Chapter 5
As Yona walked to the academy the next morning, she heard faint sounds coming from the training field nearby. Curious, she turned off her usual path to see who could be there so early. As she approached, she spotted Naruto, looking utterly exhausted, yet still fiercely focused. The targets were riddled with shurikens, and each one was impressively close to the center.
Just as she arrived, Naruto threw another shuriken. It flew through the air with practiced precision and struck almost dead center. Yona’s eyes widened, impressed by how close his aim was to Sasuke’s level. She realized then that he must have been practicing all night to improve.
"Naruto, have you been here all night?" she asked, approaching him with a mix of admiration and concern.
Naruto jumped slightly at her voice, then gave her a lopsided grin, though his exhaustion was clear. “Y-Yeah… I just… wanted to make sure I wasn’t dragging you guys down.”
Yona’s expression softened as she took in the weary determination in his eyes. “Naruto, you’ve got dedication, I’ll give you that,” she admitted, her voice holding a trace of awe. “But overworking yourself like this isn’t smart. You’ll just end up too tired to keep up in class today.”
Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. “I guess I got carried away… but I couldn’t let Sasuke keep looking down on me! And… well, I didn’t want to let you down either.”
Yona felt a pang of guilt at his words, realizing how deeply he valued their acceptance and how hard he was working to prove himself. “You’re not letting anyone down, Naruto. Just don’t push yourself to the point of collapse, okay?”
Naruto grinned, his eyes shining despite his exhaustion. “Don’t worry! I’ve got plenty of energy left! Believe it!”
She laughed, shaking her head. “Alright, come on, let’s get to the academy. We’ve got a long day ahead, and you’ll need whatever energy you’ve got left to keep up.”
As they walked together, Naruto seemed to perk up, his usual cheerful self returning. “Thanks for checking on me, Yona. I, uh… I don’t think anyone else would’ve done that.”
Yona smiled at him, feeling an unexpected warmth at his words. “Hey, we’re friends now, right? That’s what friends do.”
Naruto’s grin widened. “Yeah! Friends! You’re the best, Yona!”
They made their way toward the academy, the morning sun rising in the sky, casting a glow over the two of them. For the first time, Yona saw Naruto in a new light—not just as the hyperactive, loud boy who always managed to find trouble but as someone with a fierce drive and a heart willing to work as hard as anyone to achieve his dreams.
--
As Iruka-sensei announced the approaching academy exams, Naruto instantly panicked. "Oh no! How am I supposed to get the clone jutsu right in time? I mean, I can hardly make one that doesn’t look like it’s about to pass out!" he muttered, clutching his head.
Ino smirked, rolling her eyes. "Please, Naruto, you’ll never pass at this rate," she said, her tone dripping with mock pity.
Naruto puffed up defensively, crossing his arms. "Oh yeah? You just wait! I’m gonna surprise everyone! I’ll be the best Hokage one day!"
Ino snorted. "Right, because the Hokage is known for making lousy clones."
Naruto glared at her, his cheeks puffing in frustration, but before he could retort, Shikamaru let out a tired sigh from beside Yona. "Man, all this fuss about exams... what a drag," he muttered, looking like he was about to nap right there.
Ino shot Shikamaru an exasperated look. "You could at least pretend to care," she said, her arms crossed.
“Why? I’ll probably pass without even trying,” Shikamaru replied with a shrug.
Ino’s gaze shifted to Yona, and she huffed. "You and Yona both… it’s like it’s no big deal for you two," she complained. "I swear, she doesn’t even have to try, and she’ll breeze through these exams.”
Across the room, Sakura caught this and narrowed her eyes. "Oh, please, Ino. You’re the last one who should talk," she said with a sneer. "You’ll probably trip over your own feet halfway through. Just memorizing everything doesn’t make you strong."
Ino’s eyes flashed as she turned to face Sakura fully, her hands on her hips. "Says the girl who thinks she’s better than everyone just because she memorized a couple of jutsu lists. Good luck actually using them when it counts, forehead," she taunted.
Sakura’s face turned red as she shot back, “You don’t even have the discipline to study! Not that it would help, anyway.”
Then, as if realizing herself, Sakura suddenly stopped mid-rant, glancing over at Sasuke with a flustered look. She forced a smile and lowered her voice to something she probably thought was “ladylike.” “Oh, Sasuke, sorry you had to hear that. I didn’t mean to be so… unladylike.”
