Note: This fanfic may contain spoilers in the latest chapters of Naruto!

It has been quite a while since the forth war between the Allied Shinobi Forces and the Akatsuki has ended. Many people slowly tried adjusting their lives back to normal as Konoha is slowly being rebuilt by the damage the war caused. The war of bitterness has left countless of people injured, depressed and perished.

Why did innocent people have to suffer?

Why did that masked man, Tobi, along with Madara, even have to start this war?

Tobi…that name that sounded and looked so familiar. Many wouldn't want to believe that Tobi was Obito—the young wild Uchiha and a very close friend of Kakashi. No, it was just impossible. However, the truth smacked everyone across the face after the blond hero crushed open his mask. Just what made Obito go berserk? Was it because of that girl, Rin? Was it because of…love?

It didn't matter since they were destroying and killing many people. And finally…just finally…It was not long until Uzumaki Naruto—along with his friends and the one person who he invariably tried to save, Uchiha Sasuke—finally defeated the evil threats of the world.

Uchiha Sasuke. The man who was known as the avenger and a wanted rogue among the villagers of Konoha. For ten years, Naruto tried his best to knock some sense into Sasuke but the first few tries never really worked. Sasuke was blinded by the hatred; all he had in mind was avenging for his clan. But after he discovered the truth from his brother, Itachi, he slowly began to rethink things. Itachi wanted to protect Konoha; he wanted to spare his brother's innocent life. It was inevitable for him to choose such a dreadful path just to save what he wanted to save most.

Uchiha Itachi hoped that Naruto would help turn Sasuke's thoughts from destroying the village into saving the village. He hoped that Sasuke would find a way to rebuild the honors of being an Uchiha.

Sasuke slowly began to realize that everything he thought was just so wrong. It was not long after then, he mildly opened his heart and decided to save the village as he knew this whole war was caused by an Uchiha—someone part of his clan.

He decided to protect the village just like his brother wished.

He wanted to end this madness once and for all.

It was just a matter of time that Sasuke finally returned back to Konoha. However, going back wasn't easy for him. All the villagers' glares were sharp and endless; no matter where he went, nothing was more gentle than those glares. The Kages ordered the Anbu squad to follow Sasuke as if they were part of his shadows in both day-light and night-time. Was this better than being sentenced to life which the council members wished and hoped Sasuke would face? Yes, although, what he is facing right now is fairly equivalent to this thing called "confinement."

In the apartment building, Sasuke was on bed, staring at the ceiling. His half-alive eyes wandered around the room as he recalled the meeting he had with Tsunade and Naruto.

"Granny-Tsunade…this is…?" Naruto held a consent-letter of the disapproval of Sasuke's life-imprisonment. Sasuke stood there, studying the paper.

Tsunade sighed and crossed her arms. "It was very difficult for me to let them agree on that. However, after a long-running dispute, they finally eased down the punishment." Her eyes were slightly filled with disappointment yet full of relief. She then slowly drank her cup of tea as a reward to herself for accomplishing such a difficult task.

Sasuke was barely showing any contentedness or some sort of relief. But this was something really important to Naruto. Tears slowly filled his eyes though he tried not to make it apparent, especially not in front of Tsunade and Sasuke. But still, this was very good news since staying in prison for life is pretty much the end of life. There won't be freedom. Nothing.

"But…" Tsunade abruptly said as she placed her tea-cup on the desk. "This doesn't mean Sasuke can do whatever he wants. The other Kages has ordered the Anbu squad to keep an eye on every move Sasuke makes."

This wasn't something to be shocked about. "Yeah. We know that, " Naruto said, still content about all this. He knew that this was better than staying in jail for a lifetime.

"Hn," was all Sasuke could say, really. He still didn't have the heart to show any gratitude. This was simply what they want to do and he let them do whatever the hell they want. It didn't matter to him.

Tsunade smiled and rested her chin on the palm of her hand. "Alright. With that being said, you both can leave now."

And that was that. This was what made Sasuke come this far. Slowly after then, he recalled all the unpleasant glares many villagers gave him as he walked around with Konoha's hero, his best friend, Naruto. It didn't bother him. He didn't care. He knew this was the price he had to pay for avenging his clan, for hurting a lot of people…for killing. But still, all these glares and stares—whatever the heck they are—were seriously irksome.

When he was about to sleep, a loud knocking sound abruptly occurred at his door. "Oi Sasuke!" Naruto called out. Without saying a word back to him, Sasuke just lay there and closed his eyes, in attempt to falling asleep. He wanted peace and quiet but knowing that some dimwit is in front of his house just crushed that little wish he wanted.

"Sasuke… I know you're in there! Answer me!" Naruto's knock on the door grew louder and louder. "Oiii…"

Sasuke swiftly sat back up, irritated. "Shut up, you dimwit," he said as he slowly made his way to the door. When he opened it, he saw Naruto in his usual garment.

"Damn it, what the hell do you want?"

"Huh, what's this? Still sounding grouchy as always? If you keep doing that, I won't tell you what I was supposed to tell you."

"Tch," Sasuke jerked his head to the side as he glared at Naruto. "Fine, I get it. Anyway, what's your business here?"

Naruto smiled and placed his hands behind his head. "I don't know what's going on, really, but Granny-Tsunade said you should meet her tomorrow."

