Chapter 162: Chapter 161: Attachment...
Kimimaro stood upright in the corridor, looking at the figure ahead, and coldly spoke.
"Naruto, they are all my subordinates. When I return to Konoha, I definitely have to take them with me."
"Wait, wait. What you're saying is really confusing me. Why take them back to Konoha? Not only are these guys Orochimaru's subordinates, but they also once attacked Konoha. They're simply a bunch of guys with malicious intentions!"
After saying that, he glared fiercely at Kimimaro, who had made the suggestion. He remembered this guy.
During the Sasuke retrieval mission, he, as one of the Sound Five, had a fierce battle with Gaara and Rock Lee and managed to gain the upper hand, which showed that he was already very powerful two years ago.
After two years of training, just now, only Kimimaro was able to block the killing intent he released. The current situation must be extraordinary.
Naruto glanced at Sasuke again. From their interaction just now, what was their relationship? Why did Sasuke explain things to them as soon as Kimimaro opened his mouth?
Isn't this guy always the most annoyed at having to explain things?
"They are all the combat - ready forces I've selected and trained. The ninja world is about to be in turmoil. Of course, it's time to increase the number of people on our side."
"Selected and trained? Wait a minute. Does that mean that back then, you only had this kind of intention towards me too? Just to pick me out from the crowd and then train me to be your tool..."
At this point, Naruto couldn't control his anger and sadness. As long as someone was useful to him, did it mean anyone would do?
Seeing Naruto's devastated reaction, Sasuke rubbed his forehead with a headache. This guy really didn't listen to the key points. Didn't he hear the part about the imminent great war in the ninja world?
Instead, he was indulging in his own self - pity. And talking about being a tool.
"Don't you want to?"
Huh?! Not only Naruto, but also Yamato and Sai couldn't sit still and stood up to question.
"Aren't you Naruto's best companion? During the years when you were out of contact, Naruto never gave up on looking for you. Now that he finally found you, is it too much for you to answer him like this?"
Sasuke cast an unhappy look at Sai. The person being stared at felt a chill in his heart and took a few steps back, sweating.
"What happens between me and him is none of other people's business."
Sasuke's cold gaze circled around Sai, making him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. Then, his gaze shifted again.
"To tell the truth, Naruto, you need to understand. The reason I left Konoha was that you didn't have the ability to keep me. If you want me to stay in Konoha, you have to show the corresponding strength."
Sasuke raised his eyebrows and looked down at Naruto a bit condescendingly. Naruto didn't understand.
Clearly, back then, he had begged Sasuke not to leave, and at that time, Sasuke was still willing to confide in him.
But after two years, it felt like his heart was getting farther and farther away from him. So many things had happened two years ago. Looking at the group of partners around him who trusted him, maybe there was already someone who could replace him.
"Let's go. Stop dawdling here. Suigetsu, go to the lab and call Orochimaru out. Let's leave together."
"Okay."
Suigetsu carefully bypassed Naruto, who was on the verge of an outburst. He gave Naruto a sympathetic look and quickly paced towards the lab on the other side. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart that he really didn't want to get involved in this mess, but unfortunately, he had no choice.
On the other hand, Yamato and Sai instinctively took a step back when they saw Orochimaru. They were extremely on guard against this legendary man.
What a joke! It would be okay for the others, but Orochimaru was going back with them. How could they explain this to Lady Tsunade?
Moreover, this extremely dangerous man had attacked Konoha two years ago, trying to kill the Third Hokage. Did they really think they could just let it go and let the past fade away like smoke? That was simply impossible.
"Oh, what cute kids. It's been a long time since we last met."
Being stared at by those golden vertical pupils sent shivers down Yamato's spine.
"It's really been a long time!"
Yes, he had once been one of Orochimaru's many test subjects, staying in a cold and dark incubator for a long time. He had been successfully bred with Wood Release Chakra. Although he was later taken over by Tanzō, after Tanzō's death, he had been following the Third Hokage. He could be considered to have escaped the difficult situation.
In essence, it was this man who had created the current him. He still had a bit of fear towards his creator in his heart.
"Don't be so tense. We're going to Konoha this time to exchange some important information. Trust me. If Tsunade knew this secret, she wouldn't make things difficult for you."
The more Yamato looked at Orochimaru's sly and sarcastic smile, the more he felt something was wrong. When did he become so kind? Exchange information and tell Tsunade the secrets of the ninja world?
How could that be possible!
"Anyway, if we keep confronting each other here, we won't get anywhere. Why don't we go back to Konoha first? Are you still worried that I'll launch the Konoha Destruction Plan again?"
Orochimaru's words made Yamato and Sai even more terrified. The two of them took out their weapons and got ready to fight.
Even if they couldn't win, they absolutely couldn't let this kind of person harm Konoha.
"Hehe, don't worry. Launching a large - scale war isn't as simple as you think. Apart from these few kids who have been following me, I basically have no combat power now. I'm not stupid enough to attack the now - powerful Konoha!"
Sai and Yamato were skeptical. They looked at Naruto. Naruto half - closed his eyes and stared intently at Orochimaru. His intuition told him that this man wasn't lying.
"In that case, let's go back to Konoha first. Anyway, I promised the Perverted Hermit that I'd bring you back."
Hearing the name of his old friend from many years ago, Orochimaru fell silent.
"What a stubborn old guy..."
............
Along the way, due to the awkward and tense atmosphere caused by the feud between Sasuke and Naruto, everyone remained silent. Even the birds flying by the roadside felt embarrassed.
Naruto was annoyed. Sasuke had left alone and they hadn't seen each other for two years. Couldn't he say something nice when they met again? He just had to make their relationship so tense.
Naruto let go of his clenched fists, then clenched them again. Unable to hold back his anger, Naruto quickened his pace and stepped forward to stand beside Sasuke.
"Did the words you said to me at that time just come out on a whim?"
Recalling the tenderness of that last moment when Sasuke said Naruto was the light in his life, that he was always grateful to Naruto, that he had things he had to do, and that there would be great upheaval in the ninja world in the years after the ninja war, so he had no choice but to leave Konoha.
In the past two years, Naruto hadn't missed any opportunity for cultivation and had really become stronger. However, Sasuke's cold attitude was even colder than before.
Looking at those fair - skinned fingers and recalling the warmth of that hand that had once held his, Naruto felt a sudden rush of nostalgia.
..............
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