Tobitake Tonbo brought Naruto and the others back to Konoha.
They completed the mission perfectly.
When Tsunade, Kakashi, and the others saw Naruto return, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
Only Yamato felt useless and went off to sulk by himself.
Nothing major happened within Konoha either. Everything was peaceful.
Naruto also began to realize his own shortcomings. After Captain Yamato's guidance, he understood that he had relied too much on the Nine-Tails' power and wanted to grow stronger quickly while Akatsuki was making its move.
Sakura felt the same way.
The mission's failure made both of them realize their own inadequacies.
"Senior Tonbo, what is a companion?"
However, Sai had latched onto Tobitake Tonbo.
Sai was even holding a book about psychology.
He seemed to want to pry the meaning of companionship out of him.
"Shouldn't you be training with Naruto and the others?
Or reporting the mission to Danzo or something?
Why are you so free?"
Tobitake Tonbo had brought Keigo to the library to study, never expecting to find Sai here.
Sakura and Naruto were currently training hard, determined to bring Sasuke back through their own strength.
Yet Sai, their teammate, still had the leisure to read this.
"Compared to becoming stronger, I want to know what companions are more. Can you tell me, Senior Tonbo?"
Sai froze for a moment, but he still asked what he wanted to ask.
"When I do something right, you praise me. When I do something wrong, you stand by me.
When I'm depressed, you encourage me. When I lose confidence, you give me confidence.
You focus only on their strengths, not their flaws, but you keep both their strengths and flaws in your heart..."
Tobitake Tonbo spoke.
"Then are we companions?" Sai asked again.
"Read more and experience more.