**Naruto & Ino: Darkness and Healing - Chapter 7 Continuation**

Morning sunlight streamed into the Hokage's office as Ino walked in, carrying Naruto, still in his small form. Naruto, resting his head against her chest, seemed calm for the moment, though his playful energy was sure to resurface soon. Ino had become used to Naruto calling her "Mama," and it didn't take long for her to get used to the way he clung to her like a baby.

"Tsunade-sama," Ino began as she approached the desk. "We need to talk. Something happened, and I'm worried about the seal."

Tsunade looked up from her paperwork, her eyes narrowing as she took in the sight of Naruto in Ino's arms. "I see. The seal's effects haven't faded. This is dangerous."

Before she could say more, the door opened again, and in walked Sasuke, Sai, Sakura, and Kakashi. The four of them hadn't seen Naruto in his current state yet, and the surprise on their faces was evident. Kakashi, in particular, hadn't seen Naruto for over a month due to his missions.

"Hello, Naruto-chan," Kakashi greeted with his usual laid-back tone. "You've... changed a bit."

Naruto blinked, tilting his head as he stared up at the silver-haired ninja. "Who are you, mister?"

Kakashi, visibly taken aback, laughed nervously under his mask. "What? Don't you recognize me, Naruto-chan? It's me—Kakashi."

Naruto squinted at him, then pointed at the mask. "You wear that because your face is ugly, right? Is that why you hide it?"

A moment of stunned silence filled the room before Ino burst into laughter. Even Sakura stifled a giggle, and Sasuke and Sai exchanged amused glances. Sai, ever the artist, began making notes in his journal with a rare smile on his face.

Kakashi sweat-dropped, trying to keep his composure. "No, Naruto-chan, it's not because I'm ugly," he said, chuckling awkwardly. "I just like wearing it."

"If you hide your face, it must be ugly!" Naruto insisted, crossing his small arms in defiance.

Ino continued to laugh, holding Naruto a bit tighter. "Oh, Naruto, you're too much!" she said, ruffling his hair.

Kakashi sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "You're as blunt as ever, Naruto," he muttered.

Naruto blinked again and pointed at Kakashi's mask. "Are you a bad guy? Only bad guys hide their faces."

Sakura couldn't hold back her laughter any longer. "Naruto! That's enough!"

Naruto, however, wasn't finished. He pointed at Sakura, his gaze turning serious. "Mama told me not to talk to strangers, especially not to people with big foreheads like her."

Sakura froze in place, her cheeks flushing bright red. "W-What did you just say?!"

Ino, grinning from ear to ear, couldn't resist teasing her. "Oh come on, Sakura. He's just being honest."

Sakura turned to face Naruto, trying to keep her composure. "I'll have you know, Naruto, that I'm... I'm not that scary!"

Naruto stuck out his tongue. "You look scary to me."

Sai, still scribbling notes in his journal, glanced up. "Naruto, what do you think I am?"

Naruto narrowed his eyes at Sai, considering his question carefully before answering, "You're weird. Like... someone who would be creepy around kids."

Sai blinked, pausing in his writing, while Sakura's eyes widened. "What are you writing?!" she demanded, leaning over his shoulder.

"This isn't about you, Sakura," Sai responded casually, continuing to make notes.

Sakura growled in frustration, her patience wearing thin. "If you're taking notes about what Naruto said—"

Before she could finish, Naruto interjected, pointing at her again. "You don't have any pride, do you? You let people tease you and just keep standing there. I wouldn't talk to you either."

Sakura's face turned beet red, both from embarrassment and anger, but at the same time, there was a strange, almost pleased smile tugging at her lips. "Y-You really think I'm cute, don't you, Naruto?"

Naruto stared at her blankly. "No. I think you're annoying."

Ino couldn't help but burst into another fit of laughter, and even Sasuke's lips twitched into a smirk. Sai continued jotting notes as though nothing could distract him.

Kakashi, though flustered, chuckled and knelt to Naruto's level. "You really haven't changed, Naruto-chan. You still say whatever's on your mind."

Naruto looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes. "You're weird too, mister."

With a playful sigh, Kakashi rose to his feet. "Well, at least I'm in good company."

Ino ruffled Naruto's hair and said, "Alright, Naruto, we should go. It's been a busy morning."

