How Kurama Leads Naruto Astray

"Kurama, shut up!" Naruto growled, glaring ahead angrily. 

"Fine, I'll keep quiet. I'll just sit here and watch," Kurama said with a wide grin, his nine tails happily swaying. 

Naruto couldn't believe there wasn't some sarcasm in those words. 

Kazahana Doto tightened his grip on Kazayahana Koyuki's neck, his face full of ridicule. 

"I must admit, that last attack was impressive. But how many times can a mere genin like you use such a high-powered jutsu with your chakra?" 

Sasuke stared coldly at Kazahana Doto, pulling out a kunai with his right hand.

Naruto scratched the back of his head. Even though he was angry, he couldn't help but say:

"I can actually do this quite a few times."

"Heh." 

Kazahana Doto clearly didn't believe him. Holding Kazayahana Koyuki tightly, he gave Sasuke a slightly threatening look and said: 

"Uchiha brat, if you don't want your mission target to die, you'd better drop the weapon in your hand."

Sasuke clicked his tongue in annoyance but didn't charge in recklessly. He tossed the kunai aside and looked at Kazahana Doto. 

"All you want is the hexagonal crystal. Take it and let our target go, and we'll let you leave."

"Not necessary," Kazahana Doto replied coldly. 

The moment he finished speaking, a figure suddenly dropped down from the side, forming hand seals with a mocking smile aimed at the two of them. 

"Ice Release: Nadare Rouga!" 

It was Nadare Rouga! 

Wait, not the jutsu—it was the person. 

Nadare Rouga used the jutsu *Nadare Rouga.* Its power was immense. Earlier, when Sasuke copied it, he was able to protect fifty people. Now Nadare Rouga was using it to attack. 

The avalanche that had calmed down erupted again, turning into countless giant wolves charging toward the two of them. 

Sasuke and Naruto didn't hesitate to dodge. While the jutsu was powerful, avoiding it didn't take much effort. 

After the jutsu subsided, Sasuke landed in front of Sandayu, scanning the snowy ground. The spot where Kazahana Doto and Kazayahana Koyuki had been standing was now empty, replaced by a massive airship rising from below the cliff. 

Sasuke raised a hand to shield his eyes from the snowstorm whipped up by the airship's engines, squinting to see. 

Kazahana Doto stood by the airship's open door, his gaze full of mockery. He didn't say a word or make any movements. He simply looked down with an arrogant expression, as if showing off that Kazayahana Koyuki was in his grasp. 

Kazayahana Koyuki's eyes were filled with fear. She reached her right hand downward, her voice trembling and desperate: 

"Naruto!!!" 

Sasuke: "…" 

What? Why are you calling Naruto while looking at me? Do I look like that idiot? 

Feeling speechless, Sasuke turned to look at Naruto, who had landed on the other side. 

"Naruto, we need to find their base and—" 

His words stopped. All he saw was a field of white snow. Naruto's figure had already disappeared. 

"Don't tell me…" 

Sasuke's eyes widened in shock as he looked up at the airship in the sky. 

Even though he knew Naruto wasn't weak, taking on the enemy's base alone—Kurama's help or not—was almost impossible. After all, Naruto hadn't even unlocked Kurama's full power yet. 

No way. Did that guy actually jump onto the airship? 

Sasuke's eyes flickered, his expression growing serious. 

"I need to find Pervy Sage. Naruto's being way too reckless this time."

Of course, Sasuke knew Naruto was always reckless. It's just that Kurama and Jiraiya had managed to drill some sense into him lately. Deep down, though, he was still the same impulsive person. 

Sasuke didn't think he could save both Naruto and Kazayahana Koyuki on his own. Even if he didn't like the idea, he had to find Jiraiya. Only Jiraiya had the power to rescue those two from the enemy's stronghold. 

With that thought, Sasuke turned to Sandayu, who still seemed dazed, and spoke without hesitation: 

"Sandayu, don't get in our way. Find a place to hide, and leave the rest to us."

"Uh… sure," Sandayu agreed without resistance. 

After what happened earlier, he finally understood the difference between his ragtag group and Kazahana Doto's ninja team. Sasuke was right—if they got involved now, they'd only make things worse. It was better to hide and let the Konohagakure ninja handle it. 

"Thank you for your help." 

Sandayu, now back to his senses, bowed respectfully. 

Sasuke didn't reply. He waved his hand and turned to leave, running at incredible speed toward where Jiraiya was. 

Meanwhile, Naruto had entered the airship. He looked around at the crisscrossing paths, unsure of which way to go. 

Even though his sensing ability could detect Kazahana Doto's location, it didn't give him a map or show him which path to take. So, despite knowing the general direction, he was still clueless about which way to go. 

Sticking to his habit of asking his elders for advice when in doubt, Naruto turned to Kurama in the sealed space. 

"Kurama, which way should I go next?" 

"My suggestion? Use a Tailed Beast Bomb and blast your way through," Kurama said, barely opening his eyes. 

Sure, if you can't find the path, make one. As long as you know the direction, just destroy the obstacles with a Tailed Beast Bomb. 

"There was no road in this world to begin with, but once enough people walk a path, it becomes a road." 

So don't hesitate—just charge through. 

Hearing this, a bead of sweat ran down Naruto's forehead. 

"What if I blow a hole in the airship and it crashes? Koyuki isn't a ninja. If Kazahana Doto gets the hexagonal crystal and doesn't care about her, wouldn't she fall?" 

Kurama paused, then nodded. 

"Good point. So, what's your plan?" 

Naruto lowered his head and thought for a moment before his eyes lit up. 

"I could pretend to let them capture me. They'll definitely take me to Kazahana Doto, right?" 

"Not bad," Kurama agreed, but he added, 

"Just be careful. Don't get captured only for them to kill you immediately." 

Naruto clenched his fists and grinned. 

"They won't. With someone like him, he's bound to mock me after catching me. I'll take that chance to blow up the airship, grab Koyuki, and make a run for it." 

"Sounds like a plan," Kurama said with a pleased nod before laughing cheerfully. 

"As expected of me! To come up with such a perfect idea. Now hurry up and thank Kurama." 

"Thanks, Kurama!" Naruto said excitedly, almost instinctively. 

But as soon as the words left his mouth, he froze, his face turning red with anger. 

"Wait! That was *my* idea. What does it have to do with you?" 

"It's got nothing to do with me, true," Kurama said with a shrug before lifting his chin to look ahead. 

"But I should remind you, Naruto—your enemy is here." 

"Huh?" Naruto blinked, instinctively turning to look. 

 At the fork in the path ahead stood Nadare Rouga, his face full of mockery as he sneered at Naruto. 

"Didn't expect a rat to sneak in here." 

Naruto's eyes narrowed. 

"Looks like I don't even need to go looking for them." 

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