Although he was worried, Kakashi couldn't just stand by and do nothing about Kazahana Koyuki!
Ten years ago, he personally helped Koyuki escape from the Land of Snow. Ten years later, today, he brought her back and helped her reclaim the position of Daimyo!
This was fate!
The next day, following Naruto's advice, Koyuki requested a long-term mission from Konoha to ensure her safety.
After discussion, Kakashi decided to have Sasuke and Sakura stay behind to continue protecting Koyuki.
He and Naruto returned to Konoha to report the new mission in the Land of Snow to the Fifth Hokage!
This time, Koyuki offered a mission reward of 2 million—definitely an S-rank mission!
Naruto had no objections to Kakashi's arrangement.
Although he was already planning to move his future big plans from Konoha to the Land of Snow, Konoha was still useful to him!
At the very least, this time he could return to Konoha and collect the reward for completing his first A-rank mission!
...
"You're saying the actress you escorted ended up becoming the Daimyo of the Land of Snow? And now you're giving us a long-term S-rank mission with a reward of 2 million?"
"That's right, Hokage-sama."
Tsunade tapped her fingers on the table, staring at Kakashi and Uzumaki Naruto in front of her, still a little doubtful.
But when Kakashi put down a 1-million deposit, Tsunade had no choice but to believe it.
"In that case, I'll arrange another team to go to the Land of Snow."
"Hokage-sama, the Daimyo of the Land of Snow specifically requested Naruto to go there!"
"Naruto?"
Tsunade looked at Naruto in surprise, with a teasing tone on her face. "Sending a brat like you on a mission—don't tell me you managed to charm their Daimyo?"
"Slander." Naruto replied calmly.
Tsunade pulled a face of disgust, then said, "Since the client asked for you, then you'll go!"
Kakashi glanced at Tsunade, wanting to say something but holding back. In the end, he said nothing.
However, after Naruto left, Kakashi quietly came back.
"Hokage-sama!"
"If you've got something to say, just say it. I saw you wanted to speak earlier but didn't. Afraid Naruto would hear? Is this about that kid?"
"Yes!"
Kakashi lowered his head. "I'm worried that once Naruto goes to the Land of Snow this time, he won't come back!"
Tsunade's eyes grew serious as she put down the paperwork in her hand and asked, "Why do you think that?"
"First, the Land of Snow is too far from Konoha. Second, the Daimyo of the Land of Snow favors Uzumaki Naruto. Third—just a feeling!" Kakashi said seriously.
"A feeling?"
Tsunade was somewhat concerned about the first two, but a gut feeling?
She couldn't fully agree with that.
"Your worry isn't baseless, but even if Naruto really wants to leave, can you stop him?" Tsunade asked back.
Kakashi shook his head. "I'm no match for him!"
"Sorry to tell you this, Kakashi, but I'm not his match either!" Tsunade picked up the sake flask beside her and took a sip.
"Lady Tsunade, you've already had a lot to drink today!" Shizune frowned and couldn't help but scold her.
"Come on, it won't affect my work, seriously~"
Tsunade casually brushed Shizune off and turned back to Kakashi. "I'm not Naruto's match, and neither are you. So no matter what Naruto is thinking, we'd better not push him to the opposite side of Konoha!"
"Konoha can't afford another Orochimaru!"
When Orochimaru's name was mentioned, Kakashi's face instantly became tense.
He had only worried about Sasuke turning into another Orochimaru, but he never imagined that the boy who once put his heart into every mission could also become a threat!
"Let him go to the Land of Snow. Whatever he's planning, we can't stop him anyway! Instead of trying to hold him back, we should just let him go. At least he's still a Konoha shinobi!" Tsunade said calmly.
"I understand!"
Kakashi nodded, then added, "In that case, I'd like to withdraw from this mission—or rather, I plan to resign as the leader of Team 7!"
"With Naruto's current strength, I'm no longer fit to lead him. And this mission with the two-tails—having Naruto there is more than enough. There's no need for me to tag along."
Tsunade nodded in agreement with Kakashi's request.
With Naruto's power, keeping Kakashi in the team would just be a waste of resources.
"Since you're leaving Team 7, we'll need to reorganize the team… Tell Naruto to come see me tomorrow!"
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
...
Meanwhile,
After leaving the Hokage's office, Naruto suddenly heard AI-chan's voice.
[Ding! Congratulations on completing your first A-rank mission! Reward: Max-level Healing Palm Jutsu! ♫]
[Next mission issued. Keep up the good work!!]
[Advanced Mission: Become a Jonin!]
[Mission Reward: Max-level Armament Haki!]
"Max-level Healing Palm Jutsu!"
Healing Palm Jutsu is a ninjutsu that uses chakra to heal injuries.
The records say it can only heal physical wounds, but back then Sasuke and Kakashi fell into a coma after being hit by Tsukuyomi.
They didn't wake up until Tsunade used Healing Palm Jutsu on them.
This shows that the technique can even heal mental damage to some extent!
"Wonder if it can cure someone who's mentally unstable."
Naruto thought about it as he headed home.
He pushed the door open and immediately frowned.
The house was covered in dust, like no one had lived there for a long time!
He went inside to check and saw the letter and money he left on the table before leaving Konoha were untouched!
She left?
Naruto walked to the laundry area and found Karin's clothes still there, which clearly meant she didn't leave—something happened to her!
Should I care?
Of course I should!
No matter what, Karin is someone under his care now. Taking her away without a word—doesn't that make him, Uzumaki Naruto, look bad?
Observation Haki, full power!
It was like switching to a god's-eye view as he scanned the entire Konoha!
A few minutes later, he sensed Karin's presence not far outside the village!
"Konoha's people took her? Interesting. I want to see who dares to lay hands on my person!"
Naruto's eyes turned cold, and the next second his body turned into light and vanished on the iron ground.
Root.
At this moment, Karin was squeezed into a dim room with a group of complete strangers.
Creak—
A rusty iron door opened, and a boy with blood on his face, his whole body trembling, walked in.
"Another new one…"
Karin muttered softly, then stopped paying attention.
Over the past few months, she had seen too many people walk in like this, then walk out… and never come back again!
This was the place where Konoha's Root trained ninjas, and she had accidentally become one of them!
That day, she left Naruto's house, planning to find a new job to make a living.
But somehow, she was caught by Konoha's Root ninjas and dragged here!
Knowing Konoha's interrogation methods, she confessed everything before the Root ninjas even started the torture.
When they learned that she once belonged to the Uzumaki clan, the leader recruited her and threw her in with a bunch of other unknown genin for brutal training!
If it weren't for the special traits of the Uzumaki clan, she would probably already be dead!
"I wonder what Naruto-kun is doing now… has he ever thought about me?" Karin sighed, looking completely dejected.
She didn't expect Naruto to come save her; after all, they weren't even related.
The only reason she kept thinking about Naruto was because he was the only person who had ever made her feel warmth and kindness in this world!
Other than Naruto, she didn't know who else to think about.
Her mother?
But she had been dead for a long time…
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