As Ino lifted Naruto into her arms, Sasuke gave Naruto a glance, his expression unreadable. Naruto tilted his head, staring back at him. "Why are you looking at me like that? Your hair looks like a duck's butt."

The corner of Sasuke's mouth twitched slightly, but he said nothing, only turning away as if he couldn't be bothered.

Ino giggled softly, looking around the room. "Sorry about that, everyone. Naruto's a little... unpredictable in this form."

With Naruto still clinging to her, Ino made her way toward the door, waving over her shoulder. "Let's go, Naruto-baby."

Sakura, still flushed, called out after them. "Wait! Naruto, you didn't even say goodbye to me!"

Naruto glanced back, his expression indifferent. "I don't care. You can go to hell."

Sakura's face turned scarlet again, but for some reason, she seemed more flustered than angry this time. "H-He's really cute when he's like this," she muttered under her breath, stars practically twinkling in her eyes.

Sai, watching her reaction, wrote one last note in his journal. "It seems Sakura is lacking in dignity."

Sakura's eyes widened in shock. "W-What did you just say?!"

As she chased Sai around the room, Kakashi and Sasuke exchanged a glance, both clearly amused by the chaos.

"You know," Kakashi remarked, "even as a kid, Naruto still manages to cause trouble."

Sasuke smirked slightly. "He always did."

With that, Ino and Naruto left the Hokage's office, heading back out into the village. Ino couldn't help but smile to herself as Naruto babbled on about all the strange people they had just met. Though his mind was still that of a child, his spirit was unmistakably Naruto's. And no matter what, she would always be there to protect him.

As the door to Tsunade's office clicked shut behind Ino and Naruto, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The playful energy Naruto had brought in moments earlier dissipated, replaced by a somber air as Tsunade leaned forward, her hands clasped in front of her. Her usual authoritative demeanor was in full force, but beneath it, there was a clear undercurrent of worry.

Sakura, still flustered from Naruto's earlier remarks, stood off to the side, her fists clenched. Her face was red, a mix of embarrassment and frustration swirling inside her. But her mood shifted when she realized the gravity of what Tsunade was about to discuss. She knew this wasn't the time to let her feelings get in the way.

Tsunade didn't waste any time. "We've received word that another village has been destroyed."

The room fell silent, tension mounting as Tsunade's words hung in the air.

"The village has been leveled. Homes burned to the ground. What's worse... the women were attacked." Tsunade's voice grew cold with anger. "These unknown assailants are ruthless. They've been systematically targeting villages, leaving nothing but destruction in their wake. This is the second one in a week."

Kakashi nodded grimly. "So, they're escalating."

"They are," Tsunade confirmed, her expression hardening. "We don't know who's responsible yet, but their pattern is clear. They strike quickly, leaving no survivors. We need to act fast if we want to stop them."

Sasuke, who had been standing quietly against the wall, finally spoke. His voice was low, calm, but there was a weight behind his words. "Peace doesn't last forever. The war ended, but the hatred in people's hearts didn't."

Sakura's gaze drifted toward Sasuke, her mind replaying the last two years. "Naruto used to believe in peace," she said quietly, her voice tinged with sadness. "But... after the war, he changed."

Sasuke nodded, his expression unreadable. "After the war, Naruto isolated himself. He withdrew from the rest of us—his friends, his teammates. He cut himself off from the team and buried himself in ANBU for two years."

Kakashi crossed his arms, his gaze thoughtful. "Naruto took the war harder than any of us. I tried to reach out to him once, but... he didn't want to talk."

"There was something different about him," Sasuke continued, his voice steady but firm. "He used to talk about peace, about finding a way to bring people together. But after the war, that belief... it shattered. He told me once that he no longer had friends—only enemies. That the world didn't need peace, only strength."

Sakura's heart ached as she listened. She had watched Naruto drift away, slowly but surely. She had always thought that if anyone could bring him back, it would be her or Sasuke. But they had failed.

Tsunade sighed heavily. "I know. I've seen it, too. He distanced himself from everyone—except for one person."

Sakura blinked, confused. "Who?"

