CHAPTER 32

A sharp, biting cold snapped Sasuke from the haze of unconsciousness as water splashed against his face. He flinched, his muscles protesting the sudden movement. The world around him was dark, the air damp and heavy with the stench of mildew and iron.

His wrists burned, stretched taut against the metal chains that bound him. The weight of his body pulled painfully at his shoulders, and his legs trembled beneath him, barely holding him up. His ankles were shackled as well, the heavy chains cutting into his skin. He tried to shift his weight, but the effort sent a sharp pain lancing through his ribs.

He gritted his teeth, his breathing shallow as he tried to focus. His chakra was a mess, scattered and unresponsive. Every point in his body felt clogged, as if his energy had been sealed away. He was aching all over, his wounds throbbing in time with his heartbeat. His throat was dry, his lips cracked.

For a fleeting moment, he wondered if this was hell.

The sound of soft snickering broke the oppressive silence, dragging his attention to the source. He raised his head slowly, his vision blurring and sharpening in uneven intervals. A figure stood just beyond the dim light of the dungeon, the faint glint of a shinobi headband catching his eye.

The man stepped closer, carrying a bucket in one hand, his lips curled into a mocking smile. "Well, well," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "How the mighty have fallen."

Sasuke said nothing, his dry throat refusing to form words. He simply stared, his dark eyes cold and calculating despite his broken state.

The shinobi tilted his head, his grin widening as he moved closer. "You aren't all that, huh? The great Uchiha Sasuke, reduced to this."

The man stood in front of him, setting the bucket down with a loud clang. He reached out, gripping Sasuke's chin roughly and forcing him to meet his gaze. "You look pathetic."

His jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing. He didn't have the strength to fight back, not yet, but the fury burning in his chest was enough to keep him focused.

"Nothing to say?" the man sneered, shaking his head. "I guess you're used to being chained up like a dog, huh?"

Before he could muster a response, a loud voice cut through the dungeon.

"What the hell are you doing?"

The shinobi froze, his grip on Sasuke's chin faltering. He turned toward the entrance, his smug expression replaced with one of fear as Naruto strode into the room, his blue eyes blazing with anger.

The blond's gaze swept over the scene, his fists clenching at his sides. "Get away from him," he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

The shinobi hesitated for a moment before stepping back, raising his hands defensively. "I was just—"

"I said, get out," he snapped, cutting him off.

The man stammered an apology before grabbing the bucket and retreating quickly, the sound of his footsteps echoing through the corridor.

Naruto waited until the man was gone before turning his attention to Sasuke. His expression softened slightly, but the anger in his eyes didn't fade completely.

"Sasuke…" he muttered, stepping closer.

Sasuke's head lolled slightly, his strength waning. He tried to speak, but the dryness in his throat made it impossible.

"Don't talk," Naruto said quickly, his voice quieter now. "Just hang on."

He glanced around the dungeon, his jaw tightening as he took in the chains and the blood-streaked floor. He turned back to the Uchiha, his hands glowing faintly with chakra as he reached for the restraints. "I'm getting you out of here."

Sasuke's vision blurred again, but he managed to focus on Naruto's determined face.

Naruto eased him down gently, his movements careful and deliberate. Sasuke winced as his back met the cold, uneven floor, the pain radiating through his battered body. His breathing was shallow, and his eyelids fluttered as he fought to stay conscious.

"Hang in there, teme," he muttered, crouching beside him. He rose quickly, heading toward the dungeon's exit. "I'll be right back," he said over his shoulder.

The heavy door creaked shut behind him, leaving him alone once more in the dim light. The chains clinked softly against the wall as they swayed slightly from where Naruto had removed them, their hollow sound a reminder of his current state.

It wasn't long before the door opened again, and the blond shinobi returned, a canteen of water clutched in his hand. He knelt beside him, uncapping the canteen with a quick twist. "Here," he said, his voice softer now. "Drink this." He placed a hand behind Sasuke's head, lifting it slightly as he brought the canteen to his lips. The cool water flowed into his mouth, and he swallowed greedily, the relief immediate despite the pain that lingered in his parched throat.

"Not too fast," he warned, pulling the canteen back for a moment before offering it again.

Sasuke drank a little more, his breathing evening out as the water soothed him. When he finally leaned back, exhaustion overtook him once more, but his eyes were clearer now, focusing on his face.

Naruto gave a small smile, wiping the sweat from his friend's brow with his sleeve. "Better?" He didn't receive an answer, but the faintest flicker of acknowledgment in his gaze was enough for him. "I'm going to get Sakura," he said, standing up. "She'll know what to do."

Sasuke's lips moved as if to protest, but no sound came out. He shook his head. "Save your energy. I'll be quick." He turned and headed for the door again, but as he stepped outside, a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.

