Day Late Friend

”Naruto,
you saved Konoha...
and now you are trying to save the entire shinobi world.
You always get left with these insurmountable tasks.
But no matter what you say this time....
we're going to be together.
Not just me...
we're going to all fight together this time.”
-Sakura

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You can take this as a couple or as a friendship concept. For me, it is both.

Gassho, a hand gesture that is used throughout asia as a sign for greeting, prayer, thankfulness or as respect, usually performed by the person themselves.

As Sakura and Naruto has both grown, they learned a lot about each other. Sakura learned to accept, be thankful and respect Naruto(*) compared to the beginning of the series.

Naruto has always had high regards and respect for Sakura. He has grown to realize that there is a lot more out there than just Team 7, Konoha and good Vs. evil. Naruto has learned that even the enemy may not be an enemy.

_{(*) When trying to save Gaara, Sakura eagerly wants to learn why Jinchūriki's are used, getting upset that people (mostly about Naruto) are being used as tools, hunted and killed without mercy. When Jirayia died, I saw a lot of respect Sakura held for Naruto in that room, not just respect but she was also concerned.}

Story behind the image:
I had a small fanfiction idea but, meh, I am lazy. Sakura, trying to keep Naruto alive during the war, uses a jutsu she created herself based on Chiyos Kishō Tensei. Instead, the outcome she expected backfires and causes Naruto to die faster. Unbeknownst to her, what she actually did was suck Narutos remaining chakra and soul into herself instead. Finally getting a full nights rest a week after the funeral, Sakura goes into a deep REM sleep where she finds herself floating above a forest with her war outfit on. Floating before her is none other than Naruto. One reason I would never write this story is because I have no idea what happened to Kurama or if his soul is within a soul within a soul. Soul-ception. There are also a lot of loose ends and as I said, I am one lazy mofo. I am such a sappy-fluffy fluff made of rainbows and kittens

Song Inspiration:
Day Late Friend by Anberlin [link]
_{random fact: Anberlin is my favorite band}

Time:
Sketch/Concept/Lineart: 6 hours
Coloring: 3 hours
Process: [link]

File Size:
6,000 X 5,268 @ 300ppi
20in X 17.56 inches (50.8cm X 44.6cm)

Naruto and Sakura © Kishimoto