Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 100 Emerging from Seclusion

The wait is long.

The shadow clone left behind by Konoha had returned to report. He timed his report perfectly to Granny Tsunade about Sasuke's disappearance, just in time for the Root members who had been knocked unconscious to be discovered by the patrol and reported the incident. Although his unauthorized use of the Flying Thunder God Technique to pursue Sasuke was quite outrageous, Granny Tsunade only scolded him a few times before quickly gathering her forces. She knew Naruto's strength well; with the Flying Thunder God Technique, he could easily escape. Therefore, this time, only Shikamaru, Neji, and Kiba were summoned, not the entire new recruits.

Kiba can track, Neji's Byakugan can locate people, and Shikamaru is smart enough and a Chunin to lead the attack. While the three were preparing, Naruto's clones disappeared, giving them no hope of using the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Running from Konoha at full speed would take at least half a day. Including the time needed to locate the target, disarm traps, and investigate traces, that would be more than enough time to fight Sasuke. Furthermore, Orochimaru in the base is also nearing his end; he'll soon need to change bodies, and for the next three years, he won't be able to use this technique again.

Both arrangements are perfect; it all depends on whether Sasuke is truly determined to leave.

Naruto sat cross-legged, quietly gazing at the waterfall. Not far behind him, black smoke billowed from the talisman on the wooden barrel, which quickly burned out. With a loud crash, the barrel shattered into pieces, revealing an abnormal Sasuke with slightly long, grayish hair and blackish-gray skin on his arms.

With just a glance, Sasuke recognized the iconic giant statue of the Valley of the End and an incredibly familiar back view. He instinctively deactivated his Cursed Seal Mode; without even needing confirmation, he knew his appearance had drastically changed, and was undoubtedly terrifyingly ugly.

He didn't want Naruto to see him like that.

"You caught up." Sasuke had to admit he was a little pleased, but the fact that they were all alone also meant that Orochimaru's reinforcements had been completely wiped out. Of course, how could they possibly be a match for Naruto? Reaching the border was already an unexpected achievement.

“You have my Flying Thunder God mark on you.” Naruto didn’t turn around, and his tone was the same as usual, as if they weren’t pursuers and traitors, but just ordinary people who came to the Valley of the End to enjoy the scenery.

Sasuke looked down, pondered for a moment, and finally took off his headband. His Sharingan indeed detected chakra on it; the mark was inside the metal part of the headband, applied at some unknown time. Naruto's Flying Thunder God Technique took a long time to perfect. Before learning it, they had designed the mark's pattern, and the final choice was naturally the easiest: a spiral. This spiral differed from the common decorative patterns in Konoha; after two and a half rotations, the spiral didn't seal the opening.

...I should have known better than to wear a headband.

"You must stop me."

"I want to confirm your determination."

Surprisingly, Naruto's answer was not a firm "yes," but rather "confirmed his determination."

The astute Sasuke could always read the meaning behind Naruto's words, and he asked with slight surprise, "You don't object to my defection?"

Naruto sighed, finally stood up, and turned to look at Sasuke seriously.

"Sasuke, you can do whatever you want. But don't forget, I will always be your backup plan."

...Does he even know what he's saying?! Stop giving him hope! Stop trying to shake his resolve! Why be so good to him? Why create the "home" he so desperately desires?

"Why...why are you so obsessed with me? What are you anyway?!"

"...Aren't we brothers?" Naruto didn't utter the answer he always wanted to give, but instead firmly remembered the words Sasuke uttered in his most dangerous moment. At that time, Sasuke acknowledged him as family; did that mean they were already sworn brothers?

But he didn't have time to explore the brief respite in his heart, because Sasuke's emotions suddenly erupted.

"...Don't be so self-righteous..."

"My brother is Uchiha Itachi, the man I must kill!"

Sasuke's temper could be described as either good or bad; in fact, it was undeniably volatile, and the two would clash at the slightest provocation. This time, Sasuke wasn't unprepared; he was fully prepared, even able to pull a spatial scroll from his pocket.

"Since you don't object, then get out of the way!"

Naruto dodged the kunai that came flying at his face, and a gentle gust of wind blew away several shuriken nearby. He was intimately familiar with the Uchiha clan's shuriken techniques; it was all experience honed through repeated blows. A frontal bluff, but even with barbed wire, a sudden counter-attack would catch him off guard. This pause was enough for Sasuke to close the distance; this time, he swung his fist, targeting the jawbone, a point that could easily cause unconsciousness.

This time, Naruto responded with a punch, slightly faster than Sasuke, hitting him before Sasuke could reach him. Their eyes met again, but the Sharingan's renewed rotation did not bring the desired result.

Sasuke flew out, and although he landed in a way that wasn't particularly messy, his expression when he looked up was full of astonishment.

“A perfect Jinchuriki who is in sync with the Tailed Beasts won’t fall for genjutsu. We’re fighting as a team.” Naruto came up with a reason that’s common in the ninja world. He couldn’t very well say that he was immune to genjutsu, could he?

"Back in Konoha... you did it on purpose!" Sasuke was shocked. Being able to guess Naruto's logic from the slightest clues, and being right every time, was proof that they were of one mind.

Naruto was momentarily speechless, then simply revealed part of the truth, saying, "Actually, I slightly fabricated some evidence that you were kidnapped, and then abducted you halfway, while also creating the illusion of a vigorous pursuit... I did consider respecting Sasuke's will, but suddenly..."

"You've changed your mind?" Sasuke said blankly.

"No!" Naruto scratched his head anxiously. "I just... I'm a little reluctant to part with you, so I wanted to confirm it one more time."

"Do you really have to go?"

Sasuke felt his eyes stinging, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him, making him want to both cry and laugh. He was secretly pleased with his place in Naruto's heart, yet tormented by the prospect of having to leave.

“I’ve already said it, I need power.” He is not worthy to stand in the light until he kills that man.

This was the expected answer, but Naruto still felt it wasn't the whole story. However, it was impossible to pry Sasuke open his mouth, so he had to choose a more violent method.

“Then let’s have a fight,” Naruto said with a smile. “A top-notch ninja can understand his opponent’s thoughts after just one exchange.”

"Prove your resolve to me!"