I have a new story, I hope you like it .
**Chapter 1: Broken Bonds and Silent Streets**
The sun was setting over Konoha, casting long shadows across the village streets. Sasuke and Sakura walked side by side, their expressions somber. They had been trying for months to reconnect with Naruto, but every attempt seemed to push him further away.
Sakura's eyes welled up with tears. "Sasuke, we have to try again. We can't just give up on him. He's... he's our friend."
Sasuke sighed, his face hard but understanding. "We've tried, Sakura. The last time we went to his house, he barely even looked at us. He's not the same Naruto anymore."
Sakura wiped her tears, remembering the cold look in Naruto's eyes when they last spoke. He had changed—so much. Ever since he joined the ANBU, it was like he had locked away all his emotions, closing himself off from everyone, including them.
"He's been so... angry. And now, with him being in ANBU, he's more distant than ever," Sasuke added, his fists clenching in frustration. "No one can get through to him."
"But there has to be a way..." Sakura's voice broke, her heart aching. "We can't lose him like this."
Sasuke placed a hand on her shoulder. "We'll try again."
Just then, they spotted him—Naruto, walking down the street alone. His once bright and energetic demeanor had been replaced by a chilling calmness. He moved through the village like a ghost, ignoring everyone around him.
"Naruto!" Sakura called out, but there was no response.
Naruto didn't even glance their way. He continued walking, his face emotionless, his eyes as cold as ice. Even though people, especially girls, swarmed around him, asking for autographs and vying for his attention, he barely acknowledged them. With his chiseled features and almost ethereal beauty, Naruto had grown into a man who now commanded the attention of everyone—far more than Sasuke ever had during their academy days.
Sasuke frowned as he watched the crowd of girls surrounding Naruto, a pang of something close to jealousy tugging at him. He couldn't deny that Naruto's transformation was astonishing. His skin was pale as snow, his frame lean but muscular. His face, once boyish and carefree, now held an almost feminine elegance that made him seem untouchable. But behind that beauty was something far darker—an emptiness that frightened those who once knew him.
Sakura's heart ached as she watched Naruto walk away, not even sparing them a glance. "Why won't he talk to us? Why is he shutting us out like this?"
"We'll keep trying," Sasuke said, though even he wasn't sure how they could break through to their old friend.
**Across the Village: Ino's Struggle**
On the other side of the village, Ino Yamanaka sat by herself, staring at the empty shop her parents had once run. Her father had been a casualty of the Fourth Great Ninja War, and her mother had died soon after from grief. Now, at 18 years old, Ino was alone, with nothing but her memories.
She sighed, running her fingers through her long blonde hair. "Why did it have to turn out like this?" she muttered, her voice filled with sadness.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed a group of girls giggling and whispering excitedly nearby. Curious, Ino followed their gaze—and her heart skipped a beat.
There he was, Naruto Uzumaki, surrounded by a swarm of admirers. But this wasn't the Naruto she remembered. The boyish, clumsy energy was gone, replaced by an unnerving calm. His skin was pale, almost ghostly, and his lean but muscular frame made him look like a model out of a magazine. His face... Ino felt her cheeks flush. How did he get so handsome?
The girls giggled louder, thrusting pens and notebooks in his direction, begging for autographs. And to Ino's disbelief, Naruto signed them without hesitation, though his face remained expressionless, his eyes cold as ever.
"What the hell?" Ino muttered under her breath. "How did *he* of all people become the village heartthrob?"
A pang of jealousy coursed through her, though she wasn't sure whether she was jealous of the attention he was getting... or if she was jealous of the girls fawning over him.
"Seriously, what's so special about him anyway? He's just... Naruto." She frowned, trying to shake the strange feeling building up inside her.
But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get rid of the odd flutter in her chest as she watched him. Something about him had changed. Not just physically, but emotionally. He was colder now, more distant... but there was still something that drew her in.
"What's wrong with me?" Ino whispered, blushing even more as Naruto's icy blue eyes scanned the crowd. He didn't even notice her, but for some reason, that only made her feel more unsettled.
**Naruto's Isolation**
As Naruto continued his silent walk through the village, the weight of the stares and whispers barely registered. His mind was far away, wrapped in memories and shadows that he couldn't shake. Every day since the war, he had tried to shut out the world, pushing everyone away—including Sasuke, Sakura, and even himself.
