Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 207 "Busy"

"Doesn't Konoha have a holiday for the New Year?" Sasuke suddenly asked this question, leaving Kabuto Yakushi, who was walking beside him, completely bewildered.

“Generally, missions will gradually stop being issued a week before the New Year. Ninjas without special missions will spend the New Year in the village.” Kabuto answered seriously, but the answer clearly did not satisfy this difficult old man. Sasuke’s lips curled down two pixels, and he quickened his pace.

What's this old man angry about now?

Kabuto, exceptionally adept at reading people's minds, quickly thought of someone—the only one in Konoha who could make Sasuke so anxious. Theoretically speaking, Naruto's existence was a major threat. Any ninja who could use the Flying Thunder God Technique was a formidable opponent; the Second and Fourth Hokage were both powerful figures who struck fear into the hearts of their enemies on the battlefield, and Naruto was clearly developing in that direction. Orochimaru's doting on Sasuke bordered on spoiling him; he had absolute confidence that the boy wouldn't run away, making even an observer like himself anxious. Sasuke might not run away, but his Naruto could use the Flying Thunder God Technique! What if he returned one day with the Flying Thunder God mark? Wouldn't they be able to raid the base whenever they wanted? Moreover, all indications suggested that the two boys definitely had a channel of communication; their contact had never been broken.

Sigh, I really don't understand young people these days.

Kabuto, extremely skilled at intelligence gathering, was focusing on information about several individuals, including Naruto. Danzo was still cooperating with them; getting intelligence from him would be a piece of cake.

"I remember Naruto became a Jonin in October and was appointed to the Mission Assignment Department in mid-December. We have to do summary reports at the end of each year and the beginning of the next year, so he was probably too busy."

Sasuke slowed his pace a little; he still looked very unhappy, but at least he had calmed down a bit.

"Ha, Konoha really has no one to use." Sasuke said this and slammed his door shut.

Kabuto shook his head speechlessly, sighing that only Naruto could put up with his temper, and then turned to do his own thing.

The room still contained the most basic furniture; it didn't even look like someone's bedroom. There were no decorative items that indicated personal status, only one or two clan crests signifying the owner's identity. He wasn't like this before. His small apartment in Konoha was meticulously organized, filled with calligraphy, paintings, plants, and ninja tool-style ornaments—even the neighboring apartment had quite a few. Naruto didn't like keeping plants; that guy could remember three meals a day, but he couldn't remember to water his potted plants, often killing them, so he simply stopped keeping them. After all this time, his plants were probably doomed. He quite liked that spider plant he'd had for several years. Oh well, he'd just plant another one when he got back.

The skilled hand seal was completed in less than a second. As soon as Kosuke saw his appearance clearly from under the smoke, he wanted to turn around and run away, but his retreat was blocked by a sharp blade flashing with lightning.

"I already told you Naruto hasn't replied yet, why are you in such a hurry?!" The poor little toad from Mount Myōboku was sweating profusely, having never encountered such a difficult contractor before. If it weren't for Naruto's instructions, he wouldn't want to respond to this unpleasant brat! Didn't this guy used to only summon once every month or two? Why is it so frequent these past few days?!

The brat, who wasn't used to celebrating the New Year alone, crossed his arms and plopped down. The dissipated chakra pricked Kosuke's skin like fine needles, which was quite terrifying.

"Tell him he doesn't need to send me any more letters," the boy said somberly, delivering his final verdict and finally allowing the little toad to leave.

"Hmm? What a coincidence, are you here in the Land of Rivers to escape the cold?" Shisui said this for the first time from the bottom of his heart, because Lord Fugaku had given him an ultimatum, requiring him to return before the New Year holiday, so he reluctantly embarked on his journey back "home".

The child they found was from the Land of Earth and was still searching for a home, so they had to entrust him to Hui's local businesses. Shisui knew he'd likely become one of their servants upon his return; Naruto, that kid, seemed kind to everyone, but was actually full of mischief, and his true intentions were laid bare the moment he received the medical book. The strange thing was, these people were all doing it willingly; there was truly no hope for them. Therefore, he was overjoyed to see Itachi appear in the Land of Rivers.

"I suppose so." Itachi smiled, a rare occurrence, and Shisui was so amused by his smile that he almost lost his bearings.

After all these years, he finally saw Itachi's genuine smile again, which means he still holds some weight in Itachi's heart.

"I thought you would stay where you were needed more." Itachi's smile vanished in an instant. He thought of the child with the little braids, but the child was no longer there.

Zhi Shui sighed, "There's nothing I can do. My master is pressuring me to go back and inherit the family business."

"Family business? Your home is here?"

"Yes, it's a small place. I didn't want to spend my whole life stuck in that small plot of land, so I left."

For a moment, Itachi had the urge to ask about the location, but Kisame was sitting right next to him, and he could always sense Kisame's hostility towards the Quicksand. He couldn't speak; being able to see someone who resembled Shisui for so long was enough. Sasuke was growing up; he just needed to endure two more years, only two years.

"By the way, where are you planning to go? I'm practically a local now, I can show you around."

"Aren't you in a hurry to go home?"

"Let that old man wait; he's not going to die anytime soon anyway."

Kisame couldn't take it anymore, so he cleared his throat and interrupted the conversation, "We're here on business, we don't have that much time."

“I see, that’s a real shame… You’ve heard of Wande City, right? It’s the largest city in the southern part of the Land of Rivers, and there are quite a few things worth seeing.” As Shisui spoke, he carefully observed the expressions of the two people. Even the slightest hint of it caught the unnaturalness that flashed across Itachi’s face.

"If you have the chance to go, you must try the wine at Yuehelou."

[Naruto! Naruto! Something terrible has happened!]

〖......explain.〗

[The Zhu-Nan duo are on their way to Wandecheng! Have we been exposed?!]

"What? The intelligence department didn't detect it."

[They hid their chakra very well this time. I was sitting by the street drinking tea when Itachi suddenly came up to me and started talking to me, which startled me!]

"You continue with your work; we're busy here."

What are you so busy with! Xiao is sending someone to our economic powerhouse! I'm starting to feel a bit threatened!

"Shisui-kun, you understand Itachi best. Who else could possibly understand his mind? This mission is perfect for you. I believe in you."

"Alright, I'll go with you. Remember to send backup!"

Of course, thank you for your hard work!