Disclaimer: I do not own any of the content following this statement. Masashi Kishimoto owns all titles, names, and plots.
Authors Note: No smut, sorry I couldn't see a way to fit it in, leave a review on what you would like to see in the next pairing, or PM me if you want something special
Sound of Memories Past
Naruto, Sakura, and Jiraiya sprinted down the train tracks, their hurried footsteps echoing in the cold air. The wind whipped against their faces, carrying the biting chill of the frozen island, but they pushed forward, driven by a single goal of finding Temari.
"Naruto, slow down!" Sakura called, her voice strained as she struggled to keep up. "We need to be careful!"
"Careful?!" Naruto shot back without slowing. "We don't have time to be careful. Temari's is bleeding out, you didn't see all the blood I did, and I'm not going to stand around doing nothing!"
Jiraiya, keeping pace alongside Sakura, frowned as they neared the large steel wall looming before them. "Naruto, calm down!" Jiraiya ordered, his voice cutting through the wind. "Charging in blindly won't help her."
Naruto skidded to a halt in front of the wall, panting, his fists clenched in frustration. The towering steel gate in front of them blocked the tracks, stretching up into the darkening sky, a symbol of everything standing in their way. His hand slammed against the cold metal, rattling it with a deep, metallic thud.
"How the hell are we supposed to get through this?!" Naruto growled, the anger in his voice unmistakable. "She's in there—I *know* she is! I can smell her." His voice had gotten deeper, and darker as the fox came to the forefront, their mate was behind this wall and the fox was not going to let that stop them.
Sakura arrived beside him, breathless but focused. "This place... it's fortified with chakra metal," she said, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the gate. "They didn't just put this up to keep people out—they fortified it against shinobi."
Jiraiya stepped forward, inspecting the intricate chakra-infused locks that sealed the gate. "This isn't just some ordinary village gate. They're using advanced technology—likely the same people who took Temari. The armor I inspected was of the same metal."
Naruto, his hands glowing faintly with the Kyūbi's red chakra, stepped back and prepared to smash the gate. "I don't care what they used! I'll break it down if I have to!"
"Naruto, wait!" Jiraiya barked, holding up a hand to stop him. "Don't waste your chakra. This wall isn't coming down with brute force. We need a plan."
But Naruto, his frustration boiling over, ignored him. With a roar, he slammed both fists into the steel, his Kyūbi-enhanced strength making the metal groan and dent under the impact. But the gate held, its chakra steel absorbing the blow.
"Damn it!" Naruto cursed, stepping back, his fists still trembling from the impact. "Why won't it break?!"
Jiraiya put a hand on Naruto's shoulder, his voice softer now. "Because this is a fortress, not a normal village. Whoever took Temari is prepared for an assault like this."
Sakura glanced around, her sharp eyes picking out details of the surrounding area. "There must be another way inside. A place like this... there's always a weakness." Looking up she could see the wall of steel fad into the clouds as if it had no end.
Naruto's face twisted in frustration. "I let her go, Jiraiya-sensei. I should've stopped her before she went off on her own. Now she's in there, and I can't do anything!"
"Don't beat yourself up, kid," Jiraiya said, his tone surprisingly gentle. "We'll get her back. But not by rushing headlong into a trap."
Sakura nodded in agreement. "Temari's strong, Naruto. She can hold out. But we need to find a smarter way in."
Naruto stared at the gate, his body still vibrating with anger and the overwhelming need to act. But as Jiraiya and Sakura spoke, he felt a small measure of calm settle in. He stepped back from the wall, his fists unclenching. "So what now?"
Jiraiya stepped forward, examining the tracks that disappeared under the gate. "We find the real entrance. This gate's just for that train. There's always another way—especially in places like this."
The three of them stood in the shadow of the immense steel wall, the tension crackling in the cold air. Whatever lay beyond this barrier wasn't just an obstacle, it was a statement of power. The stakes were higher than ever, and breaking through wouldn't be easy.
Naruto's frustration boiled over, his breaths coming in ragged gasps as he stared up at the unyielding steel wall. He had just fought a God and reduced an island to lava this metal gate was not going to stop him, not now. He could feel the weight of time pressing on him, the longer they stood there, the further Temari slipped away. But as the icy wind whipped around them, something deep inside him stirred.
The fox chakra...
"Rasengan."
The voice echoed in Naruto's mind, low and unmistakable. It was Kurama, the Nine-Tailed Fox, stirring awake. A surge of power coursed through Naruto's veins, the red glow of the Kyūbi's chakra flaring around him. His eyes widened, his pupils sharpening into slits.
"Rasengan," the Fox growled again, more insistent.
Naruto's heart pounded. He knew what Kurama meant. With the Kyūbi's power fueling him, he could do more than dent the gate—he could obliterate it.
Jiraiya noticed the sudden shift, his eyes narrowing in understanding. "Naruto—"
But Naruto had already stepped forward, his hand outstretched as chakra began to spiral into his palm. The familiar blue orb of the Rasengan formed, but this time, it pulsed with the deep crimson of the Fox's power. His teeth clenched, his body thrumming with raw energy as the Rasengan grew larger, swirling faster than ever before.
"Are you sure about this?" Sakura asked, her eyes flicking between the pulsating Rasengan and the steel gate. "If that gate's as fortified as it looks, it could backfire—"
"No," Naruto growled, his voice deep with the Fox's influence. "I'm not letting anything stand in my way."
With a fierce cry, Naruto ran forward and slammed the Rasengan into the steel wall. The impact was instantaneous—an explosion of red and blue chakra erupted from his hand, sending shockwaves through the ground. The gate screeched and groaned as the chakra tore through it, the metal warping and cracking under the force of the attack.
The Rasengan drilled deeper, Kurama's power amplifying its destruction. The steel buckled, splitting apart with a deafening crash as pieces of the gate flew in every direction. Naruto poured every ounce of his strength into the attack, the sheer force of it carving a hole straight through the gate's bars as it fell off its supports landing in the cold snow.
