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The mission was a failure. Sasuke Uchiha was gone. On his own accord, he crossed over to join Orochimaru, abandoning the Leaf Village.
Naruto regained consciousness in a hospital room. Pain wrecked every part of his body. The ache of seeing the curse mark deform Sasuke's body into a monster crushed him. He could see Sasuke's bloodthirsty expression replay in his mind. Every blow Sasuke gave him was meant to be lethal - to end Naruto's life.
Returning to Sakura empty-handed rubbed salt into the wound. He promised her, yet he let her down. He felt broken into little pieces to have disappointed her. She forced back her tears and swore she wouldn't be dead weight next time. They'd save Sasuke together.
Master Jiraiya came by to his hospital room, warning the boy of the Akatsuki and therefore urging him to give up on Sasuke. Not in a million years, the future Hokage wasn't going to give up on anyone. Jiraiya then offered to train Naruto. The Akatsuki had his eyes on him as the holder of the Nine-Tails, and it was in his best interest.
I'll get stronger.... I'll save Sasuke!
Agreeing immediately, Naruto Uzumaki was set to leave the village.
Only, he had to see one critical person before departing, someone extremely dear to his heart.
"MAN! Where is she?!?" He groaned loudly, reaching Adohira's empty apartment. He stood outside her balcony, focusing his chakra to stand on the panel walls. Naruto peered his head into the balcony window. Her apartment looked completely vacant.
Master Jiraiya arrived behind him, crossing his arms in thinning patience.
"I can't just leave like this... Where is she, seriously?! She said she'd wait for me!"
"Naruto, are you going to keep me waiting for long? By the time you're ready to go, the Akatsuki will be here for you."
"I just — there's just — ugh!" He threw his head back in agitation. "I have to say goodbye to Adohira! Let me just leave a message for her, alright?! Do you have pen and paper?"
Like a flipped switch, Jiraiya jumped up in the air. "OF COURSE I DO! As a proficient writer, I always carry the tools of my trade!"
"Yeah yeah okay, Pervy Sage. Hand it over."
"In fact, I can help you write what to say~!"
"NO THANKS!"
Holding Master Jiraiya's calligraphy pen, Naruto's bandaged hand shook on the blank page. He stared at his trembling fingers as he froze in place, trying to think of how to even begin this.
"I can't think of anything... I'm drawing a blank here."
All he wrote down was her name. He stared at it in longing, wishing that it had the power to summon her any second now, and he could see her one last time.
