This night was of great significance for Sai—he had finally crossed a threshold, transitioning from a boy into a man. Sai finally understood what Jiraiya-sama had meant by "charm," the essence of experience and maturity he had been trying to convey.
Sai believed he would never forget this night for the rest of his life.
Meanwhile, Naruto had bid farewell to Tenten, Neji, and Lee at Ichiraku Ramen. Everyone had eaten their fill and enjoyed a few laughs, waving goodbye cheerfully. Before leaving, Tenten even shouted after Naruto, reminding him to visit Sai's new gallery the next day—a shop managed under Jiraiya-sama's guidance.
Naruto smiled. "No problem, but please keep this a secret for now. The shop isn't officially open yet, so we don't want word getting out too early."
Tenten understood perfectly. After all, it was her first time managing such a project. She wouldn't publicize it until everything was properly ready.
Walking home under the quiet night sky, Naruto hummed lightly, feeling content.
The wedding was approaching, and Toneri's restored strength on the moon ensured he remained an ally. Friendships in the village were developing smoothly under Naruto's guidance, and the village itself was moving steadily in the right direction. It was, perhaps, the most peaceful and relaxing time Naruto had experienced since his rebirth.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the intersection ahead.
"Who's there?" Naruto called, pausing mid-step.
The figure slowly stepped into the dim glow of a streetlight. Naruto's eyes widened as recognition hit him.
"Sasuke?! What are you doing here at this hour?"
He hurried forward, examining Sasuke closely. "You look terrible! Did you not sleep last night? Look at those dark circles under your eyes! And your lips—they're pale! What happened?"
Naruto placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder, concern etched across his face. "Talk to me—what's wrong?"
Sasuke's eyes looked lost and confused. He shook his head, trying to speak, but the words caught in his throat. Finally, he muttered hoarsely, "Naruto… I… I can't handle it anymore!"
Naruto blinked. "What???"
Sasuke ignored Naruto's stunned expression and continued, almost to himself. "You don't understand… fighting together with them… their combined strength is overwhelming. If they fought alone, I could win… but… wuwuwu… Naruto, I really… I really can't take it!"
Sasuke covered his face, unable to hold back tears, and they spilled freely.
Naruto's frown deepened. "What are you talking about? Speak clearly! Who beat you? There's no one in this world—except me—whose chakra even comes close to yours. Who else could possibly defeat you?"
Sasuke raised his head, still trembling. "Naruto… you don't understand. The power of Hundred Flower Jutsu… the power of Whirlpool Chakra… when these two forces combine… it's too much! Susanoo is almost useless in defense… wuwuwu!"
He shook Naruto's arm, eyes wide and pleading.
Naruto scratched his head, utterly confused. What had happened to Sasuke? Beaten like this… and by what? He couldn't understand a word.
"Uuuuuah! Naruto, you're really hurting me! I can't take it!"
Naruto sighed, realizing the best course of action was to sit Sasuke down somewhere safe and talk things through. He guided him to a nearby park bench and seated him gently.
"Alright, Sasuke," Naruto said patiently. "From now on, can you speak in a way I can understand? No riddles. I want the truth."
Sasuke ignored him, still sobbing quietly.
Naruto groaned inwardly. What had happened to this guy?
Kurama's voice spoke up from within him.
"Naruto… Sasuke isn't in a normal state. His body is weak, and his mind is fragile. His chakra… it's been drained, just like yours was once."
Naruto's eyes widened. "Drained? When did this happen?"
Kurama continued, rolling his eyes. "Every time you and Hinata are together, it's like this. Remember how you felt in a similar situation? Sasuke's chakra exhaustion is the same type."
Naruto's expression shifted as understanding dawned. Suddenly, the puzzle pieces clicked into place.
"Oh… no way…" Naruto muttered. "Sasuke… you mean… it's because of… Sakura?"
Sasuke's earlier words now made sense. The "Hundred Flower Jutsu" referred to Sakura, and the "Whirlpool Chakra" was Naruto's own. Combined, they created a force so overwhelming that Sasuke had been unable to maintain composure.
Naruto's expression softened. He patted Sasuke on the shoulder, pride mixed with amusement. "Sasuke… you're incredible. You held on as long as you could. I'm proud of you."
Without wasting a second, Naruto enveloped Sasuke in the Nine-Tails chakra. The warmth spread through him, replenishing his energy, clearing the dark circles under his eyes, and restoring the color to his lips. The chakra flow revived both body and mind—truly the best remedy for exhaustion and mental fatigue.
After a moment, Sasuke breathed deeply, his eyes brighter. "Much better," he said, finally relaxed.
Naruto grinned mischievously. "I didn't expect you, little brat, to be so… humanly vulnerable."
Sasuke's face reddened. "It's nothing!"
Naruto chuckled. "Stop pretending. You just cried and admitted you couldn't handle it! Don't try to hide it from me."
Sasuke exhaled, trying to regain his usual cold composure. "What's the big deal? I said I'm strong."
Naruto suppressed a smile. "Yes, yes, you're strong… so strong that you just cried and admitted defeat! Hahaha!"
Sasuke's irritation deepened. "Enough! Stop teasing me!"
Naruto draped an arm around Sasuke's shoulders. "Sasuke… listen. Don't push yourself too hard. Slow down a bit, okay?"
Sasuke buried his face in his hands. "Do I have a choice? Can I control this? I… I have no say!"
Naruto's eyes softened, seeing the depth of his friend's struggle. "I didn't realize… you were going through this."
Sasuke sighed, the weight of his ordeal evident. "If I couldn't bear it, I wouldn't have come to find you. But… Naruto… I really couldn't take it anymore!"
Naruto nodded, sensing that something was seriously troubling his friend beyond just physical exhaustion.
"What… what's gotten you in such a rush?" he asked softly, trying to piece together the full story.
Sasuke leaned back on the bench, gazing up at the night sky at a forty-degree angle, as if searching for answers among the stars. His eyes reflected exhaustion, concern, and the heavy burden he had carried alone.
Naruto watched silently, realizing that even the strongest shinobi sometimes needed support, a reminder that friendship and understanding were as important as power and skill.
For now, Sasuke needed rest, reassurance, and the quiet presence of a friend who truly understood him. And Naruto… Naruto would make sure he had all three.
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