"What are you talking about, Sasuke? Kurama and I have always considered you family," Naruto said at once, his expression solemn and serious.
Kurama, standing on tiptoe atop a stool as he cooked, chimed in, "Sasuke, we won't be happy if you say something like that."
"But Naruto has worries and won't tell us about them. That clearly means he doesn't see me as family. Family means that no matter what difficulties one member encounters, everyone faces them together." Sasuke was stubborn.
Naruto sensed Sasuke's sincerity and seriousness. After several seconds of silence, he said, "Sasuke, you're right. Family should indeed face any difficulty together."
With that, Naruto told Sasuke and Kurama about his conversation with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Kurama was not particularly educated, so he immediately declared that no matter what Naruto wanted to do, he would support Naruto with force.
Sasuke pondered for a while before attempting an analysis. "Naruto, don't believe Hiruzen Sarutobi. Everything he told you is false and empty. It won't do you any good at all."
"If they were truly sincere, why wouldn't they offer some tangible help? Forget about anything far off. Let's talk about something close at hand—the Breeding Farm's taxes could at least be exempted for a few years."
"Right. Sasuke's gotten smarter. You thought of exactly what I did." Naruto immediately grinned at Sasuke's analysis.
"I've always been smart." Sasuke was instantly unhappy at Naruto's jab. He turned his face away and ignored Naruto.
Naruto was delighted by Sasuke's reaction, because it showed that over these past few years, Sasuke had come to terms with the Uchiha clan massacre to some extent. Otherwise, Sasuke would never have made such a sulky expression.
Friendship truly was great. It could lead someone out of darkness. Naruto deeply understood the power of friendship. He