172. A Plan For Sasuke

Naruto glanced at Izumi in surprise. This was the first time Naruto got such praise. However, he understood. His strength was not enough to be a Hokage. Thus, he wasn't arrogant even though Izumi complimented him.

Naruto grew rapidly, and in a dangerous situation, he got even stronger due to the pressure that his opponent put on him. Such as when he met Orochimaru. He realized that Orochimaru was strong. No, it was too strong for him to handle. But due to his tenacity and determination to protect his friends, he bravely rushed to attack Orochimaru, even summoning the power of the nine-tailed fox out of desperation. Even though that power was sealed by Orochimaru afterward.

Sasuke didn't realize this. He just glanced at Naruto without saying a word. Sakura also glanced at Naruto. Which made Naruto start to speak.

"I will become a Hokage someday. And as a Hokage, I have to become stronger in order to protect everyone in the Konoha village."

Sasuke pondered.

"Just because he wanted to become a Hokage, he became stronger day by day. Why can't I be like that? Is my desire for revenge still lacking? Or, is it because of my lack of talent?"

Sasuke then began to think that he wanted to focus solely on revenge. But at that moment, he heard Izumi's voice asking him.

"Why do you insist on becoming stronger?"

Sasuke turned to Izumi and answered.

"To take revenge on my brother. I don't care where my power comes from."

Sasuke felt it would be better to cut ties with everyone including the Konoha village. It would allow him to focus on increasing his strength to get revenge on his brother. This was because Sasuke felt that living in Konoha couldn't help him develop quickly.

Izumi nodded. Izumi also felt a hint of killing intent emitted by Sasuke. Izumi realized, had the curse mark from Orochimaru or not, it seemed like Sasuke would likely leave Konoha after Izumi saw his expression.

"Then?"

"…"

Sasuke didn't understand what Izumi wanted to imply. Izumi added.

"You didn't think about what your future would be like after you killed your brother?"

"I…"

Sasuke was at a loss for words. Izumi carried on.

"Listen to me snotty brat! Revenge is indeed something that can make you stronger. And it's like a trial on you. But…"

Then Izumi's expression changed. He took the sword from its scabbard and gazed at Sasuke with a sharp, piercing glare.

"I don't care how or where you get your power from, whether you get through the wrong path or not, it doesn't matter to me. However, when you gain power through the wrong path and make enemies or hurt your friends or people who were close to you. This is the most unforgivable thing. Furthermore, you will end up tragically. For example, I can kill you right now before you can get such power."

Seeing Izumi's piercing gaze filled with killing intent, Sasuke gulped. Even Naruto and Sakura shuddered as they looked at him. They felt this kind of killing intent before. It was killing intent emitted by Orochimaru. Although Izumi's killing intent wasn't as wicked as Orochimaru's.

Retracting his killing intent, Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura were relieved.

Sasuke took a deep breath and let it out slowly. His eyes returned to Izumi as he spoke.

"Then, what should I do?"

"You didn't pay attention to the important points of our talks, including Naruto's answer earlier."

Izumi pointed at Luffy and Naruto.

"They both have the same ambition, which is to become a great person. Luffy wants to be a Pirate King because the Pirate King is the freest person in the ocean. No one would dare mess with him, including his relatives or friends. In other words, becoming a Pirate King was to protect his relatives and his friends."

Izumi paused for a moment, then continued again.

"The reason Naruto wants to become Hokage… First is because Naruto, who was ostracized by everyone, wants to prove himself capable of becoming a Hokage. Second, in addition to getting respect, or being admired by everyone, being Hokage also proves that he is a great ninja. Third, he wants to protect the village and everyone who lives in Konohagakure. If they don't strive to get stronger, how can they protect the people they care about?"

Naruto's eyes lit up hearing Izumi's words who unexpectedly understood why Naruto wanted to become Hokage.

"Hehe, if I become Hokage later, I will be the one who will protect you. I also make sure that everyone can happily live in Konoha." Naruto said to Sasuke and Sakura in a slightly smug manner.

Sasuke wasn't in the mood to listen to Naruto's jokes, he was still confused about how he could get stronger. Sasuke felt that he would not be able to develop his strength if he lingered in Konohagakure for too long.

Feeling that the ideas he had were conflicting, he asked.

"Tell me, how can I become strong? Do you have a way?"

"Hmmm, let me think."

Izumi thought for a moment. Initially, he wanted to invite Itachi to join the Chat Group. But he was still unsure due to Itachi's chronic disease. Then there was another candidate, Karin. This was because Izumi had a plan for Karin, but he still doubted whether the plan would be successful or not. Thinking of inviting Sasuke...

"Better not. I should have to think of another person. As for Sasuke…"

Izumi decided on a path that Sasuke could take to become stronger.

"Luffy? Do you need a crew?"

Of course, Izumi's choice was to make Sasuke a pirate crew. At the beginning of Luffy's journey and his friends across the Grand Line to Sabaody, they could still be said to be able to overcome their opponents. The opponents they would face could be said to be gradual, from weak to strong. This would be good for Sasuke to develop.

In addition, with Luffy and his friends, Sasuke would be able to learn the true meaning of friendship after facing the harshness of the Grand Line.

In the shinobi world, the opponents Sasuke met were either too weak or too strong. What's more, there was Kakashi who was watching over them when carrying out missions. If the enemy was too strong, Kakashi would act.

Because of that, Sasuke would not grow since he was forced to avoid strong enemies. His fighting experience would also be restricted.

"Sure!" Without asking the reason and who will be his crew, Luffy immediately agreed.

"Did you hear that? The captain has agreed. You just have to come with us when we get back!" Izumi turned to Sasuke while pointing at Luffy.

"Wait, wait a minute! Don't just decide to take Sasuke away! He's our friend, our teammate."

"Right! Besides, you can't just take him away without asking Kakashi-sensei's permission."

Naruto and Sakura blatantly stopped Izumi to take Sasuke away. Izumi actually had no intention of bringing Sasuke if not because of the mission. By having Sasuke join Luffy, not only would he get stronger gradually, but more than likely, his character would have changed during his time with Luffy and the rest of the crew. That was the reason why Izumi wanted to make him a pirate crew.

Unfortunately, Sasuke would probably realize that he transferred to another world. Well, Izumi didn't care about that. He already decided anyway.

He just wanted to change Sasuke's view because strength didn't only come from deep hatred. He should also understand that some of the other factors could make people stronger.

Moreover, Izumi already planned something if things wouldn't end well.

"Then just ask what Sasuke thinks!" Izumi crossed his arms in response to Naruto and Sakura's opinions.

"Sasuke!"

"Sasuke-kun, you don't intend to go, do you?"

Naruto and Sakura wanted to know what Sasuke was thinking, and Sakura asked him anxiously.