Can You Look Away Now?

Blood Moon.

A long sword pierced his chest, blood splattering on the wall. On the long Uchiha streets at night, the familiar road home seemed endless, with no end in sight.

"The Uchiha Clan has been attacked, and the Anbu have arrived at the scene."

"Quickly, find the survivors!"

"They're all dead, Lord Hokage!"

"There's a child here!"

In the hospital room, Sasuke Uchiha opened his eyes.

Bright Nikko filtered through the white gauze curtains, casting a distant glow on the headboard. The snow-white walls reflected a halo of light, and a large bouquet of flowers sat on the bedside table, with several apples neatly stacked in a fruit basket.

The moment the door opened, the smell of disinfectant filled the room, and Kakashi walked in. One eye was blindfolded, and his other deadpan eye glanced at Sasuke.

"Hey, Sasuke, looks like you're recovering well."

Sasuke Uchiha leaned against the headboard, his thin frame accentuated by the blue and white striped hospital gown. His pupils held a habitual indifference, reflected in the green trees lining the window.

"Kakashi, how long have I been unconscious?"

"Well, that's really rude," Kakashi remarked, but didn't seem to mind. "The Third Hokage's funeral has been held in about two days."

"You didn't go?" Sasuke asked Kakashi.

"I have a mission to complete," Kakashi said nonchalantly. "Everyone I care about is dead, and I'm tired of funerals."

Sasuke's gaze suddenly paused, and after a long while, he finally spoke and asked.

"How are they?"

"Sakura got a little injured, but Naruto is perfectly fine," Kakashi said with a squinty smile. "Congratulations on surviving."

"The village leadership values you highly. It's all thanks to you that the Sunagakure leadership was able to compromise so readily this time."

"Why?"

"It's probably because they've seen the gap between the new generation of ninjas." Kakashi's gaze swept across Sasuke's face. "When the new generation of ninjas clash, in order to avoid greater losses in the future, the losing side tacitly agrees to compromise."

"However, it's best not to use the power of the Cursed Seal next time. Activating the Cursed Seal a second time is no different from losing your life."

"Um."

"I said. Going to someone's house without their permission is not something a lady would do," Naruto said, looking at Ino who was taking off her shoes with her legs crossed in the entryway.

With her thick blonde hair cascading down, Ino leaned against a nearby cabinet, standing on one leg as she took off her shoes.

Her jade-like calves were naturally formed, so white and smooth that it was impossible to look away. Her black dress was soaked by the rain, clinging wetly to the girl's body.

"Are you an idiot?" Ino's face flushed slightly as she retorted angrily, "What right do you have to talk to me when you're peeping at girls changing their shoes!"

"You're just standing there, it's hard for me not to look at you."

"And don't slander me. I didn't peek. I was looking openly and honestly."

"Nausea."

Thank you for your compliment.

"This isn't a compliment, you pervert, you don't have a foot fetish, do you?" Ino looked down at him with disdain.

"At least I'm better than some hospital ward enthusiasts," Naruto retorted mercilessly. "Actually, you're wrong. I'm not a foot fetishist."

"Tch." Ino took off her shoes, her fair and delicate feet stepping onto the completely renovated floor. After looking around, she said, "I didn't expect your house to be so clean."

Of course it's clean; it's all about the power of money.

After acquiring the money, Naruto renovated almost everything in the apartment that could be refurbished, and all the furniture and facilities were top-of-the-line in Konohagakure. As for the source of the funds, the Anbu didn't ask, and no one else did.

The matter of the Root Ninja being devoured by the Nine-Tails was left unresolved, and Root wouldn't bother provoking Naruto for no reason.

"The bathroom is over there, there's a dryer inside." Naruto yawned, preparing to go to the balcony to change. "Pour your own water, and call me when you're done."

"Is this how you treat your guests? That's going too far."

"Yeah, what can you do to me?" Naruto walked slowly toward the balcony in his slippers. "Hurry up and take a shower. I only let you use the bathroom because you said you were going to the hospital later."

"Don't do weird things in the bathroom, you pervert."

"Go to hell!" Enraged, Ino then threw a cushion at him.

"Hey! What are you doing?"

"You're the one doing weird things in the bathroom!" Ino blushed and silently mouthed to Naruto.

"You like it?" Naruto tilted his head.

"It's disgusting, you bastard!"

With a bang, Ino slammed the bathroom door shut.

Naruto, feeling rebuffed, and seeing no one in the living room, simply changed out of his black clothes there. He casually tossed his wet clothes into a basin on the balcony and drew back the curtains to let the Nikko in.

The green plants on the windowsill are lush and green, a pleasing sight to behold, and the living room is filled with a faint, refreshing floral scent.

A light rain started falling outside again. Naruto glanced at the balcony, then at the direction of the bathroom, and called out.

"Ino, have you had breakfast this morning?"

"No." Ino's voice came from the bathroom, and the sound of running water could be heard through the door.

"Let's eat some together."

"Casual."

Hearing this, Naruto went to the refrigerator, took out two eggs, cracked them into a measuring cup, and chopped some onions. Amidst the sound of the pouring rain, he boiled water, the pot bubbling and steaming.

Rainwater streamed down the windowsill, Naruto stared at it listlessly, watching the rainwater slowly flow from above, past the windowsill, and finally disappear from sight.

Hot soup and two plates of omelet rice were served, along with some hot tea.

He prefers tea because it's expensive.

When the food was plated and served, Ino came out of the bathroom, rubbing her hair. She was wearing a large Naruto T-shirt, and her face clearly showed her reluctance.

"Hey, don't wear other people's clothes without permission. There's a bathrobe over there."

Upon hearing this, Ino hands on her hips.

"A bathrobe is a personal item, right? I don't want it. Who knows what's on it?"

"That's new, you bastard!" Naruto. "And what kind of look is that?"

I don't believe it.

"Hateful!"

A soft click came from the kitchen; the water had boiled.

Naruto turned his head, paused for a moment, then stopped arguing with Ino and went straight into the kitchen to make tea. He didn't make tea for Ino, but instead made coffee.

Anyway, young girls love things that are bittersweet; adding a few spoonfuls of milk from the fridge makes the flavor much richer. It seems delicate, but compared to the lingering aftertaste of tea, it's nothing.

"Please eat quickly and then leave." Naruto placed the brewed coffee on the table.

"Then can you take your gaze away from my chest?"

"Can."

"Thank you." Ino, looking like she was trying her best to hold back, took a small bite of the omelet rice and then a sip of coffee.

Happy New Year!