The dim glow of the evening sun had begun to fade behind the distant peaks of Enraoi as Yami, Rei, Naruto, and Sakura sat around a simple but cozy wooden table in the center of the Minka. The house was modest yet beautifully crafted, with a rustic warmth that came from the natural wood and the handmade furnishings. It was a quiet sanctuary away from the world's troubles, yet as the four of them sat down to share a warm meal together, it was clear that the unexpected visitors from the Hidden Leaf Village had brought with them an entirely new energy into the mountain home.

The table was filled with an array of freshly prepared dishes. Rei had worked hard over the afternoon, preparing a meal that was simple but satisfying—rice, grilled fish, vegetables, and a hot broth to warm them from the cool mountain air. Yami, though usually known for his strength and battle prowess, was no stranger to cooking, and he had lent a hand in the preparation. There was a sense of comfort and peace in the air, a far cry from the days of war, betrayal, and uncertainty.

As the food was passed around, the conversation naturally shifted to lighthearted topics, and the table soon filled with a sense of warmth that only friends and family could bring.

"So," Yami began, looking across the table at Naruto and Sakura, who had been talking amongst themselves. He shifted in his seat slightly, his sharp gaze never leaving them as he reached for a bowl of rice. "What brings you two all the way up to Enraoi? Seems a bit far off the beaten path for a simple visit, don't you think?"

Naruto swallowed a piece of fish before grinning widely. "Ah, right! I almost forgot to mention it!" He sat up straighter, excited to share his purpose. "We're actually here on a mission. We're looking for Orochimaru."

Yami tilted his head, his curiosity piqued, though there was a noticeable lack of recognition in his eyes. He hadn't heard of anyone by that name before. "Orochimaru?" he asked, his tone more of a question than an accusation. "Who's that?"

Rei, sitting beside Yami, paused in her eating and glanced over at him. Her silver hair caught the light as she turned her head toward him, and she gave a soft smile, sensing that Yami's lack of knowledge was genuine. She placed her chopsticks down and cleared her throat, then looked back at Naruto and Sakura before explaining.

"Orochimaru is a former member of the Hidden Leaf Village's elite group of ninjas known as the Legendary Sannin," Rei said, her voice steady and calm. "He's a dangerous and twisted individual—someone who sought immortality and power at any cost. After being expelled from the Hidden Leaf, he went on to form his own dark organization, and he's been involved in many sinister schemes over the years. He's the kind of person who'll stop at nothing to achieve his goals."

Yami's expression remained thoughtful as he processed this new information. "Sounds like a threat," he murmured, pushing a strand of hair back from his face. "But you're still chasing him?"

"Yeah," Naruto nodded enthusiastically, clearly excited to talk about their mission. "We're trying to track him down because he's been up to something again, and we need to stop him before he does any more damage. Last we heard, he was in the area around here, which is why we're out looking."

Sakura, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, now spoke up. "We've been following leads for a while now, but he's been difficult to track. There's always something just out of reach." She took a sip of her tea, her voice cool yet laced with frustration. "But we can't give up. The longer we wait, the more dangerous he becomes."

Yami's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression thoughtful. "I see. Well, if there's anything I can do to help, don't hesitate to ask," he said, his voice low and serious, though there was a hint of respect in his tone. "I won't stand by if a dangerous person is out there threatening the peace we've built here."

Naruto grinned, raising his chopsticks in a mock salute. "Thanks, Yami! We'll keep that in mind. It's good to know that you've got our backs!"

The conversation fell into a comfortable silence for a moment as the group continued eating, the sound of clinking utensils and soft laughter filling the space. The warmth of the meal, the company, and the soft crackle of the fire nearby seemed to put everyone at ease. However, despite the easy flow of conversation, Yami had been quietly observing Naruto throughout their exchange, his thoughts turning inward as memories resurfaced.

Naruto's words had brought him back to that fateful day—the day when Vistago had unleashed unimaginable power, when the world had seemed to fall apart at the seams. It was the day that Naruto, along with the others, had witnessed Yami's true strength. That had been the day Yami had fully unlocked his potential, a day that had burned itself into the minds of those who had been present.

