The Whole Summer

Ino turned her head away and stopped talking, while Naruto didn't react much.

The Fire Temple incident was unexpected, and he was definitely going to get involved. Asuma and Team 10 were absolutely no match for the Immortal Duo.

Would his presence change anything? Naruto himself couldn't be entirely sure. Other opponents might be fine, but this was the Immortal Duo.

It's not that it's too strong, just simply troublesome.

Coming to their senses, the two continued walking side by side down the street. Ino, with a worried expression, hesitated for a long time before turning to Naruto and asking a question.

Is your plan feasible?

Naruto didn't speak immediately, but remained silent for a while before saying something.

"To be honest, I don't know, but it's probably possible. I don't want to get involved in any messy things, since my life is already a mess."

Ino was stunned, and her eyes dimmed for a moment.

"Okay, stop thinking about it."

She forced a smile. "Those are Konoha High Command. Even if we can't succeed, it doesn't matter. If we do succeed, wouldn't we be making a profit?"

Since Ino was also affected, the words of comfort seemed somewhat weak and ineffective.

Naruto didn't need any comforting words; he just couldn't help but casually complain about the original owner's fate. A chaotic village, a chaotic and twisted life.

"Yeah, we've made a killing," he said lazily, clearly not to his true feelings.

Ino sighed, glanced at the boy beside her, and reached out to grab his hand. Naruto felt his hand being grabbed and turned to look at her with some surprise.

"What are you looking at!" Ino's face flushed slightly, and she looked angry, but she didn't let go of her hand; she just turned her head away.

It was still broad daylight, and there were quite a few people on the street. Naruto was somewhat surprised, and seeing Ino's embarrassed expression, he leaned closer and whispered a question.

Aren't you afraid of running into someone you know?

"..." Ino threw Naruto away with a thud, her face turning even redder, like a ripe apple. She glared at him and said, "You'd better not ask any more questions."

"Oh." Naruto nodded, then squeezed Ino's palm a little harder.

The latter's body trembled violently, and she turned her head reflexively, saying, "What's wrong with you! If you pinch me again, I'm going to..."

Ino gritted her teeth and raised her fist.

"I'm not pinching anymore," Naruto whispered, leaning closer, deciding to stop while he was ahead.

Holding hands and whispering sweet nothings in broad daylight on the street was bound to attract attention, Ino couldn't take it anymore. She pulled Naruto into an alley and hid for a while, her flushed face slowly returning to normal.

The two stood at the alley entrance. Ino, fanned herself with her hand, the warm breeze gently blowing. Large white clouds hung overhead, and lush green trees stretched into the distance.

Naruto squatted on the ground, squinting as he glanced sideways at the girl at the alley entrance, watching the fine beads of sweat gather on her forehead. The noise of the crowd on the street carried through the air.

The voices were muffled, as if separated by a thin sheet of paper, and he and Ino stood on the other side of that paper. Naruto stared at the girl who was constantly fanning herself and looking around.

Ino turned her head and noticed his gaze. She was stunned for a moment and looked slightly embarrassed.

What are you looking at?

Naruto hesitated for a moment before saying, "I'm watching Summer."

"Are you an idiot? How do you know what summer is?" Ino brushed a stray blonde hair behind her ear and mocked, "It's summer everywhere, there's no need to go out of your way to see it."

"But you're being so sarcastic."

After saying that, she stopped laughing, as if it was funny to describe Naruto as something sour.

Hearing Ino's slightly mocking words, Naruto wasn't angry. He just stood up, looked at her, and smiled.

"Ino, you're so cute."

"Huh? Why are you suddenly saying something like that!" Ino's face flushed red instantly. "You can't argue with me, so you're resorting to shameless tactics!"

Summer is hot and annoying, you feel sticky all over, but I also like it.

"I didn't say anything, you said it yourself." Naruto walked towards the alley entrance, then stopped. Ino hesitated and looked outside.

Naruto gave her time to think and then grabbed her hand.

"They're gone."

Ino's pupils dilated instantly, but Naruto showed no reaction whatsoever, as if he were unaware of anything. He simply led her away, without the slightest hint of embarrassment.

She glanced back at her and noticed Ino's dark blue eyes darting around nervously. She touched her face, trying to hide her unease.

"Let go," she said, but her voice was very soft.

Naruto pretended not to hear and continued to lead the way forward, openly and honestly in the sunlight, without needing to hide.

"You're now one of Konoha High Command," Tsunade said, glancing at him with a slightly weary expression. "Now that you've got what you wanted, get out of here if you have nothing else to do."

Naruto, of course, wasn't so heartless; he took the initiative to step forward and pour tea for Tsunade.

The pure liquid poured from the gurgling teacup surprisingly carried the aroma of sake. The atmosphere became slightly awkward, but Tsunade nonchalantly picked up her sake cup and said...

"Don't ever put wine in my teapot again without permission. If Shizune finds out, you'll be in big trouble."

