Chapter 112: Orochimaru's Hiding Place
However, they didn't know that Matsuri had already taken advantage of the chaos to leave the scene and carry out the mission assigned by Danzo.
"Matsuri... where are you?"
Naruto looked around, hoping to see Matsuri's figure.
However, he found nothing.
"Stop shouting, Naruto... we must leave here quickly."
Yamato scanned the surroundings warily, sensing that it wasn't safe here.
In another location, Matsuri had already found Orochimaru's hiding place.
"Lord Orochimaru, I have followed your request and led Naruto to the designated location."
Matsuri said respectfully.
"Well done, Matsuri..."
Orochimaru stepped out from the darkness, a satisfied smile on his face.
"Then, what you promised me..."
Matsuri looked at Orochimaru with some urgency.
"Don't worry, I will definitely do what I promised... however, I still need you to do one more thing for me."
Orochimaru said.
"What is it?"
Matsuri asked without hesitation.
However, Orochimaru did not answer her.
He suddenly struck, directly seizing Matsuri's body!
"Matsuri!"
Meanwhile, while tracking Matsuri, Yamato's Wood Clone discovered Matsuri's body.
"This is... Matsuri!"
Yamato and Sakura rushed over upon hearing the news; seeing Matsuri's body, their hearts were filled with shock and grief.
"Matsuri... why did this happen?"
Sakura couldn't accept this fact and spoke through her tears.
"Don't be sad, Sakura... we must leave here as soon as possible."
Although Yamato was also very sad, he knew now was not the time for grieving.
"Naruto... do you know? When you were controlled by the Nine-Tailed Fox, Matsuri..."
Sakura looked at the oblivious Naruto, unsure whether she should tell him the truth.
"Tell me, Sakura. What happened while I was unconscious?"
"When you were controlled by the Nine-Tailed, you almost hurt Sakura..."
Yamato fell silent for a moment before finally telling Naruto the truth.
"What?!"
Naruto was struck as if by a bolt from the blue upon hearing this.
He couldn't believe he would actually do such a thing.
"Naruto, you must learn to control the Nine-Tailed's power... otherwise, you will not only hurt yourself but also those around you."
Yamato looked at Naruto, his eyes full of concern.
"I understand... I must learn to control this power!"
Naruto clenched his fists, his eyes filled with determination.
"What's this?"
Sakura saw Matsuri tightly clutching a Picture book in her hand.
"This is..."
Sakura opened the Picture book, which contained some wonderful stories.
However, these stories made her feel a bit strange.
"Why do these stories all seem to be related to Matsuri?"
Sakura's heart was full of doubt.
Meanwhile, Matsuri was already at Orochimaru's base.
"Sasuke, I've finally seen you again!"
Matsuri looked at the Sasuke before her, her heart full of excitement.
However, Sasuke only gave her a cold glance.
"Matsuri, why are you here?"
Sasuke's voice was icy, sending a chill through Matsuri.
"Sasuke, I came here specifically to find you! I want to leave this place with you!"
Matsuri summoned her courage and expressed her feelings to Sasuke.
On the other side, Naruto and Sakura were already preparing to rescue Sasuke.
Before they set off, Yamato handed them two mysterious seeds.
"What is this?"
"These are seeds that allow you to temporarily submerge into the earth... swallow them, and we can avoid Orochimaru's scouts."
Yamato explained.
The three of them swallowed the seeds and then used Earth Release to submerge underground.
They moved forward in the darkness with only one goal—to rescue Sasuke!
Led by Yamato, the three finally found the place where Matsuri was being held prisoner.
"Matsuri, are you alright?"
Sakura looked at the weakened Matsuri, her heart filled with worry.
Matsuri opened her eyes slightly and saw Naruto and Sakura.
"You guys... why are you here?"
Matsuri struggled to sit up.
"We're here to save you, Matsuri... tell us, what exactly is Orochimaru's 'Konoha Destruction Plan'?"
Naruto looked at Matsuri, his eyes filled with determination.
Matsuri was silent for a moment, then she spoke.
"Actually... Lord Orochimaru wants to use me as a 'vessel' to resurrect himself... and the 'Konoha Destruction Plan' is just an excuse he created to achieve that goal..."
"Just as I thought..."
Naruto clenched his fists, his eyes filled with anger.
"So, Matsuri... are you willing to help us rescue Sasuke?"
Sakura looked at Matsuri, her eyes filled with expectation.
"I..."
Matsuri hesitated, then looked at the Picture book in her hands.
This was something Sakura had found near her, an important item she had lost.
"This is..."
Matsuri looked at the Picture book, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes.
"This belongs to you, right... I remember you once said that everything drawn in here represents your dreams and hopes..."
Sakura handed the Picture book to Matsuri.
"Why do those things for Orochimaru? You don't seem like a bad person; there must be hesitation and struggle in your heart as well..."
Hearing this, Matsuri's body trembled slightly.
She looked up at Naruto and Sakura; their eyes were filled with sincerity and trust.
"I understand..."
Matsuri took a deep breath and made a decision.
"I'm willing to help you find Sasuke... but first, I must complete my own mission."
"What mission?" Both Naruto and Sakura looked puzzled.
Matsuri looked at the Picture book in her hand, a faint melancholy on her face, yet also an expression full of expectation.
"This is my own path, and it is a promise to myself."
"Naruto, your old injury hasn't healed yet... don't push yourself too hard!"
Sakura looked at Naruto with worry.
Naruto shook his head firmly.
"It's fine, I can keep going!"
Matsuri looked at Naruto's stubborn back, a warm current welling up in her heart.
She thought of her past dreams and her promise to Naruto.
"Let's go too."
Matsuri stood up and followed Naruto's lead.
However, just as they moved, Yamato's expression turned solemn.
"No... I think I've discovered something!"
Yamato checked the mission scroll, and his face changed drastically.
"Matsuri's 'Top Secret Mission'... is actually to assassinate Sasuke?!"
Sakura and Naruto were both shocked by the news.
"How is that possible?!"
They couldn't believe Matsuri would do such a thing.
Meanwhile, Matsuri had already arrived before Sasuke.
She looked into Sasuke's cold eyes, her heart filled with pain.
"Sasuke... I'm sorry..."
Matsuri whispered, her eyes filled with resolve.
However, just as she was about to act, Yamato and the others arrived.
"Stop, Matsuri!"
At Yamato's command, Matsuri's movement came to a halt.
"Yamato, how... how did you know?"
Matsuri looked at Yamato, a look of surprise on her face.
Loving Book So Far Check Out 80+ Chapters In Advanced At Pa Treon:
patreon.com/FicTonic1