The Raikage's office was filled with the quiet tension of impending war. Samui stood before her leader, her posture as composed as ever, but beneath the surface, her mind was sharp, calculating. She knew this request would need to be carefully presented—grounded in logic and necessity, not in the emotions she worked hard to keep hidden.

Raikage A sat behind his desk, his intense gaze fixed on her. "You're requesting reassignment to the Island Turtle," he said, his deep voice unwavering. "To join the team guarding the Jinchūriki."

Samui nodded once, her expression calm. "Yes, Lord Raikage. I believe my presence there would be highly beneficial."

The Raikage's brow furrowed slightly. "You're one of my top kunoichi. Your skills are valuable on the front lines, and you're needed here with the war about to break out. Why should I send you to the Island Turtle?"

Samui had anticipated this question. She met the Raikage's gaze steadily, her mind already prepared with her answer. "While there are many capable shinobi currently guarding the Jinchūriki, I believe my familiarity with Naruto Uzumaki in particular gives me an advantage in managing the situation on the island. He is a critical part of the war, but he is also unpredictable and driven by emotion. My presence could help ensure that he remains focused on his training and stays unaware of the broader conflict as long as possible."

Raikage A leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Naruto's already under the watch of strong shinobi. Might Guy'll there, won't he? And Yamato."

"Guy and Yamato are excellent shinobi," Samui acknowledged, her voice measured. "But with the war intensifying, they could be more effectively deployed on the battlefield, where their skills would make a larger impact. Guy, in particular, is one of our most powerful taijutsu specialists, and his abilities would be better utilized in direct combat."

The Raikage's eyes narrowed slightly, considering her argument. "And you think you can do a better job keeping Naruto in line than they can?"

Samui's expression remained composed, but her words carried weight. "I understand Naruto's mindset. He's impulsive and driven by his need to protect others, which makes him a potential risk if he learns too much about what's happening outside the island. But I've observed his determination and his growth. With the right guidance, he can focus on the task at hand and become the asset we need him to be in this war. Keeping him in the dark, keeping him focused, is as important as defending him."

The Raikage studied her, his sharp eyes probing for any sign of weakness. "You're suggesting I pull one of our strongest Jonin from the island and replace him with you. You'd better have more than just familiarity with Naruto backing this request, Samui."

Samui nodded, her voice steady as she laid out her case. "The Island Turtle is a stronghold, but it is also isolated. If the enemy were to breach its defenses, the outcome could be catastrophic. My role wouldn't just be as another bodyguard—I can assist with strategy, positioning, and overall defense if it comes to that, since I'm familiar with the island. I've handled high-level operations and intelligence for years, this is no different."

She paused briefly, her tone softening but still professional. "Bee's my comrade. I understand how he fights, how he thinks. And Naruto is key to this war's outcome. I believe I am best suited to assist them, both in protecting them and in preparing them for what's to come."

Raikage A leaned forward, his hands resting on his desk as he stared at her. "You're asking me to take a risk, Samui. To place you in a role that goes beyond what I've assigned you to in the past. This war requires precision. If I move you, I need to know you're doing it for the right reasons."

Samui's heart raced, but she remained outwardly calm. She couldn't let him know just how deeply her motivations ran—how much of her desire to be on the Island Turtle came from wanting to protect Naruto as more than just an asset in the war. But she also knew that everything she had said was true. Her tactical mind, her strategic insight, and her familiarity with Bee and Naruto made her the logical choice.

She took a breath, her voice clear and measured. "I'm doing this because it's what's best for the Cloud. Bee and Naruto are our most valuable weapons, and the enemy will come for them. If they fall, the war is lost. My job is to ensure that doesn't happen."

For a long moment, the Raikage was silent, his gaze locked on hers, weighing her words. Finally, he leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "You've always been one of my best, Samui. I trust your judgment. But remember—you're not just there for Naruto or Bee. You're there for the entire Cloud. Don't let emotions cloud your mission."

Samui bowed her head, her voice steady. "I won't let you down, Lord Raikage."

"Good," Raikage A said, his voice firm. "You're reassigned to the Island Turtle. Prepare to leave immediately."

Samui gave a respectful nod before turning to leave the office. As the door closed behind her, the weight of her decision settled over her. She had given the Raikage exactly what he needed to hear—logic, strategy, and duty. And while every word she'd spoken had been true, there was another truth she hadn't voiced, one that lingered at the edge of her mind as she made her way out into the cool air of the Cloud Village.

It wasn't just duty that had driven her request. Naruto had changed something inside her, whether she wanted to admit it or not. She had built her life around duty, around keeping her emotions at arm's length. But now, with the war looming and Naruto's fate hanging in the balance, she couldn't shake the need to protect him—not just as a key to the war's outcome, but as someone she had come to care about.

