Naruto Bond

After defeating Kabuto Yakushi, Lu Fei, Naruto, and Sasuke dragged their tired bodies back to the village. Along the way, the three of them were silent, as the fierce battle just now had consumed a lot of their physical strength and chakra.

The sun shone through the gaps between the leaves, forming patches of light on them. The breeze blew gently, bringing a hint of coolness, but it could not soothe their inner fatigue.

"This was really a fierce battle." Naruto broke the silence, with a hint of fatigue in his voice.

Sasuke nodded slightly, "But at least we succeeded."

Lu Fei panted, "I hope I won't have such trouble again in the future."

At this moment, a slight sound of footsteps suddenly came from the woods ahead. The three of them instantly became alert, stopped, and stared at the front.

A figure slowly walked out of the woods. It was Uchiha Itachi.

"Uchiha Itachi?" Sasuke widened his eyes and a complicated expression appeared on his face.

Naruto also looked a little surprised, "Why is he here?"

Lu Fei looked at Uchiha Itachi with a wary look.

Uchiha Itachi stood there quietly, his eyes calm and deep, "Sasuke, long time no see."

Sasuke clenched his fists, "What are you doing here?"

Uchiha Itachi sighed slightly, "I just wanted to come and see you."

"Look at me? After what you did back then, you still have the nerve to say such things?" Sasuke became agitated.

Uchiha Itachi was silent for a moment, "Sasuke, some things are not what you think."

Seeing this, Naruto quickly said: "Sasuke, don't be impulsive, listen to what he says."

Sasuke snorted, but still suppressed his anger.

Uchiha Itachi looked at Naruto and Lu Fei, "Thank you for always being with Sasuke."

Lu Fei said: "We are partners, this is what we should do. But if you still want to hurt Sasuke, we will not let you go."

Uchiha Itachi nodded, "I know you are very important to Sasuke, and I have never thought of hurting him."

Sasuke gritted his teeth and said, "Then why did you do that back then?"

Uchiha Itachi said slowly: "That is to protect the village and protect you."

"Protect? What you mean by protection is killing the whole family?" Sasuke shouted angrily.

Uchiha Itachi's eyes flashed with pain, "That was a forced choice. At that time, the Uchiha clan was preparing to launch a rebellion. In order to avoid more killings, I had no choice but to accept that mission."

Sasuke retorted loudly, "You're lying!"

Uchiha Itachi continued: "Sasuke, everything I do is to make you strong and have the power to protect yourself and the village."

"I don't need this from you!" Sasuke shouted.

Lu Fei said at the side: "Sasuke, calm down first, maybe he really has his reasons."

Naruto also agreed, "Yeah, Sasuke, listen to him."

Uchiha Itachi looked at Sasuke, "I know it's hard for you to accept it now, but one day you will understand."

Sasuke remained silent, his eyes still filled with anger and suspicion.

At this moment, there was a rustling sound in the woods, and a group of ninjas appeared around them.

"It's the enemy!" Naruto said vigilantly.

These ninjas attacked them without saying a word.

Uchiha Itachi instantly entered combat mode, "Be careful!"

Although Sasuke still had resentment towards Uchiha Itachi in his heart, he chose to cooperate temporarily when facing a common enemy.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" Naruto blew out a huge fireball and rushed towards the enemy.

"Lightning Release: Chidori!" Sasuke also used his own ninjutsu.

Uchiha Itachi formed seals with his hands, "Tsukuyomi!" In an instant, several enemies fell into an illusion.

Lu Fei used the Lightning Release Ninjutsu to shuttle between enemies and give them fatal blows.

With the close cooperation of the four people, the enemy gradually fell into a disadvantage.

However, a powerful ninja suddenly appeared among the enemies. He performed a mysterious ninjutsu, and a powerful force attacked them.

"Oh no, this force is very strong!" Lu Fei said.

Uchiha Itachi shouted: "Everyone be careful!"

The four of them quickly concentrated their strength to resist the attack.

"Boom!" The powerful forces collided with each other, causing a huge explosion.

When the smoke cleared, they found that the enemy had retreated.

"Damn it, he just ran away like that." said Naruto.

Sasuke glanced at Uchiha Itachi, "Could it be that you attracted this?"

Uchiha Itachi shook his head, "I don't know either, but their purpose is not simple."

Lu Fei said: "Anyway, let's go back to the village first."

The four continued to move forward. Along the way, Sasuke's mood was still complicated, and his attitude towards Uchiha Itachi did not soften at all.

After returning to the village, Tsunade learned of their plight.

"Itachi Uchiha's appearance is indeed unexpected, but at the moment, he doesn't seem to have any ill intentions," Tsunade said.

Sasuke retorted, "You can't trust his words!"

Tsunade patted Sasuke's shoulder and said, "Sasuke, I know the resentment in your heart, but we need to observe and understand further."

At night, Sasuke was alone on the roof thinking about the day's events.

Naruto walked over, "Sasuke, don't think too much."

Sasuke sighed, "I don't know what to do, Naruto."

Naruto said, "No matter what, I will support your choice."

Just then, Uchiha Itachi appeared in front of them.

"Sasuke, I have something else to say to you." Uchiha Itachi said.

Sasuke frowned, "What else do you want to say?"

Uchiha Itachi said: "The secret about the Uchiha clan and my true purpose."

Sasuke hesitated for a moment, but finally decided to listen to what he had to say.

Uchiha Itachi slowly narrated the unknown past, and Sasuke's expression gradually changed...

"Back then, the conflicts within the Uchiha clan had reached a point where they could no longer be reconciled. Some people in the upper echelons attempted to gain more power through rebellion, which would have brought great disaster to the village. In order to stop all this, I had to make that painful decision." Uchiha Itachi's voice was low and hoarse.

Sasuke bit his lip, "Then why didn't you tell anyone?"

Uchiha Itachi smiled bitterly, "No one will believe it, and this is a secret that must be kept hidden."

"Then why are you saying it now?" Sasuke asked.

Uchiha Itachi looked into Sasuke's eyes, "Because you have grown up and are capable of facing all this. Moreover, I hope you can let go of your hatred and work hard for the peace of the village."

Sasuke was silent for a long moment, "I don't know if I can do that."

Naruto said: "Sasuke, I believe you can do it."

Uchiha Itachi nodded, "Sasuke, I believe you will eventually understand my painstaking efforts."

After saying that, Uchiha Itachi turned and left.

Sasuke looked at his back, feeling mixed emotions...