Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

Naruto had connections with numerous people, but it was impractical to inform each one individually. Too many people meant too many opportunities to slip up. Leaving the mess for Sandaime to handle was undoubtedly the most suitable approach.

By the time Naruto leisurely left Konoha wearing a cat-shaped mask, he had a scroll in his hand. It was the same scroll as the one Orochimaru had.

The words on the scroll were written by the Sandaime himself, and the content was as follows:

"Uzumaki Naruto is currently carrying out an SSS-Rank mission. All orders from Naruto Uzumaki are to be treated as if they came from me. Those who see this scroll are not allowed to reveal it without permission!"

After seeing the content, the Shinobi guarding the gate were stunned. They had never heard of an SSS-Rank mission before.

While handwriting could be forged, the Hokage's seal at the bottom was undeniably authentic.

In the gatekeepers' minds, it made sense: Naruto was the Kyubi's Jinchuriki, capable of wielding immense power. So for him to undertake such a hellishly difficult mission was plausible.

But no matter what, Naruto is still a child. His courage to take on such a task alone genuinely earned the gatekeepers' admiration.

"Rest assured, I won't breathe a word of this. Safe travels, and may you return soon!"

"Thanks, I will," Naruto replied as he stowed away the scroll and adjusted his mask.

The busier the village gates were, the more careful Naruto needed to be. Leaving no traces was imperative.

However, being able to leave Konoha through the main gate in a dignified manner and being sent off with respect still made Naruto feel very happy...

…

On the other side, Sasuke slowly regained consciousness in an underground chamber. Clutching his head, he felt a sharp pain as though his skull might split open.

He knew all too well that Itachi had gone easy on him. Had it been otherwise, enduring three days and nights of torment would have left him either dead or mentally broken.

Despite the pain, Sasuke stumbled his way to the third training ground, where Neji was practicing.

"Ningji, come quickly!" Sasuke's voice trembled as his lips turned pale.

When he saw Sasuke's appearance, Neji was alarmed and quickly rushed to his side. Then, he asked with concern, "Sasuke, what happened?"

Though Neji appeared worried, inwardly, he was amused.

Naruto's efforts to help Sasuke grow stronger, even going to such great lengths, filled Neji with a twinge of envy. But upon seeing Sasuke's growth was tied to suffering, Neji couldn't help but find it somewhat satisfying.

At least now, Neji felt more balanced emotionally.

"Naruto has been captured. Call Guy, Lee, and Tenten. I'll find Kakashi, and we'll go rescue him together." Sasuke announced, ready to leave.

"Wait!"

Neji interjected sternly, "Naruto is incredibly strong, yet he's been captured. Whoever took him is no ordinary foe. Why did they spare you? Are you a spy?"

Sasuke retorted, "It's understandable for you to doubt me. The one who took Naruto is Uchiha Itachi. He spared me because he didn't see the point in killing me… that's happened before. Whether you believe me or not, that's the truth. But if we delay any longer, it'll be too late."

Neji remained unmoved and shook his head, "Naruto's strength far surpasses ours, yet he was still taken. If we go, it'll only be a suicide mission. I think the best course of action is to inform Hokage-sama and have him send reinforcements."

"You're right. I'm too anxious to think clearly. Let's go find the Hokage right away."

Sasuke said as a headache came over him, nearly causing him to fall to the ground.

Fortunately, Neji was quick enough to support Sasuke before he fell.

"Get on my back. We'll move faster this way… time is of the essence!" Neji said decisively.

Sasuke didn't say anything, and just climbed onto Neji's back, knowing every second counted.

However, when the two arrived at the Hokage's Office, Sandaime was writing furiously.

Before Sasuke could speak, Sandaime addressed them sternly, "Just now, Itachi, the Missing-nin, rushed out of the village with an unconscious Naruto. I've already sent the Anbu after them. Stay calm and wait for updates. Don't wander around and cause unnecessary trouble."

"We understand."

Still, Sandaime's words reminded Sasuke of something Naruto had once told him, "Revenge is best served cold."