Sasuke, however, looked bored as he watched the two bicker, barely listening. With a sigh, he stood up and pushed his chair back, causing both girls to look his way in anticipation. But instead of saying anything to them, he paused in front of Yona and, in a calm voice, asked, “You coming?”
Yona blinked in surprise, a slight smile forming as she looked up at him. Normally, they met up outside of class, keeping their time together under the radar. Sasuke almost never approached her openly.
Sakura’s eyes went wide, her face filling with a mix of shock and jealousy. “Wait, what? Sasuke, you’re asking her to go with you?”
Yona stood, giving a casual shrug. “Yeah, I’m coming. Let’s go.”
Sakura’s face hardened, and she muttered under her breath, “I don’t get it. Why would Sasuke pick her?”
Ino crossed her arms with a triumphant smirk. “Probably because Yona’s not chasing him around like a lovesick puppy, Sakura.”
Sakura glared at her. “What’s that supposed to mean, Ino-pig?”
Ino shot back, “It means maybe some of us know how to act with a little dignity. Not that you’d know anything about that.”
Sakura’s face turned red, and she clenched her fists, clearly trying to hold back from snapping back. But when Ino leaned closer and whispered something with a smirk, Sakura snapped.
“Oh, shut up, Ino!” she yelled, her voice echoing across the room as she lunged toward Ino, sparking a full-blown argument that drew the attention of half the class.
Sasuke watched the scene with an annoyed expression. He grabbed Yona’s wrist, gently pulling her out of the fray. “Let’s get out of here before they get even louder.”
As they stepped outside, Yona couldn’t help but laugh a little. “They really know how to put on a show, don’t they?”
Sasuke shrugged. “It’s irritating. They’re so... dramatic.”
Yona chuckled. “Well, it’s a little funny seeing you deal with it for a change. Usually, you’re the one sneaking out early.”
Sasuke glanced away, a slight smirk on his face. “You’re not exactly making it easy to leave, with all that ‘entourage’ you’ve got now.”
Yona rolled her eyes. “Naruto’s not so bad, actually. He’s been working hard.”
Sasuke grunted. “Yeah, well, I liked it better when it was just us.” He said it so quietly, almost under his breath, that she nearly missed it. But she caught a hint of something genuine in his tone.
She nudged him playfully. “Oh, so you’re saying you actually enjoy spending time with me?”
Sasuke rolled his eyes, though there was a faint hint of a smile. “Don’t get too full of yourself. You’re tolerable, that’s all.”
Yona laughed as they made their way to their usual training ground. The tension from earlier had dissolved, and they settled back into the familiar rhythm that came naturally when it was just the two of them.
They were working on a wind-style technique today, something Yona had mastered with ease but Sasuke struggled to get the hang of. Yona, who usually had no trouble showing Sasuke a thing or two in training, was surprisingly terrible at explaining this technique.
He stepped back, panting lightly as he wiped the sweat from his brow. “Alright, show me that wind technique again,” he muttered, a hint of frustration in his voice. He wasn’t used to being outmatched, but Yona’s ease with the technique was starting to get under his skin.
Yona nodded, focusing herself before launching into a sequence of movements that seemed to blend into the natural flow of the wind around them. Her movements were fluid, quick, and seemed to create small gusts that added force to her strikes.
Sasuke watched, his brow furrowing. “How… how do you do that?” he asked, clearly annoyed as he tried to follow her form with his eyes.
Yona paused, giving him a sheepish smile. “Honestly? I’m not really sure. It’s something I just… feel, you know? Like, I don’t think about it too much—it’s more instinct than anything.”
Sasuke’s expression turned from confusion to frustration. “Instinct?” he repeated, crossing his arms. “That doesn’t help me, Yona. How am I supposed to learn it if you can’t even explain it?”
Yona scratched her head, looking apologetic. “I know, I know… sorry. It’s just… like breathing for me. Here, maybe if I show you again, you’ll get a better idea?”
She took her stance again, moving with that same effortless flow. This time, she slowed down, trying to break it down piece by piece for Sasuke. He watched, mimicking her movements as best he could, but there was something missing. He could feel the wind, but he wasn’t able to direct it in the same way she did.
“See?” she said after finishing the sequence. “It’s like you’re asking the wind to work with you, instead of just trying to force it.”
