136 Naruto Vs. Lee Conclusion; Home

In the previous timeline, before Lee could recover, he went on a one day chase to catch up to Naruto and his team only to stand back and fight Kimimaro, and he was able to wreck havoc until Gaara arrived.

This time, however, Lee was fully energized.

("Damn, that was unexpected…") Naruto thought as he got up again only to see Lee staring at him in a daze as he stood in his drunk pose.

Naruto looked at Lee as though he was a monster.

("This would be much easier if I change to sage mode,")

("It's just that Lee is not supposed to be this powerful,")

("To think his taijutsu will become so unpredictable to the point that my own moves will countered…")

("Well, at least this situation is not so bad compared to what happened in the other timeline when he as an adult got drunk,")

("Now, that… was a disaster,") Naruto thought.

(Whoosh!)

Lee ran towards Naruto.

< Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu! >

(Poof!)

About ten shadow clones appeared.

Naruto sent his clones towards Lee.

"Haaaa!!!!!!" The clones charged at Lee.

(Whoosh!)

Lee started to make his way through the group of clones that were gathered around him.

"Now!" One of the clones shouted an order following which the group closed in on Lee.

Neji was standing by the side as he stared at Lee who was like an unstoppable man.

(Whoosh!)

(Whoosh!)

The clones threw themselves at Lee, while Lee kept slipping through like Obito's passive Kamui technique.

Naruto was surprised.

(Whoosh!)

Neji entered the battle.

"Neji," Naruto called out.

"I can help you," Neji said.

Naruto was silent for a moment.

Just as he was about to nod, he saw Neji shift to the side in slow-motion,

"Eh?" Naruto was surprised.

As Neji continued to shift, Naruto saw a fist push Neji out.

(Bang!) The slow-motion returned to normal as Neji was sent flying away.

"Neji!" Naruto shouted.

Kakashi's eyes widened.

("That's the drunken Immortal Lan's sudden attack at the waist,") Kakashi stared at Lee who stood where Neji was…

Naruto looked at Lee, who's gaze slowly shifted to him.

It was at this moment that Naruto's eyesight wandered around to see all his clones had been dispelled.

"He dispelled all the clones…" Naruto murmured in shock.

(Whoosh!)

Lee appeared in front of Naruto.

(Bang!)

Lee sent a fist out, only to be grabbed by Naruto.

"Hmm…?" Lee's expression changed a bit.

(Whoosh!)

Lee's foot was set on a collision course to Naruto.

(Bang!) Naruto used his other hand to capture Lee's leg.

Kakashi looked at Naruto ("How was he suddenly able to block those moves accurately…?") Kakashi thought.

("It's about time I took this seriously,") Naruto thought as his expression became serious.

(Bang!)

Naruto pinned Lee to the ground in one move, following which Naruto had knocked Lee out.

("It's finally over…") Kakashi and Naruto sighed.

(Whoosh!) Kakashi appeared beside Naruto as he picked Sasuke in one hand with Neji in the other.

"Looks like we are done for today," Naruto sighed.

"Yeah…" Kakashi looked at Naruto holding unconscious Lee in his hand.

…

"I see…" Gai nodded after hearing what happened.

"It's unfortunate that we couldn't enjoy this celebration, however, fear not Naruto-kun,"

"We will gather once again in a few days and enjoy this meal as it should have been," Gai smiled.

"Mm!" Naruto nodded.

Gai walked over and lifted Lee.

"Tenten, take care of Neji for me," Gai said.

"Mm!" Tenten nodded and walked over to Neji; meanwhile, Sakura was looking after Sasuke.

("Initially, I would have used medical ninjutsu to heal him up,")

("But this might be the only chance I get to take care of him…") Sakura thought.

"Sakura-chan,"

"Leave Sasuke to me," Naruto said as he approached her.

"Naruto…" Sakura had seen Naruto in a different light since the previous day; however, she hesitated to ask him the question or respond like she usually would have.

"Mm!" Sakura nodded as she silently handed Sasuke over.

Naruto also noticed the hesitation in Sakura's actions.

("She was always concerned with him after all…") Naruto thought.

Naruto then looked at Sakura and said…

"Forget it, let's both drop him at his house," Naruto said.

"huh…?" Sakura was surprised.

Naruto then brought Sasuke's right arm over his right shoulder.

*Ugh!* Sasuke's expression was filled with pain.

"W-What.."

"the…"

"hell…"

"are y-you…"

"doing you…"

"loser?" Sasuke asked slowly.

Naruto then picked up Sasuke's sword.

"This wasn't a serious battle ya know,"

"Otherwise you might not have ended up as you did," Naruto laughed.

Sasuke frowned.

Sakura then brought over Sasuke's left arm over her left shoulder.

"You need a good rest Sasuke-kun," Sakura said.

"Sakura…" Sasuke stared at her.

Naruto looked at Kakashi,

"We'll be going then Kakashi-sensei," Naruto said.

"Mm!" Kakashi nodded.

——————————————

Soon Sakura and Naruto arrived at the Uchiha District.

"So this is where Sasuke-kun lived huh…" Sakura stared at the building where Sasuke lived.

