169.Formal Settlement

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Inside the Uchiha cemetery barrier, Sasuke stood still, silently gazing at the rows of neatly arranged tombstones in front of him. His eyes swept over each name, some familiar and others unfamiliar, and corresponding faces and voices flickered in his mind.

The sadness and hatred he thought had subsided surged again, and his heart began to torment him once more.

"That bastard Itachi…" Sasuke gritted his teeth, and his vision gradually blurred.

"I'm sorry, I will definitely give you all an explanation." He bent down deeply and remained bowed for a long time.

Outside the barrier, Minato watched Sasuke's lonely figure with concern.

"Is Sasuke going to be okay?"

"This is something he must carry," Kaito, who was also watching Sasuke, replied with a serious tone.

Minato glanced at Kaito and sighed, "Kaito, you're really strict. Isn't what he's carrying too heavy?"

Kaito smiled, "Don't worry. That's how boys grow into men."

"You're right." Minato paused for a moment and then smiled as well, "Maybe it's because I'm a father now. Looking at someone the same age as Naruto, I can't help but feel a little sorry for them."

"This world is inherently cruel, especially for shinobi," Kaito said. "There's no time for boys to grow up slowly."

At that moment, Sasuke turned around to leave, and Kaito opened the barrier pathway again to let him out.

"Well, let's leave it at that." Kaito's figure gradually faded and then completely retracted into the paper figure.

"Minato, Sasuke, farewell." Then, the paper figure ignited without wind and turned to ashes, drifting away in the breeze.

"Let's head back too." Minato placed his hand on Sasuke's shoulder, and in an instant, the two returned to the Namikaze residence.

"Dad, Sasuke, you're back."

The two figures appeared in the living room, and Naruto, who had already bathed and changed clothes, rushed down from the second floor.

"Yeah, I'll start making dinner." Minato headed to the kitchen and put on an apron, "Naruto, take Sasuke to the guest room for a bath first."

"No problem!" Naruto ran back up the stairs and waved at Sasuke, "Follow me, Sasuke!"

Sasuke, still feeling a bit down, silently followed Naruto to the second floor.

"Here it is, come and see!" Naruto excitedly pushed open the door to the guest room and turned on the light, "Even though no one usually stays here, Dad has always kept it well cleaned and organized."

"Thank you." Sasuke expressed his gratitude, walked into the guest room, and took off the sword and ninja pouch from his waist, placing them on the small desk by the bed.

"No need to be so formal!" Naruto leaned against the door, scratching his cheek awkwardly, "By the way, this is the first time I've invited a friend to stay over."

Sasuke walked to the doorway and asked, "Are you happy about that?"

"A little bit." Naruto smiled instinctively, "Honestly, ever since Dad came back, it's felt like a dream. Every day has been so happy."

He then looked at Sasuke seriously.

"I think I can finally understand you, Sasuke."

"Really?"

Sasuke leaned against the other side of the door, crossing his arms, surprised as he observed Naruto.

"Yeah! I think I finally understand what you were saying back then," Naruto said solemnly. "Now, I know what it feels like to have a family."

He grabbed the fabric over his heart and said in a low voice, "Just thinking about the possibility of losing them again makes my heart ache unbearably."

"Heh, you've started to get it, Naruto." Sasuke lowered his head, and his bangs cast a heavy shadow over his face. "You're finally less annoying."

"I'm sorry, Sasuke. Back then, I couldn't distinguish between friends and family, and I said a lot of irritating things," Naruto said sincerely. "And now that I understand, I'm no longer obsessed with bringing you back to the village."

"So, should I thank you for that?" Sasuke lifted his head and said sarcastically.

"No need to thank me!" Naruto laughed sheepishly and waved his hand, "I just wanted to tell you how I feel."

Sasuke's forehead veins bulged in annoyance, and he pushed Naruto angrily.

"I wasn't really thanking you! Idiot, just tell me where the bathroom is already!"

"Oh, oh! I got it!"

Naruto stumbled a bit and led Sasuke to the bathroom, mumbling as he walked.

"I don't know why he suddenly got mad."

Sasuke's veins bulged again as he bumped Naruto aside and went into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him with a bang.

"Seriously, I don't get it," Naruto scratched his head, confused, as he headed back downstairs.

After dinner, Sasuke and Naruto volunteered to handle cleaning up and washing the dishes.

"Naruto," Sasuke suddenly spoke up, "Tomorrow, help me with something."

"No problem! Leave it to me!" Naruto gave a thumbs-up, flicking the soapy water into the air.

Sasuke dodged the foam, placing the dishes Naruto had washed under the faucet to rinse.

"I ran into Shikamaru and the others today."

"Huh? What about those three guys?" Naruto turned around, confused.

"You mentioned it before, right? Some comrades were seriously injured because of me back then." Sasuke's tone was a bit awkward, "Tomorrow, help me gather the guys from those three squads for a meal. I'll treat them."

"Oh, oh! I get it now!" Naruto's hands suddenly moved more forcefully, splashing water and bubbles again, "You want to thank them personally!"

"Be careful, idiot!" Sasuke stepped back to avoid the water and bubbles.

"Hahaha, don't mind me! I'll help you invite them tomorrow. Here, catch this!" Naruto handed a foam-covered plate to Sasuke.

Sasuke took the plate and rinsed it under the faucet, asking, "Are you sure they're all in the village?"

Naruto shook his head, "No idea. If they're on a mission, then we can't do anything about it."

"If they aren't, then forget it," Sasuke said. "I'll be leaving Konoha soon anyway."

"Why?" Naruto stopped what he was doing and turned to look at Sasuke.

Sasuke said quietly, "It's not convenient for me to stay in Konoha for too long. Besides, my goal is to find Itachi and settle things with him."

Naruto paused for a moment, then asked directly, "Itachi? That's one scary guy. Can you handle it on your own? Why isn't Uncle Kaito going with you?"

"My uncle has his own matters to attend to. Besides, you know, I'm really strong now, so I can handle it on my own," Sasuke said confidently.

"Cocky bastard!"

Naruto pouted, grumbling in frustration, then shouted, "Let me help you with it!"

"No! This is an Uchiha matter!" Sasuke refused firmly. "And besides, you're their target. Why would you willingly walk into a trap, you idiot!"

"You're the idiot! I'm not afraid of those guys!!"

"Hmph, anyway, neither the Hokage nor Uncle Minato will let you go, so give up!"

"Damn it! Knowing those bastards are after me, you think I'm just going to hide in the village forever?!"

"You're too weak for now, but if you master the Flying Thunder God technique, you might have a chance."

"Forget it. I already tried learning from Dad. That Flying Thunder God technique is terrifying."