Naruto, You've Always Been Chasing Me, Haven't You?

The Sky Screen showed the quiet hospital room, but beyond it, the entire shinobi world had already erupted in towering fury.

Many people had watched Uchiha Itachi skip sleep in the dead of night to torment Sasuke, and they finally lost it.

"Is he insane? What's wrong with Uchiha Itachi? He's a fucking psychopath!"

"What kind of older brother treats his own little brother like that? Is something wrong with his head? How much further does he want to push Sasuke?!"

"Slaughtering his clan wasn't enough! He keeps coming back to abuse the only brother he has left!"

"He's a complete pervert, a lunatic, an obsessive freak!"

Countless ordinary ninja and civilians cursed in fury. The more they watched, the more they felt Sasuke deserved better.

In contrast to Itachi's cold brutality, everyone looked at Sasuke with nothing but boundless sympathy and sorrow.

"Sasuke is so pitiful... Since the Sky Screen appeared, he's barely had a good day."

"The massacre, the loneliness, losing an arm, being utterly crushed and humiliated by his brother, having his mind torn apart over and over."

"Anyone else would've gone completely insane by now, broken down and destroyed themselves."

"It's a miracle he's held on this long."

"Yeah. If it were me, I'd have either gone mad already or killed myself."

Across the shinobi world, everyone lamented Sasuke's cruel fate.

But when Jiraiya announced on the Sky Screen that he would leave to find Tsunade and bring her back to succeed as the Fifth Hokage, public discussion instantly shifted.

A fresh wave of heated debate swept through the shinobi world!

Most of the younger ninja no longer knew the legends of Tsunade, but every veteran who had lived through the Third Shinobi World War reacted with shock.

Everyone erupted with excitement.

"Tsunade! It's actually the legendary Lady Tsunade!"

"One of the Sannin! The strongest female ninja in the shinobi world! Incredible medical ninjutsu and unstoppable monstrous strength!"

"A top-tier powerhouse whose name resounded throughout the Five Great Shinobi Villages over a decade ago!"

"In Konoha, her reputation, achievements, and influence are practically unmatched!"

The older ninja marveled again and again.

Some ninja went so far as to declare-

If Tsunade returned to become Hokage, she would absolutely deserve the title!

Konoha's younger generation turned to their elders, asking about Tsunade's legendary past.

Only inside Konoha's Hokage Office was the atmosphere oppressively dark.

BANG-!!

A deafening crash tore through the room!

Shimura Danzō's face was terrifyingly livid as he slammed his palm down, shattering the wooden desk before him and sending splinters flying!

His eyes churned with fury and resentment as he stared fixedly at Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

At that moment, Danzo did not even look at Hiruzen, the Third Hokage.

After all, that Hiruzen Sarutobi had already died in battle.

Danzo demanded furiously, "You'd rather bring back Tsunade, who's spent years wandering outside the village, doing whatever she pleases!"

"Yet you refuse to support me as the next Hokage?!"

"Don't you know what Tsunade is like?!"

"Once Tsunade takes over, do you really think you'll keep your grip on power?"

"Only I can guarantee your authority!"

Consumed by rage, Danzo seethed with the bitterness of betrayal.

He had always thought that getting the Third killed would let him become Hokage.

Yet in the end, his two old friends in the village leadership had betrayed him!

Mitokado Homura furrowed his brow deeply. His voice was indifferent but utterly firm. "Danzo."

"No matter what, you aren't suited to becoming Hokage."

Utatane Koharu's face was equally cold as she slowly delivered another blow. "Even though I dislike Tsunade's willful nature too."

"There's no denying it-she is better suited to the Hokage position than you."

"With her standing, Tsunade can immediately unite the people of Konoha."

"You two!!"

Danzo's chest heaved with fury, a hint of murderous intent stirring in his eyes as he snarled, "This is betrayal!!"

Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been silently watching from the side, regarded Danzo's furious loss of composure. His gaze was calm yet saw through everything as he spoke slowly:

"Danzo, you're wrong."

"When Jiraiya returns, he'll put a stop to all your schemes."

"Besides, among all of Konoha's great clans and core forces, not a single person or clan would accept you as Hokage."

Every word was true, and every word cut deep.

They utterly shattered Danzo's last desperate hope.

Danzo went rigid, his face shifting between livid and dark, looking utterly wretched.

Images flickered rapidly across the Sky Screen. Before long, the scene settled at Konoha's gates.

After a long journey with Naruto, Jiraiya had successfully brought Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin, back to Konoha after her long absence.

The whole village watched, filled with anticipation.

Tsunade formally took up the mantle and became Konoha's Fifth Hokage.

Her first act upon taking office was to check on the village's wounded and deal with the aftermath of the battle.

Tsunade personally visited the hospital to examine Sasuke's severed arm.

After studying it carefully for a moment, she said slowly, "As for your left hand, I can combine a secret technique with cell cultivation to grow you a new one."

At those words, a rare glimmer appeared in Sasuke's eyes, which had remained silent and gloomy for so long.

For the first time since losing his arm, he saw hope of recovering it.

Unable to suppress his joy, he quickly asked, "How long will it take?"

Tsunade shook her head gently, her expression serious. "I can't give you an exact time. Growing a limb like this is extremely difficult. It requires a great deal of precision equipment, special medicinal ingredients, and prolonged recuperation. The process will take quite some time."

His joy faded in an instant, and the light in Sasuke's eyes dimmed.

A long time.

Time was what he lacked most.

He could not afford a lengthy recovery or wait for a limb to grow slowly.

But despite his disappointment, he still lowered his head and thanked her sincerely.

"Thank you, Lord Hokage."

Tsunade and Jiraiya still had official duties to attend to. After reminding Sasuke to rest and recover, they left together.

Only Naruto and Sasuke remained in the hospital room.

Naruto eagerly came closer, his face alight with excitement, unable to resist sharing the remarkable experiences he had had recently.

"Sasuke! Listen! Jiraiya-sensei taught me some incredibly powerful ninjutsu!"

"I learned the Summoning Technique! I can summon giant toads!"

"And there's more! I mastered the Rasengan! It's unbelievably powerful!"

The more Naruto spoke, the more excited he became. He waved his arms about, eager to share his growth with his closest friend.

But the happier and more radiant he was, the colder and darker Sasuke's expression became.

The dead last who had once trailed so far behind him.

Now he not only had a legendary ninja teaching him, but had also learned powerful ninjutsu.

Meanwhile, he himself was missing an arm, and revenge remained hopelessly far away.

Perhaps their positions had quietly reversed.

Sasuke raised his eyes and looked at Naruto's beaming face. Suddenly, he spoke in a low, detached voice. "Naruto, you've always wanted to catch up to me, haven't you?"

Naruto froze, unable to react for a moment, and stared blankly at Sasuke.

Before he could think of an answer, Sasuke stood and looked him straight in the eye, his voice carrying a stubborn challenge. "Then let's have a match."

Naruto instantly grew flustered and hurriedly waved his hands. "Sasuke... We don't need to. You're still recovering!"