"Hokage, I'm leaving."
Jiraiya suddenly came to Hiruzen Sarutobi and informed him that he was leaving.
"Leaving? Where are you going?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned for a moment, then asked, "Have you found Orochimaru's whereabouts?"
"No. That guy isn't that easy to find."
Jiraiya shook his head and said, "Naruto is back. I need to hurry back immediately."
He had just received a message from Mount Myōboku's messenger toad stating that Naruto, who had been missing for over two months, had suddenly returned, so he had to rush back at once.
"It's Naruto…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, then thought for a moment and asked, "Jiraiya, have you figured out where Minato sent Naruto?"
Jiraiya had already told him about Naruto's sudden disappearance when he returned. Because Hiruzen Sarutobi had experienced this once before, he was mentally prepared and not overly worried. However, he was still concerned about where Naruto was sent each time he vanished.
"No."
Jiraiya shook his head again and said nonchalantly, "There's nothing to worry about. Naruto is Minato's child—I trust Minato's arrangements."
"..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was momentarily speechless. He sighed inwardly, then said tactfully, "Of course I trust Minato, but he's dead after all, and Naruto's growth is extremely important to the Village. If some things can be clarified, it's better to clarify them."
From Hiruzen Sarutobi's perspective, Naruto, as a Jinchūriki, disappearing periodically—and for longer durations each time—was simply too uncontrollable, making him uneasy.
"I understand."
Jiraiya glanced at him, nodded, then turned to leave.
"Wait. There's also Orochimaru. Find him as soon as possible and bring that Uchiha child back!" Hiruzen Sarutobi called out to Jiraiya's retreating back.
"I know, how annoying!"
Jiraiya waved his hand without turning around. His figure flickered, and he disappeared.
---
"Orochimaru, you're too presumptuous!"
Danzō stared at Orochimaru with a grave expression and said coldly, "Who allowed you to lay hands on someone from the Uchiha Clan at a time like this? What exactly are you trying to do?"
Danzō was furious about Orochimaru suddenly taking Uchiha Sasuke away—not because he thought Sasuke was important, nor because it might affect his plans regarding the Uchiha Clan.
It was because he had explicitly warned Orochimaru not to interfere with Uchiha affairs, yet Orochimaru still acted.
This was a blatant slap in the face, showing no regard for him, the Hokage's assistant.
"Well, don't be angry, Danzō-sama."
Orochimaru ignored Danzō's displeasure entirely and said with a smile, "I didn't take that child away on my own initiative. He chose to leave with me. And he's just a child of the Uchiha Clan—surely he won't affect your plans, right?"
In truth, Orochimaru taking Uchiha Sasuke away had been purely accidental.
He had infiltrated Konoha only to lay groundwork for his future assassination of the Hokage. He hadn't expected to overhear Sasuke talking with a classmate about Naruto, who had been taken away by Jiraiya.
Sasuke's envy was obvious.
That was when Orochimaru got an idea.
He appeared before Sasuke when the boy was alone, revealed his identity, and asked whether Sasuke was willing to leave with him.
At first, Sasuke refused. But when he learned that Orochimaru—like the ninja who took Naruto away—was one of the legendary "Three Sannin," his resolve wavered.
Then Sasuke recalled how his parents had become distant recently, and how his usually gentle older brother had coldly refused to guide him in training.
He felt lost.
The final straw came when Orochimaru told Sasuke that only by becoming his disciple could he catch up to Naruto.
The moment Sasuke heard that, he accepted without hesitation.
Orochimaru hadn't lied—Sasuke had indeed left willingly.
"Hmph. You didn't take some random Uchiha brat—he's Uchiha Fugaku's youngest son!"
Danzō snorted coldly and warned, "Orochimaru, I'll let this slide once. But if something like this happens again, I'll kill you with my own hands!"
"Hai hai, I understand, Danzō-sama!"
Orochimaru nodded with a smile, clearly unconcerned.
As for Uchiha Sasuke, he was just a child. Neither Danzō nor Orochimaru took him seriously, nor did they believe he would affect their plans.
---
Uchiha Clan.
"Father!"
