The Promise That Could Not Be Kept

Naruto awakens on Kakashi's back as they jump through the forest on their way to the village. Other retrieval ninja from the Leaf meet with Kakashi. Naruto asks him where Sasuke is and is disapointed to hear of his defection. The retrieval team is brought back to Konoha where, despite the severity of their injuries, all fully recover somehow. Sakura while with Ino Yamanaka, hears of their return. Ino goes to check on Shikamaru Nara and Choji Akimichi. Sakura states that she will visit Sasuke and Naruto in the hospital. When Naruto comes to, he chats with a Shikamru that doesn't appear to be as injured as the rest of the retrieval team, exciting Naruto. They discuss the mission and Shikamaru is informed by Naruto about Sasuke's defection, which Sakura hears outside the door, disappointed. She does not want to enter, until she meets Tsunade and they go in together. Sakura is sad that Sasuke did not return, but focus's on Naruto's bruises and tries to ignore what happened and cheer him up. Despite, he apologizes to Sakura in sorrow for not living up to his lifetime promise and bringing Sasuke back. However, she says that he'll do it someday, going on to say that when that day comes, they'll do it together. Jiraiya offers Naruto a chance to leave with him for three years to train to defend himself against Orochimaru and the Akatsuki. Naruto rebukes his offer, saying that he needs to focus on saving his friend first. Jiraiya ridicules him of not being able to accept life. He tells im that if Sasuke was a friend, he would not have attempted to kill him or hurt his as badly as he did stating "This world is no place for fools". In retaliation, Naruto replies that " If being smart is what you say, I'll remain a complete fool my entire life!", vowing to get more powerful jutsu and save Sasuke. Jiraiya eventually agrees although calling it 'foolish enough to work' and tells him his training will be to be able to save Sasuke and that Naruto couldn't train probably on his own. With a better deal, Naruto accepts, and Jiraiya tells him they'll leave whenever he's ready. Elsewhere, Sasuke arrives at Orochimaru's lair where he soon proves himself worthy of Orochimaru's guidance.