Chapter 125: Visiting the Teammates at the Hospital

Chapter 125: Visiting the Teammates at the Hospital

Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its characters belong to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I create.

"Dialogue"

'Thoughts'

-Author notes-

Chapter 125: Visiting the Teammates at the Hospital

When Naruto arrived at the hospital, he spotted a depressed-looking Rock Lee sitting on one of the benches just outside and decided to approach him.

"I take it things didn't go well with Tsunade?" Naruto asked.

Lee lifted his head slowly. "Naruto?..." He then shook his head, his expression grim. "She told me I should quit being a ninja..."

"What? After all the effort I put into bringing that woman back and she said that?!". Naruto exclaimed. " Hold on...what else did she say?" He must be missing something.

Lee blinked, shocked to hear Naruto speak about the new Hokage that way. He had no idea Naruto was involved in her return, as the elders had kept that part of the story a secret...along with the money they gave Tsunade to cover her gambling debts.

Regaining his composure, Lee continued.

"She said that the operation to restore my bones would only have around a fifty percent chance of success. And if it fails... I'll probably die."

"Wait?.... then why are you so sad? I thought she said there was no chance of recovery." Naruto replied, genuinely confused.

"But... I could die," Lee muttered.

"Or you could recover completely. What's the alternative? Give up your life as a martial artist and live like a civilian? Become a farmer or a shopkeeper?. Is that what you want to do for the rest of your life?." Naruto asked him.

"Well... I haven't really thought about that..." Lee admitted, still unsure.

"What is there to think about?" Naruto asked. "Since the first time I saw you fight, I knew you were a martial artist to your core. That's who you are. Now, you have a fifty percent chance to keep being one."

Lee still looked hesitant. "And if I die...?"

Sasuke, who was lying in bed, glared at Naruto.

"Does that sound like something I would do?" Naruto raised an eyebrow.

Sakura hesitated for a moment. She couldn't really accuse him of lying...and he had no reason to do that.

Sasuke, on the other hand, knew a bit more. He had seen Naruto in that town. He hadn't seen Jiraiya, but he had heard about them leaving the village together.

Naruto's gaze shifted to a metal tray lying in the corner of the room, along with several food items. It seemed to have been thrown with enough force to leave a mark on the wall. He could feel a tinge of bloodlust emanating from Sasuke.

"So... how's our sensei?" Naruto asked, breaking the tension.

Sakura, oblivious to the mood, answered. "He left early this morning, but Sasuke is going to be released after one more exam around midday. Isn't that great?" She had barely left his bedside, so she was looking forward to a bath, clean clothes, and a good night's sleep.

"Wonderful..." Naruto glanced at Sasuke, whose grip on the bedsheets was so tight that they were beginning to tear.

"Sasuke? What's wrong?" Sakura finally noticed something was off.

"Are you in pain? Should I call the doctor?"

"Naruto!" Sasuke's voice grew louder, filled with frustration.

"If there's something you want to say, don't hold back. We're teammates after all," Naruto said, maintaining his calm.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, turning a shade of red as his Sharingan activated.

"Yes, there is something I want from you... fight me."

Naruto grinned.

"I'm surprised you didn't ask sooner."

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