"Let's leave now and head for the Uchiha Ancestral Residence."
"Yeah, let's go together."
Naruto had no right to comment on Sasuke's hatred for Itachi. After all, Sasuke had his parents' blood to avenge.
"I'm glad I have you, Naruto." Sasuke gazed at Naruto tenderly.
That made Naruto a little nervous, because he had no idea what Snake Aunt had told Sasuke.
When faced with such an ambiguous remark, laughing it off was the safest response.
"Since when do we need to thank each other?"
Sure enough, Karin and Suigetsu both turned away, their faces dark as they muttered, "Couples who flaunt their love break up faster, right? Is this any way to treat people? There are still three single people standing right here!"
With their destination settled, Sasuke waved a hand. "All right. From today onward, our team's code name is Hawk. We'll stay silent until our cry takes the world by storm."
Hearing another declaration like that from Sasuke, Suigetsu and Karin turned away again and muttered, "Stay silent until our cry takes the world by storm... Naruto?"
At once, the same phrase popped into both their heads.
Happy breakup. Hope you're fucking happy.
"Let's move!"
"Mm."
After that little bit of banter, the five set off together.
Within half a day, they reached the border of the Land of Fields.
Although the Uchiha Ancestral Residence stood within the Land of Fire, it was a long way from Konoha.
This ancestral residence had been the Uchiha's most sacred site during the Warring States Period, not the residential compound now sealed off in Konoha.
After Naruto, Sasuke, and their three companions left Otogakure, time passed.
Several days went by.
Somewhere in a barren desert with no clear geographical markers.
There was no life here at all.
It was