"What do you think you're doing, Naruto?"

Naruto looked up to see Kakashi leaning casually against the wall, his one visible eye sharp despite the relaxed posture.

"What's it look like?" he replied, his voice steady but laced with defiance. "I'm helping him."

Kakashi straightened, his tone calm but firm. "You realize this is insubordination, right? Tsunade-sama gave explicit orders."

His jaw tightened for a moment, and he met his sensei's gaze with silent determination. "He's not a threat," he said finally. "I'm not just going to stand by and watch him die in there."

The older man sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "You're as stubborn as ever." His voice stopped him again when the boy turned to leave. "You don't need to bother going for Sakura," he said. "She's already on her way."

The blond froze, his shoulders relaxing slightly as relief washed over him. He turned back to Kakashi, his expression softening. "Really? How'd she find out?"

"I might have sent a message," he replied, his tone casual.

Naruto grinned, his hands resting on his hips. "You're the best, Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi smiled faintly, lifting a small bag he had been carrying. "I figured you'd ask for this, too."

His eyes lit up as he recognized the bag's contents. "Food? You're a lifesaver!"

"Don't mention it," he said, gesturing toward the door. "Shall we?"

The two of them reentered the dungeon, the air inside cool and oppressive. Naruto moved quickly to Sasuke's side, crouching down to check on him.

"He's in rough shape," Naruto said, his voice quieter now.

Kakashi knelt nearby, setting the bag of food on the ground. He studied Sasuke for a moment, his expression unreadable. "You've been through worse, haven't you?" Kakashi murmured, almost to himself.

His former student's eyes flickered open, his gaze moving sluggishly between the two men. Kakashi tilted his head slightly, his tone light but edged with something deeper. "Welcome back, Sasuke."

Naruto tore into the bag, pulling out some bread and water. "We'll start with this," he said, breaking the bread into small pieces. "I don't think you can handle anything heavy right now." Though he didn't respond, he could see the faintest glimmer of something in his eyes. Gratitude, maybe, or just relief. It was enough to keep him moving.

Kakashi leaned against the wall, watching in silence as Naruto tended to his old friend. The tension in the air was thick, the unspoken weight of their shared history lingering between them.

When the door creaked open again, the sound of hurried footsteps announced Sakura's arrival. Her green eyes widened as she took in the scene before her, her medical kit clutched tightly in her hands.

"Sasuke…" she breathed, her voice trembling with a mix of relief and sorrow.

Naruto stood, stepping aside to give her room. "He's all yours, Sakura-chan."

She nodded, quickly kneeling beside their old friend as her hands began to glow with the familiar green light of healing chakra.

As Sakura worked, Naruto and Kakashi exchanged a glance, the unspoken understanding between them clear.

Few hours past and Sakura exhaled deeply as she stood, wiping her brow with the back of her hand. Her chakra reserves were nearly depleted after hours of stabilizing Sasuke, but she had done what she could. His breathing was more even now, the color returning faintly to his pale skin. The wounds on his ribs and legs were cleaned and partially healed, though the deeper injuries would take more time to mend.

She looked down at him, her expression softening. "He's stable for now," she said, turning to the men waiting. "But he's still in bad shape. He's dehydrated, and his chakra system is a mess. He needs real rest and proper care. We can't leave him here—this place is no good for recovery."

Naruto crossed his arms, his jaw tight. "Then we'll take him somewhere better. I don't care what it takes."

Before anyone could respond, the dungeon door creaked open. The sound of firm, deliberate footsteps echoed through the room, and the three shinobi turned to see Tsunade standing in the doorway.

Her gaze swept over the scene—the chain marks still visible on Sasuke's wrists, Sakura's drained form, Naruto's defiant stance, and Kakashi's calm presence. Her expression was unreadable, but her voice carried a stern edge that made even Naruto flinch.

"My office. Now," she said curtly.

Naruto opened his mouth to protest, but one sharp look from the old lady silenced him. Without another word, she turned and left, her footsteps echoing down the corridor.

They exchanged nervous glances before following the Hokage. Kakashi trailed behind them, his hands in his pockets, his usual relaxed demeanor replaced with quiet contemplation.

The atmosphere in the Hokage's office was heavy, the tension palpable as the three stood before her desk. Tsunade sat with her arms crossed, her sharp eyes glaring at them from beneath furrowed brows.

"You're all elite shinobi," she began, her voice low but laced with disappointment. "Highly trained, trusted with the safety and stability of this village. And yet, you couldn't follow a simple order!"

Naruto shifted uncomfortably but didn't look away.

"Do you think this is a joke?" she continued, her tone rising. "Do you think I give orders for fun? That I have nothing better to do than babysit the three of you?"

