Chapter 192: Sasuke's Doubts
Knock, knock, knock... The clear and rhythmic sound of knocking broke the silence in the room.
Sasuke, who had just exited his consciousness space and whose mind had not yet fully calmed from the shock of forming a "united front" with Indra, paused slightly.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the complex emotions surging in his heart, as well as the strange feeling—both heavy and faintly exciting—brought by the "contract" he had just concluded.
He adjusted his expression, walked to the door, and reached out to pull it open.
Light from outside flooded in.
When Sasuke saw clearly the person standing at the door, his pupils contracted sharply, almost imperceptibly!
Naruto.
The figure that Indra had repeatedly mentioned in the consciousness space just now, as a comparison and a target, was now standing vividly before him.
His blond hair was as dazzling as ever, and his expression was calm. Those azure eyes were looking at him quietly.
The moment he saw Naruto, a flash of panic that even he hadn't fully noticed flickered uncontrollably in Sasuke's eyes.
Why was he here?
The thought flashed through Sasuke's mind like a bolt of lightning.
Was it a coincidence?
Or had he sensed something?
Had Asura already discovered Indra's awakening and movements?
Or... was Naruto simply looking for him for something?
Having just reached an agreement with the rival of the "old monster" inside Naruto, only for the man himself to show up at his door the next moment... this sudden "encounter" caused even the usually calm Sasuke's heart to stir with a ripple.
The deal he had just made made him subconsciously want to avoid Naruto's gaze.
But he was Uchiha Sasuke.
That panic was like a pebble thrown into a deep pool, causing only a momentary ripple before being quickly covered by deeper coldness and wariness.
He stepped aside slightly to let him in, his face returning to its usual indifference, and asked calmly:
"Something the matter?"
"Of course."
Naruto's gaze lingered on Sasuke's face for a moment, as if confirming something, or perhaps just a casual look.
His tone was natural, with no particular emotion detectable.
"Let's go grab a bite together, my treat."
Naruto directly issued the invitation.
"By the way... I want to introduce someone to you all."
"Introduce someone?"
Sasuke's heart stirred.
Someone Naruto would so formally offer to introduce... he instantly thought of that Edo Tensei woman with the bright red hair.
That must be the wife of the Fourth Hokage, Naruto's mother.
He didn't hesitate and nodded:
"Alright, let's go."
Fortunately, during the previous emergency evacuation, food had been listed as an important resource and was subject to limited transfer and focused searches.
Although the newly built Konoha Village was still in a state of neglect, basic supplies, especially food reserves, were not scarce.
Finding a place to eat shouldn't be difficult.
The two walked side by side on the smooth street.
When the Konoha Village technique was performed, Naruto also used Vacuum Attack: Earth Transformation to level the ground; otherwise, a large circular pit would have left the ground uneven.
Although the new buildings lining the streets were uniform in style, the details already showed the embryonic form of future prosperity.
Along the way, every villager they encountered—whether they were tidying up their new homes or just passing by—stopped in their tracks upon seeing Naruto. Their faces showed respect, gratitude, and even a hint of awe as they bowed respectfully to greet him:
"Lord Naruto!"
"Thank you for your hard work, Lord Naruto!"
"Thank you, Lord Naruto!"
The voices rose one after another, and their attitude was a world away from the past, when they would avoid him like the plague or look at him with disgust and disdain.
Naruto merely nodded slightly, his expression calm, showing neither pride nor deliberate aloofness, as if all of this was only natural.
Look, the damage to Hidden Leaf Village was originally only about 40%, but one Great Rasenshuriken plus the Wood Release: Konoha Village Technique didn't just reformat Hidden Leaf Village.
These villagers even have to thank me!
Sasuke walked silently beside him, taking in all these changes.
Is this the shift in status brought about by power?
Or did that "miracle" of destruction and Rebirth completely change people's perception of him?
Probably both.
Just then, a middle-aged woman carrying a cloth bag, her face filled with a somewhat cramped and flattering smile, hurried over from a nearby Tofu Shop and blocked their path.
"L-Lord Naruto!"
The woman's voice was nervous as she held out the cloth bag with both hands.
"T-This is freshly ground tofu. Please... please try some!"
Naruto paused, his gaze falling on the woman's face before looking at the bag of tofu.
He recognized this woman.
In many days past, when he passed through this street, this woman had often thrown soybeans at him while cursing under her breath.
An ambiguous smile suddenly appeared on Naruto's face.
"Oh my."
His tone sounded somewhat surprised.
"This tofu... it couldn't be made from the soybeans you used to throw at me, which you then picked back up and ground, could it?"
He looked smilingly at the woman's instantly frozen smile.
The woman's face turned pale in an instant, her lips trembling; she wanted to explain but didn't know what to say, and cold sweat broke out on her forehead.
The surrounding villagers, who were originally coming over with things, also slowed their pace and cast complex looks.
Seeing the woman's helpless state, the smile on Naruto's face deepened slightly. He waved his hand and continued in a relaxed tone:
"True, it's been several years; even if you did pick them back up, they would have been used up long ago."
As if merely stating a fact, he bypassed the frozen woman and continued walking forward.
After a couple of steps, as if remembering something, he turned back and said smilingly to the pale woman still holding the bag of tofu:
"Business is booming!"
These words were like a pardon, instantly relaxing the woman's tense nerves. She let out a huge sigh of relief, squeezed out a tearfully grateful smile again, and bowed repeatedly:
"Yes! Yes! Thank you for your kind words! Thank you, Lord Naruto! Thank you! Goodbye, Lord Naruto!"
Carrying the tofu, she watched Naruto and Sasuke walk away, then wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and turned back to the Tofu Shop with lingering fear.
Sasuke took in the whole scene. Naruto didn't retaliate or even scold her, but those light words carried more weight than any rebuke.
This way of handling things... carried a high-and-mighty composure that controlled everything.
Naruto... is he really still the Naruto he knew?
Or is this the true face he has been hiding all along?
Or perhaps it's the influence of the "Asura" within him?
Sasuke's expression was grave, and the doubts in his heart grew even more.
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