Above the Heavens and the Earth, a naruto fanfic

by thedecentwriter

Rewrite/Revision to "I Alone am the Honored One, a naruto fanfic." What if Naruto awakens a long-forgotten technique not seen since the age of the Sage of Six Paths? How will this awakening affect his journey and shape the world around him? Basically, what if Naruto has Gojo's power... with other surprises? Alternate Universe/Canon-Divergence/Crossover

6. Chapter 6 - The Curtain

Author's Note: I'm realizing how cringe-worthy a lot of this is, and frankly, I'm going to start moving along instead of trying to write some literary masterpiece. I'm not a good writer, and I'm not completely garbage… I'm decent. You will notice my writing changes as the chapter progresses. This is because I wrote the first half over three months ago but got busy and returned to finish it about a week ago. The last parts/scenes are extremely rushed and suck. This chapter is very long and we need to move on. I've gotten better at writing Naruto but he's still "weird" as we need to progress before he starts feeling like an actual character.

Chapter 6: Academy Graduation Arc, Part 2 – The Curtain

KONOHA NINJA ACADEMY

No one moved as the severed body of the instructor fell to the ground, his split torso staining the earth red.

"You're not going anywhere," one of the attackers said, the crimson blood glistening off his sword in the darkened sky. The oppressive veil looming over the academy and its occupants.

Fear crept into the hearts of the students there, their bodies started to feel the intense weight, the bloodlust, and the killing intent. However, a voice boomed out before chaos could take hold of everyone.

"Formation B!" Iruka cried out, his voice piercing through the dense air. It was a command the students had heard before, but never in a situation quite like this. His words were followed by a series of popping sounds, and suddenly, the area was enveloped in a cloud of dense, blinding smoke.

The attackers squinted their eyes behind their masks before their visibility dropped to zero. Teachers started to herd students to get outside the erected barrier. The fumes created a choking barrier between the attackers and the academy's young students.

There was a massive rush forward as everyone moved to leave the barrier. Amid the chaos, Sasuke remained calm, his instincts sharper than ever. He scooped Riko into his arms, bridal style, and felt her tremble against him.

"Hold on," he stated, feeling her squeeze tighter. He rushed forward, the cacophony of screams and shouts grew distant as the smoke thickened. Instinctively, his eyes turned crimson and two tomoes swirled in his eyes.

Sasuke continued to rush forward, moving gracefully through the chaos. He got to the barrier edge until he heard a hiss through the air. His eyes narrowed, tracking the sounds before evading backward as shuriken passed over him closely—too close.

How can they see us? I can barely see with my Sharingan. He thought, his mind racing. They must be after Riko. He turned towards the academy through the dense smoke. I have a better chance in there instead of out here.

The Uchiha turned and sprinted, his legs pumping quickly as he finished making the split-second decision. As Sasuke raced he could hear the screams and cries of those around him, he heard their desperate footsteps rush past him.

Sasuke's jaw clenched, and his anger rose only to be tempered by Riko's soft grip tightening around his neck, her breath coming in short gasps. He continued to push through the dense clouds of smoke, his movements swift and precise.

When the smoke cleared, a scene of carnage and destruction appeared. The once pristine academy grounds were marred with several lifeless bodies of academy instructors, their blood pooling beneath them. They had given their all to protect the students.

One of the black-clad figures stepped forward, a single bead of crimson on the tip of his blade. He flicked it off with his thumb, watching it arc through the air before landing with a soft splatter. "Most of them got away," he muttered, his tone betraying no remorse.

A tall figure, Jin, the leader with a red scar over his mask, waved dismissively. "It doesn't matter. The barrier is set. Anyone who exits cannot reenter." He glanced around at his comrades, his expression unreadable beneath the shadow of his masks. "And only registered academy students and teachers can enter the barrier, so Konoha will be forced to wait until we're long gone."

The figure with the crimson blade nodded in understanding. "Lord Orochimaru's intel was precise as always." He sheathed his weapon, the metal scraping against the leather of his scabbard. "We've contained them for now. The rest will fall into place."

"Good, now bring it out," Jin commanded.

The crimson-blade wielder pulled out a scroll from the depths of his cloak, its parchment looking eerie under the darkened sky. He laid it on the ground, unveiling the kanji etched into the material, which pulsed with unsettling energy as if alive.

He flashed through five hand seals before biting his thumb and smearing the red droplets onto the scroll. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"

Smoke billowed up, and the earth trembled. In mere moments, a monstrous creature emerged from the vapor. It grew with alarming speed, its form being unveiled from mere smog to a creature that was a nightmarish amalgamation of a serpent and a dragon—a Ryūja. Its scales shimmered like a rainbow, giving it a deceptively beautiful appearance that concealed the malevolence in its eyes.

"Find the girl," Jin ordered, his voice unyielding. "Kill anyone who gets in your way."

The Ryūja hissed in response, its eyes flashing with an eerie understanding. Its monstrous form coiled, and with a thunderous roar that seemed to shake the very foundations of the academy, it moved forward with its handlers trailing behind.

---

Sasuke navigated the academy hallways with Riko in his arms, her breaths were coming in short, panicked bursts. Tears welled up in her eyes, her small hands desperately clutching around his neck.

"I'm scared," she managed to squeak out between gasps, her voice trembling.

Sasuke slowed down, his sharp eyes scanning the shadowy corridors as he tried to find a safe place to hide.

"I know," he said evenly, his voice steady despite the storm of thoughts in his head. "But we'll get through this. I won't let anything happen to you."

Riko looked up at him, her tear-streaked face reflecting a glimmer of hope. Her breathing began to steady, though her grip on his shirt didn't loosen. Sasuke took a moment to crouch behind a corner, shielding them both from sight as he assessed the situation.

"We're going to hide," he continued, locking his dark eyes with hers. "But you have to stay quiet. Can you do that?"

She nodded hesitantly, sniffling but determined. He gave a quick nod in return and shifted her weight slightly in his arms to hold her more securely.

He moved quickly and quietly through the halls, I wonder if there's anything of use in our classroom, he pondered, making his way.

As they neared the classroom, Sasuke gently set Riko down and signaled for her to stay behind. He cracked the door open, Sharingan blazing in the darkness. Silence. Too much silence.

A low growl broke the stillness.

Two figures lunged from the shadows. Sasuke's hands flashed into a seal. "Gyokuken Kon (Divine Dog: Totality)!" A spectral howl filled the air as his shadow stretched and solidified.

A massive werewolf burst forth, dark-furred with a white undercoat, moving like a specter of death. In an instant, it struck—the first attacker crumpled under its claws, the second trapped in its powerful jaws.

"Ahhh! Stop! Stop!" a familiar voice howled in pain.

Sasuke's Sharingan spun wildly. A fur-lined hood, a small white dog.

"Kiba?"

"It's us, you idiot!" Shikamaru's sharp voice cut through the chaos.

Reality snapped into place as Sasuke could now Kiba on the ground cradling his bleeding arm with Akamaru whimpering beside him, his white fur stained with blood.

"What the hell, Sasuke?!" he croaked.

"I…" Sasuke started, but more voices arrived.

Ino rushed in, eyes widening. "Oh my—Kiba, hold still." She pulled a medical kit from her pouch.

Hinata activated her Byakugan, scanning for further injuries before kneeling beside Riko. "Are you hurt?"

Riko shook her head, clutching Sasuke's sleeve.

"What happened?" Ino asked as she tied off Kiba's wound.

"That thing attacked me!" Kiba snapped, eyeing Divine Dog warily.

All eyes shifted to the looming beast, still guarding Riko. Its glowing yellow eyes surveyed them coldly.

"What is that?" Ino whispered to Hinata, who was taking reflexive steps back.

Shikamaru exhaled. "We need to move him inside."

Divine Dog scooped Kiba up despite his squirming. "Don't harm him," Sasuke instructed, reaching for Akamaru, only for the injured pup to growl.

Shino silently stepped in, cradling Akamaru carefully. "I've got him."

Inside, they laid Kiba down. "Are you the only ones left?" Sasuke's voice was steady, low.

Shino nodded grimly. "We got separated in the chaos. The teachers told us to run, but…" His gaze flicked to the rest before returning to Sasuke. "We ended up here."

Riko peeked out, wide-eyed, and caught glances from Shikamaru and Choji, but most eyes remained locked on Divine Dog: Totality. The group tensed up at the unknown creature, staying on guard. Sasuke, sensing their glances, recalled Divine Dog: Totality. The beast began to wisp and shrink into his shadow, vanishing with one last, lingering glare.

The tension cleared, making the air lighter, however, Shikamaru raised a question. "What was that?"

Sasuke hesitated before responding. "It's a clan secret."

Shikamaru raised his eyebrow but didn't push the issue any further and simply shrugged his shoulders.

Shino picked up on the brief exchange but didn't want to pry.

Choji shifted uneasily. "You scared us, man. Thought you were one of them."

Shino adjusted his glasses. "Sasuke, be more careful. Mistaking allies for enemies could cost lives."

Sasuke's jaw clenched. He lowered his head slightly, guilt settling in.

Hinata hesitated, wanting to reassure him, but words failed her. Sasuke-kun…

Shikamaru sighed, annoyed at his classmates. "Lay off him. We've got bigger problems."

The room got lighter as Sasuke glanced at Kiba, who winced while Ino treated his arm. "Sorry. I didn't know it was you."

Kiba scowled. "Yeah? Well, next time, don't sic your creepy shadow wolf on me."

Ino smacked Kiba's shoulder. "You're lucky it stopped before taking your arm off. What were you thinking, jumping out like that?"

Sasuke didn't respond and changed the subject. "We need to stay quiet and out of sight. They're after her." He gestured at Riko. "If we stick together, we have a better chance of surviving."

Hinata swallowed. "D-do you know who's attacking?"

Sasuke shook his head. "Not sure, but they're highly dangerous. They knew of today's graduation schedule and the Daimyō's arrival. This isn't just some random group of rogue shinobi."

"That doesn't answer the question!" Ino shouted.

Shino's voice was level as he readjusted his glasses. "These are mostly likely shinobi from a village hostile to the Leaf. It's a coordinated strike meant to weaken the village by culling its future generations.

Shikamaru rolled his eyes and groaned, feeling a massive headache coming. "Great. I should've stayed home," he muttered under his breath.

"We need to get out of here," Choji remarked.

Sasuke's eyes sharpened. "Yes, but we need to check if anyone else is in here," he turned to the group. "Is there anyone else in here besides you five?"

Everyone looked at each other trying to determine if they had seen anyone else enter the building amidst the chaos.

