3 days after the war…

Sasuke opens his eyes to find himself in a hospital bed.

"Sasuke-kun?" Sakura murmurs.

The Uchiha quickly sits up and sees his wrists bound and sharp pain shoots in his stomach. He tries to grab his stomach but is unable to.

"You're bound by chakra cord that's impossible to cut or break," Sakura explains.

Sasuke scoffs and looks to the window.

"Sasuke-kun, would you like something to eat?"

Sakura continues to be ignored and she releases a sigh. A knock on the door forces them both to look in the same direction. Hinata enters the room carrying a yellow box.

"Uh-S-Sakura-chan, the Hokage needs to see you." Hinata stutters.

Sakura heads to the door but not before looking at Sasuke. When she leaves, Hinata sits in the chair and quietly watches her hands. Silence continues until Sasuke's stomach growls, although no one seems to acknowledge it. Hinata takes out a rice cake from the yellow box and places it Sasuke's hand. She leaves the room for a moment and Sasuke takes this time to eat. He finishes in two bites and as soon as he's done, Hinata returns to her seat.

"W-why do you hate Naruto-kun so much?" Hinata musters the courage to ask.

Sasuke continues to look out the window and allows the silence to take over.

"Is someone always going to be guarding me?" Sasuke asks with irritation in his voice.

"Yes," Hinata quietly says.

Sasuke's hand forms a fist and squeezes hard.

"Damn Orochimaru! Everything failed! That stupid bastard failed!" Sasuke thought.

Hinata continues to look at her yellow box and twiddle her fingers while Sasuke continues to look out the window.

"I don't hate Naruto," Sasuke responds to Hinata's question.

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2 days earlier…

After the memorial for the fallen ninjas and those who attended are scattering to their own ways, Naruto and Tsunade walk towards the shrine of where the names of the fallen heroes are engraved on.

"I'm assuming you're staying with us on a permanent basis?" Tsunade inquires.

"Yes, as long as the kyuubi's under control."

"Kyuubi or no kyuubi, it doesn't matter. The village will deal with it the best it can."

They approach the monument and see Ryo paying his respects.

"Uncle."

Ryo turns around to face them. Upon seeing the Hokage, he bows.

"Hokage-sama." Ryo utters.

Tsunade bows back.

"Denkou Ryo, my student Sakura has told me all about you. Konoha owes you a great deal—not just for our victory but for looking out for Naruto as well."

Ryo grins back in appreciation then looks at Naruto.

"You're staying here?" Ryo smiles at Naruto who nods at him.

"Ryo-san, you're welcome to dwell here if you'd like." Tsunade states.

"I would like to stay until the village gets back on its feet."

Naruto's face beams as he hears this.

"Very well then; on a different note, I want to ask you both about your connections with the Yondaime."

The two blondes glance at each other.

"Naruto, if you shave off you're mustache, everyone would think the 4th is walking among us. Ryo-san, you look like a relative of Yondaime. You both can do Hiraishin—the yellow flash's move."

"Tsunade-obaasan, your assumptions are correct. Yondaime is—was my father and Ryo's his brother." Naruto asserts.

"And I will keep this information to myself. But Naruto, many of the shinobis are going to make the connection whether you like itor not. You'll have to deal with the repercussions of having such a significant connection to the 4th."

"I know. That's why I didn't want to say anything."

"Naruto, I need your help on a different matter. It's about Sasuke's punishment. The advisors are split on either placing him in prison for the rest of his life or send him to his death. I find both options inappropriate. I figured since you know him better than the advisors and I know him, you would see what a suitable punishment is."

"When is his sentencing?"

"In two days,after he wakes up from the medicine I gave him."

After his meeting with Tsunade, Naruto makes his way to the Hokage monuments. He sits on the bench and gazes at each of the previous Hokage's faces. As soon as his eyes land on the 4th Hokage, Naruto feels tears about to come out.

"Naruto." The blonde turns around to find Jiraiya approaching him.

Naruto stands up and holds the tears back as Jiraiya nears. The white-haired hermit still towers over Naruto.

"You know don't you?" Naruto mutters.

"I knew the moment Yondaime looked at you. I've always suspected that you two were connected. Part of me was thinking that you might be his kid. I wasn't with him every second, so it was a big possibility. While we were training in the mountains--your stubbornness…" Jiraiya chuckles as he remembers.

Naruto looks down as more tears threaten to come out. Jiraiya approaches him and places a hand on his shoulder.

"A shinobi must never show his emotions. But, a shinobi is still human and as humans we can't avoid feeling for others."

Jiraiya hugs Naruto, who sobs for a moment. Naruto pulls back and regains composure.

"I guess the old man rubbed off on me." Jiraiya quietly chuckles.

"Thank you, Ero-sennin."

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After the funeral, Kakashi goes straight to his home. He leans on the door, as he feels the last couple of days weigh him down. Many of his comrades were buried. He stopped by to offer flowers to Obito before the ceremony started and smiled to himself as he thought of how similar he and Naruto were.

Kakashi makes his way to the bedroom and finds Kurenai waiting for him. She approaches him and wraps her arms around his neck. Kakashi places his head on her shoulder and hugs her tightly. This simple gesture lifts the heaviness from Kakshi and finds himself less sorrowful. He pulls back and looks in her eyes.

"Thanks."

"No problem," Kurenai responds.

Kakashi is among other jounins, chuunins, and the advisors, as the ANBU brings Sasuke into the hall. Sakura watches in great anxiety as they place Sasuke to the center of the room.

"Uchiha Sasuke, you left Konoha to join forces with Orochimaru, a traitor of the village. You fought with him in the war against the village and in addition, your chidori killed Umino Iruka." Tsunade reads out. "Is there anything you'd like to say, Uchiha Sasuke."

Sasuke keeps his silence. The doors open and Naruto enters. Without glancing at Sasuke he speaks with the Hokage.

"If I may say something…Because of Sasuke, I know how he felt the day he lost his family. I know how he feels towards the man who took them away from him. I feel them too. Iruka-sensei is the closest person I ever had as a parent. His kindness gave me multiple chances to prove to the village that I am not worthless. Although he made feel what Itachi made him feel, I don't think he's as heartless as his brother. Keeping him imprisoned will only make him like the criminals that live in the prisons. Killing him—it's just too easy. I think it would be best for the village to reinstate Uchiha Sasuke to team 7. He's a talented ninja and Konoha would benefit from sending him to missions. Kakashi-sensei and Sakura-chan are strong enough to keep an eye on him. But, should you decide to give him this punishment, I ask that I be removed from team 7."

Kakashi watches as Naruto takes a deep breath and walks out of the room. Sakura's eyes also linger in shock as she hears the last part of Naruto's speech.