When the dust settled, the gate stood shattered, its once-imposing structure reduced to twisted scraps of metal. A massive opening now stood before them, leading into the darkened interior of the village. Looking to his feet, the sight of the steel rails melted and twisted on the ground told him he didn't need to worry about that metal beast coming up behind him.
Naruto stood at the threshold, breathing hard, his hand still glowing faintly with the residue of the Rasengan. "Temari... I'm coming." The words echoed in the tunnel as the others joined him.
Jiraiya walked up beside him, eyes wide but also cautious. "You sure know how to make an entrance, kid. Iets hope they think it's just the storm blowing."
Sakura nodded, though concern flickered in her eyes as she looked at Naruto. "Let's hope whatever's in there wasn't expecting that kind of welcome."
Sakura nodded, though concern flickered in her eyes as she looked at Naruto. "Let's hope whatever's in there wasn't expecting this kind of entrance."
Naruto didn't wait for another word. He stepped forward, leading the way through the wreckage of the gate. He jogged at first, but as his eyes adjusted to the dim lights overhead, he broke into a full-on run. The tunnel curved gently downward, shadows clinging to the walls until a bright light ahead revealed the first sign of life at a station came into view.
As they approached, Naruto could see dozens of silver-armored shinobi milling about looking for the source of the loud sound from a minute before, their expressions shifting from confusion to alertness as they noticed the trio's sudden arrival. There was no time to waste; he had to act.
Without hesitation, Naruto blasted into the midst of them. He was a whirlwind of fury, fists flying with brutal precision. His first punch connected with the face of an unsuspecting shinobi, sending the man crashing into a nearby column with a sickening crunch. The impact echoed through the station, drawing the attention of the others.
Before they could react, Naruto's foot slammed into another shinobi's chest, the sheer force of the blow launching the armored figure into the air. He crashed down moments later, his armor crumbling under the weight. The remaining shinobi scrambled to regain their composure, but Naruto was relentless, his movements a blur as he weaved through their defenses.
A backhand sent two shinobi sprawling across the station floor, their armor clattering uselessly as they slid to a stop. Naruto's body moved with the ferocity of a beast unleashed, each blow landing with devastating impact. He was a force of nature, and no one could withstand the storm he had become.
Sakura watched, her eyes wide in awe and admiration. Even without using his jutsu, Naruto's physical strength and raw power had evolved into something terrifying. The ground shook beneath him with every strike, the air thick with the scent of sweat and adrenaline. She felt the urge to jump in, to support him, but the sheer dominance he displayed left her momentarily stunned.
Jiraiya, however, kept his focus sharp, scanning the tunnel and the station for any hidden traps or reinforcements. "They'll send more," he muttered, stepping closer to Sakura. "They won't just let him tear through their forces without a counterattack."
Naruto stood over the last of the silver-armored shinobi, his foot pressing down hard on the man's chest, pinning him to the ground. "Where is she?!" Naruto growled, his voice low and filled with the fury of the Fox.
The shinobi coughed, blood seeping from beneath his helmet. "She? What are you talking about? Go fuck yourself!" he spat defiantly, despite his weakened state.
Naruto's eyes narrowed dangerously, his chakra flaring as he considered ending the shinobi's life right there. The man's words only fueled his rage—Temari was close, but not close enough.
Jiraiya placed a firm hand on Naruto's shoulder, grounding him. "We need him alive for information. Don't let the Fox cloud your judgment."
Taking a deep breath, Naruto released the pressure on the shinobi's chest but kept his gaze piercing. "You'll tell me everything," he said, his voice low and dangerous, almost a promise of retribution.
Sakura stood up after checking the last of the other shinobi—dead, all of them. Their bodies lay broken by the force of Naruto's attack. Walking over to Naruto, she placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice calm yet insistent. "Naruto, we'll find her. But first, let's get out of here before more of them show up."
Naruto nodded, bending down close to the fallen shinobi. "Tell me where you took the prisoners?"
"Fuck you, you're just going to kill me anyway," he moaned out.
"Listen to me," Sakura said as she knelt next to the man, placing a glowing palm on his chest to ease his pain. "I am a doctor, and I swear you will live. Now tell me where the prisoners are taken."
"Take that way," he said, pointing with a hand. "Take the second stairs up two floors, then right. There are guards everywhere, so don't come back here." He said, dropping his head down onto the cold floor.
Sakura placed her hand on the side of his head, and his eyes closed. It seemed to Naruto that he stopped breathing.
"Did you kill him?" he asked, not caring, but still, that was cold even for a shinobi.
"No, I put him in a coma. If they have any doctors worth their name, they can heal him," she said, getting up and looking to where the now-comatose shinobi had pointed.
"Do you think he told the truth?" she asked, looking at Jiraiya and Naruto.
"Doesn't really matter. There are only two doors, and the tunnel ends here," said Jiraiya as he looked around while they talked to the fallen shinobi.
They checked the first door anyway, revealing a steep flight of steps that descended into a room filled with machinery, the air thick with the smell of oil and metal. It resembled a workshop designed for repairing the massive machine that had nearly run over Naruto earlier. Jiraiya had called it a train, but Naruto couldn't fathom how anyone could train with such a hulking contraption.
Determined to find Temari, they sprinted up the other set of stairs. As they reached the top, they were greeted by a labyrinth of hallways. Just off to the right, a sign caught their attention—Prison.
"Finally, we're getting somewhere," Naruto said, a surge of hope coursing through him. But that hope was short-lived as a deafening alarm pierced the air, causing the walls to shudder. A voice blared over the loudspeakers, frantic and urgent: "We have a breach in the south tunnel! All shinobi to the south tunnel! We have a breach! We have a breach!" The warning echoed through the corridor, accompanied by the loudest bell Naruto had ever heard, its reverberation shaking him to the core.
The harsh sound rattled Naruto's nerves, and he exchanged a worried glance with Sakura. "We need to hurry!" she shouted over the cacophony, her eyes wide with alarm.
