Chapter 243: Ch-243 You Have To Hunt Him Down.

A few days later, news of what had happened at the Five Kage Summit reached Inoiki and Naruto. They learned just how daringly Obito had challenged everyone, declaring the Fourth Shinobi War against all the major villages—or, to be precise, against the entire world.

After all, the fate of the whole world would be decided in this battle.

When Naruto heard the news, anger flared across his face, his fists tightening at his sides. "What’s this guy’s problem?" he snapped. "Can’t he live in peace and let others live in peace? He’s just creating trouble for everyone."

Why does it always have to come to this...?

Inoiki glanced toward Naruto, his expression far calmer, though his eyes held a sharp glint of focus. "Well," he said evenly, "from my point of view, this might actually be a good thing."

Naruto frowned slightly, turning to look at him.

Inoiki continued, his tone steady, almost analytical. "If this war happens, then everything will be settled once and for all—and for good." He paused briefly, as if weighing the situation again in his mind. "Until now, even after the joint efforts of the five major villages, we still haven’t been able to locate their hideout. Akatsuki has remained hidden all this time."

A faint breeze stirred the air between them, carrying a quiet tension.

"After the Five Kage Summit," Inoiki went on, "the smaller countries and minor ninja villages will definitely try to track down Obito and Akatsuki’s base." He shook his head slightly. "But I doubt they’ll succeed. If even the Five Great Nations couldn’t find it, others stand even less of a chance."

His gaze hardened just a little.

"So," he concluded, "it would be best if he comes to us instead... so we can deal with him directly."

Inoiki continued, looking toward Naruto, his voice calm yet firm. "What we need to do right now is train harder. Keep doing what we’re already doing... and push even further. We have to prepare ourselves for the battle that’s coming."

Naruto held his gaze for a moment before nodding, his expression turning resolute. "Yeah... you’re right."

No matter what happens... I’ll be ready.

And just like that, both Naruto and Inoiki once again submerged themselves in their individual, relentless training. Days blurred together as they pushed their limits again and again. Every day, they would spar against each other—testing their strength, measuring their growth, seeing just how much stronger they had become with each passing moment.

Each clash echoed across their training area—sharp impacts, bursts of chakra, and fleeting movements that stirred the air itself.

Around two days after they received the news, Might Guy arrived at Genbu Island with his team. They had been sent under Tsunade’s orders—to ensure Naruto’s safety and prevent any kind of mishap from reaching him.

Accompanying them was Darui, who had also been dispatched by the Raikage for the same purpose.

As Team Guy, guided by Darui, reached the area where Naruto and Inoiki were training, they slowed to a stop—taking in the scene before them.

On one side, Inoiki sat cross-legged, completely still, suspended in mid-air. His eyes were closed, his breathing steady and controlled. Around him, five swords floated effortlessly, orbiting his body in a slow, precise pattern, as if bound by an invisible force. The faint hum of energy around them gave the air a subtle vibration.

His control... it’s gotten even sharper, one might think just by looking.

On the other side, Naruto stood enveloped in his golden chakra cloak—the Kurama Chakra Mode radiating around him like flickering flames. His expression was intense, fully focused.

Multiple chakra arms extended from his body, each moving independently. Within those glowing hands, he was attempting something complex—condensing massive amounts of chakra, shaping it, stabilizing it.

He was trying to create the Tailed Beast Bomb.

The air around him distorted slightly with the sheer density of chakra being gathered. Small pulses of energy flickered, unstable but growing more controlled with each attempt.

After all, the fundamental principle behind the Rasengan and the Tailed Beast Bomb was similar—chakra compression and rotation. With enough experimentation, refinement, and sheer persistence, Naruto would soon be able to form a Tailed Beast Bomb on his own.

And judging by the intensity in his eyes... that moment wasn’t far away.

As soon as all of them arrived—Team Guy, guided by Darui—both Naruto and Inoiki turned their attention toward them.

Inoiki slowly descended from mid-air, his body lowering with controlled ease until his feet touched the ground without a sound. The five swords that had been orbiting him stilled for a brief moment before settling behind him. At the same time, Naruto let the golden glow around him fade, stepping out of his Kurama Chakra Mode as the flickering chakra cloak dissolved into the air.

For a brief second, silence lingered.

Neji’s eyes widened slightly.