Naruto's lips twitched, but he forced himself to suppress it for the sake of today's great joy.

"Yes, yes, I'll definitely do it next time."

Tsunade, with her forthright personality, saw Naruto, usually so sharp-tongued, behaving so obediently today, and immediately realized he was a grateful person. She felt relieved; thankfully, her efforts hadn't been in vain.

Tsunade a sip of her drink, Naruto, ever the helpful one, ran up behind her and started massaging her back and shoulders, fawning over her like a loyal servant.

After all, Tsunade had indeed treated him well. Although she hadn't said anything, he knew perfectly well who she had been working so hard for all this time.

If they also lack any discernment, then that would be terrible.

There is no kindness or hatred without a reason. Tsunade's kindness towards Naruto stemmed from the sword he took for Tsunade and the Dragon Claw Hand move that was later removed from the internet.

However, this doesn't justify Tsunade's continued unilateral care; some things are meant to be reciprocated. Since Tsunade for his own good, he will do his best to cooperate with Tsunade.

Even though he was lazy by nature, he never refused to do anything Tsunade asked him to do. Tsunade was training him to be Hokage, which he explicitly refused, but he wasn't so ungrateful as to be oblivious.

"Not bad, your shoulder massage technique has improved." Tsunade groaned, took another sip of sake, and said with a feeling of complete comfort, "At least you still have some conscience."

"It is my duty to share Lord Tsunade," Naruto said obsequiously, then cautiously asked, "Lord Tsunade, why did the higher-ups agree so easily?"

"Easy?" Tsunade frowned slightly, her voluptuous body trembling, and she turned to stare at him. "Who told you this was easy? The higher-ups were completely against it."

Tsunade stopped halfway through her sentence. Naruto, while diligently contributing his own value, asked a question.

"So how did they eventually agree to it?"

"You don't need to know that. Anyway, Kakashi spoke up for you. You should go and see your teacher later," Tsunade advised.

"If nothing unexpected happens, Kakashi will become the Sixth Hokage. Among the younger generation, no one is more suitable to succeed him than Kakashi."

"Okay." Naruto didn't know why Kakashi was able to appear at the Konoha High Command meeting. Logically speaking, Kakashi was just an Elite Jonin.

There are only a handful of core high-ranking officials in Konohagakure. Including a few others who are just there for show, only Kakashi, as the Anbu Captain, could attend High-level Meeting.

His status as the former teacher of Team Seven and a current Jonin probably doesn't carry that much weight.

"Is Lord Tsunade busy lately?"

"Is that so?"

Tsunade enjoyed a massage while drinking, occasionally chatting with Naruto, her wide robes fluttering. The alcohol didn't really affect her; it was just a way to warm Tsunade up.

"I heard you want to participate in the Chunin Ninja Exams?" Tsunade asked casually.

"Um, I'm just thinking about it, I haven't decided yet," Naruto replied. "I've been a bit free lately, so..."

He stopped what he was doing, sensing Tsunade's strong dissatisfaction, and quickly changed his words.

"I just want the title of Chunin. I can't stay Genin forever."

"It's up to you," Tsunade said. "You can participate if you want, it's not a big deal anyway. Just be clear that this high-ranking position is just a formality, you don't have any real power."

"Having a title is enough," he said. "I don't want to actually get busy."

Tsunade: "."

"I'll take you to High-level Meeting in a few days to broaden your horizons and make an appearance before the Chunin Ninja Exams. That way, you'll officially be recognized as a member of Konohagakure."

"Is this... their official debut?"

"What is that?" Tsunade asked, frowning. That kid always seemed to spout strange words.

"No, it's nothing."

"Lord Tsunade, is Sakura's illness serious?" Naruto, subtly steer the conversation toward Sakura while continuing to massage her shoulders.

"It seems she has been hospitalized. I've been to Konoha Hospital several times, but there's no sign of her waking up."

"There shouldn't be any problem." Tsunade sighed. "All of his physical indicators are normal, but he just won't wake up."

The Hokage is very busy, and even though Sakura is Tsunade's student, she can't possibly drop everything to stay by Sakura's side all day. Besides, Sakura's body itself isn't the problem; she's just temporarily unable to wake up.

Faced with such a difficult and complicated disease, even Tsunade had no good solution in a short period of time and could only observe for a while.

"Then we can only wait?" Naruto was slightly taken aback. He didn't have any good ideas either, as he didn't know the whole story.

"There's nothing we can do now. We'll see when she wakes up," Tsunade said. "Let's wait. It won't last long."

"Good."

Naruto continued to massage Tsunade no longer needed it, and then he slowly left the Hokage's Office.

Outside the Hokage Building, Naruto squinted at the dense, blinding Nikko streaming down the street.

Sakura's situation did concern him, but as Tsunade had said, he could only wait and see, hoping Sakura would wake up on her own.

He sighed softly and walked towards Konoha Hospital.

