At the same time, not far from Konoha.
The Land of Fire was of a decent size. Among the five great nations, its territory wasn't the largest, but it certainly wasn't small.
Unlike some countries, where a single weather forecast of "sunny" could summarize the weather for the entire nation.
Thus, while Itachi Uchiha was being drenched by a violent storm, the weather not far from Konoha had long since cleared up.
In the western sky, a beautiful rainbow even hung in the air.
"Wow~ Sasuke-kun, look! What a beautiful rainbow!"
On the way back to the village, Sakura's mood instantly brightened when she saw the rainbow, chattering like a sparrow. The unpleasantness of being caught in the rain just moments ago vanished completely.
Yay!
Going on a date with Sasuke...
No, it's a mission with just the two of us, and I even get to see such a beautiful rainbow!
This is great!
Sakura excitedly pointed at the rainbow in the sky. She turned around to see Sasuke with his head lowered, a gloomy and worried frown on his face.
"Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked cautiously.
But...
Sasuke seemed to not have heard her at all.
His mood at this moment was not one of elation. In fact, it was more like his mother had just died.
The blow Naruto had dealt him this morning was quite significant.
Naruto was already a Jonin and the leader of an organization.
And him?
He was still a Genin, forever stuck doing D-rank missions like a delivery boy!
Sasuke felt an indescribable feeling.
He felt that there was already a sad, thick barrier between him and Naruto, and they were living completely different lives!
Was he not working hard enough?
Sasuke pondered.
Looking back on his life, especially the last six months since graduating, Sasuke didn't feel he had wasted any time.
He had been working hard enough!
Yet, despite all his efforts, the gap between him and Naruto was only getting wider!
He no longer felt any jealousy toward Naruto, because the gap was too large. He couldn't even see the taillights, so how could he be jealous?
A three-year goal!
Remembering his goal of catching up to Naruto in three years, he wondered if such a thing could really be achieved.
And...
Was the Mangekyo Sharingan Naruto spoke of truly that powerful?
And did those books really help?
Sasuke was a little doubtful.
But Sasuke knew that he had no other path to choose!
With conventional Ninjutsu, he had no hope of catching up.
There was only one thing he could have that Naruto couldn't: the Mangekyo Sharingan.
So, regardless of whether Naruto was telling the truth, the Mangekyo Sharingan was his only hope for a comeback!
With this thought, Sasuke looked up. His bright and determined eyes instantly locked onto Sakura.
"Sasuke-kun?"
Sakura yelped in surprise.
She had called his name several times with no response, so his sudden gaze startled her. Sakura hid the hands she had extended to check his forehead for a fever.
"Sakura, could you..."
Looking at the flustered Sakura, even though he knew the possible consequences, Sasuke only hesitated for a moment. In an instant, his eyes became extraordinarily firm again.
"Sakura, would you be willing to live with me? My house is quite big, and until I achieve my goal..."
Sakura couldn't hear the rest of his words.
Only the two phrases, "with Sasuke-kun" and "live with me," echoed in her mind.
"Sasuke-kun wants to live with me?"
The thought appeared and lingered, refusing to fade away.
After years of a one-sided crush, Sakura was a little overwhelmed.
She felt her heart pounding fast, as if a baby dinosaur was rattling around, threatening to burst out of her chest.
"Are you willing?"
She had forgotten what he said at the beginning and in the middle.
After her mind calmed down a bit, Sakura only heard this voice.
"Yes! Yes! Sasuke-kun, MWAH~~~"
Sakura mustered her courage, closed her eyes, puckered her lips, and leaned in.
What she received was only Sasuke's cold 'palm of the Buddha'.
A polite refusal.jpg
Even though she was rejected, Sakura didn't feel the slightest bit of unhappiness. Her face was red, but her eyes were fixed on Sasuke. She simply thought he was being shy.
Meanwhile, Sasuke was deep in thought.
He had found a brilliant student to help him study. The next step was to accelerate his learning. Missions could wait.
He would strive to master the Mangekyo as soon as possible.
Additionally, recalling Naruto's Jonin rank, Sasuke felt that he also needed to address his own rank.
"Has the result of the Chunin Exams not been announced yet?"