Shino broke the silence as a small insect landed on his fingertip. "There appears to be six in three rooms down the hall. Five academy students and an adult—a teacher—whose chakra signature is faint. Likely injured."

Sasuke's gaze darkened. "Then we head there."

KONOHA - OUTSIDE THE BARRIER

The village was in chaos.

The barrier shimmered ominously around the academy grounds, an eerie veil separating the trapped students from the outside world. Despite their best efforts, Konoha's shinobi found themselves locked out, unable to break through the intricate seals.

Cries of confusion and worry filled the air as teachers and students who had managed to escape were ushered away from the battlefield. Medical-nin worked swiftly to treat the wounded. Among them, Iruka sat on a crate, wincing as a medic wrapped his arm. Blood trickled down the side of his face, but his gaze remained fixed on the barrier, worry etched deep into his features.

"They're still in there," he muttered, his fists clenched.

Kakashi stood nearby, arms crossed, his visible eye narrowed in concern. "And until we figure out how to break that barrier, there's nothing we can do."

"We don't even know who's behind this," Kurenai added, her usually calm demeanor shaken. "This wasn't just some spontaneous attack." Her brow furrowed. "They're holding their ground, not making demands. If this were a simple attack, they'd have pushed further into the village already."

Asuma took a deep drag of his cigarette. "Which means they're after something specific."

Kakashi exhaled sharply. "Or someone."

Kaori stood stiffly nearby, her fingers gripping the edge of her sleeve as she scanned the faces of the students who had made it out. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "Did Sasuke come out?" she asked her father.

Naobito, arms crossed, exhaled sharply through his nose. His voice was even, but there was a tension in his stance. Kaori turned to him, her dark eyes burning between anxiety and determination.

His gaze swept the battlefield with cold calculation. He said nothing, but the way his fingers twitched at his sides spoke volumes.

Hana Inuzuka was crouched near the medical tents, helping a young girl with a sprained ankle, but her gaze kept flickering toward the barrier. Her hands trembled slightly as she tied the bandage.

"Damn it, Kiba…" she muttered, her worry manifesting as frustration. "You better be alright, you idiot."

A low, growling voice came from behind her.

"He's still alive, trust me."

Hana turned to see her mother, Tsume Inuzuka, standing with her arms crossed, her ninken, Kuromaru, at her side. She had a scowl across her face, and her eyes kept flickering toward the barrier.

"He's a stubborn brat. He won't go down easy," Tsume growled, hiding her fear for her son's safety. "You should focus on helping the wounded. But the second that barrier falls, be ready as we're going in."

Hana nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Yeah… I know."

Sai stood slightly apart from the others, his blank expression betraying nothing, but his grip on his scroll was tight enough to bend the paper. "A barrier like this," he finally spoke, "is not just a defensive measure. It's a statement."

Asuma let out a slow breath, taking a deep drag from his cigarette. "Yeah. And it's telling us we're screwed." He exhaled, his sharp gaze shifting toward the barrier. "That's a hell of a complicated seal. Whoever put this up knew exactly what they were doing."

A figure approached from the side, her violet eyes scanning the gathered shinobi before settling on Hana. "Where's Kakashi?" Yūgao asked, her voice steady but laced with urgency.

Hana, who had been lost in thought, turned toward her. "Yūgao-sensei… he's over there," she said, nodding toward where Kakashi stood.

Kakashi appeared beside them before Yūgao could take another step, his voice quiet but firm. "Did you see him?"

Yūgao's gaze snapped to him. For a moment, there was silence between them—unspoken words, an understanding no one else shared. She shook her head. "No."

Kakashi's expression didn't change, but his fingers curled slightly at his sides before he exhaled, turning his attention back to the barrier. Whatever he was thinking, he wasn't about to say it out loud. "Is—"

"Yes, she's safe, but we need to get in there as soon as possible," she replied.

Nearby, Kaito's grandmother, Hazuki Uchiha, wept, hands clasped in silent prayer. Hiashi Hyūga, however, was the opposite—his rage barely restrained, his posture rigid, his pale eyes burning with anger.

"Hinata and Hanabi are inside that barrier," he seethed. "And we are wasting time."

Shibi Aburame, standing among a small group of Aburame clan members, adjusted his glasses with a calculated calmness. "Patience, Hiashi. The barrier is still intact, but our colony is already working to find the weak points. The structure is complex, but not impervious."

One of the Aburame next to him nodded. "Several kikaichū have already made their way through microscopic gaps in the barrier. We are gathering information on the interior as we speak."

Shibi's voice remained steady. "Once we find the anchor points, dismantling it will be much easier."

Hiashi exhaled sharply but said nothing.

Meanwhile, positioned at the center of the command post, Shikaku Nara studied the swirling patterns of the barrier with a furrowed brow. Several other jōnin surrounded him, exchanging ideas in tense whispers.

"This is no ordinary fūinjutsu," Shikaku murmured, glancing toward Ryuu Yamakana, the sensory nin who had observed an anomaly earlier that morning. "You said earlier that you spotted something unusual?"

Ryuu swallowed hard. "Yeah… there was an anomaly on the sensory radar earlier, but I dismissed it as interference. I didn't think—"

Inoichi Yamanaka, standing beside Chōza Akimichi, crossed his arms. "What's done is done. The question is—how do we take this thing down?"

Chōza let out a low hum of agreement, his large frame tense. "Whatever's going on inside there… it's bad. If the kids are still alive, we need to act fast."

Shikaku rubbed his temple, his mind already forming possible strategies. "Breaking the barrier will take time. We need to be prepared the second it weakens."

Before more could be said, a commotion stirred near the makeshift command center.

The Third Hokage strode forward, his ANBU guard close behind, his expression unreadable but his presence commanding instant silence.

"Hokage-sama," Shikaku bowed.

Hiruzen's sharp eyes assessed the situation before turning to Shikaku. "Report."

"The academy is under attack. The enemy has erected a high-level barrier, preventing entry. The identities of the attackers are unknown, but their precision and coordination suggest a highly organized force."

Hiruzen's gaze hardened. "Casualities?"

Inoichi was the one to speak up. "1 confirmed dead, 20 injured, and at least a dozen missing, including your grandson, Lord Third."

The Sandaime's teeth grited. "What about the Shugonin Jūnishi?"

"They remained with the Daimyō for security," Shikaku replied. "The Daimyō's daughter is inside that barrier, along with dozens of academy students. He wants to come here, but his guard is blocking any attempts. He's currently in the Council Chambers, along with the other Elders."

Hiruzen's expression darkened further. He turned, scanning the gathered shinobi. "Where is Genma Shiranui?"

A nearby shinobi quickly responded, "He's on a mission, Lord Hokage."

Hiruzen's frown deepened. "And Karin Uzumaki?"

"She was last seen in the hospital earlier today, but she hasn't been accounted for since the attack started."

A flicker of concern crossed his face before he finally asked the question weighing on his mind. "What about Naruto Uzumaki?"

"No one has seen him, Lord Third," Shikaku replied.

However, Iruka, still seated, stiffened and hesitated before finally speaking up. "Naruto left before everything happened. He—" Iruka's voice faltered. "He went off on his own."

The assembled shinobi turned to Hiruzen, waiting for his reaction. The Hokage's expression remained unreadable, but internally, a storm brewed.

Naruto…

Hiruzen exhaled through his nose, irritation simmering beneath his composed exterior. That boy continues to reject tradition, to act only when he deems it worthy of his attention.

It was a dangerous mindset. It reminded him too much of someone else—someone brilliant, someone powerful, someone who also abandoned the village's path for his own selfish pursuit of power. Orochimaru.

Naruto's strength wasn't what concerned Hiruzen. It was his growing detachment, his disregard for the village's expectations, his unwillingness to be bound by anything but his own code.

His grip behind his back tightened. How long before Naruto decided Konoha itself was unworthy of his time? I truly am a fool…

"Form a perimeter," he ordered, his voice even, betraying nothing. "Anyone who comes out must be secured immediately."

The fūinjutsu experts worked tirelessly, but even the most skilled among them acknowledged the complexity of the seals.

"This barrier isn't something we can brute-force," Shikaku muttered. "It's layered with precision. Breaking it will take time."

Hiruzen closed his eyes for a brief moment and then looked back at the glowing dome.

It was up to those inside now. He could only hope they held out long enough.

"Quicken your efforts; there is not a moment to waste! As soon as the barrier is down, we're going in!" Hiruzen barked.

"Hai!" the shinobi around him shouted.

---

Back in the forest, Naruto had already decided how this would end.

Branches snapped and leaves scattered as he and Karin tore through the forest. His movements were effortless, his pace unrelenting, while Karin gritted her teeth, struggling to keep up.

"Do you even know what's happening?" she demanded between sharp breaths.

Naruto didn't slow down, barely sparing her a glance. "I dunno. But it looks like some idiots put up a giant dome around the academy, and now the village is scrambling like headless chickens."

Karin shot him a glare. "This isn't a joke! People are trapped in there—kids, Naruto! What if they're hurt?"

"They'll survive," he replied, smirking. "Or they won't. Either way, I'm not losing sleep over it. And don't be mad at me about this. Blame the higher-ups for being so incompetent that this happened. For all their knowledge and wisdom, they can't stop a group of weaklings from harming the village."

They broke through the treeline, skidding to a halt just outside the massive barrier. It loomed over the academy, blocking all lines of sight. The air rippled around it, dark chakra swirling within its translucent surface.

Karin's sharp gaze flickered over the structure before she clicked her tongue. "Tch. This isn't just some simple containment jutsu… this is advanced barrier ninjutsu."

Naruto lowered his glasses, his Rikugan glowing faintly. "Hmph. A one-way entry," he mused, tilting his head. "Strong shell on the outside, but flimsy on the inside. That's why no one's busted through it yet. It's meant to keep people out, not in."

Karin adjusted her glasses. "No, it's more than that. This isn't just a wall—it's an adaptive seal, like a Curtain."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Curtain?"

"It's a high-level barrier technique," she explained. "Layers of fūinjutsu woven together, designed to repel external interference while reinforcing itself from within. The moment you try to disrupt it from outside, it compensates. That's why brute force won't work."

Naruto whistled. "Damn. Sounds fancy."

Karin crossed her arms. "For once in your life, take this seriously."

Naruto grinned. "I am taking it seriously. Seriously enough to know I'm gonna be the one to break it."

Karin groaned. "You can't just waltz in there! What if the barrier recognizes foreign chakra and rips you apart the second you step inside?"

