Obito said, "Big Sis, sorry, I just thought of something interesting."
Everyone immediately grew curious. Kushina asked, "What is it?"
Obito smiled and said, "Before Konoha was founded, Senju Hashirama defeated Uchiha Madara. At that time, Senju Tobirama, Hashirama's younger brother, caused the death of Uchiha Izuna, Madara's younger brother. Because of this, Madara bore deep resentment toward the Senju and refused to surrender."
Pausing a moment, Obito continued, "To resolve the hatred, Hashirama wanted to give Madara an explanation. So he took up a kunai, aimed it at himself, and said he would trade his own life for Uchiha Izuna's life."
"Madara was moved by Hashirama, stopped him, the two let go of their enmity, reconciled, and founded Konoha together."
Obito's lips curled upward, "Yet from what we saw today, when someone truly makes up their mind to stab themselves, no one can stop it."
"In a sense, Indra was more honest than Asura."
"Don't be fooled by Hashirama's thick brows and big eyes, looking like a good guy. In truth, his belly was full of dirty tricks. Cunning as could be."
The moment Obito's words came out, the scene became awkward.
Because Naruto was also Asura's reincarnation, Kushina argued back with some dissatisfaction, "The First Hokage didn't exactly have a Naruto standing by who could instantly heal any wound, did he?"
Yet before Obito could reply, Naruto already shook his head gloomily and said, "Mom, don't think of Sasuke as that kind of person. He never thought too much. Even if I wasn't here, even if Karin wasn't here, Sasuke would still act."
"Sasuke has indeed done many things that let others down. But he takes responsibility, he repays. He's willing, again and again, to hurt himself to make amends."
"But when others wrong him, who ever stands up for him? When others hurt him again and again, it's still him silently enduring!"
"Why should he have to shoulder everything alone? This… is unfair!"
Naruto's words struck deep, and Kushina suddenly could understand.
Thinking of Sasuke's tragic experiences, Kushina suddenly wondered if she had been too harsh before.
She couldn't help but say, "So, Naruto, you must also protect Sasuke from now on. Sasuke is the son of Mom's best friend. I also hope he can be happy."
Naruto smiled, "Of course, Mom."
At the side, Sasuke suddenly felt a little unnatural. Subconsciously, holding Karin, he stepped back half a step.
Naruto noticed the small movement and felt a pang. That step back, was it serious?
Obito, watching, suddenly recalled the time he cut Sasuke in half with a single strike.
In this atmosphere, he faintly felt a little guilty. He walked up to Sasuke and said, "Sasuke, maybe there's some bad blood between us, but it seems you don't need me to do anything for you."
"But I can promise one thing: in the world I came from, the Uchiha clan will become great because of you."
"This is probably what Naruto called the debt-and-compensation mechanism."
Sasuke looked deeply at Obito, and in the end only said, "If you can take care of Itachi, give him a life of happiness, that's enough."
Obito smiled and said, "No problem. I guarantee Itachi will be a filial child, respectful to his mother. Maybe someday in the future, I'll even make him Hokage. Konoha owes the Uchiha a Hokage. Isn't that right?"
Kushina, seeing this, also said, "No problem. I'll answer you in my husband's place."
Sasuke kept his face expressionless, but inexplicably, a single tear slid from his eye. He whispered, "Thank you."
Obito was about to say more when suddenly, among the group, came the sound of a hungry stomach growling.
Everyone looked at each other.
Hinata, who usually didn't have much presence, suddenly flushed red.
Naruto instantly understood and quickly clutched his stomach, "Mom, I'm hungry. I still haven't eaten your cooking yet…"
Kushina's heart ached at once, "Then let's go, Naruto. I'll cook myself today. You must eat your fill."
Naruto said slyly, "Mom, remember to prepare a lot of food. Don't be afraid of too much, I'll finish it."
Kushina was a bit confused, but still laughed, "Being able to eat is a good thing. Don't worry, how could I let my son go hungry?"
Sasuke said, "Follow me."
Then he took the lead.
Just like that, the group returned to Sasuke's home…
———
At the clan leader's residence, by the pond in the back garden, Haruno Sakura sat alone, holding a handful of pebbles, absentmindedly skipping them across the water.
Unnoticed, Sasuke came up behind her.
Sakura's hand holding the stones trembled slightly. With her back to Sasuke, she said, "Sasuke, instead of entertaining guests, what are you doing here?"
Sasuke was silent for a moment before saying, "Sakura, just now, behind the tree, you saw everything. Why didn't you come out?"
Sakura pursed her lips, "I just didn't want to disturb Karin recognizing her family. And… why were you so stupid, stabbing yourself…"
Suddenly Sasuke wrapped his arms around Sakura from behind, holding her tightly.
Sakura stiffened all over, and couldn't help saying, "Sasuke, what are you doing, there are still guests in the house…"
But Sasuke said, "Sakura, do you still remember this embrace?"
Sakura fell silent. Of course she remembered. That night years ago, the night Sasuke defected from Konoha, she had resolved to go with him, but was rejected.
This moment now mirrored that moment then, only with the roles of who held and who was held reversed.
Suddenly Sakura cried in grievance, "Sasuke, I have nothing left. My parents too went to sleep on the God Tree. I'm not even as fortunate as Karin. She at least has family now, Naruto as her brother. And me? I've chased you for so many years, yet you tried to kill me, I…"
Sasuke held Sakura tighter, "Sakura, you still have me."
"I'm very grateful that back then you were willing to give up everything to follow me. At that time I had nothing either. For revenge, I even gave my own life over to Orochimaru."
"So I couldn't respond to you. I was afraid you'd die along with me. I'm sorry."
"But I never forgot the kindness you showed me. I just didn't know how to express it. Naruto said, if I tell you all this, your heart might feel a little better."
Sakura's tears flowed freely.
She choked out, "Sasuke, you really don't know how to comfort a girl. You shouldn't have told me this was Naruto's idea…"
"And besides, you hurt Karin, and you repaid her. Then what about me? How are you going to repay me?"
Sasuke was silent. Finally, he raised his hand again.
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