Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-32617252-20170726232219/@comment-5085906-20170731082205

Lorenzo.r.2nd wrote: hmm, what if Naruto is orochimaruing? (pretending to be dead the whole time, then comeback, and kicks ass?) That is unlike Naruto. He would never play possum while his village was demolished by a Prince of Persia expy.

I think he's more likely to be sealed in another dimension. That would also explain Sasuke's absence - he's traveling to other dimensions to find Naruto.