Naruto's smirk didn't fade. "Then I guess I'll just have to be faster than the barrier, huh?"

Karin dragged a hand down her face. "You're impossible."

"Thank you," Naruto said with a mock bow. "Now, since you're so smart, I've got a job for you."

Karin narrowed her eyes. "I swear if you try to get rid of me—"

"Nah, I need you to grab something from the Uzumaki compound—one of those old fūinjutsu scrolls strong enough to mess with a layered barrier," he said. "You handle the outside while I tear it up from the inside."

Karin hesitated. "…You actually trust me to handle this?"

Naruto shrugged. "More like I trust you not to screw it up."

Karin clicked her tongue. "You're such a pain in the ass."

"You'll miss me while I'm gone," Naruto teased.

"Not even remotely."

Before she could argue further, three of Naruto's clones materialized, forming a triangle seal around her.

"Wait, Naru—"

"See ya, Karin-chan."

"Hiraijin no Jutsu (Flying Thunder Formation Technique)."

Karin vanished in a burst of chakra, the air around where she stood sizzling from the sheer force of the teleportation.

Naruto exhaled, rolling his shoulders before turning back to the pulsating barrier. The energy inside it roared like a living thing, sensing him.

Kurama's voice rumbled in his mind. "So, what's the plan, 'Strongest One'"?

Naruto smirked. "Plan? I'm just gonna walk in."

He stepped forward, hand outstretched—

—And the barrier swallowed him whole.

INSIDE BARRIER – KONOHA NINJA ACADEMY

Naruto moved through the academy grounds like a phantom, his Rikugan dissecting every angle, every movement, every weak point.

Two masked shinobi patrolled the perimeter, oblivious to his presence. They were already dead—they didn't know it yet.

The first shinobi was tense, but unfocused—his fingers twitched near his kunai pouch, but his stance was loose, lazy. Overconfident.

The second one had sharp eyes but sluggish reflexes. A half-step too slow. A moment too late.

He struck without hesitation. A kunai flashed, slicing the first shinobi's throat in a clean, efficient motion. The second turned, but Naruto was faster. His hand gripped the man's chin, twisting sharply. A muted crack.

Silence.

Their bodies crumpled, but Naruto caught them before they hit the ground, easing them down without a sound. Blood floated in the air, suspended by his technique. With a flick of his wrist, it vaporized, leaving no trace.

Idiots, he mused, his expression cold and detached.

He leapt to the rooftops in a single, silent motion, crouching low as his senses expanded. He frowned. I wish I could see through walls to get a better read of the situation. His classmates huddled in the corridors, some frozen in fear, others preparing to fight. Five unfamiliar chakra signatures stood out, along with three attackers and a massive, dense presence. A summon, most likely.

That creature might be an issue, he thought, his gaze flicking to the fallen shinobi. He yanked off a mask, revealing a Kirigakure hitai-ate. Four waves etched into the metal.

"What are Kirigakure shinobi doing out here?" he said aloud.

"Kirigakure. Hmph," Kurama's deep voice rumbled. "They've been enemies of Konoha for as long as I can remember."

"But why attack here and on this day of all to choose from?" Naruto asked.

"It could be out of fear, jealously, anger, rage, or hatred… There could be a thousand reasons and no reason at all. You humans fight many wars over nonsensical reasons." Kurama stated. "I do know that these villages have clashed in the Second and Third Great Shinobi War. I believe they wanted your mother once. But I don't remember why…"

Kurama paused, "But I do remember Minato speaking to her once—about one of his students—a girl. Rin Nohara."

"What happened to her?"

"Kirigakure made her the Jinchūriki of Isobu," Kurama continued. "They wanted to use her to destroy this village. I believe Kakashi Hatake killed her."

Why did he do that? Did my dad teach him that or is this how all the shinobi are? Brainwashed frantics who will do anything for this village. He doesn't strike me as one of those types, so why did he kill her? He thought, his brain racing.

Eventually, he gave up and shrugged his shoulders. He turned his attention to the barrier, his Rikugan tracing the intricate seals woven into its structure.

"Time to get to work."

He formed a cross with his fingers, and five shadow clones materialized. "You know what you need to do."

The clones smirked at him before scattering to the barrier's weakest points.

Naruto remained atop the roof, extending his right index finger. "Mugaken no Jutsu: Ao (Limitless Technique: Blue)," he murmured.

The air hummed. A small sphere pulsed at his fingertip—condensed, lethal, ready to erase every enemy inside the building in an instant.

But then he felt it—a familiar chakra signature. His eyes narrowed. "Konohamaru."

His grip on the technique faltered, the energy wavering at his fingertips.

Damn it.

He could kill them all in an instant. Wipe them off the map like they were never there.

But Konohamaru is in there.

Naruto exhaled sharply through his nose, canceling the jutsu with an irritated flick of his wrist.

Of all the people to be trapped in here… His jaw tightened. Sasuke and the others could handle themselves, but Konohamaru was different. Old man… Asuma... Naruto groaned before reluctantly dropping down to the entrance of the academy building—he owed them this much.

He walked up to the gigantic doors of the academy, catching sight of a severed body and body trails. This reminds of before…, he somberly recalled. Will this village ever learn?

However, just as he was about to push the door. Naruto felt an explosion go off that sent shockwaves through the building.

He sensed three enemy signatures flicker, then vanish. The summoning's massive presence wavered, as if momentarily staggered.

Naruto tilted his head slightly, a small grin forming on his face as he felt the aftermath of the explosion.

"Hmm," he mused, crossing his arms. "They actually pulled it off. Didn't think they had it in them."

Then, his Rikugan flared instinctively and something unexpected happened. The world around him began to distort and the edges of the academy wavered, twisting like a mirage.

"What the hell?"

Then, the air changed.

It wasn't immediate—it crept in like a slow, coiling pressure, winding around him, thickening the atmosphere with an unbearable weight.

Then came the sound.

A low, guttural hiss, vibrated through his bones—not something heard, but felt, reverberating in his chest like a predator's growl.

Naruto's senses burned with a warning, but there was nothing to react to—no enemy to strike, no jutsu to counter.

The rooftop beneath him crumbled into nothing.

His vision warped and space folded.

"Shi—"

For the first time in a long time, Naruto didn't know where he was.

Then, he was gone.

---

Sasuke slid the door open slowly. The wood creaked under his touch, the sound cutting through the unnatural silence. The room beyond was shrouded in darkness, the only source of light filtering in from the faint glow of fires flickering in the distance. Shadows stretched across the floor, curling up the walls like creeping tendrils.

Something felt off.

Kiba stepped forward instinctively. "I'm going in—"

Sasuke's arm shot out, blocking him. "Wait."

Kiba scowled but stopped. Sasuke's Sharingan flared to life, crimson eyes scanning the interior. His vision adjusted, and then—he saw it.

Thin wires, barely visible in the dim lighting, were stretched taut across the entrance. A tripwire mechanism. One wrong step, and whatever was rigged to it would trigger.

"There's a trap," Sasuke murmured. He narrowed his eyes, following the faint glint of the wires to their source. "Stay back."

He reached into his pouch, flicking out a kunai, and in a swift motion, severed the mechanism at its weakest point. The wire snapped, recoiling with a faint twang, but nothing followed- it was deactivated.

Then, rustling.

Hinata activated her Byakugan instinctively. "There are five people inside," she whispered. "One is injured."

A long pause, then movement. A set of footsteps, cautious but deliberate.

"We're here to help," Sasuke stated.

A moment of silence passed, then the faint scuffle of feet. Shadows moved within the classroom, and from the darkness, four figures emerged.

A boy with sleek black hair cut neatly to frame his face, his expression calm and unreadable stepped into the dim light. His onyx eyes flickered with keen intelligence, but there was no fear—only quiet observation.

"Kaito, is that you?"

The boy nodded, not speaking as a second figure emerged, slightly taller, with silvery-white hair unkempt, but his posture stiff and upright.

His dark eyes flicked to the disabled trap, then to Sasuke. His voice was smooth and collected. "You noticed the mechanism. That's rare. I'm glad you're not an idiot."

"He kind of looks like Naruto," Ino whispered to Shikamaru.

"I just hope he doesn't act like him," Shikamaru responded

Sasuke returned his stare. "You set it?"

The boy inclined his head slightly. "Of course."

"Who are you?" Choji questioned.

"Sakuto," he stated.

Shikamaru gave Sakuto a glance, eyes half-lidded but sharp. "Sakuto, huh?"

Sakuto didn't react.

Shikamaru's lips twitched. "No last name?"

Sakuto didn't answer immediately. "Does it matter?"

Sasuke's eyes lingered on him for half a second longer than necessary, but he let it go. "Not right now."

"Nee-san!" a voice cried out.

They turned to see another figure rushed forward—a small girl with dark hair and pale lavender eyes, her face barely masking her relief.

Hinata's Byakugan faded immediately as her expression softened. Without hesitation, she dropped to one knee and wrapped Hanabi in a tight embrace.

Hanabi let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, gripping Hinata's sleeve. "I knew you'd come," she whispered, voice trembling slightly despite herself.

Hinata held her a little tighter before pulling back just enough to look her in the eyes. "Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"

Hanabi shook her head, straightening her posture. "I'm fine," she said, voice more confident now. "But… I want to help."

Hinata smiled gently but didn't answer right away. She gave a small nod—they'd talk later.

Sasuke barely had time to process before another figure hovered hesitantly in the doorway—a boy with long, messy dark hair, his deep blue eyes shifting between them uncertainly.

His grip on the kunai in his hands was too tight.

Unlike the others, he didn't meet anyone's gaze. His fingers twitched at his sides, his body language screaming hesitation.

Kiba scoffed, crossing his arms. "What's with you? Scared or something?"

The kid flinched but didn't respond. Ino then punched Kiba in his injured arm, causing him to cry out.

"Weren't you the same guy who was crying no less than 10 minutes ago?" Shikamaru stated.

Kiba could only wince at his comments while Ino gave him a death stare.

"Plus, that's the Hokage's grandson. So, I bet he'll be real enthusiastic to know you decided to bully him."

Kiba's face went pale while Sasuke turned to the kid. "You're Konohamaru, right?"

Konohamaru timidly nodded.

Before anyone could press further, they heard a low groan came from the back of the room. Near the corner of the room, Ebisu slumped against the wall, his face pale and a dark stain spreading across his uniform.

"Ebisu-sensei!" Ino exclaimed, rushing to his side.

He looked up weakly, his glasses slightly askew. "You're alive," he rasped, managing a faint smile.

"Barely," Kiba muttered, wincing as he cradled his arm.