"Tsunade-sama," Sakura began hesitantly, "we just—"

"You just what?" she interrupted, her voice cutting through like a blade. "Ignored the chain of command? Went behind my back? Risked the integrity of this village because you thought you knew better?"

The pink-haired kunoichi lowered her head, her cheeks flushing with shame.

Tsunade's gaze shifted to Naruto. "And you, Naruto. You've been reckless your entire life, but this takes the cake. Sneaking a rogue ninja out of the dungeon—do you have any idea what kind of message that sends?"

He clenched his fists, his voice steady but defiant. "Sasuke's not a threat. If he wanted to attack, he wouldn't have let himself get captured."

"That's not your call to make," she snapped. "It's mine."

His jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

She leaned back in her chair, her tone softening slightly. "I understand why you did it. I know how much he means to you. But this isn't just about you or Sasuke. It's about the village. The people I'm responsible for."

She turned her gaze to the copy nin. "And you. I expected better from you, Kakashi. You're supposed to be the voice of reason, the one to keep these two in line. Instead, you enabled them."

Kakashi sighed, his visible eye meeting her's. "You're right. I should have stopped them. But I agreed with their instincts. Sasuke didn't resist capture. He's clearly not in any condition to be a threat. Leaving him in that dungeon isn't justice—it's cruelty."

Tsunade rubbed her temples, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. "And what happens if you're wrong? If this is some ploy? Do you have any idea what's at stake here?"

He didn't respond, his silence speaking volumes.

For a moment, the room was silent, the tension thick. Finally, she let out a heavy sigh. "I'll allow him to be moved," she said reluctantly. "But he'll remain under guard at all times, and any attempt to escape will result in immediate consequences."

Naruto's shoulders relaxed slightly, a flicker of relief crossing his face.

"However," she continued, her gaze sharp, "this doesn't change the fact that the three of you disobeyed direct orders. There will be consequences for that."

He opened his mouth to argue, but Sakura placed a hand on his arm, silently urging him to stay quiet.

TThe Hokage leaned forward, her expression softening slightly. "For now, focus on getting him stable. But this conversation isn't over."

The three shinobi nodded, each of them understanding the weight of her words.

As they left the office, Naruto let out a deep breath. "That could've been worse," he muttered, rubbing the back of his head.

Sakura frowned. "It's not over yet. She'll expect us to justify our actions later."

Kakashi shrugged, his usual calm demeanor returning. "She's not wrong. But at least Sasuke will not be rotting in that dungeon anymore."

Naruto nodded, his determination rekindled. "Let's get him out of there."

The sound of a throat clearing startled Hinata. Her hand froze mid-stroke, and she looked at the ink blotting against the paper, the brush leaving an unsightly smear across the pristine document.

She blinked, her lavender eyes narrowing at the mess she had just made.

"Hinata-sama," Neji's calm but firm voice pulled her abruptly from her thoughts. She looked up to see him standing near the doorway, his arms crossed and his brow slightly furrowed. There was a faint concern in his pale eyes that made her heart tighten.

"Oh," she said softly, setting the brush down with a slight tremble in her fingers. She wiped her hands on a nearby cloth, glancing back at the ruined document with a small sigh. "I didn't realize I was… distracted."

Neji stepped closer, his gaze steady as he regarded her. "You've been like this since yesterday. What's wrong, Hinata-sama?"

She hesitated, her hands clasping together in her lap. "I don't know," she admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've just been feeling… off. It's hard to explain."

He tilted his head slightly, studying her with the sharp intuition he had honed over the years. "Is it your health? Or…"

Her eyes widened as a thought struck her. She turned toward her cousin, her voice laced with worry. "Haruki. How is he? He's not sick, is he?"

His expression softened slightly, and he shook his head. "Haruki is fine. He's with Hanabi and Sora right now, playing in the courtyard. He seemed energetic as usual when I last saw him."

She relaxed slightly, but the tension in her shoulders didn't completely dissipate. She called for a nearby servant, her tone gentle but firm. "Could you please bring Haruki to the study?"

The servant bowed and quickly left to carry out her request.

"Hinata-sama, you're worrying yourself over something. If it's not Haruki, then what is it?" Neji asked.

She hesitated again, her eyes drifting to the window. The sunlight streaming through seemed distant and cold, casting long shadows across the study. She placed a hand over her chest, as though trying to quiet the unease that had taken root there.

"I don't know," she said again, her voice softer this time. "But… I feel as though something is coming. Or maybe something has already happened. I can't explain it, but it's been weighing on me."

He frowned and his expression became thoughtful. "If you're feeling unwell, you should see a medic."

