Naruto had only considered the best outcome, yet he overlooked the worst possible scenario.
Although the outcome might not be that bad, what if it actually was? What would he do then? Would he just watch Sasuke turn to the dark side?
What Naruto wanted was to give Sasuke a different, happier ending from the original work, one where he wouldn't have so many regrets once he matured.
But now, the situation was the opposite, and Naruto didn't know what to do.
"Anyway, Sasuke's still unconscious. According to what you said, it'll take a long time, at least a full day, so we have time to consider our options." Itachi mused.
Naruto took a deep breath, "That's right, we still have time. If we stay calm, we'll find a solution."
Next, Naruto and Itachi started discussing various plans, putting all their effort into saving Sasuke.
However, after discussing all day, they still couldn't come up with a good plan. Kisame, watching from the side, was also anxious but unable to help.
Whoosh!
At this moment, a dark gate opened in the sky, and a figure stepped out… Orochimaru.
"You've arrived at the right time, come join us in discussing a plan."
Naruto said, trusting Orochimaru's intelligence.
Orochimaru didn't respond immediately but instead pulled out an envelope and said, "Naruto-kun, take a look at this."
"Is this the plan? Didn't expect you to be this prepared. As expected of you."
Naruto took the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper covered with writing.
"Orochimaru, please properly bury Naruto. I would love to attend the funeral, but right now I'm not stable enough, and I can't face Naruto. After all, it was my brother who killed him. I have to kill Uchiha Itachi to be able to face Naruto. I know you will stop me, so I have no choice but to leave without a word. Believe me, I will succeed! Do not worry. Uchiha Sasuke..."
After reading the letter, Naruto and Itachi exchanged glances, both filled with surprise.
Neither of them had expected Sasuke to leave so abruptly.
'Given Sasuke's state, it was impossible for him to wake up so soon. He must have been so eager to kill Itachi that he couldn't rest properly and left the moment he regained some awareness.'
"When did you find this letter?"
Naruto frowned.
Orochimaru explained, "I found it and came straight to you. Based on the residual Chakra, Sasuke has probably been gone for about three hours now. At his pace, he must be quite far already. Finding him will be very difficult."
"Damn it! With his emotional instability, he's bound to cause trouble. His physical condition is still poor. If we don't find him quickly, there's no telling what will happen!"
Naruto said anxiously, crumpling the paper in his hands.
If he still had a Servant Contract, even at a distance, Naruto could sense Sasuke's presence and roughly pinpoint his location. But the contract had been destroyed, so finding Sasuke now was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
"Naruto-kun, don't panic. Sasuke has already awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, so ordinary people can't harm him. If a powerful Shinobi engages him in battle, it will surely cause a commotion. You stay in Otogakure with Orochimaru. If there's any disturbance, you'll handle it. Kisame and I will head out and try our luck."
As soon as he finished speaking, Itachi dragged Kisame away.
Naruto wanted to go with them, but he understood that Itachi's plan was the best. If they all left, no one would stay in Otogakure, and if something happened, they would be unaware.
He and Orochimaru would stay behind in Otogakure, and Orochimaru could order his subordinates to search for Sasuke. When there was any information, Naruto and Orochimaru could go check it out in turns.
"Let's go, back to the village."
Naruto said, grabbing Orochimaru and using the Flying Thunder God Technique to return to the village.
As soon as they landed, before Naruto could say anything, Orochimaru had already started arranging for his subordinates.
Naruto didn't sit still either.
Even though his main body had to stay there, he still had an incredible ability… Shadow Clone Technique!
Naruto formed a series of hand seals, and the air around him was filled with 'bang, bang, bang' sounds as numerous white clouds appeared.
When the smoke cleared, over a hundred shadow clones stood before him.
Naruto's limit was to create up to two thousand shadow clones, but with that many, none of them had any real combat power. They would be instantly wiped out with a single punch.
In that case, it was better to have a hundred powerful clones instead.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The shadow clones rushed out of Otogakure, scattering in all directions, trying their luck to find Sasuke's trace...
Meanwhile, in Amegakure, at the Akatsuki's base.
Sitting in the central seat, Pain coldly spoke, "What's going on? Why is Deidara and Sasori's efficiency so low? Half a month has already passed. What exactly is happening?"
Zetsu, who was standing below, replied, "Leader, I've already sent my clone investigated. But before they could go deep, they were detected by Gaara. His strength surpasses what our intel suggested. Although he's only shown a fraction of his power, I must say, it's not inferior to yours."
"How could a mere Ichibi's Jinchuriki be so powerful? Did you investigate the cause?"
Pain questioned.
Zetsu responded, "I'm not sure of the exact reason. After my clone was destroyed, I sent others to infiltrate again, but when they attempted to enter, they found that Sunagakure had already entered a state of high alert. Foreign Chakra was easily detected and instantly noticed. I personally tried it."
Pain thought for a moment and said, "Didn't you say Gaara just took office and his foundation wasn't solid? How could he mobilize so many forces in Sunagakure?"
Zetsu shook his head, "I don't know, but I suspect it's related to the two recent explosions."
"Explosion? What's this about?"
Pain asked, deep in thought, "Say it all at once."
Zetsu nodded and explained, "According to my investigation, I found that two major explosions occurred outside Sunagakure, each capable of destroying an entire village. When I went to investigate the site, I found remnants of Deidara's clay explosives and Gaara's special sand. It seems that Deidara tried to set off explosions twice, but Gaara intercepted both. As a result, Gaara's reputation in the village soared, solidifying his position as the Kazekage."
Pain pondered and said, "So, you're saying that Deidara and Sasori have already made their move, but Gaara's strength is greater?"
"Yes, that should be the case." Zetsu replied.
Konan, who had been standing beside Pain, asked, "Leader, what should we do next? Do we need reinforcements? If Gaara becomes aware of our organization, it could cause a lot of trouble."
Pain tapped his fingers on the armrest of his seat, and said after some thought, "Are you concerned that delay will cause complications? Let me think about the next steps..."