Sasuke spent two or three days in the hospital, receiving a mix of condolences and interrogations from various high-ranking Konoha officials. Finally, he was discharged, stepping back into a world that felt both familiar and alien. The streets he once walked with pride now felt hollow, the absence of his clan's presence weighing heavily on him. The greetings from fellow clansmen were gone, replaced by whispers of pity and harsh words from strangers.
"He's the last Uchiha," someone murmured as he passed.
"Not the last—his brother's still alive," another replied.
"Poor kid. He lost everything overnight."
"Yeah, it's tragic."
The words stung, each one a reminder of his loss. The once-proud Uchiha crest on his uniform now felt like a burden, a symbol of his isolation. Sasuke clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. "Since when does an Uchiha need anyone's pity?" he muttered under his breath, lowering his head and quickening his pace.
When he arrived at the Uchiha compound, the emptiness was overwhelming. The grand mansion, once bustling with life, now stood silent and cold. The furniture remained untouched, the bloodstains scrubbed away, but the absence of his family was palpable. A stack of bills lay on the floor—living expenses provided by the Third Hokage. Most of the Uchiha wealth had been confiscated, but Fugaku and Mikoto's personal belongings had been left to Sasuke, along with a collection of the clan's ninjutsu scrolls.
Sasuke sat in the middle of the empty house, his mind blank. Hours passed before the growling of his stomach pulled him back to reality. He wandered into the kitchen, clumsily attempting to cook a meal. The result was barely edible, and after one bite, he tossed it into the trash. The loneliness was suffocating, a constant reminder of what he had lost.
Meanwhile, at Naruto's home, the blond ninja closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into the sealed space within him. The cold wind howled, sending a shiver down his spine as he stood on the edge of a bottomless cliff. The dizzying height made him look away, his heart pounding.
"Mr. Aizen, I'm here," Naruto called out, his voice echoing into the void. But there was no response. He walked to the top of the cliff, where Aizen usually sat, but the man was nowhere to be seen.
"Guess he's not here yet," Naruto muttered, unsurprised. Aizen had explained that he only appeared in this space when Naruto was asleep. He must still be busy elsewhere.
Naruto sat down on the rock Aizen favored, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. The cold wind whipped around him, but it brought a strange sense of calm. He tried to imagine what it would be like to stand at the pinnacle of power, invincible and untouchable. Would he feel the same loneliness Aizen spoke of? The thought intrigued him.
"This kind of realm is still far beyond me," Naruto said softly, a hint of envy in his voice. But he was determined to reach it, no matter how long it took.
The next day, Naruto arrived at the academy as usual, greeting his classmates with his trademark smile. He took his seat, and not long after, Sasuke walked in, late but composed. The Uchiha had spent the night battling hunger and his own emotions, but he had resolved to face the day with a cold, unyielding demeanor. He didn't want pity—he wanted to prove he was still strong.
As soon as Sasuke entered, the classroom fell silent. Then, the whispers began.
"Sasuke, you're here!"
"Are you okay?"
Ino rushed forward, tears streaming down her face as she hugged him tightly. "Sasuke, I was so worried about you! Naruto kept saying you were fine, but I couldn't stop thinking about you!"
Sasuke pushed her away, his expression cold, but a flicker of warmth stirred in his chest. He glanced around the room, his eyes landing on Naruto, who was waving at him with a bright smile. The sunlight streaming through the window bathed Naruto in a golden glow, making him look almost ethereal. For a moment, Sasuke saw a reflection of Itachi in Naruto's warmth.
"Morning, Naruto," Sasuke said, a small smile breaking through his icy facade as he walked over.
"Congrats on getting out of the hospital," Naruto replied, his voice cheerful.
"Thanks," Sasuke said, sitting down beside him.
The classroom buzzed with quiet admiration as the girls watched the interaction, their hearts fluttering.
"They're so handsome together," one whispered.
"Naruto's smile is like sunshine," another sighed.
Ino turned to Sakura, her eyes sparkling. "Did you see that? Sasuke actually smiled! Naruto's like a miracle worker."
Sakura blushed, her mind wandering. "Naruto has this way of making everything better," she said dreamily.
Ino smirked. "Oh? Sounds like someone's got a crush."
"It's not like that!" Sakura protested, her face turning red. But deep down, she didn't mind the assumption. If only it were true.
Meanwhile, in the corner of the room, Hinata watched quietly, a rare flicker of irritation in her eyes. She had always admired Naruto from afar, but seeing others fawn over him stirred something unfamiliar in her.
"Hinata, want to have lunch together?" a classmate asked, pulling her from her thoughts.
Hinata smiled softly. "Sure."
"You're so cute, Hinata," the girl gushed. "I just want to hug you all the time!"
Hinata chuckled, her mind drifting. "It's all because of one person that I've changed," she thought, her heart swelling with gratitude. Naruto had been her inspiration, her light in the darkness.
As the day went on, Sasuke couldn't help but notice the subtle ways his classmates tried to support him. They avoided outright pity, instead offering quiet gestures of kindness. It was a small comfort, but it meant more than they realized.
"This is Konoha," Naruto said, his voice gentle. "This is everyone. They care about you."
Sasuke nodded, a sense of determination filling him. "That's why I want to be Hokage," Naruto continued. "I want to protect everyone and Konoha."
"Yeah," Sasuke agreed, his resolve strengthening. He was grateful for Naruto's presence, for the way his friend had pulled him back from the edge of despair. Without Naruto, Sasuke might have been consumed by hatred, lost in a cycle of revenge. But now, he had a new purpose: to uncover the truth, to see through the illusions and conspiracies that had torn his life apart.
"Itachi," Sasuke thought, his fists clenching. "I don't know what drove you to do what you did, but I won't forgive you easily. Not until I understand the truth."
Naruto had been his light, his guide. And now, Sasuke vowed to become a light for others, to rise above the darkness and find his own path.