Third floor, Hokage Building.
Sakura rushed into the Hokage's office and reported that Sasuke might have left the village without permission.
The atmosphere in the office immediately grew heavy.
Almost three months had passed since the Summit Showdown.
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi had barely survived Snake Aunt's coordinated assault,
his strength had suffered greatly, and he was already struggling to handle many matters.
"Lord Hokage, we have to bring Sasuke back! I'm sure he was tricked!"
Sakura knelt on one knee, tears glistening in her eyes.
"He must have been deceived by someone wicked into knocking out the guards and leaving without permission."
After a moment of silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "Where was Naruto when it happened? What was he doing?"
Sakura immediately told him everything about the breakup drama that had begun after Uchiha Itachi returned.
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a headache coming on.
"The Konoha Crush Plan cost the village a large number of chunin and jonin. There are very few ninja stationed here now..."
Looking troubled, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Sakura, go fetch Shikamaru Nara and Naruto immediately. I have an important mission for them."
"Yes!"
Sakura burst into tears of relief and raced out of the Hokage Building, heading straight for the Nara Clan.
After Sakura left, Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped on his desk, then took out the Crystal Ball.
"Ninja Art: Telescope Technique."
An image of the Fourth Hokage's Former Residence immediately appeared in the Crystal Ball.
"Did they really break up, or...?"
In the image, Naruto seemed to be giving himself some sort of Plasma Perm and was peeling the film off his head. Hiruzen Sarutobi dismissed the technique with a wry smile.
"It seems Naruto knows nothing about Sasuke leaving."
His eyes darkened as he spoke. "Could this be Itachi's doing? Or is it Orochimaru again?"
While