Chapter 181
Suddenly, Kakashi sensed something, and his expression drastically changed.
But he still remained calm.
"Sasuke, I'm going to eat sweets. What would you like to eat?"
Sasuke shook his head: "I hate sweets the most."
"You two eat by yourselves."
He walked away, hands in his pockets, minding his own business.
Hinata, however, had a thought: "Kakashi-sensei, you deliberately sent Sasuke away, didn't you?"
Kakashi was startled: "Oh? How did you figure that out, Hinata?"
Hinata said: "Because I sensed an extremely dangerous aura..."
"Moreover, Kakashi-sensei's expression changed just now, and he subtly glanced at Sasuke."
Kakashi sighed: "As expected of Hinata, your insight is getting sharper, and your thoughts are meticulous. I thought I was acting very calm."
Hinata asked: "So, who is it?"
"I don't know..."
Kakashi really didn't know.
But he remembered Jiraiya's entrustment before he left.
Whether it was Orochimaru, the Akatsuki Organization, or Uchiha Itachi, it was very likely they were targeting Sasuke.
As his teacher, he had to protect his disciple with all his might... Fortunately, at this moment, Kakashisuddenly saw two familiar figures.
"Yo, Asuma, Kurenai, you two are getting along very well..."
Walking side by side were Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi.
Kurenai Yuhi's face flushed: "Don't talk nonsense, Kakashi, I'm just helping Anko buy dango."
Kakashi glanced meaningfully at the inside of the dessert shop.
"Is that so?"
"You're quite enthusiastic, Kurenai..."
Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi immediately understood.
"That Anko is too lazy..."
"Alright, then we won't disturb your date."
Kakashi smiled and led Hinata away temporarily.
He had to ensure Sasuke's safety first.
Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma Sarutobi exchanged glances, sensed the enemy's presence, and followed them, finally confronting the two figures by the river.
Asuma Sarutobi said in a deep voice: "You don't seem to be from Konoha Village, do you?"
But one of them said: "Long time no see, Mr. Asuma, Miss Kurenai."
"Hmm? To say 'long time no see,' that means..."
The person gently removed his hat, then with his left hand hidden in his Akatsuki robe, he slowly unzipped his uniform, revealing his true face... Asuma Sarutobi was greatly surprised: "Those eyes are..."
Kurenai Yuhi was even more dumbfounded: "You are, Uchiha Itachi?!"
"You, who committed such a crime, dare to return to Konoha Village?"
"You're truly audacious..."
The other person chuckled darkly and also removed his straw hat.
"Mr. Itachi, it seems your reputation in the Villageis quite bad..."
"Then allow me to introduce myself. I am Kisame Hoshigaki, a former Ninja of the Hidden Mist Village. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Asuma Sarutobi immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
"Uchiha Itachi, Kisame Hoshigaki..."
"You two are both S-rank rogue Ninja, and you dare to brazenly trespass into Konoha Village?"
"You will not be allowed to leave today!"
Kisame Hoshigaki laughed: "Oh? You dare to say such things, quite brave, aren't you...?"
"What do you say, Mr. Itachi, should we just kill them?"
Uchiha Itachi said indifferently: "Alright, but don't make too much of a commotion."
"Understood."
In an instant, a fierce battle was about to erupt between the two S-rank rogue Ninja and the two Jonin of Konoha!
...Meanwhile, Kakashi and Hinata quickly found Sasuke.
But Kakashi was more worried about Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi, wondering if they were a match for the enemy. So he asked Hinata to look after Sasuke, not fully telling her the truth, only saying that those two might be a threat to Sasuke.
Hinata nodded firmly, Kakashi sighed and turned to leave.
Sasuke was a bit surprised to see Hinata, but he didn't say much.
His feelings for Hinata were, of course, different from his feelings for Naruto-kun.
Originally, the two had no interaction, and Hinatanever cheered him on or made him the center of attention like other young girls.
No matter how dense Sasuke was, he could see... Hinata liked Naruto-kun.
And in Team 7, Hinata was more like a peacemaker.
Even if he and Naruto-kun understood each other deeply in their hearts, perhaps even being each other's only confidant.
But on the surface, they were still bickering and arguing incessantly.
And at such times, Hinata would appear to resolve the conflict.
Not to mention, Hinata had helped him many times.
For Sasuke, Hinata was probably the existence that best fit the definition of a pure comrade.
"Sasuke, Kakashi-sensei suddenly has an urgent matter, so today's training can only be done by ourselves."
"Hmm."
Sasuke took a bite of his favorite bonito rice ball and nodded indifferently.
Hinata couldn't help but look out the window with some worry.
Sasuke noticed her unease.
"What's wrong?"
Hinata quickly shook her head: "No, nothing..."
Sasuke misunderstood Hinata's thoughts.
"Are you thinking of Naruto-kun?"
Hinata's face immediately turned crimson.
"No, it's not..."
Sasuke said calmly: "Kakashi-sensei said that he is training with Jiraiya, so he's probably the safest one..."
"In fact, he's probably safer than those of us in the Village."
"And..."
Sasuke stopped speaking.
Hinata, however, saw through his thoughts.
"Sasuke, are you afraid that when Naruto-kunreturns, he will become even stronger?"
Sasuke neither confirmed nor denied, merely continuing to eat in silence.
"No, I think what Sasuke fears isn't Naruto-kunbecoming stronger, but rather that he himself hasn't become that strong quickly enough..."
"When Team 7 was first formed, Kakashi-senseiasked us to introduce ourselves. Sasuke said that he carried the mission of the entire Uchiha Clan, to revive his family and personally kill that man..."
"Such a heavy and painful obsession must have made Sasuke feel very suppressed all these years..."
If it were anyone else, Sasuke would have stopped talking to them long ago.
But Hinata was, after all, a very special existence.
Sasuke said indifferently: "There's no pain or suppression; that's just the destiny I'm fated to bear."
"Aren't you the same?"
"The system of the Hyuga Clan is also like shackles..."
"Look at you, look at Hyuga Neji..."
"But at least your family is still intact, so there's still a possibility of solving all problems."
"As for the Uchiha Clan..."
Hinata said: "You're right, Sasuke, but..."
"No matter how much I want to break the shackles of my destiny, or the corrupt system of my family, I absolutely cannot do it alone..."
"However, I am very confident now, not because I've become strong, but because..."
"You guys are here."
Sasuke's heart stirred.
Hinata smiled gently: "Whether it's Naruto-kun, Sasuke, or Neji, or any other comrades, I believe that if I want to do something, you will all definitely help..."
"That is the most precious thing."
"With these, any difficulties will eventually be overcome."
Sasuke frowned: "What are you trying to say?"
This was the first time Hinata had such a heartfelt conversation with Sasuke.
She was meticulous and highly empathetic, and she had actually wanted to say these things for a long time.
"I want to say..."
"Sasuke is the same; if you want to fulfill your obsession..."
"Don't forget that we also have strength."
The chopsticks in Sasuke's hand paused slightly.
He didn't know how to respond to Hinata's words.
After a moment of silence, he shook his head.
"That man, I must kill him with my own hands."
Hinata smiled: "Even so, we can still help..."
This time, Sasuke was also speechless.
"Hmm."
He finally nodded slightly.
Hinata smiled... Meanwhile, on the other side.
That fierce battle had already erupted.