Hinata knelt beside Ebisu, her hands glowing with green chakra as she began to treat his wound. "Don't move too much," she said gently. "You've lost a lot of blood."

Sasuke's gaze swept over the room. "What happened?"

"They came out of nowhere," Ebisu croaked. "I managed to get the kids inside, but…" He winced, coughing weakly.

"We tried to help," Kaito finally spoke.

"You did enough," Shikamaru said, his tone softer than usual. "You're still alive."

Hanabi stepped forward, her expression determined. "We've been holding this position. The others got separated in the smoke."

Sakuto's voice cut through the quiet. "We need a plan." His tone was calm, but there was an edge of urgency.

Kaito spoke up for the first time, his voice quiet and measured. "We can't stay here. The attackers will find us eventually."

"They're right," Sasuke said, glancing at Shikamaru. "Any ideas?"

Shikamaru sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "We need to figure out what they're after and keep it from them. But first, we have to get everyone out of here alive."

The room was tense, the flickering light from the smoke outside casting eerie shadows across the group. Ebisu, pale and leaning against the wall, gathered enough strength to speak.

"This isn't just a normal attack," he said, his voice hoarse but steady. "The attackers have set up a barrier around the academy to keep reinforcements out. But it works both ways—if we can break through their line, we should be able to escape."

"How do you know all this?" Sasuke asked, his tone sharp.

Ebisu adjusted his glasses, wincing at the effort. "I overheard them. One of the masked figures mentioned it when I was injured." He glanced at the children huddled in the corner. "But breaking through won't be easy."

Shikamaru sighed, already rubbing his temples. "Troublesome."

As they debated the next steps, Akamaru began to whimper, his ears flattening against his head. Kiba stiffened, crouching beside him.

"What is it Akamaru?" Kiba murmured before his nose twitched. "Wait, something smells… weird. Like, really weird."

Shino stepped forward, his usual calm demeanor in place. "My insects are picking up unusual chatter outside. Something is approaching."

"Hinata," Sasuke said, glancing at her. "Can you see what's going on?"

Hinata nodded, her lavender eyes glowing as she activated her Byakugan. She gasped softly, her gaze snapping toward the wall.

"There's a creature… massive, and it's heading this way. Three shinobi are with it."

The room fell silent.

"They're trying to flush us out," Shikamaru muttered, his brow furrowed. "We can't just wait here for them to break in." He glanced at the group, his sharp mind already piecing together a plan. "Alright, here's what we're going to do." He got a piece of paper and a pencil.

"Group A will engage the creature," Shikamaru began, pointing to Shino, Sasuke, Hinata, Choji, and himself. "Group B—Ino, Kiba, Riko, Sakuto, Hanabi, Kaito, and Ebisu—will make a break for it once the path is clear."

"Wait," Riko finally spoke up, her voice shaking slightly. "What if… What if they find us before we can even do all this?" She looked between them, gripping her sleeves tightly. "What if we can't escape? What if there's nowhere to run?"

Sasuke's gaze flicked to her. "That's not going to happen."

"How do you know?" she asked, voice small.

"We'll make sure it doesn't," he replied simply.

Her fingers tightened around the fabric of her sleeves, but she nodded.

"What about the shinobi with the creature?" Ino asked.

"I'll handle them," Shikamaru said, his tone resolute. "But I won't be able to hold them for long."

"What's the plan for the creature?" Choji asked, his fists clenching.

"Sasuke and Hinata will act as bait," Shikamaru continued. "Draw its attention and lead it into position under the ceiling. We'll plant paper bombs there beforehand."

Hinata nodded, her hands tightening into fists. "Understood."

Sasuke frowned slightly. "And if the creature doesn't fall for the bait?"

"It will," Shikamaru replied without missing a beat. "It's operating on primal instinct. If you and Hinata draw it out, it'll react."

Sasuke exhaled. "Fine. But if it doesn't, we adjust immediately."

"Shino, you'll use your insects to drain its chakra once the bombs go off," Shikamaru continued.

"Consider it done," Shino replied, his tone calm.

"Choji, once its chakra is weakened, you'll hit it with your technique to stagger it," Shikamaru said.

Choji cracked his knuckles. "Got it."

"Hinata, after this, you'll trigger the paper bombs," Shikamaru said. "We bring the roof down on that thing."

"Leave it to me," Hinata replied, her voice steady.

"And me?" Sasuke asked, his expression unreadable.

Shikamaru hesitated, his gaze meeting Sasuke's. "I need you to help me hold the shinobi back. I don't have enough chakra to keep them all pinned."

Sasuke smirked faintly, "Do worry, I can help with that."

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow but didn't question it. "Alright, then—"

They felt the ground beneath them tremble slightly. The distant rumbling became a deep, guttural vibration in the air, rattling the wooden beams overhead. A faint, inhuman hiss slithered through the cracks in the walls, just barely audible.

Akamaru's growl turned into a whimper, his ears flattened against his head. Kiba swallowed. "They're getting close."

"Then let's move," Sasuke said.

They didn't have time to hesitate.

---

Jin's boots crunched against shattered tiles as he led his shinobi through the ruined academy halls. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and blood, the walls marred with deep gashes from the earlier skirmishes.

Behind them, the Ryūja slithered, its scales scraping against the stone floor. The hissing of its breath filled the corridor, a rhythmic, predatory sound that sent a shiver through the walls.

Jin's fingers twitched against the hilt of his blade. Survivors were close. Hiding. He could feel it.

He took another step—

And then, the shadows shifted.

Like ink bleeding across the parchment, the darkness at his feet coiled and surged, wrapping around his ankles in an unnatural grip. Cold tendrils of chakra slithered up his body, locking him in place.

His men jerked, each of them frozen mid-step, eyes widening in confusion.

"What—?" Jin gritted his teeth, muscles straining against the unseen force.

From the darkness, a voice. Cool, sharp, and unwavering.

"I wouldn't do that."

Sasuke's form rose from the shadows, his Sharingan gleaming in the dim light.

Jin's head snapped toward him just as a roar of wind erupted from behind.

A shadowed mass came hurtling toward them—a whirling storm of destruction.

BOOM.

Choji, a colossal spinning wrecking ball, slammed into the Ryūja's side with earth-shaking force. The impact sent shockwaves through the academy walls, shattering wooden beams and sending debris raining from the ceiling.

The creature screeched a horrible, earsplitting noise. Scales cracked and buckled under the sheer force of the blow. Its massive body lurched violently, slamming into the far wall.

Before it could recover—

A buzzing roar filled the air.

A wave of kikaichū, black as tar, erupted from the shadows, swarming over the Ryūja's wounded flesh. The insects crawled between its scales, burrowing into its body, their hunger insatiable.

Shino stepped forward, his hands forming a seal. "Now."

The Ryūja convulsed, its coils writhing, its body shuddering as its chakra was ripped away.

Jin and his men, still trapped in the shadows, could only watch in growing horror.

One of his shinobi struggled against the bonds. "W-what the hell is happening?!"

Jin gritted his teeth, his jaw tightening as he felt the pressure of the shadows increase. What the hell is this? This isn't just the Nara Clan's Kagemane no Jutsu (Shadow Possession Jutsu).

It was something else. Something stronger.

Above them, a sharp sizzle cut through the chaos. Jin's eyes flickered upward, and his blood ran cold.

A network of paper bombs was embedded in the cracked ceiling.

One of his men let out a strangled whisper. "No…"

A single spark ignited.

BOOM.

A chain reaction of explosions ripped through the ceiling. Fire and shockwaves tore the air apart, sending the entire structure collapsing.

Jin barely had time to brace himself before a tidal wave of rubble came crashing down.

The shinobi didn't even have time to scream. They were buried beneath the wreckage.

Dust and smoke choked the air, blotting out the light. For a moment, everything was still.

Shikamaru stepped out of his vantage point, regrouping with the others. He coughed slightly as the dust settled, glancing toward Sasuke. "Did we get them?"

Hinata activated her Byagukan. "I don't see any movement."

"Alright!" Choji shouted, letting out a breath.

Shino adjusted his shades, "I wouldn't get too excited. Let's leave and join the others."

The five moved swiftly through the academy corridor, their footsteps echoing through the ruined halls. The air still crackled with the aftershock of the explosion, embers smoldering in the distance.

Shikamaru rubbed the back of his neck, exhaling sharply. "Alright, I'll bite—how did you do that?" His sharp eyes flicked to Sasuke. "That technique is part of my clan. I didn't know the Uchiha possessed something like that."

Sasuke's expression remained neutral, but there was an edge of contemplation in his voice. "It's… complicated." He glanced at his fingers, flexing them slightly as if testing something unseen. "I possess the Tokusa no Kage Bōjutsu (Ten Shadows Technique), but I didn't think I could perform Kagemane no Jutsu."

Shikamaru frowned, filing the information away for later. Tosuka no Kage, eh? I feel like I've heard of that. I need to ask my dad after we get out of here. He decided to not press any further until he learned more.

After a few tense moments, they rejoined the rest of the group.

Hanabi immediately rushed into Hinata's arms again, gripping her tightly. "Nee-san! You're okay!"

Choji clapped Kiba on the back (not too hard given his injuries), and Shino simply nodded at Kaito and Sakuto, an unspoken acknowledgment of their resilience.

Kaito inclined his head back, not saying much, but his shoulders relaxed slightly.

Konohamaru visibly exhaled, his grip on his kunai loosening. Shikamaru gave him a brief pant on the back to help loosen him up.

And then—

A sudden blur of movement.

Riko threw herself at Sasuke, wrapping her arms around his torso, burying her face into his chest. Her shoulders trembled.

Sasuke stiffened. Not expecting that.

"You're back…" she whispered, barely audible.

He wasn't sure what to say. "Yeah… I am."

But then, there was movement.

From beneath the wreckage, a bloodied hand emerged, fingers twitching against the debris. Then another.

Jin hauled himself up, pushing against the rubble, his breath ragged, face streaked with blood and grime. His vision swam, his ears rang from the explosion, but none of that mattered.

He wasn't dead. But he was enraged. He lifted his gaze, and when his eyes locked onto Sasuke's—they burned with pure hatred.

Then, before anyone could move or react—the Ryūja roared.

But it wasn't just a sound. It was a shockwave. A pulse of something ancient, something primordial, and the air began to fold in on itself.

The corridor stretched, twisted, and bled into darkness. The ground trembled beneath their feet, but it wasn't an earthquake—it was the world unraveling.

A low, guttural hiss reverberated through the bones of everyone in the room. The very fabric of reality seemed to warp and distort.

