CHAPTER 31

The door to the Hokage's office slammed open, and a shinobi burst into the room, his face flushed with urgency. "Hokage-sama!" he exclaimed, breathless from running. "Sasuke Uchiha has appeared at the border. The patrols have engaged him, but they're requesting backup immediately. They can't contain him alone."

Tsunade's eyes narrowed, her pulse quickening at the mention of Sasuke's name. She quickly set the report aside, her focus sharpening. Sasuke, a rogue shinobi and former member of Konoha, was not someone to be taken lightly. His sudden appearance, especially with the way he'd already brushed off the patrol's efforts, spelled danger. Tsunade's mind raced—his intentions were unknown, but his history and the unresolved anger he carried left no room for hesitation. The situation was already escalating, and Konoha could not afford to let it spiral out of control.

"Send a message to Kakashi and Shikamaru," she commanded, her voice sharp. "Get them to the border immediately. They're to stop Sasuke, and if it comes to it, contain him—by any means necessary."

Her trusted aide, Shizune, nodded quickly and rushed off to carry out the orders. She stared at the map of Konoha laid out before her, her hand gripping the edges of the desk as she prepared herself for what might come. She had seen Sasuke's strength firsthand—no one could deny the power he wielded. She couldn't risk him getting any closer to the village, especially when there was still so much at stake.

"Get every high-level shinobi on standby," she muttered under her breath, determination hardening her features. "We can't afford to let him get any closer."

As the shinobi left to alert the others, her thoughts drifted briefly to Naruto. He was away on a mission, but she was sure he would return the moment he learned of Sasuke's presence. Still, she couldn't rely on him alone—not with the situation growing more precarious by the minute. They needed to be prepared for anything.

Her gaze turned to the window, watching as the sun began to set behind the mountain range. The village was at peace for now, but that peace was fragile. The Uchiha's arrival threatened to shatter it.

"You're still a part of this village," she murmured, her voice tinged with both regret and resolve. "But if it's a fight you seek, you'll have one."

Within moments, Kakashi, Shikamaru, and a handful of high-level shinobi were dispatched to intercept Sasuke at the border. The weight of the mission hung heavy on their shoulders. This wasn't just about protecting Konoha—it was about stopping an old friend from crossing a line they couldn't allow him to cross.

As the shinobi mobilized, she leaned back in her chair, her fingers tightening into fists. She would not let Konoha fall again—not on her watch.

Kakashi and Shikamaru arrived at the border, their senses immediately assaulted by the chaotic scene before them. Konoha shinobi—more of regular patrols but some are elites—were desperately trying to restrain Sasuke. But despite the barrage of jutsu and weapons aimed at him, Sasuke moved through it all as if the world was just a blur, untouched, unbothered. His eyes never wavered from his destination, his gait steady, as if none of the attacks even existed.

Shikamaru sighed deeply, leaning against a nearby tree with his usual air of frustration. "Troublesome..." he muttered, watching the futile efforts of his fellow ninjas. "What does he want now?"

Kakashi's hand tightened around the handle of his kunai, his gaze narrowing at Sasuke's unyielding form. A pang of regret stabbed through him, a fleeting, painful reminder of the student he had once tried to save. He had failed Sasuke once before—and now, here he was again, the same defiant figure who had walked away from everything they had tried to offer. "I never thought it would come to this," he murmured, more to himself than to Shikamaru.

The two of them vanished from their position in a swirl of shunshin, appearing in front of Sasuke in an instant. The chaotic noise around them seemed to fade, leaving an eerie silence as the three of them faced one another, the tension palpable.

Sasuke's gaze flickered up at them, his expression almost mocking as he met Kakashi's eye. A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "I'm surprised you aren't sending Naruto," he remarked, his voice carrying a tone of sardonic amusement. "I thought he was your 'ace.'"

The copy nin's visible eye softened slightly, his thoughts momentarily flashing back to all the moments they had shared. It was clear Sasuke was in a different world now—one where old loyalties meant nothing. His heart clenched, but he quickly masked it, his gaze firm as he met Sasuke's. "Naruto's not here," he replied, his voice steady but filled with an undertone of unspoken regret. "It's me and Shikamaru now, Sasuke. You can keep walking, but you're not getting past us."

Shikamaru let out another irritated sigh, crossing his arms as he watched the Uchiha with narrowed eyes. "We've had enough of this 'I'll walk through everything without a care' act. What is it that you want, Sasuke?"

The air between them was thick with unsaid things. Sasuke's expression remained unreadable, his posture unchanged, but the faintest flicker of something—anger, frustration, maybe even guilt—seemed to pass through him.

"Is this how it ends?" Kakashi asked quietly, his voice filled with a mix of disappointment and hope. "Do you really want to fight us again, Sasuke? After everything?"

Sasuke's eyes turned cold, unwavering as he looked at the two figures before him. His body was still, his chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. His mouth curled into a slight sneer, and he spoke, his voice dripping with irritation. "Don't get in my way," he warned, his tone as icy as ever. "I'm not here to fight. But if you want to stop me, try. But know this—I'll never let anyone stand in my path."

