(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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Three days later, at Konoha's gate.
After signing in with the gate guards, Colt headed to the Hokage building to report the mission to Tsunade.
Kakashi had already sent the information via a ninja messenger from Sunagakure. However, since the matter involved the Akatsuki and another country, it couldn't be fully explained in just a letter.
After listening to Colt's report, the people in the office were quiet for a while.
"I didn't expect that the disappearance of the Third Kazekage was actually Sasori of the Red Sand's doing," Tsunade remarked, looking troubled.
The Third Kazekage's disappearance had been no small matter at the time. It could even be called the spark that ignited the Third Ninja World War.
Sunagakure had suspected Konoha was behind it and launched an attack brazenly.
It turned out to be their own people who did it.
It was a shame that the two countries were now allies; otherwise, they really would have had to demand an explanation from Sunagakure.
Tsunade cared less about the past grievances at this moment so she just sighed and focused her attention on Colt's strength.
"You learned the [Sage Mode]?"
Colt nodded.
"I learned it a long time ago, but I'm just not very skilled with it yet."
"You sneaky brat, always hiding things from me." Tsunade scolded with a smile, but there wasn't the slightest hint of dissatisfaction in her voice.
The stronger Colt became, the more reassured she felt.
Mastering the [Sage Mode] and [Wood Style]… had Colt's level reached that of her grandfather? No, this kid still had the Mangekyō Sharingan. Maybe he would be even stronger.
The thought surprised Tsunade a little.
'What a monster.'
After discussing the matters with Sunagakure, the next topic was Orochimaru.
Tsunade's face grew serious when she heard that Orochimaru would appear at the Tenchi Bridge in four days.
"Colt, are you sure you can deal with him?"
Orochimaru was a former Sannin who had strayed from his path. Tsunade wanted to eliminate him for Konoha's sake.
"It's basically impossible. His survival abilities are too strong, and we can't do it for now," Colt replied.
Killing Orochimaru wasn't just a matter of strength; it was just that you couldn't target a non-human being.
How could you know if the Orochimaru you encountered was whole, half, or even just one-third?
Perhaps only a super high-level Genjutsu like the [Infinite Tsukuyomi] could do it.
"What about sealing him?" Shizune suggested from the side.
If they couldn't kill him, why not prevent him from causing trouble by sealing him?
After thinking for a moment, Colt nodded, "We could try."
That's what he said, but he had no intention of actually doing it.
His later plans also involved using Orochimaru.
"Alright, Colt, I'll be counting on you for this next mission." Tsunade made her final decision and kept the three of them as a team.
Glancing at Kakashi, Colt whispered something in Tsunade's ear.
Tsunade's expression changed slightly but quickly returned to normal.
"I see. But Kakashi, this is very dangerous. Are you sure you want to go through with it?"
"Tsunade-sama, I'll do my best," Kakashi said helplessly, rubbing his white hair.
He naturally knew the dangers involved, evident from the fact that only Yamato had survived the entire Wood Style experiment.
However, if he wanted to stop losing important people to him, he had to take some risks.
"Okay, rest well today and come to the laboratory tomorrow."
Seeing Kakashi's resolve, Tsunade didn't try to stop him further.
"In that case, should I send someone with you?"
Looking at Colt, she wondered if it was too dangerous for him and Naruto to confront Orochimaru alone.
She wasn't worried about Colt, but obviously about Naruto.
"I already have someone in mind," Colt shook his head, declining the offer.
Leaving the Hokage building, Colt prepared to take Naruto to eat at Ichiraku Ramen.
After returning to the village, they had left for Sunagakure the next day, so today's meal was truly a welcome feast.
However, when the two arrived at the shop, they unexpectedly encountered some acquaintances.
"Ah, you're here too?" Colt was a bit surprised to see Kurenai and Anko in front of him.
He wouldn't have been surprised to see them at a dango shop, but this was the first time he spotted them at Ichiraku Ramen.
"Kurenai-sensei, Anko-sensei!" Naruto greeted them happily.
"Anko said she was a little tired of eating dango, so we changed it up today. Long time no see, Naruto," Kurenai replied with a smile. Under Naruto's surprised eyes, she took Colt's arm into her own.
"Kurenai-sensei, Colt, what… what's going on?" Naruto was confused.
"Oh, Kurenai is also one of my girlfriends now." But Colt replied casually.
Naruto was stunned.
What had happened in the more than two years he'd been gone?
Immediately, he excitedly pumped his fist.
"That's amazing, way better than Pervy Sage!"
Colt's head was full of black lines.
To compare him with Jiraiya, was Naruto looking down on him?
Meanwhile, Kurenai blushed a bit but didn't refute him.
Thus, the two-person dinner turned into a four-person instead, instantly becoming livelier.
Especially with the two big eaters present.
Looking at Anko, who had ordered three bowls of ramen, Colt glanced her up and down.
"What? See something you like?" Anko winked and licked her lips seductively.
Colt felt a chill.
Although Anko wasn't bad-looking, and her figure was quite nice, her being the female version of Naruto's temperament was doomed to make her unsuccessful with men.
Kurenai had also told him many embarrassing things about Anko; it had been quite eye-opening.
"Forgive me, I just think..." Colt stretched out two fingers and pinched the air.
"Did you gain weight since the last time?"
Click!
Anko's demeanor froze for a moment.
'Gain weight? Is he calling me… Fat?'
Even though she was a kunoichi, she was still very concerned about her figure.
Naruto looked at Anko seriously, nodding solemnly.
"Indeed. I remember Anko-sensei was like this during the Chūnin exams three years ago." He made a gesture with his hands.
"And now she's like this." He made another, slightly larger gesture.
The difference was quite noticeable.
Click! Click!
Anko instantly turned grey and her figure shattered.
Colt almost laughed out loud.
Naruto had landed a critical hit plus true damage!
"Hey." Kurenai shook her head helplessly; she had already told Anko to eat fewer sweets like dango.
Well, now look what happened.
"Kurenai, I'll give you this bowl of ramen. I'll just eat two bowls."
After a long moment, Anko recovered and pushed the ramen to Kurenai with a forced smile.
"No, one bowl is enough for me."
Kurenai was a bit resistant; she still had to maintain her figure. She couldn't be as carefree as Anko.
At this point, Colt, who was eating his noodles, chimed in.
"It's okay to eat. We have a lot of 'exercises' today, so don't worry."
Her face was flushed, and she was cursing internally.
The bad guy hadn't said anything outright, but at the same time, he had said everything needed...