Temari only saw Naruto glare at Gaara, and the two of them suddenly stopped moving.
After a short while—
Both of them returned to normal at the same time.
Naruto said to Gaara, "Shukaku is very small now. Even without a seal, he can't suppress you at all."
"If you treat him well, maybe the two of you can even become friends."
Gaara hesitated. "Can a Tailed Beast… really become friends with a human?"
Naruto nodded. "Of course. Just look at my relationship with Kurama."
Gaara nodded as well. "I understand."
Temari didn't know what they were talking about, but she could tell that it was over.
After giving Gaara some final instructions, Naruto planned to return to Konoha to deal with a few matters.
But Temari stopped him.
She asked with a hint of dissatisfaction, "You rarely come back. Can't you stay a few more days?"
Naruto scratched his head and smiled. "It's not impossible."
…
A few days later, Naruto left Sunagakure and returned to Konoha.
The weather was clear and pleasant.
Naruto appeared atop the Hokage Rock.
Konoha's ANBU immediately noticed him and informed Tsunade.
Naruto had originally planned to wait there for Yakumo.
Unexpectedly, he was summoned to the Hokage Office by the ANBU.
As soon as he entered, Tsunade asked, "Have you finished dealing with Kurotsuchi's matter?"
"Yes," Naruto nodded. "It's settled. That rumor is now true."
Tsunade: "????????????"
Good grief!
Wasn't that just a rumor a few days ago?
How did it become real so quickly?!
Seeing Tsunade's stunned expression, Naruto shook his head slightly. "That aside, why are you so concerned about my private affairs?"
"My private affairs?" Tsunade exploded in anger. "You brat! You've entangled two of my disciples, you're engaged to a young lady from the Hyūga clan, and you're telling me I'm meddling?!"
"Do you have any idea what kind of impact this has?"
"Uh…" Naruto thought about it and realized she had a point. "You don't need to worry about the consequences. Whatever they are, I'll bear them."
Seeing his attitude—like a dead pig not afraid of boiling water—
Tsunade was furious.
But then she let out a long sigh. "You little…"
Naruto was simply too strong now. Tsunade couldn't afford to truly clash with him.
Especially since the incident in the Hidden Cloud Village had already spread throughout the Ninja World.
To be honest, Tsunade hadn't intended to interfere in such matters.
But two of her disciples were involved.
He also had an engagement with the Hyūga clan.
There were even rumors involving Sunagakure.
And recently, she heard he had gotten close to Kurenai Yuhi as well.
What kind of mess was this?!
Yet Naruto continued acting carefree.
Tsunade felt irritated on behalf of her disciples.
But looking at Naruto's indifferent expression, she knew there was nothing she could do.
He was truly a troublesome little pervert.
"Pervert" because of his behavior.
"Troublesome" because she genuinely didn't understand him.
So many relationships—could he really handle them all?
Naruto, however, didn't care. Seeing Tsunade fall silent, he spoke, "Hokage-sama, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving."
"Wait!" Tsunade suddenly raised her hand.
Naruto stopped.
"Come in," Tsunade said.
The office door opened.
A familiar ANBU walked inside.
"Yūgao Uzuki?" Naruto said in surprise, then greeted her warmly. "Yo~ Isn't this Big Sister Yūgao? How have you been lately?"
Yūgao removed her mask, revealing her refined features.
She smiled faintly. "Not very well…"
Tsunade explained, "Because of you, Yūgao was ostracized in the village. Don't you think you owe her an explanation?"
"An explanation?" Naruto's eyes narrowed, his tone turning cold. "Yūgao is your comrade—family, as the Third Hokage said."
"Konoha spread rumors about her to force me back, harming her reputation. And you're saying the problem is me?"
"Hokage-sama, Konoha is the one that should apologize."
Naruto wasn't trying to dodge responsibility.
If he had truly done something wrong, he would apologize sincerely and compensate accordingly.
In his view, an apology was not shameful—it was a way to preserve something important or comfort the injured party.
But in this matter, Naruto truly wasn't at fault.
Yes, he left Konoha.
But Hiruzen Sarutobi used his own people to pressure him.
That was unacceptable.
Yūgao also spoke up. "That's right, Hokage-sama. At the time, the Third Hokage said it was just a mission. As an ANBU, I had no choice but to carry it out."
"It was simply a failed mission."
Tsunade fell silent.
She wasn't unreasonable.
But this matter had been decided jointly by the Advisors and the Council of Elders.
After a brief discussion about positions and responsibilities, the meeting ended unhappily.
Yūgao felt awkward.
On one hand, she cared about Naruto.
On the other, she was loyal to her village.
Caught between the two, she didn't know what to do.
Her position was extremely uncomfortable.
Tsunade sighed. "Those Advisors and Elders do nothing but cause trouble, don't they, Yūgao?"
Yūgao nodded firmly. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
Normally, as ANBU, she wouldn't dare criticize them.
But since even the Hokage was complaining, she wouldn't hold back.
Tsunade continued, "I'll have the rumors cleared. I'll give you a satisfactory answer."
Yūgao felt greatly relieved.
Under Hiruzen Sarutobi, there had been many things she disagreed with.
Including using her to lure Naruto back to the village.
Compared to him, Tsunade was much more reasonable and compassionate—she understood the sacrifices made by ANBU.
Naruto, however, felt somewhat depressed.
He knew Tsunade hadn't brought up Yūgao's case willingly.
It was pressure from the Advisors and the Council of Elders.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was gone, but those people remained.
When Naruto was still in Konoha, most of them supported Tsunade, leading to Danzō's failure.
Now that Naruto planned to leave again—and Danzō was still alive—
With his methods, he would definitely attempt to manipulate the Advisors and Elders and pressure Tsunade once more.
As for why Naruto knew this—
Because Tsunade herself had implied it.
So…
Should he deal with Danzō?
With Naruto's current strength, killing Danzō would be effortless.
And no one would dare say a word.
Naruto no longer cared much about his relationship with Konoha.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can visit my Patreon page:
Patreon.com/PhoeniXcel
There are 40+ advanced chapters available for you to read.
Your support would be greatly appreciated.
📢 Check out my new Naruto fanfic!
[Naruto: I Don't Want Recognition]