Because of the threat behind them, Nanfeng and the others did not slow down. Taking advantage of the forest terrain and their own speed, they actually gained a brief moment of freedom.
"So this is the guy you said would bring me power?" Sasuke frowned. Even Naruto, who was following behind them, had noticed it—how could Sasuke not? Besides, Nanfeng's expression looked grave, as though he was pondering something.
"That's right. Let's stop for a moment. There are some things I need to discuss with Sasuke in advance. They concern our attitude and the outcome of the battles ahead..." Nanfeng frowned slightly, and there was even a trace of conflict in his gaze as he looked at Sasuke.
Nanfeng had always been somewhat resistant to the arrival of this day. That feeling had appeared in his heart the moment Sasuke began to change. But time waited for no one. What was meant to come would always arrive before you when the time came, forcing you to make choices.
Naruto also put away his usual goofy grin. Looking at Nanfeng and Sasuke, he did not know why, but a sense of impending separation rose within him.
After a Wind Release Ninjutsu cleared away the weeds around them, the three sat down on the ground. The scene looked remarkably like when they had first met. Back then, during breaks from training in the small woods of Konoha, they had sat together just like this—only their moods had changed beyond recognition.
"How much stronger do you think you can become in Konoha?" Nanfeng glanced at Sasuke and asked.
This was a question they had to face. Sasuke had to improve his strength within three years, but judging by the pace of his current training in Konoha, the results were far from as rapid