Chapter 89: The Anomaly of Uchiha Sasuke
As one of the top-tier, massive Ninja Villages in the Ninja World, Konoha's war potential is evident to all.
Although it is currently severely lacking in top-tier combat power, the number of mid-level and Joninis vast, and it also crushes other factions in terms of resource abundance.
The trench carved out by a single slash from Naruto's Perfect Susanoo has long since been filled, and the damaged residential houses and main traffic routes have been repaired within a mere four or five days; the smell of paint around the houses is still very fresh.
Looking at all this before him, besides marveling at the profound foundation of Konoha, Narutobecame even more determined in his desire to possess this force.
Who could refuse to have a territory with such potential working under them and doing their bidding?
No one! Even if there were, it definitely wouldn't include the current Naruto.
However, while the idea is good, the complications and the time span involved are quite hard to accept, and Naruto cannot guarantee that he won't be exposed before then.
"Let's take it one step at a time..." Naruto didn't seem very optimistic about his various plans for the future right now. "I still haven't found the reason for the changes in my body, and I feel like I'm becoming less and less like myself."
Since noticing the anomaly until now, Naruto has been constantly denying himself, constantly overturning the various plans he had made in the past, and this is an irresistible force, as if it is starting from his subconscious, wanting to completely reshape Naruto's personality.
This has led to the situation where, even though Naruto clearly knows that something has gone wrong in his body, he has no way to start addressing it, and sometimes he even subconsciously accepts the influence, doing things he previously always rejected.
"Morning! Uncle Teuchi!" For example, right now, Naruto is greeting the owner of the Ichiraku Ramen Shop who has just opened for business.
In the past, whenever Naruto saw someone he knew, he would of course greet them warmly just like this, and when they were in trouble, he would even pretend to help out, but today...
There was less fakeness and more sincerity in Naruto's smile.
"I feel like you're a bit different today, Naruto!" the owner of the Ichiraku Ramen Shop replied, "You look even more cheerful than before. Did something good happen?"
"Yeah!" Naruto pointed to the now bustling Konohabehind him, "That huge disaster is finally over!"
"It's all thanks to you Ninjas!"
"No way... I'm only a Genin right now!"
Naruto was secretly shocked by his own changes; the unknown influence had now become strong enough to reach this point!
After hurriedly ending the conversation with the Ichiraku Ramen Shop owner, Naruto looked up at the rising sun, and after estimating the time, he suddenly realized that if he didn't hurry, he might be late!
Konoha Training Ground.
Uchiha Sasuke frowned as he looked at Naruto, feeling that Naruto was different today, or rather, ever since Hinata was kidnapped and went missing, Naruto had started to undergo different changes.
He looks more cheerful, but his smile is also sillier...
Actually, calling it silly is a bit of an exaggeration; if it were changed to honest/simple-minded, it would be more fitting.
"You're one minute late!"
"Relax, relax, it's just a small thing. Our team leader hasn't arrived yet, anyway."
Naruto came to Uchiha Sasuke's side and wanted to pat him on the shoulder, but to his surprise, Uchiha Sasuke dodged to the side, which made Naruto full of suspicion.
Although Uchiha Sasuke had always been very resistant to having too much contact with Naruto, the intimate gestures between men like patting shoulders and punching chests had long since become a habit. Why today...
Yes, Uchiha Sasuke had also discovered the sudden changes in himself.
His Heart-Nature, which had been polished by Naruto to a certain extent, suddenly rebounded, making Uchiha Sasuke more extreme, while at the same time, the traits of arrogance and conceit surfaced again, and became uncontrollable.
Uchiha Sasuke wants to turn things around!
Ever since the night of the clan's annihilation, although Uchiha Sasuke wouldn't admit it with his mouth, he had already acknowledged Naruto as his "older brother" in his heart. But for some reason, he had recently started to feel disgust towards Naruto!
But this disgust wasn't purely that; it seemed to be to cover up his true feelings for Naruto in his heart. Within the limited disgust, there was more care, doting, as well as a refusal to admit defeat and a lack of acknowledgment!
Now, whenever Uchiha Sasuke sees Naruto's smile, he has an urge to punch him twice...
The two, each harboring their own thoughts, suddenly fell into an awkward silence at this moment. Uchiha Sasuke kept a cold face and didn't speak, while Naruto smiled awkwardly, not knowing where to restart the conversation.
This scene made Sakura Haruno, who was on the side, feel curious.
"Naruto, Sasuke, did you two have a conflict?" Sakura Haruno walked up to the two, though she was closer to Sasuke than to Naruto. "Usually, when you are in the classroom, you are much more rowdy than now."
Sakura Haruno was telling the truth. In her impression, Naruto had always been a sunny, enthusiastic, and outstanding big boy. If one were to set aside his occasional sharp-tongued remarks and the whiskers on his face, Naruto would definitely be a heartthrob who surpassed Uchiha Sasuke.
But today...
The talkative Naruto, who would occasionally make a sharp-tongued remark, had a tendency to go silent.
"Is it because Hinata is missing?" Sakura Harunoquickly found what she thought was the right reason, "After all, the relationship between Narutoand Hinata... has long since not been a secret."
"Naruto, I believe Hinata will return safely..."
Listening to Sakura Haruno's words, Narutoappropriately revealed a sorrowful expression; he could only use this matter to cover up the current changes in his body and mind.
But looking at Uchiha Sasuke, who was standing right next to him, Naruto was a bit worried again; Uchiha Sasuke seemed to have encountered the same situation as him.
And whether there was some connection in this made Naruto's imagination run wild, thinking of a faint possibility.
Hyuga Clan compound, inside the residence of Hyuga Hiashi.
"Are there still no clues?"
"Clan Chief, we have searched the entire Konoha, and the members of the branch family have also gone outside the Village to search everywhere, but... there is still no news!"
"Then is there any feedback from Hokage-sama?"
Listening to Hyuga Hiashi's question, the Hyuga Clan Ninja who came to report the situation first shook his head in distress, and then revealed a look of hesitation, his heart struggling violently.
"If there's something, just say it directly. I'm not as fragile as you think!"
"Danzo Shimura once found me. He told me that he knows the clues about the mysterious person who attacked and kidnapped Young Miss Hinata, but..."
"What is the request? Just say it directly!"
"Danzo Shimura once stated bluntly that when the next Hokage is selected, our Hyuga Clan must support him, and only then will he inform us of the information regarding that mysterious person."
Hyuga Hiashi waved his hand powerlessly, signaling for this Hyuga Ninja to retreat, while he supported his forehead with one hand and fell into deep thought.
On one side is his beloved daughter, and on the other is the Konoha that the Hyuga Clan relies on for survival. How to choose between these two has indeed become a difficult problem.
But...
Hyuga Hiashi closed his eyes in pain; it seemed that he had already made a decision in his heart.