Konoha Village.

While Sarutobi Hiruzen was visiting, Yamanaka Inoichi was spying on various people.

However, It is not just Sarutobi Hiruzen that has undergone tremendous changes.

Even Sasuke.

That day, after venting emotions in the waterfall, the morning of the next day, the morning when Sarutobi Hiruzen visited him, Sasuke changed significantly. He no longer conducts his regular exercise life. Instead, he came to Naruto's house early in the morning.

"What is it, Naruto? Isn't it a party? Let's go and find Hinata together."

Naruto, who was originally visited by Sarutobi Hiruzen, was still a little confused.

At this time, the music broke on the spot, and he threw Sarutobi Hiruzen directly to beyond the topmost clouds.

Then, while the two were walking to find Hinata, they each told their experiences over the past few years.

Naruto talked about the interesting things that happened to him in the past few years, without omission and detail, to share with his close friend.

Sasuke also told some interesting things from time to time. --How strong is he? How fast he conquered the enemy, how fast, etc.

The relationship between the two sides seems as harmonious as a few years ago when the Uchiha Clan was not destroyed.

While walking, the two people came to the Hyuga Clan Residence. They also met Hinata very smoothly.

Hinata was slightly surprised when she saw Sasuke's long-lost smile. Of course, Hinata did not refuse the invitation of the two. After all, Sasuke was her teammate.

Reject this offer because of Naruto?

No matter how she says it, she can't justify it.

'I haven't seen each other for a few years, and now my attitude towards Naruto is neither salty nor indifferent. Perhaps I can use the reasons why I have not seen each other for many years and that my feelings have faded.'

Konoha Village recreates a scene that has been missing for a long time.

A few years ago, the three little kids that almost all stuck together finally reunited together and walked on the streets of Konoha.

Seeing this scene made the villagers feel a little bit emotional.

'Time passes really fast… In a flash, the children a few years ago had grown so tall, and their friendships are still so good.'

'It's very memorable.'

It is a pity that they only noticed the surface but did not find the relationship between them. Compared with a few years ago, it is still significantly different.

At that time, the picture of Hinata being held by Naruto and running on the street was long gone.

Between the two people, there is Sasuke.

Throughout the party, Naruto had intentionally or unintentionally wanted to have a good relationship with Hinata. But Hinata still maintained a nonchalant attitude towards him, and she even avoided Naruto's eyes.

This made Naruto feel a little lost, but he soon regained his energetic appearance.

Although it is impossible to return to the previous relationship, it is enough to be able to get along with the three as before. In the past few years, when Naruto left, the most anticipated scene is in front of him.

The three get together again.

...

Meanwhile, Sarutobi Hiruzen was waiting for Yamanaka Inoichi's news for the past few days.

"Sasuke still changed his abnormality and would come to find Naruto out every day."

"The relationship between the two parties has therefore returned to what it was in the past."

....

Today, Sasuke also asked Naruto to come out.

He came to the Ramen Ichiraku restaurant, and Hinata also participated in this gathering.

Originally, Hinata wanted to use Gourd to draw a scoop and use Sasuke to separate him from Naruto, but today Naruto just wants Sasuke to sit next to him.

Seeing this, in desperation, she had to sit next to Naruto.

Immediately afterward, the three each ordered a bowl of ramen.

During the meal...

Naruto: "Hinata, this is delicious. I can't finish it. Can I give it to you?"

Naruto: "Hinata, are you full? Should I order you another bowl?"

Naruto: "Hinata, I want to order another bowl, but I can't finish it. How about giving you half?

Yes, Naruto focused almost all his attention on Hinata.

Sasuke is regarded as a transparent person by him.

No matter what Naruto said, Hinata would refuse one after another.

Just when the three were about to finish their meal, Ramen Ichiraku Hall welcomed an unexpected guest, Sarutobi Hiruzen!

Sarutobi Hiruzen lifted the curtains high above the door beams, showing a kind smile. The flickering of the light let the three looked involuntarily behind them, and they Immediately stood upright.

