Chapter 86
[+200PS REACHED!!]
Kakashi indeed bore responsibility.
He thought it was just a small matter and that with his presence, he could solve everything.
Thus, recklessly continuing the mission was a dereliction of duty as a squad leader.
If he had been a bit more cautious and chosen to return to the village to have the Hokage reassign the mission, perhaps the danger could have been avoided.
Of course, if you look at it through the lens of conspiracy theories, there might have been schemes from Sarutobi to take action against Gatō, or ulterior motives regarding the Land of Waves. But for now, Natsuki decided not to dwell on that.
However, Naruto, refusing to learn his lesson, was still unconvinced.
"But, but we completed the mission, and nothing happened..." Naruto said.
"Nothing happened? Naruto, do you even hear yourself?"
Natsuki narrowed his eyes and fixed his gaze on Naruto.
"In reality, Sasuke actually died once, didn't he? Were you not filled with despair at that moment? Wasn't Sakura crying in agony? Didn't you taste the pain of losing a comrade?"
Naruto and Sakura's pupils contracted.