Sasuke looked at him confusedly. "What's this? Another punishment?" It kind of made sense for the Hokage to call him but it would normally be for the obvious reason: they have some sort of 'new punishment' for him. Well, that's what he thought at least.

"Who knows…" Naruto shrugged as he was unsure of why Tsunade called him as well. "Anyway, don't be late. Be there around 10:00am sharp!" He ran and jumped from roof to roof and was soon out of sight.

Sasuke stood there for a moment. But shortly after, he closed the door behind him and went back to bed. He rested his arm on his forehead as deep thoughts of what could possibly happen tomorrow occurred to him. A sigh escaped him and he shifted his body so that he was lying on his side. His eyes stared at the empty wall and soon, his eyelids felt heavier and heavier. He finally went to sleep.

A couple of hours passed and morning finally came. Sasuke stood in front of his door and was already in his garment for the day. He wore a black robe along with hakama pants. Underneath his sleeves, a vambrace is worn to conceal and protect his arms. On his legs, he wore greaves that allow to ease movement as he walked or fight whenever he had a chance to. And down his feet, he wore usual ninja sandals. The Uchiha emblem was placed in front of his robe, near his heart. This was his new look; a look that's completely the opposite of what he looked like back then.

Sasuke stared at his door absentmindedly. He thought of what to expect today. Tsunade called him but…why? Still, asking questions to himself won't get him anywhere. "How annoying," he muttered as he locked his apartment door and started heading off to the Hokage's office.

And…just as usual, nothing pleasant happens when he is seen in public. Everyone glared and whispered among each other as Sasuke made his way to the Hokage's office. Yeah, sure, he didn't mind it but, hell, it was so galling. All these eyes just won't leave him be. The Anbu squad just had to make things worse by adding more "eyes" to watch his every move. This then triggered something. Was this what Naruto experienced during those times when they were just kids? Probably not as bad as this. But still, dealing with this at such a young age must be one hell of a journey.

After walking through what felt like perdition, Sasuke finally arrived at Tsunade's office. He stared at his hand as he casually knocked at the door.

"Enter!" Tsunade demanded. Sasuke walked in and stared at her with a rather…aloof expression. "You called?"

Tsunade couldn't help but laugh nervously. She wafted her hands as she tried to ease up the sour atmosphere. "Geez, Sasuke…if you keep that expression on your face, you won't be able to adjust your life easily."

A sarcastic laugh escaped Sasuke's lips. Suddenly, his dark black eyes shot an intense glare right at her. "Life was never easy." Tsunade felt her whole body flinch but it was swift and faint. Her eyes glared right back at him and said, "Sasuke, I know what you're experiencing is difficult but please try to lighten yourself up a bit."

"Whatever." He sighed ruggedly. "So? What do you want?"

Tsunade crossed her arms and leaned back on her chair. "This might be unexpected but…" she paused and thought deeply about this uncertain quest she had for Sasuke.

"Nghh…" she grunted as she scratched her head in frustration. "I have a mission for you," she fought her breath. She knew Sasuke had no interest in helping Konoha whatsoever. Not right now.

Silence followed up after that moment. They both stared at each other, waiting for a response from whoever. Sasuke's expression may seem vacant but he still showed a faint sign of bewilderment. Tsunade caught a glimpse of that but she didn't bother breaking the silence by pointing it out. As a matter of fact, it will just annoy Sasuke which will cause him to leave this room. They both also knew that having Sasuke fight alongside with Konoha was the last thing the villagers wanted but still…that didn't stop Tsunade from assigning him a mission.

"And what kind of mission should I be expecting?"

"Something that will help the villagers of Konoha accept you."

Sasuke scoffed. "Ridiculous." His eyes bitterly stared at her. This was just outrageous. Having Konoha accept him? Just how long will that take? Probably never. Without saying another word, he turned his back against her. "Thank you for considering such a useless and time-wasting meeting. For your information, I've got better things to do."

Tsunade looked at him, dumbfounded. "Better things to do? Like what?"

That question struck Sasuke. There was nothing left for him to do really. All he had been doing these past few months was sleep, eat and hang around Naruto and Sakura whenever they came by. Really. That was it. How were those things better than the mission Tsunade was about to assign for him?

Tsunade gazed at the back of his head, expecting him to face her once again, however, he still didn't. She sighed in disbelief and continued talking to him. "In any case, I think this is a really good opportunity for you improve your reputation and to find your meaning of life."

Sasuke was reticent about this. This, perhaps, was better than having his life repeat the same cycle of boring events over and over again. He didn't want to admit that this 'mission thing' somewhat interested him.

"And—" A sudden knock on the door interrupted Tsunade.

"Finally," she thought as the other person she was waiting for arrived at last. "Come in."

The door slowly creaked open and at the corner of Sasuke's eye, he saw a girl with dark, long blue hair enter the room. She was wearing what a regular Jounin would wear. She seemed familiar but Sasuke struggled to remember her name.

"Tsu—Tsunade-sama…did you need something?" the young lady asked anxiously.

"Yeah," Tsunade smiled as she answered her. She then hesitantly turned back to look at Sasuke. "And the person who will be your partner for this mission is…" she paused for a second but soon said, "Hyuuga Hinata."

Thanks for reading! I'm trying to keep all characters IN character so the story may be slow because of character development. Reviews would be much appreciated!