Kakashi sighs deeply and asks the kids if they realize how serious their situation is. If they give up this time, they might never get a chance to be ninjas again.
Naruto shrugs, saying he's willing to give up for his comrades, so it's no big deal. Sasuke grits his teeth, wanting to intervene, but Sakura tells them to just fight it out between themselves.
Kakashi imagined Obito's voice speaking wryly: even after all they'd suffered, these kids were still willing to die for each other — ridiculous, but touching.
Kakashi admits he would even sacrifice himself to save Naruto, who he values deeply as a comrade. Obito's image fades away like smoke.
Kakashi tells the three that giving up is their right, but if all quit, it's meaningless. So, he challenges them: who will withdraw?
Sakura remains silent, knowing this answer is crucial. Sasuke tries to speak but struggles. Naruto looks at both, ready to take responsibility for whatever he says next.
Naruto then surprises everyone by suggesting all three should give up.
He explains: the ninja profession seems meaningless if you have to suppress emotions, betray humanity, even fight your own teammates just to complete missions.
Naruto criticizes Sasuke's goal of revenge if he risks dying on missions, and Sakura's parents who sent her to the frontline like heroes despite not being heroic themselves.
Naruto just wants to live as a normal person, but is despised and looked down on by the village. All his efforts to surpass the Hokage just for recognition feel pointless.
Naruto continues, saying that people mock hobbies like playing games, watching anime, or discussing manga — calling them names like "goblins" or "rats." This labeling and hostility built up until he exploded in frustration one afternoon.
He insists recognition shouldn't come at the cost of abandoning teammates or losing humanity. One doesn't have to be a ninja to be respected.
He offers to train with Sasuke outside of missions and help Sakura with other goals — like driving off immature men and protecting women from abusers (except himself).
Sakura laughs, Naruto jokingly says he'd help Kakashi run errands to buy manga or movies, jokingly dodging a threat to report him for underage "indecency."
Sasuke, smiling slightly, asks what Naruto is really saying.
Naruto declares: if the idea of a ninja is dirty, then don't be one; if the world is twisted, then change it.
Following the twisted rules leads nowhere — better to forge a new path.
Kakashi interrupts, wondering if this path isn't too hard.
A mysterious figure in white robes with long black hair and sharp eyes appears silently nearby, smiling as if asking, "How hard is it to persist alone?"
Naruto shouts passionately: "How hard can one person's persistence be!!"
Silence falls around them except for heavy breaths.
Sasuke feels fired up, eager to spar with Itachi to show his resolve.
Sakura smiles, wishing they had phones to record Naruto's speech and share it with fans online.
Kakashi is shocked but smiles with a sense of relief and pride.
He asks Sasuke and Sakura what they think.
Sakura jokes she needs to stop Naruto from sparring immature guys.
Sasuke firmly says he doesn't need the title of ninja and won't betray his comrades.
Kakashi nods deeply, feeling there is nothing more to say.
He then tells them that despite the mission's outcome, they are qualified.
Sasuke is shocked and asks why, since they failed.
Kakashi replies that a ninja's duty is to put aside emotions to complete missions efficiently, but like Naruto said, abandoning comrades is worse than garbage.
He tells Naruto he likes his ideals and hopes Naruto will continue working as a ninja.
He reminds them the world is unfair, but as long as people like them exist, there is hope to correct that injustice.
Kakashi promises to protect them until they change the world.
Sasuke understands, Naruto softens, and Kakashi remains the same caring, comrade-first teacher.
Kakashi also warns Sasuke he will bear responsibility for his teacher's death.
The team is officially recognized as Team 7 and will start accepting missions from the Land of Fire.
The chapter closes with Sakura and Naruto grabbing ramen and finding a quiet spot.
Sakura asks Naruto seriously why he decided to break the usual story flow and challenge Kakashi verbally.