Jiraiya, however, was already moving. "Let's silence this noise," he growled, finding the source of the alarm. With a swift motion, he slammed his palm against the device, channeling his chakra into an Earth jutsu. The machinery crumbled under the force of his power, sparks flying as the alarm fell silent, replaced by an unsettling stillness.
"Come on, kids! We gotta move!" Jiraiya yelled, shoving past Naruto with an urgency that made the air feel even heavier. His hand reached for the large double doors, but before he could make contact, they exploded open with a deafening crash. A wave of shinobi stormed through, their bodies a chaotic mass—some gleaming in their eerie silver armor, others clad in tactical gear, bloodlust in their eyes.
The sheer force of their charge was so sudden, that the ones at the front barely had time to react before slamming into Jiraiya's presence. They faltered, crashing into one another, limbs and weapons tangled in confusion. Those behind, blinded by momentum and panic, shoved forward, crushing the front lines. You could hear bones snap under the pressure, cries of alarm morphing into screams as they stumbled over their fallen comrades, unable to stop their surge.
"Get out of the way!" a voice screamed from the throng, more desperate than commanding. The panic was infectious, spreading through their ranks as their boots slid on the blood-soaked floor, already slick from their fallen.
Jiraiya sneered. "Now that's what I call a warm welcome!" His eyes glinted with a twisted sort of glee, relishing the madness around them. He cracked his knuckles, and the tension in the air thickened, ripe for destruction.
Naruto moved forward, chakra blazing, ready to tear into the wave of bodies before them. "We can't let them stop us now!" he yelled, teeth gritted, adrenaline pulsing through him.
But before he could get too far, Jiraiya's arm shot out, slamming into Naruto's chest to hold him back. "Let me handle this, kid. It's about to get ugly." His voice was grim, dark, almost thrilled.
Without a moment's hesitation, Jiraiya's hands blurred in a rapid series of seals, his face a mask of deadly focus as the shinobi before they scrambled, their fear turning into mindless survival instinct.
"Earth Style: Hell's Pincushion!" Jiraiya roared, slamming his palm into the nearby wall.
The response was immediate and grotesque. The walls, floor, and ceiling around them exploded in a nightmare of stone. Razor-sharp spears of rock shot out like grotesque teeth, hundreds of them, impaling the shinobi in front of them with sickening precision. Flesh tore, armor cracked, and the air was filled with the wet sound of bodies being punctured from every angle.
The hallway became an impassable graveyard in mere seconds. Shinobi hung like grotesque marionettes, skewered by a dozen spears each. Blood poured from their wounds, pooling on the floor, the crimson liquid slowly creeping toward Naruto and Jiraiya as if to swallow them whole.
The silence that followed was deafening, save for the steady drip, drip, drip of blood hitting the stone floor beneath the lifeless bodies. The stench of copper and death filled the air, thick and suffocating. Jiraiya, unfazed, wiped a speck of blood from his cheek and turned to Naruto with a dark grin.
"Now... let's go."
"Go where?" Sakura snapped, pointing at the blood-soaked passage that was now an impenetrable mess of stone and bodies. The grotesque display made her stomach churn, but her focus stayed firm.
Jiraiya, unbothered by the carnage, glanced back at her and Naruto. "I'm sure there's another way, come on," he said, already turning his back on the horror he'd created. It had been years since he'd taken so many lives in one go, but deep down, he knew this wasn't just a battle. This was war, and wars demanded blood.
Naruto clenched his fists, the gruesome scene in front of them a reminder of just how far they had to go. "OK, no time to waste. Let's find another way."
Without another word, Jiraiya led the way deeper into the tunnel network, his senses sharp, searching for any alternate path to the prison where Temari was held.
…..
Temari sat on the cold, metal floor of her cell, her body still weak from the experiments they had subjected her to. The silver collar around her neck sapped her strength, preventing her from accessing her chakra. She stared at the steel bars in front of her, hating her helplessness. Then, faintly, she heard it—a distant rumble, the unmistakable sound of a battle.
Her heart leaped. Naruto.
She scrambled to her feet, grabbing the bars and yelling with all the strength she could muster, "Naruto! I'm here! Naruto!"
The echo of her voice bounced down the hallway, but instead of an answer, she heard angry voices from the guards. "Shut up in there!" one of them shouted, his voice laced with frustration and fear. The sound of steel clattering and distant screams had unnerved them. She didn't stop.
"Naruto!" she cried out again, her voice hoarse but desperate. If he's here, he'll find me. He has to.
"Shut your damn mouth!" another guard roared, his footsteps growing closer. Temari could see him now, rage twisting his features as he stormed toward her cell. His silver armor was splattered with the blood of his comrades, and the madness of battle gleamed in his eyes.
"You want to die, bitch?" he spat, unlocking the cell door in a fit of fury. "You think you're tough?!"
Temari's heart pounded as he stepped inside. She was weak, but she wouldn't let this be the end. He charged at her, his sword raised, but her instincts kicked in. She dodged to the side, barely avoiding the blow, her breath shallow as she tried to focus.
The guard swung again, his armored gauntlet catching her in the side, sending her sprawling to the floor. Pain flared through her ribs, but she gritted her teeth and kicked his knee as hard as she could. He grunted in surprise, stumbling backward, but the armor absorbed most of the impact.
Desperate, Temari saw her only chance. She lunged forward and grabbed the nearest loose piece of armor on his arm, pulling with every ounce of strength she had left. He swung again, but the movement was sloppy, he was untrained in the art of taijutsu depending on his armor too much. She ducked beneath his arm and grabbed his wrist, yanking him toward her. Using the weight of his armor against him, she twisted his arm and drove his face into the stone wall with a sickening crunch.
The guard slumped to the floor, blood pouring from his broken nose. But he wasn't dead yet. He groaned and tried to push himself up, but Temari was on him. She found a loose piece of sharp metal nearby and jammed it into his exposed neck. Blood spurted everywhere as he gurgled, eyes wide in shock. Moments later, he was dead.
