Chapter 16

After all, this is the power of the Nine-Tails!

If he could manipulate it, he could become the Fifth Hokage next year!

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Danzo a cold, penetrating stare, seemingly able to discern Danzo's inner thoughts.

"As for this matter, I will arrange for individuals to closely observe and conduct tests, so it won't inconvenience you at all."

Observing that Sarutobi Hiruzen intended to dismiss him, Danzo naturally resisted.

He stepped forward directly, his gaze fixed on Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, and spoke.

"It concerns the safety of Konoha. I cannot simply stand by and watch. I want to replace the Jinchuriki's instructor with one of my own ninjas!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen also stood his ground, locking eyes with Danzo.

"Danzo, there's no need for you to intervene... I don't wish to repeat myself."

"And let's not forget, I am the Hokage!"

Upon hearing these words, "I am the Hokage," Danzo was instantly consumed by anger.

It was the same sentence used to suppress him every time, leaving him with no room for rebuttal!

"Hiruzen, you will regret this!"

Uttering a customary parting remark, Danzo angrily brushed off his sleeves and turned to leave.

Since the overt path was no longer feasible, he would resort to the covert one.

He wouldn't let the power of the Nine-Tails slip through his fingers in vain!

Once Danzo had departed, Koharu and Homura promptly followed suit.

They had no desire to possess the power of the Jinchuriki and the Nine-Tailed Fox.

Their visit had solely been to gather information about Naruto.

With everyone gone, Hiruzen Sarutobi motioned for Asuma and Kurenai to leave first.

He then led Kakashi toward Naruto's apartment.

He needed Kakashi to understand Naruto's current situation, and there were matters he needed to discuss with him.

...

In another classroom:

After completing the task of organizing everyone's names, Iruka set the list down.

"The team leader will join us in the afternoon, so don't be late."

"Alright, let's disperse and go for lunch."

Upon hearing the word "dismissal," many students cheered and hastily left the classroom.

Sakura, blushing, looked at Sasuke and extended an invitation to eat together.

"Sasuke-kun, from now on, we'll be teammates. Let's have lunch together and get to know each other."

Sasuke didn't turn his head or respond to Sakura's invitation.

He simply walked directly out of the classroom through the window.

Naruto, who was nearby, leaned forward with a smile on his face.

"Sakura, if he won't go, I'll accompany you. After all, we'll be teammates, so we need to get acquainted!"

Sakura glanced at Naruto, her face instantly devoid of its previous rosy shyness.

"Sorry, I still need to find Sasuke. You should go ahead and eat alone."

Without waiting for Naruto's reply, Sakura hurriedly ran out of the classroom.

"Damn it, Sasuke, that obnoxious guy again!"

Naruto, in a panic, followed her to the door.

However, the crowd obstructed his view, and he couldn't catch a glimpse of Sakura's retreating figure for a long time.

"I've already surpassed him to become number one, so why doesn't Sakura like me?"

Meanwhile, Inuzuka Kiba witnessed the entire scene. With Akamaru perched on his head, Inuzuka Kiba approached Naruto, wearing a playful smile.

"It's probably because Naruto acts silly and looks like an idiot!"

"But it doesn't matter; I enjoy hanging out with idiots. So why don't you join us for lunch?"

While Kiba's relationship with Naruto wasn't as close as his friendship with Shikamaru and Choji, it was still better than most others.

And considering Naruto's recent rise and their shared clumsiness, Kiba saw an opportunity to grow closer to Naruto and possibly take on missions together in the future.

Meanwhile, Hinata's face turned redder as she heard Kiba inviting Naruto. She leaned against the nearby table for support, struggling to remain steady.

As for Aburame Shino, he adjusted his sunglasses and murmured something under his breath, too soft for anyone to hear.

Amongst all of this, Naruto, with his consciousness focused on the situation, observed the unfolding dynamics.

"Didn't you mention that as teammates, the three of us should have lunch together to get to know each other? I don't mind Naruto joining in. It's up to you. I just want to make a new friend..."

These words lingered.

Though Kaze heard it clearly, he had no interest in helping the young boy with his conversation skills.

Instead, he was preoccupied with thoughts of Haruno Sakura, who had just encountered Naruto and Sasuke.

An idea began to take shape in his mind.

"If Naruto is so infatuated with Sakura, what if she were to die by his hands..."

