When they asked Kakashi again, all he could do was repeat what Chen Fan had said to Uzumaki Naruto and Sakura. But the two still wanted to hear the answer from Chen Fan himself. Naruto still greatly admired Chen Fan, and Sakura also respected him deeply. They did not want this matter to affect their impression of Teacher Chen Fan; getting the answer from him personally was the best choice.
Chen Fan's expression did not waver in the slightest at Naruto's question. Instead, he calmly asked, "Naruto, how have you been these past two and a half years?"
Uzumaki Naruto froze for a moment, then nodded and said, "Over these past two and a half years, I've seen a lot and learned a lot. Pervert Sage took me to many places, and I learned some really powerful ninjutsu. I've been doing very well."
A smile appeared on Chen Fan's face. "Is that so? It's good that you think so. There's a saying: it's not the wolf stealing that's frightening, but the wolf setting its sights on you. But for the past two years, you've lived under the protection of Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, almost never leaving his side. If you thought of yourself as a burden, what would you think then?"
Uzumaki Naruto had not expected Chen Fan to say that. His eyes widened involuntarily. It seemed he had never considered things from that perspective. Every day, he had traveled and trained with Jiraiya, living freely, happily, and without a care. But if he truly looked at it that way...
"You are Akatsuki's target now, while Sasuke is Orochimaru's target. Now put yourself in their shoes."
Uzumaki Naruto fell into thought. A faint smile appeared at the corner of Chen Fan's lips. "That is only one small reason.