The Avengers of the Uzumaki Family

Sasuke's future.

It really is up to Sasuke to decide.

Sasuke, who left with the Sound Four, could not keep the truth hidden forever. Even with help from others, the truth would eventually come out.

Even though Konoha is weakened, it is still a top-tier ninja in the world, and even the slightest clue can easily lead to an investigation.

In less than half a day.

It is highly likely, no, it should be said that almost 100% certain, that information about Sasuke Uchiha's defection appeared directly on the desktop of Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage.

"What did you say!? Sasuke Uchiha has defected?"

Tsunade suddenly stood up, looked at Shizune in front of her, and raised her voice to ask.

Although its identity and special status are not as good as those of the person with the facial hair.

However, as the only remaining member of the Uchiha clan in Konoha, Sasuke Uchiha's status is not comparable to that of an ordinary ninja.

That represents the strongest eye technique in the ninja world—the Sharingan!

This is a ninja with a special identity who defected.

This is no small matter for Konoha, especially since Sasuke is also a member of Team 7. Including Menma, who defected earlier, this means that two members of Team 7 have defected in less than a month.

This made Tsunade, who had just begun to relax a little because the situation in Konoha had stabilized, feel uneasy again.

She wasn't in the village before, and she had no interest in these things, so naturally she didn't know.

However, after taking over the position of Hokage, Tsunade learned about the inside story of the Uchiha clan's annihilation and Itachi Uchiha's special identity.

This is not only because Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu would definitely tell Tsunade, but also because the Hokage has the right to investigate all the village's files and manage all affairs.

Even with Danzo's Root organization, if Tsunade were truly determined, she could forcefully intervene, but she would have to consider the potential problems that might follow.

Therefore, the matter concerning the Uchiha clan, and the relationship between Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke.

Tsunade knows everything.

How could Tsunade not be surprised when she suddenly heard the news of Sasuke's defection?

"Yes, Lady Tsunade. This is confirmed news, and it came from the forward reconnaissance outpost. They just happened to run into the patrolling guards. It was the Sound Ninja who took Uchiha Sasuke away."

Shizune said with a wry smile.

"The Sound Ninja? It's Orochimaru, could they have been kidnapped!?"

Tsunade frowned instantly. Of course, she knew about Orochimaru's contact with Sasuke during the Chunin Exams. This was something that should have been a cause for concern, but there had been too many things happening in the village lately, and Tsunade had subconsciously overlooked it. Now it seemed that she had been too careless.

"Was it not enough that you bewitched Menma Uzumaki? Now you want to bewitch Sasuke Uchiha too?"

Tsunade didn't believe that Menma and Sasuke went to Orochimaru willingly.

They're only 12 years old; how could they possibly make an accurate judgment?

Orochimaru is definitely behind all of this.

"No, Lady Tsunade, based on what we can detect, there are no signs of a fight."

Even if their strength is obvious, if they were really kidnapped, they wouldn't leave no trace at all.

Mute's answer already makes her stance very clear.

"Call Kakashi and Naruto here right away."

This is a moment when a decision must be made.

Tsunade gave the order without any hesitation.

This is a matter concerning Class 7.

Tsunade naturally still hoped that the Seventh Team could handle the situation. Moreover, as she always said, rules are rigid, but people are flexible. If other ordinary people defected, there was no question about it; she could simply send out the Anbu to kill them on the spot.

But neither Menma nor Sasuke can be handled this way.

The cruelest approach would be to arrest them and imprison them. Is this a double standard? Yes, it is, but that's the reality.

The real gap beyond identity and status.

"Lady Tsunade, have you forgotten? Kakashi went out on a mission a couple of days ago."

Shizune gave a wry smile and said.

"Oh, right, I remember now, let's call Namikaze, no, how about Asuma, Choza? Uh, Might Guy?"

Tsunade herself suggested several names, but found that most of the village's Jonin had been out on missions recently, and these were all important guard or patrol missions. You know, not long ago, the whole ninja world had a feeling that a storm was brewing.

A major war could break out at any moment.

Konoha, of course, needs to be on high alert.

Immediate combat forces must be deployed, especially in the northern frontline region against the Cloud Ninja. They've already initiated friction, so even if the probability isn't particularly high, we still need to be prepared. If we're completely unprepared and they move south, the front line will completely collapse!

