After more than a year of separation, Konoha Village has changed a lot. The damage caused by Orochimaru leading the Oto Ninja Village to invade Konoha has been made up. The scars left by the war can no longer be seen, but compared to the newly completed buildings, the most eye-catching
Still carving to one end of the village, the heads of past Hokages and the head of the fifth Hokage Senju Tsunade have been completed, lifelike, as if looking into the distance.
Uzumaki Naruto stood in the middle of the avenue with his hands on his hips, looking around like a tourist who arrived in Konoha for the first time. Occasionally he let out one or two words of praise, so foolishly that pedestrians passing by would look at him from time to time. People looked at him.
Likes and dislikes of hometown often depend on memories, but more importantly, views on things. A person who can only see the bad side of everything will not be satisfied no matter how beautiful the environment his hometown gives him. Even if Naruto Uzumaki is young, he will not be satisfied.
At that time, he experienced the glare and indifference of the villagers, but when he returned to his hometown after a long absence, he still felt satisfied and happy.
"You can't eat too much at one time..." Uzumaki Naruto was looking at Tsunade's statue with squinted eyes. He might as well have heard a somewhat familiar voice coming into his ears. He was slightly startled and quickly looked in the direction of the sound behind him.
The boy with short black hair was facing away from Naruto, patiently comforting a ninja dog that looked a little downcast.
"Gawa..., Akamaru!?" Uzumaki Naruto called out uncertainly. Kiba Inuzuka had grown a lot taller, but in comparison, Akamaru's change was the most astonishing. When he was squatting on the ground, he could
With Inuzuka Kiba's waist height, it was no longer possible to lie on Inuzuka Kiba's head or shoulders as before. Although before leaving, Naruto still remembered that Akamaru had indeed reached the point where his body had grown crazy, but he did not expect that he had not seen him for more than a year.
, Akamaru's body shape has undergone such amazing changes.
Hearing someone calling his name, Inuzuka Kiba quickly turned around and saw Naruto Uzumaki with a silly smile on his face for the first time. He was stunned for a moment before he came back to his senses and said with surprise and joy: "Naruto."
Man, when did you come back?"
"I just came back from my friendship with Sesennin. When he returned to the village, he left me and ran away." Uzumaki Naruto quickly stepped forward and greeted Inuzuka Kiba: "How are you doing recently? Where are Shino and Hinata?"
"We are all fine, we are already chunin." Inuzuka said nonchalantly, but there was a hint of pride in his tone.
"...It's really amazing." Uzumaki Naruto said with a dry laugh. He left Konoha and had no chance to take the Chunin exam. He is still a Genin now. Hearing that Inuzuka Kiba and others were already Chunin, he was inevitably a little depressed, so he quickly spoke up.
Opening the topic: "Where are the others? How is Sakura doing lately?"
Inuzuka Kiba's expression changed slightly when he heard the words. His castle was not deep, and all his thoughts were written on his face. Uzumaki Naruto noticed the abnormality immediately. Seeing Inuzuka Kiba looking a little hesitant, his heart tightened, thinking that Chun Nozakura had happened.
What happened, he hurriedly asked: "What's wrong, Sakura?"
Seeing Uzumaki Naruto's anxious expression, Inuzuka Kiba quickly lowered his voice and said, "Shikamaru returned to the village not long ago, and he left the village with Sakura, Ino, Choji, Neji, and Xiao Li."
"Shikamaru!?" Uzumaki Naruto narrowed his eyes and asked dumbfounded, "He's not..."
"I know, Shikamaru is still carrying a wanted warrant." Inuzuka Kiba looked a little gloomy. He pulled Uzumaki Naruto to a corner of the street where no one was around and said in a low voice, "It's just that he even killed Orochimaru. He will go back to the village."
I also met him when... It seems that he obviously didn't take this matter seriously." Nozakura was involved with Shikamaru, who had now defected, which made his mind become confused. Jiraiya suddenly
Being asked by Tsunade to return to Konoha Village, although it was not stated clearly, some clues were revealed that seemed to be related to Shikamaru. When Shikamaru participated in the mission to the Kingdom of Water, he was still in Konoha Village, and later in the process of leaving the village to practice
, I have been hearing news about Shikamaru from outsiders, even Jiraiya, and now Chunno Sakura may be involved, which really makes Naruto unable to calm down.
"Shikamaru said that we need help to rebuild the Sound Ninja Village." Inuzuka Kiba recalled what Shikamaru said at that time and said, "Once Orochimaru dies, the Sound Ninja Village will be leaderless. If those ninjas escape to a chaotic place, they will cause
It's a big harm. He needs some reliable manpower to help him take the Ninja Village into his hands as soon as possible. Don't worry, the village has not done anything to endanger Konoha Village, such as Sakura, Sakura and others.
Naturally, it is impossible to be stereotyped and forced to be on the opposite side of Konoha. Both Choji and Ino's fathers are the heads of the Ninja clan.
"Sound Ninja Village...," Uzumaki Naruto sighed exaggeratedly. With this action, he calmed down some of his anxious mood. He asked Inuzuka Kiba in as calm a voice as possible, "Does he have any news about Sasuke?"
Uchiha Sasuke has not been seen in recent times. There are rumors that he has been killed by Nara Shikamaru, known as the "Kamigakure", or imprisoned. Uzumaki Naruto is half-believed in this statement. Nozakura
Worried about Uchiha Sasuke as much as Naruto, Shikamaru asked the same question when he appeared, "Shikamaru said Sasuke should still be alive and has escaped from Tian Country, but he doesn't know the specific trace."
