When everything settled, Mei Terumī prepared to lead her people back to the Land of Water.
To thank the Mizukage for her help, Hiruzen Sarutobi organized a grand but ultimately useless farewell ceremony.
If one were to talk about who loved face-saving projects the most, it would undoubtedly be Konoha!
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't just doing this for show. After establishing a deeper strategic alliance with Mist Hidden, Konoha would also provide a series of support to Mist Hidden, including resources and personnel.
Furthermore, they successfully reached a cross-sea trade agreement, allowing for mutual exchange and mutual defense.
It looked good on the surface, but it was uncertain how long it would last.
Additionally, it was worth mentioning that Danzō, for crossing Hiruzen Sarutobi's bottom line, was imprisoned.
When Mei Terumī learned of this, she felt immense satisfaction.
Although she knew that the Hokage was likely just putting on a show and would release him soon, it didn't stop her from enjoying seeing him in trouble.
Shortly after Mei Terumī, Shinji, and their group left Konoha.
Naruto and Sakura went to find Sasuke, but they didn't find him, only a letter.
The letter was from Sasuke to them and Kakashi-sensei. The general content was that after this Chūnin Exam, he deeply realized his shortcomings and therefore intended to go out and train, and they didn't need to search for him.
Naruto and Sakura immediately took the letter to Kakashi-sensei.
After reading the letter, Kakashi's heart sank.
He could tell it was indeed Sasuke's handwriting, but the way Sasuke chose to leave without saying goodbye was problematic.
Could he really increase his strength quickly by training alone?
How was that possible!
Why did people from formal ninja villages look down on rogue ninja?
Wasn't it because rogue ninja generally had no lineage or teacher to guide them?
Therefore, Sasuke must have been hiding something.
Kakashi suddenly thought of someone!
And it happened to be the day that person left Konoha. Could it be such a coincidence?
"I need to report this matter to Lord Hokage. You wait here. Don't do anything rash. Remember, absolutely do not do anything rash."
After repeatedly instructing them, Kakashi disappeared.
In reality, he also knew that even reporting such a matter to the Hokage might not be of much use.
After all, the original Jiraiya, Tsunade, and others had used similar excuses to leave Konoha.
Sasuke had his own legs, so could they force Sasuke to stay in the village for his entire life?
Impossible!
Moreover, this couldn't be considered desertion, as he had left a 'letter' and stated his 'reason.'
Kakashi going to the Hokage was simply to frame Sasuke's departure as being tricked and abducted by Mist Hidden people.
If that were the case, the nature of the matter would completely change.
He could then lead people to intercept Akagi Shinji and the others and search for Sasuke.
But the problem now was, would the Hokage, who had just reached a honeymoon agreement with Mist Hidden, really offend them over a Genin, and with such a far-fetched reason?
Kakashi felt uncertain and didn't have much hope, but if he wanted to bring Sasuke back, he had to get the Hokage's permission.
Otherwise, if he, a Konoha Jōnin, acted privately to intercept Mist Hidden's convoy, it would be a major diplomatic incident between the two countries!
After Kakashi left, Naruto and Sakura could wait for a few minutes, but after a few minutes, Naruto became anxious.
Because his intuition told him that if they let Sasuke leave this time, they might not see him again for a very long time.
"Why would that guy Sasuke suddenly want to leave the village to train?"
This was the strangest and most baffling thing.
Unless...
Sakura, who also didn't understand at first, suddenly remembered a detail!
"Naruto, do you remember when during the Chūnin Exam, Sasuke called someone 'Big Brother'?"
"Let me think... Yes, I remember! That guy seemed to be called... Shinji, Akagi Shinji!"
"Do you think Sasuke got the idea to leave the village because of this person?"
Sakura thought about it and concluded that this person was the only outsider Sasuke had been in close contact with recently.
If Sasuke was influenced by this person, then it wouldn't be strange at all.
Naruto became excited. "It must be! During the Chūnin Exam, didn't that guy say he was going to give Sasuke a gift?"
Sakura added, "And those two times he was hospitalized, Sasuke refused to tell us the details. Perhaps it's also related to this person!"
The two looked at each other and felt they were close to the truth.
Naruto took off running, and Sakura chased after him, shouting, "Naruto, where are you going? Kakashi-sensei told us to wait for him here."
"There's no time! I'm going to find Sasuke and bring him back! He must have been deceived by that person!"
"How do you know where Sasuke is?"
"I don't need to know where Sasuke is, I just need to find that Akagi Shinji guy! Uh..."
"What's wrong?"
"Which direction is the Land of Water again?"
"..."
Sakura was speechless, but out of concern for Sasuke, she ran out of Konoha with Naruto.
At this moment, they happened to encounter Choji, Kiba, and others.
After hearing about Sasuke's situation, they all volunteered to help.
Although the 'enemy' was someone who had saved them and helped the village not long ago, it was a separate matter. They still had to bring back their comrade.
After all, according to Naruto's description, Akagi Shinji had become a villain who tricked Sasuke and had ulterior motives.
Perhaps in his worldview, anyone who dared to snatch Sasuke from him was an unforgivable villain.
Sakura: Then I'll leave?
The Konoha gate guards tried to stop these young ninjas, but Naruto dispersed them with his Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu.
These brats were not to be trifled with, and their identities were not simple. The guards didn't dare to forcefully stop them and could only watch helplessly, choosing to report the incident.
Meanwhile, Kakashi was still negotiating with the Hokage.
According to Kakashi, it was still possible to catch up now, as long as they made Mist Hidden hand over Sasuke.
Sasuke might have been deceived and left Konoha.
But this was ultimately just Kakashi's speculation.
Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't escalate the situation based on such a guess.
At this moment, news also came from the Konoha gate guards that Naruto and the others had broken through and were going to chase after Sasuke.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a few thoughtful puffs of his pipe and then said to Kakashi, "Perhaps it's most appropriate to let those children handle this matter. You shouldn't get involved."
"But..."
"Kakashi, I know you're worried about Sasuke. In fact, I am too. But have you ever considered that if this is truly Sasuke's own choice, can you keep an eye on him for his entire life?"
Kakashi fell silent, then let out a long sigh.
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