Therefore, at this critical juncture, the number of Jonin that Konoha Village can send out is extremely small. The few remaining are all those with important duties who cannot leave easily.

For example, Shikaku is the leader of the Jonin class, one of the village's high-ranking figures, and Tsunade's right-hand man. He would never leave the village easily.

"Alright, let's call Naruto over first, then send someone to immediately inform Kakashi to hand over his current tasks to others and rush over at full speed. Oh, right, and also call that kid from the Shikaku family."

Tsunade paused for a moment, then continued speaking to Shizune.

"Yes, Lady Tsunade."

After quickly responding, Shizune turned and left to carry out Tsunade's orders.

Not long after.

Naruto, who received the message from Shizune, rushed over in a panic.

That anxious and incredulous expression perfectly illustrated Naruto's feelings at that moment.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 160 Pursuit Team

"Grandma Tsunade, what news is this about Sasuke's defection?! Could it be some kind of misunderstanding?!"

Before he even arrived, Naruto's voice rang out.

It had only been a little over half a month since Menma's defection.

Now Sasuke has defected again!?

Naruto simply cannot accept this development.

"Naruto, calm down. This isn't 100% confirmed. It's also possible that Sasuke has been kidnapped."

Defection is defection.

For anyone else, there would be no other way to put it, but for Menma and Sasuke, there could be other outcomes.

To reiterate, it all comes down to whether the two people are truly willing to change their minds.

Tsunade was 100% confident that she could 'clear their names'.

Menma and Sasuke were instructed to continue wearing Konoha ninja headbands and walk openly on the roads of Konoha Village.

This also shows Tsunade's 'favoritism' towards Naruto.

"Kidnapped? Is that so? Yes, that must be it. We must rescue Sasuke immediately, Granny Tsunade!"

On a rational level, Naruto understands all of this, but on an emotional level, he can't accept it. You could say it's Naruto's self-hypnosis. Whether it's Menma or Sasuke, Naruto really sees their departure as an 'involuntary choice'.

"Yes, that's why I called you here, Naruto. The village is short-handed right now, so I can't send too many people to help you. I can only send one person. As for the rest, you'll have to arrange that yourself. I must tell you first that the person who took Sasuke away was Orochimaru's capable subordinate, and they are all very strong."

Tsunade placed her hands on the table, her face solemn, and spoke.

"Yes, I understand. Don't worry, Granny Tsunade. Um? An assistant? Who are you talking about?"

Naruto nodded solemnly at first, then asked with a look of confusion, as if he had just realized something.

"Oh, speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Come in."

Just as Tsunade was about to speak up and reveal the name of the person who was helping her.

Footsteps could be heard coming from outside the door.

And then came the crisp "bang bang" of knocking on the door.

Tsunade then shouted loudly.

next second.

With a creak, the door opened, and a familiar pigtail came into view.

"Oh!? Isn't that Shikamaru?!"

Naruto's eyes lit up immediately, and he exclaimed with a hint of surprise.

"Huh? It's Naruto. What are you doing here?"

Shikamaru was also stunned for a moment when he saw Naruto.

"You've come at the right time, Shikamaru. I called you here because I have a mission for you, and Naruto as well. The village is currently short of fighting power, so this mission is currently assigned to the two of you. You can find the remaining helpers yourselves and report back. The mission is to bring back the kidnapped Uchiha Sasuke. Here is the latest intelligence gathered by the reconnaissance team. Shikamaru and Naruto, you can use it as a preliminary reference."

As Tsunade spoke, she gestured for Shizune to deliver the intelligence scroll she had received earlier to the two boys.

"!?"

When Shikamaru suddenly heard about this mission, his eyes widened in surprise.

What the hell?

Sasuke has been kidnapped?

This sounds so unreal!

Shikamaru subconsciously took the scroll, and when he scanned its contents and saw the words "Sound Ninja" and "Orochimaru," his pupils suddenly contracted.

Being as clever as he is, he can naturally see through the trickery involved.

Kidnapping?

This is probably something that needs a big question mark.

However, Shikamaru wouldn't say it out loud here. Not to mention that this was the tone personally set by his Fifth Hokage, just with Naruto standing there, Shikamaru wouldn't say anything. He'd just pretend he'd been kidnapped.