Rei leaned over the ship's railing, the endless ocean stretching out before her like a vast, shifting mirror. The waves rolled and pitched under the sky, but her gaze was fixed beyond the horizon, her thoughts a thousand miles away, somewhere beneath the dark earth of Moukoku, where she imagined Yami bound and silent in the shadows. She imagined his face, the way he'd smirk at something that challenged him, the sharpness of his gaze when he was pushed to his limits, his unyielding spirit that would never let him back down. Her chest tightened. She'd always known Yami was stronger than most—there was no denying that—but even he was human. She wondered how he was managing in the silence and the cold, alone.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the faint sound of Killer B's voice carrying over from the other end of the ship. He and Jiraiya were working with Naruto, guiding him through chakra control exercises. It wasn't lost on her that Naruto was younger, just barely thirteen, but already shouldering enormous responsibility. The sight of him so intensely focused, determined to master his own formidable power, stirred something within her. Even amidst her sorrow, she felt grateful for Naruto's courage and strength, his friendship with Yami, and the way he seemed unbreakable in his drive to become stronger. And Killer B—if anyone could handle Naruto's unpredictable energy, it was him.
Naruto, sweating and flushed with concentration, attempted a complex maneuver Killer B had demonstrated. "Like this, B-sensei?" he asked, his voice high with effort.
"Almost, bro, you're on the right track, yo!" B replied, nodding and offering pointers with a genuine smile. Jiraiya stood nearby, observing Naruto's form and occasionally giving tips of his own. Rei felt a small, comforting warmth watching them, knowing that Naruto was in good hands and working hard to build the skills that would soon be crucial.
But the sorrow returned swiftly, and her gaze drifted back over the water. She wondered if Yami knew she was coming. Did he think she'd abandoned him? Did he feel betrayed by Moukoku, his own home? The questions tumbled through her mind, heavy and unrelenting.
A voice from beside her broke the solitude.
"You know, Rei, he's probably thinking about you too," Neji said, his voice calm, his hands resting on the railing next to hers. His gaze was steady as he looked at her, his Byakugan deactivated but the intensity still present. "Yami's not the type to sit still and wallow. He's probably plotting his way out of there right now."
Lee, standing on her other side, nodded energetically. "Yes! Yami has a spirit that cannot be broken! And you—you have that same spirit, Rei! We all believe in him, and we believe in you too!" He gave her a grin, and the earnestness in his eyes softened the ache in her chest a little.
Rei managed a faint smile, glancing between Neji and Lee. She knew they meant well, but the anxiety gnawed at her, stubborn and unyielding. "I know he's strong," she said, her voice quiet. "But he's alone, in the dark… and I'm scared he'll lose hope before we get there."
Neji's gaze was thoughtful, and he nodded. "It's natural to worry. But Yami—he's not someone who needs light to see. He can make his own, even in the darkest places. He taught us all something during the exams, didn't he?"
Rei smiled a bit more genuinely this time, her mind drifting back to those moments in the Chunin Exams, when Yami had fought with a strength that seemed limitless, his skeletal form a terrifying yet awe-inspiring sight. She remembered the awe in the crowd, the power he'd displayed. She knew Neji was right; Yami was a survivor, someone who could endure almost anything. And yet…
"Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper. The sincerity in their words was more comforting than she had expected.
Behind them, Shino leaned against one of the ship's poles, his gaze hidden behind his high collar, his hands tucked in his coat pockets. His silence was customary, but his presence was oddly reassuring. Though he didn't say a word, his silent watchfulness was like an unspoken promise: he, too, would stand with her when the time came.
Naruto's laughter rang out from across the deck, his voice full of his typical enthusiasm as he mastered a new technique. His energy brought a little life to the solemn atmosphere, a flicker of brightness among the team. "I'll show 'em what a true ninja can do!" he shouted, pumping his fist into the air. "For Yami, for Rei, for everyone!"
Rei watched him, a flicker of admiration in her eyes. She knew Naruto's promise wasn't empty. Despite the pain he'd experienced in his own life, Naruto had a light that never dimmed, and she felt that with him on her side, maybe they could truly bring Yami home.
Killer B and Jiraiya walked over, taking in the group with approving glances. "Yo, we've got one determined squad here," B said, nodding. "It's that fire, that flame—keeping it alive, that's the game!"
Jiraiya chuckled, looking around at each of them. "Let's make this journey count. We're heading into dangerous waters, and we'll need every ounce of strength we have."
A somberness settled as everyone nodded in silent agreement. This mission was about more than just skill and strength. They were heading into a world where their bonds would be tested and where loyalty would be everything.
As night fell, the group gathered on the deck beneath a star-studded sky, each lost in their own thoughts but united in purpose. They were bound for Enraoi, bound to bring back Yami—and bound to change the world.