The three siblings from Sand have long been discharged from the hospital, and have probably signed some kind of agreement with Konohagakure. In short, Konohagakure has acknowledged Gaara's identity and is now seriously treating him as the future Kazekage.

There's no other reason than that the Jinchūriki of the Tailed Beasts are irreplaceable.

The accident that happened some time ago was just a conspiracy against Gaara, but conspiracies always come to an end, and the other high-ranking members of Sunagakure are not fools.

With just a little thought, they could easily understand Gaara's importance to Sunagakure.

Once the shadow of the incident has passed, Sunagakure will automatically begin to eliminate the high-ranking forces within Gaara who targeted Sand, much like white blood cells do. This is a desperate measure to survive.

The longer their own tailed beast jinchūriki stays on Konoha's territory, the more potential dangers there will be for Sunagakure and even the entire Land of Wind.

Konoha Hospital.

Naruto carried a bouquet of flowers and went upstairs with practiced ease, passing through a corridor filled with the smell of disinfectant, and finally stopped in front of a ward.

He didn't knock on the door directly, but instead glanced inside from the doorway. Usually, someone would be watching at this time, either Sakura's parents or a senior member of the Medical Unit.

Even though Sakura had been transferred from the Medical Department, the ninjas in the Medical Unit still had a very good impression of the hardworking Black Sakura. Ever since Sakura was hospitalized, they had almost voluntarily taken turns caring for her.

Yu, a member of the Medical Unit, was catching up on sleep in a chair by the wall, while Sakura lay quietly on the hospital bed receiving an IV drip, seemingly in the same condition as a few days ago.

Pushing open the door, the medical-nin woke up immediately.

"Oh, you're here?" Yu greeted Naruto, yawned, and stood up. Before leaving, he patted Naruto on the shoulder. "Keep an eye on things, and call us if anything happens."

"Okay," Naruto replied.

He didn't have much of a relationship with the Medical Unit; they were just somewhat acquainted. Most of the time, when he woke up in the hospital, it was Sakura who he saw.

He casually changed the flowers on the table and sat in the spot where Naruto had been sitting.

I yawned, and night fell in the blink of an eye.

Seeing patients is a very tiring job. He had already learned from Yu that Sakura's parents had asked them to come for a day, and someone would arrive tomorrow morning.

Looking at the night outside the window, he decided to simply stay until morning.

As night deepened, all around became quiet.

The ward was brightly lit. As he got up to get some water, he suddenly heard a muffled groan from inside. He almost dropped the cup.

Woke up?

He didn't even bother to get water; he simply placed the glass on the table and rushed to the bedside.

Sakura's brows furrowed, and she made an ambiguous sound, clearly on the verge of waking up. Naruto a surge of tension and turned to call the Medical Unit staff on duty.

The moment I turned around, the corner of my clothes was pulled out.

Sakura looked somewhat lost, her small hands clutching Naruto's clothes tightly as if grasping at a lifeline. Naruto suddenly calmed down and looked into Sakura's eyes.

"Sakura?" he asked.

"Hmm." Sakura looked a little weak, and stared at Naruto for a while before recognizing him. "Naruto, what are you doing here?"

That tone was so familiar; Sakura had woken up.

I don't know why, but before, Naruto was thinking that it didn't matter who woke up, it was all the same. Whether it was Pink Sakura or Black Sakura, they were both good to him.

But when that moment actually arrived, he felt a pang of disappointment. The scales only reveal their true nature when they tip, and his scales clearly leaned towards Black Sakura.

He liked the girl who said she would wait for him there, and she would stand there motionless, her slender figure like a wild grass. But she was not a wild grass, she was a living, breathing person.

Having truly experienced this world, she learned what was normal before realizing she wasn't normal herself. Seeing others' happiness made her realize she was merely a substitute.

This is not fair. If a person is deprived of the right to suffer, then life is worse than death.

He hoped that Black Sakura could be preserved, but it was only at the last moment that he convinced himself. He dared not even think about whether Black Sakura truly had a choice.

Although it's all Sakura, nothing seems to have changed.

But Naruto knew, and precisely because only Naruto knew, he felt a slight bitterness in his heart. Only when Sakura spoke did he understand the meaning of what Black Sakura had said.

She's too smart, unbelievably smart.

Naruto remembered her completely, in a painful way, a pain that only he could feel. This pain did not stem from loss, but from the sorrow of never having met her again.

Just as Black Sakura had told him before, if she disappeared, no one would remember. Now, Naruto knows she truly existed, but he can't tell anyone.

He alone will remember it forever, until he dies.

"Naruto, I want some water," Sakura said weakly, curled up.

"Oh, okay!" Naruto snapped out of his daze, feeling as if a small wound had been torn open in his heart. He walked to a corner of the room and brought over the glass of water.

As he handed it over, Naruto was slightly lost in thought. Suddenly, a faint pain came from the tip of his right index finger.

Naruto's pupils dilated slightly.