"Ino," Tsunade replied, her tone thoughtful. "Ever since their mission to capture the thieves, something changed. When they came back, Ino was... different. And Naruto—well, he wasn't the same either. He used to push people away, but with her, it's like he's found someone who understands him."

Sakura's eyes widened, jealousy flaring in her chest. "So that's why... that's why they're so close now?"

Tsunade nodded. "Ino has been by his side since then. She's protective of him. And from what I've seen, Naruto seems to trust her in a way he hasn't trusted anyone else in years. She even stays with him at night."

Sakura's heart sank. "She stays with him?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper.

"She practically moved into his apartment," Tsunade confirmed. "Naruto lives alone in a bigger place now, but it seems Ino has taken it upon herself to look after him. She trains with him, makes his meals, and... well, let's just say their bond has grown stronger since the war."

Sakura clenched her fists tighter, a surge of emotion rising within her. She couldn't believe it. After everything they had been through, after all the time she had spent by Naruto's side during their missions, Ino was the one who had captured his heart. Ino was the one who had found a way into his life, into his home.

"How did it happen?" Sakura murmured, almost to herself. "How did Naruto... choose her?"

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "This isn't about choosing. Naruto isn't the same person he was before. The war changed him, and he's trying to find his way back. Ino's just been there for him in ways we couldn't be."

Sakura looked down, a lump forming in her throat. "But... I was part of Team 7. I was supposed to be there for him."

Sasuke glanced at her, his expression softening slightly. "It's not about who was there first, Sakura. It's about who he needs now."

Tsunade, seeing the tension rising in the room, decided to bring the focus back to the mission at hand. "We don't have time to dwell on this," she said firmly. "You four need to head to the destroyed village immediately. Investigate, gather evidence, and bring back anything that could help us figure out who's behind these attacks."

Kakashi nodded, already slipping into mission mode. "Understood."

Sasuke and Sai also nodded, their expressions serious.

Sakura, still shaken, took a deep breath and forced herself to focus. She had to put her feelings aside. "Right."

"Be careful out there," Tsunade warned. "Whoever's responsible for these attacks is dangerous. I don't want to lose anyone else."

With that, the team turned to leave. As they walked toward the door, Sakura lingered behind for a moment, her mind still racing with thoughts of Naruto. She glanced back at Tsunade one last time, her voice soft. "Do you think... Naruto will ever come back to us?"

Tsunade's expression softened. "He's not lost, Sakura. He's just... finding his way. Give him time."

Sakura nodded, though the weight in her chest didn't lift. She followed the others out of the room, ready to face the mission ahead but still haunted by the thoughts of what she had lost.

**On the Road to the Village**

The journey to the destroyed village was a long one, and the tension between the team members was palpable. Sasuke, as usual, walked ahead, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger. Sai, ever observant, kept to himself, quietly making notes in his journal. Kakashi remained his usual calm self, but there was a certain wariness in his demeanor that hadn't been there before.

Sakura, however, couldn't shake the heavy feeling in her chest. As they moved farther from Konoha, her thoughts kept drifting back to Naruto and Ino. The jealousy that gnawed at her insides was relentless.

"How did I let this happen?" she thought to herself. "How did Naruto and I drift so far apart?"

Sasuke noticed the change in her demeanor and glanced over. "You're distracted," he commented, his voice low.

Sakura sighed. "It's just... everything with Naruto. I feel like I've lost him."

Sasuke didn't say anything at first, but after a moment, he spoke quietly. "We all lost something after the war, Sakura. Naruto's been through more than any of us. He'll find his way back when he's ready."

She looked at him, surprised by the unexpected kindness in his tone. "Do you really believe that?"

Sasuke nodded. "Naruto isn't the kind of person to give up on his friends. He just needs time."

Sakura took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Maybe Sasuke was right. Maybe Naruto just needed time to heal from everything he had gone through.

As they approached the outskirts of the destroyed village, the scene before them was worse than they had imagined. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and ash, and the once-thriving village had been reduced to rubble. Homes were nothing but piles of charred wood, and the ground was littered with debris.

Kakashi signaled for the group to stop. "Be careful," he warned. "We don't know if the attackers are still nearby."

Sasuke activated his Sharingan, scanning the area for any signs of movement. "No chakra signatures within range," he reported. "It's quiet."

