A Small Home

Konoha, Hokage Rock.

As the spatial passage opened, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura holding a child emerged one after another.

"Naruto, I can only bring you this far."

"Thanks, Sasuke. What are you planning to do next?"

Sasuke gave a bitter smile and sighed, shaking his head. "You know my current situation, so I don't plan to stay in the Land of Fire."

"Sorry, it's all because of me..."

"It has nothing to do with you. I brought this upon myself."

Sasuke cut Naruto off. After thinking it over, he still said, "The Land of Fire has become a battlefield. Staying here will only put me in an impossible position. I plan to go to Rōran. It's a nice place. Once the war is over... Naruto, you can't protect the Land of Fire on your own. It's time you learned to let go. Take care of the people around you first. You're my best friend. I don't want to hear news of your death."

Watching Sasuke lead Sakura into the spatial passage, Naruto's eyes suddenly grew wet. He wanted to ask them to stay, but had no reason to. In the end, he could only force out two words.

"Take care!"

The spatial passage vanished. Naruto dropped onto the ground and blankly stared back at Konoha. It was not until the sky had begun to darken that he got up and started home.

Under the streetlights, his shadow stretched long, like the indescribable melancholy in his heart.

Standing at his front door, Naruto knocked. "I'm home."

The sound of hurried footsteps came from inside. Hinata pulled open the door, her face full of surprise. "Naruto, weren't you on the battlefield? Welcome home."

Noticing that something was off about Naruto, Hinata promptly changed her words.

Naruto entered the house and heavily slammed