Sorry it took so long. Working as an event coordinator and the holidays are brutal.
Anyway enjoy.
...
At the Konoha's training ground, a jet-black crow with blood-red eyes swooped down from the sky. The sun cast its shadow on the ground, creating a swift-moving black dot.
Sasuke paused his training, lifting his gaze from the grass. He looked out over the field, his eyes fixing on the dark spot circling the sun above the training grounds.
With his sharp gaze, Sasuke sensed something unusual and narrowed his eyes, ready to activate his Sharingan.
"Sasuke!" Sakura's voice called from a distance.
The girl, carrying a lunchbox, stood at the edge of the training ground, waving at him. The wind blew through her long hair.
"Thanks." Sasuke walked over to take the lunchbox and noticed it had two layers. "For that guy?"
"Yes." Sakura nodded and smiled awkwardly, "After we came back that day, Kakashi-sensei was really furious."
"Naruto has to complete twenty D-Rank missions by himself as punishment. Compared to the ten we each had to do, its taking him longer to finish. Until he completes them, Team 7 can't take on any more missions."
"Kakashi meant well. If the village knew about this, I'm afraid even more severe punishment would be waiting for us," Sasuke said while eating a rice ball.
Hearing this, a trace of worry flashed across Sakura's face. Completing those ten D-rank on her own was hard on her hair. She only just managed to get it to an acceptable standard. With that done she was finally able to see sasuke again. Theres no way she would have allowed him to see her so disheveled.
"Kakashi-sensei altered the mission report, changing our individual actions to group actions under the leadership of the Jonin. Naruto tried to take full responsibility, so we don't have to be punished, but that troll kakashi saw right through him and doubled his punishment."
"But for some reason, Gato's shipping company mysteriously went bankrupt. I heard that Gato owed money and couldn't pay it back. He was killed in a revolt by Rogue Shinobi."
"Hmm."
Sakura waited around for a bit, hoping they could eat together, but seeing Sasuke wanted to keep training alone, she had to finish up and leave.
After finishing her goodbyes to Sasuke, Sakura went to the street where Naruto was carrying out his mission. She looked around but saw no one. She looked up and happened to see Naruto lying on the roof, napping in the sun.
"Naruto, it's time to eat."
When Naruto, who was on the roof, heard her voice, he rolled over and jumped down. The building was an old, abandoned house near the forest.
The two sat on a bench near the house and started eating rice balls. Sakura seemed preoccupied, occasionally appearing lost in thought while chatting with Naruto.
"What are you thinking about?" Naruto asked, hoping it wasn't going to turn into a fan meeting where they discussed their raven haired teammate.
"Nothing, nothing." Sakura forced a smile, but then her face showed a sense of loss again.
"Naruto."
"Hmm?"
"Why do you want to be a Shinobi?" Sakura asked.
"To live, I guess. Shinobi missions pay well, and being a Shinobi comes with many benefits." Naruto said thoughtfully, "For someone like me, what else could I do if I didn't become a Shinobi?"
Sakura was stunned for a moment, feeling lost for words.
"It's fine." Naruto waved his hand, took another bite of the rice ball and said, "Being a ninja is just a job anyway. And I never planned on being one forever."
"I really envy you, Naruto." Sakura said a little dejectedly.
"Why?"
"Because I feel like I can't help at all. Every time we face danger, it's always you and Sasuke standing shoulder to shoulder" Sakura hugged her knees and curled up looking like a widow lamenting the loss of a great love.
"Sometimes, I wonder if I'm not cut out to be a Shinobi."
"That's not true." Naruto looked at Sakura and said, "Sakura, I remember when we graduated, your grades were first among the kunoichi in the whole Academy, right?"
"Un." she said mimicking the raven haired heart throb of the academy.
"Exactly. This proves that you have the talent to be a Shinobi, but you just haven't found your own path yet."
"Path?" Sakura raised her head when she heard that.
"Yes, your own path." Naruto affirmed, "Team 7 should be the most unique team among this year's Genin Teams, so there's no need to compare yourself to Sasuke and me."
"The Uchiha Clan has always excelled in combat. Both their Taijutsu and Shurikenjutsu are passed down from generation to generation."
"And Sasuke's path was determined from the beginning. Those eyes of his, do you know the secret of the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan?"
"Sasuke-kun's secret?" Sakura was a little surprised and supper interested in anything Sasuke related.
She suddenly recalled Sasuke's glowing red eyes when they were fighting in the forest of the Land of Waves, and she couldn't help but become tense.
"The Uchiha Clan is a clan of profound loss," Naruto said, "He carries an immense burden, and it drives him to become stronger."
"Those eyes of his are an incredible weapon. Once fully developed they might even be able to even the playing field in a battle against kage level opponents."
"loss?" Sakura's face turned pale with worry.
"Yes and you don't have to worry so much." Naruto began tidying up the lunch box, "Sakura, you also have your own ninja way. You just need to find the training path that suits you."
"For example, how about Medical Ninjutsu?"
"Why Medical Ninjutsu?" Sakura asked curiously.
"Medical Ninjutsu requires high precision in Chakra control," Naruto explained. "Sakura, you have a talent in this area, so I think you could try learning Medical Ninjutsu."
"Besides can you picture it." He scooted closer and turned in the direction of some far off dream world. "Sasuke is injured in combat defending you and he needs you to nurse him back to health."
Like a devil he slowly whispers. " All that time spent looking after him, dont you think he will fall into a deep love and gratitude."
It was underhanded but pushing her towards medical ninjutsu should be done as soon as possible if he doesn't want her dragging them down in the future.
"Thank you, Naruto." Sakura said with a wild gleam in her eyes, "Without you, I wouldn't have thought of it myself."
Sasuke felt a sudden shiver run down his spine and had the unmistakable urge to beat his blond teammate.
Naruto unaware of his impending doom smiled brightly and waved her off.
"Well, we're teammates, aren't we?" Naruto stood up and looked at Sakura, "You should go back and think about it carefully. I've got to get back to my mission."
With that said, he disappeared from Sakura's sight.
Sakura looked in the direction Naruto had gone to with a complicated look. Finally, she sighed, picked up the lunchbox, and left.
Naruto didn't go back to catching stray cats and dogs, but instead found another rooftop to lie down and continue basking in the sun.
A panel popped up and Naruto opened the system storage with his thoughts.
Looking at the dazzling array of treasures and cash inside, Naruto's face showed a satisfied smile, 'With all this money, I would never have to work for money again in my life.'
Yet, amidst the joy, Naruto also felt a sense of emptiness.
'With so much money, why do I still want to work so hard?'
'How should I spend this money? Buying real estate in Konoha will definitely be a loss. In three years, Pain would flatten Konoha with his attacks.'
'The next step is to break free from Konoha's control and gain autonomy. The Kyubi in my belly belongs to Konoha, but it doesn't necessarily have to stay that way.'
'Besides, that cheap father of mine hadn't asked my permission to seal the fox inside me. Why should I serve Konoha as a weapon for seventy years?'
On the rooftop, Naruto crossed his legs and sat up suddenly with a thought in his heart!
'Damn it, I couldn't just stay here.
Now that I had enough money to last ten lifetimes, it would be a shame if I were to be used as a weapon and tied up in Konoha.'
'One person alone couldn't achieve much.'
'To establish the necessary power and influence to rival Konoha, I require a supporting force, ideally a clan of my own creation. Furthermore, I must possess the strength to ensure its protection. The revival of the Uzumaki Clan and the restoration of its former status as a sealing clan will require considerable time and resources. Luckily i have enough money, now just need the strength and people.