Naruto, my father's name is Uchiha Madara.

Page 194

"Sigh... Fine. But you lecherous sage, remember this—when there's no real danger, you are the greatest danger!"

Chapter 218 A Brief Farewell

In the early morning, the mist in Konoha had not yet completely dissipated, and the sunlight struggled to penetrate the clouds, casting dappled shadows on the training field.

The air was filled with the scent of grass and earth, and the smell of sweat rising from the ground.

The seventh training ground once held countless memories of their sweat, laughter, and growth.

At this moment, Sakura is doing her morning exercise alone.

She was wearing a light green training outfit that Tsunade had specially prepared for her, which was easy to move in, and her long pink hair was tied into a neat ponytail.

Her movements were precise and powerful; every punch and kick was accompanied by a sharp, piercing sound.

Chakra condensed in his fists and feet, faintly revealing the final form of "monstrous strength".

Sweat soaked her forehead and slid down her cheeks, but her eyes were unusually focused, with a burning desire to become stronger in her emerald green pupils.

On her first day as Tsunade's disciple, she was told about the strictness of the training, and she dared not slack off in the slightest.

"Sakura—!"

A familiar, energetic voice broke the silence of the training ground.

Sakura abruptly pulled back her fist and looked in the direction of the sound. She saw two figures walking side-by-side at the entrance to the training ground.

Naruto, with his golden hair as dazzling as the sun, wore his usual bright smile.

With his jet-black hair and aloof expression, Sasuke stood with his hands in his pockets and a steady gait.

Seeing them, a surge of joy instantly welled up in Sakura's heart, dispelling the fatigue of training.

"Naruto! Sasuke-kun!"

Sakura's face lit up with a delighted smile, and she quickly went to greet them: "What brings you two here? Is the mission over? Naruto, your hand..."

She looked with concern at Naruto's right arm, which was covered in new skin and still had a slight pinkish tinge.

"Hehe, I'm completely fine! With Granny Tsunade... oh no, the Fifth Hokage here, this little injury is nothing!"

Naruto proudly waved his right arm, showing off his recovery, but then his smile faded and he scratched his head.

She revealed a rare, slightly awkward and embarrassed expression: "Um... Sakura, we actually came here... to say goodbye."

Sakura's smile froze instantly, a hint of confusion and unease flashing in her emerald green eyes: "Where...are you going? On a long-term mission?"

Her heart jumped.

"This one……"

Naruto doesn't seem to be good at saying such slightly sentimental things.

He nudged Sasuke next to him with his elbow as if seeking help, and gestured with his eyes: "Sasuke, you tell me!"

Sasuke glanced helplessly at Naruto and sighed softly.

He looked at Sakura, at her dark eyes that always held a hint of aloofness.

At this moment, however, he appeared unusually serious, even revealing a rare hint of gentleness: "It's like this, Sakura. Me and this idiot,"

He pointed at Naruto: "I received an invitation from Jiraiya-sensei to leave the village for a while to undergo more systematic training outside. The time... will probably take about three years."

"Three...three years?"

Sakura's voice trembled slightly as she looked at her two companions. A huge sense of loss and reluctance overwhelmed her.

Having just become Tsunade's disciple, she was full of hope for the future, but she immediately had to face separation from her most important companion.

Are Class 7... about to part ways?

"Hey! Sakura!"

Naruto panicked when he saw the tears welling up in Sakura's eyes and her dejected mood.

He quickly waved his hands and said loudly, "Don't say that! We're just leaving the village to cultivate, it's not a farewell! We're going to become stronger! To become even stronger! And then come back to protect everyone, to protect the village!"

Sasuke looked at Sakura, who was trying to hold back her tears, and remained silent for a moment.

He stepped forward, his voice much gentler than usual, carrying a reassuring quality: "Stay in the village and train with the Fifth Hokage. We'll be back soon."

These words were like a warm current flowing into Sakura's heart.

She looked up at Sasuke's earnest eyes, then glanced at Naruto beside her, who looked anxious and was trying hard to make her laugh.

Naruto took a deep breath, and his signature smile, full of hope and strength, returned to his face.

He raised his clenched fist to the center of the three of them, his voice loud and firm: "Alright, Sakura! Don't be sad! We will definitely come back! We will come back with even greater power! It's a promise!"

His smile seemed to have a magical power, dispelling the gloom in Sakura's heart.

She looked at Naruto's firm fist, then at Sasuke.

