It had been two months since the Uchiha incident, and the rift between Naruto and Sasuke had only deepened. Their friendship, once a source of strength for both of them, was now fraught with tension and resentment. Sasuke yelled at Naruto and berated him at every opportunity, his anger seemingly unending. Naruto, for his part, didn't retort. He maintained the facade of being the dead last, hoping that one day he could mend the broken bond with his friend.

The village was still reeling from the shock of the massacre, and the atmosphere was heavy with grief. Two days after the Uchiha clan massacre at the hands of one of Konoha's most notorious traitors, Itachi Uchiha, the clan held a funeral. The attendance was sparse; the Uchiha were not particularly popular in the village, and many chose to stay away.

Flashback

Naruto stood in front of Shisui's grave, flowers clutched tightly in his hands. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he read the inscription: "A mentor, a lover, a friend, and a brother." The grave was bare, lacking the flowers and cards that adorned many of the other graves. This was because Shisui was not a well-known figure in Konoha. Despite his goofy demeanor, he had been a true shinobi, preferring to work from the shadows.

Everyone knew about the Uchiha prodigy, Itachi Uchiha, but few knew about Shisui, who had taught Itachi almost everything he knew. Many believed Shisui was arguably stronger than Itachi, but only a handful, including Naruto, understood the depth of his abilities.

As Naruto knelt before the grave, he felt a presence behind him. He turned to see Ayame, dressed in a black dress, her eyes red and nose puffy from crying. She approached him, and without a word, she wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. Naruto returned the hug, grateful for the comfort of her presence.

They sat together in front of Shisui's grave, the weight of their shared grief hanging in the air. "I miss him," Naruto said softly, his voice breaking. "He was always there for me."

Ayame nodded, wiping her eyes. "Me too. He was special." After a moment of silence, she spoke again. "What was your favorite memory with him?"

Naruto thought for a moment, a smile breaking through his tears. "It was the day I found out who my father was. Shisui comforted me, calling me his little brother for the first time. That moment meant everything to me."

Ayame smiled at the memory, her expression softening. "That's beautiful, Naruto. He really cared about you."

She took a deep breath, preparing to share her own memory. "The day before he died, he seemed unusually tense. I asked him what was wrong, but he just brushed it off. Then he suddenly told me he had something he wanted me to see. He told me to look directly into his eyes."

Naruto listened intently as Ayame continued. "His eyes morphed into the Sharingan, and he put me in a genjutsu. It showed me flashes of our entire future together—us getting married, having two kids, growing old, and dying in each other's arms. It felt so real."

"That sounds incredible," Naruto said, his heart swelling with emotion. "What a gift he gave you."

Ayame smiled wistfully. "It was. But then, after that, we… well, we lost our virginities to each other for the first time."

Naruto's eyes widened in shock, and he dramatically placed a hand over his heart. "I did not need to know that!"

Ayame giggled at his childish behavior, the sound lightening the somber atmosphere. "You're just like him, you know? Always so dramatic."

They shared a laugh, the warmth of their memories momentarily pushing away the heaviness of their grief. They continued to talk, reminiscing about Shisui's goofy antics and the way he could light up a room with his smile.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the graveyard, Naruto and Ayame knew it was time to head home. They stood up, brushing off the dirt from their clothes, and shared one last look at Shisui's grave.

"Goodbye, Shisui," Naruto whispered, his heart aching. "We'll always remember you."

Flashback over

Back at home, Naruto felt a wave of frustration wash over him. He had tried everything to reach Sasuke, but nothing seemed to work. The weight of the Uchiha clan massacre hung heavily in the air, and the rift between them felt insurmountable. In a moment of desperation, he decided to do something he hadn't done in a long time.

He smeared a bit of blood on his palm, focusing his chakra as he performed the summoning jutsu. The familiar sensation surged through him, and in a puff of smoke, Gamakichi appeared.

The toad was now the size of Akamaru, much larger than the little guy Naruto had first summoned. Gamakichi looked around, blinking as he adjusted to his surroundings. "Hey, Bro! What's up? It's been a long time!" he exclaimed, his voice cheerful and boisterous.

Naruto grinned, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "Kichi! I'm sorry I haven't called you more often. Things have been… complicated."

