Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha turned their heads at the same time.
The Space-Time Portal dissipated steadily. This time, Naruto and Sasuke were only slightly out of breath, in far better shape than before.
"Sasuke, you're doing better than Shikaku estimated."
Tsunade spoke with approval in her voice. "Naruto, well done. It's thanks to your help that Sasuke has improved so much."
"Of course!"
Naruto laughed, his hands on his hips. "I told you, there's nothing the two of us can't do together!"
Sasuke nodded beside him.
"All right. Since Sasuke is progressing so smoothly, we'll launch the rescue operation tomorrow, as we discussed."
"Don't train too late today," Tsunade reminded them.
She worried that if they kept training the way they had before, they wouldn't be in good shape when they set out tomorrow.
Sasuke and Naruto exchanged a glance.
"Understood."
"Got it."
Tsunade nodded, then turned to Naruto.
"Naruto, there's something I need to tell you."
Naruto blinked, a little puzzled.
Sasuke looked at Tsunade, then glanced at Naruto. He seemed to have noticed something, but said nothing.
"Naruto, you can't go on tomorrow's rescue operation."
The smile froze on Naruto's face.
For a moment, he couldn't process it. "Why?" he asked in surprise.
"Because Konoha needs you to stay and protect it."
Tsunade spoke bluntly. "Sasuke has to go. He's the only one who can open the portal. I have to go, too. I'm the strongest Medical Ninja."
"Kakashi needs to go. He'll command the Sealing Squad and cover anything we miss."
"But you can't go!"
"But-"
"Let me finish."
Tsunade raised a hand to interrupt him. "You and Sasuke are the only two people in Konoha who can stand against the Ōtsutsuki."
"If both of you leave at the same time, who will stop Isshiki or