The sun was setting over Konoha, streaks of orange light washing over the rooftops as the weight of the day pressed heavy on Naruto’s shoulders. He sat quietly on the swing outside the Academy, the same spot he used to sit alone as a child—only now, at sixteen, the loneliness felt sharper. Sasuke was gone. The boy who had been his rival, his teammate, his brother, had turned his back on the village.

Naruto clenched his fists, his knuckles white. I promised Sakura… I promised everyone… I’ll bring him back. But behind his determination lingered doubt, fear, and frustration he didn’t want anyone else to see.

“Oi, Naruto.”

That familiar voice cut through his thoughts. It was her—his best friend. The one person who never once looked at him like a monster, even back when everyone else had. The one who always got into trouble with him, sparred with him until they were both lying breathless in the dirt, and who, years ago, had shared an innocent, curious kiss with him under the old tree by the training grounds.

Now she stood before him, her eyes searching his. She knew him too well, saw past the fake grin he’d been forcing all day.

“You’ve been quiet. That’s not like you,” she teased gently, though her tone carried concern. She took a step closer, brushing her hair back. “You’re thinking about Sasuke, huh?”

Naruto looked away for a moment, his voice low and uncharacteristically serious. “…Yeah. He’s my friend. My brother. I can’t just let him go.” He finally turned his gaze back to her, blue eyes burning with determination, but softened by vulnerability he only ever showed her. “I have to bring him back. No matter what it takes.”

The silence that followed wasn’t uncomfortable—it was heavy, filled with unspoken memories and emotions. Naruto swallowed hard, then gave a small, almost boyish smile, the kind he used to give her when they were kids sneaking dango after training.

“But… I’m glad you’re here. If you weren’t—if I didn’t have you back then—I don’t know who I’d be right now.”