naruto was about to habitually retort, "You're not that much older than me," but her next words made his face change.
"It's been two years, and you're still so naive, Naruto. Do you really think this is a make-believe ninja game we're playing? The fact that Uchiha Sasuke is a missing-nin of the Leaf with an S-rank bounty on his head won't change. And he's not going back with you."
"If you're not prepared to kill each other on sight, I advise you brats from the Leaf to turn back now. Otherwise, you'll not only lose your own lives but also drag us teammates down with you." Kurotsuchi was blunt.
She didn't know how the Leaf had managed to raise these kids to be so idealistic.
But now, her team was partnered with them.
If they couldn't face reality and continued to show mercy or hesitate in the upcoming battles, it would only spell disaster for her team.
"Kill Sasuke..." Naruto started to protest, his eyes flashing with anger.
Suddenly, Yamato appeared beside Naruto, placing a hand on his shoulder to stop him from speaking further. With a serious expression, Yamato said, "Don't forget that our primary mission this time is to investigate the Lock Village. We don't want to alert the enemy unnecessarily. As for Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura, I expect you to prioritize the mission as Leaf ninjas."
Facing the rare stern gaze of their captain, Yamato, Naruto and Sakura nodded silently.
Seeing this, Yamato turned back to Kurotsuchi and assured her, "Rest assured, Kurotsuchi, the Leaf ninjas know what they need to do."
"Fine," Kurotsuchi shrugged, leaving it at that.
Regardless, the Nine-Tails jinchuriki was a powerful asset, and she just hoped that they understood their role in this mission.
Even now, Kurotsuchi found it unbelievable and often wondered if she could pry open Deidara's forehead to see if it was filled with nothing but bombs.
The brief internal turmoil subsided.
The joint squad composed of Konoha and Iwa ninjas continued their silent journey towards the Lock Village.
As they passed by a steel bridge that spanned the canyon, just like when Sasuke had first arrived, Naruto and Sakura remembered this place. They also recalled Kakashi and his rumored girlfriend, and further still, they remembered Sasuke, who had once fought alongside them.
As they crossed the bridge, Naruto, who had been deep in thought, approached Yamato and spoke in a low voice, "Captain Yamato."
Yamato turned to look at him.
Naruto asked quietly, "Is the village's attitude towards Sasuke really like that?"
Yamato remained silent for a moment before saying, "Naruto, remember that you are a Konoha ninja."
Naruto hung his head low.
Yamato, by nature, was kind and compassionate.
After thinking for a moment, he patted Naruto's shoulder and smiled gently, "Naruto, if you want to live with no regrets, then strive to grow stronger. Grow to the point where no one can afford to ignore you. When that time comes, speak up, and people will listen."
Although they had only interacted briefly, Yamato had quickly grown fond of this boy who, since childhood, had been despised and hated by countless villagers, yet had not succumbed to the darkness. Naruto had always remained cheerful and bright, changing the perceptions of those around him one step at a time with his words and actions.
As the jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, Yamato believed that Naruto had the potential to achieve what he had just spoken of.
"Yeah!!"
Hearing Yamato's words, Naruto nodded vigorously, his determination reignited.
Returning to Sakura's side, he raised his palm, clenched it into a fist, and asserted, "I will not give up on the idea of bringing Sasuke back. This is my ninja way! Of course, just as Kurotsuchi and Captain Yamato said, for everyone's safety, if it comes to it, I will break Sasuke's arms and legs."
"Naruto..."
At this moment, Sakura realized that Naruto had truly grown.
He had grown to a point that even she couldn't match.
Although this was the case, she herself was no longer the girl who would only cry and whine.
So...
"Naruto, let's work hard together."
Sakura tightened the gloves on her hands and smiled brilliantly.
On the side, Sai was perplexed as he witnessed the shifting moods of Naruto and Sakura, from sunny to gloomy and back again. He found human emotions to be incredibly complex.
'Maybe I should buy a book on emotions by an expert when I get back,' he thought.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The group swiftly and stealthily crossed the steel bridge, making their way through a vast forest and over hills.
Ten minutes later, they caught sight of a corner of the Lock Village, hidden within the forest and hills, that belonged to this secretive village.
Yamato, the nominal leader of this mission, raised his hand, and the entire squad came to a halt.
Under everyone's gaze, Yamato walked up to a large tree, placed his hand on it, and used his Wood Release ability to sense everything in the surrounding forest.
(End of Chapter)
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