Naruto :Madam, You Don’t Want Anything To Happen To Sasuke, Right?

Chapter 141: Chapter 141 : Negotiation! Meeting an Old Acquaintance!



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Kakashi's expression turned contemplative.

He didn't fully believe everything Uchiha Haru had said—but it reminded him of something that had haunted him for years: the disgraceful death of his father, Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of Konoha. Was it truly wrong to abandon a mission to save your comrades?

Why had Konoha's upper echelons, even the very teammates his father had saved, turned around to condemn him?

In the end, Konoha's hero, the famed White Fang, had been driven to suicide by his own village.

Kakashi had never fully come to terms with that.

And now, another question gnawed at the edge of his mind:

Where had the Third Hokage been during all of this?

Back then, as the acting Hokage, he had the power to intervene—just one word could have changed the entire outcome.

But instead…

The Third Hokage had remained silent. Passive. Watching as Sakumo Hatake was vilified and left to die alone.

Until now, Kakashi had never questioned Hiruzen Sarutobi's actions. The Third Hokage had been revered throughout Konoha, shouldering the will of the First and Second Hokage and leading the village to its prime.

He had mentored the Legendary Sannin and governed with diligence, order, and patience. The villagers and shinobi alike respected him deeply.

Someone like that was above suspicion—at least, Kakashi used to believe so.

Until he heard Uchiha Haru's version of what really happened on the night of the Uchiha Clan massacre.

And Tsunade's cryptic warning before she left: "Be careful."

Be careful… of who?

The Third Hokage?

Kakashi was certain now—Tsunade knew something. She had kept it from them, but the way she spoke, it had to be connected to the Third Hokage.

Maybe Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't as noble as he seemed…

"You… you guys…"

Asuma stared at Yuhi Kurenai and Kakashi in disbelief.

No response.

Their silence… was that an admission?

He repeated, "You're seriously doubting the Hokage too?"

"No."

Kakashi shook his head, though his convictions had clearly shifted.

"As Konoha shinobi, how could we possibly doubt our Hokage?"

"You're overthinking it, Asuma."

Yuhi Kurenai nodded, her tone deliberately vague.

Though she and Asuma shared a close relationship, the fact remained—Hiruzen Sarutobi was Asuma's father.

Voicing her doubts would be foolish.

Asuma seemed to relax a bit. "That's good."

"Look, the Third Hokage would never do the kind of thing Haru suggested."

"I swear it!"

Kakashi and Kurenai both nodded.

There was no point in arguing with Asuma here.

"Yes, Asuma, you're right," Kakashi said carefully. "But just because we don't believe this kind of talk doesn't mean others won't."

"To prevent rumors from spreading and confusing the uninformed—or damaging the Third Hokage's reputation…"

"It's best we don't speak of this again. Not a word to anyone."

"Especially not in front of the Third Hokage. Got it?"

"Got it."

Asuma slapped his chest. "Don't worry, I won't tell a soul—especially not the Third."

"He's given everything for Konoha, working himself to the bone for decades. If he found out people were slandering him like this… I can't even imagine how angry he'd be. I swear, I won't say a word."

"Good. Just keep it that way."

Kakashi patted him on the shoulder.

If Uchiha Haru's version of events was true, then the Third Hokage must remain unaware that they knew.

After all, Asuma, as his son, would likely be safe.

But Kakashi and Kurenai?

Not so much.

That's why Kakashi came up with this excuse—to stabilize Asuma and protect themselves.

Kurenai gave Kakashi a nod. Clearly, she'd been thinking the same thing. She'd been trying to figure out how to contain the fallout—but now, it seemed they were on the same page.

With that, the three reached a silent understanding. They prepared to head out—first to regroup with Might Guy and the others, then back to Konoha.

The mission had failed. They needed to report the news to the Hokage as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Haru, Tsunade, and Chief Kaguya of the Kaguya Clan were already on their way back to the Hidden Mist Village.

They could have returned faster—say, by using the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Mei Terumi, the Fifth Mizukage, carried a marked kunai from Haru. He could teleport back in an instant if he wanted to.

But there was no rush.

Haru had been stationed in the Hidden Mist for quite some time—and frankly, he was bored.

Why hurry back?

Whether he was here or there, he was still a hands-off leader. His responsibilities didn't change.

There was no real difference.

Tsunade didn't seem in any particular rush either.

She knew that once she returned to the Hidden Mist, she'd be saddled with work.

How could she possibly enjoy this level of freedom and leisure once that happened?

Better to squeeze in a little gambling while she still could.

As for money?

Naturally, that was Chief Kaguya's problem.

After all, he was the one who'd asked for their help.

At first, Chief Kaguya didn't think it was a big deal. It was just a bit of money, so he didn't take it too seriously.

