Finding Companions

At the Root headquarters, Danzo with a cane, and a boy knelt before it.

Danzo said, "I will arrange for you to Kakashi's team. I have already taken care of everything. You are about the same age as Uzumaki Hane Naruto, and you are stronger than other people your age in the village. From today onwards, your name will be Sai."

The boy, Sai, gave a fake smile, looked at Danzo, and repeated, "Sai..." as if trying to etch the name into his heart.

Danzo frowned and said, "Stop faking your smile in front of me."

Upon hearing this, Sai put away what he thought was a smile and said, "The book says that you should smile when facing others, but I still haven't mastered it."

This was the second day after returning to the village. In the morning, Naruto overheard Tsunade and Sakura talking and learned about Orochimaru.

Therefore, Naruto kept running around the village, trying to find companions to go with him.

Uzumaki Hane and Yamano Koromo were strolling around the streets, having not seen each other for many years. After returning to the village last time, they went to Sunagakure just a few days later, so now that they had some free time, they accompanied Yamano Koromo to go shopping. As for Tanaka, no one knew where he had gone to train.

Just then, a person walked over. It was Sakura. When Sakura saw Yamano Koromo, she immediately came over and started chatting with Yamano Koromo warmly. Uzumaki Hane was a little surprised. When did the two of them become so close?

Meanwhile, Naruto walked down the street, pondering who to choose as his partner.

"Who should I choose? I need to think this through carefully. If I choose the wrong person, they'll get in my way. It's really a difficult problem. And I can't choose someone too handsome, since Sakura likes handsome guys..." Just as Naruto was muttering to himself, Naruto suddenly saw Uzumaki Hane. He was overjoyed and thought to himself, "Yu is very strong, and he's not as handsome as me. He's definitely a good choice." Then, his figure flashed and he descended from the sky, landing in front of Uzumaki Hane.

Naruto simply said, "Yu, be my partner." His words left everyone puzzled.

Sakura was the first to react, saying, "Are you planning to have Uzumaki Hane join us to go to the Tenchi Bridge to find Orochimaru?"

Naruto immediately said, "That's right, Yu, what do you say? Do you want to come with us to get Sasuke back?"

Uzumaki Hane smiled slightly and said, "No problem, I agree. I've always wanted to meet Orochimaru and see how strong this one of the Sannin is." Naruto cheered immediately when he saw that Uzumaki Hane had agreed.

Next, Naruto continued his journey to find his companions with Uzumaki Hane, while Yamano was taken away by Sakura, who said she wanted to have some private conversations with her.

Uzumaki Hane and Naruto were less looking for companions and more simply strolling around the streets, hoping to find some able-bodied men.

The two walked to a relatively secluded street. Under a large tree ahead stood a person, completely covered by clothes, even obscuring half of their face, who was wearing glasses.

Uzumaki Hane Yu let out a soft "hmm," thinking that only Shino could be dressed like that.

Shino had just returned to the village and was waiting for his teammates to prepare for a mission when he unexpectedly ran into Naruto and Uzumaki Hane. Naruto had grown up very quickly over the years, but Shino still recognized him at a glance.

Overjoyed at not seeing each other for so many years, Shino immediately stepped in front of the two and said, "Naruto, Uzumaki Hane, it's been a long time!"

Naruto was bewildered by the masked man who had suddenly appeared before him, unable to recall who he was for a moment. He asked in confusion, "Who are you...?" He began to look Shino up and down, trying to see if there was anything familiar about him.

Shino said, "It's been a long time. You should at least remember your partner's face, otherwise it'll be awkward for the one who greets you first."

Uzumaki Hane followed Naruto by a step. Hearing Shino's greeting, she said, "It's Shino. Long time no see."

Naruto immediately Satori and said, "That's right, that outfit, that way of speaking, it really is Shino. Shino, it's been a long time."

Shino glared at Naruto resentfully. He recognized Naruto immediately, but Naruto hadn't recognized him. However, Shino was wearing glasses, Naruto didn't notice.

At that moment, a figure descended from the sky with a bang, kicking up a cloud of dust. It was a dog as big as a person, with a person on its back.

Upon seeing Uzumaki Hane and Naruto, the newcomer immediately said, "Isn't this Naruto and Uzumaki Hane? Long time no see!"

The newcomer jumped off the dog's back; it was Kiba. Kiba said, "It's Naruto and Uzumaki Hane, isn't it? This smell is definitely right."

Naruto and Uzumaki Hane were a bit speechless, it was all about the smell.

Naruto said, "Kiba, it's been a long time," then, seeing the huge dog, he said, "Could that be Akamaru?"

Shino stood in front of Naruto, considering himself Naruto's friend. However, Naruto didn't recognize him at first glance, but immediately recognized Kiba and started muttering to himself.

Naruto was exasperated. Shino always covered his face and wore glasses, concealing himself so well that it was hard for anyone to recognize him.

The group began exchanging pleasantries, mostly reminiscing about the past years and funny stories from their childhood.

Hinata heard from Neji that Naruto had returned. She wanted to go see him, but was too shy to go. This morning, she finally made up her mind, but then Kurenai gathered a few people to prepare for a mission, which disappointed her, but at the same time, she felt relieved.

Hinata arrived at the corner before the meeting point. Before she even turned the corner, she heard Naruto's voice. Hinata's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively quickened her pace. Turning the corner, she saw Naruto talking to Kiba and Shino.

Seeing Naruto all grown up and looking so handsome, Hinata blushed and let out a soft moan before hiding back in the corner, her heart pounding.

Seemingly having heard Hinata's voice, Naruto said, "I think I heard Hinata's voice just now. By the way, where 'Hinata? I haven't seen her in so long."

Uzumaki Hane whispered, "Naruto, go to the corner." As he spoke, Uzumaki Hane pointed to the place where Hinata was hiding.

Naruto was a little puzzled, but he still went to the corner. There Naruto saw Hinata squatting, Naruto was very happy. He said, "Hinata, it's been a long time."

Hinata's mind was filled with images of Naruto, and when she suddenly saw Naruto appear before her, she was so embarrassed that she fainted.

Naruto immediately caught Hinata, and, not knowing what had happened, called out, "Hinata, Hinata, what's wrong?"

The others came over, and seeing the unconscious Hinata, Kiba teased, "Hinata, you faint every time you see Naruto."