After Sakura finished speaking, she noticed Naruto's jealous expression and couldn't help but smile teasingly.
"Naruto, are you jealous of Sasuke?"
Naruto didn't even hesitate. He nodded with complete honesty.
"Yeah, I am. Now I finally understand why this guy, who's been handsome ever since he was a kid, managed to attract so many girls!"
Sakura chuckled softly, shaking her head at Naruto's bluntness.
"You're admired and liked by many girls too, Naruto. Don't forget that. Ever since you ended the Fourth Shinobi World War, the Five Great Nations have declared you a hero. They've shaped you into a symbol of peace for the world. Your story is known everywhere—you were once a pariah, then you risked your life and turned the tide of the war in a single strike. Your life itself has become a legend!"
Naruto smiled bitterly at her words.
Yes. In this life, just like the last, people idolized him. The exact details of the propaganda might differ, but the methods were always the same. His entire existence had been turned into a symbol.
It was precisely because of this narrative that Naruto became the "Hero of the Shinobi World."
Now that he had actually served as Hokage once before, Naruto had a different perspective on this whole situation. He understood what the people truly wanted. After a great war ends, civilians are always terrified. The world feels fragile and uncertain. At that moment, what they need isn't just soldiers or leaders—they need a godlike figure, someone they can worship as a guarantee of peace and safety.
That was why people came from across the world to Konohagakure, just to catch a glimpse of him. For them, seeing Naruto meant security. It meant, "We don't have to fear anything anymore. We have Naruto."
Naruto exhaled deeply and forced a smile.
"You're right. When Sasuke was a kid, everyone admired him. But now… everyone admires me. Forget it, I'll forgive him for always being so popular."
Sakura giggled and teased him.
"Naruto, this is the first time I've realized you still have the temper of a little boy."
Naruto scratched the back of his head, slightly embarrassed.
Sakura stood up, her eyes soft but determined.
"Alright, I understand what you mean. I'll take the initiative to pursue Sasuke… and pursue my own happiness."
Naruto stood up too, looking at her seriously.
"Sakura, what I want to tell you is this: Sasuke actually lacks love in his heart. You know why. His clan's massacre, his lonely childhood—he carries wounds deeper than anyone else. That's why, if you truly love him, you'll have to be patient. You'll have to accept him, even if one day… other women also fall for him and want to be part of his life."
Sakura froze at those words. Her expression grew conflicted as she looked into Naruto's eyes.
"Naruto… I don't know if I could ever share Sasuke's love with another woman. But what I do know… is that I truly love Sasuke. That much, I can promise you."
With that, Sakura gave a polite nod, then turned and left.
Naruto didn't say anything else. He'd already said what needed to be said—planted a seed in her heart. The rest would depend on her, and on Sasuke.
Naruto thought to himself: I'll handle Sasuke's side when the time comes. He's too stubborn to admit what he feels. If I don't push him, he'll probably remain silent forever.
With that decision made, Naruto left to find Sasuke.
Meanwhile…
Sasuke was already in the midst of serious preparations. He had Obito with him, and together they had gathered Shisui and Itachi.
Itachi looked at Obito, then turned to his younger brother with a solemn expression.
"Sasuke… are you truly ready for this?"
Sasuke gave a firm nod.
Shisui sighed heavily.
"Itachi, this is a new era. You and I—we're already dead men who shouldn't even be here. Living in this world again isn't something we had the right to decide. If Sasuke has resolved himself, then… we should respect his decision."
Itachi fell silent. He knew Shisui was right. His own resurrection hadn't been by choice. And now, if his parents and the rest of the clan were to return… could he even face them properly?
The thought of seeing his parents again filled Itachi with both longing and dread. He wanted desperately to hear his father's voice, to see his mother's smile. But he was terrified too—terrified that he wouldn't know what to say to them.
Sasuke noticed his brother's hesitation but remained calm. He believed in his parents' kindness. If they had been willing to die for the clan's sake, then surely they would forgive their sons.
"Brother. Shisui. Obito. Gather everything you have that can contribute to reviving the Uchiha. Then come with me—we're going to Orochimaru."
Just as he said this, Sasuke felt something. A sudden pulse through the Yin–Yang connection he shared with Naruto.
Telepathy.
Because of the Six Paths Yin–Yang chakra, no matter where they were, Naruto and Sasuke could sense each other's location the instant one called out.
Sasuke responded mentally, and in the next second, Naruto appeared beside him with Flying Thunder God.
"Sasuke, you're here! Huh? Obito too? And Shisui and Itachi…"
Naruto blinked at the group, then quickly realized what was happening.
"So… you're…"
Sasuke gave a firm nod.
