This Shouldn't Become a Blade Turned Against Yourself

Although the others were clearly not in good condition, the most urgent task was to treat Naruto.

Hinata could tell at a glance that Hagoromo had overused her Byakugan, and turned to walk towards Sasuke.

He crouched down and looked at Sasuke, who had been hiding in the corner ever since he arrived.

"Sasuke, could you please go and call Neji over for the teacher?"

Sasuke had been in a daze, finally saw a glimmer of light in his eyes upon hearing this, and he got up and walked towards the treatment room.

"Naruto, it's going to hurt a little right now, just bear with it."

Seeing this, Hagoromo shook her head, turned around and came to Naruto's side.

"Teacher, it's okay," Naruto said with a grin, seemingly unconcerned.

Without anesthesia, Naruto needed to remain conscious to know if the surgery was successful.

Hagoromo raised her hand and immediately used a dust-removing Sealing Jutsu technique, then released the unique Yang Release Chakra light from her hands.

"Ho--!"

Naruto couldn't help but groan as soon as he came into contact with Yang Release Chakra.

Tsunade didn't waste any time and immediately got to work. "Little girl from the Hyuga Clan, help me take a look."

"Yes!"

Hinata quickly activated her Byakugan and began explaining to Tsunade step by step the extent of Naruto's hand injuries and whether the tendons between his muscles were healing.

"Hagoromo, suppress the inflammation in this area as much as possible, otherwise there is a risk of complications."

Tsunade busied herself with her work, occasionally chatting with Hagoromo.

Hagoromo nodded, Yang Release Chakra continuously gathered at the designated location following Tsunade's instructions.

Creak--

The door was pushed open, but neither Tsunade nor Hagoromo looked up.

"Neji, come and take over for Hinata," Hagoromo said directly, as he was carefully helping Naruto recover faster.

Neji nodded and walked over. Seeing Hinata's condition, he knew she had overused her Byakugan.

"Right now, focus on the meridians in the thumb, prioritize their restoration, and see if the treatment plan is successful."

Tsunade directly assigned a task to Neji.

Hinata finally couldn't hold on any longer, and staggered the moment her Byakugan closed.

Hinata raised her hand to indicate that Neji didn't need help, then looked at Neji with a hint of pleading. "Neji- san, thank you for your help."

Neji frowned, then turned around and activated his Byakugan.

Even though I was somewhat prepared, I was still taken aback by the injuries I saw.

What... what kind of being did he encounter? He knew Naruto and Sasuke's strength best, but one of them was currently in a slump, and the other was seriously injured.

Stop spacing out!

Tsunade reminded him again, and Neji quickly explained how to continue the story.

"Phew, kid. Try moving your thumb and see if it moves."

After finishing, Tsunade turned to Naruto was covered in sweat, and spoke.

"Good..."

Naruto was already a bit tired from the constant sharp pain, and he slightly twitched his thumb when he heard Tsunade's words.

Huh?

"That's fine."

Before Naruto could even feel happy, Tsunade interrupted Naruto excitement, "Don't use your Chakra for now."

"The meridians have just been reconnected, and they are still too fragile."

Having determined the feasibility of the plan, Tsunade and the others immediately continued with the work.

Time passed slowly, and after Shikamaru and the others arrived, they went straight to the treatment room.

Seeing that their teacher was handling the situation, they all felt relieved.

Ino then helped Hinata to the rest room to rest.

Time passed slowly until Hagoromo no longer needed his Yang Release to repair himself, at which point he left the treatment room.

"Hmm? Shikamaru?"

When Hagoromo came out, he saw Shikamaru leaning against the outside of the treatment room and asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

"Teacher, Sasuke is alone on the tower."

Shikamaru straightened up and spoke to Hagoromo.

They've already tried to persuade him, but Sasuke said he needs some peace and quiet.

Hagoromo seemed to be deep in thought, and asked Shikamaru about some things.

Only after Shikamaru finished explaining did Hagoromo nod, indicating that he roughly understood.

No wonder Naruto looked like that; they've probably been filled with regret and self-blame ever since.

Where is Hinata?

Hagoromo thought of Hinata; this little girl was probably the same, she'd almost overused her Byakugan.

Ino is already beside her; she just let her rest.

Shikamaru exhaled, speaking with considerable annoyance.

Seeing this, Hagoromo patted Shikamaru on the shoulder. "Shikamaru, there's no need for that. The enemy you're facing is no ordinary person."

"That's already quite good."

Shikamaru nodded. He wouldn't end up like Sasuke, since they managed to survive the guy they encountered.

That's already incredibly lucky.

Seeing Shikamaru's reaction, Hagoromo finally felt relieved and headed up the tower.

Pushing open the heavy iron gate, Sasuke was sitting on the edge, facing the Forest of Death.

Hearing the sound, Sasuke turned around and saw Hagoromo, so he thought of getting down.

"No need, Sasuke."

Hagoromo waved her hand and slowly walked to Sasuke's side, looking at the silent Forest of Death from the same angle as Sasuke.

"Teacher, am I too weak?"

Hagoromo didn't speak, and after a long while, Sasuke finally asked.

"Weak?"

Hagoromo put his arm around Sasuke's shoulder and said slowly, "Sasuke, seeing you like this, I completely understand."

"You're not angry at anyone else, you're angry at yourself, blaming yourself for not being strong enough to protect your companions."

"You might even need your companions to get injured protecting you."

Having trained together for several years, Sasuke had long regarded everyone as his bond.

Even though they often bicker, it's just how he and Naruto interact.

Sasuke didn't respond, and Hagoromo, unconcerned, pointed to the ground. "You think Naruto is protecting you because you're weak?"

"But have you considered it from another perspective?"

Protecting your comrade needs no reason, nor is it because the other person is weak; it's simply because you are their most important friend.

"If the positions were reversed, and he were in that position, would you protect him without hesitation?"

"Meeting!"

Sasuke didn't hesitate at all and said it directly.

Seeing Hagoromo chuckled lightly, "Sasuke, what do you think true strength is? Is it being able to solve all problems on your own?"

No, that's called loneliness.

"True strength is what your teacher has always taught you. You, Naruto, Hinata, and Shikamaru are comrades who would entrust their lives to each other."

"Naruto trusts you, that's why he protects you; Shikamaru trusts you, that's why he stays behind to hold off the other teams."

"This bond of mutual support is the strength that allows you to become even stronger."

"I'm very happy that you have this sense of resentment and this desire to prevent your teammates from getting hurt."

"However, this should not become a sword that pierces oneself."