Kichi waved a hand dismissively. "No worries, dude! I get it. So, what's the purpose of summoning me? You look like you've got a lot on your mind."

Naruto took a deep breath, his expression turning serious. "It's about Sasuke. The Uchiha clan massacre… it's really messed him up. He's completely shut himself off from everyone, and he's filled with hatred. He won't let me talk to him or help him."

Kichi's expression shifted to one of concern. "That's rough, man. I've heard some things about what happened. It's a lot for anyone to handle, especially someone like Sasuke."

"Yeah," Naruto replied, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I just don't know how to reach him. He's so angry all the time, and it feels like he's pushing everyone away."

Kichi thought for a moment, his brow furrowing. "Well, if the soft and understanding approach isn't working, maybe you need to beat it into the emo's head that he's not alone. He needs to rely on his friends if he wants to get stronger. You're here to help him, after all."

Naruto's eyes widened as he considered Kichi's words. "That's actually not a bad idea. Maybe I need to be more direct with him. Show him that he doesn't have to go through this alone."

"Exactly!" Kichi said, nodding enthusiastically. "Sometimes, people need a little push to realize what they have right in front of them. You're his friend, and you care about him. Don't let him shut you out."

They talked late into the night, sharing stories and memories. Naruto felt a sense of comfort in Kichi's presence, as if the weight of the world was momentarily lifted from his shoulders. Kichi reminded him of the importance of friendship and the bonds they shared, even in the darkest of times.

As the moon hung high in the sky, Kichi glanced at the time. "I've got to head back soon, but before I go, make sure to summon my pops when Jiraiya comes back. He says he has got a bone to pick with him."

Naruto nodded, "Thanks Kichi, that was really wise."

Kichi grinned, puffing out his chest proudly. "Just remember, Naruto, you've got this. Don't give up on Sasuke. He needs you now more than ever."

With that, Kichi began to fade away, the familiar puff of smoke enveloping him. Naruto felt a renewed sense of determination as he watched his friend disappear. He knew what he had to do.

The Next Day

At the academy, Sasuke had become a shadow of his former self. He didn't talk to anyone, isolating himself from his classmates. The once vibrant Uchiha was now a brooding figure, consumed by his thoughts and anger. After classes ended for the day, he left for the Uchiha clan compound, determined to train and push himself beyond his limits.

As he arrived at the training grounds, he took a deep breath, preparing to immerse himself in his training. Just as he was about to start, a kunai whizzed through the air from the trees. Sasuke instinctively dodged, dropping into a fighting stance, his senses heightened.

"Who's there?" he called out, scanning the area.

To his surprise, Naruto emerged from the shadows, a confident grin plastered on his face. "Hey, Sasuke! What's up?"

Sasuke scowled, irritation flaring within him. "What are you doing here, Naruto? You can't interrupt my training."

Naruto shrugged, unfazed by Sasuke's hostility. "I'm here to fight you."

Sasuke rolled his eyes, dismissing the idea. "I'm not wasting my time on you. Worthless dobes aren't worth my time. Only an Uchiha can defeat an Uchiha."

Naruto scoffed, crossing his arms. "You know I've beaten you multiple times in our spars. We're tied at 24-24 wins, remember?"

Sasuke's expression darkened. "Those were flukes."

Naruto laughed, shaking his head. "You're not going to beat Itachi by being an emo who runs from a fight."

The mention of Itachi's name sent a jolt of anger through Sasuke. "Don't you dare talk about him!" he shouted, rushing blindly at Naruto, his Sharingan activating. As Naruto observed, he saw two tomoes in each eye, a sign of Sasuke's growing power.

Sasuke unleashed a flurry of strikes, but Naruto dodged and blocked effortlessly, infuriating Sasuke further. In a moment of desperation, Sasuke threw a punch, but Naruto ducked and elbowed him in the stomach. The impact caused Sasuke to spit out blood, and Naruto flipped him over, walking in the other direction.

"Look at you, the great Uchiha-sama, losing to a dead last!" Naruto taunted, a smirk on his face.

Fuming, Sasuke threw a handful of kunai, but Naruto dodged them without even looking. "You're getting slow, Sasuke!" he called out, his voice teasing.

