"Of course. I promised someone I'd take good care of Naruto. I can't let his life be in danger..."
Feng Yao spoke meaningfully.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face betrayed nothing, but his heart gave a slight jolt.
Someone? Who? Jiraiya, or Kakashi?
Everyone was a little puzzled, unsure who Feng Yao meant by "someone."
But seeing that Feng Yao had no intention of elaborating, none of them pressed the matter.
"All right, Feng Yao, let's hurry. We don't know what's happened with Sasuke and that Ōtsutsuki!" Hashirama said.
"All right!" Feng Yao nodded.
Led by Hashirama and Feng Yao, the group headed in the direction Sasuke had left.
They encountered Sasuke on the way, carrying an unconscious Boruto in his arms.
"Sasuke!" Delight appeared on Hashirama's face, but once he got a clear look, he realized he had celebrated too soon.
At the sight of Sasuke, everyone initially thought that the Ōtsutsuki had failed.
But then they saw the injured, unconscious Boruto in Sasuke's arms.
And with no one behind Sasuke, their hearts immediately sank.
"Sasuke, where's Naruto?" Jiraiya asked.
In truth, Jiraiya was already certain Naruto had been taken, but he was still trying to fool himself.
Sasuke was somewhat bewildered to see that the two sides, who had just been fighting to the death, had now joined forces.
But at Jiraiya's question, guilt appeared on his face.
"I'm sorry. I was too late. By the time I arrived, Urashiki had already captured Naruto, and Boruto was injured too. In the end, Urashiki got away..."
Hearing Sasuke say it himself finally killed the hope Jiraiya had been clinging to.
"Ah, what do we do now?!" Hashirama fretted.
"Big Brother, calm down!" Tobirama said helplessly.
*You're the core of our Konoha side. We haven't even started panicking, but you're already getting worked