She shook her head, her gaze distant as she looked out at the trees swaying gently in the wind. "It's not just physical, Neji-niisan. It's… something else." Her hands tightened slightly in her lap, and she lowered her head. In the quiet of her thoughts, a single prayer formed, silent but fervent.

Please let him be okay. Wherever he is… please let Sasuke be safe.

The sound of soft footsteps broke her thoughts, and she turned to see her son being led into the room by the servant. The little boy's dark hair was slightly tousled, and his mismatched eyes lit up the moment he saw her.

"Kaa-san!" he exclaimed, running toward her with unbridled excitement.

She opened her arms, catching him as he barreled into her lap. She held him close, her heart aching with a mixture of love and worry. The boy looked up at her with a bright smile, oblivious to the turmoil swirling within her.

"Did you play with Sora?" she asked softly, brushing his hair back from his face.

Haruki nodded enthusiastically. "We played hide-and-seek! I won!"

She smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "That's wonderful, Haruki."

She watched her son as he settled into her lap, his small hands gesturing animatedly as he recounted his day. His dark hair fell slightly over his brow, framing his youthful face, and his eyes gleamed with excitement. Even at his young age, it was clear he had inherited the striking features of his father.

She allowed herself a wistful smile. There was no doubt in her mind that Haruki would grow into a heartbreaker someday. Just like his father, she thought silently, her smile tinged with bittersweet longing.

"Kaasan!" his voice pulled her attention back to the present. "Sora said his tousan is the strongest in the world!"

She blinked, her brows lifting slightly. "Oh? Did he now?"

He nodded eagerly while his hands moved as though to emphasize Sora's Dad's supposed greatness. "He said his tousan can beat anyone! Even bad guys who are super strong!"

She chuckled softly, her chest tightening at the mention of Naruto's son. She had seen glimpses of Sora's boundless energy and the way he idolized his father. It wasn't surprising that his strength had become the centerpiece of playground bragging.

Then his tone shifted, his excitement giving way to quiet curiosity. He looked up at her with wide, expectant eyes. "Kaa-san… is my tousan strong too?"

The question hung in the air, and her breath hitched. She hadn't been prepared for it, though she knew the day would come. Haruki was at an age where his curiosity about his father was growing. He had asked questions before—small, innocuous ones that were easy to deflect—but this felt different. This was the beginning of something deeper.

For a moment, she didn't know what to say. Her hands rested lightly on Haruki's shoulders as she searched his eager gaze. What could she tell him? The truth? Half-truths?

"Kaasan?" her son prompted, tilting his head.

Hinata ruffled his hair gently, her voice soft but warm. "Of course, Haruki. Your father is very strong."

His face lit up, his smile wide and joyful. "Really?!"

She nodded, her chest tightening further as she forced herself to smile.

He leaned closer, his excitement bubbling over. "Is he even stronger than Sora's dad?"

She hesitated, weighing her words carefully. She didn't want to lie, but she also didn't want to diminish Naruto's accomplishments—or Sasuke's. "Maybe just as strong," she said finally, her tone light.

The boy let out a triumphant cheer, his fists pumping the air. "I knew it! My tousan's the best!"

But then his enthusiasm faltered, and his expression turned thoughtful. "Where is he now, Kaasan?"

She felt the air leave her lungs. She had been dreading this question most of all, the one she had no answer for. Her gaze drifted toward the window, the sunlight filtering through the leaves outside casting gentle patterns on the floor.

"I… don't know," she said quietly, her voice laced with sadness.

Haruki's mismatched eyes searched hers, and she could see the questions forming in his young mind. Questions she wasn't ready to answer.

Before the silence could grow too heavy, Neji cleared his throat, his tone firm but kind. "That's enough, Haruki."

He looked up at his uncle, his curiosity briefly replaced with confusion. "Huh?"

The older Hyuga crouched slightly, meeting the boy's gaze with a faint smile. "Did you practice the taijutsu I taught you?"

His face brightened instantly, his youthful energy returning. "I did! Want to see, Neji-ji?"

He nodded, standing and gesturing toward the open space in the study. "Show me what you've got."

Haruki scrambled to his feet, his earlier questions momentarily forgotten as he launched into an enthusiastic demonstration of the techniques Neji had been teaching him. His movements were clumsy but determined, his small body brimming with potential.

Hinata watched quietly, her heart swelling with pride and affection. Haruki's laughter filled the room as Neji corrected his stance and offered gentle encouragement.

For now, the questions could wait.

As she sat there, her hands folded neatly in her lap, her thoughts drifted once again to a dark-haired man. Wherever he was, whatever path he had chosen, she could only hope he was safe. And if he ever returned, she wondered if he would be ready to meet the son who already admired him so deeply.