The power to kill Itachi Uchiha.
That was the only thing on Sasuke Uchiha's mind.
And deep inside, he knew that Kakashi Hatake did not possess that power.
That truth disappointed him more than he wanted to admit. Kakashi had trained him, guided him, and taught him powerful techniques like Chidori. But compared to Itachi, Kakashi still felt insufficient. Sasuke needed strength great enough to crush the brother who had destroyed his clan.
And in Sasuke's eyes, only one person nearby seemed capable of offering such power.
Orochimaru.
A dangerous man. A monster. Yet undeniably powerful.
Perhaps following Orochimaru was his only path forward.
Meanwhile, Naruto Uzumaki stood before him, breathing heavily. His body was battered, his chakra nearly exhausted, and pain pulsed through every limb. Yet he refused to back down.
Sasuke had spoken bitterly of how Naruto always had people supporting him.
Naruto could not deny that some of it was true.
Iruka Umino had always believed in him. Iruka had been the first person to acknowledge him.
And yes, Kakashi had taught Sasuke many things—but Naruto also believed Kakashi cared for them both in his own way.
As for Might Guy, Asuma Sarutobi, and others in the village, Naruto had received help from many people, directly or indirectly.
If Sasuke had opened his heart more, perhaps he could have received the same.
But Naruto knew saying that now would solve nothing.
An argument would only push Sasuke farther away.
So Naruto swallowed his frustration, steadied himself, and spoke from the heart.
"Sasuke…" Naruto said, voice hoarse. "In the end… what you want is the power to kill Itachi."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing.
"You're disappointed because Kakashi-sensei isn't strong enough to help you reach that goal."
Naruto coughed, then continued.
"And now you want to go with Orochimaru because you think he has the strength you need… even if it costs you your life."
Sasuke remained silent.
Naruto took one step forward.
"But what if there's another way?"
For the first time, Sasuke's expression changed.
Naruto clenched his fists.
"I can find someone just as strong as Orochimaru to train you!"
Sasuke's eyes widened.
"What… did you say?"
"I said," Naruto repeated firmly, "I can arrange for you to train under Jiraiya—one of the Legendary Sannin. He's just as famous as Orochimaru!"
The air seemed to freeze.
Even Sasuke was stunned.
Then he scoffed coldly.
"Why should I believe you?"
"Why would someone like Jiraiya agree to teach me?"
Naruto's gaze did not waver.
"If you come back with me," he said, "I'll convince that perverted sage no matter what."
His voice shook with determination.
"Even if I have to risk my life to do it!"
Sasuke stared at him in disbelief.
Naruto… was willing to go this far for him?
Naruto continued before Sasuke could respond.
"I saw Jiraiya's strength with my own eyes! He once forced Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki to retreat!"
"I can't promise he can defeat Itachi… but he's definitely no weaker than Orochimaru!"
Naruto's voice grew louder.
"And if you train with Jiraiya, you won't have to throw your life away!"
He pointed directly at Sasuke.
"So what do you say?"
"Answer me, Sasuke!"
The intensity in Naruto's voice shook everyone present.
Hinata Hyuga, Ino Yamanaka, and Shino Aburame stood silently nearby.
They all knew this was a turning point.
A single decision could change Sasuke's entire future.
Sasuke was no fool.
He knew that if he entered Orochimaru's lair, he would most likely become nothing more than a vessel.
Perhaps a tool.
Perhaps a corpse.
He did not fear death. At least, that was what he always told himself.
But if another path existed…
Why wouldn't he choose to live?
And now Naruto had presented an unimaginable option.
Training under Jiraiya—one of the Legendary Sannin.
A man whose strength rivaled Orochimaru's.
Possibly even beyond it.
Sasuke remembered something Kakashi had once said:
"If there are people in this world who can truly contend with Itachi… they are likely the Third Hokage or one of the Legendary Sannin."
At the time, Sasuke had burned with frustration.
Now, one of those opportunities stood before him.
In the ninja world, talent alone was not enough.
A great teacher could determine the height a person would reach.
That was why Sasuke had been willing to gamble everything on Orochimaru.
But if a better teacher existed…
Then for the first time—
Sasuke truly hesitated.
Naruto watched him anxiously.
Every second felt endless.
Finally, Sasuke spoke.
"…Naruto."
His voice was weak.
"Why are you going this far for me?"
Naruto frowned.
"I've answered that question enough times already."
"I'm done explaining."
Sasuke's chest tightened.
Then… is it because we're friends?
Naruto did not answer.
But his silence said enough.
Tears filled Ino's eyes as she stepped beside Sasuke and supported him.
"Sasuke," she said softly, "Naruto has already done this much. Nothing else needs to be said."
"Come back with us."
Hinata looked down at the unconscious-looking Naruto in her arms, then back at Sasuke.
"Sasuke," she said gently, "Naruto-kun always keeps his promises."
"He never lies."
"I think you know that better than anyone."
Then she smiled faintly.
"We are Team 7."
"We always will be."
Even Shino, usually quiet and reserved, stepped forward.
"From a rational perspective," he said calmly, "following Jiraiya-sama is clearly the better choice than following Orochimaru."
"You are intelligent enough to understand that."
Sasuke sat weakly in the rain-soaked dirt, face pale and expressionless.
Slowly, he lifted his eyes to the darkening sky.
Clouds had gathered overhead.
Then the rain began to fall.
A light drizzle at first.
Then steady drops.
Rain washed the blood from his skin.
It washed the dust from his face.
It cooled the burning rage inside him.
Sasuke did not close his eyes.
He simply let the rain run down his cheeks.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
Then at last—
"…Fine."
Everyone froze.
Sasuke lowered his head.
"I'll go back with you."
His voice was calm.
"Whatever fate awaits me in the village…"
"I'll accept it."
Ino gasped in joy.
Hinata's face lit up with relief.
Even Shino allowed himself the smallest smile.
Naruto, still barely standing, exhaled deeply.
"That's the Sasuke I know!"
A grin spread across his exhausted face.
"You finally came to your senses, idiot!"
He tried to say more—
Then his eyes rolled back.
And he collapsed.
"N-Naruto-kun!"
Hinata cried out and caught him before he hit the ground.
Her face turned pale with panic.
Shino quickly stepped forward and checked Naruto's pulse.
After a moment, he nodded.
"He's fine."
"Just extreme exhaustion."
Hinata let out a shaky breath of relief.
Then she carefully lifted Naruto into her arms.
"We need to return immediately."
Ino nodded and helped Sasuke stand.
The wounded boy leaned heavily against her shoulder but did not resist.
For once, he allowed others to support him.
Together, the group began walking back toward the village.
Step by step.
Through mud and rain.
Through pain and silence.
The battlefield behind them slowly disappeared beneath the falling water.
Bloodstains vanished.
Broken earth softened.
The marks of conflict were erased.
And as Team 7 moved forward together once more, it felt as though the storm itself had chosen to wash away the past.
What awaited them in the village—punishment, suspicion, hardship—none of them knew.
But for now, one truth remained.
Sasuke had returned.
And for the first time in a long while…
Team 7 was whole again.
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