In the original Naruto series, the reason Naruto and Sasuke were drawn to each other was perhaps because the Chakra of Ashura and Indra residing within them played a key, “fated” guiding role.
But in Sakura’s view, the unavoidable “fate” of the two was by no means the only factor.
More likely, it was because both had the same longing since childhood, which caused them to start noticing each other.
And their common longing was—the desire for recognition from others.
Having lost his parents, not knowing his own heritage, and being branded with the infamous name of “Demon Fox” only to be loathed by everyone in the Village, Naruto longed to show his true self to others and gain their approval.
For that sense of recognition, the worldly-ignorant Naruto took the Hokage, who was praised by everyone, as his dream, naively thinking that as long as he became Hokage, he could integrate into the Village.
Compared to Naruto, Sasuke didn’t care about the opinions of most people; what he wanted from beginning to end was for his father, Uchiha Fugaku, to look at him directly, just as he did his older brother, Uchiha Itachi.
The sense of loss in both their hearts from not being recognized, and the pain contained within it, was the same.
But the outcome of their pursuit of recognition was diametrically opposite.
Naruto ultimately fulfilled his childhood dream, became a hero of the Ninja World, and became the Seventh Hokage.
Sasuke, however, became a sinner of the Ninja World and could only complete his atonement under the protection and guarantee of Naruto.
Thinking up to this point, Sakura fell into a period of silence.
Sasuke would never know to what extent his father recognized him, and the brother he looked up to never truly cared about his feelings, cruelly deceiving Sasuke and coercing him onto a path he did not wish to take.
Tragedy had never been far from Sasuke since the moment he was given the name “Uchiha.”
“See, you also think my brother is stronger than me.”
Sasuke suddenly spoke; he had misunderstood Sakura’s silence, assuming she was comparing him to Uchiha Itachi in her mind and arriving at the same answer everyone else was certain of.
Then, Sasuke saw the girl with cherry-blossom colored hair staring at him intently with her emerald eyes.
“Why do you think, Sasuke, that I believe your brother is stronger than you?”
Without waiting for his answer, she asked again:
“Why do you think, Sasuke, that your brother is stronger than you?”
Whether it was talent, temperament—or the assumption of responsibility.
In Sakura’s memory, Sasuke’s future had already proven that this last Uchiha completely crushed the genius named Uchiha Itachi in every aspect.
Sasuke didn’t know why Sakura’s attitude had suddenly become so aggressive, with even a hint of uncontrollable anger in her tone.
He didn’t know what he had said wrong; he wanted to keep his mouth shut, but Sakura’s gaze pricked his skin like a sharp blade, as if forcing him to answer.
“It has nothing to do with what others think; my brother’s strength is a fact.”
This was the best answer Sasuke could think of at the moment.
An answer based on facts.
Facts can always persuade others.
Even Sakura, who spoke with ill intent just now, nodded in agreement after Sasuke’s answer.
But Sasuke’s awkward situation did not ease in the slightest.
“I see, ‘facts’… then Sasuke, thinking based on ‘facts’, what about me? Between you and me, who is stronger?”
“…”
Sasuke opened his mouth slightly; who was stronger between him and Sakura?
Was Sakura really not clear about this answer?
“It’s…”
Who?
Sasuke’s answer was drowned out by Iruka’s announcement.
The second Ninja sparring match between Naruto and Inuzuka Kiba had reached its conclusion.
No “miracle” occurred; Naruto lost to Inuzuka Kiba for the second time.
“Even if we spar a third time, you can’t possibly beat me, Naruto… You should admit it now, the fact is that I am stronger than you, Inuzuka Kiba is stronger than Naruto!”
That was the fact at this moment.
“As expected, Kiba won.”
After Iruka announced Inuzuka Kiba’s victory, Sakura briefly shifted her attention to Naruto and Inuzuka Kiba, giving Sasuke, who had been under her gaze, a moment of respite.
“Naruto’s fundamentals are too poor.”
Sasuke stated the reason for Naruto’s defeat.
He followed Sakura’s lead in the conversation, wanting to distract her and hoping to steer the topic toward Naruto.
“But Naruto is stronger than Kiba.”
Sasuke’s initial attempt to guide the conversation seemed normal, and Sakura continued to talk about Naruto, but the tone of her words defied the facts before them.
Sasuke didn’t know where Sakura’s viewpoint came from.
Soon, Naruto himself provided the answer for Sasuke.
The defeated Naruto quickly sorted out his emotions.
He didn’t lose heart because of his two failures; instead, he became more courageous with each defeat, shouting at Inuzuka Kiba: “Kiba! I will definitely defeat you!”
Sasuke looked at Naruto.
Why was that guy, who was full of unrealistic big talk, unwilling to admit his failure?
“That’s just Naruto’s personality; he never feels that failure is his end, and he never doubts himself. If he fails now, it’s just because his current self isn’t strong enough, so he’ll make his future self stronger than his current self.”