_KONOHA ROOFTOPS_
On the damaged rooftop, silence fell, heavy and chilling, broken only by the distant sounds of a wounded Konoha. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sai stood frozen, their eyes fixed on the empty spot where Young Hikaru had been moments ago. The group of Jonin who had surrounded the unconscious youth now looked around, bewildered and anxious.
"He's gone!" one Jonin shouted again, his voice trembling slightly.
Naruto's blue eyes widened in shock. "What?!
How?!" He couldn't believe it. He had just seen Sasuke beat him down. He had been right there.
Sasuke's face was a mask of cold fury and disbelief. His Sharingan eyes spun, scanning the area, searching for any flicker of movement, any sign of chakra. "He vanished," Sasuke muttered, his voice low and dangerous. "Like a ghost. But I had him... he was out cold."
Sai quickly moved closer, his expression grim. "Naruto, Sasuke, there's no trace of him anywhere. No smoke, no sound. It was like he just... blinked out of existence." Sai's usual calm was replaced with clear tension. 'This isn't normal,' he thought. 'Even an injured ninja shouldn't just vanish like that.'
Naruto clenched his fists. "No time for that dattebayo!" he shouted, his voice urgent. He slammed his palms together. A moment later, bright orange pigment appeared around his eyes as he activated Sage Mode. The pure natural energy surged through him, sharpening all his senses to an incredible degree. He closed his eyes, focusing, stretching his chakra senses out, wide and far, across the devastated village, searching for any hint, any faint energy signature of Hikaru.
Silence stretched, thick and heavy. Naruto's brow furrowed deeper and deeper. He opened his eyes, the orange around them still glowing, but his expression was grim.
"Nothing," he said, his voice laced with frustration. "I can't feel a thing. There's absolutely no trace of his chakra anywhere nearby. It's like he was never even here dattebayo!"
Sasuke's Sharingan eyes narrowed. "He must have used his Rinnegan again," he said, his voice flat. "Some kind of space-time ninjutsu.
Even unconscious, he pulled it off." His frustration was clear. He had been so close.
"But... how could he activate something like that if he was knocked out?" Sai asked, his logic trying to grasp the impossible. "It doesn't make any sense."
Naruto looked around the ruined rooftop. Charred debris, cracked concrete, and scattered rubble lay everywhere. Smoke still curled from distant fires, and the scent of ash filled the air. The sounds of rescue teams working far below were a constant reminder of the chaos they had just endured. His gaze fell to the empty spot where Hikaru had been.
'He tricked us,' Naruto realized, his jaw tightening. 'He was probably never as out as he seemed. Or... no, that's not right. Sasuke hit him hard. Too hard for him to fake it.' A colder thought clicked into place. 'It must be that Rinnegan ability. But he's gone... and that means...'
Naruto's gaze shot to where Sarada had thrown the "turtle." It was nowhere in sight.
"The turtle!" Naruto suddenly roared, his voice filled with dread. "He took it dattebayo! He used that jutsu to escape, and he took the turtle with him!" His eyes swept over the shocked Jonin.
"Spread out! Search for any sign of him!
Check every shadow, every portal! But be careful! He's incredibly dangerous!"
The Jonin instantly scattered, moving through the damaged landscape, their desperate search beginning.
Sasuke's fists clenched. "Damn it!" he growled. "He escaped right under our noses." He looked at Naruto, a shared frustration and grim determination passing between them.
On the damaged rooftop, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sai stood amidst the rubble, their focus narrowed to the immediate aftermath of Young Hikaru's disappearance. The Jonin they had sent to search had already spread out, their frantic calls echoing across the ruined landscape.
"He just vanished," Naruto muttered, his Sage Mode still active, though it hadn't found any trace of Hikaru. "With the turtle. How could he just disappear like that dattebayo?" His frustration was clear, a sharp edge to his voice.
Sasuke, his Sharingan still spinning, scanned the horizon. "He's escaped. And now he has the turtle." he said.
Just then, a familiar, tired voice broke through their thoughts. "Naruto! Sasuke! Sai!"
