"I always feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick in this deal, but the deal is done. Here's to a happy cooperation!"
As two hands with distinct knuckles clasped tightly together, the ninja world entered a New Era.
..............
"Naruto, Naruto."
Shikamaru's eyes quickly scanned the Valley of the End. Sasuke didn't engage in battle with them. Presumably, he didn't strike Naruto hard either.
"Over there!"
Shikamaru looked in the direction Temari pointed. Naruto was lying on his back, staring blankly at the sky. His tattered clothes made the young boy look even more pitiful.
"Hey! Are you still alive?"
Shikamaru rushed forward to check his wounds. The external injuries had basically healed, but those lifeless eyes showed that the owner had suffered a huge mental blow.
"Ah, you bastard, don't scare me like this!"
After confirming that Naruto was okay, Shikamaru heaved a sigh of relief and slumped to the ground, exhausted.
Glancing at him and thinking that this half - dead look wouldn't work, Shikamaru started a conversation.
"Are you thinking about Sasuke?"
...
"Yeah, he's such a cunning guy. Looking at me with such sincere eyes, I..."
How could I still be so stubborn as to try to keep him?
"Come on, Naruto. It's all in the past. Don't look so heart - broken as if your long - time girlfriend ran off with someone. After all, the ones who stay have to keep living. Look, Gaara and Temari came all the way to find you. Everyone is worried about you, so don't be so willful anymore!"
"Naruto, don't be too sad. You just can't keep someone who wants to leave."
"I know. Thank you, Gaara. I'm really sorry to have you come all the way from the Land of Wind."
Naruto propped himself up and stood up, patted the dust off his body and thanked Gaara.
"It's nothing. We already owe you a favor anyway, and besides..."
We are friends.
"Let's go. I'm fine now. Let's go find the others. I wonder if they're hurt."
"Okay, it's best that you've figured it out."
Shikamaru looked at Naruto's profile. If he had shouted and cried, Shikamaru wouldn't have found it strange. But now this kid didn't show the slightest reaction. It was really eerie.
Now Naruto seemed to have grown up overnight. He was eerily quiet, neither happy nor sad, just like the calm before a storm.
Sasuke, I'll keep the oath I made and stand side by side with you one day!
Naruto left the Valley of the End and looked back at the place where they had once fought, reluctantly.
On the way back, everyone noticed a change in Naruto's eyes.
They had become more determined. Although he still occasionally showed that silly look, somehow, he had suddenly become mature.
Even though everyone tried to comfort Naruto along the way, although he still joked around, something about him had really changed.
...............
"Sorry, Granny Tsunade. I failed to bring Sasuke back.
Six people, namely Naruto and his companions, stood neatly in the Hokage's office. Facing Tsunade, they hung their heads in guilt.
"What are you talking nonsense about? It's a pity that Sasuke didn't come back this time, but after this mission, you've all grown a lot. Anyway, it's most important that you're all back safe and sound."
"Lady Tsunade."
"Naruto, from now on, you should focus on your cultivation. Stop thinking about those messy things. According to Jiraiya's intelligence, there's an organization targeting the tailed beasts that has set its eyes on you. From now on, you'll study hard with Jiraiya."
"Don't worry, Granny Tsunade. I've also grown a lot after this incident. I'm very sorry about Sasuke, but I understand that this is just a temporary separation. As long as I keep improving my strength, one day I'll meet that guy at the top."
Tsunade raised her eyebrows. She had no idea where this kid got so much confidence. He was just thrashed not long ago, but now he seemed like nothing had happened and wanted to meet his rival at the top?
..............
"So Sasuke has already left. Sorry, Naruto. I knew nothing about it."
Sakura realized it later. When everyone started talking about Sasuke's departure, she couldn't help but regret why she didn't notice Sasuke's abnormality earlier.
Seeing Sakura's downcast expression, Naruto comforted her.
"It doesn't matter, Sakura. Even if we're separated now, I'll definitely bring that guy back!"
Sakura looked up. The young boy's eyes were still clear, with a look of determination in them.
...............
All the participants in this battle have gained growth. The world is vast, and there are plenty of people stronger than oneself. As a ninja, one must never be short-sighted.
............
"Neji, you're back. I heard your mission this time didn't go very smoothly."
Hiashi looked at Neji's disappointed face and felt a bit sorry.
In recent days, the negative rumors about the Uchiha clan have resurfaced. Due to Sasuke's defection, the hard-won stable relationship has once again been veiled in a haze of suspicion.
That boy just chose a different path in his life. He shouldn't be treated like this, not to mention his family being implicated.
Moreover, he heard that the boy cooperated with Orochimaru for his elder brother's illness.
Thinking of this, Hiashi couldn't help but feel melancholy. Look at how enviable the relationship between family and buddies is in other clans, while the Hyuga clan cut off this blood-related bond on their own. It's sad, pitiful, and laughable.
"Yes, we failed to bring Sasuke back this time. Naruto is the most upset one."
While chatting with his uncle, Neji tentatively inquired about whether the Byakugan could evolve.
It's not that he didn't trust his uncle, but this matter had never been brought up before. He'd better investigate it clearly first to avoid getting everyone excited for nothing.
He talked with his uncle for a long time, from the recent problems in cultivation to the history of the Hyuga clan.
After making inquiries from various sources, he didn't find any useful information. However, Sasuke really had no reason to deceive him before leaving. He must know something.
While keeping an eye on those in the main family who were dissatisfied with him, Neji searched through the ancient documents within the clan and found a shred of evidence.
It turned out that the Hyuga Clan were actually the descendants of the younger brother of the Sage of Six Paths, and they inherited the Byakugan, which even the Sage of Six Paths didn't possess.
This news really got Neji excited for a long time. It seemed that the Byakugan could be further developed.