Sasuke scowled, giving her a flat look. “That’s… vague.”
She laughed, a little embarrassed. “Yeah, I guess it is. I don’t really know how else to explain it, Sasuke. It just… happens.”
Sasuke took a deep breath, calming his frustration. He hated feeling like he couldn’t get something right, but he could see she was genuinely trying to help. He repeated the moves, focusing on letting himself relax, but each attempt felt stiff and forced.
Yona watched him closely, biting her lip. “Try loosening up a little more. You’re so… rigid. Don’t think too hard. Just… go with it, okay?”
He shot her a dry look. “Go with it. Right. That’s easy for you to say.”
Yona chuckled, stepping beside him. “Come on, Sasuke. You’re a genius, right? You can figure it out.”
Sasuke glared at her, a spark of determination in his eyes. “Fine. I’ll figure it out.”
As he practiced, Sasuke couldn’t shake the irritation gnawing at him. Yona moved with effortless grace, demonstrating the technique with an ease that made it look almost trivial. Her movements were fluid and confident, the wind responding to her like a loyal companion. Watching her reminded him too much of Itachi—his brother, the prodigy who excelled at everything without breaking a sweat. That thought only deepened the frustration that simmered within him.
Sasuke struggled to grasp the technique, his brows furrowing in concentration as he tried to replicate Yona’s mastery. Each time he faltered, the comparison to his brother loomed larger in his mind. Why was it so easy for them while he found himself stumbling over the basics? He gritted his teeth, fighting against the rising tide of jealousy and the shadow of inadequacy that threatened to consume him. No, he thought fiercely. I won’t fall behind.
Determination surged within him, igniting a fire that pushed him to try harder. He had to prove himself—not just to Yona or anyone else, but to himself. He refused to let the ease with which they grasped their abilities define his worth. With each failed attempt, he felt his resolve harden; he would train until he could master this technique, even if it took every ounce of effort he had. He would not allow the memory of Itachi to overshadow his own potential, nor would he let Yona's natural talent make him feel inferior. Instead, he would rise to the challenge, determined to carve his own path forward.
He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath to center himself. When he opened them, he focused on moving more freely, letting his body relax into the motions. For a moment, he felt something—a shift, a slight movement of air around him that seemed to respond. It wasn’t much, but it was there.
Yona’s face lit up. “Sasuke! You did it! Did you feel that?”
He nodded, a small, almost reluctant smile creeping onto his face. “Yeah… I think I did.”
“See?” She beamed at him, her excitement contagious. “You just needed to relax a little. You’re getting it!”
Sasuke rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide the faint smirk. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t get too excited. I haven’t mastered it yet.”
Yona grinned, nudging his shoulder. “Oh, come on, don’t be so serious! This is great progress, Sasuke! You’re way closer than you were before.”
Sasuke glanced at her, his expression softening just slightly. He wasn’t used to people cheering him on, and seeing her this happy about his progress felt… surprisingly nice. He looked away, clearing his throat. “Thanks, I guess.”
Yona laughed, clearly amused by his reaction. “You guess? I think you mean, ‘Thank you, Yona, for being the best teacher ever.’”
He shook his head, looking at her with a mix of amusement and exasperation. “You’re terrible at teaching, you know that?”
She laughed, not the least bit offended. “Guess I’ll stick to learning, then. But hey, next time I master something, you’re the one I’ll call to break it down.”
Sasuke rolled his eyes, but there was an unusual softness to his expression. “Sure. Just don’t expect me to make it easy on you.”
Yona grinned, nudging him. “Wouldn’t want it any other way.”
As they packed up their gear, Sasuke couldn’t help but feel a little lighter. Despite the struggle—and his envy over how natural the technique was for her—seeing Yona so thrilled for him almost made the effort worth it
--
As Sasuke and Yona made their way back from training, the quiet walk was broken by the sound of a familiar, loud voice echoing from nearby.
“Hey, you Pervy Sage! Stop spying on those women!” Naruto shouted, hands cupped around his mouth in indignation.
“Calm down, kid! It’s research for my book!” Jiraiya waved him off, not seeming the least bit concerned by Naruto’s yelling.
Yona sighed, shaking her head, but couldn’t help a small smile as she saw Jiraiya glance over and spot them. The instant he noticed her, his face broke into a grin, and he waved eagerly.
