Naruto: The Information Broker from the Uchiha Clan.

Chapter 349 Siege

Naruto?

Shikamaru was somewhat aware of Naruto's power.

Originating from the Uzumaki clan's vast chakra reserves, coupled with an innately strong will, he is able to adapt to creating numerous shadow clones, along with the Rasengan without hand seals and some Wind Release ninjutsu.

Because of his innate talent, Naruto doesn't seem to have inherited the Hokage's space-time ninjutsu talent.

And that... is all that Shikamaru knows.

Of course, this is on the premise that the Nine-Tails' power has been removed. If the Nine-Tails had not been sealed, then with Naruto's physique and willpower, together with Sasuke and Karin, they might actually have been able to suppress the younger Nine-Tails.

"Naruto... is he in Sage Mode?"

Sage Mode?

Sasuke's question startled Shikamaru.

If I remember correctly, the power of Sage Mode was only possessed by the First Hokage, the Fourth Hokage, and Jiraiya.

However, the records contain absolutely no details about Sage Mode.

"Naruto... are you confident in the power of Sage Mode?"

Naruto shrugged: "Sage Mode utilizes a different kind of energy than chakra, the power manifested by combining natural energy. But absorbing natural energy is quite troublesome, and I can't guarantee whether I can deal with the Nine-Tails."

Naruto smiled at this point: "But I don't think Brother Yun would deliberately want us to lose, neither in the current situation of the village nor in the outcome of the new generation."

"Hinata's power is sealed. I can only think of two solutions."

Two options?

Shikamaru was stunned.

Although Naruto can be unreliable at times, his wisdom in crucial moments should not be underestimated.

Naruto continued, "Itachi is the proctor for the second exam, which corresponds to Sasuke. With the power of the Eternal Eye, there shouldn't be any problem."

As soon as he finished speaking, Sasuke's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

Would I really compromise in this way?

Although I did feel some inner turmoil after that conversation, forcing myself to stay still felt very uncomfortable…

"Of course, given Sasuke's personality, this is actually not easy to achieve."

Naruto formed hand seals as he spoke, and then a shadow clone appeared beside him: "So after thinking about it, I think the only thing that can stand up to the Nine-Tails is the Sage Mode that I just mastered."

"Further words are unnecessary; perhaps we can take a look at the specific combat capabilities. Sage Mode not only enhances the power of ninjutsu, but also provides a certain degree of boost to strength, speed, and reaction time."

As soon as he finished speaking, Naruto and his shadow clone sat cross-legged on the ground.

For a moment, in everyone's perception, Naruto's presence seemed to be there, yet also seemed not to be there.

This feeling seems somewhat similar to Shino's.

Kiba nudged Shino beside him: "This kind of training method should be quite suitable for you, right?"

Shino shook his head slightly, and saw an insect appear on the back of his hand, which then petrified at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"The energy Naruto is absorbing is very peculiar. I can't sense it, but the insects can. But even if the insects absorb just a tiny bit, they will turn to stone."

Ya looked at the insect, thought for a moment, and shook his head: "It is indeed a bit scary."

……

A few minutes later, Naruto suddenly opened his eyes.

In an instant, eyeshadow representing Sage Mode appeared around his eyes, and his pupils formed a horizontal line.

The change in power stunned everyone.

In everyone's perception, Naruto seemed to be somewhat different.

Shikamaru glanced at the shadow clone beside him and asked, "What is the purpose of the Shadow Clone Technique?"

Regarding the information about Sage Mode, Naruto replied without hesitation: "Absorbing natural energy is dangerous. Only by maintaining this calm state can it be absorbed, and each time this form can only be maintained for five minutes..."

At this point, Shikamaru understood: "Using the return effect of Shadow Clone Jutsu to double the duration of Sage Mode is a very powerful method."

"Although I can sense the changes in you, I don't believe you have the strength to contend with the Nine-Tails right now."

Naruto smiled and then extended his hand.

The next second, chakra gathered in his hand and took shape; it was the Rasengan.

However, this was not the end. The chakra gathered faster and faster, and soon the Rasengan was more than ten times larger.

It can still maintain stability in this form, which represents a significant increase in both its difference and its power.

