The Best Answer, When It Snows

Anko may have been born stupid, which is why her teacher Orochimaru abandoned her. But her perseverance brought hope; there were always people who didn't care about her stupidity.

"Go back by yourself." He repeated, "It's too dangerous for me to go on a mission with you, hmm. You should know why, so I'd rather go alone."

"Tch, I'm too lazy to go." Anko curled her lip. Of course, she knew what Naruto was referring to. "Perfect timing, I'll go home for a vacation."

"Your vacation should be over by now. Going back means you'll only have to go to work," Naruto deliberately reminded him.

"Then let's continue working and slacking off, it's pretty much the same as a vacation." Anko spread his hands, looking like a seasoned, lazy bum, revealing the same disdainful look in Anya's eyes.

"You're amazing."

Watching Anko disappear into the distance, Naruto waited for a while before heading off in another direction.

The mission to the Land of Rain could be put on hold; he strongly suspected Nagato was staking it out. It would also be easier to explain to Konohagakure, since it wouldn't be traced back to him. Anko was the Jonin Leading Jonin full responsibility.

Tanzaku Town.

He walked through the bustling market and stopped in front of a house. He took out a key from his Sealing Space and skillfully inserted it to unlock the door.

The heavy wooden door creaked, and slightly hurried footsteps came from upstairs. Tayuya stood barefoot on the second-floor corridor, gripping the railing and looking down at the first floor.

After three months, I'm finally back.

"You're back?" Tayuya's voice didn't sound particularly surprised; it was rather indifferent, and she spoke slowly.

"Hmm." Naruto thought she was angry, after all, he hadn't heard from her since the end of the year.

Actually, he wasn't usually busy, and he had some free time during his time in the village. But even when he was free, he never thought of sending a letter or going to visit.

Sakura is actually quite right. Apart from his special treatment of Ino and Hinata, he's pretty ruthless towards everyone else. Or rather, it's not so much that he's ruthless, but rather that he doesn't care that much.

When he left at the end of the year, he said he needed some time to think things over, and so there was absolutely no news of him until he figured things out. Tanzaku Town isn't too far from Konohagakure, but I haven't been there since.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye. If he hadn't suddenly come to his senses, it wouldn't be surprising if it had taken him six months, ten months, two years, or even three years to figure things out.

His heart was truly made of stone; if his thoughts remained blocked, there would be no result even after ten or eight years. One day, he would finally understand, and everything would be easier to discuss; he would no longer be imprisoned by his own mind.

"Feeling down?" He went into the kitchen to pour himself a glass of water, and when he came out, he leaned against the door, looking slightly tired.

After resurrecting Orochimaru, he never rested. Whether it was controlling the phantom of the Death Reaper or traveling, it was not an easy task for him.

Naruto changed into a dark trench coat on the way, and it was almost dark when he arrived in Tanzaku Town. Travel-worn, he opened the door, grunted, and went into the kitchen for a drink of water.

After drinking a glass of water, the burning, dry, and itchy feeling in my throat was finally relieved.

Tayuya paused for a moment when she heard Naruto's question.

Me?

"Is anyone else here?" He asked in a slightly irritating tone, raising Tayuya before leaning casually against the door, a smile in his eyes.

Tayuya lay on the sofa on the first floor, her long, white legs dangling casually, while she absentmindedly pressed the buttons on the TV remote.

"No." Tayuya, just responded and then fell silent.

The living room was quiet except for the sound of the television. Naruto didn't pay any attention, put down the glass of water, turned around, and went upstairs to wash up as evening approached.

When he came out of the bathroom on the first floor, the living room was already dimly lit. The television was Tayuya, and Duoyou was nowhere to be seen; perhaps she had already gone upstairs.

The TV downstairs was empty, so he thought for a moment and then knocked on her door.

"What's wrong?" Tayuya asked, her face expressionless.

"What are you angry about?" He had just finished showering, his hair was still slightly damp at the ends, and his blond hair fell casually across his forehead. His expression was gentle, showing a touch of humanity.

Seeing Tayuya unconsciously clenched her fist. It was the first time she had seen that person act this way, genuinely lowering himself to coax her, which even made her feel a little uncomfortable.

In her memory, Naruto was definitely not a good person. He used every trick in the book except coaxing people into doing something wrong. Threats, lies, and all sorts of other methods were employed.

Even though I willingly let myself be deceived, even knowing there would be no future. I didn't feel particularly wronged when we hadn't seen each other for six years before, and I didn't feel anything special about these past three months either.

But the unexpected reunion stirred up some emotions within her. It was a feeling she had never experienced before—sadness, yet she didn't know why she was sad.

"I don't know," she said, standing in the doorway.

