Path Not Taken 113

Yamanaka Ino

Asuma-sensei is stable, for now... Naruto, what are you going to do now?

Yamanaka Ino

(Please just run away. Don't make this more complicated than it already is.)

Uzumaki Naruto

...

Uzumaki Naruto

Heh, don't worry about me, Ino.

Nara Shikamaru

Naruto, as thankful as I am for your help, I have to take you in.

Yamanaka Ino

Wait! Let's just say he got away!

Yamanaka Ino

(He just fought Akatsuki while protecting us. If Shikamaru tries to fight Naruto... there's no way he could win.)

Uzumaki Naruto

Relax, I was heading back to Konoha anyway. This just makes things easier.

Yamanaka Ino

Are you crazy?! You're a missing-nin!

Nara Shikamaru

She's right, Naruto. You'll likely be headed right to prison.

Uzumaki Naruto

Everything will work itself out, believe it!

Uzumaki Naruto

(I've been running long enough. Time to face my village... and my destiny.)