Sasuke thought that even with Orochimaru's interference, there should be a result by now.
He decided to go back and ask his teacher, Kakashi.
With his strength, he should surely be promoted to Chunin, right?
What about Jonin?
What were the requirements?
Sasuke felt a new sense of urgency.
"I'll go back and ask Kakashi-sensei."
With that, Sasuke stood up and started walking back.
"Sasuke-kun! Wait for me!" Sakura called out sweetly.
Eek~
Sakura's voice made Sasuke feel goosebumps all over his body.
Is this what Naruto meant by "cringe"?
A shiver ran down his spine. Sasuke instinctively quickened his pace.
After returning to the village, the two submitted their mission report.
Afterward, Sasuke proposed they part ways, agreeing to meet up again in the evening.
Sakura was reluctant, saying she wanted to spend more time with him to get to know him better.
Sasuke was afraid he might throw up and flat-out refused.
As for the evening?
We'll worry about that then!
After they split up, Sasuke went to look for Naruto.
In terms of accelerated learning, the Sage land on Naruto was the ultimate weapon.
Teacher Leopard was truly knowledgeable.
He was not only skilled in various Ninjutsu, but in the realm of knowledge, Teacher Leopard was also the highest mountain.
Teacher Leopard could explain any knowledge points he hadn't known before.
With Teacher Leopard's guidance, even if the teaching time each night was short, the effect would still be significant.
Wait a minute.
I wonder if Teacher Leopard in the Sage land knows anything about the Mangekyo Sharingan?
He had never asked before.
Instantly, his urgency to find Naruto increased.
He searched and searched but couldn't find Naruto. Instead, he found the white-haired Kakashi-sensei.
"Kakashi-sensei!"
Seeing Kakashi leaning against a telephone pole reading a book, Sasuke walked forward slowly.
"Sasuke?"
Kakashi put down his book. He was a little surprised to see him.
But seeing Sasuke's expression, Kakashi knew he must have something on his mind.
"What is it?"
"Do you know where Naruto is?"
"Naruto?"
Kakashi was puzzled for a moment. Where did Naruto go?
He might not have known before noon, but now he was very clear. However, due to the confidential nature of Naruto's mission, he couldn't answer directly.
"He went on a mission!" Kakashi finally summarized.
"A mission?"
Sasuke pondered for a moment, then asked, "When will he be back?"
Kakashi's dead-fish eyes scanned Sasuke.
Naruto's identity and mission were now considered confidential.
But seeing the urgency in Sasuke's eyes, Kakashi hesitated for a moment and then answered, "A month or two at the shortest, but maybe half a year at the longest."
"That long?"
Sasuke instantly realized that Naruto had taken on some kind of high-level mission.
He felt a pang of envy, and then a little disappointment.
If only... if only I could have gone on the mission with Naruto!
A single month could be worth more than half a year of my own training!
Thinking of the organization Naruto was heading to this morning—Root—Sasuke asked again, "Kakashi-sensei, what kind of organization is Root?"
This question...
Kakashi tilted his head in thought, choosing his words carefully. "It's a base that specializes in training, and they also handle some intelligence work."
"Training?"
For some reason, hearing the word "training" made Sasuke think of the Sage land on Naruto.
If I join Root, will I be able to connect with Naruto and enter the Sage land to train at any time?
Thinking of this, Sasuke actually felt a little excited!
Root?
I want to join!
But...
Thinking that Naruto was the leader of the Root organization, Sasuke hesitated again.
Joining Root means becoming a subordinate of that guy Naruto...
Sasuke felt that he should think about it a little more.
However, since he couldn't find Naruto, Sasuke remembered the real reason he came to see Kakashi.
"Sensei, have the results of the Chunin Exams been announced yet?"
Sasuke's dark eyes looked at Kakashi with sincerity.
"Chunin Exams? Hmm..."
If Sasuke had asked about anything else, Kakashi might not have known the answer, but this question, Kakashi happened to know.
He had just been summoned to the Hokage's office and happened to hear that the Third Hokage was preparing to leave Konoha.
Why would the Hokage leave Konoha?
Kakashi guessed he must be going to the Capital!
