Naruto's Endless Pretense

"I'm not talking about you, Tsunade. Whether as a Hokage or a master, you are completely unqualified from every angle!"

Jiraiya's eyes changed from his normal look at Tsunade, which was cold and sharp, full of threats.Surprisingly, Tsunade did not refute him, but just lowered her head silently.

"Stop talking, Jiraiya." Sandai took a puff of his pipe. "It's better to give her some time."

"That's true, but now there is no time for her to slowly figure it out."

Jiraiya held down the third generation's shoulders, and his 1.9-meter height completely suppressed the third generation and Tsunade.

"On the way here, the old man and I almost bumped into Naruto. Seeing that guy's recklessness, he probably went to find Sasuke. What a fool. He was exactly the same as me back then. He took the risk without any preparation. Then set off."

Jiraiya had a look of reminiscence and regret on his face, as if he was recalling all the things he had done when he stopped Orochimaru, and he didn't feel like he was reprimanding Tsunade anymore.

"However, I think Naruto, this child, will never follow my old path. He will definitely be able to bring Sasuke back. Even if he doesn't do it once, he will definitely do it two or three times. This child has completely inherited what I have learned. The way of ninja who gives up."

"Stop saying such unrealistic words. Naruto can't compare to Sasuke in any way. No matter if he does it once, twice or three times, he will just fall in front of reality like you."

Tsunade clenched her fists, her body trembled slightly, and she smiled weirdly as if she was sarcastic to Jiraiya.

"So you are unqualified as Hokage, Tsunade. The one who really brought you back to Konoha was not Sasuke but Naruto, but have you paid any attention to Naruto? Do you know how strong Naruto is now? That's it. Make an assertion!”

Jiraiya took a step forward, looking down at Tsunade from the corners of his eyes with an iron face, as if to protect Naruto's dignity.

"That kid is a fool, but he works very hard. In order to catch up with Sasuke, he works hard every day. His strength has improved a lot compared to half a year ago. Even I will not underestimate him. This Sasuke knows one thing very well."

"To be honest, I taught Naruto a lot of good techniques. But maybe I haven't made up my mind to accept him as my disciple, so the teachings were not in-depth. But that fool still moved forward with his own perseverance and belief, and even completed it. Something that even the fourth generation couldn’t do.”

"You mean!"

Both Tsunade and the Third were shocked, while Jiraiya just nodded slightly.

"Yes, this was originally the result of his hard training for this exam, and it also benefited from Sasuke's training in the first place. The relationship between the two is better than we thought."

Jiraiya's eyes were dark.

"In short, I can be regarded as Naruto's master. But Naruto did not get his power from me. Every bit of it was obtained by his own efforts. In fact, all masters are just Those who point out the direction to disciples, what really matters is their personal efforts. Naruto and Sasuke have done this very well."

"Then as masters, what can we do? Apart from watching silently, we can only believe in them. Believe in their inheritance, believe in their choices, and believe in their possibilities. Even if they are just idiots."

"So, do you believe Naruto?" Tsunade asked softly.

"Of course, I have always believed in him. If anyone can catch up with Sasuke, a genius, only Naruto, a low-level genius, can do it."

Jiraiya finally showed his usual sunny smile, as if the clown's mask was back on his face.

"But what about you, Tsunade? Ever since Sasuke brought you back to the village, have you chosen to trust him?"

In the past six months, Sasuke has been leaving the village.Every time Tsunade felt something change in Sasuke, it was not just growth, but also a change in thinking.Every time Tsunade was anxious, even a little scared, what if Sasuke turned into a cold person?

So he tried his best to educate Sasuke, enlighten him from the side, and even quietly made arrangements that he didn't know about.But, does this mean that you believe Sasuke?Looking at the seemingly cynical Jiraiya in front of her, Tsunade suddenly felt that she was far behind this man.

"Then, how about just trusting him for once? Look at his choices. When it's really irreversible, it's not too late to clean up the family."

Jiraiya patted Tsunade on the shoulder and showed his trademark idiotic smile.