Emotions can cloud judgment, the Raikage had said. Samui had always believed that to be true. But now, standing on the brink of war, she wasn't so sure. Maybe emotions didn't weaken you. Maybe, with Naruto, they could be a source of strength.

She straightened her posture, her mind focused but her heart unsettled. She had a mission to complete, and she would see it through. But as she prepared to leave for the Island Turtle, Samui couldn't help but wonder whether her emotions would stay as neatly contained as she'd like them to—or if this war would force her to confront everything she'd been avoiding for so long.

The sun had nearly set on the horizon, painting the sky in deep purples and oranges. The Island Turtle, with its vast, rocky terrain, was quiet except for the sound of distant waves crashing against the cliffs. Naruto trudged back toward the small camp, his steps heavy, his thoughts even heavier. The confrontation at the Waterfall of Truth had left him shaken, a vivid image of something he'd ignored.

As he neared the camp he'd set up to live closer to nature, he spotted a figure standing near the edge of the clearing. Samui was there, her stance relaxed, though her sharp eyes were always observant. She appeared calm, and collected, as though the entire world hadn't just been thrown into chaos with the war on the horizon.

"Rough day?" Samui asked, her voice cool and even, but not unkind.

Naruto rubbed the back of his neck and let out a long breath. "Yeah… you could say that. This training—it's tough in ways I didn't expect. Facing that other part of me, Dark Naruto… It's different."

Samui watched him carefully, keeping her expression neutral but her mind focused. She knew Naruto didn't realize what was really happening—that this training was as much about keeping him hidden from the war as it was about preparing him. The Raikage had been clear: Naruto had to remain unaware of the conflict outside the island for as long as possible. He needed to focus on mastering the Nine-Tails, not the battle raging beyond the island's borders.

Samui's gaze didn't waver. "What makes it feel different?" she asked, her tone thoughtful, as though she were helping him draw out what he already knew.

Naruto nodded, his gaze distant as he sat down beside nearby boulder. "I thought I could handle it, you know? I've faced enemies stronger than me, situations worse than this… But this feels different. It's not just some fight I can win with brute strength." He chuckled, though there was little humor in his voice. "It's me."

Naruto exhaled sharply. "Dark Naruto—he's angry. He's bitter. And he knows exactly where to hit me because… well, he's the exact copy me. It's not like fighting Pain or any of the others."

Dark Naruto, huh? How childish. Samui giggled internally. She missed her fellow blonde.

There was a moment of quiet as the sound of the waves filled the space between them. Samui moved closer, sitting down by his side. "What do you think he's angry about?"

Naruto looked up at her, his eyes flickering with the understanding he had begun to piece together. "It's the stuff I've carried with me for years. All the hate from the village, the loneliness… even when things got better, I guess a part of me just never let that go."

Samui nodded, her expression calm but her eyes focused. "You've been through more than most people could handle, Naruto. Anger like that doesn't just disappear because your circumstances change."

Naruto ran a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "I thought I had moved past it. I thought if I kept pushing forward, kept working toward my goal of becoming Hokage, all of that would just… fade away. But it's still there. That anger, that resentment… it's like a shadow I can't shake."

Samui's voice was quiet, but there was a thoughtfulness to her words. "Maybe it's not about shaking it. Maybe that anger is part of you—part of everything you've been through."

Naruto fell silent, his brow furrowing in thought. "I don't want to be controlled by it," Naruto admitted, his voice softer now, more contemplative. "I don't want that anger to define me."

Samui uncrossed her arms and stepped closer, sitting beside him on the boulder. "It won't define you. But ignoring it won't make it go away either. You've been through a lot, and no one can blame you for carrying that anger. But understanding it… forgiving and accepting yourself for feeling it… that might be the way forward."

Naruto stared at the ground, the weight of her words settling over him. He had always been so focused on accepting others—Sasuke, the villagers, even Nagato. But he had never considered that part of his journey might involve forgiving himself. His hands tightened into fists, then slowly relaxed.

"I've always thought that if I was just strong enough, all of this would stop mattering," he said quietly. "But maybe I need to accept that it does matter. That what I've been through is part of me, and that's okay."

Samui's gaze softened. "That doesn't make you weak. It makes you stronger."

Naruto let out a slow breath, his mind finally beginning to settle. "Yeah… I think I'm starting to get it."

For a moment, they sat in silence, the atmosphere between them calm but charged with unspoken understanding.

"You know, you're starting to sound kinda like me, Samui-chan." Naruto chuckled, his voice light, though there was an undeniable warmth behind it. "Have I wormed my way in yet?"

Samui raised an eyebrow, a small, amused smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Persistent, aren't you?"

