The gentle warmth of a Konoha morning had settled upon Sasuke, a stark contrast to the electric tension that had crackled around him during his recent mission to Kagero Village. The past two days had been a welcome respite, filled with the quiet joys of companionship.
Ino, with her vibrant energy and sharp wit, had teased him relentlessly, yet her affection was palpable in the lingering touches and knowing glances.
Sakura, ever earnest and caring, had fussed over him, ensuring he was fully recovered from his journey, her emerald eyes reflecting a deep concern that warmed him from the inside.
He had reciprocated their affections in his own reserved way, a comfortable understanding blossoming between the three of them, a quiet promise of something more in the future.
The familiar sounds of morning training drew him towards Training Ground 7. He found Neji already there, his Byakugan eyes sharp and focused, executing a series of intricate Gentle Fist forms with practiced precision. A respectful nod passed between them, and without a word, they launched into a friendly spar.
Neji's movements were fluid and graceful, his strikes aimed with pinpoint accuracy. Sasuke met his assault with a combination of taijutsu and carefully controlled bursts of chakra-enhanced speed. He could feel the subtle improvements in his physical conditioning, a direct result of his dedicated training for the Eight Inner Gates. While he was still far from opening the gate of life, the foundational strength and stamina he was building were undeniably beneficial.
The clash of their fists echoed through the training ground, a testament to their growing power. Sasuke, utilizing his superior speed and a well-timed feint, managed to disarm Neji and pin him momentarily. A small smile played on Neji's lips as he acknowledged defeat.
"Your speed has increased, Sasuke," he commented, his tone devoid of any bitterness, only respect.
Sasuke returned the sentiment with a nod. "Your Gentle Fist techniques are as formidable as ever, Neji. You continue to refine them at an impressive rate."
Internally, however, his thoughts drifted to the Hyuga clan's restrictive customs. 'The Main Family elders… that damned caged bird seal, he mused, his resolve hardening. I swore to myself that I would ensure it becomes nothing more than a meaningless mark on Neji's brow.'
Their spar had attracted attention. Naruto, ever boisterous, bounded into the training ground, followed by Tenten, who carried a small medical kit.
"Sasuke! You're as strong as ever!" Naruto exclaimed, his usual grin wide. "Don't think for a second I'm going to let you stay ahead of me, though! I'll catch up to you soon, you hear?" His words were laced with playful rivalry, a familiar dynamic that Sasuke had come to appreciate.
Tenten, always practical, approached Neji and Sasuke. "You both fought well," she said, her movements efficient as she began to apply a soothing balm to a minor scrape on Neji's arm. "But try not to get too reckless. We don't want Tsunade-sama scolding us." She then turned her attention to a small abrasion on Sasuke's hand. Her touch was gentle and surprisingly adept, a clear indication of the medical ninjutsu training she was receiving under the Fifth Hokage, alongside Ino, Sakura, and Hinata.
As Tenten finished tending to their minor injuries, Neji offered a curt nod to Sasuke and Naruto before heading towards the Hyuga compound. Tenten waved goodbye and made her way back towards her own home. That left Naruto and Sasuke alone, the late morning sun casting long shadows across the training ground.
"Ramen?" Naruto suggested, his stomach already rumbling audibly.
Sasuke nodded in agreement. The exertion of the spar had worked up an appetite. They made their way to Ichiraku Ramen, the familiar aroma of the savory broth and grilled pork filling the air as they approached. Ayame greeted them with a warm smile, and Teuchi, ever enthusiastic, began preparing their bowls.
As they slurped down their ramen, the conversation naturally turned towards the topic Sasuke had broached a few days prior – the truth about the tailed beasts.
"So," Sasuke began, after swallowing a mouthful of noodles, "how's it going with… him?"
Naruto understood immediately. "Kurama?" he asked, his voice a little quieter than usual. "He's… still not exactly thrilled, but he's talking to me. A little, anyway."
Sasuke considered this. Naruto's sheer persistence and unwavering optimism were legendary, even within their close-knit group.
'Talk-no-jutsu is like a bug ability'
In the original timeline, despite years of isolation and hatred directed towards him because of Kurama, Naruto had eventually managed to forge a true partnership with the Nine-Tails. Without the looming threat of a Fourth Great Ninja War, however, Kurama had less immediate incentive to cooperate.
His animosity towards Naruto stemmed primarily from being sealed within him, a sentiment Sasuke could understand, even if he didn't condone it. Naruto's got this, Sasuke thought with a measure of confidence. His ability to connect with people, even a being like Kurama, is remarkable.
They finished their ramen, the comforting warmth of the meal settling in their stomachs. As they walked towards their respective homes, Sasuke thought like he realised something,"Kurama!? Did you say Kurama?"
Naruto nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Yeah. He told me that's his real name. Kyuubi is just a name humans gave him."
Sasuke stopped in his tracks, genuinely surprised. "He… told you his real name? But he's still not willing to be your friend?"
Naruto shrugged, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "It's a start, I guess. After you told me about how the tailed beasts are not actually bad, I tried to show him that I'm not like the people who hurt him. I even… well, I removed the seal that kept him locked up in that cage inside me."
Sasuke's eyebrows shot up in astonishment. "You… you removed the seal?" That was a drastic step, one that could have had dire consequences.
Naruto nodded again, a small smile returning to his lips. "Yeah. And… well, while I was in there talking to him… I also met my parents."
Sasuke blinked, his mind struggling to process the sudden influx of information. "Your… parents?" he repeated, his voice barely a whisper.
"Yeah," Naruto confirmed, his voice filled with a mixture of awe and a quiet joy. "And you know, My dad… he's the Fourth Hokage."
Sasuke stood frozen on the path, the familiar streets of Konoha blurring around him. His mind reeled, trying to reconcile this sudden revelation with everything he knew about Naruto's past.
It had been less than a month since he had shared the truth about the tailed beasts with his friend, a conversation that had felt significant at the time. But this… this was on a completely different level. The speed at which events were unfolding was staggering.
'The Fourth Hokage… Naruto's father, I knew he will find it one day but it's too fast and too early.'
The implications of this revelation were immense, and Sasuke felt a profound sense of shock ripple through him, leaving him utterly speechless. The world, it seemed, had just tilted on its axis.