NOVEL NEXT Chapter 99: Itachi Uchiha
As I returned to my room, I immediately noticed something odd. The single bed in the center of the room caught my attention. It was a small room, clearly meant for just one person—or maybe two, but only if they didn't mind being very close. I couldn't help but smirk. Sakura must have arranged this.
When I opened the door, I could hear the faint sound of running water coming from the bathroom. She was already in there.
"Sakura, are you in there?" I called out, raising my voice slightly so it could be heard over the water.
"Yes, Naruto! You're back?" she replied. "I thought you'd stay at Temari's place tonight."
I chuckled at that. "Do you really think I'd leave you alone? I already told you I'd take care of all of you equally. Besides, I need to wash up too. I'll join you," I said confidently, moving toward the bathroom.
I didn't wait for a response; instead, I stepped inside. Half an hour later, we both emerged, the steam from the shower following us into the room as we dried off and changed into our nightwear. The exhaustion from the day caught up with us, and as soon as we were dressed, we collapsed onto the bed simultaneously.
"Hey," I started, turning my head toward her as I shifted on the mattress, "how did the negotiation go? Everything smooth?"
Sakura smiled, still a little damp from the shower but looking relaxed. "Yeah, it went fine. Shikaku handled most of it. Rasa seemed cooperative, though I think he was distracted by you running off with Temari," she said with a teasing grin.
I laughed softly at that. "Well, I'm not surprised. I heard he wasn't too thrilled about it. But as long as the terms are settled, that's what matters."
Sakura nodded, her eyes softening. "It's all good now. You really have a way of getting what you want, huh?"
"Only because I've got amazing people supporting me," I replied, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
We lay there quietly for a moment, the day's events finally giving way to a sense of calm. "Let's get some rest," I said, pulling the blanket over us. "Tomorrow's another day."
"Yeah," Sakura murmured, already sounding half-asleep. Moments later, we both drifted off, side by side, the challenges of the day left behind.
Before drifting off to sleep, I leaned over and pressed a soft goodnight kiss on Sakura's lips. She smiled warmly, her eyes fluttering shut as we both settled into the embrace of the blankets. Unconsciously, we ended up tightly hugging each other, as though we were afraid to let go—a silent promise to stay by each other's side.
Morning came swiftly, sunlight peeking through the curtains to wake us. Stretching out of bed, we freshened up and got ready for our morning workout routine. Neither Sakura nor I ever skipped our workouts, no matter how busy we were. Soon enough, Sasuke joined us at the training ground, his usual stoic demeanor hiding the fact that he too valued these sessions.
We pushed ourselves hard, working up a sweat before calling it a day. Afterward, we returned to our respective rooms. Sakura and I shared a single room, while Sasuke bunked with Kakashi in a double-bedroom suite.
Once back in the room, Sakura and I took turns bathing to wash away the exertion of the workout. Feeling refreshed, we headed down for breakfast. The smell of freshly cooked food greeted us as we settled at a communal table. The casual chatter of other shinobi filled the room, but I mostly focused on finishing my plate.
After breakfast, we had the luxury of an unusually relaxed day. With no pressing duties, it felt like a rare day off—a chance to unwind.
"Let's take a proper look around the village," I suggested, turning to Sakura. "Yesterday, I was too distracted by my time with Temari to actually see anything."
She laughed, shaking her head. "Well, at least you're honest about it. Alright, let's go explore."
With that, we ventured out, ready to take in the sights and sounds of the village. The streets were bustling with life, merchants calling out their wares, and children running around laughing. It was a good day to simply enjoy being in the moment, free from the weight of missions or conflicts.
After finishing breakfast, we had the whole day ahead of us with nothing official to do. It felt like a rare break, so we decided to explore the village properly.
As we stepped out, Sakura walked beside me with a relaxed smile. "So, what's the plan, Naruto? Going to actually look at the sights this time instead of just staring at Temari?" she teased, nudging me playfully.
I scratched the back of my head, laughing sheepishly. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. I was just... uh, getting to know her better. But today, I want to see everything."
Soon, Sasuke joined us, his usual stoic demeanor in place. "Are we sightseeing, or is this just you dragging us around while you get into more trouble?"
"Come on, Sasuke, lighten up! We're in Suna! How often do we get to visit?" I said, throwing an arm around his shoulders. He sighed but didn't brush me off.
The three of us wandered through the streets, taking in the unique architecture and the bustling life of the village. The rock formations surrounding Suna were even more impressive up close, and the wind carried a dry heat that made me appreciate Konoha's lush greenery even more.
At one point, we passed a market filled with vendors selling all kinds of items—from colorful fabrics to handcrafted tools and jewelry. Sakura stopped to admire some intricate bracelets, while Sasuke looked mildly interested in a stall selling sharp, lightweight kunai designed for desert combat.
I noticed a group of children playing in the sand, their laughter carrying on the wind. It reminded me of the kids back in Konoha, and I couldn't help but smile.
"Hey, look over there!" I pointed to a large open area where a group of Suna shinobi was practicing with massive puppets. It was fascinating to watch the precision and control they had over the intricate mechanisms.
Sakura tilted her head. "Puppetry really is a unique art. It must take years to master."
"Yeah, but it's kind of creepy how those puppets move," I admitted with a shiver.
Sasuke smirked. "You're one to talk. You've got the Nine-Tails inside you, and you're scared of puppets?"
"Hey! That's different!" I shot back, making Sakura laugh.
As we continued our tour, I made sure to take in every detail, from the towering watchtowers to the narrow alleys shaded by overhanging structures. By the time midday rolled around, we stopped at a small eatery that Temari had recommended.
The owner greeted us warmly, offering a special dish made with local spices. It was spicy but delicious, and we all enjoyed the meal together.
"Not bad for a day off, huh?" I said, leaning back in my chair.
Sakura nodded, her eyes bright. "Yeah, it's nice to just relax and enjoy the moment."
Even Sasuke seemed less tense, though he still kept his usual stoic front.
After lunch, we decided to visit the Kazekage's residence to see how the others were doing. I figured it wouldn't hurt to check in—especially since Rasa might still be mad about yesterday.
As we prepared to meet with Rasa, I spotted a familiar figure in the distance, though his face remained obscured as I could only see his back. "Sakura, Sasuke, do either of you recognize him?" I asked, trying to gauge their reactions.
Both of them turned to look in the same direction. "No, I don't recognize him," Sakura replied, her voice uncertain.
However, Sasuke's demeanor shifted as he locked onto the figure, his expression darkening. "It's him," Sasuke said, his voice thick with both anger and sorrow.
"Who?" Sakura and I asked in unison.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he spoke with a mix of emotion. "Itachi Uchiha... the clan slayer."
Realizing who it was, I turned to Sasuke, noticing his conflicted emotions. "Then it's your brother. Why do you look so unhappy? Let's go meet Itachi," I suggested, wanting to get to the heart of the matter.
Sasuke stood frozen for a moment, his hands tightening into fists. It was clear that the thought of facing Itachi brought a complex storm of emotions—resentment, confusion, but also something else. "I don't know what I'll feel when I see him... but I need answers."
I gave him a reassuring look. "If you want to confront him, we're with you." I turned to Sakura, and she nodded in agreement. "Right. Whatever happens, we've got your back."
Sasuke's eyes hardened, and after a brief moment of hesitation, he began to walk forward. "Let's go meet him."