Naruto: Troublesome Ninja Haruta

Chapter 18: Director, She's Not in Konoha...

The moonlight shimmered amidst the whistling sandstorm.

In the vast, boundless desert, a small Sunagakure squad moved silently under the cover of night toward the ruins of a desolate village.

"Damn, this place is really barren."

Despite maintaining strict vigilance, one of the Sunagakure patrollers couldn't help but complain in a hushed voice.

"Enough with the chatter. Focus on the mission," the squad leader snapped.

"Besides, we're searching for Lady Pakura. Do you have any idea how much she's done for us?"

"Got it, Captain. I know, it's just..."

The Sunagakure ninja didn't dare contradict his superior, but his gaze instinctively drifted to the bespectacled boy in their group.

The boy looked to be only eleven or twelve, thin and frail, with a scholarly demeanor—his appearance irked the complaining ninja.

"But why are we listening to this kid and running all the way out here? This is ridiculous."

"Apologies," the boy said, scratching the back of his head with an embarrassed smile. "I just had a hunch that this place was worth checking out, so I suggested it."

"And if we do find a trace of Lady Pakura, won't that look great on our records...?"

"Enough, all of you, shut up."

The captain shook his head and shot a glance at the bespectacled boy before continuing.

"This place may be remote, but it's an ideal hiding spot. All we need to do is find clues—after that, we leave the rest to the Anbu. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!"

The squad members responded in unison. But just as their voices fell, the ground beneath them suddenly churned!

The desert sand turned into quicksand in an instant. Several Sunagakure ninja were swallowed before they could even react.

"Shit—ambush!"

The captain immediately drew his sword, but at that moment, an overwhelming sense of danger surged through him. A chilling aura prickled at his skin.

In a flash, he tried to form hand seals—

But a cold glint flashed before his eyes.

In the next moment, a sharp, icy sensation ran across his neck.

"So fast..."

That was his final thought before darkness consumed him.

As his consciousness faded, he caught sight of jagged spikes erupting from the ground—his squad members, except for the bespectacled boy, were impaled.

"You're going by 'Shuichi' now, huh, Kabuto?"

From the shadows, Haruta stepped forward, glancing at the corpses on the ground before smirking at the lone survivor.

"So if I kill you now, can I just write it off as an accident?"

"Come on, Haruta, don't joke like that..."

Kabuto pursed his lips and let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head helplessly.

His childhood friend really hadn't changed at all.

Back in their training days, Haruta had always gone all-out on him.

There were times when Kabuto seriously wondered if he'd end up beaten to death in the training grounds.

Of course, he hadn't just been a punching bag—he had defended himself. But Haruta's growth had been... alarmingly fast.

And now, he seemed even stronger. Taking out this many people in just a blink of an eye?

Still, Kabuto had endured years of infiltration and training. He quickly calmed himself.

"...Why are you in Sunagakure?" Kabuto started but quickly waved it off. "Forget it, I shouldn't ask. You must have your own mission. What do you need from me?"

"Actually, I was hoping you could help me with something," Haruta replied casually, deactivating his cursed seal. His years in Root had ingrained in him the habit of eliminating enemies as efficiently as possible.

"And I assume you won't refuse me, right?"

Kabuto fell silent.

For a moment, he considered pointing out that what Haruta had just done was highly against protocol.

But then he glanced at the bodies around him, recalled his time in Root, adjusted his glasses, and sighed.

"Fine. Tell me what you need. I can't make any guarantees, but I'll do my best."

"I need you to investigate something."

Haruta nodded and got straight to the point.

"Specifically, Sunagakure's internal policies—especially regarding Pakura."

"Pakura...?"

Kabuto's expression shifted immediately. His face went pale upon hearing that name.

"Damn it—did you guys kill her?"

"We just captured her. She's not dead."

Haruta spread his hands in a relaxed gesture and explained.

"We plan to interrogate her for useful intel. But honestly, I suspect Sunagakure wants to get rid of her, so I need more information."

With that, he laid out his previous "speculations" in full detail.

Kabuto listened intently.

By the time Haruta finished, Kabuto's expression had grown grim.

If all of this was true... then this was a massive piece of intelligence.

But what shocked him even more was that Haruta had pieced it all together on his own.

Just how much had this guy grown?

"...I need to think this over."

Kabuto was well aware of the weight of this matter.

And then, a realization struck him—if he pulled this off, he might finally earn a reward.

Maybe... he could go back to Konoha.

Maybe... he could see her again.

But his current cover as a genin meant this was an almost impossible task.

"Damn it... my disguise is only as a genin..."

"A genin? That's going to be tough," Haruta muttered, furrowing his brow. After a brief pause, he lowered his voice.

"If I create a major distraction, will that give you an opening?"

"Only if the Kazekage leaves his office. But that's... unlikely."

Kabuto answered instinctively, then shook his head.

"...Let me think about it. You shouldn't act recklessly or expose yourself. Sunagakure's Anbu is already moving—you guys aren't exactly in a safe position either."

He sighed, then his gaze became resolute.

"Also—I don't just want to help. I want to be involved."

"This might be my chance. A real chance.

A chance to return to Konoha and see the Director again.

Not just through the second-hand updates you send me—but in person."

Kabuto suddenly bowed deeply toward Haruta.

A direct plea.

It was an action strictly against Root's conditioning.

But for this, for her—he was willing to risk everything.

Haruta watched in silence.

An idea flashed through his mind.

This... might be his opportunity, too.

At this point, Kabuto still had faith in Danzo—or at least in Konoha's leadership.

That faith would be shattered later.

But what if he was the one to break Kabuto's illusions first?

Looking at Kabuto, Haruta reached out and placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

Then, in a low voice, he said—

"There's something you need to know.

The Director... she left Konoha a long time ago."

"...Huh?"

Kabuto froze.

The next moment, his expression changed dramatically.

"You... What are you saying?"

"I'm not in Root anymore. I'm with Anbu now."

Haruta shook his head and spoke calmly.

"I still have restrictions—I wasn't allowed back at the orphanage.

But I had some freedom. Enough to look into things.

And what I found was—she's not there.

The updates I've been sending you? They were probably fake."

"That... That's impossible..."

Kabuto's mind went blank.

He had never imagined he would hear something like this.

The Director was gone.

The information he had received might have been fabricated.

Then... where was she?

And what the hell had happened?

"Do you remember why Danzo came to the orphanage?"

Haruta pressed on, his voice low.

Kabuto's face darkened as realization struck.

"You mean... the Director, she—"

"There's a good chance," Haruta sighed, feigning helplessness.

"She was too kind.

She probably tried to trade herself for our freedom.

But... things didn't go as she hoped. And Danzo..."

He trailed off, watching as Kabuto stood there, stunned.

Then he clapped a hand on his shoulder.

"Of course, this is just my speculation.

But we both came from the orphanage.

You deserve to know the truth.

And like you said—if this mission succeeds, you might just make it back.

Then you can find out for yourself, can't you?"

***

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