The moonlight was bright and clear. Sasuke was sitting leaning against the doorpost, staring blankly at the bright moon with a sense of indescribable frustration all over him.
"Sasuke."
Sasuke looked towards the direction of the voice and saw Naruto's face full of worry. Even so, he didn't reply. Instead, he shifted his gaze and continued to stare blankly at the moon.
Naruto knew why Sasuke was in such a state. In the past two days, despite Aunt Mikoto and Uncle Fugaku's best efforts to hide it, the atmosphere of grief was like a cup filled to the brim, on the verge of overflowing.
Naruto walked towards Sasuke and slowly sat down beside him.
"Sasuke, I know you're feeling bad, but Granny Tsunade also said that if Aniki Itachi's condition stabilizes, he can live for another two or three years. Let's take this time to look for someone or medicine that can cure his illness. I'll do my best. I promise you I'll definitely cure Aniki Itachi, so..."
"Naruto."
Sasuke interrupted him without listening to the whole speech. He knew this guy was a stubborn one and would definitely do what he promised.
But the ninja world was going to face a great disaster in the future, and Naruto had things he had to do. He had to firmly reject him and stop him from having such thoughts.
"Naruto, you'd better stop making these kind of wild promises to people."
"Sasuke?"
"This isn't a random promise. I want to help you, help Aniki Itachi, and help Uncle and Aunt who have given me a warm feeling like family."
"Help me? What's our relationship? I don't need your help!"
"Sasuke!"
There was a tinge of anger in Naruto's tone. He didn't understand why Sasuke suddenly said such words that cut to the heart. He figured Sasuke was just too sad and spouting nonsense for a bit.
"Naruto, you don't understand your own situation yet. You're just a brat. You don't study well, you don't do well in exams, and your Ninjutsu skills are just average. People like you can't help me. I'll find my own way to solve the problem. You don't have to worry about it."
"Worry about it? How can I not worry? We grew up in the same house since childhood. Aniki Itachi was like my real big brother, both strict yet gentle. It's not just you who's worried. I don't understand why you keep a straight face and shut me out every day with your gloomy mood?"
Naruto really seemed angry and didn't even control his voice. He couldn't stand Sasuke being in a daze all day long, and he couldn't stand the 180 - degree change in his attitude when they used to be the closest of friends.
In the past, no matter how out - of - line he was or how many stupid things he did, Sasuke would always call him "idiot Naruto" and then reach out to him with a smile, as if no matter how big a mistake he made, it wasn't a big deal in his eyes.
He was the one who had given him warmth. Why was he now stabbing him in the heart?
Actually, Sasuke had already made a decision in his heart.
Although he understood Naruto's thoughts and truly appreciated his consolation, at this moment, he couldn't reveal all his plans. He could only pretend to be numb.
Unable to bear seeing the sadness in those blue pupils, he turned away. At the moment their eyes met and then parted, Sasuke's face showed a look of guilt.
In fact, he didn't want to use a forced - growth way to stimulate Naruto's growth, but there was no other way. Neither Itachi's illness nor their enemies would wait for them to grow up slowly.
Naruto watched Sasuke's departing figure and involuntarily tightened his fists. He was very reluctant. In fact, he had tried very hard. Why didn't that guy reveal a single bit of his troubles to him...
................
At night, Sasuke walked aimlessly on the street under the bright moonlight.
It was late at night. There were still a few lights on in the taverns on the street. Besides that, there were very few pedestrians on the street.
Malicious shadows were lurking in the dark. They had been observing Sasuke for a long time and only came out when they were sure there was no one else around him.
"Sasuke Uchiha."
Sasuke looked up and saw several familiar yet strange faces. In his past life, on his way to Orochimaru, these guys were all killed by the Konoha ninjas. In fact, the Konoha ninjas weren't that weak.
"Who are you? What's your purpose in looking for me?"
Even though he already knew their identities, he still pretended to be on guard and looked at the Sound Ninjas.
"We are the subordinates of Lord Orochimaru. We've received his order to take you to the base."
Sasuke arched his eyebrows, feigning great surprise.
"Orochimaru. He really knows how to pick the right time. What if I say I won't go?"
"Haha, you've got no choice in this!"
As he said that, one of the ninjas wanted to attack Sasuke, but was stopped by a man with white hair who walked out from the back of the group.
The silvery moonlight shone on the young boy's handsome face. A touch of sickly whiteness made him even more eye - catching.
Sasuke still remembered this white - haired man. Wasn't he Kimimaro, the prematurely - deceased friend of Jūgo, who suffered from an incurable disease and finally died during the battle with Gaara.
Sasuke carefully examined this man. Although his white hair and skin didn't look very healthy, it was different from his past life.
"Wait, Sasuke Uchiha. Lord Orochimaru also said that we shouldn't force you, but once you hear this, you'll definitely come with us."
"Oh~ What is it?"
"Lord Orochimaru asked us to tell you: Only I can cure Itachi Uchiha's illness!"
Sasuke's pupils suddenly shrank. That sinister old guy really knew about Itachi's condition.
Seeing Sasuke's reaction, Kimimaro waved his hand and threw a stack of documents and a syringe of medicine at Sasuke.
"What's this?"
"This is the research that Lord Orochimaru has done on Itachi Uchiha's illness so far. And this is the drug he's developed. Although it's only in the primary stage, this syringe of medicine can relieve his pain.
Sasuke opened the document and quickly scanned the information on it. What was written on it coincided with the treatment Tsunade had been giving during this period, and there were also some special studies of his own.
Sure enough, that guy Orochimaru is really calculating!
"As long as you come with us and stay by Lord Orochimaru's side, the second and third doses of the drug for Itachi Uchiha's illness will be developed. It all depends on your choice, Sasuke Uchiha."
.................