Sai smiled and shook his head. "Tracking and counter-tracking are my specialties. I understand Sasuke and Itachi better than any of you. Itachi is targeting you, Naruto, so Sasuke must've chosen to remain within the Land of Fire to avoid him. And if Itachi finds out you're searching for him, he definitely won't leave the Land of Fire either since the Uchiha clan has many hideouts here."
"So that means Itachi is very likely staying in the Land of Fire because there are plenty of places for him to hide," Naruto said, suddenly understanding.
"Senior Naruto," Maki asked, "how well do you really know Sasuke? I only know a few things about him from when he was at the Ninja Academy, but now it seems like all those things are ancient history."
Naruto fell silent, as though carefully choosing his words. After a pause, he finally spoke.
"Sasuke carries a lot of hatred inside. After everything that happened with his family, he became the man he is now. I don't blame him. But deep down, he holds darkness—darker than any of us. I believe there's still some good in him, and a chance to save him. That's why I didn't stop Sakura when she went looking for him. But if he continues down this path without changing, he'll end up destroyed..."
Naruto spoke softly, his voice full of anger and helplessness:
"He could destroy this whole world! There was a time I seriously thought about killing him because if Orochimaru ever got his hands on his body, it would mean our end. But now, I feel like I might still have a chance to bring him back and help him change. However, if it truly comes to the point where he's beyond saving, then I'll have no choice but to take his life. His Sharingan is far too dangerous to let run wild."
Maki and Sai both nodded in agreement. There was no doubt that the Sharingan was among the most dangerous Kekkei Genkai in the ninja world. Everyone knew that the Sharingan could transform an ordinary ninja into a formidable warrior.
Ever since Itachi defected, Danzo had repeatedly warned them to stay alert against the Sharingan. Even Root members were trained specifically on how to deal with the Sharingan.
"If that's the case, then I can't really help at all..." Maki muttered. "My strongest skill is genjutsu, but it's completely useless against the Sharingan, especially against Itachi's Tsukuyomi."
"Don't worry," Naruto reassured her. "I'll handle Sasuke and Itachi myself. You two just need to keep their allies occupied." He sighed afterward, adding, "Honestly, I never want to fight either of them, but I can't let you risk your lives either..."
"But what about you?!" Maki worriedly asked.
Naruto chuckled bitterly. "I don't have a solid plan for countering the Sharingan yet, but I know I can defeat both Sasuke and Itachi. I've already beaten Sasuke before, and I'm far stronger now than I was before. Don't worry about me, Maki. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve—I've kept training nonstop."
"Never underestimate the power of the Sharingan, kid," the Nine-Tails suddenly growled within Naruto's mind. "If you go up against Itachi, avoid using my chakra—it makes you more vulnerable to their control. Even I once fell under their cursed gaze… controlled by Madara Uchiha—the founder of that accursed clan!"
The Nine-Tails told Naruto about its history of conflict with Madara Uchiha and how it had been sealed inside Naruto's body.
After hearing the Nine-Tails' story, Naruto fell into deep thought. After a while, he finally spoke up.
"It seems I really am not good at dealing with Genjutsu from the Sharingan, especially without being able to draw on the Nine-Tails' chakra. I can't use the Nine-Tails' chakra, nor can I meet their gaze, or I'll fall into their illusion... Even Sasuke is dangerous like that. Looks like I need to come up with a solid plan, and under no circumstances should I rely on the Nine-Tails' power unless absolutely necessary."
"So what do we do next?" Sai asked. "We can't stay here for long. If we're going after Sasuke, we need to move fast."
"Our plan stays the same, guys," Naruto replied, calming Sai's concerns over the pursuit plan. "We'll stick to our original plan. I just need to figure out a way to counter their Sharingan."
"My Shadow Clones seem to have encountered an intruder," Naruto suddenly said, narrowing his eyes.
Instantly, the three immediately tensed, drawing their blades and bolting outside of the safehouse, ready to face whoever had come.
"Who is it, Captain?" Sai asked, searching the shadows around them for any sign of the intruder.
"Not sure yet. Whoever it is took down one of my Shadow Clones before it could identify them. But they're heading this way."
Naruto raised his blade as he called out:
"Whoever you are, I suggest you leave right now, or else don't blame us for being rude!"
"Naruto-kun, is this how you treat an old friend? I thought we had an understanding."
A familiar voice drifted from the shadows, and soon Kabuto stepped into view in front of the group.
"It's been a while, Naruto-kun."
"Kabuto..." Naruto eyed him warily, not letting his guard down. "I should kill you right here and now to avoid causing more problems down the line instead of chasing you down later. But since you came here, you must have some kind of demand. What do you want?"
Kabuto's lips curled into a strange smile beneath his hoodie.
"I came to help you. I know you're looking for Sasuke Uchiha, and as it happens, I want him gone just as much. He killed Lord Orochimaru—Lord Orochimaru, the only man I ever truly respected..."
"So you want revenge for him?" Naruto interrupted. "But these words of yours aren't enough to make me lower my weapon. Come on, Kabuto, cut the crap and tell me what you really want. What exactly are you after?"
"You'll never defeat Sasuke..." Kabuto whispered with a sneer, his tone filled with contempt. "No matter how strong you get, Sasuke will always be just as powerful as you—if not more. And don't forget about his Sharingan either. You already know you can't beat him. Yet I hear you still plan to go after Itachi. Are you looking to die?"
"That's a question I should be asking you," Naruto stepped forward aggressively. "You know I'm here, yet you still show up. How did you find me? And how did you know we're hunting down Sasuke? Do you really think provoking me is doing you any good? If you came here looking to die, then I won't hesitate to oblige!"
"I'm not here to fight you today, Naruto-kun..." Kabuto said, slowly approaching Naruto. "I'm here to give you a gift—one just like Orochimaru-dono once gave Danzō."
"What are you talking about?" Naruto asked warily.
"Don't act clueless..." Kabuto sneered. "Danzō, that sly old fox, thrives on deals like these. He must've made countless secret transactions behind people's backs—and Orochimaru-dono was one of them. It was he who sent you to infiltrate Orochimaru's base to steal intelligence. Of course, you eventually escaped and destroyed years of Orochimaru-dono's painstaking research achievements. Am I right?"
"What's your point?" Naruto coldly demanded. "Are you trying to make a deal with me? Do you really think you have anything valuable enough to make me spare your life? Let me make this clear—you're beyond mercy!"
Kabuto replied with a calm, knowing smile:
"I know exactly what you're thinking—and what you want. I can tell you everything about Akatsuki, and reveal the current state of Otogakure following Orochimaru-dono's death. All I'm asking in return is a small favor—eliminate the traitors who betrayed Orochimaru-dono. I have no intention of ever returning there. The only reason I came to you is to deliver something—a gift from Orochimaru-dono himself, and the very reason he sent you to infiltrate his base in the first place." As he spoke, Kabuto pulled out a sealed glass jar from beneath his hooded cloak.
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