“Princess Yona! My favorite Senju!” he called, making his way over to them, ignoring Naruto’s continued grumbling.
Sasuke’s eyes widened as he watched this strange white-haired man jog over. “You… know this guy?”
Yona let out an exasperated sigh. “Unfortunately, yes. This is Jiraiya,” she explained, then added under her breath, “the self-proclaimed ‘Toad Sage.’”
Jiraiya placed a hand over his heart, feigning insult. “Hey, I am the one and only Toad Sage! Show a little respect.”
Naruto crossed his arms, unimpressed. “Yeah, right. More like Pervy Sage!”
Sasuke frowned, eyeing Jiraiya suspiciously. “Wait. Jiraiya? As in… one of the Legendary Sannin?”
Jiraiya gave him a big grin, clearly pleased that someone had recognized his name. “Ah, it’s always nice to meet a young shinobi who’s done his homework. That’s right, kid. One of the Legendary Sannin in the flesh!”
Naruto looked between them, thoroughly lost. “Legendary who? What’s a ‘Sannin’?”
Sasuke scoffed, crossing his arms. “You seriously don’t know anything, do you?”
Naruto bristled, pointing an accusing finger at him. “Hey! I know plenty, jerk!”
Jiraiya chuckled, watching them with an amused smile. “You know, I almost didn’t believe it when Yona told me she was friends with an Uchiha.” He cast a glance at Sasuke, a little too keen.
Sasuke’s expression shifted, his jaw clenching ever so slightly. He could feel the familiar weight of judgment that always seemed to settle on him when people brought up his family’s name—like they were always waiting for him to prove their suspicions right.
Yona didn’t miss the look on his face. Her expression turned steely, and she shot Jiraiya a warning glare. “Enough with that. Sasuke’s my friend, and he’s more than proven himself.” Her tone was sharp, and even Sasuke was a little surprised by how firm she was.
Jiraiya held up his hands in mock surrender, looking a little taken aback. “Alright, alright, Princess. I’ll keep my mouth shut. For now.”
He cleared his throat, then threw an arm over Naruto’s shoulder with a broad grin. “How about I treat the three of you to a nice dinner as an apology?”
Naruto’s eyes sparkled at the word “dinner,” completely forgetting the “pervy sage” comment. “Dinner?! Yes! You’re treating us, right?” He gave Jiraiya a suspicious look, just in case.
“Yes, yes, my treat,” Jiraiya laughed. “Anything you want.”
Naruto cheered, throwing his fists in the air. “Ramen it is! And I want extra pork!”
Yona sighed, exchanging a glance with Sasuke. “Might as well go along with it. He’s not going to take ‘no’ for an answer.”
Sasuke rolled his eyes but gave a faint smirk. “Well, free food is free food.”
As they started walking, Naruto launched into a full-blown list of his favorite ramen toppings, making sure Jiraiya knew he intended to make the most of this meal. Sasuke shot a glance at Yona as she walked beside him, feeling a quiet appreciation that she’d defended him back there. He didn’t say anything, but he felt a little less bitter about Naruto tagging along for once.
Jiraiya, listening to Naruto’s endless ramen demands, just laughed. “This might turn out to be one expensive dinner, but I suppose I asked for it.”
The ramen shop was bustling as they settled into their seats, and Naruto wasted no time making himself comfortable. He grinned mischievously at Jiraiya, clearly planning to take full advantage of his offer.
“Alright, I’ll have the Miso Chashu Ramen, extra pork, extra bamboo shoots—oh, and throw in some gyoza! Oh, and some of that beef ramen too!” Naruto called out, rattling off his list with wide eyes.
Jiraiya’s face started to pale as the orders kept piling up. “Kid, are you trying to eat me out of house and home?”
Naruto just gave him a toothy grin. “Hey, you did say anything!”
Meanwhile, Jiraiya turned his focus to Sasuke, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “So, Uchiha,” he started, folding his arms, “how long have you been training with Yona here?”
Sasuke raised an eyebrow at the sharpness in Jiraiya’s tone. “For a while now. Why?”
Jiraiya gave him an assessing look. “I’m just making sure you’re treating her right. You know, I can’t have some brat taking advantage of my little princess.”
Yona groaned, nudging Jiraiya hard in the side. “Would you knock it off, already? I’m perfectly capable of choosing my own friends.”