Panting, Temari stood up, wiping the blood from her face. She was covered in a spray of crimson, but the adrenaline kept her moving despite her body's protests. So many had assumed she was weak and useless without her fan, but a trail of dead shinobi had learned the hard way that she was fully trained in the arts of a shinobi. Trembling hands gripped the fallen guard's sword as she staggered out of the cell, her vision swimming with exhaustion. But she couldn't stop—not yet. She had to survive. She would not let her son be raised by another, like Gaara had been. No, she would return to him.
As she made her way down the dim corridor, the faint sound of footsteps caught her attention. She turned to see two more guards approaching. One was limping badly, a large wound visible on his leg, while the other was clutching his arm as if it had been shattered.
"How the hell...?" one of them muttered, drawing his sword with his one good arm, his expression twisting from shock to fury.
Temari grits her teeth, feeling her body scream at her to stop. But there was no room for weakness now. Her grip tightened around the hilt of the sword, her eyes fixed on them. She might be weak, but they were hurt too—and this was her chance.
The armored one limped forward, trying to close the gap between them, but his movement was slow and labored. Temari ducked his sluggish swing, driving the tip of the sword into his injured leg with all the strength she could muster then pulling it out with a twist. He let out a scream and collapsed, his hands grabbing at the wound but the flow was too great and he bled out.
The second guard rushed her, his broken arm slowing his strike as he swung with his remaining strength. Temari barely sidestepped in time, feeling the rush of air from his sword as it whizzed past her. Before he could recover, she slammed the hilt of her sword into his face, knocking him back against the wall.
Breathing heavily, she finished him off with a stab through the chest, watching the life drain from his eyes.
Temari pulled the sword free and searched the guards, her eyes falling on a set of keys hanging from the limp body. She grabbed them, her fingers trembling as she unlocked the collar around her neck. Finally free, she took a deep breath, her strength slowly returning.
With her blonde hair matted in blood, Temari pushed it back behind her ears, wishing for something to tie it with. She stumbled forward, her legs shaking with every step, until she reached the end of the cell block. The sight that greeted her made her pause—dozens of shinobi, all dead, hanging limply from stone spears that jutted from the walls, floor, and ceiling. The bodies were so tightly packed she couldn't see the other side of the battlefield. Even Gaara would have buried the dead before leaving.
The sheer brutality of the scene twisted her stomach, for once in her life should could not say she had seen worse. Her heart raced, hoping against hope that Naruto was still out there. Temari cupped her hands around her mouth and cried out his name, her voice echoing off the stone walls, but only silence answered.
Desperate, she turned back to the row of cells behind her, searching for another way out. That's when she heard it—a voice.
"Hey, hey, Blondie! Let us out!" one man yelled, his voice hoarse and desperate. Another prisoner soon joined in, and then another, until the cell block filled with the desperate cries of prisoners. Temari rushed to one of the cells and peered inside. A man in the same dull grey jumpsuit as she stood there, gripping the bars with bony fingers. His face was gaunt, his eyes sunken—nothing but skin and bones.
She sprinted down the brightly lit hallway, looking into each cell as she passed. Each one told the same story—men and women, starved and broken, prisoners of this cruel place. Their hollow eyes begged her for freedom.
"Hold on," she called her voice firm but tired. "I'll find a way to unlock your cells."
Temari hurried back to the fallen guards, her hands trembling as she searched them once again, hoping to find the key to their freedom.
"Look in the office!" one of the prisoners shouted, snapping Temari out of her grim search. She hurried down the hall, following the prisoner's direction, and turned into a small office tucked away at the end. The place was a mess—papers scattered everywhere, a few overturned chairs, but no guards in sight.
She stepped cautiously into the larger room behind the office and saw rows of bunk beds, the smell of half-eaten food still lingering in the air. The guards had clearly been in the middle of a meal when everything went to hell. Plates of untouched food sat abandoned on the tables, some spilled across the floor.
Her eyes scanned the room for anything useful. Spotting an untouched meal, she shoved the food into her mouth without tasting it, driven by hunger and the need for strength. Near the back of the office, her heart skipped a beat as she spotted a set of keys hanging on the wall. The master key.
Grabbing it, she ran back to the cells, her breath coming in ragged gasps. One by one, she unlocked the doors. As soon as the heavy cell doors creaked open, the prisoners bolted, rushing past her without so much as a word. Many of them stumbled toward the dining hall, driven by a mindless hunger, tearing into the cold leftovers with wild abandon.
It was pure chaos, and Temari could see there was no reasoning with them. These people had been broken down to their most basic instincts, and she knew they wouldn't be much help.
Leaving them behind, she continued her search for another way out, her mind still focused on one goal—surviving and finding Naruto.
Walking to the end of the cell block Temari spotted a ladder leading up to a walkway above the cells and wasted no time. Gripping the cold rungs, she pulled herself up, her legs trembling from exertion, but she pressed on. From the elevated path, she could look down into each cell as she walked, imagining the guards doing the same countless times, their eyes scanning for any signs of rebellion. The thought made her stomach churn, but she shoved the feeling down, focusing on her escape.
At the end of the walkway, another ladder rose high into the darkness. She climbed it, her hands freezing as they gripped the cold metal. When she reached the top, she found a round hatch, sealed tight with a large handle. Temari took a deep breath, steeling herself, and spun the handle with all her might. The sound of metal unlocking echoed through the shaft.
With a grunt, she pushed the hatch open, the heavy metal creaking as it gave way. Cold air rushed in, but it wasn't the biting freeze of the outside—it was the chill of a mechanical world. Temari climbed out into a long, dimly lit tunnel, filled with pipes and strange machinery humming softly. The metal floor stung beneath her bare feet, but she ignored it, her focus on finding the way out.
The suppression on her chakra was fading, the further she got from the prison. She could feel her strength slowly returning, a flicker of hope igniting inside her. With her sword still in hand, she broke into a jog, her breath coming in steady bursts. The oppressive drain on her chakra was still there, but it was lessening—Temari knew she was getting closer to freedom.