The ANBU had given him the perfect escape. It allowed him to disappear into missions, to focus on something other than the gnawing emptiness inside. But no matter how many missions he completed, no matter how many enemies he took down, the darkness inside him only grew.
"Naruto!" a girl's voice called out from behind him, breaking his thoughts.
He turned slightly to see more girls huddling around, their hands outstretched for autographs. He signed each one robotically, not caring about the adoration or the praise. It meant nothing to him.
One of the girls smiled brightly as he handed her the signed paper. "Thank you, Naruto-kun! You're amazing!"
Naruto didn't respond. He simply nodded once and continued walking, his face emotionless. The attention, the admiration... it was all hollow. They didn't know him. No one did anymore.
The Hokage's office was unusually tense that morning. Tsunade sat behind her desk, rubbing her temples in frustration as she looked at the two ninja standing before her—Naruto and Ino. The atmosphere between them was thick with unresolved conflict, and Tsunade wasn't in the mood to deal with it.
"This is a direct order," Tsunade said firmly. "You two are going on this mission together. No exceptions."
Ino's jaw clenched as she shot a glare at Naruto, who stood there with an air of indifference. His cold demeanor and icy blue eyes had already rattled her nerves. She had never seen him like this before—not this version of Naruto who had grown into a silent, ruthless ANBU operative.
"Why do I have to go with him?" Ino demanded, her voice rising. She couldn't help it; she was frustrated. The idea of being stuck on a mission with Naruto in his current state was infuriating.
Naruto, standing beside her with his arms crossed, didn't even bother to look at her. "It's not like I want to go on a mission with a failure like you," he said in a low, icy tone, his eyes fixed on the wall behind Tsunade.
Ino's anger flared. Her fists clenched, and she turned to face him directly, her cheeks flushing with frustration. "Failure? You've got some nerve, Naruto! You were the dead last in the academy. You—"
Before she could finish, Naruto's cold eyes finally met hers. "That was then. Now, I'm the hero of the Fourth Great Ninja War. I'm the one who defeated Pain, Madara, and the Akatsuki. I'm the most desired person in the entire shinobi world," he said, his voice sharp with arrogance. "And what about you, Ino? What have you done? What are your achievements? You're nothing but a girl to be pitied."
The words hit her like a punch to the gut. For the first time in a long while, Naruto showed emotion—anger, disdain, and arrogance that stung. Ino's face turned pale, and her heart sank. She tried to hold back the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. She wasn't going to let him see her cry, not like this.
Tsunade, who had been watching the exchange with a growing frown, slammed her fist on the desk, making both of them flinch. "Enough! I won't tolerate any more of this childish behavior. You're both ninja of Konoha, and you will act like it. This mission is critical, and there's no room for your personal grudges. You *will* work together, and that's final."
Naruto remained silent, but his cold demeanor didn't waver. Ino, on the other hand, glared at the floor, trying to control the mix of anger and sadness swirling inside her.
"Fine," Ino muttered, her voice barely audible. She wasn't happy about it, but she knew there was no escaping this.
Naruto didn't even bother responding. His cold detachment remained as he turned toward the door. "Let's get this over with."
As they left the Hokage's office, Ino couldn't help but steal a glance at Naruto's face. His once bright and warm expression was now stone-cold, and yet... she couldn't deny how much he had changed. His features were sharp, his skin pale and flawless, and his body had become lean and muscular. Despite her anger, her cheeks flushed slightly as she thought about how different he looked now.
"What's wrong with me?" Ino muttered under her breath, frustrated by the conflicting feelings bubbling inside her.
**Midway Through the Mission**
The mission itself wasn't supposed to be complicated. They were tasked with capturing a notorious bandit leader who had been causing trouble on the outskirts of the Land of Fire. Simple reconnaissance and retrieval—that's what Tsunade had told them. But with the tension between Naruto and Ino, even the simplest mission felt like it could explode at any moment.
As they made their way through the forest, the silence between them was suffocating. Ino could feel her frustration growing with every step they took. Naruto's indifference was driving her insane.
Finally, she couldn't take it anymore.
"I'm going to be the leader of this mission," Ino declared suddenly, her voice filled with determination.