Just as Sandaime had instructed them not to interfere, it was a clear indication that their current strength was deemed inadequate.

"Neji, you should head back. I have somewhere else to go." Sasuke said as he climbed down from Neji's back and wobbled away.

Neji didn't press him for details. He was a sharp observer, and it was clear to him that Sandaime also knew about Naruto's plan. Though he didn't know the specifics, he could tell Naruto had everything under control.

'I really envy that foolish boy.'

Watching Sasuke's retreating figure, Neji shook his head with a mix of amusement and envy.

He had played his part flawlessly, and wherever Sasuke went next was no longer his concern.

…

Knock knock!

Before long, the sound of knocking echoed in Orochimaru's chamber.

Opening the door, Orochimaru saw Sasuke, who is visibly drained and dispirited. Without hesitation, he ushered the boy inside.

"What happened?" Orochimaru asked with a frown.

He wasn't skilled at acting and was concerned about slipping up, but Sasuke's disheveled state filled him with glee. After all, even if his performance faltered, Sasuke likely wouldn't notice in his current condition.

Sasuke explained, "Naruto's been taken by Itachi. Sandaime has sent people to pursue him, but I can't do anything to help. Naruto told me before that if anything happened, I should come to you and train under you."

"What? Naruto-kun was captured? But Itachi is a Missing-nin… how could he have returned to Konoha?" Orochimaru's body tensed, genuinely shocked.

This time, he was not acting, and he was genuinely stunned.

Never in his wildest imagination had he thought Naruto would go as far as to involve Itachi in his ploy. It was utterly absurd.

To this day, Orochimaru still hadn't forgotten the terror of Itachi's Genjutsu. It was this fear of the Uchiha that had initially driven him to covet Sasuke's body.

Sasuke continued, "Itachi mentioned he's joined some kind of organization. They need to capture Biju, and once the Biju is extracted, Naruto will die. No matter what, I'm powerless right now. While I've placed my hopes on Sandaime, if anything goes wrong, I must become stronger to avenge Naruto!"

'Huh?'

Orochimaru caught on to something peculiar, 'How could Sasuke know such detailed information? Itachi must have deliberately revealed it, intending to provoke Sasuke's growth.'

Initially, Orochimaru had worried that Naruto's scheme might backfire and result in his actual capture. But now, it was evident that everything was part of Naruto's plan.

Now that the plan was nearing its conclusion, Orochimaru realized it was his turn to tie up the loose ends.

After a moment's thought, Orochimaru said, "I used to work alongside Itachi in an organization. For certain reasons, I left. I'm well aware of their plans for the Biju. Rest assured, even if Sandaime fails to retrieve Naruto, there's no need to panic. Extracting the Biju requires them all to be gathered, and the extraction ritual can only be performed on specific dates."

"Specific dates? When?" Sasuke asked urgently.

"I can't recall the exact timing, but it should be about three years from now. For the time being, Naruto is safe."

Orochimaru pondered and said, "Since Naruto has entrusted you to me, then train diligently under my guidance. When the time comes, we'll rescue him together."

"Got it!"

Hearing the three-year timeline, Sasuke exhaled deeply, the tension in his heart finally easing.

With three years, he believed he could achieve a transformative leap in power!

However, as relief washed over him, the throbbing in his head became unbearable. His eyes rolled back, and he fainted onto the table.

Looking at the fainting Sasuke, Orochimaru murmured to himself, "Naruto-kun, you really know how to order people around, sigh~"

In fact, Orochimaru's earlier words were a mix of truth and fabrication. While they sounded convincing, they weren't entirely accurate.

When he left the Akatsuki, there were no plans to capture tailed beasts. The group was still in the recruitment phase. Since they had now moved forward, it likely meant they had assembled enough members.

But this only underscored that his explanations to Sasuke were complete improvisation.

In Orochimaru's mind, since Naruto's life wasn't at risk, his half-truths were merely a means to pacify Sasuke.

Managing to fool Sasuke into unconsciousness with just a few sentences… Orochimaru felt that his talent for acting was more potent than even he had anticipated...