Her jog turned into a full run, the tunnel stretching out ahead of her, and though the cold bit into her skin, the fire inside her burned brighter with each step.
As Temari dashed down the dimly lit tunnel, her breath visible in the chill air, she spotted another ladder leading upward. She climbed it quickly, feeling the rush of adrenaline propel her forward. With a grunt, she pushed open the hatch at the top and emerged into a cramped basement storage room.
The smell of old wood and musty fabric filled her nostrils. Shelves lined the walls, stacked high with crates and boxes, the dust was thick, letting her know that this room hadn't been used in a long time. Temari's eyes flickered over the clutter, searching for anything that could aid her escape. She rifled through the nearest crate, finding a stack of warm overcoats, their fabric thick and sturdy against the cold.
"Perfect," she muttered, pulling one over her head. It felt heavy and comforting, enveloping her in warmth as she continued her search. She quickly donned another coat, layering it over the first. The heat of the material soothed her body, lending her strength as she moved toward the nearest set of stairs. As luck would have it, she found heavy boots a little too small but far better than bare feet in this cold.
Temari slipped the boots on, wincing as they pinched her toes slightly, but the relief from the icy floors made it worth the discomfort. She tightened the laces and straightened up, feeling more prepared for the challenges ahead.
She ascended the stairs, reaching a larger storage room that was dimly lit by the glow of morning light streaming through a nearby window. The air was still and heavy, but the promise of freedom awaited her beyond the large door at the far end of the room.
Temari approached the door cautiously, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hear the faint sounds of the world outside as the village woke up, a stark contrast to the sterile silence of the prison she had just escaped. Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door and stepped outside.
The snow-covered ground sparkled in the sunlight, a breathtaking sight that momentarily distracted her. The world beyond was peaceful, yet she knew the danger was far from over.
"Come on, Temari. You have to keep moving," she urged herself, shaking off the awe that threatened to take over. As she emerged from the storage building, the sight before her was nothing short of breathtaking. The village she found herself in was an astonishing blend of high-tech marvels and traditional Japanese architecture, the kind of place that seemed to exist only in ancient stories. Towering pagodas stood side by side with sleek metallic structures, all draped in a thin veil of snow that sparkled in the morning light. Every rooftop curved gracefully like those in old temples, yet they shimmered with solar panels, glinting in the sun's early rays.
Temari took a deep breath, her eyes sweeping over the delicate balance of the old and the new—lanterns swayed gently from steel cables, and bridges spanned over frozen streams. Despite the beauty, an overwhelming sense of isolation filled the air, the village seeming too quiet for the magnificence it displayed.
"Focus," she muttered, shaking her head. She couldn't afford to get lost in the scenery. The buildings loomed above her, casting long shadows on the pristine snow as if silently watching her every move. The chill in the air was sharp, biting at her skin even through the layers she'd found.
Glancing around, she tried to assess her surroundings and formulate a plan. "This place feels like a prison," she thought, her eyes flicking from the towering walls to the empty streets. But even with the eerie stillness, the village held an undeniable allure—a strange beauty mixed with the danger that lurked behind its quiet exterior.
Just as she prepared to take a step forward, a noise from behind startled her. She spun around, her heart pounding as she spotted several figures moving in the distance. The unmistakable glint of silver armor caught her eye—shinobi patrols. They were closing in, their footsteps deliberate and steady, unaware of her exact location but clearly searching.
"Damn it!" Temari hissed, her breath misting in the cold air. There was no time to lose. Turning on her heel, she darted into the nearest alley, her movements quick and quiet. The thick coats she'd scavenged proved useful, the dull, weathered fabric blending with the muted tones of the snow-covered village. She became a shadow in the maze of towering structures, moving like a ghost between them.
The alley was narrow, hemmed in by the impressive yet daunting walls of the village's high-tech buildings. Their ancient Japanese curves mixed with sleek, modern design offered both cover and a chilling reminder of how foreign this place felt. Temari sprinted down the alley, her pulse racing, her breath coming in quick, shallow bursts.
Her mind raced, weighing her options. I can't fight them. Not like this. Not yet. She needed to find an escape, a way to slip past the patrols without being seen. She scanned her surroundings, eyes flickering from one potential hiding spot to the next. Ahead, the alley split off into several directions, each one offering a different route deeper into the heart of this strange, silent village.
The sound of boots crunching on snow grew louder behind her. The shinobi were getting closer.
Think, Temari. Think.
…..
Naruto, Sakura, and Jiraiya sprinted through the maze-like hallways of the underground complex, frustration building with every twist and turn that led to yet another dead end. The dim lighting, cold steel walls, and echoing footsteps only added to the sense of doom. The clanking of their boots on the floor filled the silence between them as they tried to find a way deeper into the prison—or any clue that would lead them to Temari.
"Another dead end," Naruto muttered, slamming his fist against the wall in frustration. "We're running in circles here!"
"Patience, Naruto," Jiraiya said, his eyes scanning the area. "We'll find her. This place is just built to confuse intruders."
Sakura placed her hands on her hips, her eyes narrowing as she glanced around. "It feels like we're being funneled somewhere like they want us to get lost or waste time."
Suddenly, the sound of armored footsteps echoed down one of the adjacent hallways, growing louder by the second.
"Company," Naruto growled, his fists tightening as the first of the snow shinobi appeared from around the corner.
Silver armor gleamed under the dim lights as the snow shinobi charged, their weapons drawn, moving with precision. Jiraiya moved swiftly, summoning a stream of earth spikes that shot up from the ground, disrupting their formation. Naruto dashed forward, dodging a blade and delivering a crushing blow to one shinobi, sending him sprawling against the wall.
Sakura followed, her strength turning each strike into a devastating blow. One shinobi went down as she slammed her fist into his chest, sending cracks through his armor.
Within moments, the hallway was littered with the fallen bodies of the snow shinobi. Panting, Naruto wiped sweat from his brow. "That was too easy," he said, eyeing the armored soldiers. "They must have more coming."
