Chapter 5
Sasuke and Naruto walked through the streets of the Hidden Leaf Village, the sun slowly setting behind them. They were heading to the Uchiha compound by mutual agreement since they didn't want it to be predictable when Sasuke would be home and when he wouldn't. They feared that someone might take advantage of the situation to try and claim the land.
When they arrived, Sasuke opened the door with precision, as if he were already accustomed to the small security measures he had taken to protect his home.
Naruto followed him in silence, still intrigued by how the atmosphere in the Uchiha compound felt completely deserted, as if time had stopped there.
In theory, Naruto understood that Sasuke lived in the place where his clan had been massacred. But until that moment, he hadn't truly grasped what that meant.
Every day, Sasuke returned to a ghost town. A place physically intact, yet marked by the absence of the people who once inhabited it... his family.
They entered a cozy house within the compound, and Sasuke went straight to the kitchen to unpack the groceries.
—Well, teme, I hate cooking. And given our new agreement to live between your house and my apartment, I was thinking... if you cook, I could take care of the shopping— Sasuke said, crossing his arms.
Naruto thought about it for a moment before responding.
—Alright, but I'm not a great cook either.
—Whatever. As long as I don't have to do it, it's fine.—Sasuke huffed.
With that, Naruto got to work, silently grateful for the new arrangement, it would save him from having to run away from the shops, chased by villagers after buying the most he could for the worst price and quality.
Since he didn't know how to prepare many things, he checked the ingredients they had bought earlier and decided to make sandwiches. Again.
But no one could blame them for their eating habits. At the end of the day, they were just two nine-year-old kids. Sasuke had spent two years living in oblivion, alone in his empty home. Naruto, on the other hand, had never known anything other than loneliness.
That's why, when he found in Sasuke someone who saw him and accepted him, he clung to that connection with all his strength.
Days passed like that. Sometimes they slept in Naruto's apartment, other times in the Uchiha compound. Slowly, they established a routine, something resembling a home. And for the first time in a long time, they weren't just surviving.
They felt alive.
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On a sunny morning, after an intense training session, Naruto and Sasuke rested under the shade of a tree while having breakfast.
Naruto had saved up to buy a simple cookbook. He didn't want Sasuke to get sick of his food and back out of their deal.
What the blond didn't know was that the entire arrangement had been a pretext. Sasuke had never actually had a problem with repetitive meals—he had suggested the deal to make sure Naruto wasn't sold spoiled products and, more importantly, to keep him from feeling bad about it.
That morning, Naruto had prepared something a bit more elaborate: rice balls stuffed with meat.
After breakfast, they headed to the academy, as was customary during the week. They sat together in their usual spot while the other kids played and ran around the classroom, taking advantage of the teacher's absence.
Iruka-sensei entered the room, and in an instant, everyone ran to their seats.
—Alright— he said with a smile.—As you know, we've been reviewing the basics of ninjutsu. It's a traditional Japanese martial art associated with ninjas, as well as legendary spies and warriors. But it's not just a combat technique, it's a set of skills designed for survival, espionage, and unconventional warfare.
He paused, scanning his students.
—However, there's something I didn't mention in the last class—he continued. —We all have a predisposition in our chakra that allows us to perform different types of jutsu. These affinities play a crucial role in missions.
Some kids were already distracted, others looked bored. Most of them already knew all of this thanks to their clans.
But Naruto didn't.
He held onto every word with rapt attention. This was the first time he was hearing something like this.
—I'll hand out these papers. If you remember the exercise of sticking a leaf to your forehead from last week, you shouldn't have trouble replicating it. This time, instead of sticking it, just focus your chakra into your hand while holding the paper. What happens to the paper will indicate your chakra type.
Hinata helped Iruka-sensei distribute the papers to their classmates.
—Alright—Naruto murmured to himself, concentrating on the paper.
It took him a bit of effort, but finally, the paper split in half.
—How interesting—Sasuke muttered, watching intently.
Naruto immediately jumped up.
—What?! Tell me, tell me! What does it mean?
Sasuke sighed.
—Calm down. I'm just saying your affinity is unusual. It's wind, and that's pretty rare.
—Really? That's amazing! I'm finally better than you at something!—Naruto exclaimed, grinning with satisfaction.
Sasuke rolled his eyes.
— I wouldn't put it that way... It's not about being better or worse, but it's curious that your chakra seems to... complement mine.
Naruto looked at him curiously.
—What do you mean?
—My affinity is fire— Sasuke explained, averting his gaze.—And wind fuels flames. That means we'd make a good team.
Naruto's eyes widened in awe, holding onto those words with all his heart.
—That's awesome! We'll definitely be the best team ever!
—Alright, alright, settle down—Iruka interrupted as the entire classroom filled with the excited shouts of the children.—At the end of class, those who want me to interpret their paper's result can stay.
Naruto frowned and whispered to Sasuke:
— Idon't get it... Why wait until the end of class?
Sasuke shot him a look as if the answer were obvious.
—It's simple. One day, we'll be shinobi—ninjas. We don't want just anyone knowing our strengths and weaknesses... and that includes our chakra affinities.
Naruto stared at him, wide-eyed.
—Wow, Sasuke... you're really smart.
Sasuke averted his gaze, blushing slightly at the compliment, and dismissed it with a small shrug.
—Hmph, it's nothing. It's just the basics of chakra and affinities.
Naruto hesitated for a moment before asking in a low voice:
—Hey... do you think you could teach me more things like that?
Sasuke glanced at him from the corner of his eye and gave a small smirk.
—I don't see why not. The more you know, the stronger you'll be. And the stronger my training partner is... the stronger I'll be.
Naruto let out a laugh.
—Sure, sure, keep telling yourself that.
—Naruto, Sasuke, pay attention—Iruka-sensei scolded, exasperated.
Both boys immediately fell silent, but Naruto couldn't hide his smile.
He was so happy to have finally found a friend.