Uchiha Naruto: The Sage

Chapter 14

The Sandaime Tsuchikage, Ohnoki stared at a picture in front of him with wide eyes. He stared at a picture of a certain blond. The picture was placed in Otogakure's bingo book. He had gotten the latest bingo book from Otogakure. His grandchildren had made him turn on the front page to look at the man who had been making news around the Elemental Nations. The word of Naruto's adventures in Kiri were reaching all corners of the world. He had not taken it seriously when the boy had attacked Orochimaru's bases and destroyed them. He had thought that the boy was just another kid who just wanted to die soon by tempting a snake inside its burrow. But now he could no longer avoid it anymore.

After hearing what Naruto had done in Kiri, he had to take Naruto seriously. He was a threat. Anyone that was from Konoha was a threat. Also, the fact that the boy was the son of Konoha's Yellow Flash, did not please him. It was not hid from anyone that the blond was Minato's son since the Sandaime had announced it at the chunin exams. His spies had told him about the boy's power during that time. But like always, he had shrugged it off and said he was just a boy. But now he could not say it anymore. He also had to take into consideration that the boy was an Uchiha and had the Mangekyou Sharingan at his disposal. Anyone with the Mangekyou Sharingan was a threat.

It would be a pain if the blond could also use ''that'' cursed jutsu. It was good that so far no one had said he had used the jutsu. That was pleasing. But with a ninja you could never really tell. Shinobi never showed all their cards in battles. They always held something back as triumph card. He was going to believe that the blond still had another triumph card added to his already impressive strength. He doubted that even he could have brought the destruction the blond brought to Yagura's forces in Kirigakure.

The boy's power could no longer be ignored. He had to act and do something.

During Naruto's younger age, he looked like his father, but now he was different. There was no mistake about it. He no longer took after his father in looks. In fact he looked like 'him'. The thought made him study the picture carefully. He looked at Naruto's right eye. The Sharingan was activated. He looked at that uncaring eye. It was as if it was looking down at him as if he was just a mere nuisance. The armour the blond wore, reminded him of 'him' again. The way his hands were rested on his chest just reminded of 'him'. The hair style and length only made him look like Madara reborn with blond hair.

Yes, it was if he was staring at another Madara. The thought did not dwell well with him.

The bingo book from Otogakure had ranked the blond S-rank. The rank was fitting. It was just troublesome because Konoha seemed to be getting even stronger. They still had two Sannin's, Kakashi, Maito Guy. Now they had Uchiha Naruto. There was also another Uchiha. Konoha's power was rising.

''Yoh!'' a female voice spoke. ''Old man, what's wrong? You look like you have seen a ghost.''

Ohnoki looked at the young woman speaking to him. It was his grandchild. She never showed him any respect. ''It's nothing,'' he muttered.

''Gramps, you know bottling up inside is not good for you. Especially given your age.''

Ohnoki's eyes twitched. He hated being reminded of his age. He was indeed old but he did not appreciate being reminded of it. If it was not for the pressing matters he would have been retorting and yelling at his grandchild to show him some respect.

His eyes looked back at the bingo book entry. For now he would do nothing. No, he would not even place the blond in his bingo book. He would wait then act. Acting without proper assessment of what he is dealing with will never not give him positive result. Yes, for now he would watch from the shadows and gather all things needed before he can act.

With those thoughts, the old man smiled to himself.

Somewhere in the Earth country

Zetsu glanced at Naruto. They had been travelling at a rather fast pace. Naruto had said he wanted to deal with Orochimaru quickly and return to Konoha. Zetsu was not sure if that was the only reason. He had said it himself just a week or so before that he was not in a hurry to return to Konoha. So why the sudden change? It was also unlike Naruto to do things in a hurry. He always liked to do things at a comfortable pace without rushing them to avoid failure and to get the perfect results.