It was a coincidence that Naruto had returned, Jiraiya-sama had returned, and although he hadn't seen her, Tsunade-sama must have also returned.
So, it wouldn't be just the Third Hokage going to the Capital. This time, it would be for the official appointment of the Fifth Hokage.
And the results of the Chunin Exams...
If Kakashi's guess was correct, they would likely be announced by the new Fifth Hokage, Tsunade-sama.
The so-called "emperor's students"—no, Kakashi didn't know this concept.
But that didn't stop him from knowing this kind of procedure.
"Soon."
Kakashi looked at Sasuke with a gentle expression.
This time, his three students—no, Naruto was already a Jonin.
So, the remaining two should be able to get promoted to Chunin, right?
With all three of his students promoted to Chunin, Kakashi even wanted to ask Gai, Asuma, and Kurenai if their students had all been promoted to Chunin.
Do I really have a talent for teaching?
Originally, Kakashi didn't think much of it, but with the facts and so many people's praise, Kakashi was starting to have doubts.
He shook his head lightly, pushing the thought out of his mind. "If it's fast, it should be within this week."
Sasuke nodded.
With his question answered, another one was already on the tip of his tongue.
However, thinking of the next question, Sasuke's eyes couldn't help but glance at Kakashi's left eye.
"Kakashi-sensei..."
"Do you have anything you can teach me about the Sharingan?"
Sasuke lowered his head. He was a little uncomfortable asking this question.
He, an Uchiha, a proud Uchiha, was asking an outsider for guidance on how to use the Sharingan?
But as an orphan, he had always been left to figure things out on his own. No one had ever taught him how to use the Sharingan.
Sasuke knew that he was only asking this question without shame because he was desperate to improve and reach the Mangekyo.
'The Sharingan?'
Hearing the question, Kakashi subconsciously reached up and touched the right eye covered by his headband.
He also thought of his teammate who was now wreaking havoc in the ninja world.
After a moment of daze, he came back to his senses.
Looking at the Sasuke with his head bowed, Kakashi felt that he was different from before.
However, it seemed things were moving in a good direction.
Thinking of this, a gentle smile appeared on Kakashi's face under his mask.
"I do have some experience with how to use the Sharingan, I just hope I don't mislead you."
"That's fine, Kakashi-sensei!"
Sasuke looked up. His eager eyes made Kakashi agree.
"Alright, come and get it tomorrow morning. The place will be at the dango shop."
"Tomorrow morning? Why..."
Before Sasuke could finish his sentence, he saw a beautiful, graceful woman walking toward them.
Sasuke recognized this woman.
Hana-san?
"Oh? Is that you, Sasuke-chan!"
Hana smiled generously, seemingly surprised.
Her nickname for a child didn't annoy Sasuke at all.
However, Sasuke instantly understood why Kakashi-sensei was here.
He was waiting for someone!
"Am I interrupting you?" Hana tilted her head and looked at Kakashi.
"No, we just finished our talk."
Kakashi put on his cool-guy persona, perhaps not wanting his student to laugh at him, and turned to leave with Hana.
"Let's go."
"See you next time, Sasuke-chan."
Halfway there, Kakashi turned and winked at Sasuke.
Sasuke understood Kakashi's message—you need to have a life too, kid!
A life?
Sasuke felt he had no time for such things. He had one thing he had to do—revenge!
"I have to wait until tomorrow?"
He muttered softly and also turned to leave.
Thinking of going back to face the overly sweet Sakura, Sasuke felt his goosebumps rising again.
"Huh?"
Not far away, Shikamaru sighed in surprise. "Look, isn't that Sasuke?"
As he spoke, he glanced at Ino.
Ino simply looked for a moment and then had no further reaction.
Choji, however, looked at Sasuke for a longer moment. "I didn't see Naruto."
After a brief thought, he turned to Ino and pointedly asked, "He's all alone. Are you really going to give up?"
Give up?
Ino, of course, didn't want to give up!
If it were possible, she would want both Naruto and Sasuke to pursue her.
But the reality was: Ino didn't want to compete with Sakura for Sasuke and ruin their friendship!
Although that's what she thought, Ino still didn't admit defeat.
"Hmph~ Give up? I never even tried!"
