107: Chapter 107 I'm Sorry! A Conversation Under the MoonAs night fell, a thick fog, like a cold veil, enveloped the desolate town of the Land of Waves.
The entire town seemed to have been put on silent mode, with only a few scattered, lifeless lights flickering in the fog, revealing not a trace of vitality.
However, inside Tazna's slightly dilapidated but warm wooden house, bright lights shone, creating a stark contrast to the deathly silence outside the window.
The firewood crackled in the fireplace, and the long dining table was laden with simple yet hearty meals.
The stewed fish soup was steaming hot, along with a few simple vegetables.
More importantly, the room was packed with people!
Dazner invited several of his old colleagues who worked on the construction site during the day, as well as a few neighbors.
Although everyone's faces showed lingering fatigue and worry about the future, the long-lost lively atmosphere of so many people sitting around a table still brought Tazuna a sense of comfort.
He covered the back of his head, a rare genuine smile appearing on his face, his voice loud and filled with emotion: "Haha, it's really.it's really great!"
It's been such a long time since I've sat down with so many people and enjoyed a proper hot meal!Come on, everyone, don't be shy, eat while it's hot!
However, he was met with a brief, somewhat awkward silence.
Everyone's gazes involuntarily drifted to the corner of the dining table.
There, Kakashi and Sakura's gazes, filled with undisguised concern, were fixed firmly on Sasuke.
Sasuke lowered his head, his black, tousled hair obscuring his eyes and brows.
The food in front of him was barely touched, and his hands were held up in front of him, his knuckles turned slightly white from the force of his grip.
He remained in that position ever since he returned from the forest, silent as a statue.
The air was filled with the lingering smell of dust and faint sweat from him, as well as a oppressive, almost stagnant, low-pressure atmosphere.
After a long while, as if he had made some great decision, Sasuke suddenly raised his head.
His face was still somewhat pale, but his dark eyes had lost some of their previous stubbornness and gloom, and gained a hint of.perhaps clarity after a struggle?
His gaze didn't fall on Kakashi, nor on the food on the table, but instead bypassed everyone else and landed directly on Sakura's face.
"Sakura," Sasuke's voice was a little hoarse, but unusually clear, "can you come out with me for a bit?"
"Huh?"
Sakura was caught off guard; her cheeks flushed instantly, her heart pounded, her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes, and her mind went blank.
She blurted out almost subconsciously, "Of course!My voice carried a hint of excitement that she herself didn't realize.
Watching the two silently leave their seats one after the other and head towards the door leading to the balcony, Kakashi's right eye, which was the only one visible, curved slightly, and a sense of relief swept through his heart:
'Not bad.Class 7, finally starting to look like a real team.'
He instinctively reached for "I Love Paradise" but suddenly stopped.
'Um?'
Kakashi's gaze swept across the table, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.'Strange.why is it so quiet?'
He finally realized what was missing—that always boisterous, energetic golden figure!
"Mr.Dazner,"
Kakashi turned to his master, "Where's Naruto?Why isn't he here?"
Tazna was busy serving food to his old friend next to him when he heard this, and he was taken aback, putting down his chopsticks:
"Naruto?Oh, that kid.He came with me and Sakura to buy groceries this afternoon, then suddenly said he was going to the forest, and then he disappeared.It seems he went in the direction of the forest behind the town."
"forest?"
A thoughtful look flashed in Kakashi's eyes as he lightly tapped the table with his fingertips, but he quickly regained his nonchalant air."Never mind him."
Even if something happens to me, with Naruto's thick skin and.well.his vigorous vitality, he'll probably be fine.Let's start eating." He had a mysterious confidence in Naruto's survival abilities.
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Outside, the sea breeze carried the coolness of the night.
Sasuke and Sakura leaned against the wooden balcony railing, gazing at the sea that appeared even more profound and mysterious in the night and mist.
The waves crashed against the rocks on the shore, making a rhythmic splashing sound.
Sakura's heart was still pounding, her cheeks were still burning, and her mind began to wander uncontrollably:
'Sasuke-kun called me out alone.what did he want to say?Could it be.could it be.'
Just as she was blushing so much she was practically fuming, Sasuke's deep voice broke the silence: "Sakura."
"Ah!Ah?What's wrong, Sasuke-kun?" Sakura was so nervous she almost bit her tongue.
Sasuke turned his head and looked into Sakura's eyes, his gaze earnest and complex: "Can I.ask you a question?"
'A.a question?'
Sakura's mind went blank for a moment, and in the midst of this blankness, a single word uncontrollably escaped her lips, brimming with the girl's boundless longing: "L.like?"
"Um?"
Sasuke frowned in confusion, clearly not having heard clearly or understood."What?"
"Ah!No!No!It's nothing!"
Sakura snapped back to reality instantly.The sea breeze brushed against her burning cheeks, making her face as red as a boiled shrimp.She wished she could disappear into the ground and waved her hands frantically."You.you ask!What's the question?"
Sasuke looked at Sakura's flustered state, paused for a moment, then turned back, his gaze returning to the dark sea, his voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of confusion and.self-doubt:
"Sakura.am I.the most useless one right now?"
He paused, his voice lower, as if stating a cruel fact: "Along the way.all the enemies were dealt with by Naruto and Kakashi-sensei."
Even the most basic tree-climbing training.I'm not as fast as the two of you."
"What?"
Sakura's eyes widened instantly as she stared incredulously at Sasuke's profile, her heart filled with heartache and anxiety."Sasuke-kun!How could you think that?"
In my heart, you've always been the strongest!Ever since the Ninja Academy!You were so hardworking and so outstanding!
"The strongest."
Sasuke repeated the sentence in a low voice with a self-deprecating tone, a bitter smile curving his lips.
He took a deep breath, as if summoning immense courage, and turned his head again to look at Sakura formally and with utmost seriousness:
"sorry."
"well?"
Sakura was stunned."What.what are you sorry for?"
"Before..."
Sasuke's voice was somewhat stiff, but each word was clear and forceful, "You offered to teach me how to climb trees before, but I."
I said those things to you.I rejected your kindness.I'm really.sorry.
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