» Chapter 236 Summary: The Promise That I Could Not Keep «

As the team's treatment continues at Konoha Hospital, we see Shikamaru walking with Tsunade through a hallway. As they are walking, Shikamaru asks Tsunade a question that he's been thinking about. Even though there were different conditions for the level of the mission, and the team members, he asks whether or not they should have had a medical ninja assigned to such a team. Tsunade understands what he's saying, and tells Shikamaru that a long time ago, she wrote the same thing in a report on team survival and mission success rates. Tsunade tells him that even so; "It's not easy to train a medical ninja" Tsunade goes on, telling Shikamaru that a medical ninja requires different skills to a ninja who just focuses on fighting. They must have every aspect of their chakra control refined to perfection. Medical ninjas also have to study vast amounts of specialized knowledge, and they have to be able to use that knowledge and never give up. Shikamaru just listens in silence. Tsunade then tells him that it is "The most important thing" that makes a first-class medical ninja. Shikamaru can only wonder what this "...important thing" can be. Their paths separate and Tsunade tells Shikamaru to go on ahead to visit Naruto, and that she'll join after she picks up the medicine for him.

We see a long shot of the hospital, surrounded by trees, the sky is clear, birds are flying.

Sakura is there on a bridge, leaning on the rails. Her eyes are full of sadness and thought. She was the one who couldn't stop Sasuke. "SAKURA!" It's Ino, she comes running up to Sakura with a smile on her face, and tells her that everyone is back, and they should go to the hospital.

We see the front of Konoha's hospital. It seems very quiet.

Back inside the hospital, in a room, we see Naruto. He's sitting up on a bed, his sad eyes looking down at Sasuke's forehead protector on his lap, the cracked forehead protector. As he does so, he sees in his mind Sasuke, with the curse seal crawling up his face, telling him that he will go to Orochimaru. Then he remembers Sakura, when she was crying before they left on the chase for Sasuke. Lastly he remembers himself, doing the 'nice guy' pose, telling Sakura that he would definitely bring Sasuke back, and it was a promise of a lifetime, Naruto’s thoughts of failure eating at his mind. "Well well...you're awake." It's Shikamaru, and he's there just leaning in the doorway. Naruto looks at him with a smile on his face "Shikamaru!!"

Ino and Sakura are at the hospital reception, asking for the whereabouts of their friends. There are a few medical ninjas behind the desk sorting out papers and whatnot. Ino tells Sakura that she's going to see Chouji, and asks Sakura where she's going. Sakura tells her she'll go ahead to Naruto and Sasuke. Little does she know that Sasuke did not return with the team.

Back at Naruto's room, it seems Shikamaru has told Naruto that everyone on the team is safe, and Naruto's relieved to hear this. Shikamaru asks him about Sasuke...Naruto tells him that Sasuke got away. As Naruto says this, Sakura's just outside the door, about to open it. She hears this, her eyes widen with fear and sadness, and her hand drops from the doorhandle. She just stands there, leaning on the door, not brave enough to go in.

Outside Intensive Care Unit 6, where Chouji is being treated, Ino is there and so is Chouji's father. They aren't allowed to talk to him yet, but Chouji's father reassures Ino that Chouji will regain consciousness soon. Ino is relieved, and Chouji's father goes on, commenting on how Tsunade's return to Konoha saved them and without her Chouji would most probably be dead. Ino looks at him, and thinks "...the Fifth Hokage..."

Sakura is still just standing outside Naruto's room door, looking down. Tsunade comes along and asks her "What's wrong...?" she mentions Sakura's name, and then comments on how quickly the information about the team's return has spread.

We see Naruto and Shikamaru surprised as the door opens. Naruto sees Sakura, and she looks at him, quietly saying his name. Naruto can't bear to look at her, and he looks down at his hands. Shikamaru can only look at him in silence. Tsunade speaks up and tells Naruto how she heard he was severely wounded, but he seems to be fine now. There is an awkward silence in the room. Naruto is the first to talk. "I'm sorry...Sakura-chan" Sakura looks back with a pained smile, asking him why he's apologizing. He doesn't answer, and she moves to the window, opening the curtains. She comments on how weird he looks, just like a mummy she says. It's clear she's trying to stay off the topic of Sasuke. Again Naruto says he's sorry. She continues on, talking about the good weather and that she's opened the curtains. Shikamaru looks at her with some concern. Naruto can't take it anymore, and he blurts out. He tells Sakura that he'll definitely keep his promise, because he said it was a lifelong promise. Tsunade looks at him as he says this. Sakura just says "It's alright...Naruto..." Shikamaru cuts in, about to tell Sakura off, telling her that Naruto is trying to tell her something, but he himself gets cut off by Naruto. "Like I said..." Everyone looks at Naruto "I won't go back on my word! Because that's my ninja way..." Sakura hears this, looks at him with some concern, biting her lip. Tsunade and Shikamaru both smile slightly hearing Naruto's words.

As Sakura looks at Naruto, at his injuries and bandages, she remembers what she told him before the team left. She remembers about telling him, through tears, that her lifelong wish, to bring Sasuke back. She remembers telling him that she couldn't stop Sasuke and that Naruto, that Naruto was the only person who could. Naruto smiles, "Hee-hee-hee..." Sakura's slight frown turns into a smile as she says "Naruto..." In her mind she remembers how she begged him, and how she trusts him completely. Sakura starts to walk away, and as she reaches the door, she apologizes to Naruto, for having to make him wait for a while. Naruto is confused, but Sakura goes on to say that "Next time, we'll do it together!" Tsunade closes her eyes and bows her head with a smile on her face.

At the Hokage's room, Tsunade is sitting at her desk when she hears a knock on the door. "Come in!" she says. It's Sakura, and she has a request. She asks Tsunade to make her, her apprentice. Tsunade looks at Sakura for a moment and she can see Sakura's "Important thing" Sasuke and Naruto, just as she herself (Tsunade) had Nawaki and Dan. Sakura's eyes are serious and full of strong will. Tsunade looks at Sakura, she can tell that Sakura is also troubled...and she smiles. She tells Sakura that she's heard from Kakashi about how intelligent and strong spirited she is. Tsunade agrees to Sakura's request, and tells Sakura that she won't go easy on her. Sakura answers "O...OK!!"