Naruto: The Abstract Strategist of the Akatsuki

Chapter 529 Individual Instruction

Gaara was deeply moved after hearing Naruto's words.

As for why he was moved, he needed to think carefully about the reasons.

In short, he was already moved that Naruto could open his heart to him.

"Uh, well, what Naruto means is that he hopes that if you, Kazekage, feel pressured as a Jinchūriki, you can use his methods to relieve that pressure and not feel too much pressure."

Seeing the strange atmosphere, Kakashi quickly thought and stepped forward to explain for Naruto.

Although the people present didn't quite believe this explanation, it at least gave them a way out.

Now we've finally gotten to the main topic.

That is, to promote the immortal mode.

Although promoting the Sage Mode doesn't seem very serious.

Moreover, Naruto set a bad precedent, making any mention of Sage Mode training methods seem even more inappropriate now.

"W-what?"

Gaara instinctively thought Naruto was still joking with him, so he turned his gaze to Kakashi, only to find that Kakashi nodded, indicating that it was true.

"If necessary, I can demonstrate it to Konohamaru."

Kakashi added a sentence.

"No need, I trust Naruto."

Gaara interrupted Kakashi before he could finish speaking, staring intently at Naruto. "Naruto, who do you think from our village is suitable to be the Sage Mentor?"

"Uh...hehe, if you ask me that..."

Naruto felt a little uncomfortable being stared at, so he scratched his head and grinned foolishly.

He doesn't know any of the Sand Village ninjas at all, so how can he possibly answer that?

"I think, Gaara, you can select a group of excellent ninjas to train together. That's what Iwagakure does."

The first one to learn it will become the magic instructor.

Naruto thought for a moment and came up with a solution.

"An excellent ninja... then can I train too?"

Gaara asked a question.

Temari had already recalled Bai Mo's experience when she mentioned Sage Mode earlier.

As for Gaara, now that it's time for him to remember, he's only just now come to realize that he, too, had experienced it once before.

This is the difference in how different people are perceived by different people, in all aspects.

"Of course you can, but Gaara, you need to be careful. You are a Jinchuriki, so when you are training in Sage Mode, you must not let the Tailed Beasts get involved."

Tailed beasts cannot replace summoning beasts as support for Sage Mode.

Naruto earnestly explained to Gaara the words Kurama had used to deceive him.

"Is that so? I understand."

"My relationship with Shukaku isn't bad right now, so it shouldn't interfere with my training."

Gaara nodded slightly.

Because the version of "Sage Art" that Gaara experienced was essentially pure natural energy, completely different from Sage Mode which incorporates chakra.

Therefore, Gaara had no way of knowing whether what Naruto said was true or not.

What if you can't tell the difference?

Of course, we should unconditionally trust Naruto. What else can we do?

"Um, you guys chat, I have something to do, I'll be going now."

Temari left after saying a few awkward words.

The others didn't stop them, nor did they say anything.

Indeed, there is no gender distinction in cultivating the Immortal Mode, but that is only for discussion. When it comes to actual combat, we still have to avoid it.

After Temari left, Naruto felt much more relaxed.

For some reason, Naruto felt uncomfortable with girls around, and he felt more relaxed and comfortable with boys.

Moreover, the way Temari looked at him just now felt the same as Sakura's – she wanted to beat him to death, to the point of being eliminated.

"Naruto, remember our bet. Kakashi is the witness to the bet, and I trust his impartiality. I'll be going now."

Chang Ye also left the training ground with a remark, heading after Temari.

Changye is a middle-aged woman, so she is naturally different from Temari. Even if she stayed here to watch the others' training process, they should be the ones who feel ashamed.

Tōyō left simply to give Naruto and Gaara room to grow.

It was precisely because she stayed that they were ashamed, and that's why she couldn't stay.

Tsuneha caught up with Temari and directly told her about her bet with Naruto, and invited Temari to witness the bet together.

Essentially, Tokiha wanted to collaborate with Temari.

After all, the training ground was just a temporary venue, and Chang Ye didn't believe that they would actually start cultivating Immortal Mode in broad daylight there.

—Shouldn't we find a private room?

Since she was unfamiliar with Sunagakure, she needed to find a local, and a powerful one at that, to monitor Naruto and his group.

Temari was curious but too embarrassed to look, so we left it to her to do, and then verbally reported back. This way, everyone was satisfied, a win-win situation.

On the other side, at the training ground.

When Changye left, he mentioned the "bet," and Kankuro looked at Naruto with a suspicious expression: "A bet? What bet?"

"It's a bet, a bet on when I can teach you Sage Mode, yes, that's it."

Naruto, like Kankuro, finally managed to come up with a reason, and fearing Kankuro would refute him, he quickly turned to Kakashi.

"Kakashi-sensei, and Konohamaru too! Konoha and Sunagakure are allies, and Gaara and I are close friends and family. We must do everything in our power to help them master it as soon as possible!"

"..."

"Kakashi-sensei, Konohamaru, listen to me..."

Seeing that the two remained unmoved, Naruto pulled them together and began to whisper among themselves.

The contents of the bet were discussed by Naruto in front of everyone, but the stakes were only known to the two of them and were added later.

"Next up is Kirigakure. I heard they're really developing beach resorts there, and even Granny Chiyo from Sunagakure went there to enjoy herself. We made a bet: whoever loses has to cover the other's entire vacation expenses in Kirigakure..."

"...What does that have to do with us?"

Kakashi and Konohamaru exchanged a glance, and upon hearing about the vacation, they were also intrigued.

After all, they've endured wind and rain, and traveled the entire ninja world; it's time for them to enjoy themselves.

"When the time comes, I'll pay, and you can all enjoy it together, right?"

Naruto proudly raised his chin.

"Is this even possible? Naruto-nii-san, you..."

"Wait, Konohamaru."

Kakashi grabbed Konohamaru, who really wanted to discuss this with Naruto, and shook his head.

Konohamaru then realized that something seemed amiss.

The bet about training in Sage Mode is just an excuse Naruto is using. The real bet is whether Gaara is a Bond Type Ninja.

There's still room for improvement in Sage Mode.

Regarding the bond between ninjas, the astute Kakashi and Konohamaru already felt that the outcome of this bet was already decided.

Ugh.

The two looked at each other and then sighed.

Alright, I'll just agree for now and see what Naruto thinks next.

After the two agreed, Naruto turned around with satisfaction and looked at Gaara and Kankuro: "Alright, they agreed! Gaara, I'll teach you myself. Konohamaru, you teach Kankuro. Kakashi-sensei, you teach the rest of them~"