Then, the floor disappeared.

A chasm split the battlefield open, devouring everything in its path. The students shouted, scrambling for footing as the ground beneath them vanished into blackness.

Sasuke felt his stomach drop.

He turned, eyes locking onto Riko—just as she slipped.

Her outstretched hand reached for him, desperation in her gaze.

"Sasuke—!"

He lunged, fingers brushing hers—just barely.

But she was already falling.

The abyss swallowed her whole.

Sasuke barely had time to process before the ground beneath him collapsed.

Everything went black.

INNATE DOMAIN – SERPENT'S COIL

Riko's world had become nothing but darkness.

She was falling—weightless, helpless, her body tumbling endlessly through a suffocating void. The air was thick and stale, pressing against her skin like unseen hands. There was no up or down, no way to orient herself. It was as if the space around her had swallowed all sense of reality.

Her breath hitched as she flailed, trying to grasp onto something—anything—but there was only emptiness.

Distantly, she could hear the muffled cries of the others.

Hanabi. Kaito. Sakuto. Konohamaru.

They were all falling together, their bodies small silhouettes against the swirling abyss.

The weight in Riko's chest tightened. She clenched her fists, willing herself to stay calm, but the sheer wrongness of this place made her skin crawl.

Then—light.

Not natural light, but a sickly, pulsating glow that illuminated the void in unnatural hues of green and blue. The walls of the abyss came into view—not stone, not earth, but something that looked like living tissue, like a massive esophagus leading them deeper into the beast's belly.

The ground rushed toward them.

Riko braced herself for impact—

—only to land softly, like being swallowed into thick, fleshy padding.

A deep, guttural sound rumbled beneath them, and the entire chamber twitched. The walls pulsed as if drawing breath.

Riko scrambled to her feet, her chest heaving. Her hands shook as she took in their surroundings—an endless labyrinth of twisting corridors, the walls glistening as if slick with moisture. Strange, glowing veins ran along the surface, pulsing in rhythm with something unseen.

A shiver crept down her spine.

This place was alive.

Behind her, the others stirred.

Konohamaru groaned as he sat up, rubbing his head. "W-Where… are we?"

Hanabi was already on her feet, activating her Byakugan. Her sharp intake of breath told Riko all she needed to know.

"There are… no exits," Hanabi whispered. "This entire place… it's shifting."

Sakuto stood next, dusting himself off, his eyes cold but observant. "Then we're trapped."

Kaito remained quiet, his dark eyes scanning the pulsating walls. His voice was quiet but certain. "This place… it's feeding off our fear."

A sinking feeling settled in Riko's stomach.

Before she could respond—

A sound resonated through the area but not from them.

It started soft. A whisper of movement. Then, a faint, wet clicking—like something dragging itself across damp ground.

The group stiffened as the edges of the chamber shifted.

Eyes opened.

One by one, pale, slitted pupils blinked awake from within the shadows, their forms hidden within the writhing walls.

Then they emerged.

Twisted, half-formed creatures slithered from the abyss, their bodies elongated, their limbs wrong. Their mouths gaped open—no teeth, no tongues, just empty, cavernous voids that vibrated with inhuman screeches.

They didn't move like animals. They twitched in unnatural bursts, their joints snapping as they contorted toward the group.

Riko took a shaky step back. "No…"

The creatures lunged.

But then, a pressure slammed through the domain, an overwhelming force that made the creatures freeze mid-motion.

The air stilled. The walls recoiled and then, a voice.

Low. Amused. Unbothered.

"Yo. Need a hand?"

Blue light flooded the chamber in an instant.

A figure blinked into existence between them and the creatures—moving too fast, too fluid, as if space itself bent around him.

Naruto didn't even look at them. He was smiling, hands in his pockets, watching the creatures with a bored expression.

The monsters twitched—then lunged toward him.

They never reached him.

With a casual tilt of his head, they slammed into something invisible.

An unseen force—a perfect, impenetrable barrier—stopped them mid-air, their bodies suspended inches away from his face.

Naruto exhaled, looking almost disappointed. "That's cute."

Then he flicked his wrist.

A pulse of energy erupted from his body—an invisible shockwave that sent the creatures flying backward, their twisted forms disintegrating into dust the moment they hit the walls.

Silence.

Naruto turned, grinning.

"Man, you guys look awful."

For a moment, nobody spoke.

Riko's brain stuttered, trying to process what had just happened.

Hanabi had dropped into a defensive stance, but her wide eyes betrayed her shock.

Sakuto narrowed his gaze, scanning Naruto with barely hidden scrutiny.

Kaito—who had been completely unreadable until now—was staring, his lips slightly parted in quiet awe.

Konohamaru, however, was the first to react. His breath hitched.

"N-Naruto?"

Naruto blinked at him, then smirked. "Oh hey, you remember me. That's cute."

Konohamaru swallowed, his fingers tightening into fists. "What… What are you doing here?"

Naruto stretched his arms over his head lazily. "Oh, y'know. Just saving your sorry asses." His gaze flicked to Sakuto. "…Except for this guy. Who are you?"

Sakuto's expression didn't change. "Sakuto."

Naruto tilted his head. "Huh. And what do you do?"

Sakuto's answer was immediate. "Fight."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Then, he smirked. "No last name?"

Sakuto's lips pressed together. "…Hatake."

Naruto froze.

Then his smirk widened.

"Oh man, this is great," he snickered. "You're telling me you're the son of the elusive one-eyed bastard?"

Sakuto's expression didn't change. "You know my father?"

Naruto casually threw an arm over his shoulder. "Know him? He tied me up and left me in an alley for six hours when I was kid."

Sakuto visibly hesitated for the first time. "…Why?"

Naruto shrugged. "I may have tried to kill him."

Sakuto blinked.

Riko exhaled sharply. "Can we please focus?!"

Naruto let out a long-suffering sigh, dragging a hand through his hair. "Fine, fine." His grin widened as he crossed his arms. "Let's talk business."

Riko squared her shoulders, trying to regain control of the conversation. "What are you doing here?"

Naruto cocked his head, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Like I said, saving you."

Riko frowned. "Why?"

Naruto scoffed, throwing his arms up as if the answer was obvious. "Think about it. The Daimyo's daughter, the Hokage's grandson, a Hyūga princess, an Uchiha kid, and a Hatake? You're all high-value targets. You make great hostages."

Her scowl deepened. "That doesn't answer my question."

Naruto shrugged lazily. "It's simple, really. If I get you out of here, I get status. Maybe even a little respect." His grin turned sharp, his tone laced with sarcasm. "I'll be a hero. The great Naruto Uzumaki, Savior of the Academy." He threw his hands out dramatically. "The Strongest!"

Riko's face twisted in disgust. "You're doing this for personal gain?"

"Duh."

Riko took a step forward, her hands balling into fists. "That's not what a shinobi is supposed to be!"

Naruto's grin didn't fade, but something in his eyes changed. Sharper. Colder.

"Oh yeah?" he mused. "And what exactly is a shinobi supposed to be?"

"A protector," Riko stated, her voice unwavering. "A hero."

Naruto let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Wow. You really believe that, huh?"

She stiffened.

"Lemme guess," Naruto continued, "your father told you that?"

"My father—"

"—is a bureaucrat who sits in a fancy palace signing treaties while actual shinobi die in the dirt," Naruto interrupted, his voice devoid of humor now. "Tell me, how many times has he been sent on a mission to kill someone? How many times has he walked into a battlefield and seen his comrades cut down like animals?"

Riko flinched, but Naruto wasn't finished.

"You think shinobi are heroes?" He scoffed. "Nah. We're tools. Weapons sent to kill, to die, to clean up messes for people like your father."

"That's not—"

"Really?" Naruto's smirk widened. "Then tell me why they put kids like them into the system before they even know what it means to fight?" He gestured at Kaito, Hanabi, Sakuto, and Konohamaru. "Tell me why they don't get a choice? You know my—"

He stopped.

His breath hitched just slightly, but his fists clenched. His voice dropped lower, sharper, before he could stop himself.

"Do you know how many times I've fought just to stay alive?" His usual grin was gone now, his teeth gritted. "Do you know how many nights I starved? This village is filled with a bunch of fools."

Silence.

Naruto exhaled sharply, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Tch. You'll figure it out eventually." His gaze flickered toward the shifting shadows in the distance, and his grin returned, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He had spoke too much, revealed too much.

More silence filled the room before he cleared his throat, putting the mask back on. "Anyway, we're gonna kill that thing."

Sakuto raised an eyebrow. "The creature?"

Naruto grinned. "Bingo."

Kaito hesitated. "Couldn't we just… find a way out?"

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Sure, but that's boring."

Sakuto frowned. "It's the logical option."

Naruto smirked, ruffling Sakuto's hair. "Man, you really his kid."

Sakuto scowled, swatting his hand away.

Naruto stretched his arms. "Alright, listen up, brats. If we kill the big ugly thing, this whole creepy domain collapses."

Riko crossed her arms. "And what if we die?"

Naruto smiled. "Then you'll have learned a valuable life lesson."

Konohamaru swallowed. "W-What kind of lesson?"

Naruto flashed his trademark grin. "Don't die."

He received blank stares from all five of them.

Naruto stretched his arms above his head, exhaling. "Alright, brats, listen up." His voice cut through the heavy air, his usual laziness laced with an undertone of finality. "We're gonna kill that thing."

Hanabi stiffened. Kaito and Sakuto exchanged glances. Riko scowled. Konohamaru flinched.

"Kill it?" Riko repeated, unconvinced. "You're insane! You can't just—"

Naruto ignored her, instead turning his gaze toward Sakuto and Hanabi.

"You two will handle the traps." He reached into his back pocket, pulling out a tightly bound scroll. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed it to Sakuto, who caught it easily. "Ninja tools, tripwires, seals—use them however you see fit. I trust you won't disappoint your dad."

Sakuto's expression didn't shift, but there was a flicker of something—discomfort? Determination? Naruto couldn't tell. The boy just nodded and tucked the scroll away.

Then, Naruto turned to Riko.

"You're the bait."

"What?!" Riko's hands balled into fists. "Why the hell am I—"

"Because it won't kill you," Naruto interrupted, tone even. "It will kill them."

The room went silent.

Naruto sighed, rolling his shoulders. "Think, princess. That thing didn't eat you when it had the chance. If I had to guess—you're the one, it wants. Maybe it was ordered to bring you back alive. Maybe you're just not worth the effort to kill. Either way, that makes you perfect bait."

Riko gritted her teeth, her fingers trembling.

