Epilogue
Months had passed, and to no one's surprise, the plushie craze had not died down.
Naruto's collection had expanded to five different models—one in Sage Mode, another in Kurama Mode, a special Shadow Clone Edition, and even a limited-edition "Hokage in Pajamas" version (which, much to Sasuke's disbelief, sold out instantly).
Meanwhile, Sasuke still only had one. A single Susanoo plushie. And Naruto never let him forget it.
"Tch. Even Kakashi has a second model now, and all it is... is him reading his dumb book." Sasuke muttered one afternoon as he walked alongside Hinata.
Hinata giggled. "Well, it's popular. Just like yours."
Sasuke sighed. "Mine barely has a face."
Hinata, amused, reached into her bag and pulled something out. "Speaking of, look at this."
Sasuke turned to see her unfolding a piece of dark blue fabric—a cloak, soft to the touch, embroidered with subtle purple markings.
He narrowed his eyes. "What is that?"
Hinata smiled. "A Susanoo-themed cloak. I bought it the other day. It kind of looks like a jacket, doesn't it?"
Sasuke stared at it. Then, wordlessly, he raised a hand.
Before Hinata could ask, a shimmering bluish-purple glow surrounded them—the skeletal frame of his actual Susanoo forming in an instant.
Hinata blinked, watching as the massive ribcage expanded around them, the chakra walls shifting with an ethereal hum.
Then—"Hinata, come inside."
She looked up at Sasuke in mild surprise.
He knew her name now. And he used it almost every day. There was something different in his voice now—not just the usual indifference. Something softer.
Taking a step forward, Hinata walked into the protective space of Susanoo's ribcage. The air felt denser, warmer, filled with energy unlike anything else she had experienced.
She lifted a hand, letting her fingers lightly brush against the chakra surface. "It's… kind of peaceful in here."
Sasuke smirked slightly. "Better than a plushie?"
Hinata chuckled. "Very."
But Sasuke wasn't finished. With a faint flick of his fingers, the Susanoo shifted again. A sword appeared in one hand. A shield in the other.
Hinata turned to look at him. "A little excessive, don't you think?"
Sasuke, ever the silent show-off, merely shrugged. "Might as well make it accurate."
A Month Later…
It had finally happened. Sasuke's plushie had a second model. Now equipped with a sword and shield. And it had sold out within 24 hours of release.
Standing outside the shop, Sasuke pinched the bridge of his nose.
Hinata, meanwhile, beamed as she held up a keychain-sized version of the new plushie. "Look, Sasuke! They even added the details of the shield."
Sasuke exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "This is getting ridiculous."
Hinata only giggled, tucking the keychain safely into her bag.
Sasuke glanced at her. She looked genuinely happy, her eyes bright, her expression relaxed. He sighed, but this time, it wasn't out of frustration. If someone like Hinata could find joy in something as absurd as this, then… maybe it wasn't so bad after all.
"Hn."
With his usual wordless acceptance, Sasuke turned and walked ahead—this time, waiting for Hinata to follow. And, of course, she did.