Although Sasuke had a hint of embarrassment on his face, he still pursed his lips and extended his fist as well.

A warm current flowed through my body, and my disappointment was replaced by a firm belief.

Sakura sniffed hard, forcing back the tears in her eyes, and a bright smile, a mixture of strength and emotion, bloomed on her face.

She also stretched out her fist and forcefully and steadily struck Naruto and Sasuke's fists!

Three young hands, three tightly clenched fists, symbolize the unbreakable bond of Class 7, pressed tightly together in the morning light!

Sakura's voice was slightly choked, yet incredibly clear and strong: "It's a promise! You must all come back safely! And become stronger!"

"I will also work hard to become a great medical ninja like Lady Tsunade! When you come back, I will definitely make you look at me with new eyes!"

"Of course!" Naruto grinned.

"Hmm." Sasuke nodded slightly.

The sunlight shone on them, gilding the three young figures with a warm golden edge.

The sorrow of parting was replaced by anticipation for the future and shared vows.

A silent promise seemed to echo above the training ground.

After saying goodbye to Sakura, Naruto and Sasuke parted ways at the intersection, each heading towards their homes to pack their belongings for their upcoming journey.

Soon, Naruto, humming an off-key tune, set off on his way to the gates of Konoha with his packed backpack on his back.

Just as I turned a corner into a street lined with cherry blossoms, I saw a slender figure standing under the shade of a tree ahead, seemingly waiting for someone.

With white pupils and smooth, dark blue short hair, it was Hinata Hyuga.

Naruto was somewhat surprised and quickly walked over.

Hinata turned around immediately upon hearing the sound.

When she saw Naruto, a faint blush instantly appeared on her face, like a cherry blossom in its first bloom.

But her gaze was quickly drawn to the bulging backpack behind Naruto, and a hint of doubt and worry flashed in her white eyes.

"Naruto-kun..."

Hinata's voice was as soft as a feather: "You...you are..." She pointed to Naruto's backpack.

"Oh! This one!"

Naruto was clearly more relaxed around Hinata than he was around Sakura.

He patted the backpack behind him, a sunny smile on his face, and said in a relaxed tone, "I'm going with Sasuke to follow the Perverted Sage out of the village for training! To a very far place!"

"Leave the village...to practice?"

Hinata's doubts were instantly replaced by immense disappointment, like sunlight obscured by dark clouds.

She lowered her head slightly, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, her voice even softer: "Then...when will you be able to come back?"

Naruto was completely unaware of the disappointment in Hinata's eyes.

He scratched his head, gazing longingly towards the village entrance as if he could already see the vast world: "It'll probably take three years! The exact time depends on the progress of Sasuke and my training!"

"The lecherous sage said he would take us to a powerful place and make us incredibly strong!"

He pumped his fist, full of energy.

"Three years..."

Hinata's heart sank, and she murmured the exact time.

Three years... more than a thousand days and nights, and I still haven't seen Naruto-kun?

An indescribable feeling of bitterness welled up in her heart, making her almost want to turn around and run away immediately.

She hid so Naruto wouldn't see her tears, which were about to spill over.

She kept her head down, her long bangs obscuring her eyes.

Naruto noticed Hinata's sudden unusually low mood and even the slight trembling of her shoulders, and only then did he belatedly realize that something was wrong.

He thought Hinata was worried that he would encounter danger if he left the village, or that he was not strong enough.

He immediately straightened his back, his face showing an extremely serious and determined expression, and said loudly:

"Hinata! Don't worry! I promised you! I always keep my word!"

He paused, as if recalling something, then promised even more forcefully, "I will definitely take responsibility for you! So, wait for me to come back! Wait for me to come back stronger! I definitely will!"

His voice was loud and frank, carrying an undeniable sincerity, and sounded exceptionally clear on the quiet street.

Naruto's straightforward promise, which was almost a "confession," exploded in Hinata's heart like a bombshell!

An overwhelming sense of shame swept over her like a tsunami!

Her face turned bright red in an instant, as if it could bleed, and visible steam even rose from the top of her head!

My heart was pounding wildly in my chest, almost jumping out of my chest!

She felt like she was about to faint from extreme embarrassment!

However, just as this immense dizziness struck...

Naruto's words revealed an unreserved sincerity and a steadfast commitment to protecting others.

Like a clear spring, it instantly extinguished her shy flames, bringing an unprecedented sense of security and... immense joy.