Sasuke: "Third-Kage."

Naruto: "Old fogey."

Hinata: "Teacher."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's previous actions have had many effects. At least those who have been baptized by Will of Fire from an early age are like the three in front of them. Their attitude towards him is obviously much better.

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded.

Immediately afterward, it was the Boss of the Ramen Ichiraku Pavilion.

Seeing the arrival of Third-Hokage, he seemed a little panicked and hurriedly greeted: "Welcome! Welcome!"

"Welcome! Welcome! Haha! I didn't expect Lord-Hokage to come today. If I had known Lord-Hokage would be here today, I'd have clean up the store first."

"It's okay." Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand, and his eyes shifted from Boss to Naruto's group, "Hm? You three don't mind eating a bowl of ramen with the old man, right?"

The three said nothing.

Then Sarutobi Hiruzen joined this small group and ate ramen together.

They chatted while eating.

Naruto finally asked the focus of the topic: "Old fogey, why are you free to come here today?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen also said: "I have a task here, and I need Sasuke's help. I visited Sasuke's house, but he wasn't there."

Upon hearing this sentence, not only Naruto's expression became solemn, even Hinata's body slightly trembled. They wouldn't have forgotten the cruel incident in which Sasuke's clan was destroyed a few years ago just because of Sarutobi's sudden visit a few days ago.

Hinata was better, barely resisting her nervousness.

Naruto showed his concern about Sarutobi Hiruzen's mission unabashedly.

Naruto said: "Old fogey, what kind of mission do you need to ask Sasuke to help yourself? Can't other people do it? Also, can I participate in this mission?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head and said: "We need to use Sasuke's Sharingan for this mission. And it is more secretive and has certain risks, and it is not suitable for too many people to participate. But rest assured, I will let people ensure the safety of Sasuke. And it is only by virtue of his Sharingan's ability that he will not be put in danger."

Naruto, who still wants to say something, was interrupted by Sasuke on the side. He pulled Naruto's shoulder and said, "No need to say. Third-Kage, I am willing to accept this mission."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was slightly surprised. He thought that Sasuke wouldn't agree so easily. But this is a good thing… At least his plan can be carried out smoothly.

…..

days later.

It is also a small gathering of Hinata, Naruto, and Sasuke.

It's just that this can be considered a farewell ceremony for Sasuke. According to Sarutobi Hiruzen, Sasuke's mission this time would take a month, so they were having another small party just before Sasuke's leaving.

The time came to the end of the party.

Two Anbu ninjas suddenly appeared in front of the three: "Uchiha Sasuke, it's time to go."

Sasuke faced the two Anbu ninjas, nodded, and then smiled cheerfully to Naruto and Hinata: "Then I will go first. Don't forget me."

Sasuke was waving away from the two and slowly left the line of sight of the two.

Naruto turned his head: "Hinata, we..."

Hinata: "Naruto, I still have something to do, so I will go first. When Sasuke comes back, let's meet again."

Naruto silently stared at Hinata's back. His heart was very lost.

In the following days, without the red thread of Sasuke, even if Naruto tried no matter how much he tried, there was no way to meet Hinata alone.

...

After leaving Konoha.

Sasuke followed two Anbu ninjas and came to the wilderness, which is also a long-distance away from Konoha. It is extremely secret here. On the way, Sasuke saw no trace of humans.

The two Anbu ninjas took him to only one wood house in this wilderness.

The door was just opened, and the squeak sounded.

What came into sight was Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had been waiting in the wood house for a long time. Sarutobi Hiruzen took a sip of hot tea while squinting and said with a slight smile: "Sasuke, you are here."

Sasuke nodded: "Third-Kage, what is my mission this time?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen: "This period of time, you live in this wood house first. When the target character passes through this area, we need you to use Sharingan's ability to help us observe the other side's actions. You don't need to worry about eating and drinking. I will send someone to deliver it to you regularly. Avoid beating the grass to scare the snake. In this period, you should stay in the house as much as possible, and don't just walk around."