The team moved cautiously into the village, their eyes darting around, taking in the devastation. It was clear that the attack had been brutal, and the level of destruction was staggering.

Sakura knelt down near one of the collapsed buildings, her fingers brushing against the blackened wood. "Who could do something like this?" she whispered.

Kakashi surveyed the scene, his expression grim. "Someone who wants to send a message."

Sai, who had been observing from a distance, approached with

The group continues their investigation in the destroyed village, gathering clues about the mysterious attackers. As they sift through the wreckage, they realize the enemy's brutal tactics are escalating, leaving behind no survivors. Sakura grapples with her jealousy toward Ino's growing bond with Naruto, while Sasuke reflects on Naruto's coldness since the war. As they search for answers, the tension within the team rises. Kakashi, sensing the weight of their mission, urges the team to focus, knowing that peace is slipping away.

The team stood at the edge of the destroyed village, their hearts heavy as they surveyed the devastation before them. Smoke still curled from the blackened remains of homes, the scent of burnt wood and ash thick in the air. The village was in ruins, its people—innocent civilians—lay scattered, lifeless. The horrors of what had happened here were impossible to ignore.

Sakura, Sasuke, Kakashi, and Sai moved cautiously through the wreckage, the reality of the destruction sinking in with every step they took. Women, children, and men had all met the same gruesome fate. The lifeless bodies that littered the ground, many of them barely recognizable, painted a picture of pure cruelty and madness. But even worse were the signs of brutality that had been inflicted on the women. Their bodies lay broken, and the traces of violence and violation made Sakura's stomach turn.

Sakura covered her mouth, trying to suppress the wave of nausea that washed over her. "How could anyone do this?" she whispered, her voice shaking.

Kakashi's face was grim beneath his mask. "This… this is madness," he muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief. "I don't understand who could be capable of such destruction. This isn't war—this is something else entirely."

Sai, who had always kept his emotions under strict control, found himself blinking back tears. His hand trembled as he closed the eyes of one of the victims, a woman who had clearly suffered a horrific fate. A single tear escaped him, falling silently onto the cold earth below.

Sasuke, his Sharingan activated, scanned the area carefully. "There's something else here," he said, his voice hard with determination. "Something beyond the violence. These attackers aren't just destroying—they're sending a message."

Kakashi nodded. "This village wasn't just attacked—it was torn apart methodically. The way they've struck here suggests there's something they're looking for."

As they combed through the wreckage, Sasuke's eyes caught a glint of something buried beneath the rubble. He bent down, pulling free a half-burnt scroll from the debris. The edges were charred, but the writing on it was still visible—symbols none of them had seen before.

"I found something," Sasuke said, holding up the scroll for the others to see.

Kakashi and Sakura gathered around him, staring at the strange, unfamiliar markings.

"What is this?" Sakura asked, frowning. "I've never seen anything like it."

Kakashi took the scroll and examined it closely. "This is no ordinary scroll. The symbols here… they look ancient. It's likely encoded."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he analyzed the markings. "We'll need someone with specific knowledge to open this. Someone rare, someone with a deep connection to ancient seals."

As they discussed the scroll, a cold, eerie laugh echoed through the village, freezing the air around them. The team instantly went on alert, their hands reaching for their weapons. Out of the shadows, a figure emerged—clad in a dark, tattered cloak, his face obscured by a hood. Behind him, a group of twisted, malevolent followers followed closely.

"Welcome, Shinobi of Konoha," the figure said, his voice dripping with malice. "I was wondering when you'd arrive."

Kakashi's eyes narrowed. "The Reaper."

The Reaper stepped forward, a sinister grin spreading across his face. His eyes gleamed with an unnatural glow, and the energy around him seemed to pulse with a dark, unsettling force.

"You're too late to save anyone," he said, his voice mocking. "But don't worry—you'll join them soon enough."

Sakura stepped forward, her hands clenched into fists. "You monster! How could you do this?"

The Reaper's grin widened as he turned to his followers. "Do you hear that? She thinks I'm a monster."

The group behind him cackled, their laughter echoing through the ruins like the sound of death itself.

Sakura's anger boiled over, and she charged forward. "Try me, you disgusting—!"

