Naruto smiled weakly at Shikamaru, grateful for his friend's unwavering support. But as the days passed, Naruto still struggled to shake off his depression. He felt lost and unsure of his place in the world.
One day, while on a walk, Naruto stumbled upon a group of children playing in the park. The sound of their laughter and carefree spirits brought a small spark of joy to Naruto's heart. He watched them play for a while, and as he did, he realized that he wanted to protect that innocence and happiness.
With newfound determination, Naruto began to train harder than ever before, pushing himself to become stronger and better equipped to protect those he loved. And as he did, he slowly but surely began to find his way back to the bright and energetic person he once was.