"You want me to just stand there while—"

"Yes," Naruto cut in bluntly. "And before you start throwing a tantrum, this is the best way to keep you from getting in the way."

She flinched at that.

The irritation in her eyes flared, but it was laced with something deeper—something Naruto recognized well.

She wasn't mad because she thought he was wrong. She was mad because she knew he wasn't.

Riko's nails dug into her palm. "You're a real bastard, you know that?"

Naruto grinned. "People keep telling me that."

He slightly lowered his glasses, allowing his Rikugan to peer through. His eyes scanned each of them with a detached calculation. "Now, let's see what we're working with."

Hanabi stiffened slightly under his gaze, but Naruto only nodded. "You've got the Byakugan, yeah?"

"Yes." She straightened her posture. "All Hyūga are born with it."

"Good. You'll be tracking the beast. I can't see through walls, but I can pinpoint movement. I'll direct your focus when needed."

Hanabi nodded, her expression unreadable.

Then, Naruto turned to Kaito. "And you," he squinted slightly. "You don't have the Sharingan?"

Kaito hesitated. "No."

Naruto frowned. "Weird. Your chakra network is dense—way more mature than it should be. You're Uchiha, right?"

A beat passed.

Kaito's face remained eerily neutral, but his voice was quieter when he spoke. "My mother was. The elders don't consider me a real Uchiha. They ignore me and my grandmother."

Naruto clicked his tongue, filing that information away for later.

"Well, that's their loss," he muttered, stretching his arms again. "Whatever. You're still useful."

Before he could say anything else—

A sharp, unsteady breath broke the conversation.

All eyes turned to Konohamaru.

His shoulders were trembling, his fingers clenched tightly around the fabric of his sleeves. His lips quivered as he fought to form words.

"We… We shouldn't do this." His voice cracked. "We should wait. W-We—"

His body froze, paralyzed by uncertainty.

Naruto was in front of him in an instant.

A rough hand seized the front of Konohamaru's shirt, yanking him forward.

"Are you scared?" Naruto's voice was low, sharp—his deep blue eyes piercing straight through the younger boy.

Konohamaru flinched. "I-I—"

"Good," Naruto said. "You should be."

Silence.

"But you don't get to just sit there and die." Naruto's grip didn't tighten, but his presence alone suffocated the air between them. "You think the world stops moving just because you're afraid?"

Konohamaru's breath hitched.

"You're weak." Naruto's tone was devoid of malice—just cold, absolute truth. "But you're not useless. Do something, even if it's small."

Konohamaru's throat tightened. His legs felt locked in place.

"I—I can't," he whispered. "I don't know how."

A sharp exhale.

Then, just as suddenly as he grabbed him, Naruto let go.

Riko stepped forward, placing herself between them. "Enough."

Naruto didn't resist. He took a single step back, crossing his arms.

Konohamaru kept his head down, but Naruto's gaze didn't waver.

"Don't feel sorry for yourself," he muttered. "That's the fastest way to get killed."

Something dark flickered behind Naruto's eyes—an emotion no one could name before it vanished.

His lips curled into a smirk, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

---

The flickering glow of the domain pulsed dimly as the group moved with quiet determination. Hanabi and Sakuto crouched near a stretch of open ground, their hands moving swiftly as they set traps with precision, sealing kunai in tripwires and embedding paper tags into the fleshy walls. Kaito and Konohamaru worked on reinforcing their positions, weaving wire between the stalactite-like structures that jutted from the shifting terrain.

Naruto observed, arms crossed, leaning lazily against a pulsating wall. He flickered his head every few moments, scanning for movement but also checking on the kids and Riko. Good. They're getting the hang of it.

A few meters away, Konohamaru knelt beside a pile of shuriken, but his hands were still. His head hung low, shoulders tense.

Riko noticed.

She walked over and sat beside him, waiting a moment before speaking. "You're quiet."

Konohamaru exhaled shakily. "I… I don't think I can do this." His grip on his knees tightened. "What if I mess up? What if someone gets hurt?"

Riko frowned slightly, watching him. "…You've been thinking about this for a while, haven't you?"

Konohamaru didn't look at her, but he gave a small nod.

A long pause. Then, barely above a whisper—

"My parents died protecting me."

Riko's breath hitched.

Konohamaru swallowed hard, his voice wavering. "I was really little. But… I remember. There was so much blood. They wouldn't wake up. I just sat there, crying. I couldn't do anything." His fingers trembled. "And now, I feel like—like I'm still that same useless kid."

Riko felt something sharp twist in her chest.

Unbeknownst to them, Naruto stood nearby, silent. His gaze flickered.

He remembered Asuma once, standing at a tombstone, laying down a bundle of flowers. Naruto had never asked who they were for. He's like me.

Riko hesitated, then spoke. "You're not useless."

Konohamaru scoffed bitterly. "How do you know?"

She swallowed. "…Because I know what it's like."

Konohamaru finally looked at her, his eyes wet with unshed tears.

Riko inhaled, voice quieter now. "After my mother died, my father changed." Her hands clenched in her lap. "He was always busy before, but afterward… it was like I stopped existing to him. I could be in the same room, and it wouldn't matter. I wasn't important enough."

Konohamaru listened, his expression softening.

Riko exhaled. "For a long time, I thought that if I just disappeared, nothing would change." Her voice was steady, but there was something fragile underneath. "But… I think that's a lie we tell ourselves." She turned to him. "Because I wouldn't be saying this if I really believed that."

Konohamaru's throat tightened.

Riko smiled faintly. "You don't want anyone else to get hurt? Then, get stronger. Become a shinobi. Not because you're being forced to, but because you want to be someone who can make a difference."

Konohamaru stared at her for a long moment. Then, slowly—his lips trembled into a smile, even as his tears fell.

"…Thank you," he whispered.

Riko just nodded.

Hmph, Naruto briefly smiled to himself before clicking his tongue loudly, making them both jolt. "Alright, brats, emotional bonding time is over."

Riko scowled. "Were you eavesdropping?!"

Naruto smirked. "Maybe."

Konohamaru wiped his eyes quickly, his face burning.

"Are you ready? I can't have you getting hurt, or the old man would kill me," Naruto said.

Konohamaru nodded with newfound determination. "Hai."

Naruto stretched his arms behind his head. "Alright, time to lay it all out." He stepped into the center of the group, cracking his neck. "Let's run through the plan, make sure no one screws this up."

He turned to each of them in turn. "Hanabi, Sakuto—you guys handle the traps. Do not mess that up, or else you're dead. Got it?"

Hanabi nodded. Sakuto remained stoic, but his posture was rigid, attentive.

Naruto's gaze flicked to Kaito and Konohamaru. "You two, I'm gonna teach you something useful." He smirked. "It's time for your crash course in elemental ninjutsu."

Kaito blinked. "What?"

Naruto cracked his knuckles. "Your chakra natures. You've got 'em. You just don't know how to use them yet."

He pointed at Kaito. "You have a baseline affinity for Katon, given your Uchiha blood, but also posses an affinity for Doton, and Suiton."

Kaito's eyes flickered in thought, but he said nothing.

Sakuto looked at Naruto with more curiosity. How is he getting this information? Tousan told me that you needed Chakra Paper.

Naruto turned to Konohamaru. "You've got Katon, Fūton, and Raiton."

Konohamaru shifted. "Is that… good?"

Naruto didn't really react. "Two is common but three is extremely rare. Makes sense given you're a Sarutobi" I've only got two myself. All these kids have insane potential, especially Konohamaru and Kaito. He smiled to himself, thinking of the possibilities.

"Earth to Naruto?" Riko commented, seeing that he was zoning out.

"Oh," Naruto snapped back to reality and turned to Hanabi. "You? Doton, but don't tell your father I said anything. I don't need the Hyūga clan on my back."

Hanabi's expression remained unreadable, but there was a hint of curiosity.

Naruto then looked at Sakuto. "And you already know yours, right?"

Sakuto simply nodded.

"There are five basic elemental chakra natures with nine advanced transformations but I won't talk about those," Naruto added. "Anyway, Fire is strong against Wind but weak against Water, Wind is strong against Lightning but weak against Fire, and so on, but you get the point." Naruto exhaled.

He's surprisingly good at explaining things, Riko thought.

He smirked, stepping back. "But, here's the deal—Kaito, Konohamaru. I'm gonna show you the Katon jutsu you're gonna use in conjunction with my Fūton jutsu. But in the meantime," he glanced at Sakuto and Hanabi. "You two, tie up Riko."

"Wait, what?!" Riko shouted.

"Relax, princess," Naruto drawled. "It's just to make the bait more convincing."

"You are the worst!"

Naruto grinned. "Good," he said. "Time to get the ball rolling."

INNATE DOMAIN – DRAGON'S BREATH

Sasuke's consciousness flickered between awareness and oblivion. The last thing he remembered was reaching for Riko's hand—only for the abyss to swallow them whole. His body felt weightless, suspended in nothingness. But then—

Heat.

A wave of blistering, oppressive heat slammed into him, forcing his eyes open.

Sasuke gasped, coughing as scorching air filled his lungs. He was lying on rough, cracked stone, the ground beneath him pulsating like the charred skin of a dying beast. He pushed himself up, his muscles aching and his vision swimming.

His surroundings were nothing like the academy. It was an inferno wasteland.

The ground stretched endlessly into a sea of molten fissures, lava bleeding through deep fractures like open wounds. Massive, jagged rock formations jutted from the ground, curling into unnatural, claw-like shapes. Above him, the sky was a deep crimson haze, filled with swirling ash and embers, giving the air a toxic weight.

It was hard to breathe, and he felt like he was inside a furnace. But then he realized he was alone.

"Damn it," Sasuke muttered, forcing himself to his feet. His head throbbed in pain, but he didn't care. He needed to find Riko and the others.

Then, movement.

He quickly activated his Sharingan, the red eyes adjusting to the blazing heat. In a few short moments, a flicker of several familiar chakra signatures flashed up.

Shikamaru, Hinata, Choji, and Shino emerged from behind a jagged rock formation. They looked battered but alive, their clothes slightly singed, their expressions grim.

"Sasuke!" Hinata called out, relief flooding her voice.

Sasuke exhaled. "Are you alright?"

Hinata nodded, Shino didn't respond, Choji gave a weak thumbs up, and Shikamaru dusted off his pants.

"Where is everyone else?"

Hinata swallowed hard, her Byakugan flaring to life. "I don't see them," she admitted, voice tight with anxiety.

Shikamaru dragged his hand down his face. "That creature split us up. I should've guessed something like this would happen." He turned toward the burning horizon, his mind already working.

