Naruto: I get stronger by drawing lots

One voice faded away, and another voice rang out.

"You're really energetic."

Kakashi's expression changed slightly.

"Brother Moon Tree—"

"Hey, Kakashi, hmm—how are you feeling?"

His expression changed, and all his strength began to crumble.

Tsukiki slowly walked over and sat down next to Kakashi, who turned his head away.

"Obito and Rin are gone."

Yue Shu took the initiative to bring it up, her tone quite indifferent.

The blanket crumpled, and Kakashi gripped it tightly.

"It's all my fault. If only I were stronger, if only I hadn't held everyone back, if only I could have moved back then!!! If only I!! If only I—"

"You've done enough."

"Not enough!!!"

Fragments called resilience keep falling.

If it were me—

"If we can get stronger and stronger, become incredibly powerful, then Obito and Rin can survive!"

Kakashi called out.

This was the first time in a long time that Kakashi had shouted like this, loudly blaming himself.

Tsukiki watched quietly without making a sound, letting Kakashi vent his anger.

"Then let's become stronger."

Kakashi's voice softened slightly as he looked at Tsukiju with tear-filled eyes.

"Then become stronger, much stronger, strong enough to protect the people you want to protect."

"Let's begin now, starting here."

"I'll stay with you, no, we'll stay with you."

"How about it?"

Tsukiki reached out her hand.

Kakashi's body twitched.

"Ok!"

Kakashi grasped that hand, his face streaked with tears.

That strength shattered and scattered on the ground, and a new strength slowly took shape.

"Hey."

Yue Shu heard the commotion outside the door.

The faint sound of footsteps gradually faded away.

A gentle breeze blew by, and Kakashi, who had been feeling guilty for not sleeping, finally fell asleep.

"Kai".

"Brother Tsukiki, is Kakashi alright?"

"Ah."

"That's good. Kakashi is actually quite weak."

Kai smiled simply, tears welling in his thick eyebrows and large eyes, but not a single one fell.

"Kakashi's alright now, I should go too, otherwise the nurse will come looking for me again."

"Kai".

"Your youth was so passionate!"

"Phew—of course!"

Kai didn't turn around; he just stood with his back to him and gave a thumbs up. He didn't want anyone to know his tears.

Tsukiki watched Kai leave.

The Azure Beast of Konoha has vanished, and now a new Azure Beast is slowly being born.

The sky was perfectly clear, and a gentle breeze made everything look its best.

The smoke of war has cleared; shouldn't the peaceful days linger for a while?

A red-haired beauty stood in the Uchiha clan's territory, before whom stood a black-haired beauty whose belly was already swollen.

Their eyes met, and everything seemed to be contained within them, every word spoken—

Chapter 268: Laughter in Time

"Mikoto————"

What's going on here?

Kushina's eyes revealed surprise, her face full of disbelief.

My best friend, my best friend since childhood, is now presented to me in this state.

Snapped.

Mikoto lost her grip on the dishes and they fell to the ground.

She hadn't expected Kushina to appear so unexpectedly in front of her, completely catching her off guard.

"Kushina."

Mikoto's eyes lowered; she didn't know how to bring up her own story.

The room fell silent instantly; the air itself grew still.

"Want to come over for dinner? I just need to go back and cook dinner."

The three battles had just ended, and all the surviving soldiers returned in triumph, going home to reunite with their families.

There was a lot of work to do after the war, but Kushina made time to visit Mikoto, her only female best friend.

Mikoto extended the invitation, and Kushina remained silent for a moment before sighing and responding.

"Ah."

Mikoto tried to pick up the vegetables, but Kushina quickly stepped forward and snatched them away.

"Thank you."

Mikoto chuckled softly, as did Kushina.

"Let's go."

The two women exchanged a glance, then walked side by side toward Mikoto's house.

"Is that true?"

Both of them were looking straight ahead, not at each other, and kept walking.

"Ah."

Both of them spoke very calmly, as if they were talking about something ordinary.

"When?"

Kushina paused for a moment, then immediately continued.

"Whose?"

The sound of footsteps echoed continuously, so light yet lingering in my ears.

"It was just a short time ago, and it seems like they've found out about it."

As Mikoto spoke slowly, Kushina recalled Minato's voice in her mind.

That was what Minato said when he asked Kushina about her whereabouts.

At that time, Minato may have already known about this.

"And this child, he is—"

"All right."

Mikoto couldn't bring herself to say it, her voice gradually weakening, and just as she was about to speak, Kushina interrupted her.

"No need to say anything more."

Kushina took a deep breath, stopped, and looked at Mikoto.

Those eyes were constantly shifting, like the surface of a startled lake, which had been calm before, but now ripples were spreading out in circles.

"Kushina."

Mikoto was also looking at Kushina.

"We're best friends, right?"

Kushina smiled, though her face appeared slightly pale.

"Ah."

Mikoto smiled in response, and the two of them tacitly refrained from speaking further, walking side by side back to Mikoto's home.

Mikoto's house was just as nice and cozy as ever. Grandma was waiting for Mikoto's return inside.

But this time it was a little different; there was an older sister there, about the same age as Mikoto Kushina, but she looked a little older.

Welcome back.

Mikoto and Kushina responded softly, and it was time to start preparing a cozy dinner.

What are you doing here?