Naruto: Naruto’s Story—Uzumaki Naruto and the Spiral Destiny (Naruto Novels)

by Jun Esaka

“I’ll smash it.” Sasuke’s response was simple. “Seriously?” Shikamaru asked, incredulous. “Of course,” Sasuke answered evenly.

“Make sure to give it back,” Hinata interrupted Sasuke as he was about to return the headband to her and turned sharp eyes on him. “I can’t let my husband be responsible for your life too.” He really was uncomfortable with this woman.

Seeing Ino’s face tense up, Orochimaru smiled, pleased. “Looking forward to it. ♡”

The air around them was below freezing, and they were all covered in ice pellets. Naruto brushed away the ice that clung to Sakura’s neck and shoulders, and Sasuke brushed away the ice building up on Naruto’s head. Since no one could do the same for Sasuke at the end of the line, he shook himself like a cat drenched in the rain and knocked the ice off himself.

“Sasuke.” Sakura suddenly took her hands off the bike grips and stood up. She twisted her torso around, grabbed Sasuke’s collar, and pulled him forcefully toward her. She pressed her lips against his. “Huh …” Naruto’s jaw dropped at the kiss being exchanged above his head. “I believe in you!” Sakura shouted and then reached into Sasuke’s coat, pulled out a headband, and flung it at the approaching satellite. Naruto very much did not understand what was going on.

He’d known Sasuke was an idiot, but he hadn’t thought he was this much of an idiot. Did he think that all the village needed was Naruto? How many thousands of times did he have to tell him, “I need you” and “You’re my best friend” and all that before it finally got through to that ridiculously well-formed head? Sasuke had always been like this, always ready to sacrifice himself. He really believed that if there was a world where everyone except Sasuke was happy and Sasuke alone suffered immensely, then that world was at peace. Just like Sasuke needed Naruto, Naruto needed Sasuke—it was such an obvious thing, and yet no matter how many years passed, no matter what Naruto said, Sasuke didn’t get that.

Naruto saw through the gap in the hair that hid Sasuke’s face that his expression had softened into something like relief. Then Naruto felt true anger, while also wanting to cry at the same time. Why is he always thinking only of other people? Only Sasuke could cause Naruto to feel so angry he could hardly speak and also cry inconsolably when he nearly died.

“Where’s Hinata?” Kakashi asked as he chewed on a piece of dried stingray. “She’s going to the temple festival with Himawari and her mom friends. She was very excited about catching a lot of goldfish.” “Hinata was? Or Himawari?” “Both!”

Naruto glanced at Sasuke, his profile illuminated by the lights in the sky. The area around his right cheekbone was still a little bruised. That day, after being showered by the ultra particles and returning to the ground, Naruto had forgotten his joy from his chakra returning, grabbed hold of Sasuke, and sobbed. What were you thinking? You gotta be kidding me. You think I’d be happy with you doing something like that? Sasuke had quietly allowed himself to be punched, and Kakashi and Yamato—or even Sakura—hadn’t tried to stop Naruto, so the shape of a fist was still clear in the bruise on Sasuke’s cheek.

The fireworks kept going up like they were desperately trying to fill the darkness, flashing brightly before fading away. Naruto threw himself into a sitting position, crushed the empty can, and rolled it behind him. A warm breeze made Sasuke’s long hair dance. Sakura sat hugging her knees to her chest like a child. Master Kakashi was stooped over, the way he always was, standing or sitting. Naruto would be watching the fireworks with them again next year for sure. And the year after that, and the one after that too. Definitely. The colors of the fireworks scattered, sank into the night, and vanished. The foursome clinked the small cups together.