Uchiha Itachi stood before Uchiha Fugaku and spoke directly. "Give up your plans. You won't succeed."
"What plans?"
Uchiha Fugaku was stunned, then feigned ignorance. "Itachi, what are you talking about all of a sudden?"
"Father."
Itachi looked at him calmly. "You know exactly what I mean. Give up. You won't succeed."
This time, Fugaku didn't pretend anymore. His expression turned serious as he stared at his son for a long moment.
"Did the Hokage send you?"
Fugaku had originally arranged for Itachi to join the Anbu to act as a bridge between the clan and the Hokage. He never expected his son to be swayed by the other side.
After repeated tests confirmed that Itachi had been "brainwashed," Fugaku stopped involving him in clan affairs.
Yet even now, their plans hadn't escaped his son's eyes.
What Fugaku didn't know was that Itachi hadn't merely discovered them—he had personally delivered the information to the Hokage.
"I'm not here on the Hokage's orders," Itachi said, shaking his head. "This is my own decision. But the Village's higher-ups are already aware of your plans and have made preparations. You won't have a chance. Give up."
"And if I refuse?"
Fugaku shook his head lightly. "Some things can't be decided by my will alone."
"Then leave it to me!"
Itachi's eyes flashed. His pupils transformed into the Sharingan—then into the pinwheel pattern of the Mangekyō.
"Father, if you can't change their minds, then I will persuade them—as the Clan Head!"
Temporarily replacing his father was a decision Itachi made after careful consideration.
Originally, he was prepared to pave Sasuke's future with the lives of the entire clan, then personally guide his brother to become a hero of Konoha.
But Sasuke's sudden abduction shattered that plan.
"If I don't act now, the clan will be destroyed before I can bring him back."
"Itachi… you…"
Fugaku stared at his son in shock. After a long silence, he sighed and nodded.
"Perhaps entrusting the future of the Uchiha Clan to you will lead to a different outcome."
He had known Itachi was talented, but awakening those eyes at thirteen exceeded all expectations.
At that moment, he deeply regretted letting Itachi join the Anbu.
Still… it wasn't too late.
With those eyes, opposition within the clan would be meaningless.
As for his younger son, Fugaku subconsciously pushed him out of his thoughts.
"Thank you, Father."
Itachi's Mangekyō faded. He stood and bowed deeply.
Before bringing Sasuke back, the Uchiha Clan could not be destroyed.
Anyone who stood in his way—even his father—would be eliminated without hesitation.
---
One of Orochimaru's secret hideouts.
Uchiha Sasuke was fighting a young man with white hair, green eyes, red eyeshadow, and two red markings on his forehead.
The young man possessed terrifying taijutsu and a bloodline ability that allowed him to manipulate his bones freely.
He was overwhelmingly strong.
And this was just a sparring partner.
Sasuke burned with excitement.
If even a sparring partner was this powerful, then what heights could he reach as a true disciple?
He imagined meeting Naruto again… and crushing him.
The thought alone thrilled him.
---
"Yo, Naruto!"
Jiraiya suddenly appeared, grinning widely. "Long time no see. How was it over there?"
"Toad Uncle!"
Naruto beamed. "I was great! I learned a lot!"
"Oh?" Jiraiya's interest was piqued. "Show me."
"Of course!"
Naruto clasped his hands. Orange chakra surged, forming a cloak around him. Five tails swayed behind him.
Pfft!
Jiraiya spat out his tea. "Five tails?! You can already use the Nine-Tails' chakra to this extent?!"
He became even more convinced that Naruto's disappearance was part of Minato's arrangements.
Minato… and perhaps Kushina.
Jiraiya decided not to interfere ever again.
"Hehe, amazing, right?"
Naruto grinned mischievously. "I also learned a really powerful ninjutsu. Want to see it?"
He probably won't die from one hit… right?
"No need!"
Jiraiya refused instantly. "Anything else?"
"No."
Naruto shook his head.
Jiraiya believed him without question.
After a moment, he pulled out a stack of mission scrolls and grinned.
"Then let's get back to work!"
The last time Naruto disappeared, he left many missions unfinished.
Now—
It was time to make money.
…Ahem. Training.
---
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