"In Sage Mode, the Rasengan can be thrown. Moreover, due to the amplification of my own chakra reserves and Sage Mode, Shadow Clones can also use this technique."

"Um?"

These words truly shocked Shikamaru.

Knowing that Naruto's shadow clones were already terrifying in number, if each shadow clone could use this technique, then...

While it's impossible to completely destroy the Nine-Tails, if Sasuke and Karin control it, and then Naruto unleashes a powerful attack...

Perhaps we can give it a try. After all, Naruto would definitely not agree to let a small squad sacrifice themselves to stop the enemy, given his personality.

A renewed fighting spirit returned to the group's eyes, but only Sasuke seemed lost in thought.

……

"It's the last day."

"Um."

"Iwagakure and Kirigakure haven't found them yet, and the Nine-Tails is also nearby. Should we continue waiting?"

"Konoha probably still wants everyone to pass, otherwise they wouldn't have dragged it out for so long. After the first clash, they actually had the advantage of allowing Team 7 to pass the test alone."

"But they were too greedy. The genin from Iwagakure and Kirigakure reacted quickly, and the other teams are basically gone now, but the scrolls from Konoha are probably still not all collected."

"Yes, otherwise, considering the two Hyuga members in their team, it shouldn't be difficult for a few teams to pass alone."

"Wait a little longer."

Gaara looked into the distance as he spoke, and the Nine-Tails, who had only glanced at the scene from the perspective of the Eye of Sand, didn't seem to care much.

Why...why would they make such a choice?

Temari looked over: "Who? Class 7?"

Karui chuckled and said, "Just foolish sentimentality. The Nara family doesn't seem to be that smart."

These words made Masaki pout: "So this is how Kumogakure treats its comrades? You'd ask your teammates to die just to complete a mission?"

Karui glanced at her and replied in a deep voice, "Do you think the Nine-Tails would kill a Konoha genin? It's just an assessment. If it were killed by ninjas from other villages, it would be because it was less skilled. But if the Nine-Tails killed it, it would probably be skinned alive by that lord when it gets out of here, wouldn't it?"

"Since there is no danger to their lives, there are only two options on the scales: one is for Team 7 to pass the test and thwart their joint objective, and the other is for one or two insignificant teams of genin to fail the test."

"It's already very easy to see which is more important; there's no comparison whatsoever. As someone in a high-level position, there's no need to even consider this choice."

After she finished speaking, the two girls from Sunagakure were speechless for a moment.

It must be admitted that what she said was true, and there was simply no reason to refute it, because the stakes were not equal, and it was obvious which was more important.

But after a long pause, Gaara, who had been staring out the window, said, "I don't agree with your point of view. A victory gained at the expense of teammates means nothing to me."

"The Shadow exists to protect the village and to make life better for everyone in the village. Only a Shadow like this deserves everyone's respect."

"If sacrificing teammates is the best option, then the inertia formed by such sacrifices over a long period of time is terrifying."

"You and your teammates must have a very important relationship, right? So, would you sacrifice your bond to win?"

"I saw during the Fourth Shinobi World War that the Third Raikage died for the future of the village and for everyone else. He carried the enemy on his back and fought for three days and three nights before he died from exhaustion."

At this point, Gaara looked at Karui and asked, "So, in your opinion, which is more important, the Third Raikage or those ninjas who would die if they weren't stopped?"

"If I remember correctly, the Third Raikage's power was recorded as being able to rival the Eight-Tails. Between those two powers, which is stronger?"

For a moment, Karui frowned and remained silent.

Gaara was also struggling with his own decision, torn between what to do and what choice to make.

He wanted to fight for a future for Sunagakure, a future that was already destined, a future that he might be able to see.

Was the so-called resistance really for the sake of the village?

So what does the village represent? Is it the 70-80% of commoner ninjas and ordinary people, or the nearly 10-20% of clan ninjas, or the full power in the hands of the top group?

Naruto, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki...

I want to see how you choose, and I also want to see how you choose when faced with danger.

They were all just genin; passing the exams and having the hope of becoming chunin were of paramount importance at that moment.

So... what would you do?

……

"Chirp chirp chirp..."