Naruto barely glanced at her, his cold eyes unreadable. "No, you're not."
Ino's fists clenched. "Yes, I am! I'm perfectly capable of leading this mission."
Naruto stopped walking and turned to face her fully, his expression still unreadable but his voice dripping with condescension. "You? The leader? What makes you think you're qualified to lead anything?"
Ino's face turned red with anger. "I've been on plenty of missions, Naruto! I've got experience too."
Naruto's eyes narrowed, his voice cold and cutting. "Experience as what? A Genin who plays around with flowers and mind tricks? I'm an ANBU operative. I've been in more life-or-death situations than you can imagine. I've fought against the most dangerous enemies in the shinobi world. And you think you can lead this mission?"
Ino's face flushed even more, but now it was from both anger and embarrassment. "You think just because you're the hero of the war, you're better than everyone else?"
Naruto's lips curled into a small, mocking smile. "Yes, that's exactly what I think. I *am* better than you. Better than anyone from your clan. Better than any clan in Konoha."
Ino's eyes widened in shock. This wasn't the Naruto she remembered. His arrogance, his coldness—it was all too much. "How can you say that? You used to be—"
Naruto's expression hardened even more. "I used to be what? A loser? The dead last? Well, I'm not that anymore. And frankly, I'm tired of pretending that I care about what anyone else thinks."
Ino's heart pounded in her chest. She had never seen Naruto this way before—so full of anger, so full of bitterness. And yet, beneath the anger, she could sense something else. Pain. Loneliness. But before she could dwell on it, her own anger resurfaced.
"Well, I'm still going to be the leader!" Ino shouted, her voice shaking slightly with emotion. "Whether you like it or not!"
Naruto sighed, clearly bored with the argument. "Fine. Be the leader. I don't care anymore. Show me what you can do... *leader*," he said sarcastically before turning his back on her and walking away.
Ino's hands trembled with frustration as she watched him go. Her face flushed from the mixture of emotions running through her—anger, embarrassment, and something else she didn't want to admit. "I'll show you," she muttered under her breath. "I'll show you that I'm more than just some girl to be pitied."
Naruto had left, walking away from Ino with cold indifference after their argument. Ino stood there, watching him disappear into the shadows of the forest, her fists trembling with frustration and anger.
"Who does he think he is?" she muttered to herself, her voice rising. "I'm better than him! I'll prove it!"
Her pride wounded, Ino pressed on with the mission. She had always relied on her intelligence and her clan's mind techniques to complete even the most difficult tasks. This time would be no different. She would find the bandit leader, capture him, and bring him back to Konoha. She didn't need Naruto's help.
As she moved deeper into the forest, she activated her sensory abilities, scanning the area for chakra signatures. It wasn't long before she spotted several figures gathered in a small clearing up ahead. Her heart raced with excitement. She had found them.
Using her clan's signature technique, the *Mind Transfer Jutsu*, she reached out, intending to take control of one of the guards and gather information. Her consciousness flowed through the air, invisible and swift, until it made contact with one of the bandits.
But something was wrong.
The moment her mind made contact, she felt a dark force push back—hard. It was like slamming into a wall of pure evil. Her consciousness snapped back into her body, and she stumbled, gasping for breath. The bandit she had tried to possess turned toward her hiding spot, his eyes glowing with a sickly red light.
"Heh," he sneered. "Looks like we've got a little rat spying on us, boys."
Panic surged through Ino. She had never encountered anything like this before. The bandit leader was more than just a common thug—he was protected by some kind of dark, sinister force.
"I know you're out there, girl," a deep, menacing voice echoed through the trees. "Come out and play. We'll have some fun tonight."
Ino's heart raced as she pressed herself against a tree, trying to remain hidden. But it was too late. The bandits had already spotted her, and they were closing in fast.
"No," she whispered, fear gripping her chest. "This isn't happening."
Suddenly, the bandits charged at her. Ino gritted her teeth, knowing she had no choice but to fight. She formed a quick hand sign, summoning her chakra.
"*Mind Disturbance Jutsu!*"
The technique hit the first few bandits, causing them to falter and turn on each other in confusion. But before Ino could catch her breath, the bandit leader himself appeared in front of her, moving with terrifying speed. His massive hand lashed out, and before Ino could react, he struck her across the face with brutal force.