The Reaper's hand shot out, stopping her in her tracks with a flick of his wrist. His eyes gleamed with malicious amusement. "Feisty, aren't you? But you're not worth my time."

Before anyone could react, the Reaper sent a wave of dark chakra rippling through the air, forcing Sakura back. She braced herself, her feet skidding across the ground as she barely managed to hold her own against the force.

Sasuke drew his sword, stepping in front of Sakura. "Enough games," he growled. "We're here for answers."

The Reaper's smile didn't falter. "Oh, you'll get answers, all right. But first, you'll have to survive."

His followers, twisted souls who looked as though they had crawled out of the depths of hell, lunged at the team. Sasuke and Kakashi moved swiftly, blocking their attacks and countering with precision. Sai quickly summoned ink beasts to aid them in battle, but the enemies were relentless, their strikes fueled by an almost supernatural strength.

The tension in the air was palpable as Sasuke, Kakashi, Sai, and Sakura stood at the edge of the decimated village, staring down at the twisted creature that had emerged from the dark scroll. The malevolent energy radiating from the entity seemed to swallow the very light around it, turning day into a suffocating, shadowy nightmare.

The creature's laughter echoed across the broken landscape, a haunting sound that made even the hardened shinobi feel a chill run down their spines. It was a mockery of life, a manifestation of chaos and destruction.

Kakashi tightened his grip on his kunai, his one visible eye narrowing behind his mask. "This thing… it's beyond anything we've faced before. Stay sharp," he instructed the team, his voice calm but laced with urgency. His mind raced as he strategized how to deal with the looming threat.

Sasuke activated his Rinnegan, his gaze sharpening as he focused on the creature's erratic movements. "We need to find a weakness," he said, his voice cold but determined. "No creature is invincible."

Sai, typically the calm and collected one, found himself unnerved by the dark energy that seemed to pulse from the creature's very being. His ink drawings, usually so effective in battle, had been shredded effortlessly by the beast. His hands trembled as he drew another series of seals, summoning larger ink animals, hoping they would fare better. "Whatever this is… it's not just power. It's hatred given form."

Sakura stood beside them, her fists clenched, her body tensed and ready to strike. She had seen devastation in the war, but this… this was something worse. There was no mercy, no reason behind the destruction they witnessed. Only cruelty.

The Reaper, watching from the shadows with his twisted grin, seemed to feed off the destruction, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Ah, you think you can fight this?" he called out mockingly. "You think you can stand against the darkness? Look around you. This village—like so many others—was a testament to your failure."

Kakashi's eyes darkened. He could feel the Reaper's taunts, but he couldn't let them break his focus. "Sasuke, Sakura, Sai," he said evenly. "We take this thing down, and we do it fast."

Without hesitation, Sasuke summoned the full power of his Susanoo, the giant chakra construct forming around him, its ethereal sword gleaming with energy. "Let's finish this," he growled, leaping forward as the Susanoo brought its blade crashing down onto the creature.

The impact was devastating, the force of the Susanoo's sword sending shockwaves rippling through the ground. Dust and debris shot into the air as the village remains trembled under the attack. But when the dust cleared, the creature remained. It had withstood the full brunt of Sasuke's Susanoo, and now it was laughing—a deep, guttural sound that sent shivers through the team.

Sakura's eyes widened in horror. "It… it didn't even flinch?"

Before they could react, the creature lunged, its body shifting and elongating like a living shadow. In an instant, it was upon Sasuke, its tendrils of darkness wrapping around the Susanoo, trying to crush it under its immense weight.

Sasuke gritted his teeth, pushing back with all his strength. "It's feeding on chakra!" he shouted, realizing too late that the more energy they poured into their attacks, the stronger the creature became.

Kakashi cursed under his breath. "It's adapting to us," he muttered. "We need a different approach."

But before they could formulate a new plan, the Reaper stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with cruel delight. "You're already too late," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "This creature cannot be defeated by your simple techniques. It thrives on your chakra, on your hope. The more you fight, the stronger it becomes."

Sai, realizing the gravity of the situation, released another set of ink creatures, sending them to flank the creature in a desperate attempt to distract it. But the beast's tendrils tore through the ink beasts with ease, scattering the drawings like paper in the wind.

Despair settled in the pit of Sai's stomach as he realized the magnitude of their enemy. His ink beasts were powerless against this dark force.

