Naruto: The Abstract Strategist of the Akatsuki

Chapter 308 The Old Man of the Hidden Cloud Village

Upon learning this news, Sasuke did not immediately think of going to Kumogakure to save Naruto, unlike Naruto.

Although Orochimaru's words were very logical, many of the things Naruto said after he found him before seemed like nonsense.

However, because of the bond between Sasuke and Naruto, Sasuke will trust Naruto even more no matter what.

Sasuke was certain that Naruto might be deceived by others, but Naruto would never deceive him.

So after calmly analyzing what Naruto said after he came to him, and considering Naruto's sudden disappearance, Sasuke decided to return to Konoha first.

Amegakure was ultimately an outsider village, and Orochimaru was ultimately a rogue ninja.

Returning to Konoha would at least allow us to obtain some real information.

After returning to the village, Sasuke went straight to the Hokage Building.

During his studies abroad, Sasuke also gained a clear understanding of some basic aspects of the ninja world.

This includes tailed beasts and jinchūriki, which are strategic weapons for each village and are of extremely high importance.

Given this, it's impossible for the Konoha leadership not to be worried if Naruto goes missing.

If this news is relayed to the higher-ups, and if Naruto is indeed missing, they will naturally do everything in their power to find him.

"Huh? Kakashi?"

Sasuke pushed open the door to the Hokage's office, only to find a lewd, masked man sitting inside, holding the Imperial Scroll and grinning lewdly.

"Oh? Sasuke, what brings you back?"

Kakashi hid the book the moment someone opened the door.

If Sasuke hadn't had the three-tomoe Sharingan, he might not have noticed.

—Don't ask Sasuke why he needs to use his three-tomoe Sharingan to ask a question. You should be glad that Sasuke hasn't awakened his Mangekyou Sharingan yet, otherwise the Hokage's office door would have been burned down by Amaterasu instead of being pushed open.

"Sasuke, you need to be polite. You should call him Kakashi-sensei. Just because Orochimaru taught you for a few days doesn't mean you've forgotten you're a member of Team 7. Naruto and Sakura are waiting for you to come back."

Kakashi gave Sasuke a heartfelt lecture.

Where is Naruto?

"Where is Naruto, who's waiting for me to come back?"

"Kakashi, what do you say?"

Sasuke stepped forward and slammed his hands on the table.

Kakashi was bewildered by Sasuke's aggressive attitude.

He hadn't expected Sasuke to show such a "you're already crying" emotion.

But Kakashi quickly felt relieved and happy.

Sasuke's concern for Naruto's safety shows that they have a good relationship.

Kakashi was willing to lead Team 7 because he saw the Minato Team of the past in them, wasn't he?

"Naruto, he went to Mount Myōboku to train in Sage Mode."

Kakashi replied.

"Mt. Myoki..."

Upon hearing this name, Sasuke recalled how Naruto had run up to him and entered Sage Mode in a bizarre way, displaying overwhelming power.

"So you didn't know that Naruto has already left Mount Myōboku."

Sasuke brought Naruto to the Village of Sound in the Land of Rice Fields to find him. During their fight, they were ambushed. Afterwards, Orochimaru slowly revealed that Naruto had been captured by the people of the Hidden Cloud Village.

"Kumakuya Village, this is a repeat offender."

After listening, Kakashi sighed with a serious expression.

"A repeat offender? Orochimaru isn't lying to me?"

Sasuke was puzzled.

"Wait a mininute."

Kakashi summoned a masked ANBU member and whispered a few instructions to him.

A short while later, the officers from the shadows returned with several file folders.

Kakashi opened the file bag, took out the contents, and placed them in front of Sasuke.

"Look, these are confidential records kept by the Dark Guard."

"Kumogakure once attempted to seize the previous Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

"The Hidden Cloud Village came to Konoha for the second time under the guise of negotiations, intending to steal the Byakugan from the Hyuga clan's main family."

"The Hidden Cloud Village, under the pretext of fighting with the Hidden Stone Village, sent people to seize the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki when they passed through the Hidden Takigakure Village, but they were intercepted in the end."

"Besides, Sasuke can also go out and inquire. The Hidden Cloud Village has always acted domineeringly; that is indeed their style."

Each and every case is shocking.

Sasuke now completely believed that the Hidden Cloud Village had kidnapped Naruto.

"But why did they have to take Naruto away...?"

Sasuke believed that the Hidden Cloud Village had kidnapped Naruto, but he still didn't understand why they did it...

"Sasuke, although the Hidden Cloud Village acts domineeringly and the Raikage is skilled in taijutsu, they are by no means people who are strong but brainless. On the contrary, they pay great attention to sustainable development."

Naruto's key lies not only in being a Jinchūriki, but also in his Uzumaki clan bloodline and sealing techniques, which are naturally suited for the role.

"Sasuke, don't worry. Naruto is a member of Team 7 and a crucial Jinchuriki for Konoha. The village will negotiate with Kumogakure. Calm down first."

With Kakashi's encouragement, Sasuke gradually calmed down and returned to his empty hut.

He didn't go to find Sakura, the only one left in Class 7, because he felt he had no face to do so.

Naruto ran out to look for him, but when he came back, Naruto was gone.

If he can't bring Naruto back, what right does he have to return to Team 7?

three days later.

Sasuke reappeared in the Hokage's office.

"I sent people to Kumogakure to strongly condemn them for taking the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki from Konoha and to demand that they return Naruto immediately. The reply came back—they refused."

"But Sasuke, you don't need to worry. The ANBU ninja I sent to negotiate secretly contacted Naruto. Naruto wasn't mistreated; he was being treated like royalty by the Hidden Cloud Village, with good food and drink."

It is said that the Hidden Cloud Village first gave Naruto a full physical examination and found that Naruto was not only underdeveloped, but also had a lot of... loss recently, resulting in some mild kidney deficiency.

To ensure the continued existence of Naruto's Uzumaki clan bloodline, they are trying every means to restore Naruto's vitality and prepare him for pregnancy.

After hearing Kakashi's description, Sasuke fell silent.

Naruto lived a better life in Kumogakure than in Konoha.

—Based on the flashback of the battle at the Valley of the End, Sasuke is one of the few people who has been observing Naruto since childhood and has personally said that he feels sorry for Naruto when he sees him lonely.

Compared to Jiraiya, Kakashi, and others who were connected to Minato Namikaze, Sasuke actually knew better about Naruto's childhood.

Now that Naruto is doing so well in Kumogakure, does he really want to bring Naruto back to Konoha?

"Sasuke, don't worry, I will send someone over to negotiate again."

Kakashi said to Sasuke, who was somewhat distracted.

"Kakashi, give me a mission."

"what?"

Give me any task.

Sasuke reached out his hand.

"oh."

Kakashi understood; Sasuke wanted to do some missions to relax and distract himself.

So he randomly picked a very simple task—eliminating mountain bandits—and handed it to Sasuke: "Low-level task. With your current strength, Sasuke, you should be able to handle it alone, right?"

"Um."

Sasuke didn't say anything more and turned to leave the Hokage's office.