Time passed unnoticed, and before long, the paulownia tree at the Ninja Academy had almost shed all its leaves.
School had let out, but instead of rushing home as usual, Sasuke listlessly packed his things and walked out of the classroom at an unhurried pace.
Naruto, who was waiting for him outside the classroom, had long since grown impatient and urged him on:
"Sasuke, Sasuke, come on! Let's go! Hurry up!"
With Naruto was Karin Uzumaki, an energetic girl with long red hair. After coming to Konoha, she had gradually regained her childlike nature and was no longer as timid or shy as before.
Sasuke felt rather helpless at Naruto's shouting, but he had chosen his own friends, so he could only accept it. With his schoolbag on his back, he headed out of the school with him.
By the time the three of them left, very few students remained at school. Looking at the warm sunset, Naruto Uzumaki complained, "Sasuke, you idiot! You're so slow. Everyone else is already home."
Then Naruto asked curiously, "Sasuke, what's been going on with you lately? You keep going home so late. Doesn't Aunt Mikoto say anything? If Karin weren't there to prove I hadn't been running around playing, Aunt Xiangling would've scolded me."
Karin, who was walking with them, said nothing, but she also looked at Sasuke. The three of them studied and went home together every day, and she was concerned about him too.
Seeing that even the oblivious Naruto had noticed something was wrong, Sasuke said helplessly:
"Right now, it's just me and the maid at home. My father and brother are away on missions, and they haven't come back in ages. If my master hadn't promised me they were safe, I'd be worried something had happened to them.
Mom's