How did you get so cold?

20.

Chapter 20

"Hello, Sasuke." 

The blonde's words surprised two of his companions. "What do you mean by that?" Karin asked, who was the first to shake off her surprise. "Exactly what I said." his voice, stature, expression, Naruto was serious. Some part of him tried to convince him that it was a mistake, that he shouldn't have done it, but the blonde didn't want to hear it, he had enough. "Are you... You're not serious, are you?" asked the woman with faint hope in the head. She hoped, faint, but still that the blonde was not entirely serious and would change his mind yet, she couldn't imagine that he would just give up something he had fought for for years!

She didn't receive an answer, the blonde was sitting on the counter with his head directed towards the ceiling and was silent. Orochimaru, also leaned against the cupboard and thought, maybe it wouldn't be that bad? "Naruto, please-" "No, that... I don't care anymore, here I have everything I wanted, what I need." a smile began to appear on his lips, but it faded quickly. "Wouldn't that be a waste of all these years !? Just think how much time you've been training, almost losing your life, just to prove to those... those bastards how much they're 'worth' WITHOUT YOU! " Karin couldn't stand it, yes she wanted the best for her cousin, but on the other hand she couldn't get over it, so many years just to give up now? Just give up?

"I finally understood, no matter how hard I train, how much work and effort I put into my work, just to get a void in return. I'm fed up with sacrificing my life, my family, myself for the hypocrites who never admit they are wrong." The blonde's words pierced both adults, they were without a gram of emotions, empty voice, full of coldness. Naruto got up and slipped off the counter, landing in front of his cousin. "I'm leaving tomorrow. Tomorrow I'm going to end this once and for good. " and left, he said nothing more and only left, leaving his two companions in shock.

"Maybe it will be better." the black-haired man finally spoke up. "After all, he has had enough for years and has been there only for his wife and children, and now... Now he can finally think about himself in a different way than before." She knew the man was right, but somehow it was hard for her to believe it or imagine it. But that was his will, if it was going to make him happier, she didn't mind.

The next day, Naruto stood in the living room in his standard work attire, wearing a red and white coat for the last time. Behind him stood Boruto with Sarada. The younger of the blond had a kind of mixed feelings about that day. Yesterday afternoon he heard his father talking about something with Kakashi, after which the silver-haired man immediately returned to Konoha. "Boruto, I know both you and Kawaki prefer to stay with me, I'm sure you will, but..." he had to say it! He knew he had to, but he didn't want to hurt his son. He did not want the young boy to be separated from his sister, to suffer. "I'll be honest, there may be a problem with Himawari. I cannot promise that he will stay with us." At these words the boy looked down, he knew about it. He was well aware of the fact that his grandfather might cut in and disagree, since in his family, his younger sister has the most powerful Byakugan now, or so it was supposed. "I know..." he said softly, but loud enough for the blonde to hear his tone, a sad tone.

Itachi entered the room, for which the other three had been waiting for several, almost 10, minutes. He wore a knee-length kimono in a pale sea shade with a thick belt and a bow of the same color and a collar in a lighter shade, gray, almost black ankle-length pants, and black sandals. He tied his black hair with an orange ribbon that Himawari had given him when she was playing with his hair before going to Konoha.

"Ready?" the Hokage asked, slightly irritated by the waiting. Itachi was smiling gently and lowered his head, showing remorse that it took him so long. "Okay, so it's time to go."