At this, Shikamaru and Choji looked at each other.
Never tried?
When they were kids, who was the one who was always around Sasuke, yelling, "You're so handsome, Sasuke! Go, Sasuke!!!"
Seeing Ino's expression, Shikamaru changed the subject. "What are we doing next?"
"I'm going to get some Mixue Ice Cream!" Choji was the first to jump up.
Looking at the spirited Choji, who got excited at the mention of food and drinks, Ino replied dismissively, "Fine~ Fine~"
Walking down the road, Ino felt listless.
Naruto is so hard to get!
Are all the handsome guys this hard to get?
And Sasuke is already popular, but why is Naruto even more popular than him?
It seems I have even more competition!
For a moment, Ino felt her future romantic life was bleak.
"Where is my Prince Charming?" Ino cried out silently!
Night fell, and the streetlights turned on.
Lights came on in every house.
Sasuke walked silently, his mind wandering.
When he finally came to his senses, he realized that his muscle memory had led him to Naruto's house as the sky was getting dark.
"Naruto's gone. What am I doing here?"
He sighed dismissively. He looked up and subconsciously glanced at Naruto's room.
This one glance made him freeze.
The light is on in there?
Naru-to is back?
His wandering thoughts instantly vanished, and Sasuke felt a thrill of excitement.
He jumped onto the roof to confirm, and sure enough, it was Naruto inside.
Naruto was just about to eat a big feast all by himself.
Sasuke almost went up and knocked on the door, but he suddenly remembered something and suppressed his impulse.
He turned and jumped away.
A moment later, in another part of the neighborhood.
"Knock~ Knock~"
Sakura, who was trying on an outfit, heard someone knocking on her window from the balcony.
"Sasuke-kun?"
She opened the window and was surprised to see Sasuke standing there.
At this time? In this place?
Before she could let her imagination run wild, Sasuke grabbed her. "Sakura, let's go!"
"Sasuke-kun~~~"
Being held by his hands, Sakura began to fantasize.
If Sasuke tries to kiss me, I don't know how I'll handle it.
Should I accept?
Or should I accept?
"Hehe, what a tough choice~"
But once they arrived, Sakura was speechless.
Does anyone understand this feeling?
Sasuke actually brought her to Naruto's house?!
What?!
Naruto is here too?
Okay, never mind!
Sakura sadly covered her face. She knew she shouldn't have gotten her hopes up!
But... this is kind of like living together, isn't it?
"Knock, knock, knock~"
Sasuke knocked on the door, and of course, Naruto opened it.
Ever since he heard the news from Kakashi this afternoon, Sasuke hadn't had any expectations.
So seeing Naruto suddenly made Sasuke extremely happy.
He still couldn't suppress his curiosity. "Naru-to, didn't you go on a mission?"
"A mission? I guess so."
Naruto thought, aren't missions something you do during the day?
Besides, it was already past six, so it was time to get off work!
Not to mention the Root members were deeply learning his work-life balance philosophy.
So when it was time to get off work, as the leader of Root, Naruto Uzumaki naturally had to lead by example and get off work.
Even if he was in another country, thousands of miles away from Konoha, the people on his mission would still be brought back to Konoha by him to enjoy the warmth of their homes every night.
Looking at it that way, Naruto was truly great!
Even if most of the Root members were single, anyway.
He welcomed the two into the house. The feast had just been served, so Naruto invited them to eat with him.
Sakura had already eaten, and she said she was on a diet, so she refused.
But that shameless guy Sasuke had already picked up his chopsticks. Once he started, he couldn't stop.
He ate... so deliciously.
Well, of course it's good. Naruto himself grilled it. How could it not be good?
Sakura had recovered from her earlier disappointment.
Seeing how deliciously Sasuke was eating, she couldn't help but want to pick up her chopsticks.
But... her clothes were already too tight, and she was afraid the buttons would pop if she ate.
Seeing this, she quickly changed the subject. "Naru-to, are you very busy with your missions in Root?"
"Busy?"
Naruto put down his chopsticks. "Root is a large organization. Other people do the other things, but I have a lot of work too."
Thinking of something, he continued, "However, from now on, I will mainly focus my energy on military affairs."