Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 473 "The Only One"

"Sasuke, Sakura is also a member of Team 7!"

"For me, it was once Class 7."

This was a long-awaited reunion after three years. All the members of Class 7 gathered under this bridge, but the fire in his heart had long overshadowed his past memories. Now, all he wanted to do was deal with these troublesome guys who came to his way.

His desire for revenge will not waver. How can the people of Konoha, who saved their brother and clan with their lives, laugh without knowing anything?

"Now you should understand, Naruto, Sakura, what's shrouding him is real killing intent. He's no longer the Sasuke he used to be."

Kakashi's words almost made him laugh. He was no longer the naive, easily manipulated person he once was. The truth had opened the door to this cruel ninja world; he had seen through the hypocrisy of the Konoha people, and so... that's why he had to...

"Sasuke."

"...What is it?" Why did he need to answer? Was it because it was Naruto who called him? This guy had just been harshly criticizing him for trying to kill Sakura. Damn conditioned reflexes, how could this guy possibly understand his thoughts?

"I heard the truth about Itachi from Tobi." However, the guy opposite always seemed to have a knack for saying outrageous things. "I don't know if what he said is true or false, but regardless, what you did..."

"I can understand."

That resolute tone, spoken as if it were the truth, even though his vision was blurry, he could still picture that idiot's self-righteous expression.

How could that be? Impossible. That guy who started with nothing, does he even know what "loss" or "revenge" means?

His anger was burning fiercely. "Naruto, I think I've said this before: how can you understand me if you have no parents and no brothers?"

"Shut up, outsider!"

But a new "outsider" stepped forward. Sakura tried her best to defend the idiot, explaining how he had endured everyone's misunderstanding, opposition, and even murderous intent, firmly considering him a comrade and single-mindedly wanting to bring him back to Konoha. However, in summary, this statement boils down to only one key point.

"Naruto has always wanted to save you."

"Want to save me? Save me for what?"

With just one follow-up question, Sakura was stumped; she had just claimed she wanted to go with him. But someone immediately chimed in, uttering the exact word.

"Revenge, I want it."

"I will definitely save you from the quagmire of revenge!"

No amount of nonsense seemed to help; words simply couldn't express the feelings he had after killing Danzo—the overflowing satisfaction in his chest, the burning hatred—something a flower raised in a greenhouse could never comprehend!

Even with his chakra almost completely depleted and his eye power so severely damaged that his eyes were blurred, he mustered his last strength and charged toward an opponent he seemed unable to defeat.

Why? Wasn't it already decided that they would watch Konoha be destroyed with their own eyes?

His vision was blurred, and he could only see simple blocks of color. After being affected by Chidori's light, he could hardly make out the figure rushing towards him, but he was certain that the first thing to hit Chidori was a Rasengan.

“Sasuke, do you remember what you said to me at the Valley of the End, about ‘first-class ninja’?”

"If they are all top-notch ninjas, they can understand each other's thoughts simply by fighting, without having to say anything."

He truly saw it; he saw the darkest corner of Naruto's heart. He had once hated the villagers who rejected him, hated Konoha, and even thought of revenge, just as he did now. But all of that was ultimately softened by the initial bond—Iruka-sensei, and Team 7. These small acts of warmth made this fool stop hating and instead... repay him with the most fervent gratitude.

Therefore, Naruto wasn't lying; he truly understood him.

At the same time, a part of his body was also revealed to Naruto.

Only two possibilities remain between them: kill him and become a hero of Konoha, or be killed by him and become a defeated man who achieved nothing. What will Naruto choose?

But that idiot didn't choose either option, and simply said, "If we fight, we'll both die."

......

"Save your hatred for that time, and unleash it all on me. Only I can bear your hatred."

What is this guy talking about?

"At that time, I will also die with you, burdened by your hatred."

You idiot, moron! You loser! Is "death" something to be proud of?!

"What's going on, Naruto... what are you trying to do! Why are you so obsessed with me!"

Before he could continue his madness, the guy gave the same answer as in the last battle at the Valley of the End.

"Because we are friends."

...A friend? After three whole years of defection, and knowing that he killed the acting Hokage of Konoha, you still wishfully consider him a friend?

"I haven't given up on bringing you back to Konoha. I will never give up!"

The fire that had been burning fiercely within him seemed to have suddenly died down. He didn't understand what those surging emotions were, only that his self-righteous conviction was a lie. The wavering was as intense as a tidal wave. This guy even said he wasn't good at preaching? He clearly had no self-awareness whatsoever.

"If we both die in the end, you will no longer be an Uchiha, and I will no longer be the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. We will have nothing to carry. Then, let's truly understand each other in that world."

No, he cannot waver. The vengeful spirits of the Uchiha are watching him from heaven. He is still alive and can never escape the name of his clan.

In that case, then await a crushing defeat, Naruto Uzumaki. Once you defeat him, kill him, and sever the only bond in this world, he can... walk forward alone.

------------

"Sasuke, are you getting stage fright?" Naruto responded to the sudden hug with utter bewilderment.

With only a few days left until the Five Kage Summit, the impatient Raikage, even though he convened the meeting under the pretext of attacking Akatsuki, didn't give the Kage of each country much time. Konoha was alright, as it was close to the agreed meeting place, the Land of Iron, but the Tsuchikage and Kazekage suffered greatly, having to urgently cross thousands of miles.

Sasuke buried his face deeply; he had hated his dream self more than once. How he wished time could turn back to that day, that he had stopped himself in time and not sent Chidori into Naruto's chest. But what about the guy in his dream? He monopolized Naruto's affection and attention, yet was single-mindedly trying to sever this "only" bond!

"When are you finally coming back?"

This question stumped Naruto. He was merely a chakra aggregate. If Tobirama's research on chakra and soul was accurate, then he might be considered a part of the main body's soul. However, this part could not exist independently of the main body, could not generate chakra on its own, let alone sense the state of the main body.

"I think he will appear when you need him the most."

Naruto could only give such ambiguous answers now, which made it difficult to convince the child. Sasuke's dissatisfaction was obvious, but he didn't press the issue further.