"Even Sai's jutsu isn't working," Sakura muttered, her breath ragged from the exertion of battle.

Suddenly, the creature shifted again, its attention turning toward Sakura. In an instant, it shot toward her, its tendrils reaching out with terrifying speed. Sakura barely had time to react as the dark mass wrapped around her, pulling her off her feet and slamming her into the ground with a sickening thud.

"Sakura!" Kakashi shouted, rushing forward to help her.

The Reaper's laughter echoed once again as he stepped closer to the team. "Ah, yes," he said softly. "This one has spirit. But spirit alone won't save you." With a swift motion, he sent a wave of dark energy crashing toward Kakashi and Sai, forcing them back as the creature tightened its grip on Sakura.

Sasuke, still battling the creature's tendrils with his Susanoo, turned his gaze toward Sakura, his Rinnegan glowing with anger. "Let her go!" he shouted, unleashing a barrage of attacks from the Susanoo, but the dark creature absorbed each blow, growing stronger with every strike.

Sakura struggled against the creature's hold, her fists glowing with chakra as she tried to break free. But the darkness was suffocating, draining her strength with every passing second. Her vision blurred as the Reaper's presence loomed closer.

"This isn't good," she thought, her mind racing. "We need Naruto…"

The battle raged on as Sasuke, Kakashi, and Sai fought desperately to protect Sakura and take down the dark creature. But despite their best efforts, the beast was too strong, its power growing with every attack they launched.

Sasuke, his Susanoo flickering with the strain of battle, glanced toward the sky. "We can't keep this up," he muttered under his breath. "We need more power."

Just as hope seemed to be slipping away, a familiar voice cut through the chaos.

"Need a hand?"

The team turned to see reinforcements arriving—Shikamaru, Temari, Kankuro, and Choji, rushing into the battlefield. Their arrival brought a surge of hope as they leapt into action, quickly coordinating with the team to launch a counterattack.

"About time you showed up," Kakashi said with a grin beneath his mask.

Shikamaru smirked, forming hand seals. "Better late than never."

With the reinforcements' help, the tide of the battle began to shift. Shikamaru's shadow jutsu restrained the creature long enough for Sasuke to unleash a devastating attack with his Rinnegan and Susanoo, while Choji's massive strength pushed back the dark tendrils threatening to crush them all.

Temari unleashed powerful gusts of wind, slicing through the creature's defenses as Kankuro's puppets moved in

The battlefield was in chaos, and though the Reaper had retreated, the signs of his presence were still felt in every dark pulse of energy that lingered in the air. The devastation left behind was horrifying, and Sasuke, Kakashi, Sakura, and Sai were battered and worn. The team had been on the verge of collapse, overwhelmed by the creature summoned from the dark scroll, until the timely arrival of reinforcements had turned the tide of battle.

Shikamaru, Temari, Kankuro, and Choji stood at the forefront of the scene, their presence commanding a wave of relief. Shikamaru, his sharp eyes scanning the battlefield, quickly assessed the situation. His voice cut through the tension with a calm, steady tone. "Is everyone all right?"

Sasuke, breathing heavily but still standing tall, gave a quick nod. "We're fine… for now."

Temari wiped sweat from her brow as she surveyed the destruction around her. "What the hell was that thing?" she muttered, her fan still drawn and ready in case the enemy returned.

"It's not over," Kakashi said, his voice tinged with exhaustion as he wiped blood from his brow. "The Reaper's planning something bigger. He escaped, but he's already set something in motion. We'll need to regroup and report back to the village."

The Reaper's retreat hadn't been a defeat, and the team knew it. His parting words echoed in their minds, promising a more terrifying return. As he vanished into the shadows with his twisted grin, he left behind the chilling message: "Next time will be different. This was just a preview."

The air remained heavy with the sense that something much worse was on the horizon.

**In Konoha - Naruto's Condition Worsens**

In the village of Konoha, Ino ran through the streets with Naruto cradled tightly in her arms, her heart pounding in her chest. The small boy was unconscious, his face pale and drenched in cold sweat. His small body trembled from an unknown source of pain, and his breathing was shallow and ragged. Ino's fear gripped her like a vice as she sprinted toward the hospital, praying that Tsunade would know what to do.

