Three weeks had passed, and the daily rhythm of Naruto's life had begun to shift in subtle but significant ways. The training grounds he once approached with dread had now become a sanctuary of sorts, a place where he could find peace from the world that rejected him. And surprisingly, it wasn't just the training that kept drawing him back—it was Sasuka.Their bond had deepened in ways that neither of them fully acknowledged. They didn't speak often, and when they did, it was mostly brief exchanges between bouts of training. But there was something in the silence between them that spoke louder than words—a shared understanding of what it felt like to be an outsider. Sasuka, despite her Uchiha name and her clan's prestige, seemed just as alone as Naruto was.Over time, Naruto had started to grow stronger. His muscles were more defined, his movements sharper. The kunai, once awkward in his hand, now flew with precision and purpose. His stamina had improved too; he could train for hours without collapsing in exhaustion like he used to. It wasn't a sudden transformation, but a slow, steady change that gave him a small flicker of confidence.Sasuka noticed, too. She never said it outright, but every so often, Naruto caught her watching him with a quiet approval. Her training had intensified as well. She was driven by something deeper than just becoming a better ninja—there was a hunger in her, a need to prove herself. Naruto saw it in her eyes every time she landed a perfect strike or nailed a difficult technique. And though she didn't share her reasons, Naruto could sense that Sasuka, like him, carried a weight she wasn't ready to talk about.Today was no different. The sun was high, casting long shadows as Naruto wiped sweat from his brow. He and Sasuka had been at the training grounds since early morning, pushing themselves harder than usual. Sasuka was practicing her fire-style jutsu, the air around her crackling with heat, while Naruto worked on his taijutsu, his punches and kicks landing with newfound precision.After a particularly intense session, Naruto collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, staring up at the clear blue sky. His body ached, but it was the good kind of ache—the kind that reminded him he was getting stronger.Sasuka, standing a few feet away, finished her last jutsu with a graceful flourish before turning to Naruto. She looked less worn out than him, though she, too, was breathing heavily."You're getting better," she remarked, her voice calm as she brushed a stray strand of hair from her face.Naruto grinned, still lying on the grass. "Really? You think so?"Sasuka didn't respond immediately, but after a moment, she gave a small nod. "Your strikes aren't as sloppy. And you're faster now. More focused."Naruto sat up, the warmth of her words filling him with a sense of pride. Sasuka wasn't one to give compliments lightly, and hearing her acknowledge his improvement meant more than he realized."Thanks," he said, smiling at her. "It's all because I have someone to train with."Sasuka raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching into what might have been a hint of a smile. "Don't get cocky. You're still not as good as me."Naruto laughed. "I'll catch up to you eventually. Just wait."The banter between them had become more frequent in recent weeks. Though their conversations were still brief, there was a familiarity growing between them, a bond that neither of them openly discussed but both quietly appreciated. Naruto had begun to look forward to these moments, the rare instances where he didn't feel like a complete outsider.As they sat in comfortable silence, Naruto's thoughts drifted back to the village. Things hadn't changed much there. The villagers still eyed him with suspicion, their whispers still followed him wherever he went. His parents, Naruko, and Menma were still wrapped up in their own world, their focus solely on preparing Naruko and Menma for their futures as Konoha's heroes. But somehow, it didn't sting as much as it used to. Training with Sasuka had given Naruto something he had been missing for so long—a sense of purpose.Suddenly, Sasuka's voice broke through his thoughts. "Why do you push yourself so hard?"Naruto blinked, caught off guard by the question. Sasuka had never asked him something so direct before. He hesitated, unsure of how to answer."I mean..." Sasuka continued, her gaze focused on the horizon. "You're always here, training, even though no one else seems to care about you getting stronger. So... why?"Naruto lowered his eyes, thinking about her question. Why did he push himself so hard? Why did he keep coming back to this place, even when no one else believed in him?"I guess..." he began slowly, "I want to prove to everyone that I'm not just... the kid with the Nine-Tails' spirit. I want to show them that I can be strong, just like Naruko and Menma. Maybe if I get strong enough, they'll stop looking at me like I'm a monster."Sasuka didn't respond right away. She stood there, her back to Naruto, her expression hidden from view. When she finally spoke, her voice was softer than usual. "People will always judge you for what they don't understand. You can't change that."Naruto frowned, his heart sinking. "So... what? I'm supposed to just live with it? Let them hate me?""No," Sasuka said firmly, turning to face him. "You get stronger for yourself. Not for them. People like us... we don't need their approval."Naruto looked at her, surprised by the intensity in her voice. There was something deeper behind her words, a pain she didn't often show. He had always known that Sasuka carried her own burdens, but this was the first time she had hinted at what they might be."What about you?" Naruto asked cautiously. "Why do you push yourself so hard?"Sasuka's expression hardened, her eyes darkening. She turned away, her hands clenched at her sides. For a moment, Naruto thought she wouldn't answer. But then, in a low, barely audible voice, she said, "I have something I need to prove, too."Naruto watched her carefully, sensing the weight behind her words. He wanted to ask more, to understand what drove her, but he knew better than to push. Sasuka wasn't the type to open up easily, and he respected that.They stood in silence for a while longer, the sounds of the village far in the distance. The sun had begun its descent, casting long shadows across the training grounds. Naruto felt the exhaustion settling into his bones, but there was also a strange sense of peace. Even though they hadn't shared much, the connection between him and Sasuka felt stronger than ever.As they began to pack up and head back toward the village, Naruto spoke up again. "Hey, Sasuka?"She glanced at him, her expression as unreadable as ever."Thanks... for having my back the last time. With Kenta and the others."Sasuka shrugged, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—something softer, though fleeting. "You don't need to thank me. I just told them the truth."Naruto smiled, a warmth spreading in his chest. "Still... it meant a lot."Sasuka didn't reply, but the slight nod she gave him was enough.As they walked side by side, the shadows of the village walls growing closer, Naruto felt something shift inside him. He was still an outcast, still treated with fear and suspicion by most of Konoha. But here, in the quiet moments with Sasuka, he found something he hadn't realized he was missing: a connection. A friendship, even if neither of them would call it that yet.Maybe, just maybe, the path ahead wouldn't be as lonely as he had once thought.