Sasuke's anger boiled over, and he ran through hand seals, yelling, Katon: Ryuuka no Jutsu (Fire Style: Dragon Fire technique). Flames erupted from his mouth, taking the shape of a dragon as it surged toward Naruto, engulfing the area in violent flames.

But just as the flames reached him, Naruto appeared from behind Sasuke, catching him in a chokehold. "Gotcha!" he exclaimed, while a Naruto clone quickly applied seals on Sasuke, paralyzing him.

"Let me go!" Sasuke yelled, struggling against the hold. "How are you so strong? Were you hiding your strength from me?"

Naruto shook his head, disappointment etched on his face. "I never hid anything from you, Sasuke. It's your anger that's clouding your judgment and hampering your skill. Even with a weaker Sharingan ,the old Sasuke would wipe the floor with you."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, his frustration boiling over. "I'm doing what Itachi told me to do!" he shouted, his voice filled with rage. "He said, 'Hate me, despise me, cling to your pathetic life, and when you have eyes like mine, come and fight me!'"

Naruto burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the training ground. "You're a fool, Sasuke! Following the words of the person who literally killed your entire clan?"

Sasuke's expression shifted from anger to confusion, his eyes widening. "What do you mean?"

Naruto's laughter faded, replaced by a serious tone, his eyes icy blue. "You forgot I'm not the only one who lost someone. I lost the only person I treated like family—my brother. I know what it's like to feel that pain."

Sasuke's anger began to dissipate, replaced by a wave of emotion. Tears welled in his eyes as he realized the depth of Naruto's words. "It hurts," he admitted, his voice trembling. "I wish the pain would just stop."

Naruto smiled warmly, his heart aching for his friend. "The pain will never fully go away, Sasuke. Time will teach you to live with it. If you want, you can move into the Namikaze estate with me. You won't have to be reminded of that night every day. You can stay there for as long as you need, until you feel ready to confront your pain."

Sasuke looked at Naruto, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "But what about my ambition? Should I just give up on my goal to kill Itachi? Give up my revenge?"

Naruto shook his head firmly. "No, I'm not saying you should give up on your ambition. But if you stay on the path of revenge, you won't find satisfaction even after you kill Itachi. All that anger will just build up inside you, and you'll end up finding someone else to blame. It's a never-ending cycle."

Sasuke's brow furrowed as he considered Naruto's words. "But Itachi… he's the one who took everything from me. How can I just let that go?"

"Listen," Naruto said, his voice steady. "Itachi was a peace-loving man. He didn't do things without reason. He's the strongest Uchiha, and he didn't need to prove it by killing the entire clan. You need to get the truth from Itachi himself. If it turns out he's gone mad, then I'll help you take him down. But you need to know the whole story first."

Sasuke's heart raced as he processed Naruto's words. The idea of confronting Itachi was both terrifying and exhilarating. "You really think he has a reason for what he did?"

"I do," Naruto replied, his expression earnest. "I believe there's more to the story than you know. You deserve to hear it from him, not just from your anger and pain."

Sasuke felt a flicker of hope ignite within him. "And if he really is the monster I think he is?"

"Then we'll deal with it together," Naruto said, determination shining in his eyes. "You won't be alone in this fight. I promise."

The weight of Sasuke's grief felt a little lighter as he listened to Naruto's words. He had spent so long feeling isolated, consumed by his desire for revenge, but now he realized he didn't have to face this battle alone.

"Okay," Sasuke said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'll consider it. But I can't just forget everything that's happened."

Naruto nodded, understanding the complexity of Sasuke's emotions. "You don't have to forget. Just learn to live with it. It's okay to feel pain, but don't let it define you. You're stronger than that."

Sasuke felt tears streaming down his face, the dam of emotions he had built up finally breaking. "It hurts so much, Naruto. I don't know how to deal with it."

Naruto stepped closer, wrapping his arms around Sasuke in a comforting embrace. "It's okay to cry. Let it out. You're not weak for feeling this way. You're human."

Sasuke clung to Naruto, the warmth of his friend's presence providing a sense of solace he hadn't felt in a long time. They stood there together, crying and sharing their pain until the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the training ground.

As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, Sasuke pulled away, wiping his eyes. "Thank you, Naruto. I didn't realize how much I needed this."

