Chapter 6: Naruto's Decision
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Shino, standing off to the side, began to applaud.
Kiba, utterly confused, started clapping along. "What are you doing?" he asked Shino between claps.
"Nothing," Shino replied in his usual monotone. "I just suddenly felt that this moment deserved applause."
Now that Shino mentioned it, Kiba had to agree.
Sakura suddenly felt a pang of envy for Hinata. As a girl, she had always sensed Hinata's feelings for Naruto, and now her friend's wish had come true. They were truly in love.
But what about her?
The thought of Sasuke brought a wave of gloom over Sakura.
Yamato approached Kakashi, a grin on his face. "Well, senpai, it looks like we'll be attending a wedding in the near future."
Kakashi sighed. "A celebration is a celebration, and I'm happy for him. It's just… of all the times to start a romance, that kid really knows how to pick 'em."
Naruto didn't linger in the embrace for too long. There would be plenty of time for that later; right now, he had more important things to do.
He gently released Hinata. "I'm sorry, Hinata, but I have to leave you for a few days."
He then turned to his team leader. "Kakashi-sensei, I'm leaving the pursuit of Sasuke to you all. I have something I need to do, so I'll be temporarily leaving the team."
Kakashi was surprised. Everyone present knew how important finding Sasuke was to Naruto. And now, he was voluntarily choosing to leave?
"May I ask where you're going?" Kakashi asked, his tone serious.
Naruto met his teacher's gaze. "I'm sorry, I can't tell you right now. But please, trust me. This is very, very important to me."
"Is it more important than finding Sasuke?" Sakura asked anxiously.
Naruto looked at Sakura, unsure how to answer. In his reborn mind, he knew that Sasuke wasn't in any mortal danger at this moment. He was about to have his fateful duel with his brother, Itachi. Naruto planned to deal with that soon enough. But the most critical thing, the reason he had to leave immediately, was Jiraiya-sensei. He absolutely had to get to him in time.
"I'm sorry, Sakura-chan," he said instead. "I have my reasons, and I can't tell you yet. But what I can tell you is that Sasuke will be fine for now. Don't worry."
Kakashi stepped forward. "I'm sorry, Naruto, but these are special circumstances. As your captain, unless you explain yourself fully, I cannot allow you to leave."
With that, Kakashi gave Yamato a subtle nod.
Yamato understood immediately, using his Wood Style to instantly erect a Four-Pillar Prison, trapping Naruto inside. Yamato's Wood Style could not only suppress the Nine-Tails' chakra but also Naruto's own, which was the very reason Lady Tsunade had assigned him to Naruto's team.
Seeing this, Hinata rushed to Kakashi's side. "Kakashi-sensei, Naruto must have a good reason! He wouldn't keep it from us otherwise!"
Kakashi was in a difficult position. But he couldn't let Naruto leave. He was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki—the Leaf Village's ultimate weapon. The Akatsuki were scouring the ninja world for Jinchuriki to capture the Tailed Beasts. If Naruto fell into their hands, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Sakura also watched with concern. Naruto stood motionless inside the wooden cage, his eyes closed. She couldn't understand it. In just a few moments, it was like he had become a completely different person.
"I'm sorry, Kakashi-sensei, Captain Yamato," Naruto's voice came from the prison. "I wasn't asking for your permission. I was informing you."
With those words, Naruto's eyes snapped open, Sage Mode already active.
He had closed his eyes only to gather natural energy. For the reborn Naruto, countless ninjutsu were already etched into the memory of his soul; he didn't need to practice them again.
The moment Sage Jutsu chakra coursed through his body, Naruto slammed his fist into the cage. With the immense power of a Sage, he shattered Yamato's Wood Style: Four-Pillar Prison Technique.
In a flash, he leaped onto a nearby tree branch.
Yamato stared in disbelief. "How is that possible? He broke my Wood Style! It should have suppressed his own chakra and the Nine-Tails' chakra!"
Kakashi looked at Naruto's new state, his eyes fixed on the distinct orange markings around Naruto's eyes. Recognition dawned, followed by shock. "Sage Mode! How can that be?! Naruto, when did you learn to use Sage Jutsu?!"
Naruto turned back to them, his expression apologetic once more. "I'm sorry, Kakashi-sensei. For now, I have no comment."
And with that, Naruto took off.
"Naruto! Get back here!" Sakura yelled, about to give chase.
"Sakura, stop," Kakashi called out.
She looked at him quizzically. Kakashi's face was grim. "Naruto's strength has already surpassed everyone here. We can't stop him even if we try. Besides," he added, "I have to believe he has his reasons."
Kakashi was truly shaken. He had no idea Naruto was capable of using Sage Jutsu. Throughout the entire ninja world, those who could use Sage Jutsu were Jonin of the highest caliber, true elites among elites.
He quickly took out a communication scroll, scribbled down the details of the situation, and handed it to one of his ninja hounds. "Get this back to the Leaf Village. To Lady Tsunade, immediately!"
After giving the order, Kakashi turned to his team. "Naruto has temporarily left the squad. The rest of us will continue the mission. We're still tracking Sasuke."
Hinata glanced in the direction Naruto had disappeared, a single thought in her mind: Naruto-kun, I'll be waiting for you.
Then, she turned and followed the rest of the team.
Deep in the forest, Naruto's perception was heightened in Sage Mode. His sensory range was vast, and he could distinguish between different individuals by their chakra alone.
Hm?
Naruto sensed something out of place. He turned, instantly changing his direction.
"Found you."
A moment later, the figure flying through the trees came to an abrupt halt, landing silently on the ground. He stared at a patch of dense bushes in the forest.
"Come on out," Naruto said calmly. "Itachi Uchiha."
"So, I've been found?"
From the shadows of the trees, a pair of crimson Sharingan eyes snapped open. With the rustle of leaves, Itachi Uchiha stepped out of the darkness.