When Naruto's words fell, the young ninjas of Konoha present all showed looks of shock.
What?
Sasuke had actually returned!?
Eager to learn about Sasuke's situation, Naruto did not explain much to the others. He simply leaped forward and immediately rushed toward the forest!
The young ninjas' expressions turned grave. With Sasuke appearing so suddenly at a time like this, it was probably not good news.
"Shikamaru, should we go?"
Beside him, Ino, with a strand of golden bangs hanging over her forehead, frowned as she asked Shikamaru.
After all, in the Ino–Shika–Cho trio, Shikamaru had always been everyone's strategist. Choji of the Akimichi Clan, Shino of the Aburame Clan, and the others all turned to look at him.
Faced with everyone's questions, Shikamaru nodded solemnly.
"No matter what happens, we can't leave Naruto behind by himself!"
"Let's go. I have a feeling Sasuke's return isn't that simple. But even if he intends to harm Naruto, he still has us!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he took the lead, rushing ahead of the others and heading after Naruto.
The other young ninjas exchanged glances. Their expressions were somewhat grave, but they immediately followed as well.
Rumble...
At that moment, a massive tree in the forest came crashing down.
Bang!
A cloud of white smoke suddenly spread beside the fallen tree.
Standing before the collapsed tree, Sasuke wore an utterly cold expression as his scarlet Sharingan slowly returned to normal.
Fu Ryosuke, who had been watching quietly from afar, suddenly leaped over. Curiosity appeared on his freckled face as he exclaimed in surprise.
"Huh, was that guy a clone?"
"I couldn't tell at all..."
Sasuke glanced at him and explained coldly.
"Konoha's Shadow Clone Technique..."
"Our whereabouts have probably been exposed. If we don't find Naruto and kill him quickly,