Jiraiya nodded, then suddenly grinned. "Too easy, huh? How about we turn their armor against them?"
Sakura raised an eyebrow. "What are you suggesting?"
Jiraiya began rummaging through the snow shinobi's gear. "We take their armor, use a little low-level genjutsu to hide our faces and walk out of here. They'll never see it coming. It's an old trick, but it just might work in this high-tech place."
Naruto's eyes lit up with excitement. "That's brilliant, Pervy Sage! They won't suspect a thing."
"Not so fast," Sakura cautioned, "We still don't know the layout of this place. If we mess up even a little, we'll have the whole village on us."
Jiraiya smirked. "Leave that to me. I've been in enough enemy strongholds to know how to bluff my way out."
Within minutes, they had stripped the snow shinobi of their armor. The suits were heavy and uncomfortable, but once Jiraiya applied a light genjutsu, they resembled the silver-clad soldiers they had just defeated.
"Alright, kids," Jiraiya said, adjusting his helmet. "Let's move. Act casual, keep quiet, and follow my lead."
The three of them, now disguised as snow shinobi, marched up the nearest flight of stairs, blending seamlessly into the environment. With the genjutsu masking their true identities, they noticed something odd—doors they hadn't even seen before began to open automatically as they approached, the armor seemingly acting as a key. The once confusing maze of hallways began to feel less daunting, each step taking them closer to the surface.
"Looks like this armor is more than just for show," Sakura muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible behind the genjutsu.
Naruto grinned. "Well, that was easy," he said with a smirk, the confidence radiating from him even through the illusion.
Jiraiya shot him a sideways glance. "All traps are easy once you know the way out, kid. Don't get cocky just yet. Now come on," he said, his voice firm as he strode forward, his posture commanding. He moved as if he owned the place, every step deliberate, while Naruto and Sakura fell in line behind him.
As they exited the building, the cold hit them immediately. The village they stepped into was a breathtaking fusion of high-tech structures and traditional Japanese architecture, a strange mix of futuristic towers and ancient design, all under the shadow of the snow-covered mountains. The streets were eerily quiet so early in the morning, the only sound coming from the distant hum of machinery and the crunch of snow beneath their boots.
Jiraiya didn't slow down. "Keep your heads low, and follow my lead. We're not out of this yet," he whispered, his eyes darting around, scanning for any sign of danger.
Naruto's gaze swept over the awe-inspiring sight of the village, but his thoughts were locked on Temari. Somewhere in this frozen, high-tech wonderland, she was waiting for them—trapped, alone, and in danger. The thought twisted in his chest like a knife.
"We'll find her, Naruto," Sakura said quietly, her voice low but reassuring. She didn't need to hear him speak to know what weighed on him.
Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Naruto spotted movement—a figure dashing out of a building, and disappearing into an alley. His heart skipped a beat as he squinted through the cold mist. He thought he saw a flash of blonde hair.
Temari?
Before he could think, his body reacted. Naruto bolted, sprinting after the shadowy figure. His heart pounded in his ears as he darted through the streets, his legs moving faster than his mind could process.
"Naruto! Wait!" Sakura yelled, her voice full of alarm, but Naruto didn't stop.
"Kid, get back here!" Jiraiya shouted after him, but Naruto had already vanished into the maze of alleyways, leaving his friends behind as he chased the figure.
…..
Temari's breath came in ragged gasps as she darted between the towering buildings, her boots crunching against the snow-covered ground. The heavy overcoats she had scavenged helped shield her from the biting cold, but they weighed her down, making every step feel sluggish. Her muscles screamed in protest, still weak from the grueling treatment she'd endured. She had to keep going. She couldn't afford to stop.
She glanced behind her and froze. A silver-armored shinobi was barreling toward her, his speed unnerving. The sight sent a jolt of panic through her system.
Who the hell is that?
Her instincts screamed at her to run, but her body was already flagging. Gritting her teeth, Temari turned a corner sharply, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hear the clank of the shinobi's armor getting closer. He was faster than she expected, too fast for her to outrun.
Damn it, I can't keep this up!
Her breath hitched as she spotted a nearby stall, the counter just high enough to hide behind. Without thinking, she slid behind it, pressing her back against the cold stone. Her heart thundered in her ears, the adrenaline making her hands tremble. She held her breath, trying to still the frantic beating of her heart as the heavy footsteps drew nearer.
The shinobi's shadow loomed over her hiding spot, and she gripped the hilt of her stolen sword tighter, her fingers slick with sweat. She waited, counting the seconds. Just as the armored figure rounded the corner of the stall, she sprang up, her muscles screaming in protest.
With a battle cry torn from her throat, she swung the sword with everything she had. The blade connected with a sickening crack, sending the shinobi flying backward, his body slamming into a nearby wall with a dull thud.
Temari stumbled back, her chest heaving, eyes wide as she watched the silver-armored figure crumple to the ground. Her heart raced, the fear still clawing at her, but she had bought herself a moment of survival for now.
"I'm not going down without a fight," she muttered through gritted teeth, her body trembling from both exertion and fear. She glanced down at the unconscious shinobi, her brow furrowing in confusion.
Who was this guy? And why had he been chasing her so desperately?
There was no time to figure that out now. She had to keep moving.
"Temari, wait!" a familiar voice called out, stopping her in her tracks.
Breathing heavily, Temari blinked and turned toward the source of the voice. Two more figures in silver armor were running toward her, and for a moment, panic surged through her veins. She raised the sword, preparing to fight again.
But the voice... It wasn't the cold, commanding shout of her enemies. It was softer, more urgent, and strangely familiar.
"Sakura?" Temari muttered in disbelief, her voice barely above a whisper.
The lead figure stopped just short of her, panting, and tore off their helmet. Long pink hair tumbled out, and Temari's eyes widened in recognition.
"Yes! It's me!" Sakura called out, her voice strained but full of relief.
Temari lowered the sword slightly, her body trembling with exhaustion and confusion.
