Chapter 258 : Naruto Didn't Come
Everything before their eyes was a massive shock to them.
The giant tree was truly unimaginably massive, so large that it could be seen clearly even from a mountain ridge dozens of miles away. Its trunk was so thick that its edges couldn't be seen, rising from the ground like a colossal pillar piercing straight into the clouds. The canopy was large enough to blot out half the sky, like an open giant umbrella blocking out the sunlight.
What was even more shocking was the dense mist swirling around the giant tree.
The mist was incredibly thick and dense, draping over the tree like a white veil that cascaded from the canopy all the way down to the ground, completely enveloping it. Under the sunlight, the mist shimmered with a faint, iridescent glow, as if someone had scattered crushed gold over the canopy.
Just standing there evoked a profound sense of perfection welling up from the depths of their souls.
It was a wondrous, indescribable feeling. It felt as though something was gently caressing their souls, making their bodies feel light and their minds clear, completely relaxing their entire beings.
Hatake Kakashi subconsciously pulled down his mask.
He rarely exposed his face, but at this moment, he couldn't care less.
Three tomoe slowly spun within his red iris. He stared at the giant tree and the swirling mist with his Sharingan, his pupil slightly contracting.
His lips moved, and then he spoke.
"Wh-what is that?"
His voice was dry and tight.
No one answered him, as everyone else's reactions were much the same.
Even from such a great distance, they could already sense its extraordinary nature from where they stood.
The aura exuded by the tree, that feeling of complete physical and mental comfort, was not something any ordinary object could produce.
Sarutobi Asuma suddenly snapped back to reality, his expression changing drastically.
"This is bad. That is definitely a top secret of Amegakure. It's not safe here!"
His reaction was incredibly fast. As soon as his words fell, the others also snapped out of their daze, instinctively preparing to retreat.
But evidently, their reaction was still too slow.
Because at some unknown point, someone had already cut off their escape route from behind.
A voice called out from the mountain forest behind them.
"Excuse me, everyone. Could I trouble you to come with me?"
The voice wasn't loud, but it was crystal clear, every word perfectly enunciated.
Everyone's bodies instantly stiffened.
Their hands simultaneously reached for their ninja tool pouches, fingers gripping the hilts of kunai or blades. They leaned forward slightly, shifting their weight to the balls of their feet, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
Sarutobi Asuma's brows furrowed deeply. His right hand had already grasped his trench knife, exposing its gleaming, razor-sharp edge.
He stared intently at the woods behind them, his voice low and heavy.
"Who's there? Come out!"
At this point, he didn't hope for anything else; he only wanted to ensure the safety of his team members.
The four Jonin, including himself, immediately stepped forward, shielding the rookies behind them.
Sarutobi Asuma stood on the far left, Yuhi Kurenai to his right, Might Guy to her right, and Hatake Kakashi on the far right.
The four of them stood side by side like a solid wall, protecting the young ninja behind them.
Haruno Sakura, Hyuga Hinata, Yamanaka Ino, Tenten, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, and Rock Lee all stood behind the four Jonin.
Their bodies were tense, fully prepared for battle.
No one spoke, and no one made a single unnecessary sound.
There was only the rustling of the wind blowing through the leaves.
A figure walked out from the forest.
The person walked slowly with steady steps, his shoes crunching against the dry leaves. His silhouette emerged from between the trees, first half of his body, and then his entire form.
He stopped in a clearing less than ten meters away from the group.
He wore a white cloak and had bright blond hair. His features were handsome, and his eyes carried a gentle demeanor. The corners of his mouth were slightly turned up, as if he were smiling.
He looked at the group and spoke.
"There's no need to be tense. I mean you no harm."
His gaze swept over everyone, moving from Sarutobi Asuma to Yuhi Kurenai, from Kurenai to Might Guy, from Guy to Hatake Kakashi, and finally to the young ninja.
His eyes paused on Hatake Kakashi for a moment.