"Naruto-san,"

"Sakura-san," a voice called out.

"Jūgo" Naruto and Sasuke called out at the same time.

"Elder Brother!" Jūgo immediately ran towards the trio to help Sasuke.

"Jūgo?" Sakura thought back to the time he had appeared with Sasuke in the Chūnin Exam Waiting room Balcony.

"You live here?" Sakura asked.

"Mm!" Jūgo nodded as he helped Sasuke up by providing support to him.

"Jūgo," Naruto called out.

"Is Sasuke good to you at home?" Naruto asked.

"Elder brother is the best I could have asked for," Jūgo replied.

"That's good," Naruto sighed in relief.

"Jūgo," Naruto called out.

"Hm?" Jūgo looked at Naruto.

"Take care of him," Naruto said.

"Mm!" Jūgo nodded.

Naruto looked at Sakura.

"It's late,"

"You must go home too," Naruto said.

"Yeah…" Sakura said slowly.

Naruto thought back to the time Sakura persuaded him to chase after Hinata to walk her home after he told Sakura that Hinata could take care of herself since she was strong.

Naruto looked at Sakura.

"Sakura-chan," Naruto called out.

"Hmm?" Sakura looked at Naruto.

"Come, I'll walk ya home," Naruto smiled at Sakura.

"…" Sakura silently nodded at Naruto. Despite his usual idiotic face, the last few months he seemed to have completely matured, this feeling was even stronger for the past last two days which made Sakura feel guilty of her words earlier to Sasuke.

——FlashBack——

"Sakura?"

"Yes?"

"What do you think of Naruto?"

"Hmm...He knows about my feelings and purposely gets in my way...He enjoys getting in my way…"

"But You know one thing Sasuke,"

"All I care about is you….." Sakura said as she leaned in.

"Back to Naruto, Sakura…" Sasuke got a little angry but still inquired.

"There you go changing the subject again….forget about Naruto; you know why he is annoying its all because He wasn't raised right. He doesn't have parents to teach him right from wrong. Think about it; he does whatever comes to his head."

"if I did things like Naruto, my parents would get mad, and I would get in trouble so of course, I don't do it."

"he is selfish and bratty. He is all alone."

—-End of FlashBack-—

….

*Sound of Footsteps*

Sakura and Naruto walked through the streets, late in the night side by side.

Sakura looked at Naruto.

"Naruto," Sakura called out.

"Hm..?" Naruto continued to walk.

"The First Hokage…"

"He called you lord Seventh,"

"Didn't he?" Sakura looked at Naruto.

Naruto stopped walking following which he stared at Sakura.

"Sakura-chan…"

"I…" Naruto paused.

Sakura immediately bowed down.

"If I asked you something insensitive, then I am sorry," Sakura apologized towards Naruto.

("What am I thinking?")

("I complained about him not understanding my feelings, but am I not doing the same…?") Sakura asked herself.

Naruto scratched his head.

"Sakura-chan,"

"I am not able to explain much about it right now, but there will be a time in future that I will be able to do so…" Naruto said.

Sakura slowly raised her head.

"Naruto,"

"It's all right,"

"Please tell me when the time is right," Sakura said.

"Sakura-chan,"

"Thanks for understanding," Naruto said.

"Naruto,"

"Is there anything I have to do before you tell me?" Sakura asked.

Naruto looked at Sakura,

"Sakura-chan,"

"All I can say for now is to train to the point you are unrivaled," Naruto said.

"Naruto…" Sakura stared at him.

"I know you can do it Sakura-chan,"

"Believe it!" Naruto gave a thumbs up with a smile.

…

Soon the two had arrived at Sakura's house where Sakura's mom was waiting outside.

"Sakura!" Sakura's mom called out.

"Mama!" Sakura looked at her mom only to see her run towards her.

*Sh*

Sakura's mom hugged Sakura tightly.

She then looked at Naruto.

"You must be Naruto-kun,"

"Sakura's teammate right?" Sakura's mom asked.

"Yeah…" Naruto smiled awkwardly.

"Thank you for walking my daughter home," Sakura's mom said.

"It's nothing much really," Naruto smiled.

"Do you want to have something before you go?" Sakura's mom asked.

"It's all right really," Naruto said.

…

Naruto was on his way.

Sakura's mom went up the stairs while Sakura, however, stood outside staring at Naruto's departing back.

Her feelings were conflicted.

She realized that she no longer saw the usual Naruto from the academy anymore, but an independent and a capable grown-up young man.

At this moment, her blind admiration of Sasuke was now starting to bloom an admiration for Naruto as well, but this time it was one based on a respect towards him which she now had.

…

Naruto looked at his new house from outside which had their lights on,

Somehow he felt that this was all a dream, but now he knew that from the experience of the past few months this was no longer a dream.

(Whoosh!) He appeared by the door.

Placed his ninja sandals neatly by the door and entered in.

The first thing in the range of his vision was his dad in an apron, cleaning up the dishes in the living room.

Minato smiled at Naruto.

"Welcome Back," Minato said.

Naruto's happiness was at its peak.

He took a step forward and said.

"I'm Home!"

—————————————

Next Time on NRe - Training Begins

Author's notes.