However, Naruto, for once, wasn't noisy. He quietly packed his things and left with Jiraiya.
He didn't even say goodbye to everyone.
By the time everyone found out, it was already two days later.
"Why did Naruto suddenly leave with Lord Jiraiya? Natsuki, do you know?" Tenten asked casually while enchanting an Exploding Tag.
"Oh, I know a little."
Natsuki also came to help. "Lord Jiraiya wants Naruto to master the tailed beasts' power, so he took him to train. Also, after Naruto leaves, the Village won't be targeted by the Akatsuki for the time being, so we can be much more at ease."
Tenten suddenly understood: "So that's it! But why didn't he even say goodbye, not even letting Sakura know?"
Natsuki wasn't surprised by this: "That kid is also a very strong-willed person. Don't forget, when you blamed yourself before, he blamed himself even more because he couldn't do anything, watching you all fight and watching others get injured and poisoned. That was very painful for him. That's why he decisively agreed to go train with Lord Jiraiya. To avoid lingering, he didn't even dare to say goodbye to everyone."
Tenten also understood: "That's true. That guy Naruto doesn't like being alone. Team Seven was just about to be restored, and he has to leave. He'll probably be very lonely, but he has no choice but to leave."
Natsuki just chuckled lightly and didn't say anything further.
It's actually good that Naruto is growing up. After all, as the savior, if he doesn't have some skills, let alone saving the world in the future, he won't even be able to resist the Akatsuki's capture.
Natsuki can't always help in time; it's better for Naruto to become stronger himself.
This time, Naruto is leaving with Jiraiya for at least two years. Two years of stable time is the time to increase training intensity.
After all, when Naruto returns, the Akatsuki's actions will become more aggressive, even Pain himself will make a move. At that time, without sufficient strength, they will only face despair.
Furthermore, Natsuki was also contemplating when to expose Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Madara again.
He even considered revealing Black Zetsu and Ōtsutsuki Kaguya outright.
As long as the script is leaked and many people know about it, then we'll see how Black Zetsu plays it!
"It seems I need to take some time to organize the history of the Ninja World. When necessary, I'll reveal it. Not to the entire Ninja World, but at least Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Kakashi should know, right? That way, everyone can cooperate, which would be much better and save me from being secretive."
As for how Natsuki knows?
It's simple: the Six Paths Sage appeared in a dream!
Jiraiya even has Gamamaru predicting the future, so isn't it only natural for the Six Paths Sage to appear in a genius's dream?
If they don't believe it, they can just verify the leaked events one by one. There's no need to fear suspicion!
Natsuki secretly planned the timing.
Within two days, Tsunade summoned a group of Jonin in the Village for a meeting.
"I'm sure many of you have guessed the purpose of this meeting! Last year, Orochimaru carried out a destruction plan in Konoha, which not only led to the Third Hokage's death but also threw the Village into chaos. We cannot forget this grudge. We didn't take action before simply because the Village was still unstable and its fighting strength was insufficient, so this matter was temporarily put aside.
However, now that the time is right, we must eliminate that poisonous snake entrenched in the neighboring country, otherwise Konoha will not be able to develop peacefully!"
As soon as Tsunade finished speaking, the Jonin became excited.
After all, Orochimaru's destruction of Konoha was indeed a severe blow to Konoha's prestige and caused heavy losses to the Village. This grudge must be avenged. Moreover, as Tsunade said, Orochimaru's entrenchment in the neighboring country ultimately makes it difficult for people to rest easy.
Therefore, he must be eliminated quickly!
Natsuki, Tenten, Shino, Neji, and Sasuke exchanged glances, all understanding.
Tsunade's objective was never hard to guess. She had sent Natsuki to investigate Orochimaru's lair long before and had been waiting for the opportunity. Now that the time was ripe, she naturally wouldn't wait any longer.
"Next, I will assign the combat missions. This time, Jonin Kakashi will personally lead the team..."
Soon, Tsunade's orders were issued.
It wasn't too complicated. The fifteen genin, divided into five teams, would act together. Team Kakashi and Aoba Team would be responsible for attacking Orochimaru's main base, while the other three teams would clear out the experimental labs around the main base. After Orochimaru is subdued, they would then separately go to destroy the various experimental outposts.
Although the mission seemed heavy, the number of teams sent out was somewhat small.
But this time it was a decapitation strike, not a territorial battle, so only elites needed to be sent.
Furthermore, enough personnel must be left behind to protect the Village and prevent external enemies from taking advantage to attack.
After the orders were issued, the five teams immediately began preparations.
However, there is a problem now. Since Naruto has already left with Jiraiya, Team Seven is missing a member and must be supplemented, otherwise it might affect the operation.
Moreover, they couldn't just assign anyone. If a newly added person caused problems for the team, it would further affect the operation.
For a time, Tsunade had no arrangement.
Sakura couldn't help but complain: "What's going on with Naruto? Why did he leave at such a crucial time? Team Seven finally got back together. Is there anything more important than Team Seven going on a mission together?"
Oh, she didn't know that Naruto had left with Jiraiya.
Although this matter wasn't a secret, everyone subconsciously didn't mention it, so she had no way of knowing.
Sasuke heard this and rebuked: "Don't talk nonsense if you don't know! Tsunade-sama has her own arrangements, it's not your place to complain! Prepare properly, the enemy this time is not ordinary!"
Sasuke was wary of Orochimaru.
Not only was he toyed with by Orochimaru during the Chunin Exams the time before last, and had a cursed seal planted on him which might still act up if he's not careful, but even more so because Orochimaru also sent the Sound Five to attack, intending to take his body.
If the Sound Five are that powerful, Orochimaru must be even more so!
Therefore, Sasuke dared not underestimate him in the slightest.
He was no longer the carefree kid who would get carried away after learning a few tricks!
Sakura was suddenly scolded and felt a bit wronged for a moment. She had merely complained about the missing Naruto. Why would Sasuke-kun scold her?
Sure enough, those two are the real couple, and she's the third wheel, right?
On this side, Natsuki was once again assigned to the Land of Rice Fields, mainly to see if Orochimaru's base had changed and if Orochimaru was still in the main base. All of this needed to be investigated thoroughly.
It's just that this way, Aoba Team was also missing a member.
"Tsunade-sama, actually, I'm more suited for solo action. How about assigning a new member to Aoba Team?" Natsuki suggested.
"Oh? Do you have any good candidates?" Tsunade was actually having a headache over this problem too.
"Uh, I heard there's a girl named Kurama Yakumo..."
"Oh, you mean Yakumo!"
Tsunade remembered, "That's right, Yakumo's problem has been resolved. If she is willing to become a Ninja, that would be great and would also fulfill her dream. Moreover, her Genjutsu is extremely powerful; she could probably become a Jonin directly. I'll have Kurenai Yuhi go ask her. I don't think she'll refuse."