"Naru-baby, hang on!" Ino cried, her voice breaking as she glanced down at the child in her arms. "Please… just hang on a little longer."

She burst into the hospital, her voice echoing through the hallways as she called for help. "Tsunade-sama! Please, it's Naruto! He needs help now!"

Tsunade, who had been going over reports in her office, immediately rushed to meet Ino in the emergency room. Her eyes widened when she saw Naruto in such a state, and she didn't waste a second. "Bring him here, quickly!" she commanded, leading Ino into a sterile room and motioning to the nurses to prepare medical supplies.

As soon as Ino set Naruto down on the medical bed, Tsunade examined him with critical eyes. The boy's small chest was rising and falling unevenly, and his forehead was slick with sweat. But what immediately caught Tsunade's attention was the glowing seal on Naruto's stomach.

The seal, normally a dormant spiral, was now pulsing with dark energy, twisting into the shape of a dragon. Its energy was volatile, and every time it flared, Naruto would grimace in pain, even in his unconscious state.

"Ino, help me!" Tsunade barked as she activated her medical chakra. Her hands glowed with green energy as she pressed them against Naruto's chest, trying to stabilize him. "We need to suppress whatever's happening with this seal before it gets worse."

Ino, her eyes wide with panic, nodded quickly and focused her own medical chakra. Her hands began to glow, though not with the same mastery as Tsunade's. She placed her hands on Naruto's side, channeling everything she had learned into calming the boy's body.

"What's happening to him?" Ino asked, her voice trembling as she watched the seal pulse beneath Naruto's skin.

Tsunade's face was grim. "The seal is reacting to something. It's flaring out of control. Whatever Naruto saw or felt earlier triggered this… and it's dangerous."

The medical team rushed into the room with IVs, saline bags, and blood samples, while Tsunade continued her work. "Get me his blood type!" Tsunade ordered one of the nurses. "And bring anything you can for chakra suppression!"

The nurse quickly returned with the results of Naruto's blood test. Tsunade glanced at the paper, her brow furrowing. "This blood type… it's incredibly rare."

Ino, still channeling her chakra, blinked in confusion. "Rare?"

Tsunade nodded, her voice tense. "It's not common, not even among shinobi. We may not have enough supplies for a transfusion if things get worse."

Ino's heart sank as she looked down at Naruto. His breathing had stabilized slightly under their care, but the glowing seal was still there, still dangerous. "Naru-baby…" she whispered, tears stinging her eyes. "You're so special. Please don't leave us."

Tsunade shook her head, her tone sharp. "There's no time for that, Ino! Focus. We're not letting him slip away."

Hours passed as Tsunade and Ino worked tirelessly, their chakra ebbing and flowing as they tried to suppress the dangerous energy from the seal. Eventually, the glowing dragon-shaped mark began to fade, the dark energy slowly retreating. Naruto's small body stilled, his breathing finally evening out.

Tsunade wiped sweat from her forehead, exhausted but relieved. "We've managed to stabilize him for now. But this isn't over," she muttered. "That seal… it's tied to something far darker than we've ever seen."

Ino collapsed into a chair beside Naruto's bed, her body trembling with relief and exhaustion. She reached out and gently stroked Naruto's hair, her fingers brushing through the soft blonde spikes. "Thank you," she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Thank you for staying with me, Naru-baby."

Naruto's eyes fluttered open moments later, his voice weak but steady. "Mama?" he whispered, his gaze hazy as he looked up at Ino.

Ino immediately leaned down, gathering him into her arms as fresh tears fell. "Naru-baby! You're okay!" she cried, holding him tightly. "I was so worried."

Naruto, still groggy, gave a small smile. "I'm sorry, Mama. I didn't mean to make you worry."

Ino blushed at the use of "Mama" again, but she didn't care. She kissed his forehead repeatedly, her heart overflowing with relief and affection. "Don't you ever scare me like that again," she whispered between kisses. "I love you too much."

At that moment, Tsunade entered the room, her arms crossed as she watched Ino shower Naruto with affection. Her expression softened as she saw Naruto awake, but she couldn't resist a teasing comment. "Ino, if you keep this up, people are going to start thinking you've turned the hospital into a... different kind of establishment."