Jiraiya winced, rubbing his ribs. “I’m just looking out for you, Princess. You’d be surprised how many people out there can’t be trusted.”
Sasuke scowled, clearly irritated by the line of questioning, but Yona shot him an apologetic look. “Ignore him, Sasuke. He thinks he’s my bodyguard or something.”
Jiraiya chuckled, finally turning his attention back to the food. But as Naruto chatted excitedly and shoveled ramen into his mouth at an impressive pace, Jiraiya couldn’t help but give him a sidelong glance. The way Naruto’s hair fell across his forehead, that unbreakable spirit—it was like looking back in time at Minato. It amazed him that no one else had pieced it together, but then again, people in the village only saw what they wanted to see.
As the meal wrapped up, Naruto leaned back, rubbing his stomach with a satisfied grin. The table was littered with empty bowls and plates, evidence of his legendary appetite.
Jiraiya looked at the pile of dishes, starting to sweat. This is going to cost me a fortune, he thought, glancing at the exit with the faintest hint of panic. But just as he shifted in his seat, ready to make a break for it, Yona’s hand shot out and grabbed his arm.
“Don’t even think about it,” she said, voice stern but with a smirk. “You made this mess, so you’re paying for it.”
Jiraiya let out a heavy sigh, reaching for his wallet with a pained expression. “You’re tougher on me than Tsunade,” he muttered, handing over a small stack of bills to the cashier.
Naruto let out a cheer, clearly not bothered in the least. “Thanks, Pervy Sage! We should do this again sometime!”
Jiraiya gave him a pained smile. “Yeah… we’ll see about that.” He shot Yona a wry look as they headed out. “Next time, you’re on dish duty, Princess.”
As they left the bustling ramen shop and walked back through the quiet streets of Konoha, Sasuke felt strangely content—a feeling he was not accustomed to. The warmth of a meal shared with friends, the lively banter, even Jiraiya's irritating protectiveness over Yona had left him in better spirits than he’d expected. For once, he hadn’t felt like an outsider looking in, and the quiet camaraderie had felt… good. He couldn’t remember the last time he hadn’t eaten alone.
Naruto and Yona were still chattering on ahead, laughing about the “Pervy Sage” and his disastrous attempts at dodging the bill, while Sasuke walked a few steps behind, listening but silent, allowing himself a small smirk every now and then. He didn't realize how much he'd missed this—how much he missed feeling a part of something, a feeling he thought he no longer needed.
But as he approached the gates of the Uchiha compound, the familiar silence and emptiness of the place washed over him like a wave. The streets were deserted, just as they always were, and each step echoed in the hollow, oppressive quiet. The cheerful noise of the ramen shop, the chatter of his friends, and Naruto's carefree laughter felt like distant memories that quickly faded in the solemn atmosphere of the compound.
Sasuke’s good mood began to dissipate, replaced by an ache he tried to ignore. He looked around at the empty homes and abandoned spaces where he used to play with his family. The silence, once something he had grown used to, now felt overwhelming, almost as though it pressed down on him, reminding him of everything he’d lost. The weight of it settled on his shoulders.
In the quiet, memories flooded back—scenes of his parents, his clan, the life he’d once had. He remembered his mother calling him in for dinner, the warmth of their home, the rare but cherished moments of laughter with his father, and most painfully, the bond he’d once shared with Itachi before everything shattered. His fists clenched as the bitterness welled up again. Being with Naruto and Yona had made him feel less alone, even if just for a few hours, but returning here was a reminder of his isolation, of how quickly moments of happiness were snatched away.
They don’t understand, he thought, bitterness creeping in. None of them know what it feels like to be alone like this, to carry the weight of an entire clan’s legacy on your shoulders with no one left to guide you.
Yet… that wasn’t entirely true. Yona, with her connection to her clan’s legacy, knew the weight of expectations too. She didn’t have an entire clan to avenge, but she was still bound by her own responsibilities, and Sasuke had always felt that strange kinship with her because of it. That’s why she was different from everyone else—she understood things that no one else in his class could.
As he finally reached his home, the empty rooms felt colder than ever. Despite the bitterness that usually steeled him, tonight he felt an unfamiliar crack in his resolve. He didn’t want to be alone. He didn’t want the weight of revenge to be the only thing keeping him going. But that was his burden, his fate, and he would carry it alone, as he always had.
With a heavy sigh, he closed the door behind him, the silence settling once more.