In the Konoha night, smoke filled the air inside the Yakiniku Q restaurant, the sizzling sound of grilled meat mingling with the boisterous chatter of the boys. Naruto, Shikamaru, Sakura, Karin, Hinata, Shino, Choji, Ino, and others sat around a long table piled high with grilled meat slices and vegetables.
"Hey, did you guys see that Mizukage from Kirigakure today?" Naruto mumbled, his mouth full of grilled meat. "The one who fought Madara Uchiha with the Five Kage in the Heavenly Screen!"
"Idiot, don't talk while you're eating!" Sakura chopped Naruto on the head, but then a thoughtful expression appeared on her face. "However, she is indeed very strong. That combination of Lava Release and Boil Release Susanoo..."
Karin adjusted her glasses, the lenses reflecting the Kakkō: "And she looks much younger than those images in the Heavenly Screen; it seems those scenes really are from the future."
"Hmph, things of the future..." Sasuke sat in the corner and coldly interjected, "If that's really the case, then the Akatsuki's target is indeed the Tailed Beasts, and the Nine-Tails..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood what he meant. Naruto scratched his head and grinned. "Haha, don't worry! I'm not that easy to capture! Besides, aren't you guys here?"
"Idiot." Sasuke scoffed, but a barely perceptible smile played at the corners of his lips.
"But Shikamaru, what do you think?" Ino turned to look at Shikamaru, who was lounging lazily against the back of his chair.
Shikamaru sighed, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "This is so troublesome... If Heavenly Screen is projecting is really the future, it means we'll have to face monster-level enemies sooner or later."
"Therefore, all countries are making preparations in advance, and the fact that Sunagakure and Kirigakure have taken the initiative to ally with Konoha is probably because of this."
"And..." His gaze turned serious as he looked at Naruto. "Naruto, you need to be careful. The Akatsuki's target is you, and you might even become their primary target in the future."
Naruto paused for a moment, then clenched his fist and gave a determined smile, "Don't worry! I'm going to be Hokage, how could I let them capture me so easily!"
"Hmph, that's easy for you to say." With a grin, Akamaru barked twice on his head, as if in agreement, "However, we won't leave you to face those guys alone!"
"That's right!" Choji mumbled, taking a big bite of grilled meat. "Anyone who dares to touch our comrades, I'll crush them with my Multi-Size Technique!"
"..." Shino pushed up his sunglasses and said in a low voice, "The bugs will help too."
Hinata lowered her head and whispered, "I'll help Naruto too..."
"Hey, you guys..." Naruto's eyes were slightly red, and his voice was a little choked up. "Seriously, why all this emotional stuff all of a sudden!"
"Idiot, who's being sentimental!" Sakura punched him on the head again, but this time with much less force.
"However, on another note..." Ino rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought, "If the future really does turn out that way, shouldn't we get stronger in advance?"
"Of course!" Naruto stood up abruptly, full of fighting spirit. "Starting tomorrow, I will train twice as hard! I must surpass my future self!"
"Hmph, you're the worst of the bunch, just don't drag the team down," Sasuke said calmly, but a hint of fighting spirit flashed in his eyes.
"Hey! Who are you calling a drag on?!" Naruto immediately bristled.
"Alright, alright, stop arguing!" Sakura sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Anyway, everyone needs to work hard to become stronger so we can face those threats together in the future!"
"That's right!" everyone shouted in unison, then continued grilling the meat with laughter.
The charcoal fire of the barbecue gradually died down, but the aroma of sizzling oil still lingered in the air. Naruto patted his belly contentedly, then suddenly slammed his hand on the table and stood up:
"Oh right! Sister Koyuki said she'd treat us to a real hot spring after the Chunin Ninja Exams!" His eyes lit up. "If it weren't for those bastards from Sunagakure's surprise attack, we would have left already!"
The dining table immediately became lively.
"The hot springs of the Land of Snow..." Ino cupped her face in her hands, "I heard you can see the aurora borealis from their open-air hot springs~"
Choji stuffed the last piece of grilled meat into his mouth. "I heard that the onsen eggs there are made with geothermal steam..."
"Is it really a good time to go?" Sakura looked worriedly out the window. "The village has just been attacked, and..."
"Go." A cold voice suddenly interrupted the crowd.
Everyone froze, turning their gaze to Sasuke in the corner. The black-haired boy leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, his Sharingan gleaming faintly in the dim light.
"Sasuke-kun actually offered to go?!" Ino exclaimed, covering her mouth in surprise.
Naruto's eyes widened. "Hey, hey, are you possessed by something?!"
Sasuke snorted coldly, stood up, and walked towards the door. "Suit yourself." But as he turned around, a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips.