But soon, he couldn't hold it in any longer.

Damn it, that woman Tsunade is a complete money sink.

Other gamblers at least win every now and then, even if it's only half the time.

But Tsunade? She never wins. Not once.

Watching Tsunade gamble feels like watching her hand out free money to the casino.

Still, as the leader of the Kaguya Clan, he couldn't say anything outright. He just kept it bottled up inside—and it was eating him alive.

And so, they kept losing money… and continued their journey forward.

Uchiha Haru and his group pressed onward, cheerfully heading in the direction of the Hidden Mist Village.

At the same time, a significant figure arrived at Konoha.

"Jiraiya, I feel so much more at ease now that you've returned."

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, smiled warmly as he looked at the middle-aged shinobi standing before him.

He had long silver hair, a flowing red cloak, two distinct red markings beneath his eyes, and a forehead protector emblazoned with the kanji for "oil."

This was Jiraiya, one of Konoha's Legendary Sannin.

Previously, the Third Hokage had dispatched both Asuma's and Kakashi's teams to search for Tsunade, and had also sent another to find Jiraiya.

Since the Uchiha Clan's departure from Konoha, the village had grown significantly weaker. It was time to call in every reliable powerhouse they had.

If both Jiraiya and Tsunade could return, Konoha would gain two Kage-level shinobi—an immense boost to their forces.

Jiraiya bowed slightly in greeting. "Sensei, you always told us: 'Where the leaves dance, the fire will continue to burn.'"

"Konoha needs us now more than ever. I'll do everything I can to help our village pull through these hard times."

"Mmm." Hiruzen nodded, a pleased smile on his lips. "Good, good."

"So many years have passed…"

"The young, mischievous Jiraiya I once knew has grown into a towering tree—capable of shielding Konoha from wind and rain."

Jiraiya chuckled. The master and student, long separated by time and distance, shared a rare and warm reunion.

After a few moments of reminiscing, Jiraiya's tone shifted.

"Sensei, where's Tsunade? Has she returned yet?"

"She should be here soon," Hiruzen replied, his expression thoughtful.

He had already passed Tsunade's location to his son, Asuma. Logically, Tsunade should've arrived before Jiraiya did.

So why wasn't she here yet?

Could something have happened along the way?

As Hiruzen was lost in thought, a ninja rushed in from outside to deliver a report.

"Hokage-sama! Teams Asuma and Kakashi have returned!"

"See? Just as I said!"

Hiruzen laughed heartily, exchanging a glance with Jiraiya.

"Let them in," the Third ordered.

Jiraiya took the opportunity to smooth out his clothing and straighten his hair.

It had been so many years… how had Tsunade changed?

"Lord Hokage!"

"Master Jiraiya!"

The door opened and five figures stepped inside. Besides Jiraiya, who was still recovering from the aftereffects of using the Eight Gates Technique, the others—members of Asuma's and Kakashi's squads—lined up to report.

Hiruzen gave a calm nod. "Good work."

But in the next second, his expression tightened. Something was off.

There was no sign of Tsunade among them.

"Asuma, where is Tsunade?"

Asuma hesitated.

"This… Hokage-sama…"

"We failed the mission."

"…What?" Hiruzen's brows furrowed deeply. "What happened?"

Asuma had been given direct intelligence on Tsunade's whereabouts—it should've been a straightforward task. How could they have failed?

Was the intel bad?

Jiraiya's expression dimmed slightly. He had looked forward to this reunion for years… and now she was nowhere to be found.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Was there an ambush along the way?"

Asuma and Kakashi exchanged a glance. Both hesitated.

The next revelation involved Uchiha Haru. They couldn't speak lightly of it.

Hiruzen noticed their discomfort and frowned harder.

"Don't be afraid to speak. What happened?"

"Did you at least find Tsunade?"

"Yes," Asuma answered. "We found her. But…"

"But what?" Hiruzen demanded.

Asuma's voice dropped an octave. "We encountered someone on the way."

"Who?"

Asuma took a breath.

"Uchiha Haru."

A heavy silence followed.

The moment the name was spoken, Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes hardened.

His thoughts immediately flew back to the young Uchiha who had destroyed the clan's planned culling—and foiled his delicate political scheme in the process.

Jiraiya's gaze sharpened. "That's the boy who led the Uchiha clan's exodus from Konoha, right?"

Even while wandering the world, Jiraiya had remained informed about the major happenings in the shinobi world. He was very familiar with the name Uchiha Haru.

"Yes. That's him," Asuma confirmed.

Bang!

Hiruzen slammed his palm against the table, his expression dark with fury.

"That brat! Uchiha Haru has gone too far! He dares to steal Tsunade—one of the Legendary Sannin—from right under our noses!"

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