Easy Chapter 781 For The Village?

“I won’t do it!”

The answer Naruto gave was completely different from what Yugao had imagined. She was utterly stunned, freezing for a long moment before finally processing that he had refused.

“Why? The village…”

“What does the village have to do with me?” Naruto interrupted, “I don’t want to get involved in these troublesome matters right now. The Shinobi World has formed an alliance. It won’t make much difference whether I’m there or not.”

“I have more important things to deal with. Ino is pregnant, and I must stay here to ensure her safety.”

"The Anbu will..."

“I don’t trust the Anbu. Don’t say you’ll personally take charge… it’s not that I don’t trust you, but it’s simply impossible. The village needs an Anbu Commander more than it needs an ordinary, unremarkable Jonin.”

‘Unremarkable? Ordinary?’ Yugao felt like vomiting blood.

“Do you have any idea that your participation could change the course of the war?” She persisted, still trying to persuade him.

“Do you have any idea how important Ino is to me? If anything happens to her, I’ll immediately switch to the opposing side.” He said, pausing for a moment, “That would also change the course of the war.”

Yugao: "..."

When it came to verbal sparring, no number of Yugaos could match Naruto.

Realizing she couldn’t reason with him normally, she decided to be straightforward. She looked at him earnestly and said,

“What do you want?”

"Ino and Hinata's safety."

“We’ll guarantee it, absolutely without fail.” She hurriedly assured.

“And...”

"And?"

“I haven’t thought of anything else for now, but I can’t leave immediately. I need to stay in the village for a few days.” Naruto finally relented. He would have to go to the front lines eventually.

The difference was whether he went passively or after securing enough benefits.

Going to the battlefield was no small matter. Even the strongest could be worn down by endless battles. The Sandaime Raikage died, Kinkaku and Ginkaku died, and the Nidaime Hokage also fell on the battlefield.

No one is invincible, unless they're cheating.

“You can make demands, as long as you agree to contribute to the village.” Yugao said.

“Yeah.” Naruto didn’t say much more. He couldn’t outright state that he didn’t plan to exert too much effort, but he knew Yugao wasn’t expecting much either.

Some things were better left unspoken.

Yugao gave Naruto a deep look before turning and leaving.

They were merely former colleagues, and she understood that this was likely the last time she would speak to Naruto like this. There probably wouldn’t be another opportunity in the future.

…

Afternoon.

Naruto remained calm, not dwelling on Yugao’s words. He even forgot about them shortly after. He didn’t care about promises… he only knew he couldn’t leave now.

Kabuto, the sneaky bastard… six years ago, Naruto had urged him to strive for better things while kindly inquiring about his mother. Given Kabuto’s personality, he definitely wouldn’t let bygones be bygones.

In a sense, Kabuto was a genius who never received fate’s favor. Compared to the madman Obito, he was even more dangerous.

From the very beginning, Naruto had never forgotten about Kabuto.

Six years ago, his strength was insufficient. He could only barely help Tsunade block a sword strike and had no opportunity to eliminate Kabuto once and for all.

After that, Kabuto vanished without a trace, as if he had evaporated from the world.

Perhaps even Tsunade had forgotten about such a minor character, but Naruto remembered.

Kabuto, who managed to escape death while working under Danzo, and whose second job was working for Orochimaru… such credentials were unparalleled in the Shinobi World.

Someone like that, to put it elegantly, was a dormant dragon waiting for the right moment to rise.

Moreover, Kabuto had now truly transformed into a dragon.

Even though his interactions with Kabuto were limited, Kabuto left a deep impression on him. He seemed suspiciously effeminate, spoke with a condescending tone, and clearly wasn’t a good person.

Kabuto lived only to chase an identity. Driven by this obsession, he worked under Orochimaru for so long. If someone so fixated held a grudge, it would be terrifying.

Naruto didn’t know if anyone else had ever inquired about Kabuto’s mother, but he was certain that bastard wouldn’t let him off easily. Kabuto would definitely resort to underhanded methods.

If Kabuto made a move, he would undoubtedly make it as dramatic as possible. That was just like Kabuto… he needed to be seen, to be acknowledged, even if it was through fear.

Before that, Kabuto could hide in the shadows, lurking underground. He didn’t care how long it took, as he only cared about one thing.

Who was he?

And this question was answered by Naruto six years ago. Naruto stomped on the softest part of his heart, spat on it, and cursed, “Your mother!”

From that moment on, Kabuto stopped endlessly questioning who he was and no longer rushed to seek revenge against Naruto. Instead, he focused on another goal: he would make the Shinobi World remember him.

Just as Orochimaru was infamous, he too would make sure people remembered him. For Kabuto, this was the best answer he could conceive.

Naruto had no idea what Kabuto was thinking, but his own thoughts raced, "The fighting outside is so intense, they've almost taken out the strongholds of the Five Great Nations. It must be tough out there."

"Anyone who didn't know better would think that bastard Kabuto is some grand strategist. Killing and burning everywhere, teaming up with Black Zetsu, even recruiting that blockhead Sasuke."

"Everyone wants me to leave the village and head to the front lines, but he's been watching me all along. Did they really think I wouldn't notice? I've grown up, but I haven't lost my mind."

"Yakushi Kabuto, you're one ruthless bastard… almost as cunning as me!"

Naruto spat in disgust, hiding on the beams of the Hyūga clan's residence. He watched as the figures of two White Zetsu slowly emerged over the wall. The war had long since begun.

More and more White Zetsu poured over the wall without warning, grinning viciously as they charged toward Hiashi’s house. With a few sharp whooshes, two White Zetsu were taken down.

Yugao leaped down from the roof with her team, exhaling two puffs of white breath, her eyes cold. She had made a promise to Naruto, but the reality was that she couldn't keep it.

Naruto swung his sword, cutting the last White Zetsu in half. He glanced at Yugao, his expression saying it all: ‘I gave you a chance, but you couldn't deliver. What good are promises?’

Yugao felt utterly defeated, none of the confidence she had that morning remaining. What could she offer in exchange? Nothing.

This was forcing Naruto to disregard Hinata and Ino's safety.

She couldn't do that. After all, beyond her duty as a liaison, she and Naruto had a personal connection.