screww sasuke....hopefully the end of the fillers will b interesting
Konoha does know of Akatsuki's plans to get the bijuu, even from the early attempt to get naruto by Itachi and sharkman they knew of his importance. The kidnaping of Gaara would have solidified this fact for them . Naruto is never outside the company of Konoha's finest : ero sennin , Kakashi ,Yamamoto . Though they did allow him to come along on the first akatsuki chase it would be like a move in chess : you won't expect your opponent to attack you with the king , and would be unprepared as such.