"Sakura!"
"You have to believe in Sasuke like I do!"
"He will come back—and nothing can break the bond between us!"
Naruto looked at Sakura with fierce conviction in his eyes.
If there was one thing Naruto was good at, it was his belief in people. His so-called "Talk no Jutsu" wasn't just a joke—it was practically his signature technique.
So what if it was Sasuke?
As long as he got stronger…
Strong enough to beat Sasuke…
Then he could bring him back.
That was the way Naruto saw it.
"...Naruto," Sakura started quietly. "Actually, I—ugh…"
She looked like she wanted to say something else. But in the end, she swallowed her words.
The truth was, Sakura had slowly started developing feelings for Naruto.
Maybe if nothing unexpected happened, the two of them really would end up together someday.
But even so…
Sakura couldn't help feeling like there was some kind of invisible barrier between them.
And the weird part?
That obstacle wasn't a circumstance.
It was a person.
She didn't understand it herself.
Why is it that even now… there's still something between us because of him?
Yoruha stood off to the side, silently watching their complicated little love triangle unfold.
He sighed to himself.
Good thing I stepped in and saved Hinata, he thought.
Otherwise, wouldn't Hinata be left heartbroken by Sasuke too? That'd be tragic.
Orochimaru and Sasuke had gotten away.
Which meant—officially—their mission had failed.
Yoruha and the rest of the team spent another two days scouring the forest just to be thorough.
Eventually, they discovered Orochimaru's hidden stronghold in the Grass Country.
But…
It was already empty.
All the key documents and research had been cleaned out, no doubt by Kabuto.
After returning to Konoha, Yoruha reported the whole mission to Tsunade, without sugarcoating anything.
Tsunade listened carefully, then narrowed her eyes.
"So… that Uchiha brat has already grown that strong?"
She frowned deeply.
"If Orochimaru gets his hands on Sasuke's body… the consequences would be unimaginable."
There were many Lightning Release users in the world.
But one who could manipulate the raw forces of nature like Sasuke had?
That was a first.
The Sharingan's potential… was terrifying.
And if Orochimaru obtained that power?
Would he develop even more monstrous jutsu? Something like Devouring Demon, Behemoth, or some other forbidden catastrophe?
Yoruha just shrugged.
"After Orochimaru escaped, we located his stronghold in the Grasslands. But all the important intel was gone. Our trail ended there."
As far as Yoruha was concerned, he had kept his promise to Naruto.
They'd confronted Sasuke.
Naruto had seen firsthand how far gone Sasuke really was.
And now?
Naruto had made up his mind.
He would grow stronger—stronger than Sasuke—and bring him back with his own hands.
As for Sasuke?
Yoruha wasn't worried.
Orochimaru had been too arrogant. He'd taken Sasuke's body too early, without waiting for it to mature.
It would be ironic if he got himself killed because of that.
"Well," Tsunade finally said, "even if the mission technically failed, discovering Orochimaru's base in the Grass Country is a big win. I'll have the Anbu comb it for further clues. Good work."
Yoruha nodded, ready to head home and call it a day.
But just as he turned to leave—
"Wait," Tsunade said. "What do you think we should do about Sai?"
Yoruha had already told her about Sai's background and role.
Tsunade wasn't entirely sure someone like him belonged in Team 7.
Yoruha sighed. "Honestly, he's a bit pitiful. But he's talented. Let him stay in Team 7 for now—maybe he'll redeem himself eventually."
He glanced sideways, as if deep in thought.
Even if marrying Ino off to him feels like a bit of a loss… well, someone's gotta do it, right?
Besides, it wasn't like Yoruha was going to intervene.
Sai and Ino's future was their own problem.
"Alright, we'll go with your suggestion for now," Tsunade said.
After leaving the Hokage's office, Yoruha returned home.
He found Sam sitting in the yard, quietly staring off into space.
The moment she saw him return, she lit up with joy.
Yoruha smiled faintly, then gently brought her inside.
One month later.
At the Sunshine Barbecue Shop in Konoha, a casual dinner was in full swing.
Kakashi's team, Kurenai's squad, Asuma's group, and Yoruha were all gathered to celebrate Kakashi's discharge from the hospital.
"Man, Kakashi-sensei is something else," Ino muttered, propping her chin up. "I mean, the Sharingan is powerful and all, but every time he uses it, he's bedridden for a month! Isn't that just ridiculous?"
"Well, at least it's better than dying," Yoruha said casually.
Truthfully, Kakashi always ended up drained and half-dead after using Obito's eye.
But now that he'd lost the Sharingan?
He really was starting to look… kind of average.
"I agree," Kakashi said, looking relaxed. "Lying in a hospital bed for a month isn't so bad. Beats getting sent on missions. All I did was read novels."
He gave Yoruha a pointed look.
"Come on, Kakashi-sensei," Sakura scolded lightly. "We're all here to celebrate your recovery. Don't act like you're trying to go back into retirement."
Team 7 really was full of problem children.
Even the new guy, Sai, was odd.
And that nickname thing?
Seriously?
Why did she get stuck with "Ugly" while Ino got "Great Beauty"?
Who raised this man!?
"See?" Ino chimed in with a smug grin. "My teacher's the best. Responsible, dependable—and most importantly, full of positive energy."
She looked proud.
Asuma might not be the strongest of the group, but his personality was definitely the most grounded.
And—very importantly—he wasn't a single dog.
Which meant he was probably the only normal guy among the Jonin.
"Aww, Ino, don't praise him too much," Kurenai said with a soft laugh. "Or he'll get a big head."
It was clear from her gentle smile that she adored Asuma.
"I'll help keep him humble," Ino said playfully. "Starting with making him quit smoking."
"Haha, I like the sound of that," Kurenai smiled back.
But while everyone chatted happily, Yoruha glanced at Asuma with a deeper expression.
Because if memory served…
Asuma was about to cross paths with those two—Kakuzu and Hidan of the Akatsuki.
Even though Asuma was no slouch, taking on Hidan and Kakuzu was another level.
If he died…
Ino would be devastated.
Dammit, Yoruha thought. Why do I always end up worrying about this girl?