The older man's visible eye tightened. He knew Sasuke well enough to recognize the stubbornness in his words. Sasuke had made up his mind, and it seemed nothing could deter him. "If that's the case," he said quietly, his voice calm but determined, "then you leave us no choice."

Before he could react, Shikamaru moved swiftly, his hands forming a series of seals. The shadow under his feet stretched and expanded, surging out like a living thing. Within seconds, his legs froze in place as Shikamaru's shadow possession technique took hold, anchoring him to the ground. "You're not going anywhere," Shikamaru said, his voice steady despite the strain of maintaining the jutsu.

But Sasuke's lips curled into a faint smirk. With a subtle shift of his chakra, he forced his own shadow to ripple, breaking Shikamaru's hold as if it were a mere inconvenience. Shikamaru stumbled back slightly, his brow furrowing in frustration.

Kakashi took no chances. In an instant, his Sharingan flared to life, his gaze locking onto Sasuke. The world around Sasuke twisted and warped, an oppressive genjutsu pulling him into a surreal illusion. The ground beneath him disappeared, replaced by an endless void, and his body froze as if shackled by an invisible force.

But he didn't even flinch. His Rinnegan gleamed with an otherworldly light, the unique ripple pattern spinning as he focused. With a mere pulse of chakra, the illusion shattered, fragments of the false reality crumbling around him like broken glass. Kakashi's eye widened slightly.

His gaze met Kakashi's, a silent acknowledgment of their clash before he stepped forward again, unshaken.

The elite Konoha shinobi around them hesitated, but they took their chance, launching everything they had at Sasuke. They hit him with kunai, shuriken, and jutsu, trying to subdue him, to take him down. But Sasuke... he didn't fight back. He didn't even flinch. Each attack landed with no resistance from the Uchiha, who simply kept walking forward, as though each strike was just a reminder of how tired he was of fighting.

He was sick of it. Sick of the battles, the endless wars, and the weight of his own existence. A part of him thought maybe this was it—maybe it would be better if he just let them end it now. Maybe dying here would release him from the constant torment he had been carrying. Maybe that was what he deserved.

Kakashi watched his former student's unyielding advance, his heart heavy with regret and sorrow. His old student had never truly been free. He had never found peace, never found a place where he belonged. He, who had always believed he could save him, could only watch as Sasuke walked toward the inevitable.

Finally, he spoke, his voice hoarse. "Stop."

The shinobi who had been attacking immediately paused. Shikamaru gave him a questioning look, but his expression remained unreadable.

"Stop. He's not fighting back," he said, his tone sharp, though the sadness in his voice was unmistakable. "He's not going to fight us. He's already lost."

The Konoha shinobi hesitated, some of them unsure of what to do next, their confusion mirrored by the unsettling stillness in Sasuke's movements. It was as if he had given up, his body battered, but his will broken long ago. He didn't even raise a finger to defend himself. He just kept walking, every step a testament to his exhaustion.

Until he fell down.

Then, as if summoned by the weight of the moment, The Godaime Hokage arrived. She took in the scene, her gaze shifting to the battered figure lying unconscious on the ground, his body heavy with injuries. Her face was hard, her lips drawn in a tight line as she processed the scene.

"Kakashi," she began, her voice low, "Report."

He took a breath, then bowed his head slightly, offering her a grim nod. "He wasn't here to fight us. He never intended to fight. He's broken, Tsunade-sama... broken beyond repair."

Her eyes narrowed as they fell on Sasuke. She walked toward him, observing his state with an almost clinical detachment. Then, she looked up at the assembled shinobi and barked out her orders. "Get him to the dungeon," she ordered, her tone leaving no room for argument. "No one is to breathe a word of what happened here. This stays between us. And make sure the Hyuuga clan knows nothing of this—absolutely nothing."

Sakura arrived just as Tsunade spoke, rushing forward with a look of panic on her face. Her eyes widened when they landed on Sasuke. For a moment, she froze, her breath hitching, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Sasuke..." she said quietly, her voice tight but steady. Concern flickered across her face, but she forced herself to remain calm.

Tsunade's commanding voice broke through the tension, firm and decisive. "I said keep everything from the Hyuuga clan. Hinata must not find out about this—not yet."

Sakura opened her mouth to protest, but one look from the Hokage was enough to silence her. The elder woman's gaze was sharp, stern, and she knew better than to argue when Tsunade's mind was set.

Sasuke remained motionless, his body sprawled across the ground—injured, broken, and alone.

Naruto's footsteps were heavy as he approached the gates of Konoha, his clothes stained with dust and streaks of dried blood from his latest mission. The journey back had been long and uneventful, save for the occasional bandits that dared to cross his path. His body ached from the constant battles, and all he could think about was a hot ramen, a warm bath, and maybe a moment of peace.

The sight of the village walls brought a faint smile to his lips, and he quickened his pace. It didn't matter how far he traveled or how many enemies he faced—returning to Konoha always felt like coming home.

As he entered the village, he noticed the usual bustle of life. It was a comforting sight, one that reminded him of everything he fought to protect.

"Oi, Naruto!"

