At dusk, when the Ninja Academy let out, the students each headed home.
Liuli checked each piece of furniture one by one. Once she was sure nothing was wrong, she left home at ease and went to pick up Sasuke.
When Uchiha Ruri arrived at the Ninja Academy, she saw a group of students heading home with their backpacks.
Uchiha Ruri stood outside the academy gates, quietly waiting for Sasuke to finish school. The evening sun bathed her in its glow, gilding her silhouette.
Outside the school gates, Liuli saw Sasuke and Naruto walking out together. Their shadows stretched long in the sunset.
Naruto was a lively, cheerful boy whose smile always shone brighter than the sun.
He had a head of messy blond hair and bright blue eyes that sparkled with endless curiosity and enthusiasm.
Sasuke and Naruto were good friends. Though they came from very different backgrounds and had opposite personalities, they had forged a deep friendship during their days at the Ninja Academy.
At that moment, Sasuke didn't seem interested in Naruto's enthusiastic chatter. He turned his face away and gazed into the distance, as if he were thinking about something important.
Naruto noticed that Sasuke was acting strangely. He furrowed his brow slightly, trying to find a topic that could break the somewhat awkward silence.
"What's with you today? Why aren't you saying anything? You've been ignoring me ever since combat class! Hey!"
Standing beside Sasuke, Naruto couldn't help asking. His voice was full of concern, as if he wanted to break through the hard-to-describe silence and coldness surrounding Sasuke.
Sasuke was silent for a moment before replying flatly, "It's nothing. I'm just a little tired."
There was a hint of weariness and loneliness in his voice, as if some worry weighed on his heart and kept him from relaxing.
Naruto felt a little disappointed.
He looked at Sasuke's expressionless face and knew that something was indeed off about him today.
But Naruto wasn't about to give up. He tried to cheer Sasuke up with his usual optimism and enthusiasm.
"Tired of what? Look how full of energy I am!" Naruto laughed and thumped his chest, looking lively and vigorous. "You hit me in the stomach today, and I didn't even get mad. You're not scared of how strong I am, are you?"
Sasuke turned his head slightly and looked at Naruto's sunny smile. He felt a little touched.
He knew Naruto genuinely cared about him, but he didn't know how to respond.
He gave a slight shake of his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips with a touch of helpless affection. "Forget it, dead last. You're not worth the trouble."
His voice was calm, yet it held a unique gentleness.
There wasn't much reproach in his words. They sounded more like acceptance and forbearance.
"Huh?" Naruto was stunned.
Was this really Sasuke?
He hadn't expected Sasuke to let him off so easily, much less speak to him in such a gentle tone.
Naruto blinked and stared at Sasuke in disbelief. He was used to Sasuke's coldness and distance and rarely saw this gentle side of him. A warm feeling welled up inside him, as if Sasuke's tenderness had touched his heart.
"Heh, I knew you wouldn't hold it against me!" Naruto laughed and slapped Sasuke on the shoulder, looking smug.
Sasuke's words didn't make him feel down or disappointed. Instead, Sasuke's patience and understanding made him all the happier.
Sasuke looked at Naruto's smug expression and gave a helpless smile.
He knew Naruto was always like this. No matter what trouble or setbacks came his way, he managed to stay optimistic and positive.
Naruto declared proudly, "I'm not the dead last! I'm going to be Hokage someday. You're my friend, so don't look so gloomy."
At that, Sasuke burst out laughing. He draped one arm over Naruto's shoulder and clutched his stomach with the other, as if he'd heard the funniest thing ever.
Sasuke shook his head in disbelief and said flatly, "Naruto, you really do talk big! Hokage? You can't become one just by saying so."
Naruto bristled at Sasuke's jab. He widened his eyes, planted his hands on his hips, and protested, "Hmph, don't underestimate me! I, Naruto, always keep my word. I'll definitely become Hokage!"
Sasuke looked at Naruto's earnest expression and could only shake his head in disbelief. He sighed helplessly and thought, This guy really is never going to grow up.
He pursed his lips and continued, "Naruto, I'm not trying to put you down. Your dream is certainly a grand one, but you need to face reality, too. Becoming Hokage isn't easy. You need to meet all kinds of requirements and have real strength. You can't do it just by talking."
Naruto grew even more indignant. He puffed out his chest and said proudly, "Hmph, I know becoming Hokage won't be easy. But I also know I have what it takes. As long as I keep training hard, I'll become Hokage someday!"
Sasuke looked at Naruto's confidence and could only shake his head. This guy really is too confident. But maybe that confidence is what lets him keep going.
He smiled helplessly and said, "All right. If you're that confident, I'll wait and see."
Naruto grinned smugly at that. He patted Sasuke on the shoulder and challenged him, "Hmph, then you'd better train hard, too. Don't let me leave you so far behind that you can't even see my back!"
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, glared at Naruto, and said coldly, "Who was it that I knocked out with one punch this morning?"
Naruto panicked and stared at Sasuke, clearly unwilling to concede. "That was a fluke! I hadn't even shown what I could really do!"
Sasuke looked at Naruto's earnest, stubborn expression and couldn't help finding it amusing.
He shook his head, unconvinced that Naruto could ever become Hokage, then continued walking, looking for his sister.
"Hey! Say something!" Naruto hurried after him.
Watching them from a distance, Liuli couldn't help feeling curious.
She knew Sasuke and Naruto were close, but she was also curious about what they were talking about.
Liuli could see that Sasuke and Naruto seemed to be having a good time chatting. Every now and then, they burst into cheerful laughter.
"What are those two little ones up to?" Liuli activated her Two-Tomoe Sharingan and gazed into the distance.
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