The room in the Hokage's office was tense, but the atmosphere shifted the moment Naruto Uzumaki burst through the door, his trademark grin lighting up the space. He practically bounced on his feet, an infectious energy radiating from him.

"HEY, I KNOW YOU!" Naruto yelled, pointing directly at Rei, causing her to jump slightly, startled by the sudden outburst. "YOU'RE THAT GIRL WHO WAS WITH THE SKELETON GUY, YAMIIII! THE ONE WHO THREW ME AROUND IN THE FINALS! HE LOOKED LIKE A COOL SKELETON, ALL BLACK AND SPOOKY!" His voice echoed with excitement and disbelief, as if it had just clicked for him.

Rei couldn't help but laugh, the sound light and melodic, as she remembered the fight clearly. The image of Yami standing in the Death Deity form—the black fabric shrouding his skeletal body, the eerie yet majestic presence he radiated—flashed in her mind. She remembered how, during the Chuunin Exams, she had watched in awe as Yami had obliterated everything in his path, including the formidable Naruto himself.

"It's just like him," Rei said with a grin, her voice thick with affection. "He'd definitely say something like that. You were a good match in that final fight, though. I watched it, you know. You only won because you refused to stay down. Yami respected that." She paused, glancing at Naruto's grin, which only grew wider.

Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly, a little embarrassed by Rei's comment but beaming nonetheless. "He really is something, huh? I remember it well... He kept talking about fate and how it was always in his hands. It was like I was just a piece he was playing with." Naruto chuckled, still a bit in awe of the fight they had shared. "But I wasn't going down without a fight! Guess it paid off."

Neji Hyuga, who had been standing to the side, his arms crossed and his usual stoic expression on his face, nodded in agreement. His voice was calm, as always, but there was an underlying respect in his words. "I remember it too. Forest of Death. He was ruthless, yet... controlled. He wasn't just fighting for himself. His power—it wasn't about winning; it was about asserting what was inevitable."

Rei's gaze softened as she glanced at Neji, recalling their fight. She remembered the intense pressure of his Byakugan, the way he moved with precision. "You fought him well, Neji," she said quietly, acknowledging his strength. "But it was his will that drove him. He... didn't even seem to care about victory. He was just doing what he was supposed to."

Lee, ever the enthusiastic one, stood up next, his face serious but with a glint of humor. "I remember too," he said, his voice almost nostalgic. "In the forest, I tried to help you, Rei, and Yami…" He paused, rubbing the back of his head with a sheepish smile. "But then he slammed my head into a tree, and now I have this permanent scar!" He motioned to a faded, jagged scar running along his forehead, the evidence of Yami's brutal strength.

Rei chuckled at the memory, picturing Lee's overzealous attack and Yami's immediate counter. "Well, at least it's a good story," she teased. Lee laughed with her, not taking offense in the slightest.

The room became quiet as Tsunade, who had been listening intently, cleared her throat and stood. The air of authority around her shifted as she began to speak, her voice calm but firm. "Alright, that's enough reminiscing. We have more pressing matters to attend to. Rei, you've asked for help, and I believe that help can be provided. But there are things we must consider before we proceed." She took a step forward, her gaze sweeping over the group, ensuring their attention.

"The reason we have brought in high-class ninjas like Kakashi Hatake, Jiraiya of the Sannin, and Shino Aburame, is because of the severity of the situation. Yami's actions have left a deep impact on Enraoi, and his fate is tied to more than just his escape. There are powerful enemies who will stop at nothing to keep him imprisoned, and those enemies will not hesitate to use everything in their power to hunt you down, Rei. This is not going to be an easy mission." Tsunade's voice lowered with a warning tone. "Kakashi is a tactical genius—his sharingan and intelligence will be invaluable in planning our next steps. Jiraiya has lived through wars and has been around long enough to know how to handle dangerous situations. His experience will be crucial. And Shino... He is a tracker, capable of following even the faintest of trails. We need him because we will be facing opposition, and we need to be sure that we can move with precision."

Tsunade turned her gaze to the others in the room. "The fact that we have you three—Naruto, Neji, and Lee—fighting alongside us is reassuring. Your strength, your determination, and your history with Yami give us an edge. But the dangers we face will require all of us to be in sync, to work together. This mission isn't about individual glory. It's about freeing one of our own and ensuring the safety of the people who have already been caught in this conflict."

Naruto's gaze hardened with determination. "I'm in, Tsunade! If Yami saved Konoha, then we owe him. If you're going, I'm going. I'll bring my best!"

Neji, his eyes narrowing in thought, nodded. "If we are to do this, we'll need to be strategic. But I agree. Yami's actions in the Exams—though controversial—have earned him the respect of Konoha. We cannot let him suffer alone."

Lee's ever-optimistic face lit up as he stepped forward. "You can count on me too! I won't let anyone stop us from saving Yami! He's our ally, and we owe him!"

Rei's heart swelled with gratitude as she listened to them. These were the people Yami had fought beside—people who had seen his strength, his will, and his power. They understood that what he did was not for glory, but for the people, for the cause he believed in.

Tsunade looked at each of them and then nodded, satisfied with their responses. "Then it's settled. We'll move out soon. Prepare yourselves. This won't be easy, but I believe we can do it. For Yami."

As Tsunade spoke, Rei couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over her. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she wasn't fighting alone. She had allies—strong, capable allies who were willing to risk everything to free Yami and bring him back to the world that had turned its back on him.

And together, they would fight.

Rei smiled softly to herself, the weight of her journey starting to feel a little lighter. But deep in her heart, she knew that the hardest part was still ahead. The path to Yami's freedom was long and fraught with danger, but she wasn't afraid. Not anymore.