The three of them turned and saw Shikamaru approaching, his movements a bit stiff, a clear sign that he was still recovering from his severe injuries. He walked with a determined stride, his expression serious.
"Shikamaru!" Naruto exclaimed, surprise in his voice. "What are you doing here? You were supposed to be aiding the Kages. Are they safe?"
Shikamaru nodded, a slight breath of relief escaping him. "Yeah, they're safe and sound. We found them, brought them inside Konoha." He paused, looking at the destruction around them. "They want a Five Kage Summit. Immediately."
Naruto's brow furrowed. "Now? Why now dattebayo?" he asked, irritation creeping into his tone. He wanted to focus on one thing: finding Hikaru and getting the 'turtle' back. His village was in ruins. A summit seemed like the last thing on his mind.
"I have no clue," Shikamaru admitted, shrugging slightly. "But they were very clear. They're already there, waiting. It seems urgent." He looked at Naruto, understanding the burden on his friend's shoulders.
Naruto closed his eyes for a moment, letting out a frustrated sigh. His gut screamed at him to continue the search for Hikaru and the dangerous 'turtle'. That was the most immediate threat. But his duties as the Hokage, the leader of the Hidden Leaf Village, were paramount. He couldn't ignore the other Kages, especially with Konoha in such a vulnerable state. 'Damn it.' he thought, but the responsibility weighed heavily on him.
He opened his eyes, determination hardening his gaze. "Alright," he said, his voice firm.
"Let's go dattebayo."
_THE HOKAGE OFFICE_
The journey to the Hokage Office was a stark reminder of the devastating attack. Buildings stood as broken shells, their windows shattered like eyes staring blankly at the sky.
Dust still hung in the air, mixing with the scent of burnt wood and damp earth. Rescue teams, including medical-nin and other shinobis, moved with grim efficiency through the wreckage, tending to the injured and clearing paths.
But even in this ruin, one structure stood relatively untouched: the Hokage Office. It was protected by a powerful barrier, shimmering faintly around its perimeter, cast by a dedicated team of shinobis.
As Naruto, Sasuke, and Shikamaru moved towards the office, they noticed that the large crowd of villagers, who had previously gathered on the office rooftop for safety, were slowly being evacuated. Shinobi guided them calmly towards underground shelters and safer zones in other parts of the village. The immediate danger from the 'Rinneganman' was gone, allowing for a more organized evacuation. Konoha was safe now, in terms of immediate threat, but its scars were deep.
They passed through the shimmering barrier and entered the hallway of the Hokage Office.
As they stepped in, they saw Kakashi standing near a map table, his usual calm demeanor hiding a deep concern. He looked up as they entered, his eye meeting Naruto's.
"Naruto. Sasuke. Shikamaru," Kakashi greeted, a slight nod of acknowledgment. His gaze then settled on Naruto. "What's the situation? Any luck finding the 'Rinneganman' or the 'turtle'?"
Naruto's face tightened. "He ran away with the turtle, Kakashi-sensei," he explained, his voice heavy with frustration. "He just... vanished dattebayo. My Sage Mode couldn't even track him."
Kakashi's eyes widened, and a shadow crossed his face. He cursed softly under his breath, a rare display of raw anger from the usually composed Hokage. "Damn that 'Rinneganman'," he muttered. "To escape now... with that thing..." His fist clenched, sharing in their frustration and the renewed danger the 'turtle' posed.
Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru, and Kakashi moved from the Hokage Office hallway into the meeting room. The air instantly shifted from the tense aftermath outside to a more formal, yet equally strained, atmosphere. The room itself was a circular chamber, simple but sturdy, designed for serious discussions. A large, round wooden table dominated the center, surrounded by five high-backed chairs, each bearing the symbol of a different Hidden Village. Though the rest of the village was scarred, this room was pristine, a testament to the barrier that had protected it.