"That's right. We're preparing to resurrect the Uchiha clan. You came just in time, Naruto. Come with me to see Orochimaru. We're ready to move."
Naruto let out a long sigh.
"Alright. Let's do it."
He activated Flying Thunder God again, teleporting the entire group straight to Orochimaru's hidden laboratory.
Orochimaru's Hideout
A loud crack of displaced air filled the lab.
"Holy sh—!!"
Suigetsu dropped the vial he was holding and staggered back in shock.
"Hey, hey, you guys can't just pop in here like that! There's a door, you know! You scared the crap out of me!"
"Sasuke!!!"
Karin squealed with joy. She ran straight toward him, throwing herself at Sasuke and wrapping her arms around him tightly. She buried her face against him, inhaling his scent with shameless pleasure.
"Oh, Sasuke… finally! Why did you stay away so long?!"
Jugo walked up more calmly, smiling warmly.
"Sasuke."
Sasuke gave a small smile.
"Karin. Jugo. Suigetsu."
Suigetsu crossed his arms, glaring.
"Tch. So you do remember us, huh? After the war, we were thrown in prison and you didn't even bother to visit. Some friend you are."
Then he saw Karin clinging to Sasuke like a barnacle, nuzzling him like she was drunk on his scent. Suigetsu groaned in disgust.
Seriously? This chick bitched about him every day when he wasn't around, and now that he's back, she's practically glued to him like sticky candy. Disgusting.
"Oh my, what a rare gathering."
Orochimaru slithered forward, smiling in his usual unnerving way.
"So many old friends arriving all at once. Even Obito is here. How fascinating."
Obito merely gave him a cold stare, saying nothing.
Shisui, meanwhile, elbowed Itachi and whispered.
"Hey, Itachi, look at that redhead. She's Uzumaki, right? Not bad looking either. Imagine if Sasuke… you know…"
Itachi gave Karin a thoughtful look, then nodded slightly.
"Yes… not bad at all."
Naruto had to bite back a laugh at their little exchange.
Sasuke, however, peeled Karin off of him with visible irritation.
"Karin, enough. Stop clinging to me. And wait… weren't you three still in prison? How did you get out?"
Suigetsu snorted, shooting him a look that said, you've got some nerve to ask that now.
Naruto spoke up casually.
"I bailed them out. They're working under Orochimaru now."
Orochimaru nodded.
"Indeed. I was short on assistants, and the three of them are already familiar with my work. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement."
Sasuke gave Naruto a small nod.
"Thank you."
Then he turned his attention back to Orochimaru.
"You should already know why I'm here."
Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed, gleaming with interest. This lineup, combined with Sasuke's tone—he didn't even need to ask.
"So… you're ready."
Sasuke glanced at the men behind him. Obito activated Kamui, producing a sealed cache. Itachi unrolled a space–time storage scroll, releasing what they had been carrying.
A wall of Sharingan eyes spilled out, each one preserved like a jewel.
Orochimaru's lips parted, his tongue flicking in excitement.
"Ahh… magnificent. So many Sharingan… so many priceless treasures. Truly breathtaking."
His eyes gleamed hungrily.
"Obito, Itachi… you two are the ones who hurt the Uchiha clan the most, and yet here you are, offering me their greatest legacy. How… ironic."
Sasuke frowned and cut him off sharply.
"The past is the past. What matters now is the future. Let's begin."
Orochimaru chuckled, then glanced at Naruto.
Naruto stepped forward, meeting his gaze with seriousness.
"Uncle Snake. Let's get to work."
Orochimaru smirked.
"Very well. But a ritual of this scale cannot be done in this cramped place. We'll need a wide, open area. Gather your things."
He barked orders at Suigetsu and Jugo, who quickly began packing scrolls and equipment.
Obito's Kamui swallowed the crates again, and Naruto teleported them all out with Flying Thunder God.
In an instant, they appeared in the forest.
Sasuke looked around and blinked in recognition.
"This place…"
Naruto nodded, smiling faintly.
"Yeah. It's the training ground where we took the Genin survival exam."
Sasuke's gaze fell on the three tree stumps nearby. He remembered clearly—Naruto had been tied there, starving, until Sasuke and Sakura had chosen to share their food with him. That had been the first time Team 7 had formed a true bond.
For a moment, Sasuke allowed himself a small smile.
Orochimaru began directing his subordinates. Seals were drawn on the ground, ritual circles spread wide across the clearing. Obito released the Sharingan once again, while Shisui and Itachi placed them carefully within the design.
Finally, Orochimaru turned toward Naruto.
"Naruto, fetch Kabuto. And while you're at it, bring some White Zetsu samples. We'll need them for the preparations."
Naruto gave a firm nod.
"Got it."
And with a flicker of Flying Thunder God, he vanished.
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