The world spun as Ino flew backward, crashing into the dirt. Pain shot through her ankle as she twisted it on impact. She cried out, clutching her leg, her vision blurred by the shock and pain.
"Looks like the little blonde isn't as tough as she thinks," the bandit leader growled, a sadistic grin spreading across his face. His eyes gleamed with twisted delight as he approached her, licking his lips in anticipation. "I like blondes," he said darkly. "And you've got quite the body on you."
Ino's blood ran cold as his words sank in. She struggled to move, to get up, but her ankle was throbbing in pain, and her body wouldn't respond the way she wanted. She tried to crawl away, but the bandit leader's shadow loomed over her.
"Get away from me, you creep!" Ino screamed, her voice filled with desperation.
But he didn't stop. He knelt beside her, his filthy hands reaching for her body. "Don't fight it, girl," he whispered, his breath rancid. "You'll learn to enjoy it."
Ino's heart pounded in her chest as she struggled, but the pain in her ankle was unbearable. She kicked and thrashed as hard as she could, but he was too strong. The bandits around them watched, laughing and cheering their leader on as he grabbed at her clothes.
Tears welled in Ino's eyes as she fought with everything she had, but it wasn't enough. The bandit's hand tore at her shirt, exposing her skin. He leaned in closer, his rough hands pawing at her.
"No!" she screamed, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her face. "Please, stop!"
But the bandit just laughed, his hand reaching for her waistband. "You're gonna make such a nice prize," he sneered. "Boys, hold her down."
Just as the bandits moved to grab her, the air around them shifted.
Suddenly, a figure appeared, moving with blinding speed. The first bandit didn't even have time to scream before he was cut down, his body hitting the ground with a sickening thud. The second bandit followed, his head severed from his body in one swift motion. The bandit leader barely had time to react before the remaining men were slaughtered, their bodies falling like rag dolls.
Ino's eyes widened in shock as she looked up through her tears, her heart pounding in her chest. Standing over the lifeless bodies of the bandits was none other than Naruto Uzumaki.
His face was as cold as ever, his expression unreadable. The bandit leader, now covered in the blood of his fallen men, stared at Naruto in horror.
"Who the hell are you?" he demanded, his voice trembling. "What are you doing here?"
Naruto didn't answer. His eyes were like ice as he stared down the bandit leader, his hand gripping his kunai tightly. Without a word, Naruto moved, faster than the eye could follow. The bandit leader didn't even have time to scream before Naruto's kunai plunged into his chest, piercing his heart in a single, brutal strike.
It was over in an instant.
The bandit leader's body crumpled to the ground, lifeless. Naruto stood over him, his expression cold and emotionless as he wiped the blood from his kunai.
Ino, still trembling and in shock, stared at Naruto in disbelief. He had saved her—just in time.
Before she could stop herself, she scrambled to her feet, despite the pain in her ankle, and ran to him. Tears were streaming down her face as she threw herself into his arms, clutching his shirt tightly.
"Naruto," she sobbed, her voice breaking. "He… he almost… I was so scared."
Naruto stiffened slightly at the sudden embrace, but he didn't push her away. His hand rested gently on her back as she cried into his chest, her body trembling with fear and relief.
"It's over," Naruto said quietly, his voice surprisingly soft. "You're safe now, Ino."
Ino pulled back slightly, looking up at him through tear-filled eyes. His face, usually so cold and distant, softened just a little as he looked down at her. For the first time in what felt like forever, she saw a glimmer of the old Naruto—the one who cared about his friends, the one who would do anything to protect them.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Naruto gave her a small, almost imperceptible smile. "Don't worry about it," he said quietly. "I won't let anything happen to you."
For a moment, they just stood there, staring at each other. Ino's heart pounded in her chest, but this time it wasn't from fear. There was something else—something she hadn't felt in a long time.
Before she could stop herself, she leaned up on her toes, closing the distance between them. Her lips brushed against his, soft and warm, in a brief, tender kiss.
Naruto's eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he didn't pull away. For a moment, time seemed to stand still as they stood there, the world around them forgotten.
