Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 233 Seamlessly Connected Mission

Being the Hokage's bodyguard is a love-hate relationship.

If the Hokage can work energetically for many years, a meteoric rise to prominence is just around the corner. However, being used as a mission execution machine is also a common occurrence.

Kakashi arrived in the Land of Waves on the last day of the festival. His dejected, worker-like appearance was palpable even from miles away, impossible to ignore. So Naruto decided to send a clone to pick him up and, incidentally, find out if he was involved in the latest mission.

The reason Kakashi was assigned to this mission was due to the damned "familiarity principle." Since the mission's destination was the Land of Snow, a ninja who had previously been there was sent out. Unfortunately, that ninja was none other than Kakashi-sensei, who had just returned from a mission. Furthermore, because this was an A-rank mission, protecting a fairly famous actress in the Land of Fire, fewer people were better. Therefore, the final roster was: Captain Hatake Kakashi, and team members Uzumaki Naruto and Haruno Sakura.

"The Hokage said the escort duties on the ship are very simple, just consider it a vacation for us," Kakashi added quietly.

"...I met this Ms. Fujikaze the day before yesterday. She seemed very reluctant to go to the Land of Snow."

"Huh? Why?"

"I don't know. They were arrested for disturbing the peace, I can't ask them everything."

Kakashi was shocked, "Arrest...arrest!"

"What? Even if you're the client, you have to respect local laws. Besides, they just took him there for a lesson, they didn't detain him." Naruto said confidently. After all, he wasn't the one arresting him, and the reason for the arrest was perfectly valid, so he wasn't afraid. However, he mischievously didn't tell Kakashi anything, leaving his teacher to go see the client with trepidation.

This was the final stretch of the mission in the Land of Waves, and Naruto was incredibly busy, running between two fronts. On one hand, he had to maintain order at the scene, conduct the final mission handover, and write the report in advance; on the other hand, he had accepted a commission, rushed to the Uzumaki mother and son to inquire about the situation, and was also preparing to give the closing speech at the final ceremony, essentially acknowledging Hui's existence to the world for the first time. Whether this information would attract the attention of those with ulterior motives was not something Hui's leader needed to consider; he simply didn't have the time for that.

"Keep your tickets safe. My clone will stay on standby for three days until you've had your fun, then I'll send you back. If there's any emergency, you can send chakra to the mark to notify me, just like I taught you before." With his planned vacation ruined, Naruto could only beg Sasuke for forgiveness.

This time, Sasuke proved to be difficult to appease and decisively rejected the expedient solution.

“I didn’t say when I would go back, and Orochimaru doesn’t know where I went either. I can go with you.”

Naruto was stunned. He knew Orochimaru was lenient with Sasuke, but he hadn't expected it to be this lax. Was it entirely up to Sasuke's conscience whether he ran away or not? That's outrageous!

"The escort mission may last for half a month. We need to take a boat to the other side of the sea."

"It's ok."

"What about your two teammates?"

"It's reasonable for me to spend half a month crossing the Land of Fire, since you can send me back instantly anyway."

Naruto couldn't argue with it. After thinking about it carefully, he realized it was actually feasible! The Konoha ninjas went on a mission and took the missing members of the original Team 7 with them... Oh no, the more he thought about it, the more tempted he became.

"How about I go ask Kakashi-sensei? He's the captain." The person, without any principles, simply gave in.

This country is quite interesting.

[Izuna-nii?]

"The technology across the sea is ridiculously advanced, and they have many technologies they can't replicate themselves. It feels a bit strange, so I had Tobirama bring over a few of their top-level researchers."

"...No, you've already infiltrated their ranks in just one day?"

This place has technology but doesn't use it; it's all controlled by the upper echelons. It's also freezing cold, so development is impossible. Aside from the local ninja's armor being somewhat interesting, its defense is practically nonexistent; anyone can come and go as they please.

〖......〗

"So, are you leaving already? How long will it take?"

About half a month.

"That long? Enough time for us to take this place."

"No, they're already planning an attack strategy?"

"You don't know, this place has the perfect soil for cultivating faith, and we absolutely can't overlook the technological aspects either! Specific intelligence will be compiled in three days, and I'll call you for a meeting then. Let's try to take it down before you arrive."

〖...Okay.〗

The moment the conversation ended, Naruto didn't know where to begin his吐槽 (tu cao, a Chinese internet slang term for sarcastic or critical comments). He suddenly realized that having Sasuke participate in a Konoha mission now wasn't so outrageous after all; what was truly outrageous were these seniors who had suddenly become so enthusiastic! Was the military already going to war after only a few months of establishment? That was way too fast! Had he offered his opinion too early? Would things have been different if it had been a few years later?

When Naruto found Kakashi and discovered that Zabuza was also there, he suddenly realized that the trouble might not be over yet.

"Please, Mr. Taoli, your country's history of struggle is such an inspiring and dazzling subject matter, it should be promoted to everyone! I have never seen any place develop faster and better than this! 'Pursue your dreams, never give up.' This is the belief I have been spreading all my life, and your 'history' is the best 'script'! Please allow me to film it!"

Naruto glanced at his clothes and listened to the conversation inside, realizing that it shouldn't be "Naruto" here. Just then, Yukie from next door seemed to be sneaking towards the door again, giving him the perfect opportunity to leave. For the first time in many days, Naruto sent a telepathic message to his "Golden Wheel" clone, urging him to come immediately, while his real body decisively followed Yukie's footsteps.

No one could escape Naruto's pursuit. If he wanted, connecting all the shadow clones across the entire continent was just a thought away; it was just too mentally taxing and unnecessary. He had actually forgotten what Yukie was like. The Land of Snow was in the southern seas of the continent, too far away for even radio to cross. He only remembered that Yukie was the princess of the Land of Snow, escorted back by Team 7, and became its new ruler. After that, distance caused a vibrant person to fade from memory, and upon meeting her again, he felt no sense of déjà vu.

Everyone has their most vulnerable side, so Naruto didn't bother her. Instead, he followed her at a distance, accompanying her shopping and drinking, and watching her drown her sorrows alone.

Language is meaningless to some stubborn people; only actions can truly move them.