Sasuke decided to stay in the village for three days, using the time to rest and replenish his supplies. During his stay he managed to find a local scribe willing to write and send a letter for him. The task was simple, but it took Sasuke longer than expected to decide what he wanted to say. He didn't intend to reveal too much about his whereabouts, but he knew he owed Naruto and Sakura some reassurance that he was still out there, alive and well.

Sitting at a quiet corner in the village inn, Sasuke dictated his letter to the scribe. He gave a general update on his travels, mentioning that he had been moving from place to place and was continuing his studies in healing. While he kept things vague, he did provide a broad indication of his current location, enough for them to find him if they needed to but not enough for anyone else to track him down.

Once the letter was finished and sealed, Sasuke paid the man generously for his work and ensured the letter would make its way to Konoha. With that done he felt a small sense of relief, knowing he had re-established a line of communication with his former teammates. On the third day, Sasuke packed his belongings, strapped his scrolls onto his back and left the village quietly, his figure disappearing into the horizon as he resumed his journey.

...

Meanwhile, back in Konoha Sakura and Naruto were summoned to Tsunade's office. They exchanged puzzled glances on their way, wondering what the Hokage could want with them. When they entered her office, Tsunade sat at her desk, a faint smile on her lips.

"Come in," Tsunade said, holding up an envelope. "This is for you two."

Sakura's eyes widened as she saw the name on the envelope. "Sasuke-kun...?"

Naruto leaned in closer, his curiosity getting the better of him. "No way, it's from Sasuke?"

Tsunade nodded and handed the letter to Sakura, who took it with slightly trembling hands. She tore it open carefully, the parchment inside feeling almost foreign in her fingers. Naruto hovered beside her, trying to peek over her shoulder as she unfolded the letter.

"Here, I'll read it out loud," Sakura said, her voice a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

She began to read:

Dear Sakura and Naruto,

I hope this letter reaches you both in good health. I'm currently traveling, refining my skills and learning more about healing. I've chosen not to return to Konoha as my place no longer lies within the village, but I still want to keep in contact. I won't say exactly where I am, but I'm safe. I've learned a lot during my time away and I can tell that you both have grown in your own ways as well. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Take care of yourselves and look after each other too as well as Kakashi. Don't get into any trouble (Naruto).
— Sasuke

Naruto grinned widely as Sakura finished reading, a warmth spreading in his chest. "He really hasn't forgotten about us."

Sakura smiled softly, clutching the letter to her chest. "It's good to know he's okay... and that he still cares."

Tsunade chuckled, watching the two of them fondly. "Seems like Sasuke's finally learning how to stay connected even if he's not physically here."

Naruto laughed, his eyes gleaming with optimism. "Yeah, that's our Sasuke. Always keeping his distance but still making sure we know he's out there."

Tsunade waved her hand dismissively. "Alright you two, off with you. I'm sure you want to share the news with Kakashi."

Sakura and Naruto nodded in unison, their excitement evident. As they left Tsunade's office, they made their way to the usual Team Seven training grounds where Kakashi was already waiting. He stood leaning against a tree, his familiar calm expression hidden behind his mask.

"Yo," Kakashi greeted, raising a hand. "What's got you two in such high spirits?"

Sakura stepped forward, holding out the letter. "It's from Sasuke-kun."

Kakashi's visible eye widened in surprise. He took the letter carefully, reading it over. His heart warmed as he scanned the familiar name and the thoughtful, albeit brief, message. When he finished, he handed the letter back to Sakura with a soft smile beneath his mask.

"He's changed," Kakashi said thoughtfully. "It's good that, despite everything, the three of you have managed to maintain your friendship. That bond... it's stronger than most."

Naruto beamed. "Of course! We're Team Seven. No matter how far apart we are we're still a team."

Sakura nodded in agreement, a glimmer of pride in her eyes. "We'll always be connected."

Kakashi's heart swelled with pride for his students. "Alright then, let's get to training. You both still have a mission to prepare for and I have no doubt that Sasuke would want you to be at your best."

