Naruto had never expected to meet Sasuke again under such circumstances. He knew Sasuke had left Konoha to pursue the power of revenge, and his target was Itachi Uchiha. In Naruto's eyes, Itachi Uchiha was a rogue ninja. Even if Sasuke had left Konoha, as long as his goal benefited Konoha, he could not necessarily be considered an enemy.
The enemy of an enemy was a friend. Sasuke still had a chance of returning to Konoha, didn't he?
He had always pursued Sasuke with that somewhat naive belief, but now it seemed Sasuke was different from what he had imagined.
"That doesn't matter. Even if I have to defeat you, I'll bring you back to Konoha."
Naruto's azure eyes met Sasuke's dark gaze. Sasuke's eyes were like a bottomless pool of stagnant water; all Naruto could see was darkness.
"Be careful, Naruto! Sasuke isn't the Sasuke you knew anymore!"
Yamato warned him. Unlike Naruto, he was battle-hardened and could clearly sense Sasuke's killing intent. It was aimed at Naruto. He was certain that Sasuke would kill Naruto now.
"He won't. I... trust Sasuke. Sasuke is our friend..."
Yet Naruto's gaze was blazing. He believed in the bond between himself and Sasuke, and he believed Sasuke would not hurt him.
The thunderclouds around them gradually dispersed. The little snakes, soaked by rain and lightning, gleamed dazzlingly under the sunlight. A faint rainbow even appeared in the distance.
Sasuke's hair was drenched by the rain. He walked toward Naruto at an unhurried pace, the Kusanagi Sword at his waist gradually rising. Sasuke remained expressionless. He had constantly suffered setbacks before Moriyue, but before Naruto, he still had the confidence to act arrogantly.
Smack.
Sasuke was not particularly fast, yet Naruto remained where he stood. The two brushed past each other, and Sasuke