When Ino finally pulled back, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, she couldn't meet his eyes. "I… I'm sorry," she stammered, her face red. "I don't know why I… I just…"
Naruto blinked, still processing what had just happened. But instead of the cold indifference he had shown before, he gave her a small, genuine smile.
"It's okay, Ino," he said softly, his voice gentle for the first time in what felt like years. "It's okay."
Ino's heart skipped a beat as she looked up at him, her face still red. For the first time since the war, she felt something other than pain and fear—she felt hope.
The mission had finally ended, and Naruto and Ino were on their way back to Konoha. After the intense battle and the emotional breakdown, both were exhausted. As night fell, they set up camp in the forest, with their respective tents a few feet apart. The only sounds around them were the distant rustling of leaves and the occasional crackle of the campfire.
Ino sat inside her tent, hugging her knees to her chest, trying to calm her racing heart. The memory of the attack from earlier still haunted her, and despite Naruto saving her, the fear hadn't left. She lay down, her eyes wide open, staring at the tent's ceiling. She was too tense to sleep, but eventually, exhaustion took over, and her eyes fluttered shut.
**The Nightmare**
Ino found herself back in the forest clearing, surrounded by the bandits. The leader was there again, his sickening grin wide across his face as he approached her. She tried to move, to run, but her legs were frozen in place.
"You're mine," the bandit leader growled, his voice echoing in her ears. His hands reached for her again, just as they had before. His fingers were rough and cold as they grabbed at her clothes, tearing them away.
"No!" Ino screamed, but her voice was swallowed by the laughter of the other bandits surrounding her. Their hands were on her too, pulling at her, trapping her in place. She tried to fight, but it was useless.
The leader leaned in, his foul breath hot against her neck. "No one's coming to save you this time," he whispered, his lips brushing her ear.
Ino's heart pounded in terror as she struggled, but it was no use. The bandit's hands were everywhere, violating her, stripping away her dignity as he forced her down to the ground.
"You'll learn to enjoy it," he sneered, his face mere inches from hers. His hands traveled down her body, and she could feel the weight of his evil intentions pressing down on her. Tears streamed down her face as she screamed, her voice echoing into the dark void around her.
**Ino Wakes Up**
Ino bolted upright in her sleeping bag, her chest heaving as she gasped for air. Her heart raced, and her body trembled uncontrollably. It took her a few seconds to realize it had been just a dream—a nightmare.
Her skin was slick with cold sweat, and her eyes darted around the small space of her tent, trying to convince herself that she was safe now, far away from the horror that had almost befallen her. But the terror lingered, and she could still feel the phantom touch of the bandit leader's hands on her skin.
Suddenly, a loud crack of thunder tore through the sky, making her flinch. Her heart leaped in her chest, and she instinctively pulled her knees to her chest, hugging them tightly.
The storm outside was getting worse. Thunder rumbled ominously, and flashes of lightning lit up the forest in harsh bursts. Ino had always hated storms, ever since she was a little girl. When she was younger, during storms, she would crawl into bed with her parents, who would comfort her until the thunder passed. But now, she was alone, and the storm outside made her feel like a terrified child all over again.
Ino sat there for what felt like hours, unable to sleep, her mind plagued by the nightmare and the fear of the storm. Every crash of thunder sent her heart racing, and she knew she couldn't stay in her tent any longer.
Desperate for comfort, she made a decision.
**Seeking Comfort**
Ino crawled out of her tent, shivering as the cold night air hit her skin. The campfire had nearly burned out, leaving only faint embers glowing in the darkness. She hesitated for a moment, her eyes flickering toward Naruto's tent.
The image of him saving her earlier flashed through her mind, and her heart ached with a mixture of gratitude and something else—something she wasn't ready to admit. But right now, all she wanted was to feel safe, and she knew Naruto was the only one who could give her that feeling.
Taking a deep breath, she walked over to his tent, hesitating for a moment before lifting the flap.
Her cheeks immediately flushed a deep red when she saw him.
Naruto was lying on his back, his lean, muscular chest exposed to the cool night air. His ANBU uniform jacket was tossed aside, and his toned torso glistened slightly under the faint light of the dying fire. His pale skin looked almost ethereal in the moonlight, and his face, even in sleep, was calm and peaceful.
