Early the next morning, after Kakashi had settled the disheartened Naruto into a hospital bed, he spoke with quiet concern.
"Naruto, you need to rest. I have to go report on the mission outcome."
"Mm..." Naruto barely responded.
Lying on the sterile white bed, Naruto curled into himself, his eyes blank and unfocused. A heavy air of depression clung to him, making him seem utterly disconnected from his surroundings. His mind replayed the image of Sasuke turning his back, walking away. He remembered little Sakura's tearful pleas to bring him back.
And he remembered the faces of Shikamaru, Neji, Choji, and Kiba – the comrades who had fought beside him. He had failed.
Failed his promise to Sakura, failed his promise to Sasuke, and failed the trust his friends had placed in him.
At that moment, the door slid open gently. Little Sakura stepped inside.
"Sakura-chan..." Naruto started, lifting his head slightly before shame forced his gaze downward again. "I... I'm sorry..."
Unexpectedly, Sakura offered a smile, though it seemed forced and didn't quite hide the redness around her eyes. "Naruto, why are you apologizing?" she asked softly. "You did everything you possibly could. I know you did."
How could she not?
She had watched it all on the screen – seen how much punishment he'd taken, the injuries he'd sustained, how he'd ultimately wagered his own life trying to retrieve Sasuke.
Compared to that, what right did she have to blame him?
Naruto looked up, seeing the slight puffiness around her eyes. His own determination flared anew. "Sakura-chan," he declared firmly, "I... I will keep my promise! Like I said, it's the promise of a lifetime!"
Sakura's strained expression softened slightly. "Enough, Naruto," she murmured, but seeing the unwavering resolve in his eyes, she added with a faint, genuine smile,
"But I know you won't give up. That's your ninja way, isn't it?" She whispered, almost to herself, "Thank you, Naruto!"
Outside the ward, Hinata lingered, clutching a fruit basket. She watched Naruto through the glass partition, her heart aching for him. She hesitated for a long time, wanting to go in but lacking the courage. Finally, with a sigh, she gently placed the fruit basket by the door. "Naruto-kun," she prayed in a voice only she could hear, "you have to get better soon!"
Later that afternoon, as Naruto was brooding over how to get Sasuke back, a tremendous noise erupted from outside. He rushed to the window.
There, standing dramatically atop a huge toad, was Jiraiya, looking down at him with surprising solemnity. "Pervy Sage! What are you doing?!" Naruto yelled.
"I came to tell you," Jiraiya called back, his tone serious, "Neji and Choji's injuries are too severe. The village doctors can keep them alive, but they can't fully heal them!"
Naruto was stunned. He remembered Shikamaru being evasive when he'd asked about their condition. "Pervy Sage," Naruto asked frantically, "can you save them?"
"No!" Jiraiya replied bluntly.
Despair washed over Naruto again.
"But," Jiraiya added quickly, "there is someone who can."
Hope flickered back. "Who is it? Do you need my help?" Naruto asked eagerly.
Jiraiya nodded. "Become my disciple! Then, follow me out of the village to find her!"
Although Naruto had his doubts about what this lecherous old man could actually teach him, for the sake of Neji and Choji, he didn't hesitate. "Okay! I'll do it! But... hey, I still don't even know your name!"
Jiraiya struck a theatrical pose, puffing out his chest proudly.
"An excellent question!" he boomed.
"Before you stands the Gallant Jiraiya! Wandering sage, master of toad techniques! Known far and wide as the Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku! Lord Jiraiya, at your service!"
Naruto stared blankly, frowned in concentration for a second, and then replied with a completely bewildered expression, "Uh... never heard of you."
Jiraiya practically fell off the toad. "Just... just rest up!" he sputtered, recovering. "Come find me in two days, and we'll leave the village!"
"Okay!" Naruto agreed readily.
As Jiraiya turned away, he muttered to himself, "This kid... reminds me so much of Nawaki and he's got Nawaki's eyes, and that same stubborn love for the village. Maybe... just maybe he's the key to convincing Tsunade to finally come back. Now, if only I can figure out how to deal with her fear of blood..." He sighed. "Ah well, one problem at a time."
....
Inside the Hokage building,
Hiruzen Sarutobi listened gravely to Kakashi's report in his office. Afterwards, he assigned Kakashi the task of investigating Orochimaru's whereabouts. Finding the rogue Sannin might lead them to Sasuke – a chance to accomplish two objectives at once.
"Go get some rest first, Kakashi," the Hokage said to the clearly exhausted Jonin.
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Kakashi left the office but headed straight for the hospital. As the leader of the retrieval squad, he hadn't brought Sasuke back, and worse, his team members, Neji and Choji, were now critically injured. How could he possibly go home and rest?
Arriving at the hospital, he ran into Shikaku Nara and Choza Akimichi. They approached him with understanding expressions.
"Kakashi," Shikaku said gently, "it's not your fault."
"We heard from Guy," Choza added, his voice a low rumble, "you encountered Kimimaro – the one who helped Orochimaru kill the Fourth Kazekage!"
Despite their reassurances, Kakashi still felt compelled to apologize. "I'm sorry!"
"Don't worry too much," Shikaku comforted him. "Lord Jiraiya has agreed to go find Lady Tsunade. She should be able to heal them."
"Lady Tsunade?" Kakashi repeated, a wave of relief washing over him. "If she's involved, then there's hope!" He bid farewell to the two fathers.
He then made his way to Naruto's ward, picking up the fruit basket with the blessing card that someone had left outside the door before entering.