"Multi Shadow Clone no Jutsu (Multi Shadow Clone Technique)!"
Naruto created ten shadow clones, charging at Sasuke all at once.
Sasuke didn't panic in the slightest — with almost one kick per clone, he burst them all in just a few seconds.
But Naruto had only used the clones to stall for ti. He had already made them prepare a sphere for him, and now he rushed forward holding that sphere, his speed nothing to scoff at.
Sasuke smirked and t him head-on.
When Naruto pushed the sphere toward him, Sasuke suddenly used a Lightning Shunshin (Lightning Instant Body Flicker) to appear behind Naruto and kicked him flying.
Naruto slamd into the ground, and the Rasengan exploded into a large crater beside him, leaving him looking rather battered. But in the next instant — poof! — this Naruto vanished. It was just a clone.
He really had grown a bit. Otherwise, he never would have dodged Sasuke's Lightning Shunshin.
Still… it was only that much growth. Naruto's fighting style was still the sa old combo — Multi Shadow Clone no Jutsu plus Rasengan, at most upgraded to Ōdama Rasengan (Big Ball Rasengan). And that was it.
He had too few combat thods, and in these past two years, his main training focus had been learning to control the Nine-Tails' power.
But inside the village, he couldn't just recklessly use a Tailed Beast's power.
So for now, Naruto was still no match for Sasuke. Even if his taijutsu was better and his speed was faster, Sasuke still had far more hidden trump cards — not to ntion his Jinchūriki-level power lying in reserve.
Naruto beating him? As if!
"That's enough!"
Kakashi's voice suddenly cut in, appearing between Naruto and Sasuke. "You've both grown a lot. I've seen it. But for now, Tsunade-sama has called Team 7 to assemble. There's a personnel adjustnt to be made."
The abrupt interruption left Naruto quite dissatisfied — after all, everyone was just getting into it.
But since it was about Team 7's mber arrangent, Naruto couldn't ignore it. He was genuinely afraid Sasuke would replace him with Sai — after all, Team 7 was his only steady way to stay close to Sakura!
With no more fight to watch, Natsuki didn't stay either. Waving to his friends, he took Tenten ho.
Over the past two years, since Naruto hadn't been in the village, the Akatsuki had shown no intent to act directly against Konoha. Only Deidara and Sasori were actively making money; the rest were lying low.
So Natsuki and Tenten had basically no missions.
That was fine too — living together ant they could spend more quiet, happy days at ho.
But Natsuki knew — now that Naruto had returned, the world's gears would start turning again. The Akatsuki would move, and one major battle after another was about to begin.
In the Hokage's Office, Tsunade looked at the now-grown Naruto with relief.
She had overco her hemophobia and returned to beco Hokage because of Naruto. He was like a younger brother to her.
Naturally, she hoped Naruto would grow stronger, to protect himself — so she could worry less.
"Tsunade-baa-chan, Shizune-neechan, Tonton, long ti no see dattebayo!" Naruto still had that sa bright, innocent smile.
"Mm. Welco back."
Tsunade smiled. "Since you're back, Team 7 needs to be rearranged."
Naruto swallowed hard, eyes full of hope that Tsunade wouldn't remove him — and ideally, wouldn't separate him from Sakura and Sasuke.
Sakura and Sasuke were also curious about the arrangent, watching in silence.
Unexpectedly, Tsunade fulfilled Naruto's wish: "All right then. Naruto returns to Team 7, and Sakura and Sasuke remain in Team 7…"
"Yes! Tsunade-baa-chan, you're the best—"
"And Sai will also remain in Team 7. From now on, the team leader will be Sasuke. Kakashi has other assignnts."
"…Huh!? Tsunade-baa-chan, why replace Kakashi-sensei!? Shouldn't you replace Sai? Team 7 is incomplete without any of us! We're Kakashi's team — without him, how can it be called Kakashi's team?!"
Naruto had only prayed the three original mbers would remain, and Tsunade had indeed kept them together… but she'd replaced Kakashi!
Worse — she'd made Sasuke the team leader!
How could he accept that?!
Kakashi simply pressed down on Naruto's head. "Now, now, no need to get worked up. Sasuke's a jōnin now — strong enough to lead. And Sai's been performing well since joining. It'd be too cruel to suddenly kick him out. Besides, as Tsunade-sama said, I have a more important mission to handle."
Naruto still protested, "But— but—"
Tsunade cut him off. "No buts. I know how you feel, Naruto. Kakashi is a great teacher. But this mission is urgent — I need him elsewhere. Sasuke is an excellent jōnin who's completed plenty of high-level missions. Leading the team won't be a problem!"
Naruto could only slump. "…Fine. I'll accept it."
Not that he had a choice — his protests were useless.
In truth, Tsunade had wanted to replace Sai, since he was one of Danzō's people and she didn't know if he'd cause trouble. But Danzō was cunning, and removing Sai wasn't so easy.
At least Sai hadn't stirred up any trouble in the past two years, which was sowhat reassuring.
With Team 7's lineup settled, Tsunade thought of Jiraiya, who had also returned — but he was nowhere to be seen. Most likely off peeping at the won's bathhouse again.
She could only sigh at the old lecher.
Just then, a ssenger from the Intelligence Division rushed in with an urgent report.
Tsunade opened it and her face instantly hardened. "Go summon Jōnin Natsuki imdiately! Hurry!"
Natsuki had just sat down to eat with Tenten when an ANBU arrived, saying Tsunade urgently needed him. Shoveling food into his mouth, he grabbed the bowl and Shunshined to the Hokage's Office.
Seeing him arrive with his al, Tsunade couldn't help but laugh and scold, "What are you, a starving ghost reincarnated? Couldn't you put the bowl down first?" Thɪs chapter is updated by Nov3lFɪre.ɴet
Still, his interruption eased her tension a little. She tossed him the intelligence scroll — and, snatching the chicken leg from his bowl, took a bite herself.
An old lady stealing her junior's chicken leg… who was the real starving ghost here?
Natsuki ignored it, unrolling the scroll. His expression froze. "The spiral-masked man attacked Takigakure? Fū left with him willingly to protect the village?"
The Akatsuki had made their move at last.
They were short on manpower — even Uchiha Obito himself had acted!
Heh. Good. After two years of lying low, it was ti to make a splash.
"Tsunade-sama, I'm heading out to rescue her right now!"
Natsuki flickered ho, shoving the rest of his food down with a swig of water, and began changing clothes.
Tenten hurried over to wipe his mouth. "What happened? Is it urgent?"
Natsuki nodded. "Yeah. The Akatsuki have moved. Fū from Takigakure is in danger — I'm going to save her. Tenten, while I'm gone, they might make another move. Be careful."
"I understand. You be careful too!"
(End of Chapter)
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