Closing Words (3): Everyone's Path

"Disband?" the three of them repeated in surprise.

After a moment's thought, and connecting it to the so-called "plot," Sakura quickly realized what had happened.

Naruto and Sasuke were completely puzzled.

"Why did Team 7 disband when everything was going so well?" Sasuke asked, dumbfounded. The shock of the news made it impossible for him to maintain his usual cool expression.

"That's right, Kakashi-sensei, are you sure you didn't say something wrong?!" Naruto shouted excitedly.

Kakashi waved his hand, signaling Naruto and Sasuke not to get too excited. "Listen to me, the three of you."

"Naruto, Lord Jiraiya has accepted you as his disciple... Starting tomorrow, he will take you away from Konoha to begin a special training program that will last for two to three years!"

Kakashi scanned the three expressions, then continued, "So, Naruto will be leaving us for a while. And Sakura, Lady Tsunade has some special arrangements for you soon... so you can no longer stay in Team 7. In that case, Team 7 will have to be disbanded."

"And what about me?" Sasuke asked.

Kakashi glanced at him indifferently. "Of course you'll be following me, Sasuke. If your future focus is on Lightning Release and the Sharingan, I can still teach you a few things in those areas..."

"Is it true? But Uncle Jiraiya never mentioned this to me!"

Besides being shocked, the blond-haired boy was also incredibly dejected. The news of Team 7 disbanding and him leaving Konoha was simply too shocking, and Naruto couldn't accept it at all.

"Lord Jiraiya asked me to tell you this first; he'll personally tell you later," Kakashi said, glancing at the listless Naruto. "It's only been a couple of years away from Konoha; you'll be back soon."

"Naruto, I can't teach you anything more... Only by Lord Jiraiya's side, receiving his training, and becoming Jiraiya's disciple can you truly grow! Don't be reluctant to leave, Naruto. You're going to be the Hokage, and to become the Hokage, you can't give up because of this emotion!"

"From tomorrow onwards, you will embark on your own ninja path! I hope you remember this..."

"Naruto Uzumaki is a student I Kakashi Hatake, personally acknowledge and am proud of!"

Kakashi smiled faintly and gave Naruto a thumbs up.

"Keep it up! I look forward to coming back and having surpassed your teacher!"

Kakashi said solemnly.

He rarely opened up to his three students like this; it was a bit stiff, but he was genuinely encouraging and Naruto.

Naruto, the crybaby, was now in tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

Kakashi walked over, patted him on the shoulder, and didn't say a word.

For a moment, everyone fell silent.

All that could be heard was Naruto crying.

The air seemed to quiet down; this somber atmosphere was truly unsettling.

The atmosphere is so solemn, it's a little hard to get used to. Sakura thinks the atmosphere in Team 7 should be relaxed and noisy, so why are her eyes stinging?

Kakashi's sudden emotional outburst was a mistake; he should be smiling.

I should have expected this to happen.

Why do I feel such a strong sense of reluctance to part with it?

"Kakashi-sensei, why are you so serious!" Sakura laughed, breaking the awkward silence. "Honestly, it's really not something I'm used to."

Kakashi then turned his attention to Sakura Haruno, the student in Team 7 who had the worst talent but the highest strength and the fastest growth.

"Cherry..."

"I feel very ashamed. As your teacher, I haven't been able to teach you anything. Your Ninjutsu and your training have always been done independently. I haven't been able to help you much. Fortunately, you haven't been affected by my negligence as your teacher, and instead, you've grown rapidly."

Kakashi scratched the back of his head and said with a wry smile.

"You're already Tsunade's student... Keep up the good work!"

He patted Sakura's head, feeling a little sentimental.

When he first officially met the girl, he could easily see the whorl of hair on Sakura's head. Now, the top of the girl's head could reach his chin.

They've grown a lot. All three students in Team 7 have!

"You all came from Team 7... You can't tarnish Team 7's reputation in the future!"

The three nodded vigorously.

Kakashi silently extended his hand.

Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke also instinctively placed their hands on top of each other.

Just like the pose Kakashi made them assume when he emphasized the importance of teamwork during their first mission.

Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto exchanged glances.

"Team 7, we'll definitely get together again someday!" Sakura said, wiping her eyes.

"Hmph, of course! We'll reassemble Team 7 after Naruto returns in a few years!"

Sakura put her hands behind her head and looked up at the sky.

The azure beyond the space.

There were no clouds, and the sun was shining brightly.

It's a day fit for saying goodbye.

My thoughts are unsettled.

Is Naruto leaving? This is probably the last "plot" before Shippuden. As expected, given her disruption of the Hokage world, this matter hasn't been changed by her butterfly effect.

However, many things were still changed. For example, in the Konoha Crush Plan, the Third did not die, and Orochimaru's hands were not sealed or his soul was damaged, so he did not need to rush to change bodies.

Sasuke's Cursed Seal placed on him by Orochimaru was dealt with well, so he was not affected by that dark Chakra, nor did he resonate with the Cursed Seal as in the original story. Therefore, Orochimaru was not confident that he could lure Sasuke out.

Finally, Orochimaru did not Sasuke the Sound Ninja Four-Person Group to come to Orochimaru to kidnap Konoha —this Konoha was not the Konoha that suffered heavy casualties in the original story. Even if it were the Sound Ninja Four-Person Group, or even the Sound Ninja Forty, they probably wouldn't have been able to complete such a mission.

The Sound Ninja Four-Person Group were spared from death because of this. Sakura sneered.

What about where she can't see them? What about the Akatsuki duo who attacked Kakashi and the others in the original story?

Sakura neither saw nor heard them, and things seemed to have passed peacefully. She was unaware that Itachi and Kisame had observed Konoha up close, nor did she know that they had only glanced at it and, finding that Konoha had not suffered serious damage, had cancelled the operation originally planned in the story.

Since the Third didn't die, Itachi didn't need to use that action to warn Danzo had gained immense power in the original story, not to Sasuke.

However, apart from that, the breeze stirred up by Sakura's butterfly has not yet reached Akatsuki.

Akatsuki's plan continues as scheduled, unaffected by the changes in Konoha that differ from the original story.

Just like in the original story, Jiraiya took on the responsibility of monitoring and investigating Akatsuki, as well as training Naruto.

As for the "plot" that Sakura knew, it had basically come to an end.

What path should we take in the future?

Naruto and Sasuke have already chosen their own paths. What about her?

After Kakashi announced the disbandment, Sakura and the rest of the group held a farewell party for Naruto.

Although none of them were old enough to drink, everyone made an exception and drank a few cups with Naruto.

When parting, even the simplest recollection of shared memories is filled with sentimentality and touching moments.

The group of people who were drunk became even more emotional, sometimes crying and sometimes laughing.

When the party ended, Sakura was slightly tipsy, her face flushed, and she had probably forgotten what she had said.

Nothing more was said that night.

The next day at noon, the sun shone brightly, a perfect day for a long journey.

At the Konoha Gate, the group was bidding a reluctant farewell to Naruto.

"Naruto, say goodbye to everyone!" Jiraiya patted Naruto on the shoulder and pushed him forward.

"Hmph, you loser... Don't let me pull you any further behind in strength, or I won't wait for you!" Sasuke gave him a hard high five.

"Take care, Naruto!" Sakura gave him a big hug.

"Naruto-kun, good luck!" Hinata smiled demurely and waved.

"Have a safe trip, Naruto!" Kakashi ruffled Naruto's messy hair.

The words of farewell are already in the past. Naruto smiled brightly, nothing more.

He simply raised his right hand and extended his thumb.

"Goodbye!"

Goodbye is for the sake of meeting again.

He watched Naruto and Jiraiya walk away until they disappeared from sight.

Kakashi turned his head to the side. "Let's go!"

Sakura nodded.

Everyone then dispersed and went their separate ways.

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