Naruto: Sasuke Uchiha Returns from Soul Society

Inside the Hokage's office, the chair that symbolized the highest power in the village was empty.

Rain pattered against the window, mingling with the oppressive silence inside.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, the two Konoha advisor elders, had faces ashen.

Kakashi Hatake stood quietly before them.

Naruto, on the other hand, clenched his fists tightly, like an enraged young beast, and forced himself not to lash out.

In the corner of the room, Jiraiya stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall.

"The matter of Orochimaru's escape can no longer be delayed."

In the end, it was Koharu, who was turning over to the next room, who broke the suffocating silence first.

"And at the heart of that riot, there is one person whose actions must be explained."

Mitokado Homura picked up the conversation, his voice icy: "Kakashi Hatake, as a Jonin, why did you just stand by and watch the murderer who killed the Third Hokage leave?"

"As your student, why did Sasuke Uchiha attack his comrade and openly obstruct the pursuit?"

"There was no attack!"

Unable to contain himself, Naruto took a sudden step forward and roared, "Sasuke...!"

"Naruto," Kakashi said softly, stopping him.

Kakashi slowly raised his head, meeting the scrutinizing gazes of the two elders, and said calmly, "Uchiha Sasuke's actions have indeed exceeded the scope of the mission."

"It's more than just beyond the scope!"

Koharu Utatane slammed her cane heavily on the ground. "He let the S-rank rogue ninja who killed the Hokage go in front of everyone. This is an unforgivable crime!"

"Not only that."

Mitokado Homura added, "He also attacked you and the Anbu with that bizarre Lightning Release ninjutsu; this is blatant treason!"

"Furthermore, his declaration that 'I only stand on my side' has completely demonstrated his dangerous stance of being out of control of the village!"

"Such dangerous elements must not be tolerated any longer!"

Koharu Utatane's voice turned sharp, "I propose that we immediately list Uchiha Sasuke as an S-rank rogue ninja, issue the highest-level arrest warrant, dispatch a pursuit team, and completely eliminate this biggest destabilizing factor!"

"I object!" Naruto's voice even drowned out the sound of rain outside the window.

He glared at the two elders, his eyes burning with rage. "You know nothing!"

"Sasuke saved me! He protected me back in the Land of Waves and during the Chunin Exams! He's not a bad person!"

A hint of disdain flashed in Koharu Tsurugi's eyes: "Personal favors are nothing compared to the safety of the village."

I believe him!

Naruto's voice trembled, "He just has his own ideas! I believe in him, he would never betray the village!"

"Naive and driven by emotion," Mitokado Homura coldly commented.

Just as Naruto was about to argue, Kakashi gently placed his hand on his shoulder.

“Naruto.” Kakashi shook his head, then turned to the two elders, his expression returning to its usual calm.

"Excuse my bluntness, my two advisors."

Kakashi's voice was calm. "Regarding the suggestion to eliminate Uchiha Sasuke, I want to ask a very practical question."

He paused, and his usually droopy, lifeless eyes were now sharp as knives.

Who will go?

This question caused the two elders to pause slightly.

Kakashi didn't give them any time to think and continued his analysis: "Given the strength Sasuke has shown so far, sending a few standard ANBU squads to carry out this arrest warrant is tantamount to sending them to their deaths."

“I think the members of the Dark Guard present here understand this better than I do.”

His gaze swept over the few hidden figures in the corner of the room, and they all fell silent.

"Then, should we send out even stronger forces?"

Kakashi's tone held a hint of sarcasm, "Chasing after one of our own, whose strength is comparable to a Kage, when the village has just suffered heavy losses and is at its weakest?"

"This will trigger a civil war, a civil war that Konoha absolutely cannot afford right now."

"not to mention......"

Kakashi's voice deepened, "To completely push Uchiha Sasuke, one of the top fighters, to the opposite side of the village, making him a true enemy of Konoha."

"Can we afford this loss?"

These words are piercing and full of utilitarian and realistic considerations.

Mitokado Yan's face turned extremely ugly. He wanted to refute, but found that he could not find any effective arguments.

“A fighting force that we cannot control is not a fighting force, Kakashi.”

Koharu's voice remained icy, "That's a sharp blade that could stab us in the back at any moment."

"Have you forgotten what he said himself? 'I only stand by my side.' That's the clearest declaration of betrayal!"

"I haven't forgotten."

Kakashi calmly replied, "But that is precisely his greatest value to the village at this moment."

"what?"

"A strong person who fights only for himself will not be easily lured away by any outside force."

"In a sense, it is still a deterrent force belonging to Konoha."

This fierce contest has reached a stalemate.

All eyes eventually fell on the white-haired man who hadn't uttered a single word from beginning to end.

Jiraiya let out a long sigh, finally emerging from the shadows.

Their gaze fell on Naruto.

The boy remained stubbornly standing there, his eyes filled with trust in his companion.

Even if that trust has already been denied by the other party.

"Naruto is right."

Jiraiya's voice was deep, yet carried an undeniable weight: "The most important thing now is to protect those who are still alive, not to engage in meaningless infighting here."

He slowly turned around, his eyes revealing the oppressive aura of the Three Ninja.

"Your concerns are not unfounded."

Jiraiya's tone was calm, "But Kakashi's analysis is also true. Forcing a war with that brat is the worst possible strategy."

He paused for a moment, then made his final decision.

"Let's set aside the matter of Uchiha Sasuke for now."

"Until the village recovers..."

Jiraiya's voice echoed in the empty office.

"Maintain the status quo."

Soon, Naruto and Kakashi left, but Jiraiya was left behind.

"...That's how it is."

Koharu Utatane's voice was resolute: "With Hiruzen dead, the village cannot be without a leader for even a day. Jiraiya, the position of Fifth Hokage is rightfully yours."

Mitokado Homura nodded, his tone grave: "This is the consensus of Koharu, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, and myself."

"At this time, only your title of 'Sannin' can deter those restless neighboring villages."

Jiraiya remained silent, only lowering his head even further.

After a long while, he slowly spoke, his voice carrying a lingering weariness.

"I refuse."

"You have no right to refuse!" Koharu Tsurugi slammed her cane heavily on the ground.

"I'm not cut out to be Hokage, and you all know that better than anyone else."

Jiraiya raised his head. "My mission is to travel the world and find the 'Child of Prophecy' who will change the world, not to be locked in this office and review endless documents."

He stood up and walked to the window, looking at the somewhat desolate village outside.

"However, I do have a more suitable candidate."

......

The air was fresh at the third training ground after the rain.

Naruto Uzumaki sat alone on the swing, swaying gently. His usually energetic eyes were now filled with confusion.

"Kakashi-sensei..."

He looked at the silver-haired figure gazing silently at the sky in the distance, his voice slightly hoarse, "Why did Sasuke leave the village?"

Kakashi Hatake didn't turn around; his gaze remained fixed on the gray sky.

"Sasuke is doing this for revenge."

"revenge?"

Naruto gripped the swing ropes tightly, his face filled with confusion and a glimmer of hope. "So, he'll come back after he gets his revenge, right?"

Kakashi's shoulder twitched slightly.

Will you come back?

He will.

But not to return home, but to burn this place to the ground completely.

He couldn't bring himself to say this cruel truth.

He slowly turned around, looked into Naruto's expectant eyes, and ultimately chose a vague lie.

"Probably."