Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 85 Sasuke's Resolve

Before today, Sasuke's understanding of the ninja world was one of strategic planning, sword fights, and clashes of ninjutsu—a world that, no matter how he imagined it, remained firmly within the realm of humanity. But today, he witnessed a ninjutsu capable of completely filling a large barrier, a summoning beast large enough to break through the high walls surrounding Konoha, and his best friend descending from the sky with a giant frog, instantly killing the giant snake.

He had always known that Naruto was very strong, incredibly strong, so strong that he had only won a handful of times since they were children, and most of those wins were when Naruto was not in a good mental state. But he also firmly believed that he could catch up. If Naruto stood still and waited for him, he would feel that it wasn't Naruto anymore. The more he used to enjoy the process of chasing each other with Naruto, the more fearful and inferior he felt now.

Even though he had tried his best, Naruto had unknowingly left him far behind.

The weak... will be abandoned... definitely... When Konoha was invaded, Naruto ran to the most dangerous place himself, but left him among the children, treating him as someone to be protected.

Why...why? Why?!

They've been together since childhood, so why has everything changed in just one month? Is it because… Naruto found a good master? Or has he actually never used his full strength?

...It doesn't matter anymore. How could someone as weak as me, who needed Naruto's protection, possibly take revenge on that man?

Sasuke's mind raced, but his body didn't stop. Since there was only one breach in Konoha, the scattered infiltrators quickly changed tactics, rapidly regrouping at the main arena to ensure their only escape route wasn't cut off. Therefore, the path to the East Gate was fraught with danger. Thanks to his years of honed instincts, he managed to dodge arrows fired from blind spots while running.

As more Konoha ninja joined, the number of Sound Ninja dwindled. With the help of several ninja, Sasuke broke through the Sound Ninja's makeshift defenses and finally reached the breached Konoha walls.

A several-meter-high earthen wall served as a makeshift enclosure, and scattered beneath it lay a number of people, mostly Sound Ninja, but also a few scattered individuals in green vests. This familiar scene stirred a sense of fear within Sasuke, and he quickly moved through the crowd, searching both for familiar faces and for anyone still alive.

...Naruto, please don't be in there...

I can't sense the monkey's chakra anymore. Has he... perished?

"...I'm on the east gate defensive line, not on the field."

Even with students helping out, is it still the same?

"Tobirama, don't be so sentimental. We'll see each other again soon anyway. The trouble in the Land of Owls is resolved. It seems even the Akatsuki members have their budget constraints."

"Yeah, who knows, maybe the four of us Hokage will be able to play mahjong someday. Tobirama, can I come back now? I can't exactly go through the main gate, can I?"

"...Have the ninjas at the West and North Gates been wiped out?"

〖yes.〗

[There's still so much chakra remaining!]

"They're begging for mercy on their knees, I can't just punch them, can I..."

Brother! How can you still be so naive!

"Forget it, Tobirama-san, killing prisoners goes against Hikaru's principles. Didn't we design a new propaganda process? We were just worried about where to test it. Let's take these people back and try modifying it, see how it goes."

[That's a good suggestion. There are already few ninjas, so it's good to have more.]

"...Hmph, well, my brother can arrange everything from food and clothing to housing and transportation. The Minister of Construction can't rely on others for everything."

"Oh no! Tobirama!"

"The number of ninjas coming this way has decreased, and some of them seem to have left halfway." Naruto, who was keeping a close eye on the situation, was already adept at distinguishing between reality and the mental space. He reported the results of his perception to the temporary commander of the East Gate front, and was then given the order to take the wounded to the hospital.

No matter what, Konoha wasn't so desperate that it needed genin to charge into battle, even if that genin was Jiraiya's student.

Naruto accepted the order.

The situation on the front lines had largely stabilized, but the remaining Sound Ninja were insufficient to launch another effective attack. Meanwhile, Naruto knew that Sasuke had arrived at the foot of the East Gate, his emotions oscillating between fear and madness, keeping Naruto on edge.

Upon landing, Naruto saw Sasuke crouching in a pool of blood, and was so shocked he almost forgot about the wounded man behind him. If he accelerated too quickly, it could cause further injury to Sasuke!

"Sasuke! Are you alright!" Even though he knew from his chakra perception that Sasuke was not injured, Naruto's heart was still pounding. He was scared and frightened.

Sasuke's upper body was splattered with blood, and even his face was covered in blood foam. His hands were completely red, and he was clutching the bleeding neck of a Sound Ninja.

“…Naruto?” Sasuke’s dilated pupils focused instantly, but he did not come to his senses. Instead, he looked at the Sound Ninja lying down and then at the wounded man being carried by Naruto.

"What happened? Did he attack you?"

Here's a contradictory joke. The Uchiha orphan who failed to capture the Eight-Tails, attacked the Five Kage Summit, and issued a declaration to cleanse the old era, actually dislikes killing. This habit persisted after the battle at the Valley of the End; unless someone is deliberately courting death, Sasuke never intentionally takes a life.

He was only gone for a short while, and Sasuke got into this mess. He was really too negligent and careless!

Sasuke couldn't answer. He just wanted to find a survivor among the corpses, but there was no trust between the opposing sides on the battlefield. He did find a survivor and tried to help, but unfortunately, the survivor was a Sound Ninja. He barely opened his eyes when a kunai attacked, and he died from Sasuke's reflexive self-defense.

Is this what a ninja is like? How pathetic and laughable... Would Naruto laugh at his meaningless sympathy?

"It's alright, Sasuke. You just reacted out of habit, right? Luckily you're okay. Next time you find an enemy alive, remember to use genjutsu to take them down first before trying to save them. Shall we go check if there are any other wounded?"

The unexpected answer startled the boy, whose darkness was beginning to take hold. He stared incredulously into those clear blue eyes. They were the sky, and the sea. Whether it was joy or pain, Naruto always accepted everything about him selflessly.

The sun cannot belong to one person alone, but sunlight will display different colors when it passes through different types of glass.

Sasuke clenched his once flawless hands, which were now stained with the same color.