(The chance to leave the village... has finally arrived.)
Moonlight filtered through the paper door, casting dappled shadows on the floor. Sasuke knelt before the clan crest, a short sword resting horizontally on his lap.
"Konoha's patrols have tripled..." He stared at the Sharingan reflected on the sword, "Even the Anbu ninjas are setting up checkpoints everywhere."
His fingers slowly traced the cold blade. Ever since those future scenes were projected onto the Heavenly Screen, the entire Konoha had been on high alert. Especially for him—the last surviving member of the Uchiha.
(Orochimaru's base should be in the Land of Rice Fields...)
(Just so I can escape the group during this hot spring trip...)
The hooting of an owl came from outside the window. Sasuke gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, the Mitsudomoe slowly spinning in his eyes.
(I must gain power...)
"What?! The Pervy Sage is going too?!"
Outside the Hokage's office, Naruto's scream startled a flock of sparrows. Jiraiya, picking his ear, said matter-of-factly, "What? Do you expect me to let the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki leave the village at will?"
Tsunade: "Perfect timing, there have been suspicious Chakra reactions in the Land of Snow lately." She glanced meaningfully at Sasuke standing in the corner, "Some restless fellows need to be kept a close eye on."
Sasuke's pupils contracted slightly, but he maintained his indifferent expression.
"Great!" Sakura clapped her hands happily, "With Lord Jiraiya here, it's even safer!"
Karin pushed up her glasses, the lenses reflecting a sly glint. "I've heard that the mixed-gender bathing in the Land of Snow is quite famous~"
"Mixed... mixed bathing?!" Naruto and Sakura both blushed.
Sasuke silently turned and walked towards the door, a Sharingan when no one was watching.
(It's in the way...)
(But there might still be a chance...)
The Konoha Gates was bustling with activity in the morning mist, as the three teams rarely gathered together. Naruto from Team 7 was gesturing wildly, Hinata and Karin from Team 8 were talking quietly by the carriage, and Shikamaru from Team 10 was yawning and leaning against the wall.
"Setting off this early is practically against the body's natural rhythms..." Shikamaru complained, rubbing his aching neck. "If we set off at noon, we could have reached the post station before dark."
Choji crunched on potato chips. "I heard the hot spring buns in the Land of Snow are especially delicious..."
"Hey! The point isn't the food at all!" Ino put her hands on her hips, glared, then suddenly turned to Sakura as if noticing something. "Wait... Sakura, are you wearing a new lipstick today?"
Sakura hurriedly covered her mouth, 'No, no!' but inadvertently glanced in Sasuke's direction.
Just then, Sasuke's Forehead Protector suddenly came loose. Sakura's eyes lit up, and she ran over. "Sasuke-kun, your Forehead Protector..." She handed it over, her face flushed, her fingertips trembling slightly.
Sasuke accepted it indifferently, but as he tied the ribbon, he suddenly looked up—a dark shadow flashed past on the Hokage Rock.
(As expected, someone was watching...)
His fingers tightened imperceptibly. Out of the corner of his eye, Kakashi-sensei appeared to be leisurely leaning against the cherry blossom tree, the cover of "Icha Icha Paradise" standing out prominently in the morning light. But the one Sharingan that was visible was clearly locked onto his every move.
"Hey Sasuke!" Naruto yelled, half his body sticking out of the carriage window. "If you dawdle any longer, I'll eat all your three-colored dumplings!" He waved the oil paper package in his hand. "Anyway, a cocky guy like you will definitely—whoa!"
Sasuke Body Flicker Technique appeared by the car window and snatched the Rasengan: "You loser, don't touch my stuff!"
"What?! I got up early to buy it!" Naruto protested, clinging to the window frame, only to see Sasuke already leap onto the carriage roof, his black robes fluttering in the morning breeze.
Hinata quietly withdrew her Byakugan, which had been observing her, and whispered to Karin, "Sasuke-kun... his Chakra flow seems a bit off..."
Karin pushed up her glasses, a glint of light flashing in the lenses. "Oh well~ after all, I'm going to soak in a hot spring with Sakura ~"
"No, that's not what I meant!" Hinata blushed instantly.
At the command of Princess Koyuki's chief guard, the convoy slowly started moving. Sasuke stood at the back of the convoy, watching the gates of Konoha gradually shrink in his field of vision. In the morning mist, he seemed to see again that rainy night, the blood splattered on the clan emblem.
(Just wait...)
The Shuriken hidden in his sleeve flipped silently. As the carriage entered the dense forest, he took one last look at the figure that was faintly visible on the Hokage Rock.