Ino's heart skipped a beat as she stared at him. His transformation was still something she couldn't fully comprehend. He wasn't the loud, clumsy boy she remembered from their academy days. He had grown into something else—something stronger, more mysterious, and undeniably attractive.
She blushed even harder as her eyes traveled down his chest, admiring the way his muscles flexed slightly with every breath. Her mind raced, feeling embarrassed and shy all at once. She wasn't used to seeing him like this, and the sight of him so vulnerable, yet so powerful, made her heart flutter in a way she hadn't expected.
"N-Naruto-kun…" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Naruto stirred slightly, his eyes opening halfway. He looked up at her with a sleepy, confused expression. "Ino? What's going on?"
Ino bit her lip, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. "I… I'm scared," she admitted softly, looking away. "The thunder… it reminds me of when I was a kid. I used to sleep with my parents during storms because I was scared. And after… after everything that happened today, I just… I can't be alone right now."
Naruto blinked, still a bit groggy from sleep, but he understood what she was saying. Without a word, he shifted over slightly, making room for her in his tent. "Come on in," he said, his voice calm but indifferent. "It's fine."
Ino's heart leaped, both in relief and nervousness. She crawled into the tent, her body trembling slightly as she lay down next to him. Her cheeks were still flushed, and she felt her pulse quicken as she realized how close they were.
She could feel the heat radiating from his bare chest, and her body instinctively relaxed, though her mind was still racing. She hesitated for a moment before tentatively resting her head against his chest, her heart pounding in her ears.
Naruto glanced down at her, surprised by the sudden closeness. He wasn't used to this—having someone so near, especially a girl like Ino. His usual cold, detached demeanor faltered for just a moment as he felt her warmth against him.
But he didn't say anything. He just lay there, feeling a little awkward, but understanding that Ino needed this. Kurama, the Nine-Tails sealed within him, stirred in the back of his mind, letting out an amused grunt.
"Looks like you're not as heartless as you pretend to be," Kurama teased, his voice rumbling in Naruto's head.
Naruto ignored the fox's taunts, his mind trying to stay focused. But it wasn't easy. Ino was pressed up against him, her soft, warm body lying so close that he could feel her breathing. She was wearing her night clothes, and Naruto's cheeks flushed slightly when he realized that her chest—bare, without a bra—was pressed against his own. The sensation of her soft skin against his made his heart beat faster.
He swallowed hard, trying to stay composed. "Just… sleep," he muttered, mostly to himself, his voice a bit strained.
Ino, meanwhile, had already started to drift off. The warmth of Naruto's body, combined with the rhythmic sound of his heartbeat, calmed her more than she had expected. For the first time that night, she felt safe. As her eyes fluttered shut, she let out a small sigh of relief and snuggled closer to him, her cheek resting against his bare chest.
Naruto lay there, wide awake now, feeling her steady breathing as she slept soundly against him. His face was still flushed, and his mind raced with conflicting thoughts. But as he listened to the soft sound of her snores, he couldn't help but smile—just a little.
"Guess I'm stuck here," he thought, glancing down at her sleeping form.
And with that, Naruto closed his eyes, letting sleep finally take him as well.
The sun had barely risen over the Hokage's office, and yet, inside, the air was thick with tension. Tsunade sat behind her desk, staring at the stack of mission reports in front of her, but her mind was elsewhere. She was worried—worried about something no amount of paperwork or strategy could fix.
Across from her stood Kakashi, his arms crossed, his expression thoughtful but serious. He had just finished briefing her on Naruto's recent mission with Ino, but the conversation had taken a different turn.
"Something's not right with Naruto," Tsunade finally said, breaking the silence. Her voice was heavy with concern. "He's not the same boy who used to run around the village with a smile on his face."
Kakashi nodded slowly, his visible eye narrowing in thought. "I've noticed it too. He's colder, more distant. Almost… angry. But I don't know why."
Tsunade sighed, leaning back in her chair as she massaged her temples. "He's even more arrogant than Sasuke was, and that's saying something. His attitude in the mission briefing the other day... He humiliated Ino right in front of me. Called her a failure without even blinking."
Kakashi frowned. "Naruto said that?"
Tsunade nodded. "It's not just the arrogance. It's the way he talks to people now. He doesn't hold back—no filter, no restraint. He goes straight for the throat with his words, and it's like he enjoys making people uncomfortable."
