Blood Moon.
The long blade pierced the chest, blood splattering the walls. On the long Uchiha street at night, the familiar path home seemed endless, disappearing into the darkness.
"The Uchiha Clan has been attacked, and the Anbu have arrived at the scene."
"Quick, search for survivors!"
"They are all dead! Hokage-sama."
"Here, there's a kid here!"
In the hospital room, Sasuke opened his eyes.
Bright sunlight filtered through the thin white curtains, casting a distant light at the head of the bed. The snow-white walls reflected a halo, and a large bouquet of flowers sat on the bedside table, with several apples neatly arranged in a fruit basket.
The moment the door was opened, the smell of disinfectant instantly filled the air, and Kakashi walked in. One of his eyes was covered, while the other, with its dead-fish stare, glanced at Sasuke.
"Yo, Sasuke, you seem to be recovering well."
Sasuke leaned against the bedhead, dressed in a blue and white striped hospital gown that made him look thin. His pupils held a familiar indifference, reflecting the shade of the green tree outside the window.
"Kakashi, how long have I been unconscious?"
"Well, that's really rude." Kakashi commented, but not particularly bothered, "About two days. Sandaime's funeral has already been held."
"You didn't go?" Sasuke looked at Kakashi.
"I had a mission." Kakashi said nonchalantly, "Everyone I cared about was gone. I've grown tired of funerals."
Sasuke's gaze paused abruptly, before he finally spoke up after a long moment, "How are they?"
"Sakura-chan was slightly injured, and Naruto, well, that guy came out of it without a scratch." Kakashi narrowed his eye and smiled, "Congratulations, you guys survived."
"The village's higher-ups value you highly. It's thanks to you this time that Sunagakure's higher-ups were able to reach such a quick compromise."
"Why?"
"Probably because they saw the gap between the new generation of Shinobi." Kakashi's eye swept across Sasuke's face, "In the fight between the new generation of Shinobi, in order to avoid greater losses in the future, the losing party tacitly compromised."
"But next time, don't use the power of the Cursed Seal again. Activating the Cursed Seal for a second time is no different from courting death."
"Um."
…
"I say, going to someone else's house without their consent is not something a lady would do." Naruto said as he looked at Ino, who was crossing her legs and taking off her shoes in the entrance.
With her thick golden hair scattered, Ino leaned against a nearby cabinet and stood on one leg to take off her shoes.
Her calves, like white jade, were naturally flawless and white, captivating to the eye. Her black dress was soaked by the rain, clinging wetly to the girl's body.
"Are you stupid?" Ino blushed and said angrily, "You're the kind of person who peeks at girls changing shoes. You have no right to say that!"
"You're just standing there. It's hard for me not to look."
"Also, please don't slander me. I didn't peek. I was clearly watching openly."
"Disgusting."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"That's not a compliment, you pervert. You're not a foot fetishist, are you?" Ino looked down at him with contempt.
"At least I'm better than some hospital ward fetishist." Naruto retorted mercilessly, "In fact, you are wrong. I am not a foot fetishist."
"Tsk." Ino took off her shoes, stepped on the completely renovated floor with her white and tender feet, then looked around and said, "I didn't expect your house to be so clean."
'Of course it's clean, I'm using the power of money.'
After he became rich, Naruto practically renovated everything in his apartment that could be upgraded. All the furniture and fixtures were now top-of-the-line in Konoha. As for the source of his funds, no one questioned it, especially not the Anbu.
The incident involving the Root Shinobi being swallowed by Kyubi was left unresolved, and the Root wouldn't dare provoke Naruto without a reason.
"The bathroom is over there, and there's a dryer inside." Naruto said with a yawn, then prepared to go to the balcony to change clothes, "If you want water, get it yourself. Call me if you need anything."
"Is this how you treat your guests? That's too much."
"Yeah? What are you going to do about it?" Naruto replied, sluggishly walking toward the balcony in his slippers, "Hurry up and take a shower. I let you use the bathroom because you said you were going to the hospital later."
"Don't do anything weird in there, you perv."
"Go to hell!" Ino, who was humiliated and furious, threw a cushion at him.
"Ouch! What was that for?"
"You are the one doing weird things in the bathroom!" Ino's face flushed as she silently mouthed something at Naruto.
"Like?" Naruto tilted his head.
"Disgusting, you jerk!"
With a bang, Ino slammed the bathroom door shut.
Naruto, feeling a bit defeated, noticed that the living room was empty and decided to change out of his wet clothes right there. He tossed the wet clothes into a basin on the balcony and pulled open the curtains to let the sunlight in.
The greenery on the windowsill looked lush and vibrant, a refreshing sight. The living room carried a faint floral scent from an air freshener.
Outside, it had started to drizzle again. Naruto glanced at the balcony, then in the direction of the bathroom, and shouted, "Ino, have you had breakfast?"
"No." Ino's voice came from the bathroom, and the sound of water splashing could be heard through the door.
"Then I'll make you something."
"Okay."
With that, Naruto went to the fridge, took out two eggs, beat them in a measuring cup, and chopped some onions. As the rain drizzled outside, he boiled water and waited for the steam to rise from the pot.
Rainwater trickled down the windowsill. Naruto stared idly at it, watching the water slowly flow down and eventually disappear from sight.
The hot soup and two plates of omurice were ready, along with freshly brewed hot tea.
He is more accustomed to drinking tea, because tea is more expensive.
When he finished plating the food, Ino came out of the bathroom, drying her hair. She was wearing one of Naruto's oversized T-shirts, and her face clearly showed reluctance.
"Hey, don't just go around wearing other people's clothes. Aren't there bathrobes in there?"
Hearing this, Ino put her hands on her hips, "A bathrobe is more of a personal item. No way am I wearing that. Who knows what's on it?"
"That was new, you jerk." Naruto said angrily, "And what's with that look you're giving me?"
"I don't believe you."
"Damn it!"
A soft click sounded in the kitchen as the water finished boiling.
Naruto turned his head, paused for a moment, then decided not to argue with Ino anymore. He walked into the kitchen to make tea. He didn't make tea for Ino, but made coffee directly.
After all, young girls tended to like things that were bitter with a hint of sweetness. Adding a few spoons of milk from the fridge would make it smell rich. It seemed delicate, but compared to the lingering taste of tea, it was nothing special.
"Please eat quickly and leave." Naruto said, placing the coffee on the dining table.
"Then could you stop staring at my chest?"
"Sure."
"Thank you." Ino, looking like she was trying her best to be patient, took a small bite of the omurice and then a sip of coffee.