Three of the five chairs were already occupied. Gaara, the Kazekage of the Hidden Sand Village, sat with his usual quiet intensity, his arms crossed, his gaze steady. Beside him, Akatsuchi, the large, loyal shinobi from the Hidden Stone Village, stood watch. From the Hidden Stone, Kurotsuchi, the Tsuchikage, sat with an impatient energy, her sharp eyes scanning the room. Finally, Darui, the calm and collected Raikage from the Hidden Cloud Village, occupied his seat, his dark skin a stark contrast to his relaxed posture. Omoi, his devoted subordinate, stood silently behind him. The seat for the Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village remained empty, for now.
As Naruto entered, the eyes of the three Kages turned to him. He walked directly to the Hokage's chair, the symbol of the Hidden Leaf. He sat down, the weight of his title heavy on his shoulders, especially after the night's chaos. Kakashi took the seat beside him, his presence a quiet support as the former Hokage. Sasuke and Shikamaru positioned themselves just behind Naruto, their postures alert, their expressions grim. Sasuke's gaze swept over the Kages, quickly assessing the room.
"Thank you all for coming so quickly dattebayo," Naruto began, his voice a little strained but firm. "I apologize for the state of our village."
Gaara nodded slowly. "There is no need for apologies, Naruto. We understood the urgency."
Kurotsuchi, ever direct, spoke next. "Indeed. We heard about the attack. Our journey here was... a stark reminder of the dangers. Naruto, you sent your shinobi to aid us, and we are grateful. But why did you not ask for our direct aid when the village was under attack? And what exactly happened here?"
Her eyes, though looking at Naruto, flickered towards Sasuke for a moment before returning.
Naruto sighed. "It happened too fast. We barely had time to react. The person... we called him 'the Rinnegan man'. He was incredibly powerful dattebayo. He used strange abilities. He was also after a dangerous object, a 'turtle', that holds immense power."
Darui leaned forward slightly. "A 'turtle'? And this 'Rinnegan man'?" His voice was deep, thoughtful.
"He appeared suddenly," Naruto explained, trying to keep his frustration in check. "He caused massive destruction. We managed to fight him off, but... he escaped dattebayo. And he took the 'turtle' with him." He paused, the bitter taste of defeat in his mouth.
Kurotsuchi's gaze hardened. "Escaped? So he's still out there, with this 'turtle'?"
"Unfortunately, yes," Naruto confirmed, clenching his fists under the table. 'This is not how I wanted to start this summit,' he thought. 'But they need to know the truth.'
Gaara's voice was calm, but serious. "That is grave news, Naruto. A powerful ninja with a dangerous object... this affects us all."
Then Kurotsuchi brought up another urgent matter. "And the Chunin Exams, Naruto? Konoha is hosting them this year. Given the state of your village, will they still proceed? Or will they be postponed?"
Naruto blinked. The Chunin Exams. That was the last thing on his mind with the village in ruins and the 'turtle' gone. "The Chunin Exams..." he mused aloud. He looked around at the destroyed village outside. 'There's no way we can host them like this,' he thought. His priority was his people and the repairs. "They will likely have to be postponed dattebayo," he stated, his voice firm. "We need to focus on rebuilding and securing Konoha first."
While this conversation unfolded, a subtle tension was building. Kurotsuchi's eyes kept drifting. She tried to make it look like she was just looking around the room, but her gaze lingered on Sasuke, standing silently behind Naruto. She narrowed her eyes slightly, a flicker of something unreadable in their depths. It wasn't exactly hostility, more like a long, scrutinizing glare.
Sasuke, despite his calm exterior, felt her eyes on him. He didn't turn his head, but he subtly adjusted his stance, his senses fully alert. 'She's been staring for a while,' he thought, a cold calculation running through his mind. 'What's her deal? Does she still hold a grudge from the past? Or is there something else?' He kept his focus forward, but a part of his mind was entirely dedicated to that silent, piercing gaze.
Kakashi's eye quickly looked at Naruto, then quietly at the empty Mizukage chair. It was a small, hidden sign, but Naruto, who knew Kakashi well, understood right away. He got the hint.
Naruto cleared his throat. He looked at the other Kages. "Before we talk about more plans," he said, "can you tell us... where is the Mizukage dattebayo? We haven't heard from the Hidden Mist Village yet."