"You are Konoha ninja, aren't you?"
His tone carried a hint of nostalgia.
Within the formation, Hatake Kakashi's eyes widened.
His Sharingan was still active, the three tomoe spinning rapidly in his eye. He stared at the blond man's face—a face he couldn't be more familiar with—and his pupil contracted violently.
His body began to tremble, starting from his hands, spreading to his elbows, his shoulders, and then his entire body.
His mouth fell open, his lips quivering.
Then he spoke, his voice tight, dry, and filled with disbelief.
"S-Sensei!?"
His voice was quiet, but everyone heard it.
Namikaze Minato shifted his gaze toward him.
He looked at Hatake Kakashi, taking in the face mostly hidden by a mask and the exposed Sharingan, and his smile widened.
"It's Kakashi. You've grown so much."
Hatake Kakashi's body was still trembling. He opened and closed his mouth, as if struggling to find his voice.
"Is it really you, Sensei? How is this possible?"
Countless thoughts surged through his mind in that instant.
He thought of the giant tree, the swirling mist, and that person.
Then, his expression shifted.
From shock to solemnity, and from solemnity to grim realization.
"Could it be..."
He thought of a certain possibility—one that made him anxious, tense, and sent a chill down his spine.
Sarutobi Asuma swallowed hard.
His eyes were also wide, his pupils contracting. He recognized that face—the face carved into the Hokage Monument, the one he had grown up looking at.
"Lord Fourth?"
His voice was somewhat hoarse.
"Is it really you?"
His tone was equally laced with disbelief.
Among those present, the four Jonin squad leaders had clearly recognized Namikaze Minato's identity.
Only the rookies remained a mix of vigilant and curious. They looked at Namikaze Minato, then back at their respective teachers, not quite understanding why they were so shocked.
Hearing Sarutobi Asuma utter the title "Fourth Hokage" made it even harder to believe.
The Fourth Hokage?
Wasn't he a legendary figure?
Wasn't he already dead?
Why would he be here?
Namikaze Minato looked at them, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
"It's so nice to see all your familiar faces here."
His gaze shifted from Sarutobi Asuma to Yuhi Kurenai, from Kurenai to Might Guy, and then back to Asuma.
"Asuma-kun."
His voice was calm.
"What is your purpose for coming here?"
Sarutobi Asuma took a deep breath.
His chest swelled high before he slowly exhaled.
He forced himself to calm down, quelling the chaotic thoughts swirling in his mind.
Then he spoke, his voice heavy.
"We are here looking for Uzumaki Naruto."
His gaze was earnest, as if he were speaking of a matter of utmost importance.
Namikaze Minato's smile faltered, and his expression turned serious.
"That child... what happened to him?"
By this time, Hatake Kakashi had managed to compose himself slightly.
He looked at Namikaze Minato, took a deep breath, and spoke.
"Wait, Sensei."
His voice was still a bit dry, but much better than before.
"According to our intelligence, Naruto came to the Land of Rain."
His brows were furrowed, his lips pressed tightly together.
"Could it be?"
He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was already clear.
Namikaze Minato's face darkened.
His brows knit together, his lips pressed into a thin line, and the light in his eyes grew heavy.
"I have been in Amegakure this entire time."
His voice was calm, but there was an uncontrollable undercurrent in his tone.
"I haven't seen that child."
Hearing this, the hearts of the four Jonin squad leaders instantly sank.
Sarutobi Asuma's brows furrowed even tighter, Yuhi Kurenai pressed her lips together, Might Guy's expression grew even more serious, and Hatake Kakashi's Sharingan spun faster.
They all realized the same problem: if Uzumaki Naruto hadn't come to the Land of Rain, then where did he go?
If he didn't come looking for Uchiha Sasuke, then why did he run away from the village?
Or rather, who lured him out of the village?
Different thoughts churned in everyone's minds, but the expressions on their faces were equally grim.