Waiting

Naruto looked at Sasuke's back, memories of everything that had happened surfacing in his mind. Back at the Academy, if he had been just a little more proactive, perhaps Sasuke would not have left the village?

Naruto's memories surfaced in every shinobi's heart. Only then did everyone understand what Naruto had gone through from childhood to adulthood. Growing up in an environment where everyone hated him, he had not turned out crooked. Instead, he had faced it all with optimism and never given up hope. Along the way, one person after another had been moved by him and come to acknowledge him.

"This kid's future is bound to be interesting. I'm looking forward to it."

"Naruto, as your teacher, I can't give up either. A disciple's Nindo can inspire their teacher."

"It's not that becoming Hokage earns everyone's acknowledgment. It's earning everyone's acknowledgment that allows one to become Hokage."

"I believe in Naruto!"

"..."

The figures of Ming Jing, Jiraiya, Itachi, Gaara, and others drifted through everyone's minds. Those words of acknowledgment were like powerful shots to the heart, moving and inspiring them all.

"I... don't want to regret it. I don't want to beat myself up later, wondering, 'Why didn't I do it back then?' Besides, we've already done so much." Golden Light blazed around Naruto as he activated Nine-Tails Mode and Sage Mode at the same time. Catching up to Sasuke, he continued, "I can't pretend none of this ever happened! Sasuke, I'm in too!"

"Uzumaki Naruto." Obito frowned slightly as he watched Naruto. This type of person was far too much like his former self.

"Sasuke, you know that only Sage Chakra can hurt him, right?" Naruto flew alongside Sasuke and reminded him.

"Don't compare yourself to who you were before." Sasuke replied coolly. Behind him, Jugo