Chapter 143
Perhaps it was because Tsunade's explanation was too calm, delivered in a straightforward manner, that Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared extremely composed. However, his sudden and complete silence, sitting in his chair without uttering a word, already indicated the turmoil in his heart.
The silence stretched on for quite some time.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze kept shifting, his thoughts completely detached from concerns about White Fang's safety or the situation in the Land of Rain. Instead, he was thinking about Haruto Saito—the boy who had been shrouded in mystery ever since he joined Konoha, a boy full of suspicions and questions, yet one who had repeatedly performed astonishing feats.
In the previous meeting, Hiruzen Sarutobi still harbored doubts about Haruto Saito!
There were several points of suspicion. First, how did Haruto Saito, who had mastered the Black Martial Flash, get discovered by the ninja in the Shiraishi encampment? Was there a sensory-type ninja present? Even so, how did he manage to survive against dozens of enemy ninja?
Second, why did Haruto Saito insist on killing the Rain Falcon along the way? It was known that Rain Falcons shared a mental connection; if one was killed, the others would sense it, thereby exposing their location!
Third, during the final battle, why did Haruto Saito disappear for two to three hours only to reappear at the last moment? And when he did, he struck Terado away with a single slash. Was he trying to kill Terado or help him escape?
And the biggest question—why didn't Haruto Saito simply escape on his own? Why did he insist on staying with Tsunade and Jiraiya? If he had just removed his Black Martial Armor and left separately, it would have been extremely difficult to track him down. After all, throughout the entire escape, no one knew the true identity of the Black Warrior.
Smart people always think too much!
Once someone is suspected, everything they do can seem suspicious. Even if Haruto Saito said, "I'm skipping breakfast today," it could be interpreted as using that time to secretly meet with someone.
Haruto Saito was such a person, full of doubts.