Behind Sakura, Jiraiya ripped off his helmet, shaking free his long white hair. "Temari, it's us! We're here to get you out of this hellhole!" Jiraiya shouted, his deep voice filling the alley.
Temari's knees buckled as the adrenaline began to drain out of her. She glanced down at the unconscious figure she had knocked out earlier—the silver-armored shinobi she thought was her enemy. Her heart sank as she realized it was Naruto, sprawled on the ground, helmet knocked off from the impact the Genejutsu fading as she watched.
"Naruto?" she gasped, rushing over to him.
Sakura quickly knelt beside her, checking him over. "He'll be fine," she assured Temari. "You just got him good. Nothing he can't handle."
Temari's chest tightened, torn between guilt and relief. "I—I didn't know it was him," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I thought—"
"You were doing what you had to," Jiraiya interrupted firmly. "You were surviving. Now let's focus on getting out of here."
Temari nodded, wiping the sweat from her brow, still reeling from the whirlwind of emotions.
Sakura moved over to Temari, running a glowing hand gently over her back. Her eyes scanned Temari's body for injuries, before cupping her face and lifting it to look into her eyes.
"God, what did they do to you? Your chakra network is a mess," Sakura murmured, her emerald eyes filled with concern. Temari blinked slowly, struggling to focus.
"I... I had some kind of chakra metal around my neck," Temari rasped, her voice strained. She pointed weakly to the bright red line seared into her skin.
Sakura gently pulled down Temari's collar to inspect the burn. "This is a chakra burn of some kind. It's deep. I'll need to examine it properly before I can do anything to heal it," Sakura said, frustration creeping into her tone as her chakra probed the area.
"We don't have time for that," Jiraiya cut in sharply, shifting the limp form of Naruto over his shoulder. "We have to find the port and pray the captain is docked. We need to get out of here before more of them show up."
With that, Jiraiya strode out of the alley, leading the way downhill toward what they hoped would be their escape. Sakura cast one last glance at Temari before following, her mind racing as she tried to figure out how to fix the damage to Temari's chakra network while keeping them moving forward.
From their vantage point atop the hill, Naruto, Sakura, Temari, and Jiraiya crouched in the snow, eyes locked on the bustling port below. The ship was visible, moored at the dock, but chaos reigned as villagers and soldiers swarmed the area, moving crates in and out of the vessel. Large loads of coal were being shoveled into the ship's fuel boxes, the dark smoke billowing upward, marking the final stages of refueling.
"Looks like they haven't taken off yet," Jiraiya muttered, scanning the scene. "But getting on board won't be easy with that army watching."
A large group of soldiers, clad in silver armor, stood at strategic points along the docks, keeping a watchful eye on both the ship's crew and the villagers. None of the crew were allowed off the ship, and any villager attempting to approach was quickly shoved back by the guards. These soldiers were different from the tech-heavy shinobi they had encountered earlier. Their attire resembled the Samurai and Ashigaru of feudal Japan, conventionally armed with swords and spears, though their weapons had a distinct technological edge.
"The tech here… it's new, but they're still holding on to some old methods," Sakura observed, her voice barely above a whisper.
She glanced between the soldiers below and Naruto, who leaned heavily on her. "There's something strange about this place. Whatever they're doing here, it's messing with our chakra networks," she added, supporting Naruto with one arm.
"My head keeps spinning. What is this?" Naruto muttered through gritted teeth.
Jiraiya crouched beside them, his eyes sweeping over the bustling port. "This whole island feels off. It's like they're using some kind of tech to suppress chakra, but I can't figure out how." He glanced over at Naruto and frowned. "You're no good to us right now, kid. We'll have to be smart about this if we're going to find a way down there."
Naruto's jaw tightened as he fought through the dizzying haze clouding his mind. "We can't just wait around. We found Temari, and if we don't move soon, that ship will be gone." His voice was tinged with urgency, but his body wavered, barely able to stand.
Sakura tightened her grip on him. "We have to think this through. Maybe if we get close enough, I can try to disrupt whatever's affecting our chakra. But if they see us, they'll swarm."
Jiraiya rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "We've got their uniforms, and as long as Naruto doesn't draw attention by passing out, we might be able to blend in. The trick is getting on that ship without raising suspicion."
He studied the army below, noting the mix of high-tech weaponry and old-world armor. "They're not just relying on chakra suppression. Look at them—they've got advanced tech, but they're still using conventional tactics. Samurai-style discipline."
Temari, now steadier on her feet, nodded as her gaze swept over the scene, taking in the heavy military presence and the layout of the docks. "They're not just watching for villagers. They're waiting for something—or someone. They must be looking for me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "They wanted to use me to test their armor against wind jutsu."
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed in thought before he spoke. "Then it's time we used some good old-fashioned ninja skills. Suppress your chakra as best you can, and let's work our way down to the edge of the water at the entrance of the port."
He started stripping off the remaining armor, the metallic clinking sound of each piece hitting the snow and quickly disappearing into the cold air. The others followed suit, shedding their disguises and instead relying on their winter coats for warmth and cover.
Now without the armor weighing them down, Naruto, Sakura, Jiraiya, and Temari moved in perfect silence. Using every bit of their stealth training, they blended into the shadows, sticking to the edges of the buildings and avoiding the watchful eyes of the soldiers as they made their way around the port.
Naruto, suppressing his chakra, glanced at the others before signaling for them to move forward. They slipped into the narrow passage between two towering structures, the muffled sound of snow crunching beneath their boots the only noise in the quiet night.
Jiraiya led them through the maze-like alleys, moving like a ghost with the others trailing behind. Each step brought them closer to the water's edge, the ship looming in the distance, but the port swarmed with guards.
Sakura cast a glance at Temari, her face set with determination. "Stay close," she whispered.
Temari nodded, pulling her hood tighter, her eyes sharp and ready as they moved ever closer to their escape. She wasn't going to let any of them out of her sight—this ordeal had taught her a lesson she wouldn't soon forget.