"Our attack must've caused the creature to activate a domain of sorts," Shino stated, adjusting his glasses. "We need to move carefully. Given the heat here, the others could be facing similar conditions."

Hinata's face fell. "Hanabi…"

Sasuke hesitated before stepping beside her, his voice quiet but firm. "We'll find them."

She looked at him, searching his face for doubt, but found none. Slowly, she nodded.

Choji cracked his knuckles. "Then let's move. We don't have time to waste."

Shino adjusted his glasses, his insects already swarming ahead. "Be careful. This domain… it's alive."

They pressed forward, moving through the hellish landscape. Each step felt heavier as the heat pressed against them, their sweat evaporating before it could even form.

Then—they weren't alone.

A slow, deliberate crunch echoed through the wasteland. A shadowy figure emerged from the thick smoke ahead.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "It's him."

The Kirigakure shinobi stood tall despite his battered appearance. His clothes were tattered, streaked with blood and ash, but his eyes burned with pure, murderous intent while steam curled off his skin

Sasuke's muscles tensed. Does he have some resistance to extreme heat?

Jin's lips curled into a snarl. "You brats…" His voice was a growl, low and seething. "You think you've won? I'll kill you."

"What a drag," Shikamaru commented.

Hinata looked at Sasuke. "What are we going to do?"

Everyone looked as Sasuke reached down, touching his shadow. From the void, a red hilt emerged, revealing a jet-black blade with a golden guard. Sasuke tightened his grip on the tanto and readied himself.

"We fight."

Hinata followed his lead getting ready, Shino prepared himself, and Choji looked attentive. Shikamaru let out a heavy sigh but was ready to back up Sasuke.

Across from him, Jin stood, rolling his shoulders, steam curling off his skin. His katana gleamed, its blade humming with boiling heat, red-hot from his chakra infusion. The scars across his forearms hinted at years of battle, but it was his eyes that unsettled Sasuke—calm, focused, and predatory.

He's a shinobi of Kirigakure. He seems to be Jōnin. I'm guessing he uses Suiton but that boiling heat might be an issue. It looks like he's using Katon to heat up the air, producing some boil. This is an advanced nature transformation. We need to attack first and avoid getting too close.

"You brats think you stand a chance?" Jin scoffed, his voice carrying through the burning air. "You're just children playing shinobi."

Sasuke didn't answer. He couldn't afford to waste breath. He knew they were outclassed.

But retreat wasn't an option.

Sasuke moved first.

He lunged, his tanto whistling through the air in a clean, precise arc aimed at Jin's ribs.

Jin didn't block. He sidestepped.

Effortlessly.

In the same motion, he countered.

A brutal palm strike slammed into Sasuke's ribs before he could react. Crack. The force sent him skidding backward, his heels dragging against the molten stone.

Shikamaru reacted instantly, his hands flying into a seal. His shadow lashed out.

"Kagemane no Jutsu!"

Jin clicked his tongue, jumping back. "Too slow."

A surge of boiling mist erupted from his body. "Futton: Kiri no Yoroi (Boil Release: Armor of Mist)!"

The black tendrils of Shikamaru's shadow fizzled as the superheated vapor warped the air, making everything blurry and distorted.

The heat alone forced Shikamaru to break his jutsu, and he stumbled back as sweat poured down his face.

"Damn," Shikamaru muttered, wiping his brow. He tossed shuriken and kunai in Jin's direction, but the shinobi simply dodged these projectiles.

From above, Hinata pounced.

She dove from the air, twisting mid-fall, her hands glowing with blue, wispy chakra. She lashed out at Jin's exposed side—

He caught her wrist.

Her eyes widened—He's too fast

Jin pivoted and threw her. Hard.

Hinata's body slammed into a jagged rock formation, the impact knocking the breath from her lungs. She gasped, struggling to regain her footing.

Jin exhaled slowly, his Futton (Boil Release) chakra heating the very air. "This is just sad, especially from a Hyūga."

Sasuke gritted his teeth, forcing himself up. His Sharingan spun wildly as he formed a hand seal in the shape of a bird.

"Nue!"

A massive owl-like creature with glowing yellow eyes and crackling electricity emerged from the shadows. Its wings spread wide, and its talons crackled with energy.

Jin's eyes narrowed. This creature… it came from his shadow. I thought this kid was an Uchiha. Is he a Uchiha-Nara half breed?

Small sweat droplets formed on Sasuke's face and he gritted his teeth, feeling the strain on his chakra. Using the Tokusa no Kage Bōjutsu is extremely taxing. Along with the Sharingan, I won't have too much time. But we need to end this battle quickly or create an opening to get away. If not, we're dead.

He pointed at Jin. "Nue: Inazumageki (Lightning Strike)!"

Nue screeched, unleashing a torrent of lightning from its wings. The bolts arced through the air, striking Jin with pinpoint accuracy.

Jin backflipped, evading the torrents of lightning as the creature pursued him. A bolt of lightning zipped past his face.

That was close, Jin mused. That creature possesses a small size but makes up for its speed and attack power.

As another torrent arced towards him, he jumped backward and raised his katana, channeling his chakra into the blade. It glowed red-hot as it absorbed the lightning, but the sheer force slightly pushed him back.

You kids think you can take me down? I've fought in wars you can't even imagine. This is nothing but a warm-up for me!" Jin shouted, his voice strained.

He slashed his katana, sending a wave of boiling steam toward Sasuke and Nue. "Futton: Yūen no Kiba! (Boil Release: Fang of the Inferno)!"

The steam surged forward, but Sasuke was ready. Nue swooped in, its claws latching onto Sasuke and moving him out of danger, soaring into the air.

I need to conserve my chakra. I'm already pushing the limit with summoning Totality and Nue in a single day, Sasuke thought.

Shikamaru seized the opportunity. "Choji—NOW!"

Choji roared, his body expanding instantly.

"Baika no Jutsu (Super Multi-Size Mode)!"

A colossal fist came crashing down. Jin barely moved aside, the sheer force of the attack shattering the ground beneath them.

Shino's kikaichū swarmed, converging like a black tidal wave. They latched onto Jin's body, draining chakra instantly. "They're draining his chakra," Shino said, his voice calm but urgent. "But he's resisting. We need to act quickly."

Sasuke seized the moment. "Nue: Raikō (Lightning Flash)!"

Nue dove from above, its talons crackling with electricity.

Jin smirked, seeing the attack while his vision was blurred by the kikaichū swarm. "Nice trick, but…" mist began to erupt from him.

"Futton: Kōka no Yaiba (Boil Release: Eruption Blade)!"

His katana flared red-hot, and in an instant, he took a wide horizontal slash, evisreacting the kikaichū around. The superheated metal conducted through Nue's talons, causing the beast to screeched out in pain.

Sasuke released his summon, causing Nue to dissolve in nothingness, but in the process, his hand was burned from the residual heat. The pain was instant, searing, white-hot. His grip faltered.

Jin capitalized. A savage kick to the chest sent Sasuke flying, crashing hard against the ground.

Sasuke gasped, droplets of saliva flying out while he choked on the pain, his burned hand throbbing. He struggled to keep hold of his tanto.

Jin sighed, shaking his head. "This is getting boring."

Hinata rushed in again, her Byakugan locking onto Jin's chakra points. I can't give up, she thought, steeling herself. Everyone's giving their all, especially Sasuke-kun. If I can just hit one of his tenketsu… We can win.

But she never got close.

Jin's chakra surged again—this time, a cloud of scalding vapor erupted point-blank.

Hinata screamed.

She hit the ground, clutching her arms—her skin was burning.

Sasuke gritted his teeth, forcing himself up. Shikamaru's shadow lashed out again.

Jin growled. "Enough of this."

In one motion, he flashed forward—faster than any of them could react.

His katana sliced.

Shikamaru collapsed, a deep gash across his side.

Shino tried to retreat—too late. Jin's knee drove into his stomach, knocking him out cold.

Choji moved to attack but was too slow.

Jin stabbed his katana into the molten ground, flashing multiple hand seals. "Futton: Shōnetsu no Taki (Boil Release: Scalding Torrent)!"

A blast of pressurized steam shot forward like a torrential waterfall, hitting Choji dead center. The Akimichi's massive form staggered, blisters forming across his skin. He screamed out in agony before he collapsed with a heavy thud.

And just like that—

They lost.

Sasuke pushed up on trembling arms. His breath came ragged, his burned hand nearly useless, his vision blurred from exhaustion. He saw the forms of his fallen comrades but tried to get up.

"I-I…" he stumbled back to the ground.

Jin approached, his katana raised. "This is what happens when children play at war. War is hell, boy, and only the strong can survive."

He swung down.

But before the blade could connect, the ground beneath them twisted, and the domain shifted. A low, inhuman growl reverberates through the air.

Jin's eyes widened, causing him to look around. There's no way those brats were able to kill the Ryūja. "What the hell is going on?" he mumbled.

But when he turned back to finish these kids off, they were gone.

Jin sheathed his weapon angrily. Those kids won't be able to interfere anymore. I need to grab the girl before Konoha gets in here, he scoffed and plunged deeper into the innate domain.

Sasuke fell through cold and dark before he hit the ground hard, his vision swimming. He tried to get up but he tasted body in mouth. He looked to his left and right, seeing the unconscious bodies of Shino, Shikamaru, Hinata, and Choji.

He then heard echoes radiating from nearby, and his attention was turned towards the distorted image of the innate domain.

"I-I've got to save them…" he groaned, reaching out towards the academy before darkness consumed him.

INNATE DOMAIN – INNER CHAMBER

The Ryūja loomed over them, its serpentine form coiling and writhing in the eerie glow of the domain. Its monstrous eyes locked onto its prey—Riko. She nervously hung from the celling wall, suspended by a thin rope.

"I hope this works," she said.

She locked eyes with the beast and gulped.

A guttural growl rumbled from deep within the beast's throat before it lunged forward at her.

"NARUTO!" she yelled.

A kunai cut through the air, striking a hidden wire mechanism. A creaking snap echoed as traps activated.

From the shadows, shuriken and kunai rained down, embedding into the creature's scaly hide. The Ryūja shrieked, its coils spasming in pain. But the real trap had yet to spring.

A heartbeat later, thick, black sludge rained down from above, coating its massive body in sticky tar. The beast thrashed, its movements turning sluggish as the viscous liquid clung to its form, sealing its scales together.

Naruto smirked. "Alright, light it up."

They moved in unison, their hands flashing through seals.

"Fūton: Daitoppa (Wind Release: Great Breakthrough)!"