&n

bsp;"But Sasuke is the one who accepted the advice of the Great Toad Sage. I don't think you will have this chance."

Tsunade took a breath, her chest rising and falling.

"Okay, let's let this brat go this time. The current task is to continue to hold the Chunin Exam. The village's strength is not enough, and there is a Raikage with unknown purpose staying here. I, a Konoha man, The pillar of support really cannot leave."

The voice was trembling, and even the body was not calm.Jiraiya clearly understood this from the feel of his hands.

"Don't worry too much, the old man and I will help you. As for Sasuke..."

"As for Sasuke, leave it to me."

Shikamaru, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke, causing everyone to look at him in surprise.However, in view of Shikamaru's superior intelligence, Tsunade and Jiraiya did not ignore his words, but motioned for him to continue.

"If we decide to continue with the Chuunin Exam, there are currently only a few Chuunin who are physically strong and have no missions. And I know Sasuke very well, and he is the most suitable candidate to be the leader of the search team. And I promise to be able to do it without alarming Under the premise of everyone building a team that can target Sasuke."

Shikamaru took over and silently changed the subjugation team Tsunade mentioned earlier to a search team.The nature of the two teams was completely different, but Tsunade didn't react at all.Shikamaru took out a kunai and began to lightly draw a rough map of Konoha's surroundings on the ground.

"Sasuke is capable of the Thunder God Technique, and his chakra capacity is unmatched by others of his age. Logically speaking, if he wanted to leave the village, he would be able to do so without anyone noticing. But Sasuke didn't. By doing this, I think this is a signal he left us."

"Signal?"

also asked.

"Well, that's the signal!" Shikamaru emphasized. "Sasuke told us that he left by...injuring Izumo-senpai and the others."

"Why? Why did Sasuke do this?"

Sandai frowned and took another puff of cigarette.

"Because he's waiting for someone. Waiting for someone to find him."

"Waiting for someone? Who are you waiting for? Naruto?"

"...Possibly, but what is certain is that if Sasuke wants to fight, he will definitely choose a battlefield. And at the border of the Fire Country and the Tian Country, it allows Sasuke to let go of his hands to fight, and it is very friendly to him. There is only one meaningful location.”

As he spoke, Shikamaru drew an X on the sketch he drew, and then circled it heavily.

"The meaningful place... is Danshu Street? No, that kid is not a place that destroys memories. Could it be that it is the Valley of the End?!"

Tsunade looked at the general location Shikamaru had drawn and hesitated to name the location.

"Yes, there is a waterfall in that place, which will help Sasuke's water escape and thunder escape. And the Valley of the End itself is also a place of special significance to the Uchiha clan. If I were Sasuke, I would definitely wait here. It’s alive.”

"Not bad, little brat from the Nara family. This way at least we have a direction we can refer to."

Jiraiya praised Shikamaru.Shikamaru didn't show the troublesome look he had in the past, nor was he embarrassed. Instead, sweat began to form on his forehead and his eyes began to shine.

"I know that guy Sasuke very well. We regarded each other as rivals when we were still in the ninja school. This was much earlier than Naruto. Although I lost the first time and was quickly left behind. Behind. But, maybe it sounds a little arrogant, I think the person Sasuke is waiting for is not Naruto but me."

Shikamaru put his hands together again and lowered them naturally, entering thinking mode.

"Naruto is very hard-working and strong, and I can't compare to him. But Naruto is even more inferior to Sasuke, and the only chance to defeat him and make him wait without risking exposing his whereabouts is my command. If we gather all the strength of this generation, there may still be a glimmer of hope."

"What a challenge. The situation is so bad and this is the first time I have encountered a chess game with so few pieces."

Shikamaru, who had his eyes closed, was analyzing with sweat dripping down his face.Although he looked anxious, he looked very excited.

"However, this challenge that Sasuke-kun poses to all our companions, I, as the brain, must use it. No, it must be used for a long time."

This time, I will definitely win, and I will definitely surprise that guy.