Path Not Taken

Uzumaki Naruto

Fu confirmed the Akatsuki were closing in. Her teammates were acting suspicious, just like you predicted.

Uzumaki Naruto

She managed to escape before Kakuzu and Hidan could capture her, thanks to our intel.

Azula

I see. And you weren't able to convince the Seven-Tails jinchūriki to return with you?

Uzumaki Naruto

She was... reluctant to trust anyone after her teammates' betrayal. She fled before I could fully convince her.

Uzumaki Naruto

(I can't tell Azula I deliberately let Fu escape. No jinchūriki deserves to be a weapon.)

Azula

A pity. The Seven-Tails would have been a valuable asset to our village.

Azula

At least the Akatsuki failed in their mission as well. That's the more important outcome.

Azula

(He's lying. He intentionally let her go against my direct orders. How... perfect.)

Uzumaki Naruto

My primary objective was preventing the Akatsuki from capturing another jinchūriki. In that, at least, the mission was successful.

Azula

You've done well, Naruto. You made a decision in the field and prioritized the greater threat.

Azula

(Deception, manipulation, bending rules to his own vision... he's becoming more like me every day!)

Uzumaki Naruto

You're... not disappointed about Fu?

Uzumaki Naruto

(Why is she looking at me like she's won something? What am I missing here?)