She looked up at Kakashi, her eyes clouded with frustration. "He's always been brash, but this is different. He's cruel now."
Kakashi sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "I had a similar experience. We were on a mission a few weeks ago, and I questioned one of his decisions. He turned around and told me that I was nothing more than an 'old man hiding behind a mask, reading perverted books.'" He gave a small, humorless laugh. "It was pretty brutal. And honestly, I didn't even recognize the kid when he said it."
Tsunade couldn't help but chuckle at that. "Sounds like Naruto's tongue has gotten sharper than yours, Kakashi."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow under his mask. "I'm not sure if I should be impressed or worried."
Tsunade shook her head, the brief moment of humor fading as quickly as it had come. "It's not just the words, though. He's become so... distant. He used to care so much about people—about his friends, about the village. But now? It's like none of that matters to him anymore."
Kakashi sighed again, his tone more serious now. "I've been thinking about it a lot. Do you think Obito had something to do with this? His influence on Naruto, I mean. Ever since their confrontation during the war, Naruto's changed. Maybe not immediately, but gradually. It's like something about what Obito said, or did, got under his skin."
Tsunade frowned, tapping her fingers on the desk. "Obito... he did have a way of twisting people's minds. But Naruto fought him. He stood against him and won. I find it hard to believe that Obito's words would have corrupted him like that."
Kakashi leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "Still, there's something in the way Naruto's acting that reminds me of the way Obito used to talk. That same bitterness, that same disdain for everything and everyone."
Tsunade shook her head firmly. "I know Naruto. He may be cold and distant now, but he wouldn't turn to the dark side. He's been through too much, and he's seen what that path leads to. He's not like Obito. He's not like Madara. He's stronger than that."
Kakashi nodded, though there was still uncertainty in his eyes. "I want to believe that too. But this... arrogance, this superiority complex... It's not the Naruto I know. It's like he's lost his sense of humility. He's more full of himself than Sasuke ever was."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, her expression softening slightly. "That's saying something."
Kakashi chuckled under his breath. "No kidding. But even Sasuke had a reason for his arrogance—his clan, his power. Naruto... well, he's always been the underdog. Now, it's like he's flipped that completely. He knows how powerful he is, and he's not afraid to remind people of it. Constantly."
Tsunade sighed, leaning back in her chair again. "He was always so eager to prove himself, to show the world he wasn't just some nobody. But now that he's a hero—now that he's saved the village, the world—he's acting like he's above everyone else."
Kakashi's expression grew more serious. "Do you think it could get worse? Could Naruto... turn against us?"
Tsunade's eyes flashed with resolve. "No. That's not happening. Naruto would never turn his back on the village. He cares too much, even if he doesn't show it right now. He's angry, he's hurting, but he's not evil."
Kakashi nodded slowly, though there was still doubt lingering in his mind. "I trust Naruto too, but we can't ignore the changes in him. His behavior is erratic. He's alienating everyone around him—his friends, his comrades. Even someone as patient as Ino got caught in his verbal crossfire."
Tsunade groaned. "Don't remind me. He's been embarrassing everyone he talks to. His tongue's even sharper than yours."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Worse than me?"
Tsunade leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "Much worse. He told me straight to my face that I was just a 'washed-up drunk gambling away my title.'"
Kakashi couldn't hold back a laugh at that. "He said that to *you*?"
Tsunade crossed her arms, smirking despite herself. "He's gotten bold, that's for sure."
Kakashi chuckled, shaking his head. "I never thought I'd see the day when Naruto of all people became the village's most dangerous smart mouth. It's like he's trying to see how far he can push everyone."
Tsunade's smile faded, and she sighed, looking out the window. "I just hope he doesn't push too far. We need Naruto. He's the village's greatest asset—and its biggest heart. We can't lose him to whatever darkness is pulling at him."
Kakashi's expression softened, and he nodded. "I agree. But whatever's going on with him, we need to be careful. Something's changed inside him, and we need to figure out what it is before it's too late."
Tsunade stared out the window at the village below, the weight of her thoughts heavy on her shoulders. "Naruto saved us all once. Maybe it's our turn to save him."
Kakashi nodded in agreement, though the uncertainty still lingered in his mind. "Let's just hope we can reach him before it's too late."