Naruto: Lost to Hinata on Purpose, and Now Everything's a Mess

After staying in Sunagakure for several days, Naruto's body finally recovered. The strain from using his full Tailed Beast transformation had been too much for him.

At the gates of Sunagakure.

Gaara, Temari, Kankuro, and Baki stood together to see Riku and the others off.

After Naruto exchanged a few words with Gaara, Gaara turned to Riku and said solemnly, "I hope we never become enemies."

Riku gave a faint smile. "I hope so too."

Unlike Naruto, Riku couldn't give a firm answer to something like that.

Gaara understood. He knew Riku and Naruto were very different people—Riku wasn't someone you could get close to so easily.

After the group returned to Konoha, Kakashi was immediately admitted to the hospital. He had used the Mangekyō Sharingan during the battle with Deidara, and by the time they made it back, his body could no longer hold out.

The toll of using the Mangekyō was far too much for him now.

In the Hokage's Office.

After everyone else had left, Riku stayed behind and reported to Tsunade about Orochimaru.

Tsunade frowned. "So you're saying Orochimaru's location has been confirmed, and Scorpion's spy is actually Kabuto Yakushi?"

Riku nodded. "Yeah. But knowing Orochimaru's personality, I think Kabuto probably betrayed Scorpion a long time ago. They haven't had contact in years."

Tsunade furrowed her brow in thought. "For now, don't tell Naruto or Sakura."

But as soon as she finished speaking, Riku leaned back in his chair with a chuckle. "I'm afraid it's already too late."

Sure enough, just as he said that, Naruto and Sakura appeared outside the Hokage office window.

Tsunade paused in surprise, then turned to look. As expected, Naruto and Sakura were both standing outside, peering in.

"What are you two doing here?"

Naruto jumped in through the window and stared directly at her. "Grandma Tsunade! Hurry up and tell me where my master is!"

Sakura followed him inside. She hadn't wanted to go along with this, but Naruto had insisted, so she had no choice but to crouch outside and eavesdrop with him.

But of course, their attempts at stealth were easily noticed by Riku.

He looked at the two of them and said flatly, "Tell me what exactly you plan to do. And with your current strength, are you really sure you can bring Sasuke back?"

"First of all, I won't be going with you."

Sakura had originally been thinking that with Riku on their side, they'd definitely be able to bring Sasuke back—but his words instantly shut her down.

Riku had no intention of getting involved.

His relationship with Sasuke wasn't particularly good, after all.

Honestly, Riku didn't even care whether Sasuke returned or not. If he had, he could've captured him years ago.

But Naruto clenched his fists. "Even if I can't beat him… I need to know how far behind I am. No matter what, I will bring Sasuke back to Konoha."

Riku leaned back in his chair, a calm smile playing on his lips. "You want to bring him back, but have you ever considered if Sasuke even wants to return? Maybe, to him, Orochimaru is home now."

Naruto fell silent. He didn't know how to argue with that.

Sakura turned to Riku. "Do you really think Sasuke likes being with Orochimaru?"

She couldn't figure out what Riku was really thinking.

Tsunade, too, looked at him curiously.

Still leaning back in the chair, Riku said calmly, "Sasuke believes he can gain the power he needs from Orochimaru. Power he doesn't think he can get in Konoha. And don't forget, his entire clan was wiped out by his older brother—Uchiha Itachi. He witnessed it all. That kind of hatred drives him to seek strength for revenge."

"Have any of you ever experienced something like that?"

Riku looked around. Naruto lowered his head. Sakura had no answer.

Riku went on. "I believe Sasuke cares about both of you. If he didn't, he wouldn't have hesitated so much when Orochimaru gave him the Cursed Seal."

"But in the end, between his bond with you two and his revenge… he chose revenge."

"You don't understand that kind of pain. It's Sasuke's burden. But what Naruto said just now has some truth. You can try to find Sasuke—and see for yourselves just how far apart your strengths really are."

"I can say this with confidence: given the difference in talent, Sasuke right now is stronger than both of you combined."

"But once you truly understand the gap between you and Sasuke, only then are you qualified to try and bring him back. After all, why should he listen to you if your strength isn't enough?"

Naruto nodded. "Yeah… I get it."

Sakura nodded too.

Right now, Sasuke's strength was indeed overwhelming. Yamato was an Elite Jōnin of Konoha, and even he was easily defeated by Sasuke. That alone showed just how strong Sasuke had become.

While Sasuke wasn't quite at the Kage-level yet, he was definitely above Elite Jōnin.

Naruto and Sakura, on the other hand, weren't even close. Every time they faced danger, they only survived by sheer bursts of desperation—which didn't count as actual strength.

Whether it was Naruto, Sakura, or even Yamato—they couldn't compare to Sasuke.

But Sasuke also didn't have a clear understanding of his own limits. He liked to punch above his weight. Though he was above Elite Jōnin, he wasn't quite Kage-level, yet he always picked fights with Kage-level enemies and got beaten badly.

Riku had done the same back when he was a Genin—but his strength had already been Kage-level then.

That made all the difference.

Unless you had a carefully laid-out assassination plan, challenging someone above your level in open battle was practically suicide.

Naruto turned to Tsunade. "Grandma Tsunade, let's find out where Sasuke is."

Tsunade had been listening quietly, but now she looked at Riku with slight exasperation. "What do you think?"

Riku gave a light laugh. "Don't ask me. I'm not the Hokage."

Seeing the looks in Naruto and Sakura's eyes, Tsunade sighed. "Alright, I'll approve the mission. But Kakashi's still in the hospital, and it'll take time for him to recover. You'll need a new team leader."

No sooner had she said that than Naruto and Sakura turned toward Riku—after all, he was a Jōnin.

He was more than qualified to lead a mission, and with his abilities, no one would question his leadership.

But Riku waved them off. "I told you—I'm not getting involved in this. Find someone else."

His refusal clearly disappointed Naruto and Sakura.

"But Grandma Tsunade… Kakashi-sensei is still hospitalized. Who else can take us to find Sasuke?"

Tsunade thought for a moment. "I already have someone in mind."

"Alright. I'll send them to meet with you later. You two go back and wait for now."

---------------------

Join my Patreon and get access to 50+ early chapters before anyone else! 🔥

/UK21

Your Support is Truly Appreciated

--------

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!