The familiar voice made him turn, and he spotted Sakura waiting for him near the gate. Her pink hair caught the sunlight, and her expression shifted from worry to relief the moment she saw him.

"Sakura-chan!" he called, waving as he jogged over to her. "You didn't have to wait for me, you know. I'm fine."

Her eyes narrowed as she gave him a once-over. "You don't look fine. You're filthy, and I'm willing to bet you haven't eaten properly in days."

He laughed, scratching the back of his head. "Well, you're not wrong. But hey, mission accomplished, right? What's with the serious face, though? Did something happen?"

At his question, her expression darkened, and she glanced around as if to make sure no one was listening. "Naruto," she said softly, her tone laced with unease, "we need to talk. It's about Sasuke."

His smile faltered. "What about him? Did you hear something?"

She nodded, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "He's here. In the village."

His eyes widened in surprise. "What? He's back? Where is he?"

"In the dungeon," Sakura said, her voice barely above a whisper.

The words hit Naruto like a punch to the gut. "The dungeon?" he repeated, disbelief etched across his face. "What the hell happened?"

Her shoulders sagged as she explained. "He showed up at the border. The guards said he looked rough, like he'd been through a lot. But when they tried to stop him, he didn't resist. He let them take him in without a fight."

He frowned, his mind racing. "So, he wasn't here to attack?"

"That's what I thought too," she said, her voice filled with urgency. "But Tsunade-sama had him locked up. She said it was a precaution, that we couldn't take any chances."

He crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. "That doesn't sound like Sasuke. If he wanted to attack, he wouldn't let himself get captured like that."

She nodded. "Exactly. I think there's more to this. What if he wasn't here to cause trouble? What if…" She hesitated, her green eyes searching Naruto's for understanding. "What if he came to see Hinata?"

His frown deepened. "You think he found out about her and the kid?"

"I don't know," she admitted. "But why else would he come back now? And why wouldn't he fight back?"

Naruto scratched his head, his frustration growing. "Did you talk to Tsunade-baachan about it?"

"I tried," she said, her voice heavy with disappointment. "She told me not to interfere, and she forbade us from telling Hinata anything."

"That's not fair. Hinata deserves to know," his jaw tightened.

"I agree," she said, her voice softening. "But Tsunade-sama thinks it's for the best. She doesn't want to cause unnecessary panic or give Sasuke a chance to manipulate the situation."

He sighed, his fists clenching. "I'll talk to her."

"Thank you," she said, relief flickering in her eyes. "I don't think Sasuke's here to hurt anyone. Please, Naruto, do what you can."

He nodded, his determination rekindled. "I'll handle it. Don't worry, Sakura-chan." With that, he turned and headed toward the Hokage Tower, his mind already forming arguments to convince Tsunade.

The Hokage Tower loomed ahead, its presence commanding respect as the heart of Konoha's leadership. Naruto's steps quickened as he approached, his frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

He didn't bother knocking as he pushed open the heavy doors to Tsunade's office. The Hokage sat at her desk, surrounded by stacks of paperwork. Her sharp gaze flicked up, narrowing as she saw him. She didn't need to ask why he was there; she already had a good idea.

"Naruto," she said, her tone firm. "I'm busy."

He crossed his arms, his expression resolute. "I heard about Sasuke. Why is he locked up?"

Tsunade sighed, leaning back in her chair. "I don't owe you an explanation."

"Yes, you do," he shot back, his voice rising. "He didn't even fight back. That doesn't sound like someone here to cause trouble. Did anyone even bother asking him why he came back?"

"We don't need to ask him," she said coolly. "He's a rogue ninja with a history of endangering this village. Do you expect us to welcome him with open arms?"

Naruto clenched his fists. "He's still my friend, and I've been trying to bring him back for years! He fought alongside us in the war—he helped save this world baachan. Maybe he finally came back on his own, and you just threw him in a cell?"

Her expression hardened. "I understand your loyalty to him, Naruto, but we can't take risks. The safety of the village comes first."

He took a step closer, his voice quieter but no less determined. "I'm not asking you to trust him. I'm asking you to listen to him. What if he wasn't here to hurt anyone? What if he came back because of Hinata? Or because he found out about his kid?"

Her eyes narrowed. "How much do you know about his intentions?"

"I don't know," he admitted. "But if you keep treating him like a criminal without even talking to him, you're just proving to him that he doesn't belong here. How do you expect him to change if you won't give him a chance?"

Tsunade leaned forward, her hands steepled on the desk. "And what happens if you're wrong? If his return is part of some larger scheme?"

He met her gaze, his voice steady. "Then you can blame me. But at least give him the chance to explain himself."

The room was silent for a moment, the tension thick. Finally, she sighed and leaned back in her chair. "Fine. I'll allow you to talk to him, but under one condition."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "What condition?"

"You keep this from Hinata," she said firmly. "She doesn't need to be involved in this right now. Not until we know for sure why Sasuke came back."

He hesitated, but he nodded. "Alright. I'll keep it quiet for now."

She waved him off. "Go. But don't let your emotions cloud your judgment."

He turned to leave.