Back to the present—while Naruto's real body was following the signal from the seal tag and rapidly closing the distance to Hinata, the two Shadow Clones he had created were already carrying out their assigned missions: one met with Sasuke, the other with Tenzo.
…
"What?! What do you mean Hinata was… kidnapped?!"
Not long ago, he'd seen her in Sasuke's arms, being playfully teased and doted on. But in just the brief time he'd been gone, Sasuke now stood before him, looking grim as he delivered the shocking news that Hinata had been taken by someone impersonating Hyuga Hiashi.
Naruto's mind struggled to process the words. It felt surreal, like waking into a bad dream. His eyes widened, his thoughts spiraling, until all he could do was stare, dumbfounded and slack-jawed. Then his lips twitched unnaturally into a forced smile.
"But… how is that even possible…? Ha, come on—this is a joke, right, Sasuke? This is the Ninja Academy! It's the most heavily guarded part of the village! Who'd be dumb enough to try snatching someone here? And for what—a child? Sasuke… this is a prank, right? Tell me you're messing with me. Please."
"I wish I were, Naruto. I really do. But everything I said is true."
Sasuke's tone was somber, apologetic.
"I don't know who that imposter is or what his goals are, but anyone who would go so far as to disguise themselves as Lord Hiashi… someone like that doesn't want to be seen for who they really are. And if that's the case, then Hinata must be in serious danger."
The moment Sasuke saw that Naruto had only sent a clone to meet with him, he knew that Naruto had understood the warning signal perfectly—and that the real Naruto was already on the move to save Hinata. Sasuke's heart eased a little. Still, he felt compelled to explain everything. He scratched his head awkwardly, then lowered it.
"…I'm sorry, Naruto. I was right there when they took her, but… that man was way too strong. I—I swear he was a Jōnin! I couldn't stop him alone. I'm sorry. I couldn't do anything..."
Naruto had never explicitly said it, but Sasuke knew—he trusted him. Trusted him to keep Hinata safe. Naruto never worried about local punks or bullies; if Sasuke was there, then everything was supposed to be fine.
But now Hinata was gone, and Sasuke—still so small—could only stand by helplessly and watch. He felt as though he'd failed. And for the first time, he understood why Naruto always pushed him so hard, why Naruto never stopped training, even though he was already stronger than most adults.
He finally understood what Naruto had once told him during their year of special training:
"Sweat more in peace, bleed less in war."
Back then, Sasuke hadn't really grasped the meaning. But now, facing a situation where he was truly powerless, it made perfect sense. And quietly, the pride and arrogance he'd begun to develop from his rapid improvement started to fade.
'What am I doing… yelling at a kid?'
'This was my failure—not his. Sasuke didn't do anything wrong.'
'He's not that future elite ninja yet—he's just a kid. A kid who saw through a disguise, left a warning, and risked a lot to alert me. That's already amazing.'
'If I hadn't shown up in his life… he wouldn't even be in this mess. He'd be enjoying everyone's admiration, like the genius everyone sees him as.'
Looking at Sasuke, head lowered and trembling with guilt, Naruto's frustration melted. He swallowed the rebuke that had risen to his lips, took a deep breath, and instead stepped forward to wrap Sasuke in a warm hug. He gently patted his back and rested his chin on the boy's shoulder, smiling softly.
"Shhh… it's okay, Sasuke. It's okay. You did everything you could—and you did great. I'm proud of you."
"…R-Really?"
Sasuke flinched at first, but Naruto's familiar voice eased his nerves. He looked up, eyes wide, as if trying to confirm if Naruto truly meant what he said.
"You're not… mad at me?"
"Of course not," Naruto chuckled gently. "You did well. And listen—whoever did this, they knew what they were doing. They came prepared to start a war with Konoha. If they had found out you were the Uchiha heir, they would've taken you too. So not fighting back… that was smart. I'm glad you're safe, Sasuke."
Naruto could feel the subtle trembling in Sasuke's body—the kind born from stifled fear, not cold. His expression softened even more. This was the same boy who had faced down Orochimaru's clone without flinching. Yet here he was, shaking. That difference spoke volumes.
And it all came down to one thing:
Naruto hadn't been there.
That absence made all the difference.
Before they met, Sasuke was a boy constantly striving to gain his father's approval, sinking into despair. Naruto gave him strength—and something even more important: hope.
Without realizing it, Naruto had become Sasuke's emotional anchor.
As long as Naruto was by his side, Sasuke believed he could do anything. Even fight an S-rank criminal.
…
Elsewhere, Naruto's second Shadow Clone had just finished transferring the memory of that entire conversation to the Naruto currently with Tenzo.
The moment the memory hit, Naruto's expression shifted. His normally calm face twisted into something monstrous, as if a demon had awoken inside him.
"Oh, perfect. Not only did they kidnap my Hinata while I was away… they also scared my Sasuke to tears. Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful…"
He was shaking with rage. His breath came out in hot gusts, visible in the air. His fingers curled into tight fists, so hard his nails drew blood. His usual sapphire-blue eyes had turned—unnoticed by him—into bloodshot predator eyes.
"I don't care who did this. Whoever had the guts to pull this stunt—I'll make them regret ever being born."
Tenzo, already on edge, nearly jumped out of his skin. He trembled like a frightened rabbit and hugged himself instinctively.
'T-That look… it's back! This is just like before! I knew I never should've taken this cursed mission! Damn you, Kakashi-senpai!'
As Naruto turned to bark orders, Tenzo shuffled further and further away, trying to escape unnoticed.
"Tenzo, where are you going? Why are you standing so far away?"
"Wha—?! N-Nothing! Nothing at all!"
Tenzo panicked. He jumped up, heart pounding.
"I-I mean, yes, of course, Naruto! The equipment you asked for is already here! Tuned and tested! I was just… thinking of which lucky teammates to bring on this mission…"
Naruto squinted at him but let it go. There were more pressing matters.
"Good. I want you to go back to base now. Grab the machine we bought, and bring it to my location—fast. Then assemble two teams. One goes with us to assist my main body. The other stays behind and protects Sasuke. I don't want a single hair on his head harmed. Not. A. Hair."
"…You're more likely to scare him, honestly," Tenzo muttered under his breath, still shaking.
"What was that?"
"N-Nothing! I mean, yes! Machine secured! Squad selection in progress! Understood!"
He internally added Kakashi to the mission list out of spite.
"Uh, Naruto… Shouldn't we get the Third Hokage's approval first?"
"The situation is urgent. I'll explain it to Lord Hiruzen afterward."
Naruto's tone was cold now, deadly serious.
"And besides—this has nothing to do with village politics anymore. They kidnapped Hinata. They made Sasuke cry. That's no longer a matter of security…"
"…It's personal."