In the breeze.
A young man cried out and wept uncontrollably.
He let out all the negative emotions he had accumulated over the years.
This bright future he could finally see.
A freedom that truly belonged to him.
It was so hard-won.
It was so precious.
Naruto didn't interfere.
He simply stayed quietly by his companion's side.
Until his emotions gradually settled.
He gently wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes.
He seemed a little embarrassed.
The tips of his ears were faintly red.
"Sorry you had to see that, Naruto."
Neji coughed softly, trying to regain his composure.
"No, it's nothing. That's perfectly normal, isn't it? Congratulations, Neji. You're free!"
Naruto smiled gently and shook his head, speaking in the warmest of tones.
Neji was taken aback for a moment, then nodded firmly.
"Yeah! I'm free! I'm free! I'm truly grateful to you, Naruto. Without you, I don't think I could ever have achieved my dream in this lifetime. The Tenseigan is the key to truly freeing my soul from its bonds. You led me away from that dark, corrupt village, and you helped me obtain these eyes! Naruto, I'm really, really, really grateful to you!"
"You don't need to say things like that between us, Neji. We're comrades, after all!"
Naruto spoke with a look of utter sincerity.
"Yeah! We're comrades!"
Neji nodded emphatically.
An even more brilliant light gleamed in his beautiful Tenseigan.
There were things left unsaid.
But Neji had already made up his mind once more.
He would help Naruto realize his dream.
Naruto had already fulfilled, one by one, all the promises he had made to him.
Before, Neji had always resented that he couldn't keep up with Naruto. Now, at last, he had the strength to stand shoulder to shoulder with