Genya and Sasuke walked side by side.
Sakura had already left.
The two fell silent for a while.
Sasuke suddenly spoke.
"He... looked awful crying like that."
Genya raised an eyebrow.
"Do you look good when you cry?"
Sasuke choked on his words.
Genya laughed.
"Come on, drop the act. You stayed the whole time, didn't you?"
Sasuke turned his face away.
"I just... happened to have nothing else to do."
"Oh, you happened to have nothing else to do."
Sasuke shot him a glare.
Genya laughed even harder.
When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Sasuke suddenly stopped.
"Genya."
"Yeah?"
Sasuke was silent for a moment before speaking.
"That idiot Naruto... he'll be okay from now on, right?"
Genya looked at him and answered earnestly.
"He will."
Sasuke nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
Genya stayed where he was, watching him walk away.
This kid really does care about Naruto.
Even if he won't say it.
He looked up at the lit window upstairs.
Naruto's home.
The once-empty room now held photos of his parents, gifts from the villagers, and the company of friends.
The corners of his mouth lifted.
"Good night, Naruto."
The next day, at the Training Ground.
But today was a little different from usual.
"Come on over! Line up here to sign up!"
"The Taijutsu class is accepting new students! All ages! All genders! All you need is the fiery passion of youth!"
"Burn! Youth!"
Might Guy's voice rang across the entire Training Ground, with an equally fired-up Rock Lee following behind him.
Both wore their signature green bodysuits, gleaming in the sunlight.
And at the registration desk...
A long line had formed.
Yes, a very long line.
It stretched from one end of the Training Ground to the other, rounded