At the barbecue restaurant.
"Naruto, were you really kidnapped by the Akatsuki Organization?"
Choji chewed on a piece of meat and asked indistinctly.
At his question, all the surrounding classmates stopped their chopsticks and turned to look at Naruto, who was also wolfing down barbecue.
Although everyone present was still a student at the Ninja Academy,
most of them came from shinobi clans. Some were from bloodline clans, while others belonged to families with secret techniques, so they were all well-informed.
Naruto's kidnapping by the Akatsuki Organization was still a secret to ordinary villagers, but quite a few of them had already heard about it. They simply had yet to confirm it.
So when they heard Choji ask about it, everyone looked toward Naruto.
Naruto scratched his head. "Why is everyone looking at me? All right, all right, it did happen!"
Sakura asked curiously, "I heard that everyone in the Akatsuki Organization is an S-rank wanted criminal. Why did they kidnap you?"
"How would I know?"
Naruto pouted.
Although he enjoyed being the center of attention, being kidnapped was ultimately embarrassing. Besides, he truly did not know the details. Even after being rescued and brought back to the village, he still had no idea what had happened.
Shion, who had not managed to get a word in, raised her hand. "I know, I know!"
Everyone turned to look at Shion again.
"The Akatsuki Organization kidnapped Naruto for the sake of the Tailed Beast!" Shion crossed her arms and continued with an air of mystery. "This is classified information from the Five Kage Summit. I'm only telling you because it's you!"
After hearing Shion's words, quite a few classmates at the table changed expressions and looked thoughtfully at Naruto.
Various rumors about Naruto and the fox demon had circulated throughout the