Everyone was quiet for a moment. Then, Kurotsuchi, the Tsuchikage, crossed her arms. Her eyes looked hard. "We are waiting for the Mizukage right now," she said sharply.
As she spoke, her eyes, full of strong anger, shot straight at Sasuke. She stared at him for a long time, giving him a fierce glare that seemed to challenge him. Then, she looked back at Naruto.
Sasuke, standing quietly behind Naruto, remained perfectly still. His expression was unreadable, showing no outward reaction to Kurotsuchi's intense gaze. He simply watched, his mind no doubt processing the unexplained hostility, but his face gave nothing away.
Beside him, Shikamaru's eyes got narrow. He had watched carefully. Even he felt Kurotsuchi's glare was very strong, pointed at Sasuke. He leaned in a little, whispering so only Sasuke could hear.
"Hey, Sasuke," Shikamaru whispered, his voice quiet. "Did the Tsuchikage just... glare at you?"
Sasuke didn't move his head. He answered in a low voice too. "Yes. She did."
"Why?" Shikamaru asked, looking a bit confused. 'This is surely a drag,' he thought.
"No idea," Sasuke said. His voice was flat. "I don't even remember talking to her." He had fought many strong ninja, but strange angry looks from women he didn't know were confusing.
Shikamaru sighed softly. "Women," he mumbled. "Always with angry looks you can't understand. It's too much trouble."
Sasuke didn't say anything, but his eye showed he somewhat agreed. Dealing with an angry woman for no clear reason was, like Shikamaru said, a pain. He just wanted to know why he was being stared at like that.
Just as Shikamaru finished his quiet comment, the heavy doors to the meeting room suddenly swung open with a soft whoosh. Everyone's eyes, including Naruto's and Sasuke's, turned towards the entrance, expecting to see Chojuro, the Mizukage. A hush fell over the room.
Instead, a woman stepped inside. She had fair skin and long, reddish-brown hair that was mostly swept to the left side of her face, covering part of her left eye. The rest of her hair was tied up in a high ponytail at the back. Her visible eye was a pale green, and her face had sharp, mature features. She wore a tight, dark blue halter-neck top that had no sleeves, fastened at her collarbone with a round clasp. Her shoulders and upper arms were bare.
Matching dark blue wrist cuffs completed her look.
Behind her, a female shinobi with short, light hair and a serious expression, clearly her aid, followed closely.
A wave of surprise rippled through the room. Naruto's eyes widened, and even Darui looked visibly taken aback. Gaara tilted his head slightly, a rare hint of confusion on his face. Everyone, except for Kurotsuchi, seemed genuinely shocked. Their eyes darted between the woman and the empty Mizukage chair, clearly not expecting her presence.
Kurotsuchi, however, showed no surprise at all. She simply watched the woman enter, a knowing look on her face as if this was exactly who she expected to walk through that door.
Her intense glare, which had been fixed on Sasuke moments before, now seemed to make perfect sense to her.
A confused murmur rippled through the Kage Summit. Naruto blinked, trying to process who this woman was. He recognized her, a face from the records of the Fourth Great Ninja War, but her presence here, now, instead of Chojuro, was completely unexpected. Gaara's sand shifted slightly, a subtle sign of his surprise. Darui's usual laid-back expression tightened with curiosity.
The woman moved with a confident stride, her green eye fixed forward. As she passed by where Sasuke stood, her gaze flickered to him. It was a brief moment, but the intensity was undeniable. Her pale green eye narrowed, and a flash of clear, cold anger crossed her face before she continued towards the empty Mizukage seat. She sat down gracefully, her aide, Misuno, standing respectfully behind her.
The silence in the room was thick with unspoken questions. Everyone looked at each other, trying to understand what was happening.
Behind Naruto, Shikamaru leaned in close to Sasuke once more, his voice even softer than before. "Okay," he murmured, a hint of his usual exasperation creeping in. "Now there's definitely a problem. Terumi Mei, the Godaime Mizukage... she just gave you a glare that could freeze fire. What in the world did you do?"
Kakashi, sitting next to Naruto, spoke up, his voice calm but firm. "Godaime Mizukage-sama," he said, using her formal title. "What are you doing here? Has something happened to Rokudaime Mizukage-sama, that you had to come yourself?"