Ino shot her a defiant look, still holding Naruto protectively in her arms. "I don't care about any of that. What matters is that Naru-baby is okay."

Tsunade sighed, shaking her head. "You're something else, Ino." She walked over to Naruto's bedside, her tone turning serious as she addressed the boy. "Naruto, you gave us all quite the scare. How do you feel now?"

Naruto rubbed his eyes, still trying to shake off the lingering effects of his ordeal. "I feel... okay," he murmured, though the memory of the nightmare still clung to him. His face darkened as he recalled the images that had haunted him. "Tsunade-baa-chan… I saw something. In my dream."

Tsunade exchanged a concerned glance with Ino before turning back to Naruto. "What did you see, Naruto?"

Naruto hesitated for a moment, his small hands clutching the blanket tightly. "There was a man… a really bad man. He was laughing… and he was hurting people. He said… he said the world was going to be his." His voice shook as he continued. "He was... he was hurting women, and he… he was going to kill me."

Ino's heart broke as she heard the fear in Naruto's voice. She pulled him closer, her arms tightening around him protectively. "It's okay, Naru-baby," she whispered, kissing his hair. "I won't let anyone hurt you."

Tsunade's expression grew darker as she processed Naruto's words. "The Reaper," she muttered, more to herself than anyone else. "He's not just after power. He's planning something much worse."

Ino's eyes widened. "You mean the man Naruto saw… that was the Reaper?"

Tsunade nodded gravely. "It has to be. His power is growing, and whatever he's planning… it's going to change the world if we don't stop him."

Naruto, still

Naruto hesitated, looking between Tsunade and Ino. "It was... terrifying," he whispered, his small body trembling as he recalled the images in his dream. "The man… the Reaper, he was hurting people—killing them—and he said the world was going to be his." Tears filled Naruto's eyes as he held onto Ino tighter. "I saw people... dying. I saw him laughing while… while he did horrible things to women."

Ino's heart shattered as she held Naruto close, cradling his small form. "I won't let anyone hurt you, Naru-baby," she whispered, her voice full of emotion. She kissed the top of his head, determined to protect him at all costs.

Tsunade, her face grim, folded her arms and looked down at Naruto. "We'll protect you, Naruto," she said. "But this vision you had… it's a warning. The Reaper is planning something even bigger, something worse than what we've seen so far."

Naruto wiped his eyes and looked up at her, his voice trembling. "He said… he was going to make the world his. I saw him killing people with a scythe… and he tried to hurt me."

Tsunade clenched her fists, her anger building. "This Reaper is more dangerous than we thought. If he's targeting you, then it means he sees you as a threat to his plans. But we won't let him win."

Ino, still holding Naruto, looked up at Tsunade, her eyes full of determination. "What do we do, Tsunade-sama? How do we stop him?"

Tsunade shook her head, her voice filled with concern. "The Reaper's power is growing, and he's not just attacking villages. He's after something bigger. We need to find out what his endgame is before it's too late."

Naruto, still shaken, whispered, "He's going to take over everything. I saw it… I saw what he wants to do."

Tsunade knelt down beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We won't let that happen, Naruto," she said softly. "You're not alone in this fight. We're all in this together."

Ino tightened her grip on Naruto, her tears still flowing. "I won't let anyone hurt you," she repeated, her voice filled with fierce protectiveness. "I'm here, Naru-baby, always."

Naruto, still exhausted but comforted by Ino's words, slowly began to relax in her arms. He leaned against her, his small body trembling as the fear of his visions slowly began to fade. "Thank you, Mama," he whispered softly, his eyes closing as he finally found some peace.

Tsunade stood and looked at Ino, her voice firm. "We have to act quickly. The Reaper is escalating, and we can't afford to wait. We'll need to prepare the village for whatever's coming next."

Ino nodded, her heart still heavy with worry for Naruto, but she knew Tsunade was right. The Reaper's threat was growing, and they had to be ready. "Whatever it takes," she said, her voice steady. "I'll protect Naruto, no matter what."

Tsunade gave her a small nod of approval. "Good. We'll need you, Ino. Naruto's safety is a priority, but we need to figure out how to stop the Reaper before he makes his next move."

**End of Chapter 7**