The bright moon hung high, and the stars glittered.
Moonlight spilled over the ground like a waterfall, lending the world a poignant beauty and stillness.
Naruto walked along the path toward the Uchiha Clan Compound, his face expressionless and his mind racing.
After a night of playing along with the act, he had not only obtained every Forbidden Technique in the Scroll of Seals, but also unexpectedly acquired scrolls for wind, fire, and lightning Ninjutsu.
Ever since leaving the filming location, he had been thinking about how to help Sasuke grow stronger in the days ahead.
Should I give him Chidori first, or teach him the Rasengan? (The Rasengan actually has no elemental nature.)
Still mulling it over, Naruto entered the main gate of the Uchiha Clan Compound. He passed through the quiet Uchiha streets and headed toward Sasuke's house as usual.
But as he passed a shop, he spotted a dead bird on the ground.
Naruto looked at the shop window in the moonlight. Sure enough, the bird had killed itself by flying into the glass.
Seemingly struck by an idea, Naruto bent down, picked up the dead bird, and put it straight into his system space.
Shikamaru's organizing a graduation get-together tomorrow, and Shino will definitely be there. I could borrow one or two of those things from him to play around with. If it works, it'll be pretty interesting.
Thinking about his fun little idea, Naruto continued toward his destination.
As for Iruka shielding him from a Kunai earlier and speaking to him through tear-filled eyes, none of it had stirred the slightest emotion in Naruto.
Because in this life, Sasuke was the only person in Konohagakure who had truly found a place in his heart.
As for those other so-called bonds that fell apart under scrutiny,