(After the Final Battle)
Naruto, at this time, I recalled those words you said here once before.
How when you are with me you wonder if this is what it's like to have a brother.
That feeling of yours,... I think I finally get what you mean.
As I travelled far and wide across the world, I often reflect back on those days.
We started out as lonely brats... starving for love and fostering hate.
We chose different paths to walk... and battled each other. But now, that time has passed.
It's just like... how I came to feel father, mother, and my brother Itachi's pain and emotions...
I will now start knowing your pain and feelings too, Naruto.
You never cut me off. In fact, you kept trying to get closer to me. You could have justifiablycome charging at me with hatred... but you never stopped calling me your friend.
Even though I tried to sever those feelings myself.
Kakashi, "Well, to be perfectly honest... someone like you would be normally imprisoned. That all of your past actions were pardoned and your wish granted, speaks to the enormity of your help in undoing the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
But also, my becoming the Sixth Hokage, and the wishes of Naruto, the key figure in ending the war helped. Don't forget that.
Try not to cause too much trouble from here on out. It will fall on my shoulders."
Sasuke: "Yeah... sorry about that."
Sakura: "...You really insist on leaving? The artificial hand Lady Tsunade is ceating will be ready soon."
Sasuke: "I want to know how the Shinobi World... how this current world looks to the current me. I feel like I will now be able to see the things I have overlooked. Things that I can only perceive in my current state.
And, there's a matter that has been on my mind..."
Who was Kaguya of all people afraid of?
Sakura: "W-what if... I said I want to come with you?..."
Sasuke: "It's a journey of atonement too. And you have nothing to do with my crimes."
Sakura slumped down her shoulders, muttering, "Nothing to do with... huh..."
Tapping her head, Sasuke smiled, "Maybe next time."
...Thanks...
As Sasuke was leaving the village, he found Naruto waiting for him.
Sasuke: "I didn't think you'd be coming to see me off..."
Naruto: "Here!"
Sasuke was surprised by what Naruto had in his hand.
"...You still had this thing...?"
You stopped me, as a friend... even at the cost of your hand. And I was saved thanks to you.
We were insignificant little things who used to clash... and now we are able to claim each other's pain.
And after seeing the world via my travels... I believe this concept can be applied to evenbigger things than just us.
But it's not something that can be done as easily as you were able to. I never assumed it would be that simple, just like it wasn't with the two of us.
Especially with something so big.
"I am giving this back to you." Naruto said as he handed Sasuke the Konoha headband that he once threw away.
"Sure. I will hang on to it. Until we have our real fight."
It's kind of like a prayer. To keep enduring until it cones to be, no matter what. And to those whom that task falls on... perhaps that's what it means...
To be a Ninja.
—Uchiha Sasuke
Travels of the Ninja World, Volume 1
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(20 years later)
In the Uzumaki household, a sixteen year old teenager closed the book.
"I still don't understand. What does it really mean to be a ninja?"
20 years have passed since the end of the Fourth Shinobi War, bringing an era of peace.
Now kids don't have to die young in wars.
Kids of Shinobi villages actually have a choice to be something other than ninja, since the demand of ninjas has decreased significantly, more so with advancement in technology.
Graduation age has rose from 12 to 16. Gennin Corps have been scrapped. Secret fources like ANBU are a thing of past, and has been replaced by a more transparent and robust police force.
Nowadays, Genins start their career with C-rank missions, doing D-rank missions in their academy years. Moreover, encountering random S-rank missing-nins on the first C-rank mission is a almost non-existent now.
Yet, amidst this era of peace, an unknown danger is lurking in the shadows. Perhaps even bigger than Kaguya. Something that even Kaguya was afraid of as Uncle Sasuke wrote in his first and only book.
Just what could it be?
Previously, ninjas existed for war. But now, they exist to protect the world.
Boruto understood it, but he just didn't understand what it means to be a ninja in his heart.
His Dad had a clear goal. He wanted to become the Hokage. That's why he worked very hard for it. When he had turned 17, he had already become so strong, and become a hero of the ninja world.
But, he didn't feel motivated at all, aside from competing with Sarada in spars.
Tomorrow, he will become an official ninja. But...
He doesn't even know whether he wants to or not.
"Boruto! Dinner is ready!"
His mom's yell interrupted his thoughts.
"Coming!"
Uzumaki household sat for dinner. Naruto had dark circles around his eyes. If someone told him to fight for days, he would do it without feeling any exhaustion.
But paperwork... It really took out everything from him. It's not jujutsu training, so he can't use more than 1 clone to help him in doing it.
But he still ensured that he spent time with his family. Often training Boruto and Himawari.
If only Kakashi-sensei and Granny Tsunade became advisors after they stepped down from Holage position, he would have shoved some paperwork to them along with Shikamaru.
"So Boruto, tomorrow is your graduation exam. Then you will become an official ninja!"
"Yeah."
Boruto didn't share Naruto's excitement.
Naruto sighed and ruffled Boruto's head.
"What happened?"
"Dad, I don't know if I even want to become a ninja. I mean, protecting the world? Aren't you capable of doing that alone? And, even if I assist you, I don't think I will be of much help."
"Boruto, I am sure that you will find out your answer.
You know, when I became a ninja, I also didn't truly understood what it means to be a ninja.
On my first mission that wasn't cleaning garbage or catching cats, we encountered Zabuza, a ninja who was of the mentality that Ninja are tools. Kakashi-sensei told me that this was what being a ninja meant for the vast majority of ninjas.
But, I encountered Haku. He taught me that when we have someone we want to protect, that's when our true strength comes out.
Don't think about saving the world from the threats we don't even know of. Just think about who and what you want to protect.
I know that you feel pressured because of being my son. But don't underestimate yourself! And don't think that I, or anyone is unhappy about it.
In fact, we are happy that our children aren't forced to grow up."
Hinata smiled watching the father and son. She isn't good at cheering up anyone, Naruto is an expert at that.
"Boruto, I also didn't want to become a ninja."
"Really Mom?"
"Yeah. I wasn't really talented, and I don't like fighting. But I was inspired by your Dad. Don't think too much about things like these. Just let things go naturally.
There will come a day when you would have the choice to embrace being a ninja.
When I was 100% sure that I did not want to be a ninja any longer, I quit without any regret.
No matter which path you choose, be sure that you won't regret it. Alright? We will support you nevertheless."
"Thanks mom."
Boruto let out a small smile.
Himawari poked him, as if she also wanted to say something supportive to her brother.
"Sarada nee-chan will leave you to dust."
"Nah. I will win. Just like everytime."
He smirked.
Naruto looked at Boruto, and shrugged.
"You know, you are somewhat like Sasuke."
"Really!?"
"Yup. Somewhat arrogant, but I beat it out of him. I guess Sarada will do the same to you."
Naruto jokingly just hoped that Boruto wouldn't go rogue for some reason.
Boruto had a look that he didn't believe his Dad.
"Sure sure whatever. But I will definitely place first in the graduation exam."