Sasuke: I Think I've Made Naruto Act Strange

"Kakashi-sensei is being so mean."

In the hospital, Naruto was crouched in the corner, drawing circles on the ground.

Sasuke had been hurt, yet Kakashi-sensei, acting like their guardian, wouldn't let him go take revenge.

Wasn't he supposed to be looking after them?

It wasn't even like Naruto was asking Kakashi-sensei to do anything himself—he just didn't want to be stopped. But Kakashi kept his eyes on him the whole time, refusing to let him leave.

"You're students right now. Sparring between classmates is allowed. But if you go for revenge, that would be the same as admitting Sasuke is weaker than that guy. Are you sure Sasuke would be happy if you did that?"

Kakashi looked at Naruto with a deadpan expression. Could this brat just act normal for once?

The way Naruto was curled up in the corner like he'd been bullied—it looked way too pitiful.

When a nurse had passed by earlier, she'd obviously misunderstood the situation judging from her expression!

"Then… then when will Sasuke wake up? If I had just stayed with him, none of this would've happened. From now on, I'm never leaving Sasuke's side again…"

Naruto wasn't entirely clueless—he just didn't want to admit his earlier thinking had been wrong.

Because even if it was called a "spar," Sasuke had ended up unconscious, and that definitely shouldn't be allowed at school.

But since Kakashi-sensei had put it that way, Naruto had no choice but to wait for Sasuke to wake up, and then ask what had really happened.

And if that guy really had bullied Sasuke again—then Naruto would make sure to beat him so bad his Byakugan would turn red!

"The doctor said he should wake up soon. Can you wait here until Sasuke wakes up and take him home with you?"

Kakashi glanced at the time. He could still make it to the Hokage's office and then go home to cook dinner afterward.

As long as Naruto didn't cause any trouble.

"I can! I definitely won't run off!"

Naruto's eyes lit up instantly, and he stood up to show he was absolutely willing.

He'd seen before that when kids got bullied, the adults in their families would step in to deal with it.

So… did that mean Kakashi-sensei was going to avenge Sasuke?

"Wait here. Once Sasuke wakes up, go home together. I'm heading back to cook dinner for you two."

Kakashi said this and left without a second glance, not even noticing how Naruto's hopeful expression turned to disappointment.

Of course, before he left, he didn't forget to take care of the discharge paperwork, so when Naruto and Sasuke left the hospital later, there would be no need for any extra steps.

"Sasuke… I think Kakashi-sensei's mad."

Leaning over the hospital bed, Naruto grumbled softly, feeling a little wronged.

He had thought Kakashi-sensei would at least say something to defend Sasuke. But why did he just leave like that… just to go make dinner?

This wasn't what Naruto had imagined a guardian would do at all.

"Idiot."

Sasuke lifted his hand and, though still weak, firmly flicked Naruto on the head.

This idiot—if he had gone to pick a fight with Hyuga Neji again, there'd be no doubt. By tomorrow, the two of them would probably be separated.

The Third Hokage and Danzo Shimura would never allow Naruto to provoke the current most powerful clan in the Leaf Village on Sasuke's behalf.

The most powerful clan in the Leaf...

Things really had changed fast.

The Uchiha had only been gone a short while, yet Konoha had already fully shifted—aside from the old clan district, there wasn't a trace of them left.

"Sasuke, you're finally awake! How are you feeling? Does anything hurt? Should I get a nurse—?"

Naruto, feeling the weak force of that hand on his head, blinked, and his sky-blue eyes started to well up with tears again.

"If you dare cry, I'll beat you."

Sasuke suddenly realized—he might have triggered some sort of special behavior in Naruto.

Or maybe… Naruto had always been this shamelessly eager to comfort people since he was little?