With that, the trio began their training. Kakashi led them through a series of intense drills, focusing on both individual strengths and their ability to work together as a team. Naruto's strength and determination had grown, his control over his chakra refined through years of hard work. Sakura's medical skills and enhanced physical strength were now second nature to her, her punches leaving cracks in the training dummies as she practiced. Kakashi watched with pride knowing that they were no longer the genin he had once mentored—they were true shinobi, capable and confident.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the training grounds, Naruto wiped the sweat from his forehead and grinned. "Sasuke would've loved this. I can't wait for the day when all three of us can train together again."

Sakura, catching her breath, smiled softly. "Someday... maybe."

Kakashi stood nearby, his hands in his pockets as he gazed at the horizon. "Maybe, but until then let's keep moving forward. We still have work to do."

The day ended with a sense of fulfillment, each of them carrying the warmth of Sasuke's letter in their hearts. The bonds of Team Seven remained unbroken, no matter how much time had passed or how far apart they were.

...

It took Sasuke a full week to reach the ruins of Uzushiogakure, the once formidable village of the Uzumaki Clan. As he stood amongst the crumbling remains of what had once been a thriving, powerful settlement, a profound silence surrounded him. The wind stirred lightly, causing loose debris to shift and scatter. The air smelled of salt and decay, remnants of the village's violent history mingling with the passage of time.

Sasuke's senses suddenly tingled. He sensed a presence approaching—swift and deliberate. His eyes narrowed as he turned to sense a crow flying towards him. The bird's energy felt wrong, not like a normal creature but something... more. As the crow got closer, Sasuke's sharp senses caught figured out what was so off about the crow. One of its eyes had a Sharingan.

Intrigued, Sasuke raised his arm and the crow landed gently on his hand, its talons gripping his wrist. He lightly ran a finger over the crow's sleek feathers, his mind racing. A crow with the Sharingan? It wasn't just unusual—it was impossible without manipulation. He wondered briefly if it was a remnant of a technique left behind by Itachi or another Uchiha, but he couldn't be sure.

Sasuke considered taking the Sharingan for himself. The thought lingered for a moment, his mind flashing back to the power it once represented for him and his clan, but he quickly dismissed the idea. That chapter of his life was over. He had already paid the price for his actions, he had no desire to repeat old mistakes.

As Sasuke stood in silence, the distant, faint voices of his deceased clansmen echoed in his mind. Their taunting whispers tried to claw their way into his consciousness, pulling at the darkest parts of his past, tempting him to fall back into old grudges and hatred. Sasuke cleared his mind, allowing the wind to blow past him, pushing away the memories and voices. He chose not to indulge them. His life had moved beyond those shadows.

The crow cawed softly, breaking his focus. Sasuke released it, sensing as it flew off into the sky disappearing into the vast emptiness of the ruined landscape.

Turning his attention back to Uzushiogakure, Sasuke began to explore the ruins. His fingers lightly traced the edges of the crumbled stone walls as he walked deeper into the heart of the fallen village. There was a somber stillness in the air, the once-proud village reduced to little more than remnants and scattered ruins.

Orochimaru had mentioned this village in passing once, though Sasuke hadn't paid much attention at the time. Now, standing here, he recalled the brief history lessons from the academy, detailing how Uzushiogakure had been a stronghold in its prime—until its enemies united to destroy it during the Third Shinobi World War. The same war Kakashi had fought in, bearing the scars both physically and mentally.

Sasuke made a mental note to ask Kakashi about the war if they ever crossed paths again. He knew it would be a delicate subject, but there were questions that needed answers. Kakashi, having lived through that period, might hold insights into the world's violence and cycles of destruction that Sasuke would like more insight on.

He continued wandering through the deserted streets, gathering herbs as he moved. The vegetation was sparse, but he knew what to look for—medicinal plants that still clung to life among the ruins. With the skills he had gained from his time with the healer and Katsuyu, Sasuke carefully collected what he needed, sealing the herbs into his storage scrolls.

Sasuke spent two days in Uzushiogakure, moving quietly through the ruins, contemplating the village's history and tending to his own needs. The village, once full of life, was now nothing more than a relic of a time long gone, a reminder of how even the strongest could fall. Sasuke felt a strange connection to it, as if the village's silent collapse mirrored parts of his own journey—lost, but still existing in some form.

On the third day Sasuke packed his belongings, leaving the village with little more than what he had arrived with, save for the herbs he had gathered. As he set off towards the next destination in his travels, he cast one last look over his shoulder at the ruins. There was nothing left for him there, just like there was nothing left for him in the past.