Upon hearing this, Naruto immediately pictured Baki's face, which is half-covered by a white cloth.
After the Chunin Exams, Sunagakure retreated.
In this operation, both Konoha and Sunagakure had exposed each other's weaknesses. Coupled with the vacancy of the Kazekage position, an alliance between Konoha and Sunagakure was formed.
The big brother was on the decline, and the former rival was on the verge of collapse. In order to avoid being swallowed by the neighboring mad dogs, the two decided to join forces.
When former enemies shake hands and make peace, they will undoubtedly ignore many trivial grievances. But these trivial grievances, when piled onto ordinary people, became a mountain of grudges.
Just like Yugao in front of him. Her lover had died honorably for the village, which should have been the best end for a Shinobi. Yet in the blink of an eye, the enemy became a partner. This was something she couldn't accept.
The problem was, she understood that it was all for the village's benefit. Precisely because she understood, she suppressed her feelings, and for a long time, she couldn't sleep.
She couldn't swallow this anger, but she couldn't act out either.
Hayate was already a hero, and has received all the honors he deserves. If she caused trouble now, how could Hayate rest peacefully underground?
After struggling for a long time, she grew so haggard that she couldn't even go on missions anymore.
One morning, Yugao caught a glimpse of Kakashi returning to the village after a mission. The guy walked down the crowded streets of Konoha, carrying a bag on his back and reading a book in his hand.
From time to time, his eyes would curve into that knowing, auntie-like smile.
The sunlight fell on the streets of Konoha, and Kakashi walked without distraction. He seemed effortlessly happy, as if he could find joy even alone.
If Yugao hadn't known Kakashi for years, she might've thought he was just naturally content. But in reality, aside from a few friends, he had nothing left.
Parents, comrades… all died before him. Even Kakashi's father committed suicide from the rumor, which is something Kakashi had struggled to come to terms with.
But now, it seemed time had smoothed over many things.
She stared for a while, and by the time she snapped out of it, Kakashi was long gone. It was at that moment that Yugao determined to throw herself into work. As long as she worked fast enough, there'd be no sorrow, only purpose.
As a result, Yugao transformed into an overwork warrior, and her diligent caught the eye of the Godaime Hokage, Tsunade. At that time, Konoha was short-handed and the newly appointed Godaime Hokage had few capable people to rely on.
Tsunade saw great potential a lone wolf like Yugao, who is hardworking and ever-dutiful, and who'd rush out mid-shower without even rinsing off if a mission called for it.
And so, she worked nonstop for six years. By the time the Godaime Hokage stepped down, the Hokage position had been passed to the unlucky Kakashi.
And she also took this opportunity to become the Anbu Commander, so that she now had a seat among Konoha's higher-ups.
But in the end, she realized that even if she sat in that position, she still couldn't let go of the knot in her heart.
Why can Baki from Sunagakure live? Is it just because of his high status?
Killing someone means paying with one's life, which is only natural.
"I want to kill him!" Yugao paused and repeated with a serious expression, "Now, all I think about every day is how to take revenge."
"That's a bit tricky. First, you'd have to sneak into the Land of Wind." Naruto crouched on a stone block, holding a can of beer in his hand, and said with a smile.
"Then, you have to find Baki, kill him, and leave."
"I can't do it." Yugao shook her head slowly. After all this time, most of her anger had faded, leaving only a lingering obsession.
"If you can't, then it's troublesome. You could try putting out a bounty or something." Naruto took a sip of beer, "It's a pity that the Akatsuki is scattered now, otherwise, they might've taken the missions."
He was the one who'd scattered Akatsuki, yet now he mentioned it so casually, as if it had nothing to do with him.
Yugao turned her head and looked at him, but did not say anything. After a long silence, she finally asked, "Are these the only options?"
"What about your own thoughts?" Naruto didn't answer directly but instead turned the question back on her.
"Me?" Yugao was confused, looking at the night in the distance, "I have always wanted to take revenge, but I never really thought about how."
"Sitting in this position is what I wanted, but it's also a shackle. I can't just ignore the village's interests for personal grudges."
"Then just drink." Naruto had no habit of meddling in others' affairs. This was just a casual chat between friends.
"Yeah." Yugao popped open her beer can.
The two beer cans clinked together and they continued to drink. As time passed, there are more and more empty cans on the ground, covering the entire floor.
These were just ordinary beers, which is not enough to get them drunk. Eventually, they stood up and said goodbye without blushing or staggering.
This was just an ordinary chat, nothing else was involved. The friendship between gentlemen is as pure as water, and after a night's sleep, everything would be forgotten.
Yugao wasn't the type to wallow in self-pity, nor will she act on her emotions.
…
The next day.
Naruto washed up and went downstairs. After basking in the sun for a while, he saw a dog barking at him on the side of the road. He narrowed his eyes slightly, walked up and kicked the dog.
The dog immediately yelped and scrambled back.
"Who the hell's bullying my dog?" A man stuck his head out from upstairs and shouted.
"Your father." Naruto looked up, showing his white teeth, and waved with a smile, "What's wrong? Do you have any problem with that? Then come down and say it."
When the villager took one look at the shock of blond hair, he immediately withered. He was no longer as tough as before and just retracted his head silently. After all, this blond is even more aggressive than a dog and it's best not to provoke him.
Naruto laughed heartily before turning and walking away. In Konoha, he could strut as he pleased, and outside as well.
Upstairs, the man retreated into his home.
"What happened just now?" The man's friend asked in the room.
"Don't mention it. I almost offended that evil brat. I was scared to death." The man patted his chest and said in shock.
"So what if you pissed him off? It's not like he'd kill you." The friend said dismissively, "It's not like the Godaime is still in power now, and the Rokudaime won't be too protective of him."
"Shinobi aren't allowed to attack villagers, and even he is no exception."
The man fell silent instantly when faced with his friend's bragging about something that had nothing to do with him. He stared at his friend with a complicated expression.
"Have I ever wronged you? I had nothing to do with that cuckolding incident on your head. I am innocent."
"I know." The friend felt a little depressed and forced an awkward smile.
It had been a while since Naruto last wandered the village aimlessly, so he took his time strolling toward the Hokage Tower. When he saw a group of people lounging in the sun and chatting, he couldn't help but slow down his pace.
The voices of those people also reached his ears, their voices were loud and clear.
"That bitch…"