Following Naruto's pained cry, the entire Shinobi World witnessed feelings for Sasuke that transcended companionship, even friendship.
No one could possibly doubt Naruto's sincerity.
In Konoha Village, the Konoha Rookies now fully understood that the laughing, goofy Naruto they knew had a hidden depth.
He trained relentlessly, mastering chakra control, all to catch up to Sasuke's strength and earn his acknowledgment.
Because... they were alike, both orphans who grew up without parents.
Ino: "So... Naruto never really hated Sasuke. He just wanted Sasuke to acknowledge him."
Rock Lee: "Naruto-kun, from now on, you are the example I will strive to follow!"
Sakura: "Sasuke... Naruto... I never truly understood either of you. I'm so sorry..."
Seeing Naruto pierced by Sasuke's Chidori, Jiraiya's suspicion solidified: Naruto had to be Minato's son. Learning the Rasengan was undeniable proof.
If Naruto died here, he would never be able to face Minato and Kushina.
"Kid, don't you dare die!"
.
.
.
Fourth Raikage (A): "Why does that technique of Naruto's look so familiar...?!"
Ōnoki: "A, still playing dumb? Didn't Minato hit you with a Rasengan back in the day?"
Terumi Mei: "Namikaze Minato's signature jutsu, the Rasengan. How did Naruto learn that?"
At this, the three Kage glanced towards Jiraiya, realizing only he could have taught Naruto that technique.
"It seems Naruto is Jiraiya's disciple, then!"
"If Sasuke truly goes to Orochimaru... does that mean each of the Konoha Sannin now has a successor?"
Meanwhile, some Konoha villagers reacted differently:
"Look! That Fox is transforming!"
"He really is the demon fox! Look at his claws and fangs!"
"And his eyes! Just like the monster's!"
"Sasuke, good job! Kill that demon fox!"
...
Amegakure, an undisclosed cave,
Watching this intense display from Sasuke, Uchiha Obito began to understand why his future self (as seen on screen) would bring Sasuke into Akatsuki to help hunt down Shimura Danzō.
"Madara taught me... to manipulate others, you must harness their hatred."
"And Sasuke is already consumed by hatred. He will be easy to manipulate."
'I must find an opportunity to meet Sasuke myself... and tell him the truth behind Itachi and the Uchiha clan's destruction.'
...
Akatsuki Organization Base,
A faint smile touched Itachi's lips as he watched Naruto desperately trying to reach Sasuke, fueled by his spirit.
This is Sasuke's first true friend... one he personally acknowledged.
Though their bond seems... intense, he was still happy for Sasuke.
Perhaps, in the future, Naruto is the one who can bring Sasuke back to the right path.
'Naruto... I suppose I can forgive you for kissing Sasuke.'
...
[The Screen Continues—]
[Naruto was now enveloped in swirling red chakra, causing the water's surface around him to churn violently.]
[Suddenly, Sasuke's eyes widened in shock. Behind Naruto, the red chakra coalesced into the spectral form of a massive, ferocious Nine-Tailed Fox.]
[The immense pressure radiating from it left Sasuke feeling weak, barely able to muster his strength.]
[It was a presence far more terrifying than even Orochimaru's fleeting gaze.]
["'Is this really Naruto? What is this pressure...?'"]
[What shocked Sasuke even more was seeing the wound on Naruto's right shoulder healing at an incredible rate, visible to the naked eye. The chakra exploding from Naruto's body was beyond anything he could comprehend.]
["'Is he... a monster?'"]
[Naruto roared, his voice distorted by the chakra: "Sasuke! I will never hand you over to someone like Orochimaru! Even if I have to break every bone in your body! I will stop you!"]
[BOOM! Naruto punched, not hitting Sasuke directly, but the sheer force, a compressed shockwave, sent Sasuke flying backward.]
[Then, moving with blinding speed, Naruto appeared before Sasuke and delivered a punch that made Sasuke convulse. He followed up with a brutal, seamless flurry of taijutsu attacks, leaving Sasuke overwhelmed and unable to defend himself.]
[Seizing a momentary opening, Sasuke quickly launched a Great Fireball Technique towards Naruto, who was airborne.]
[But incredibly, Naruto merely roared, the sound echoing through the Valley of the End, and the sheer force dispersed the Great Fireball, sending flames washing back overSasuke.]
[Naruto, seemingly intent on breaking Sasuke's bones as promised, grabbed Sasuke's leg and brutally slammed him against the cliff face, raising clouds of smoke and dust.]
["Isn't it about time you woke up?! Sasuke!"]
["Or else I'll beat you until you can't move, and then I'll drag you back!"]
[Sasuke, beaten and unable to effectively fight back, spat out impatiently:]
["You're so damn annoying!"]
["What could someone like you, who never had parents or a brother, possibly know about me?!"]
["You've been alone since the beginning! What do you understand?!"]
["It's because I had those bonds that losing them hurts so much!"]
["How could you possibly know how that feels?!"]
[Hearing this, the ferocity on Naruto's face softened slightly. "It's true... I don't know what it's really like to have parents, or brothers."]
["But... when I'm with Iruka-sensei... I think maybe it's like having a father."]
["And when I'm with you... it feels like having a brother. Isn't that... what it's like?"]
[Sasuke lowered his head at Naruto's words, asking quietly, his voice filled with a pained confusion:]
["Why... Naruto?"]
["Why... do you care so much about me?"]
["Because you're the most important bond I've ever made."]
["That's why I have to stop you!" Naruto declared firmly.]
[Hearing this, Sasuke slowly pulled his Konoha headband from his pocket. He tied it around his forehead, then shook his head slightly. "It's too late, Naruto. I can't turn back now."]
[At that moment, the tomoe in Sasuke's Sharingan spun, settling into the fully matured Three Tomoe pattern.]
[He then settled into a stance, "Come, Naruto. The only way forward... is to sever this bond with my own hands."]