Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 153: Naruto, Strive to Grow

Amidst an awkward silence, Naruto broke it with a resolute declaration:

"Sasuke... is our comrade! I will bring him back! When we see Granny Tsunade, I'll plead for him. Everything can return to how it was. It definitely can!"

"That's right!" Sakura, who had just felt a heavy heart, nodded firmly in agreement.

"Can it be like this?" Sai looked quite surprised.

Seeing Naruto's confident assurance, he could only conclude that he had been ignorant.

At this moment, a mocking laugh sounded nearby.

Naruto turned to see who it was.

It was Kurotsuchi.

Compared to the time of the Five Kage Summit, her legs had grown a lot longer.

However...

Though Naruto had ghostwritten for Jiraiya's "Icha Icha" series and received wide acclaim among male readers, making him a rising star among erotic novel authors, and even though he had developed the Sexy Technique, he had never had lecherous thoughts about other girls besides the one he liked.

Looking at Kurotsuchi, he was simply puzzled and asked, "What kind of earth... Oh right! With such fair skin, it's called White Earth, isn't it? What's so funny?"

Kurotsuchi's face instantly darkened.

'This guy hasn't changed at all since the Five Kage Summit. Still so unhinged.'

Thinking this, Kurotsuchi took a deep breath and said, "Although I'm happy you complimented my fair skin, Naruto, at least get my name right. I am Kurotsuchi!"

Realizing his mistake, Naruto quickly apologized, "Sorry! Sorry!"

Seeing Naruto's sincere attitude, Kurotsuchi's expression softened a bit. Facing Naruto's question, she replied:

"I was just laughing at how naive you guys are."

"Calling me naive again..."

Hearing Kurotsuchi say this, Naruto was reminded of how she called him the same thing back at the Five Kage Summit.

He was about to habitually retort with "You're not much older than me."

Kurotsuchi's next words made his expression change.

"It's been two years, and you're still so naive, Naruto. Do you really think this is a child's ninja game? The fact that Uchiha Sasuke is a Konoha S-Class rogue ninja won't change. He can't come back with you."

"If you're not prepared to kill him on sight, I suggest you naive Konoha brats go back to your village. Otherwise, if you lose your lives, you'll drag us down too."

Kurotsuchi spoke bluntly.

She didn't understand how Konoha had taught Naruto and his friends to be like this.

But now, they were teammates.

If they didn't understand reality and still showed affection and mercy in the upcoming battles, it would only drag everyone down.

"Kill Sasuke..."

Hearing this, Naruto, feeling agitated, wanted to say something.

Yamato suddenly appeared beside Naruto, held his shoulder to stop him from speaking, and then said seriously:

"Don't forget, our main mission is to investigate the Lockfront Village. If we can avoid alerting the enemy, we should. As for Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura, as Konoha ninjas, I hope you prioritize the mission."

Facing Yamato's rare serious gaze, Naruto and Sakura silently nodded.

Seeing this, Yamato turned and continued speaking to Kurotsuchi, "Please rest assured, Kurotsuchi Jonin, the Konoha ninjas know what they need to do."

"Alright." Kurotsuchi shrugged, saying nothing more.

Regardless, having the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki as a strong ally was good, as long as he knew what needed to be done.

Although she mocked Naruto and his friends' naivety, to be honest, she would be happy to have such friends.

Unfortunately, her childhood friend Deidara had abandoned his position as the Tsuchikage's direct disciple and her as his childhood friend, choosing to defect for his insane love of art.

To this day, Kurotsuchi found it unbelievable and wanted to pry open Deidara's head to see if it was filled with nothing but bombs.

A brief internal disturbance subsided.

The joint squad of Konoha and Iwagakure continued their silent advance toward Lockfront Village.

When they crossed an iron bridge spanning a canyon, Naruto and Sakura, like Sasuke before them, remembered this place. They also recalled their sensei, Kakashi, and his rumored girlfriend, and further remembered Sasuke, who had fought alongside them.

Crossing the bridge, Naruto, who had been thinking deeply, approached Yamato and asked in a low voice, "Captain Yamato."

Yamato looked over.

Naruto asked quietly, "Is the village's attitude toward Sasuke really like this?"

Yamato was silent for a moment, then said, "Naruto, remember, you are a Konoha ninja."

Naruto's head drooped.

Yamato, being kind-hearted, felt a bit uneasy.

After thinking for a while, he patted Naruto's shoulder and smiled warmly, "Naruto, if you don't want any regrets, strive to grow. Grow so much that no one can ignore you. Then, when you speak, people will listen."

Although they had only been together briefly, Yamato quickly grew fond of this boy who had been scorned and hated by many in the village yet remained bright and cheerful, slowly changing people's perceptions around him.

As the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Yamato believed Naruto had the potential to achieve what he said.

"Yes!!"

Hearing Yamato's words, Naruto nodded heavily, reigniting his fighting spirit.

Returning to Sakura's side, he raised his fist and resolutely said, "I will not give up on bringing Sasuke back. This is my ninja way! Of course, just like Kurotsuchi and Captain Yamato said, for everyone's safety, even if I have to break Sasuke's bones, I will do it."

"Naruto..."

At this moment, Sakura realized Naruto had truly grown.

Grown to a level she couldn't reach.

Even so, she was no longer the girl who only knew how to cry.

So...

"Naruto, let's work hard together."

Sakura tightened her gloves and smiled brightly.

On the side, watching Naruto and Sakura's mood swing from sunny to gloomy and back, Sai found human emotions very complex.

'Maybe I should buy a book by an emotion expert when I get back.'

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The group crossed the iron bridge, quickly and stealthily passing through a forest and hills.

Ten minutes later, hidden by the forest and hills, the buildings of the secret Lockfront Village came into view.

As the nominal leader of this mission, Yamato raised his hand, and everyone instantly stopped.

Under everyone's gaze, Yamato approached a large tree, placed his hand on it, and used his Wood Release to sense everything in the surrounding forest.