Seeing Sasuke nodded and accepting the requirements, Sarutobi Hiruzen left the wood house with satisfaction.

…..

When he appeared outside the wood house, the original kindness disappeared.

What is transformed is a delightful expression!

The most critical part of the plan has already been completed. Then, just wait for him to return to Konoha, and wait for the time to be ripe, he can implement the following plan!

That's right. All Sarutobi Hiruzen did this time was to solve the hidden danger of Konoha, which is Uchiha Itachi!

The so-called mission to let Sasuke come to this wilderness is, of course, not true… He just wanted to attract Uchiha Itachi!

If things go well, after returning to Konoha, he will wait for some time before announcing Sasuke's death to achieve his purpose.

He wants Uchiha Itachi to collapse.

Make Uchiha Itachi crazy.

Let him unreasonably attack Konoha!

Then he can be rational and clearly structured under everyone's attention… As long as the plan is successful, he can retain his reputation and become a good Hokage at the expense of Konoha!

It can really solve this hidden danger for Konoha!

This is undoubtedly the best choice for this old Hokage.

As for Naruto...

It's also easy to explain.

As soon as the news of Sasuke's death began to spread in the village, Naruto would have gone crazy to ask him in detail. So as long as he told him that the news was just a misunderstanding, Sasuke only suffered some injuries and needed to be outside for a while. Then Naruto will not resent him or the village.

Everything is so perfect!

Sarutobi Hiruzen rejoiced on the road back to Konoha.

But what Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't know was that when he left the wood house, when only Sasuke was left in the wood house, the cheerful face that Sasuke had been trying to maintain for the past few days faded instantly!

It was changed back to a cold and slightly ruthless expression.

...

Two days later.

Sasuke stayed in the wood house for two days.

It looks like there are no exceptions.

But on the morning of the 3rd day, Sasuke opened the wood house door and went outside.

The two Anbu ninjas who took the mission with him also 'just happened to pass by: "Huh? Why did you come out? What happened?"

Sasuke said: "It's nothing. I just want to come out and walk."

From beginning to end, the purpose of Sarutobi Hiruzen is very clear.

It is to solve the hidden danger of Uchiha Itachi and perish with him to become a hero of Konoha. He cannot allow the new generation to generate new hatred against him or Konoha and become another hidden danger.

Sarutobi Hiruzen has a hard requirement…. That is, Sasuke cannot be found to be anomalous. Therefore, he also issued a very loose monitoring order to these two Anbu ninjas.

Because of this, after hearing Sasuke's explanation, the two Anbu ninja only hinted: "Well, don't go too far to avoid being caught by the target."

Sasuke answered, complied, and left 2 Anbu ninja's fields of view.

To avoid being discovered by Sasuke, two Anbu ninjas did not intend to follow Sasuke and only watched.

They could only wait.

....

After waiting for almost 2 hours, there's no sign of Sasuke's return.

The two Anbu ninjas realized that something was wrong and quickly moved towards the direction of departure and probed separately.

After a while, the two regrouped.

Both parties meet to shake their heads.

"Damn it! Go back and report to the Third-Kage!"

...

At the same time when the two Anbu ninjas hurried back to report Sasuke's disappearance to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Konoha Village.

A child with little hollow eyes came to Naruto ignorantly: "Brother, there is a big brother outside the village. Let me give you the note."

Naruto took the note and read the message on the note.

Naruto was slightly puzzled and slandered in his heart: "It's weird. Didn't Sasuke go out to pick up the task? How could he be back at this time? How could he make it so mysterious?"

Naruto didn't think much and immediately went to the place Sasuke told him to.

....

Not long after, Naruto came to the appointed place on the note.

It was a cliff.

There is a big waterfall beside the cliff.

As soon as Naruto came here, he saw a guy in a cloak standing on the edge of a cliff. The back was somewhat familiar, but Naruto was not sure.

"Sasuke?"

The guy in the cloak slowly turned around and slowly took off the cloak.

Naruto was shocked and then exclaimed: "Sasuke! What's wrong with you?!"