Naruto smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "Anytime, Sasuke. We're friends, and friends help each other. Just remember, you're not alone in this."

Sasuke nodded, a newfound determination in his eyes. "I'll try to be stronger. For Shisui, for my family… and for myself."

"Good," Naruto said, clapping Sasuke on the back. "And remember, if you ever need to talk or train, I'm just a summon away. You can always count on me."

As they made their way back to the Uchiha compound, the weight of the past still lingered, but for the first time in a long while, Sasuke felt a glimmer of hope. He knew the road ahead would be difficult, but with Naruto by his side, he felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

The Next Day

The following morning, Sasuke woke up with a sense of purpose. He had spent the night thinking about Naruto's words and the promise he had made to himself. He needed to confront Itachi, but he also needed to find a way to move forward without being consumed by his anger.

After breakfast, he decided to visit Naruto at the Namikaze estate. He had been hesitant to accept Naruto's offer to stay, but he realized that being around his friend might help him heal.

As he approached the estate, he felt a mix of anxiety and anticipation. He knocked on the door, and Naruto answered almost immediately, a wide grin on his face.

"Hey, Sasuke! You're here!" Naruto exclaimed, his excitement palpable. "I was just about to head out for some training. Want to join me?"

Sasuke hesitated for a moment, but the warmth of Naruto's invitation made him feel welcome. "Yeah, I'd like that," he replied, stepping inside.

The Namikaze estate was spacious and well-kept, a stark contrast to the somber atmosphere of the Uchiha compound. As they walked through the halls, Sasuke couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort. It was a place filled with light and laughter, a refuge from the darkness that had consumed him for so long.

"Let's head to the training grounds!" Naruto said, leading the way. "I've been working on some new techniques, and I think you'll like them."

As they arrived at the training area, Naruto immediately began demonstrating a series of jutsu, his movements fluid and confident. Sasuke watched, impressed by Naruto's growth. It was clear that his friend had been training hard, and it inspired him to push himself as well.

"Alright, your turn!" Naruto called out, grinning. "Show me what you've got!"

Sasuke took a deep breath, channeling his chakra as he prepared to demonstrate his own skills. He executed a series of hand seals, summoning a small fireball that danced in his palm. "Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu" he shouted, launching small fireballs toward a nearby target.

The flames struck the target with precision, leaving a scorched mark. Sasuke felt a rush of satisfaction, a reminder of the power he possessed. But as he looked at the target, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was still holding back.

"Nice one, Sasuke!" Naruto cheered, clapping his hands. "But I know you can do better! Let's see that Uchiha fire!"

Sasuke nodded, determination flooding through him. He focused his chakra, feeling the familiar heat of the flames building within him. "Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu" he yelled, unleashing a massive fireball that soared through the air, engulfing the target in flames.

Naruto's eyes widened in awe. "That's what I'm talking about! You've still got it, Sasuke!"

As they continued to train, Sasuke felt a sense of camaraderie growing between them. The laughter and encouragement from Naruto helped to ease the burden he had been carrying. For the first time in a long while, he felt a flicker of hope.

Later That Evening

After hours of training, they finally took a break, sitting on the grass and catching their breath. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the landscape.

"Thanks for today, Naruto," Sasuke said, looking over at his friend. "I really needed this."

Naruto smiled, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Anytime, Sasuke! We're in this together, remember? You don't have to face everything alone."

Sasuke nodded, feeling grateful for Naruto's unwavering support. "I've been thinking about what you said… about confronting Itachi. I want to know the truth, but I'm scared of what I might find."

Naruto placed a reassuring hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "It's okay to be scared. Just remember, whatever happens, I'll be right there with you. You're not alone in this fight."

Sasuke took a deep breath, feeling a sense of resolve building within him. "I'll do it. I'll confront Itachi and find out the truth. But I want to do it on my own terms."

"Of course," Naruto replied, his expression serious. "Just promise me you won't let your anger consume you. You need to stay focused and think clearly."

"I promise," Sasuke said, his voice steady. "I won't let Itachi's words control me anymore."

As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, the two friends sat in comfortable silence, the bond between them growing stronger. They had both faced their demons, and together, they would continue to fight for their futures.