Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 433 Meeting

"What's going on now?" Izuna felt his sword was about to give way. It was one thing for the Senju brothers to work together to hide Naruto's condition, but how could Naruto, usually such a responsible person, suddenly become so unreliable at this crucial moment, failing to even respond to a summons?

Orochimaru, thinking the question was directed at him, quickly replied to save his life, "It was Naruto-kun who told me to come out and release the Reaper Death Seal!"

Tobirama knew that the question was directed at him, and although he couldn't understand it, he still explained the possible scenarios.

"The Impure World Reincarnation is a mandatory contract; even if it fails, the sacrifice will still be taken away. Currently, this will only happen to two types of people: the living and the dead who have already been reincarnated."

The group fell silent again, their gazes fixed on the corner of the room, where the body's joints were stiff, clearly indicating it was dead.

"Is there anyone faster than us?" Hashirama asked, voicing a profound question.

"That's...impossible."

"How could this be? Is Naruto's soul different from ours?" Mikoto couldn't even imagine what Sasuke would look like when he woke up. No one expected that the will would actually come true.

As for Naruto saying he would find a way back... the seniors subjectively wanted to believe him, but objectively speaking, no one in this world has ever climbed out of the Pure Land on their own.

"...Let's settle Sasuke and Naruto separately first." Hashirama, as expected of the First Hokage, was somewhat dazed and slowed down his jutsu several times, but he was still the one who could keep things in order.

"Then, Mr. Orochimaru, please tell us what you saw inside Sasuke's body."

The outside world's turmoil had nothing to do with Sasuke, who was on the verge of collapse. For the first time, he felt that sinking into darkness was not such a bad thing. At least he would no longer have to face a world without Naruto.

But the darkness before him didn't seem pure; a dim, yellow light shone in, suddenly opening his vision. He saw himself, but not his current self. The reflection on the water trembled slightly, and he saw a pair of young eyes, clear yet tinged with shadow.

That's what he looked like when he was a child.

Is this a dream? He's actually become the kind of person who can't face reality and escapes into memories.

But he soon found himself unable to move, only able to watch the child swinging his toes and staring blankly at his own shadow.

A series of footsteps broke the stillness of the scene, and his gaze finally shifted from facing the water to behind him. He saw an extremely familiar road, the small square next to the ninja academy. Every day after school, he and Naruto would pass by there, slowly making their way home amidst the noise.

Is this Konoha? Yes, but where could he have been as a child?

Since it was Konoha, Naruto was bound to be there. Sure enough, the blond-haired child passed by the river, his bright blue eyes staring straight at him.

This seems to have happened before. What's next? Will Naruto come over and sit down with him to enjoy the river view, or will he take the initiative to walk over and go home with him?

However, neither of these predictions came true. Naruto's expression shifted from anticipation to awkwardness, and finally he pouted, turned his head to the other side, and walked past him, completely ignoring him.

"Sasuke!"

He was startled awake by the undeniable voice calling him, and also by the sight of Naruto leaving him. The moment he opened his eyes, he saw the scene he most wanted to see: Naruto beside him, gazing at him with concern. He closed his eyes again, trying to wake from the dream, but Naruto immediately grabbed him by the collar and pulled him up, the overly realistic force shaking him until his head spun.

"Wake up! Control your chakra, or I'll have to seal myself back in to prevent you from merging too much at once and causing problems."

No! This isn't a dream!

Sasuke suddenly opened his eyes, and his first reaction was to grab Naruto tightly to prevent him from leaving again.

"...Naruto?"

“Yes, I left a lot of chakra on Kurama and brought it with me.” Naruto didn’t dare to provoke Sasuke anymore and tried to maintain his usual tone, saying, “Our chakra complements each other too much. You absorbed a lot of it unconsciously just now. Too much chakra can cause problems. Try to control it first.”

Sasuke's Sharingan activated naturally, and following the flow of chakra, he immediately saw Naruto's chakra flowing into his hands and the water they were in. He immediately let go, desperately trying to suppress the sensation in his mind. Fortunately, he was exceptionally gifted and actually managed to control it.

"Wow, there really wasn't any loss. That's amazing, Sasuke." Naruto was quite surprised, and even at this moment, he didn't forget to praise him. "However, you don't need to completely reject my power. This chakra was originally meant for you; it just needs time to fully develop..."

"I don't want your power!" Sasuke couldn't bear to hear this. He wanted nothing more than to strangle Naruto in his arms, but he desperately resisted touching him.

"I want you to live, to live well. As long as you're alright, that's enough..."

Naruto smiled helplessly; he knew Sasuke would react this way, so he stepped forward and said, "Sasuke, it's alright."

Sasuke dodged, but Naruto persisted in walking towards him. Even though the surroundings were empty and there was nowhere to escape, Sasuke felt that he had been cornered and had nowhere to run.

How many hugs have they had together? Naruto's warmth still lingers, so real that it makes him crumble and unable to hide his impending breakdown.

"why?"

"...sorry."

"Don't tell me that."

"..."

"...You are dead."

"...It's all in the past now."

There was only one person who could truly calm Sasuke down. They didn't exchange many words, but they cried their eyes out in an embrace. After Sasuke had completely vented, he wiped his face clean behind Naruto's back and slowly let go.

He didn't speak, he just stared at Naruto, making Naruto's gaze sway from side to side, and his posture became even more obedient.

"Ask whatever you want, don't hold it in," Naruto suggested, feeling uneasy under Naruto's gaze.

Sasuke did have many questions, but his mind was a jumbled mess, with only one question remaining crystal clear.

"The Impure World Reincarnation failed. How will you come back?"

Naruto was a little speechless. Sasuke, as always, was perceptive and always managed to catch Naruto's difficult questions. However, keeping Sasuke calm was Naruto's wish, and he couldn't refuse.

“My soul is very special; even Kurama cannot surpass me in terms of soul. You should know that even if a tailed beast dies, it will be resurrected after a period of time with all its memories, right? Actually, I am the same.”

Sasuke frowned slightly. Humans and tailed beasts seemed completely incompatible, but Naruto's expression was so sincere that he didn't appear to be lying.

No, this guy has been lying to him for ten years! He's a repeat offender, how could he still be fooled!

"Do you think I'd believe that? Even if what you're saying is true, what will you look like when you come back? A little baby?"

Ah, the child has grown up and is indeed not easy to fool anymore.

Naruto was both troubled and relieved, but he really couldn't explain why he was so confident. After all, this was his first time being a "source core life form" that was said to be immortal.

"How should I put it? Actually, the Pure Land is just another world that is separated from us. I am now in a state where I can break down this barrier, so it is only a matter of time before I return."

"As for the form it will take upon returning... it will probably be a mass of energy that can be molded at will."