Naruto led Hinata, the Third Hokage, and the others close behind Sasuke, heading for the battleground Itachi had chosen.
Itachi had picked an interesting place: one of the Uchiha Clan's former hideouts.
In the death he had planned for himself, had he chosen to die here to atone for what he had done to the Uchiha Clan?
Heh. If that was true, what a joke.
Just then, Naruto sensed several other people racing toward them.
"Heh, what a coincidence. Running into them here of all places. Things are about to get lively!"
A grin spread across Naruto's face. He looked ready to enjoy the show.
Then he turned, brought his hands together, and he, Hinata, and the others dissolved into a gust of wind that drifted into the sky.
A light breeze began to stir through the clear air. No one noticed the people hidden overhead, and no one could sense them.
"Is Sasuke going to fight Uchiha Itachi next?"
Kushina, who had been silent until now, spoke softly. The breeze kept her voice among their group, preventing it from carrying far enough for anyone else to notice.
"Yes. But we won't be the only ones watching. Some other people you know are coming too. Just wait and see!" Naruto said with a laugh and a mischievous look.
Less than ten minutes later, they looked down to see a group of Konoha Ninja in white cloaks racing toward them. Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, and Kakashi's Ninja Dog were following Sasuke's scent in pursuit.
"It's Jiraiya-sensei and Kakashi!" Minato Namikaze said, delighted to see familiar faces.
"Hmph. Yes, your wonderful teacher and your wonderful student," Kushina said sharply. "Your son spent twelve years living a hard life. Did either of them care? Did either of them help?"
"Uh, Kushina, you know