Mei looked at Kakashi. Her face was serious. "Yes, Rokudaime Hokage sama," she replied, her voice steady. "Something has indeed happened to Chojuro. That is why I, the former Mizukage, have returned here."
Hearing this, a new wave of confusion swept through the room. Everyone exchanged puzzled looks. 'Something happened to Chojuro?' Naruto thought, his mind racing.
'What could be so bad that Godaime Mizukage had to come back?' Gaara's quiet gaze became sharper. Darui leaned forward, his relaxed posture gone. Only Kurotsuchi, Mei, and Misuno seemed to know the terrible truth.
Then, Gaara, his voice calm but urgent, asked, "What has happened to Chojuro?"
Mei's expression became even darker. Her voice dropped, now filled with a deep sadness and anger. "Three days ago," she said, slowly, "Chojuro was killed. In the Hidden Mist Village."
A shockwave hit the room. Naruto gasped, his eyes wide. Sasuke's expression tightened slightly, a rare sign of surprise. Kakashi's eyes widened. Shikamaru's eyes snapped open.
Everyone started thinking, their minds racing.
'Killed?!' Naruto thought. 'Who could possibly do such a thing to a Kage?' Gaara's hands clenched into fists. Darui looked deeply troubled. The weight of the news was heavy, crushing the confusion and replacing it with dread.
Naruto's voice was low, filled with disbelief and rage. "Who dared to do such a thing?!" he demanded, looking around the room at the other Kages and their aids.
Mei's gaze slowly moved. Her eyes, still filled with anger, landed directly on Sasuke. She held his stare, her voice cold and clear. "It was Konoha's shinobi," she stated. Her words hung in the air like ice. "That person is within this very room."
The tension in the chamber became so thick you could almost touch it. Everyone's eyes immediately shot to each other. The aids looked at their Kages, the Kages looked at Naruto and Sasuke. Suspicion filled the room, a silent accusation in every stare. Sasuke remained still, but a coldness settled in his Sharingan eye as he felt every glare. Naruto looked from face to face, trying to understand. 'Konoha's shinobi? Who?!'
Then, Mei slowly raised her hand. Her finger, steady and unwavering, pointed directly across the table. Her gaze locked onto Sasuke's.
"It was... Uchiha Sasuke."
---
QUIZ QUESTION:
What shocking accusation did Terumi Mei make at the end of the Five Kage Summit?
A) That Sasuke attacked Gaara.
B) That Sasuke was behind the 'Rinnegan man's' escape.
C) That Sasuke killed Chojuro, the Mizukage.
D) That Sasuke was secretly working with Orochimaru.
Share your answers in the comments down below!
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hey everyone! Chapter 50: Culprit: Uchiha Sasuke 🤯 was an absolute whirlwind, wasn't it?
After the intense climax on the rooftops, where Young Hikaru vanished with the 'turtle', our heroes faced a village in turmoil. Just when they thought they could focus on rebuilding, an urgent Five Kage Summit was called. It was a tense shift from direct battle to political shock! 😮💨
The tension was palpable from the moment Naruto, Sasuke, and Shikamaru stepped into that meeting room. The air was thick with questions, especially concerning the missing Mizukage. But nothing could have prepared them for the dramatic, unexpected entrance of Terumi Mei, the former Mizukage herself! 😱 Her serious demeanor hinted at grave news, and the devastating revelation that Chojuro was tragically killed sent shockwaves through the entire room. 💔
And then... that final, earth-shattering moment. Mei's accusing finger, pointed directly at Uchiha Sasuke! 💥 What an unthinkable twist! Is Sasuke truly responsible for Chojuro's death? What does this mean for Konoha's alliances, and for Sasuke's already complex path?
The stakes have never been higher, and our heroes are plunged into a crisis far deeper than they could have imagined. Thank you all so much for sticking with the story and for your incredible support! Your theories and comments keep the fire burning 🔥. Let me know your jaw-dropped reactions to "Culprit: Uchiha Sasuke" in the comments below! ❤️