"No, Sakura alone might not be enough. Perhaps Iruka could get involved, or even Sarutobi Hiruzen..."

Kaze pondered how tragic deaths, unrelated to himself, could be orchestrated.

These deaths would cause Naruto to experience guilt, regret, and self-hatred due to his inability to protect those he cares about.

He considered suggesting and planting certain ideas to further fuel the conflicts between Naruto and others, preventing him from emerging victorious in future battles.

These combined emotional burdens could potentially shatter all of Naruto's defenses.

However, it was only a preliminary concept for now. The specific execution would require careful consideration on Kaze's part.

With these thoughts in mind, Kaze's voice resonated within Naruto's mind.

"Naruto, reject their invitations."

"I have a plan that will allow you to have some intimate interactions with Sakura."

Upon hearing these words echoing in his mind, Naruto's expression visibly brightened.

Observing Naruto's joyful reaction, Inuzuka Kiba assumed Naruto had agreed to join them for lunch.

He approached Naruto, grabbed his shoulders, and led him toward the exit.

"Alright then, let's go. Since Naruto is here, I'll treat you to a barbecue dinner!"

"Even if I end up spending too much money and getting scolded by my mother, it's worth it!"

The Inuzuka Clan was well-known and financially secure in Konoha. Their primary occupation revolved around breeding and raising high-quality ninja dogs, allowing them a comfortable lifestyle.

So, treating Naruto to a barbecue meal was a simple expense that he could easily afford.

However, upon hearing the mention of a barbecue, Naruto's delighted expression suddenly froze.

On one side, there was the enticing prospect of a barbecue feast he hadn't enjoyed since childhood. On the other side, there was Sakura, his cherished love interest.

Naruto grappled with the difficult decision before him. How should he choose?

Ultimately, the desire for closer contact with Sakura prevailed, and with determination, Naruto freed himself from Kiba's grip.

"Sorry, something just came over me. I remembered I have something else to do. Next time, I'll invite you all for ramen!"

Without waiting for a response, Naruto hastily rushed out of the classroom, fearing he might change his mind and end up going to the barbecue with them.

Outside the classroom, on the second-floor balcony of a nearby building, Sasuke sat, munching on his bread, deep in thought about Naruto.

He had learned about the Scroll of Seals through his inquiries the previous day, intending to learn from Naruto and try stealing it.

However, his attempt was thwarted when he was promptly kicked out of the Sarutobi mansion by the ANBU.

Lost in his frustrations, Sasuke unconsciously squeezed the bread in his hand, his frustration growing.

Konoha is so biased, so eccentric! They would rather offer powerful jutsu to a useless fool like Naruto than to me, an Uchiha!

Am I forever in the shadow of that bastard?

Thinking of his older brother he scowled.

As Sasuke brooded over these thoughts, he failed to notice Naruto sneaking up behind him, a mischievous grin on his face.

In the blink of an eye, Naruto swiftly wrapped a black bag around Sasuke, catching him off guard.

"Whoaah! What the... What are you up to?" Sasuke exclaimed, struggling against the black bag.

"It's me, Shikamaru! Not Naruto!" Naruto declared with a mischievous smirk, his voice laced with playful deceit.

"Don't try to fool me! I saw your orange outfit! You're Naruto!" Sasuke retorted, his frustration mounting.

"You must have mistaken me for someone else. Maybe you need a little nap," Naruto teased.

And just like that, Naruto's voice vanished with Sasuke with a wicked smile out

of the classroom window.

"Dear Sakura, I'm coming!" he proclaimed, determined to make his move.

Later that afternoon, in the ninja classroom, Sasuke entered, rubbing his still-drowsy head.

To his surprise, Sakura sat in her seat, her face contorted with anger.

Naruto, carrying a black bag piled high like a small mountain on his head, wore a foolish smile on his face.

Though perplexed by Sakura's unusual expression, Sasuke paid her no mind. Instead, he headed straight for Naruto.

"Naruto, you win this time," Sasuke admitted begrudgingly. "But mark my words, I'll catch up to you and erase this humiliation!"

Without waiting for Naruto's reply, Sasuke turned around and found a seat to occupy.

As the exchange unfolded before him, Naruto, who was still riding the high of his earlier kiss with Sakura, pretending to be Sasuke, grinned foolishly.

A really great prank idea by Kaze...

He wondered if he should apologize to Sasuke for knocking him unconscious.

*******

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