Her red hair cascaded down her back, Tayuya wore only a loose, burgundy T-shirt that barely covered her thighs. It looked like a mini-skirt, revealing her fair, glowing thighs.

"Is it because this town restricts you and makes you feel out of place?" Naruto asked. "You should go to bigger places and see more of the world."

"Instead of being alone in the house, just waiting for me to come back and revolving around me, does that kind of life make you feel unbearably suffocated?"

In that instant, Tayuya suddenly realized that the person in front of her was still as cruel as before. He would only talk about things that concerned him, focusing on his weaknesses.

"I didn't!" Tayuya bit her lower lip, raised her head, stared intently at him, and her eyes slowly reddened.

Even though she knew he was doing it on purpose, she still felt wronged. He knew perfectly well that she had said he would let her know if she just said so.

Even if it takes three or thirty years, she will wait; it's not that she can't stand the loneliness. Even if it's a small place, even if there's no beautiful scenery here.

In six years, she traveled to countless places and met countless people. She journeyed thousands of miles, witnessing countless beautiful sights along the way, but after all the twists and turns, she still loved him.

He knew perfectly well, but he still said it on purpose. Just like before, it was both tender and cruel.

"Hmm." Naruto stood by the door, looking behind her. There were a few things on the desk, which seemed to be some small gadgets to pass the time.

"What I mean is you don't need to place too many expectations on me, you can't live your whole life just for me. You need to have other things, and sometimes I..."

"You said you needed some time to think it over, is this your answer?" Tayuya stared at him, her face expressionless, but a slight pang of sadness welled up inside her.

"No." Naruto frowned. Tayuya seemed Tayuya and less like herself. Her personality had subtly changed, and she seemed more down-to-earth.

If Tayuya a blank canvas before, gradually being painted with colors, then now Tayuya has developed her own thoughts, cares about many things, and expresses her emotions.

"What is that?" Tayuya didn't move aside, standing there as if she wanted Naruto to finish speaking.

"I have a long enough life," he said.

"Hmm? I don't understand." She looked at him, but made no move to close the door.

"You like to go out and explore, whether it's bustling or desolate. I prefer to stay put, you know what I mean, I just want to find a place to stay."

Naruto frowned and continued gesturing.

"Sometimes I'll change places after staying for a while. I don't necessarily stay in one place, but I can't stand being constantly on the go. I don't want you to feel wronged by staying in one place for my sake."

Upon hearing this, Tayuya bit her lower lip and clenched her fist.

"I can stay."

"How long can you stay, a year or two? I still don't have time. If I stay in Konohagakure in the future, we'll only see each other a handful of times."

"I... I don't know."

She vaguely knew it was because of her identity; even if she went to Konohagakure, she would be too easily recognized. Therefore, she had to stay outside, which was why the two couldn't meet.

"Actually, none of these are problems. I won't stay in Konohagakure forever." Naruto's change of topic brought Tayuya back to her senses.

"What?"

"What I mean is, you don't need to be bound by me. I won't be guarding Konohagakure forever, I don't know how long it will be, but..." Naruto said.

Even if you travel thousands of miles and go to more places, you can still find me. I like you, and we may have children in the future. You don't need to choose between the two.

"Before I leave Konohagakure, you can go to even farther places. Even the longest journey has its end. By then, I'll probably be somewhere."

"I'm not entirely sure about the Land of Snow, the Land of Rain, Land of Grass, but one thing I'm certain of is that I love you. No matter how far you go, you're not alone; we'll meet again eventually."

"Is this your answer?" Tayuya clenched her fists, trying to appear calm. She had thought of many things in that instant, but she hadn't expected him to give such an answer.

No matter how far you go, you're never alone; you'll eventually meet again.

That person still loved to lie, but what he said was something she couldn't resist. Tayuya only had two things she wanted to do: go to more places and be with him.

When faced with a conflict, she preferred the latter. She might as well wait; a year or two was the same as waiting. If he asked, she would simply say that he was enough.

These were just her imaginations, but all her preparations fell through.

He seemed to have genuinely considered it and gave the most appropriate answer for both of them. She stood there in a daze, and by the time she came to her senses, Naruto had already entered.

The door clicked shut, and he smiled at Tayuya.

As night deepened, the two entwined tightly, he could feel her soft back. In the latter half of the night, all passion faded, and the moonlight shone brightly and silently.

Tayuya climbed out of bed, found a comfortable position in his arms, and opened her eyes. She glanced at the blurry window and hesitated before speaking.

"I won't bother you. No matter what, I will come back here every year at the end of the year. I can wait, no matter how many years."

"If you miss me, come back here when it snows, okay?"