Near the border of the Land of Fire, close to Konoha.
After more than half a month of repairs and reconstruction, Konoha had gradually regained some of its former prosperity.
Roofs rose in layered rows, buildings packed closely together. Though it had lost some of its former liveliness, it now possessed a fresh new grandeur of its own.
At this very moment, in a forest near the village.
The sun hung high in the sky, and the lush forest gleamed emerald beneath its rays, looking vibrant and full of life.
Yet, in a secluded corner of the forest.
Several youthful figures had gathered beneath the shade of the trees, staring at one another. Their childish faces carried a maturity and seriousness that did not suit their age.
"So... Naruto, have you already made up your mind to do this no matter what?"
At that moment, a somewhat more mature voice gently broke the silence beneath the trees.
The speaker was a young man with his hair tied up behind his head. He was lean, but his gaze held a serious question.
Hearing him, Naruto, who stood before him with his back against a tree trunk and his blond hair shining brilliantly in the sunlight, pondered for a moment. Then he slowly raised his head, looked at him with azure eyes, and nodded seriously.
"That's right, Shikamaru..."
"Even though Sasuke left the village, I can't give up on him as his companion... I know... he had reasons of his own that forced him to leave the village!"
However, upon hearing Naruto's words, Ino, standing beside Shikamaru with yellow bangs framing her face, widened her eyes angrily and shouted at Naruto.
"What are you talking about, Naruto?!"
"Do you know that if the village's ninja hadn't happened to find you back then,