The two miles to the end of the port took them the better part of the day. Every step was calculated, and every sound caused them to freeze in place, their hearts pounding in sync with the tension in the air. They navigated through alleys, hidden pathways, and narrow streets, staying well out of sight. It was as if the entire world slowed down, and they were moving between the cracks, unseen by the soldiers patrolling the area.
Despite the guards swarming the port, their focus seemed more on keeping warm than on looking for a runaway prisoner. Temari's disappearance from the prison had not been widely broadcast—at least, not yet. The chaos that had erupted underground after she escaped had likely left the guards too overwhelmed to realize that a highly trained kunoichi was now on the loose.
As they moved under the watchful eyes of several guards stationed near a supply depot, they could hear bits of conversation drifting through the cold air. The fort below was in chaos, overrun with prisoners causing havoc. That chaos was their cover, buying them just enough time to slip through unnoticed.
Jiraiya signaled for them to move forward, crouching low as they made their way past the last checkpoint. The ship loomed closer, its dark shape barely visible against the early evening sky. They were nearly at the water's edge.
Hiding in a rocky outcropping, the water licking at their feet, they crouched in silence, waiting for the moon to set or for the ship to make its move. The plan was simple: when the ship came closest to the shore, they would sprint over the water and board it unnoticed. But if it didn't sail tonight, it would mean a longer, riskier walk over the calm sea to the ship. The clock was ticking.
Minutes stretched into hours, the night growing colder. The tension in the air was thick, made worse by the voices that drifted over the waves. From their hidden spot, Naruto, Sakura, Jiraiya, and Temari could hear the back-and-forth between the ship's captain and the port leader, Kazahana Ryoku, as they argued. The sharp tone of Ryoku's voice cut through the night air, his impatience clear.
"They're forcing them to leave," Jiraiya muttered, his brow furrowed as he strained to listen. The captain was stalling, making every excuse possible to stay docked, but it was clear it was a losing battle. Ryoku's voice boomed over the waves, demanding the ship set sail immediately.
Naruto clenched his fists, the cold biting at his skin. "We need to move soon, or we'll miss our chance," he whispered, glancing at the others. The moon was still high, casting too much light for them to make a stealthy approach. They needed cover, and time was running out.
Temari shifted beside him, her eyes sharp with focus. "The moment the ship moves past the last outcrop, we go," she whispered, her voice tense. "I just hope those engines the captain bragged about are as fast as he said they were." Her worry was evident—returning to that prison cell was not an option.
A billow of thick smoke rose from the ship as the engines roared to life. The anchor was pulled up, and the thunderous sound of the propeller spinning through the icy waters echoed across the port. Slowly, the ship backed out of the dock, making a deliberate, wide turn.
Then, they noticed something unexpected—the nets dropping over the sides of the ship. Sailors worked swiftly, lowering the sails to create a barrier, effectively blocking any view from the port to the sea. The captain was no fool. He knew any ninja worth their salt would wait until darkness to make their move, and he was giving them every opportunity to climb aboard undetected.
Naruto's eyes flickered with relief. "He's buying us time," he muttered, his breath visible in the cold night air.
Jiraiya grinned. "Looks like our friend up there knows how to play this game. When the ship passes that last rock, we don't hesitate."
It was almost too easy, anticlimactic even. Naruto, Sakura, Jiraiya, and Temari sprinted over the few hundred feet of open water, their steps light as they skimmed the surface. They reached the ship unnoticed, quickly scaling the netting that hung over the side.
The crew, clearly prepared for them, moved swiftly. Within moments, they were bundled in thick blankets, concealed behind crates and barrels on the deck. No one spoke a word as the ship continued its slow turn. The captain, standing at the helm, bellowed commands with the authority of a man who knew exactly what was at stake. His voice carried over the roar of the engine, a billowing cloud of dark smoke rising into the air as the ship's engines roared to life.
The vessel seemed to leap forward, cutting through the icy waters with surprising speed. The sails, lowered just moments before to shield them from prying eyes, now flapped violently in the cold wind as the ship gained momentum. It surged into the open sea, leaving the port behind. Temari, wrapped tightly in her blanket, sat huddled beside Naruto, watching the lights of the village grow smaller in the distance.
"We did it," Sakura whispered, relief flooding her voice as she glanced at Naruto, who nodded but said nothing, still recovering from the strain on his chakra network.
Jiraiya stood, staring out at the horizon. "We're not in the clear yet, but that was a hell of a move. The captain knew exactly what we needed."
As the ship sped away, the tension that had gripped them for so long began to ease. For the first time in what felt like ages, they could breathe.
Once the lights of the village port faded into the distance, they all felt the pressure on their chakra networks lift, like a weight they hadn't realized was crushing them. As one, they took a deep breath, the relief palpable. For the first time in what felt like days, they could feel their chakra flowing naturally again.
"F* that island, I am never going back," Temari muttered, her voice filled with equal parts exhaustion and disgust.
"I'll let the Hokage know something's going on there. She'll alert the other Kages," Jiraiya said, dropping the heavy blankets and coats to the deck as he walked to the rail, his red cloak blowing in the wind, the gleam of his metal headband catching the last light. "This can't be overlooked."
"Come on, let's get below deck. We all need to clean up," Sakura said, pulling Temari along, and leading her toward their room below deck. Naruto lingered, joining Jiraiya at the rail, his mind racing.
"What do you think that was all about?" Naruto asked, his voice quieter than usual, still haunted by the events of the island.
Jiraiya sighed, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "I don't know, but the world's full of power-hungry madmen." He glanced at Naruto with a smirk. "Or mad women," he added with a laugh, slapping Naruto on the back before turning toward their quarters.
Naruto chuckled weakly, following behind his sensei. Whatever they had just faced, he knew it was over.
…
Due to the request of a few reviews, this ends the sea arc. I am still doing the turtle island training but it will be much shorter as it seems my dear readers want Naruto back in the village.
If I am wrong post a review and tell me. Feedback is welcome and sometimes needed.
PS, the chapter title was going to reference Naruto remembering Yukie Fujikaze voice when she yelled at him. A scene that will never be.