A small mouse formed from ink wash painting, carrying a note, came to the Nine-Tailed Fox.

The words on the note startled Little Nine-Tailed Fox, who then sneered and slapped the little mouse away.

As expected, the huge commotion attracted the attention of the people from Iwagakure and Kirigakure.

After landing, Kurotsuchi didn't see any Konoha genin. She shrugged and said, "Lord Kurama should know very well that we're out of money. If we meet again, I really won't have a single coin to give you."

The Nine-Tails waved its paws: "Who told you that? Those brats from Konoha sent a note saying they hid all the money in another place. Go get it and I'll rob you."

Uh!

Hei Tu took the note, glanced at it, and then nodded.

There was no other way but to agree.

Just send one person without the reels; all the reels for the fifteen teams have been hidden away—this was a pre-arranged plan.

"Heh heh... that brat from the Nara family is still too green. He thinks he can shake me off like this? He's dreaming!"

"Even if this brat is smart, he definitely didn't expect Yun's rules. He wants me to leave here? No way!"

"A 30/70 split is much better than 50/50. With one in and one out, that's another 50%! Hmph, they have absolutely no chance of getting through here!"

Black Earth, whose eye twitched, ignored Nine-Tails' boasting and turned to leave to make arrangements.

……

Meanwhile, in the dense forest.

"Isn't throwing money away pointless? If it's pointless, then there's no point in hiding it there, right?"

Sai asked with a smile.

Shikamaru shook his head: "The money is just to confirm the conjecture. I think what I'm most worried about is that those guys have already hidden all the scrolls."

"And of those forty-odd people, only one knew the location; the others knew nothing."

"Who this person is, after being concealed, is beyond the reach of even the Sharingan's genjutsu."

"In that case, even if we win, if we can't collect all the scrolls in the end, we'll just have to send one team to their deaths."

"However... it wasn't entirely without any gains."

At this point, Shikamaru looked up at Karin: "Is it confirmed?"

Karin nodded: "The Nine-Tails and Iwagakure and Kirigakure are not far apart, only a little over a thousand meters. With the speed of ninjas, they can arrive to provide support very quickly."

Shikamaru picked up a twig and scribbled on the ground before turning to Sasuke: "That's about enough, Sasuke, go on your way."

Sasuke, who already knew the plan, nodded and then instantly disappeared.

……

"Gurgle gurgle..."

After finishing the last bottle of wine, the little nine-tailed fox raised its paw and threw the bottle away.

On this last day, Kurama, who couldn't feel at ease until she finished all the sake she had brought in, finally drank it all.

"Almost... Now all we need to do is capture those blond brats, and we'll be all set."

At that moment, Iwagakure, carrying a backpack, walked over.

"Lord Nine-Tailed Fox, I've brought all the money back. They asked me to give it to you."

"Such a big bag?"

Little Nine-Tailed Fox leaped up and looked at the backpack the other person had placed on the ground. When she opened it, it was full of small coins.

This stimulation made the little nine-tailed fox excited.

However, the next moment...

"Buzz..."

"boom!!"

Before the illusion under the transcription seal could be activated, the shadow clone was smashed to pieces by a single claw.

Little Nine-Tailed Fox pouted: "Does he really think I'm a money-grubber? Trying to lower my guard with such a big bag of money? Thinking I'm joking because of his malicious intent?"

After boasting for itself, the little nine-tailed fox couldn't wait to open the backpack, then used its paws to take out chunks of money and put them all under its bottom.

"Hehehe... one lump, two lumps, three lumps..."

As the positive numbers were filled with joy, a Sharingan suddenly appeared on one of the coins.

"Buzz..."

"Holy crap! Again?"

The next moment, the Nine-Tails' vertical pupils transformed into Sharingan with three tomoe.

"quick!"

Amidst roars, figures sped towards them from afar.

"Whoosh!"

Golden chains emerged from Karin's body and bound the little nine-tailed fox tightly.

On the other side, he pressed down with both hands. He didn't have much time. Once the Nine-Tails regained consciousness, the nano-poisonous insects wouldn't be able to break through its chakra cloak.

But in this game, he was just a support player; whether he played a role or not was just a psychological comfort.

……

(End of this chapter)