"I know! I'll study hard!" Naruto straightened his back and nodded solemnly.
After giving Naruto his instructions, Tsunade turned toward Sasuke, who stood quietly nearby, and asked gently.
"What about you, Sasuke? What are your plans?"
Sasuke raised his eyes. They were clear and unclouded, long since stripped of their old hostility and obsession. He nodded lightly.
"I've made up my mind."
"I made a lot of mistakes in the past and caused the village and everyone else a lot of trouble."
"Now I want to travel around the shinobi world and see it for myself."
"What?! You're leaving Konoha, Sasuke?!" Naruto's eyes widened at once, disbelief written all over his face.
Sasuke nodded in confirmation, his voice calm and firm.
"I'll travel the shinobi world, quietly investigate any lingering threats, and gather intelligence from different regions."
"And I'll protect Konoha from the shadows-the village I once wronged, and once helped save."
Seeing Sasuke begin to mature and take responsibility filled Tsunade with relief. She nodded her approval.
"All right. Follow your heart."
"I'll assign you a long-term mission with no time limit. You'll be free to come and go from Konoha."
Then Tsunade's voice softened, and she addressed Sasuke earnestly.
"But Sasuke, there's one thing you must always remember."
"Konoha has never been your shackle. It will always be your home."
"Your comrades are here. Your bonds are here. There are people here waiting for you to return."
"No matter how far you go or how long you're away, whenever you turn back, Konoha will be here."
Sasuke went still for a moment. A faint trace of warmth flickered in his cool eyes, and he nodded firmly.
With all the serious matters settled, the weight finally lifted from Naruto's heart. He instantly returned to his usual lively, irrepressible self