(After the Final Battle) Naruto, at this time, I recalled those words you said here once before.
How when you are with me you wonder if this is what it's like to have a brother.
That feeling of yours,... I think I finally get what you mean.
As I travelled far and wide across the world, I often reflect back on those days.
We started out as lonely brats... starving for love and fostering hate.
We chose different paths to walk... and battled each other. But now, that time has passed.
It's just like... how I came to feel father, mother, and my brother Itachi's pain and emotions...
I will now start knowing your pain and feelings too, Naruto.
You never cut me off. In fact, you kept trying to get closer to me. You could have justifiably come charging at me with hatred... but you never stopped calling me your friend.
Even though I tried to sever those feelings myself.
Kakashi, "Well, to be perfectly honest... someone like you would be normally imprisoned. That all of your past actions were pardoned and your wish granted, speaks to the enormity of your help in undoing the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
But also, my becoming the Sixth Hokage, and the wishes of Naruto, the key figure in ending the war helped. Don't forget that.
Try not to cause too much trouble from here on out. It will fall on my shoulders."
Sasuke: "Yeah... sorry about that."
Sakura: "...You really insist on leaving? The artificial hand Lady Tsunade is crafting from Lord Hashirama's cells will be ready soon."
Sasuke: "I want to know how the Shinobi World... how this current world looks to the current me. I feel like I will now be able to see the things I have overlooked. Things that I can only perceive in my current state.
And, there's a matter that has been on my mind..."
Who was Kaguya of all people afraid of?
Sakura: "W-what if... I said I want to come with you?..."
Sasuke: "It's a journey of atonement too. And you have nothing to do with my crimes."
Sakura slumped down her shoulders, muttering, "Nothing to do with... huh..."
Tapping her head, Sasuke smiled, "Maybe next time."
...Thanks...
As Sasuke was leaving the village, he found Naruto waiting for him.
Sasuke: "I didn't think you'd be coming to see me off..."
Naruto: "Here!"
Sasuke was surprised by what Naruto had in his hand.
"...You still had this thing...?"
You stopped me, as a friend... even at the cost of your hand. And I was saved thanks to you.
We were insignificant little things who used to clash... and now we are able to claim each other's pain.
And after seeing the world via my travels... I believe this concept can be applied to even bigger things than just us.
But it's not something that can be done as easily as you were able to. I never assumed it would be that simple, just like it wasn't with the two of us.
Especially with something so big.
"I am giving this back to you." Naruto said as he handed Sasuke the Konoha headband that he once threw away.
"Sure. I will hang on to it. Until we have our real fight."
It's kind of like a prayer. To keep enduring until it cones to be, no matter what. And to those whom that task falls on... perhaps that's what it means...
To be a Ninja.
—Uchiha Sasuke
Travels of the Ninja World, Volume 1
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(20 years later)
In the Uzumaki household, a sixteen year old teenager closed the book.
"I still don't understand. What does it really mean to be a ninja?"
Tomorrow is graduation test. I will finally be able to do C-rank and above missions. Tora, you won't be missed.
20 years have passed since the end of the Fourth Shinobi War, bringing an era of peace. Now kids don't have to die young in wars. Kids of Shinobi villages actually have a choice to be something other than ninja, since the demand of ninjas has decreased significantly, more so with advancement in technology.
Graduation age has rose from 12 to 16. Gennin Corps have been scrapped. Secret fources like ANBU are a thing of past, and has been replaced by a more transparent and robust police force.
Nowadays, Genins start their career with C-rank missions, doing D-rank missions in their academy years. Moreover, encountering random S-rank missing-nins on the first C-rank mission is a thing of past.
Yet, amidst this era of peace, an unknown danger is lurking in the shadows. Perhaps even bigger than Kaguya.
"Boruto! Dinner is ready!"
"Coming!"
But perhaps, with new dangers, the new generation will come out stronger?
"Isn't it right, Naruto?"
Hinata smiled, while bringing dinner to the table.
"Of course! Boruto and Himawari will definitely surpass us, Dattebayo! Isn't that right?"
"I will definitely surpass Papa!"
13 year old Himawari, who has just started doing D-rank missions as an academy student declared excitedly.
Yet, Boruto wasn't so sure.
I don't even have as much chakra as Dad, and never will. Will I really be able to surpass him and grow out of his shadow?
"You will, Boruto. Believe it!"
"Huh?"
Naruto smiled and ruffled Boruto's hair.
"Don't mess my hair!"
"Hahaha!"
How does he always know what I am thinking!?
"Don't worry about anything. Just do your best on the graduation exam tomorrow, okay?"
"Hmph! I am going to come first anyway."
"You know, you sometimes remind me of Sasuke."
Really?
"He was overconfident as a kid. I punched it out of him. Who knows, maybe Sarada will do it for you?"
"I will win."
"Hahaha! That's my boy!"
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"Last round of graduation exam will be a spar. The final match:
Uzumaki Boruto vs Uchiha Sarada!"