He could feel it—the sheer volume of chakra within Naruto. It was overwhelming... vast, like a roaring ocean contained within a single body. This level of chakra... it’s on an entirely different scale.

And then there was Inoiki.

While his chakra wasn’t as immense as Naruto’s, the precision he had displayed moments ago—the way he floated, the way those swords moved in perfect synchronization—made one thing clear. His control over his psychokinesis had reached an even more refined level.

He’s improved... a lot, Neji noted internally.

Naruto broke the moment, a bright smile forming on his face as he looked at them. "Guys, you all are here? Well, what a surprise."

Might Guy stepped forward, his posture as energetic as ever, though there was a clear seriousness beneath it. "We were sent here by Lady Hokage to protect you, Naruto."

As soon as Inoiki heard that, a soft chuckle escaped him. He folded his arms casually, a faint smirk appearing on his lips. "I doubt you all will have to do anything to protect Naruto," he said. "Right now, he can barely even find good opponents. So you don’t have to worry about his safety."

Naruto grinned wider at that, clearly agreeing. He’s not wrong.

The confidence in his stance spoke for itself—he no longer saw himself as someone who needed protection.

Neji stepped forward slightly, his expression calm but firm. "We understand what you’re saying," he replied, glancing briefly at Naruto before continuing, "and after seeing him now, I can say the same. But orders are orders."

A light breeze passed through the area, carrying a quiet sense of camaraderie.

Naruto scratched the back of his head and laughed softly. "Well, it’s actually good that you all are here," he said. "Not only can I train with you guys, but we can also spend time together."

There was a warmth in his voice—something simple, yet genuine—as he looked at his friends, the tension of the outside world momentarily forgotten.

As soon as Lee heard this, his eyes lit up, and he stepped forward with blazing enthusiasm. "Yes! We all can train together and feel the power of youth!" he declared, clenching his fists tightly. "We will all become stronger than we are today!"

His voice rang with pure passion, echoing across the training ground.

Guy, looking toward Lee, was visibly moved. His expression softened, his voice turning heavy with emotion. "Lee... you are my best student. The true prodigy of hard work."

The next moment, both of them rushed toward each other and embraced tightly.

Tears streamed down their faces.

"Gai-sensei!"

"Lee!"

Their voices trembled as they cried openly, completely immersed in their bond, as if the world around them had ceased to exist.

Neji and Tenten exchanged a glance before both of them sighed, shaking their heads. Tenten rubbed her forehead lightly, while Neji closed his eyes for a brief moment, as if distancing himself from the scene. It was as though they didn’t even know these two.

Naruto and Inoiki, on the other hand, couldn’t help but smile.

For the past few days, the two of them had been in this isolated place, focused solely on training, on growing stronger, on preparing for what was to come. This sudden shift—the noise, the energy, the presence of familiar faces—felt refreshing.

A nice change of pace...

While Guy and Lee continued their emotional reunion, Neji’s expression gradually turned serious. The shift was subtle but noticeable. He turned toward Naruto and Inoiki, his gaze steady.

"Well," Neji began, his tone calm yet heavy, "Sasuke has killed Shimura Danzo."

The words alone were enough to make the air feel colder.

"Although he took his revenge for the Uchiha clan by killing Danzo... it seems his anger still isn’t satisfied." Neji paused briefly, as if choosing his words carefully. "Now, he intends to direct that anger toward Konoha."

The faint sound of the wind passing through the trees filled the silence between his words.

"Lady Hokage has grown tired of this situation," he continued. "She has officially declared Sasuke a missing-nin of Konoha."

Naruto’s smile faded slightly.

Neji’s gaze remained firm. "She has also stated that once the Fourth Shinobi War is over, either you, Inoiki... or you, Naruto... will have to go and capture him."

A brief pause.

"Because Sasuke has clearly begun crossing lines. And if this continues, Konoha’s diplomatic relations with the other major villages could collapse entirely." His tone hardened just a little. "At this point... he is becoming a nuisance."

As Neji finished speaking, silence spread across the group.

Even Guy and Lee, who had been immersed in their emotional moment, slowly pulled away from each other. Their expressions shifted as they stood straight, the weight of Neji’s words settling in.

The atmosphere grew heavy—thick with tension, unspoken thoughts, and the shadow of what was yet to come.