Naruto grinned, but as the laughter between them faded, the quiet settled back in. His eyes softened as he looked at her, the fading light casting shadows across her face, making her look almost ethereal. For the first time, he noticed how close they were sitting, the space between them barely a breath. The tension between them shifted—subtle but unmistakable.

Naruto's usual playfulness faded as his gaze lingered on her, the air around them heavy with something unspoken. "Samui," he said, his voice quieter now, more serious. "I don't know how I'd be handling all of this without you."

Samui's expression softened in return, and for a brief moment, her composed, distant exterior cracked, revealing something more vulnerable beneath. She met his gaze, feeling the weight of his words, realizing that he had let her in more than she'd anticipated.

"Maybe you've done the same for me," she admitted quietly, surprising even herself with the admission. She had always kept people at a distance, but Naruto… He had a way of getting past her defenses.

Naruto blinked, his heart pounding a little harder in his chest at her words. There was something in the way she was looking at him—something that made him feel seen in a way he hadn't expected. The silence between them stretched on, filled with a tension that wasn't uncomfortable, but something deeper, more intimate.

Slowly, Naruto reached out, his hand hovering near hers, uncertain but not hesitant. Samui didn't pull away. Instead, she met him halfway, her fingers brushing against his, tentative at first but then lingering, a quiet confirmation of the connection they had forged.

"I don't want to make things weirder, but… I feel like we've gotten close, you know?" Naruto murmured, his voice soft, almost shy. "Like… really close."

Samui's gaze held his, her blue eyes steady but softer now, more open than they had been before. She had always been calm, and composed, but now, with Naruto, she felt something shift — something she hadn't expected to feel. She gave a small nod, her voice barely a whisper. "We have."

Naruto's hand tightened slightly around hers, his thumb brushing lightly over her skin, the touch gentle but charged with meaning.

"I've missed you, you know…" Samui confessed.

Naruto's breath hitched, but he didn't pull away. "I missed you too…"

Inside the Island Turtle's hidden training space, Naruto clenched his fists in frustration, his body still humming with the power of the Nine-Tails. He had accidentally punched a wall too hard during his training and gotten himself stuck, his chakra-infused strength punching a hole too deep, preventing him from immediately joining in on the pursuit.

"Dammit!" Naruto growled, struggling against the rocks. He could sense the intense chakra flaring just outside—Kisame's unmistakable presence clashing with Killer Bee's. I need to get out of here… fast! Samui…

Outside, the battle had already begun to escalate. Killer Bee, his body enveloped in the bubbling red chakra of the Tailed Beast Cloak, stood between Kisame and the ocean, his stance wide, his breathing controlled but heavy. The Tailed Beast Cloak amplified his power, but he knew that staying in this form for too long would only make him more vulnerable to Samehada's chakra-draining abilities.

Bee let out a growl, his hands crackling with his own lightning chakra. "We gon' serve ya up, shark bait. No way outta this fate, yeah!"

With a sudden burst of speed despite being injured from Naruto's punch, Kisame lunged forward, Samehada in hand. The massive sword swung toward Bee, who blocked it with a bubbling arm of Tailed Beast Chakra. But the moment Samehada made contact, Bee felt his chakra being pulled from him, the cloak flickering as Samehada greedily absorbed his power.

"Damn sword, suckin' my chakra dry!" Bee growled, feeling his chakra reserves deplete faster than he could react. He jumped back, his feet digging into the rocky terrain.

Kisame's grin widened as he twirled Samehada effortlessly. "You've got a lot of chakra, jinchūriki, but Samehada's got a bigger appetite now."

Bee staggered slightly, his reserves being sapped, but he wasn't out of the fight yet. He let the cloak recede and took a deep breath, his expression hardening. "Ya think yer just gonna drain me dry, but I'm just gettin' warmed up, ya fool!"

Electricity crackled around Bee's fingertips as he shifted tactics. "Taste some lightning, weakling!"

Lightning chakra surged through Bee's body as he moved into action. He rushed forward, faster and lighter now that he wasn't relying on the Tailed Beast's cloak, and delivered a rapid series of strikes.

"Lightning Style: Lariat!"

Bee's arm, cloaked in a bright arc of lightning, crashed toward Kisame with devastating force. The blow hit Kisame square in the chest, sending him stumbling backward. The impact left deep burns where the lightning had scorched him.

Before Kisame could recover, Samui appeared at his side in a blur of speed, her hand crackling with blue lightning. Her tanto gleamed in the fading light as she brought it down in a swift, deadly arc.

"Lightning Style: Swift Beheading!"

Her tanto, encased in lightning chakra, cut into Kisame's side, sending a wave of electricity through his body. Kisame let out a guttural sound of pain as the lightning ripped through him, his muscles spasming under the shock. Blood sprayed from the wound, and for a moment, his predatory grin faltered.