Naruto must have noticed the change in Yami's demeanor because he paused mid-bite, his face softening. "You know," he said, his voice quieter now, "I haven't seen you guys since... since the fight with Vistago. That was... crazy. You showed us what real power is that day."

Yami's eyes flickered toward Naruto, but he didn't immediately respond. Rei noticed the tension in the air and placed a hand on Yami's, a silent gesture that grounded him. Yami took a deep breath and let it out slowly before glancing at Naruto.

"It was a day I won't forget either," Yami said, his voice steady but with an underlying weight. "There's no going back after something like that."

Naruto's smile faltered, replaced by a quiet understanding. "I get it. You changed that day. You showed us just how strong you've become. I'm not gonna lie, it freaked me out a little bit," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "But I've been thinking about it a lot, and I... I can't help but feel like I need to be stronger too. To make sure that something like that never happens again."

Rei's eyes softened as she watched the exchange. She had known Naruto for a long time, but seeing him so reflective was rare. She glanced at Yami, who seemed lost in his own thoughts, and then back at Naruto. There was something endearing about his resolve, even after all that had happened.

The quiet moment was broken by Yami's voice, this time more lighthearted. "So, Naruto, how about we test your resolve tomorrow morning?" He leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. "I'm sure we could find a good way for you to get a little stronger. How about a sparring match?"

Sakura, who had been quietly watching the exchange, raised an eyebrow. "A sparring match?" she asked, her voice teasing. "Are you sure that's wise, Naruto? Yami's no slouch. You might end up regretting it."

Naruto just grinned widely, the cocky smile returning to his face. "Pfft, I'm not afraid! Bring it on! I've gotten stronger too, you know!" He thumped his chest for emphasis, clearly excited at the prospect of testing himself against Yami.

Rei, who had been quietly observing the conversation, glanced over at Sakura and raised an eyebrow. "How about you, Sakura?" she asked with a small smile. "Don't want to be left out of the fun, do you?"

Sakura blinked, momentarily taken aback by the suggestion. She looked at Yami and then back at Rei. There was something about Yami's presence that made her uneasy, though she couldn't place exactly why. It wasn't fear—more like... curiosity. And then there was the odd sensation she'd been feeling whenever she saw Rei.

"Uh... sure," Sakura replied after a long pause. "Why not? I've been itching to get in some practice, especially if it's against you." She shot Yami a playful, though slightly apprehensive, look. "But I'm warning you, I won't go easy."

Rei smiled, satisfied with the response. "Good. It'll be fun."

The lighthearted chatter continued for a few more moments until Sakura's eyes fell on Rei's stomach. It was subtle, but Rei's loose-fitting training attire allowed for a faint outline of her growing belly to show. Sakura's eyes widened as she blinked, and then, without thinking, she blurted out, "Wait a minute... Are you pregnant?"

Rei froze, her chopsticks halfway to her mouth. She blinked, momentarily taken aback by the sudden question. Yami, who had been in the middle of taking a sip of tea, stopped and looked over at Rei, waiting for her response.

Naruto, whose mouth was full, nearly choked at the revelation. "Wait, what?! Pregnant?!"

Rei's face turned a light shade of pink, and she glanced at Yami, who only gave her a quiet, almost amused look. After a brief pause, she nodded slowly. "Yes," she said softly, her voice warm with an unspoken happiness. "We're expecting."

The room fell into stunned silence for a moment, and then Naruto's face broke into a wide grin, the shock quickly giving way to excitement. "That's amazing! Congratulations, you two!" he said, his voice loud with genuine joy.

Sakura, on the other hand, seemed caught somewhere between shock and confusion. She wasn't sure what to make of it, but there was no denying the warmth in the air, the unspoken bond between the couple. Her gaze flickered back and forth between Yami and Rei, and though she didn't fully understand the dynamics between them, she couldn't deny the depth of their connection.

Naruto, noticing the change in atmosphere, nudged Sakura playfully. "C'mon, Sakura. We should be celebrating! We've got a future to look forward to!"

Sakura nodded, slowly letting the surprise fade into a genuine smile. "Yeah. You two are really something, huh?"

Yami smiled softly, his eyes meeting Rei's with a deep affection. "We are," he said, his voice quiet but full of meaning. "And we're looking forward to whatever comes next."