"Then why did Sakura leave with Shikamaru?" Uzumaki Naruto wanted to question Inuzuka Kiba's words, but he understood that it was useless to tell Inuzuka Kiba. After more than a year of experience outside, Jiraiya not only taught
With his knowledge of ninjutsu, experience in dealing with people and dealing with things is also an important part. Naruto has become much more mature than before. In fact, when Jiraiya saw Shikamaru's performance in the Land of Water, he had a strong impression on Naruto's character.
His requirements are also much stricter. Although he himself has a disrespectful character, he doesn't want Naruto to be like this.
After all, Naruto is the son of Namikaze Minato. As a nine-tailed jinchuriki, he is also the "savior" and "son of the prophecy" as Toad Sen said. Jiraiya doesn't think who among the younger generation is more qualified to inherit Hokage than him -
—Even Shikamaru before he rebelled against the village.
…………
There is also a person in Konoha Village who is as worried as Uzumaki Naruto, and that is the Fifth Hokage Senju Tsunade.
"Tsunade." After Tsunade entered the office, she looked at a map of the ninja world in silence. She kept thinking in silence and seemed a little frowning. Seeing this, Jiraiya couldn't help but whispered, "What's the trouble?
What?"
Tsunade looked sullen, sighed and said, "Shikamaru killed a group of ANBU ninjas."
Jiraiya, who was moving a chair to sit down, froze and asked quickly: "What's going on!"
Shimura Danzo secretly ordered Sato to mobilize ANBU troops privately, but he could only hide it from Tsunade for a while. When Tsunade, known as the "princess", learned about the situation, she was shocked and angry.
As a combat force directly under the Hokage, ANBU is an important armed force, but it can be mobilized silently by outsiders. This shows that Tsunade's control over the ANBU is limited. As for being influential, she can secretly control the ANBU to disobey the Hokage's orders and secretly
As a ninja in action, Tsunade could identify who it was without having to think too much - only Shimura Danzo in Konoha Village had the ability to do so.
And when Tsunade tracked down the whereabouts of the ANBU team, she immediately recalled Jiraiya. After the ANBU team entered Tian Country, no news has been released yet, thinking about what the other party once said in the ninja world.
, those ANBU are probably in danger.
This has always made Tsunade a little worried. After Shikamaru killed Orochimaru, his reputation in the ninja world was as high as the sky. It was said that he had made a big fuss in Kumogakure Village not long ago, and then escaped unscathed, so that he is now alive.
The three great kingdoms of Fire, Earth, and Thunder were still spreading wild words, and no Ninja Village ever declared war on them.
If Shikamaru misunderstood that the ANBU was sent out under Tsunade's order, the consequences would be disastrous.
Tsunade may not have spent as much time with Shikamaru as Asuma, but she also understands his temperament very well. In her memory, the boy who is only fifteen years old this year is simply a natural ninja, struggling in the ninja world.
Tsunade also experienced a period of low will and mental weakness. Jiraiya and Orochimaru, who were at the same time as Tsunade, and even many famous figures in the ninja world, also experienced many hardships before they became famous.
He had an amazing will, but Shikamaru had just stepped out of the ninja school and dared to face the ruthless character of Momochi Zabuza. As a result, the achievements he had made in just a few years after entering the ninja world had already made it beyond the reach of most ninjas.
.
Shikamaru's actions in the Land of Water did not reassure Tsunade much. If you think about it carefully, being able to actively sever ties with the Leaf Village where he grew up, as well as with his family and friends, has proven Shikamaru from the side.
His decision-making ability is far beyond comparison with others, and Shikamaru's recent movements make it impossible for Tsunade to guess his thoughts.
Internal and external troubles are what Tsunade is facing now. Outside the village, after the war with Sand Hidden Village, the alliance between the two countries has been in jeopardy. Although the alliance between the Kingdom of Water and the Kingdom of Thunder has been disintegrated, the clouds of the martial arts faction
In terms of military strength, the Hidden Village is already no less than Konoha, and relying on the opponent's slowly increasing military expenditures year after year, it does not seem to be an unreachable thing to surpass Konoha Village. There is also Taki who always wants to regain his position.
The Ninja Village, the vague Iwagakure Village, the "Akatsuki" organization trying to seize the Nine-Tails, and Shikamaru with unknown intentions... These forces more or less threaten the safety of Konoha, even without the masked man and "
The war caused by "Akatsuki" may break the fragile balance of the ninja world at any time, triggering a war that spreads across all countries.
Under this situation, there is Danzo Shimura in Konoha Village who covets the throne of Hokage. In order to become Hokage, he will not hesitate to break into the walls of the Ninja Village.
Tsunade can no longer guarantee her own strength to safely protect the Leaf Village. She needs the help of Jiraiya, who is also a "Sannin". Shimura Danzo, who can be suppressed internally, does not dare to act rashly anymore.
It can deter the villages from provoking at will and test the attitude of the Leaf Village. Even if Shikamaru dares to return to the village, Jiraiya and Tsunade can take action together to defeat him.
Tsunade expressed her thoughts to Jiraiya. In the current situation, even if Uzumaki Naruto's training is suspended, Konoha's high-end military power must be guaranteed.
"Will this matter spread?" Jiraiya suddenly asked.
"No." Tsunade shook her head. The ANBU operates secretly, and few people know the movements of this team. If Danzo Shimura spreads it, it shows his connection with this incident, and he will not do this.
As Hokage, Tsunade occupies a great position, which is not comparable to that of his elders, and there has been no news about the ANBU team in Tian Country where Shikamaru is located.
"That's good." Jiraiya pressed his eyebrows and whispered.
Tsunade understands what Jiraiya means. If this matter is made public, Tsunade will have no way out. Admitting that it is not good for the control of ANBU will greatly reduce her reputation. On the contrary, it may attract the hatred of Shikamaru and even push Shikamaru completely.
To the opposite side of Konoha.
This may be considered a blessing among misfortunes, Tsunade thought to herself.