But even injured, Kisame wasn't ready to back down. "So, you've got some skills after all, kunoichi," he growled, his voice laced with malice. "I thought your tits did all the talking…"

Samui's expression didn't change, her eyes narrowing as she readied herself for another strike.

"But lightning only gets you so far," Kisame sneered, twisting his body and swinging Samehada in a wide, brutal arc.

Before Samui could pull back, Kisame swung Samehada toward her, the massive blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Samui raised her tanto to block, but the force of the impact was too great. Samehada slammed into her side, the scales of the sword ripping through her clothing and biting into her flesh.

For a brief moment, Samui's world exploded in pain. Samehada wasn't just cutting her—she could feel it draining her chakra, the life force being pulled from her with terrifying intensity. Her knees buckled, and she gasped as the strength in her limbs started to fade. Blood dripped down from the deep gash in her side, staining the rocky ground beneath her.

"Samui!" Bee's voice roared over the battlefield, his concern evident.

Samui staggered but didn't fall. Gritting her teeth, she pressed her hand to her side where Samehada had struck, feeling the steady drain of chakra. But she forced herself to stand straight, her tanto still in hand. Her vision blurred for a second, but she shook it off. She couldn't let Kisame escape. Not now.

"Lightning Style: Lightning Fang!"

A concentrated lightning bolt shot from the of her tanto towards the shark-like Akatsuki member. But the attack was countered by a shark bomb.

"You're tough, I'll give you that," Kisame sneered, "But you're just a one-trick-pony!"

Before Kisame could press the attack on Samui, Bee launched himself forward, his body flickering with speed. He hit Kisame with a lightning-infused punch to the chest, sending the shark-like shinobi stumbling back toward the water.

"Lightning Release: Lariat!" Bee followed up, his arm surging with electricity as he charged at Kisame, aiming for the final blow. His arm smashed into Kisame's midsection, the impact sending shockwaves through the battlefield.

Kisame grunted in pain, but even as his body took the brunt of Bee's attack, Samehada greedily absorbed the remaining chakra from Bee's Lariat. The sword pulsed with energy, and Kisame smirked, blood dripping from his mouth. "Thanks for the boost, jinchūriki."

Despite the severe injury, Samui refused to back down. Her breathing was labored, her vision still wavering from the blood loss and chakra drain, but she was far from finished. With a burst of energy, she charged her tanto again, blue lightning crackling along the blade as she focused what chakra she had left into her next move.

"Lightning Release: Piercing Thunder!" she shouted, her voice strong despite the pain.

Samui lunged at Kisame once more, her blade aimed for his heart. Kisame, distracted by Bee's attack, turned just in time to block with Samehada, but the sheer force of Samui's lightning blade sent sparks flying. Kisame's grin faltered, and for the first time, a look of genuine surprise crossed his face.

The lightning surged through Samehada, and although the sword absorbed most of the energy, the sheer force of Samui's attack sent Kisame skidding backward. He grunted, clutching his side where blood continued to pour from the earlier wounds.

"You're still fighting?" Kisame growled, his voice tinged with frustration. "Even after all that, you're still coming at me?"

Samui's breath came in ragged gasps, but she stood firm. "I won't let you escape. Not while I can still stand."

Kisame snarled, his body battered but his resolve unbroken. "You're a fool. Both of you are."

With a swift movement, Kisame raised Samehada and slammed it into the ground, creating a massive shockwave of water that surged toward Bee and Samui.

"Water Style: Exploding Water Shockwave!"

The tidal wave crashed toward them with terrifying speed, threatening to drown them both. Bee, weakened but not out of the fight, crossed his arms in front of him, channeling the last of his lightning chakra.

"Samui, hang on!"

Bee unleashed a final burst of lightning, cutting through the wave and dispersing some of the water, but the force of the shockwave still sent both him and Samui crashing to the ground.

Kisame, bloodied and beaten but still standing, took the opportunity to retreat. His body flickered as he merged with the water, disappearing beneath the waves. "You put up a good fight, but I've got what I came for."

As the water calmed, Bee struggled to his feet, breathing heavily. "Damn shark got away…" he muttered, frustration clear in his voice. He glanced down at Samui, who was on her knees, clutching her side where the blood still flowed. Naruto, finally freed from the rubble, rushed onto the scene just as the battle ended. His eyes widened in horror as he saw Samui's bloodied form and the aftermath of the fight. "Samui! What happened?!"

Samui's vision blurred as Naruto knelt beside her, panic evident on his face. She gave him a weak smile, before passing out.

"Back to Back", I like that record. Imma get back to that for the record.