"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu (Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu)!"

"Katon: Karyūdan (Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullet)!"

A roaring inferno tornado engulfed the Ryūja.

Flames hungrily devoured the tar-soaked beast, its agonized shriek piercing through the domain. The stench of burning flesh filled the air as its body boiled, its massive form collapsing into a smoldering husk.

Silence fell.

The only sound left was the crackling of embers.

Naruto blinked. "Huh."

Kaito, panting, wiped sweat from his brow. "W-what?"

Naruto turned to him, smirking. "Didn't expect you to pull it off that well." He tilted his head, eyeing the boy curiously. "I only showed you the seals once."

Kaito looked away, silent. He wasn't sure if he should feel proud or concerned that he was able to replicate it that fast. Wasn't that supposed to take years of training?

Riko's chest heaved as she stared at the charred remains of the beast. This isn't normal. Naruto had said they were bait, that they had no choice but to fight, and yet… it felt like he had never doubted for a second that they'd win.

How?

Her gaze snapped to him—to the way he stood there, completely unfazed, as if none of this had been difficult.

"You… you didn't even try, did you?" she whispered from above.

Naruto barely spared her a glance. "What?"

"This wasn't hard for you," she accused, voice shaking slightly. "You barely did anything!"

Naruto chuckled, stretching his arms. "I mean… yeah?"

"This guy… It is all just nothing more than a game to him."

Truthfully, she was glad that he was with them. If not, she wouldn't have made it out of here.

Naruto's gaze flicked to Hanabi and Sakuto. "You two are scarily competent for your age. And Konohamaru—" His eyes softened slightly. "Your chakra levels are insane."

Konohamaru, still catching his breath, managed a small nod.

Naruto clapped his hands together. "You guys did good."

From above, Riko's voice rang out.

"HEY! ARE YOU FORGETTING SOMETHING?!"

Naruto looked up, smirking. "Oh, right." He turned to Sakuto. "Would you mind getting her down?"

Sakuto casually picked up a kunai and flung it toward Riko. It sliced through the rope.

A shriek echoed as she dropped like a rock.

"NOT LIKE THAT, YOU JERK!"

Naruto caught her with one arm before she hit the ground, still grinning. "Relax, Princess. You're fine."

She scowled. "I swear, I'll—"

But before she could finish, the domain flickered—unstable.

"You might want to get near me," Naruto stated.

They huddled close. The domain shattered—and they were gone.

---

The group landed hard in the ruined academy courtyard. Solid ground. Open air. They had made it.

Hanabi exhaled. "…We made it."

Sakuto's sharp gaze swept the area. "But we're not alone."

A chill ran through them as three figures emerged from the shadows—Jin and his two subordinates.

"Such a pain," Jin muttered, rolling his shoulder. His katana gleamed in the low light. "You brats just don't know when to quit."

The children tensed. They weren't ready for another fight.

Jin's lips curled. "Kill them. We don't have any more time to waste."

The shinobi launched their kunai forward—only for them to stop mid-air as if caught in invisible strings.

A voice, lazy but amused, cut through the silence.

"What kind of loser picks on children? You must be great at parties."

Everyone turned to see Naruto standing before them with Riko seemingly stuck to his hand and floating off the ground. The kunai floated just inches from his face.

The children stared while Naruto didn't even flinch.

What is that? I've never seen anything like this, Sakuto's mind raced. This isn't normal.

It's like the space around him has distorted, but how? Kaito questioned.

Hanabi activated her Byakugan, curious. The space between him and the attack is getting smaller. It's as if distance itself is being infinitely halved.

Konohamaru looked at Naruto in awe. He's so cool.

"You guys did good," he said, not looking back at them. "But I'll handle it from here."

Jin stepped forward, his brow twitching. "Hand over the girl," he said.

The two shinobi beside him braced themselves, weapons ready.

Naruto smirked. "Yeah, nah."

The two subordinates attacked first, dashing at him from both sides.

They never reached him.

Their blades stopped an inch from his skin. No matter how hard they pushed, they couldn't move forward.

"W-what the hell is this?!" one of them gasped.

Naruto tilted his head. "It's Mugen (Infinity)." He flashed a grin. "Achilles and the Tortoise, to be exact. Ever heard of it?"

Before they could react—Naruto struck.

A casual tap to the chest sent one of them crashing through a wall. A single flick of his wrist sent the other spiraling into the dirt.

They didn't get back up.

Jin's eyes narrowed. "Who… are you?"

Naruto turned his gaze to him, taking off his glasses, revealing the full glow of his Rikugan. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto, the Strongest."

Jin gritted his teeth. "Don't get too cocky. You're just another brat." But that technique… what is it?

Naruto waved his finger. "You're the mistaken one. You can't harm me. You might have Futton, but you're still weak."

Jin cursed under his breath. How does he know that? This wasn't in the mission intel. This boy is beyond dangerous. He reached into his back pocket, pulling out a small ball. I need to report this back to Lord Orochimaru.

With the slight of hand, he flicked a smoke bomb to the ground, vanishing while smoke billowed, causing everyone to cough, except for Naruto.

Naruto placed his glasses back on, sensing Jin disappear and reappear a couple meters away.

"He's getting away," Riko croaked, perplexed by his actions. "Why didn't you stop him?"

Naruto smiled down at her. "You'll soon see," he said, turning towards the direction where Jin had retreated to and extending his right arm. "Cover your head, and you four get next to me."

The kids hesitated but obeyed.

Suddenly, they were propelled through the building in an instant.

The sound of shattering glass filled the air as they glided amidst broken window frames and splintered furniture.

The unsuspecting Jin found himself ensnared in the suspended field of debris. He looked bewildered, taking in the sight of a cowering Karin and a wide-eyed Naruto, his grin carrying a hint of mischief, his right palm still extended.

"This next move is the divergence of infinity," Naruto announced, shaping his hand into a toy gun. "My reversed chakra technique... Mugaken no Jutsu: Aka (Limitless Technique: Red)!"

A crimson radiance filled the space as a concentrated red sphere materialized on Naruto's fingertips. The glow intensified, casting its hue across the faces of those nearby. Its luminosity increased until the entire room was red.

And then, it fizzled out.

Silence.

Jin, Kaito, Hanabi, and Sakuto all seemed to blink simultaneously. "Huh!?" they said in unison.

Naruto frowned. "Ah, well. Guess you can do the honors, Princess."

Riko, still suspended mid-air, looked beyond confused. "The what?"

Naruto gestured down. "Just grab a stick or something and hit him."

Riko blinked. Then she scowled. "Are you serious?"

Naruto smiled.

She grabbed a floating pipe, and with all her strength, she swung.

It smashed into Jin's face.

Naruto released the suspension, and the man plummeted.

CRASH.

Jin hit the ground hard, buried in the wreckage.

Silence.

Naruto gently lowered them to the ground before releasing his technique. Floating debris and rubble began to crash down, almost hitting everyone.

"ARE YOU INSANE?!" Riko shouted, turning to Naruto.

Naruto put on a strained grin. "I get that a lot."

He then felt a searing throb spread across his head and through his eyes. He touched his nose, feeling wetness. He quickly wiped it anyway, but Kaito and Sakuto noticed him do so.

I don't know how much longer I could've lasted using my technique. That was too much, and my head is pounding.

Naruto clapped his hands, returning to his usual upbeat self. "Alright, that was fun, wasn't it?"

Sakuto internally swore to avoid this guy at all costs.

Meanwhile, Hanabi's Byakugan remained active, her pale eyes trained on Naruto. She had seen it. The way he moved. The way his chakra fluctuated. The way the receptors in his brain were firing off.

It wasn't just control. It wasn't just skill. It was something else.

His chakra didn't behave like normal chakra. It didn't just flow—it folded into itself, warping space around it like something not entirely of this world.

She knew what she had witnessed.

"Naruto," she said, voice steady. "What was that technique?"

Naruto tilted his head. "Curious, the Byakugan is stronger than I thought. I guess I'll tell you. My kekkei genkai is like a convergent series of infinite numbers. Anything that approaches me grows slower and slower, and ultimately, it fails to ever reach me."

"What?" Hanabi asked.

Riko blinked, her expression unreadable. She leaned and whispered to Konohamaru, "Do you know what he's talking about?"

Konohamaru shook his head. "No idea."

Kaito thought for a short moment. "So, it's like a Taylor Series? But instead of approximating infinite sums, you are infinitely dividing space."

Naruto smiled. This kid is extremely intelligent… He kind of reminds me of another Uchiha I met. "Bingo! There is more to it but that's the basics. I could on about Chakra theory—positive and negative chakra and reversed chakra, but that would take too long."

Sakuto looked at Naruto cautiously. Seriously who is this guy? I've never heard of him until now but he's strong… really strong. I need to ask tousan about him.

The battlefield was eerily quiet. The dust from the wreckage had settled, leaving only the crackle of distant flames and the occasional creak of unstable debris.

Jin lay sprawled across the rubble, blood trickling from his temple. His two subordinates weren't any better off—both unconscious, bodies bent at odd angles.

Naruto rolled his shoulders, exhaling. "Well, that was fun."

Without ceremony, he flicked his wrist, and the three shinobi lifted into the air like puppets on invisible strings. The kids watched as Naruto, humming an offbeat tune, methodically bound them together with ninja wire, ensuring they wouldn't be causing any more trouble.

He gave one last tug, securing the knots before stepping back and admiring his handiwork.

"There. All wrapped up," he said with satisfaction. "Freshly caught losers, served on a platter. Someone ring the dinner bell."

The kids stared.

"…I feel like we should be concerned about how easily you did that," Riko muttered.

Naruto smirked. "Nah, don't."

Jin groaned, his eyes flickering open. He tried to move—only to realize he couldn't. The bindings held firm. He struggled, muscles tensing, veins bulging—nothing. His subordinates stirred behind him, just as equally restrained.

Naruto crouched down in front of them, resting his elbows on his knees. His grin was all teeth.

"Ya know, I was having a good day," he said conversationally. "I had plans. Big plans. Eat, sleep, maybe bother some people. But then you just had to ruin it."

Jin glared up at him, breath ragged. "Tch… you think this is over?"

Naruto let out a short laugh. "Oh, I know it is."

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.

"You guys just don't get it," Naruto continued, his tone light but laced with something sharp underneath. "The system you're fighting for? The 'village' you think you're tearing down? It's already rotten."

Jin clenched his jaw.

"You're wasting your time," Naruto said, almost lazily. "Konoha's 'leaders' are useless, its rules are stupid, and its people?" He snorted. "Half of them don't even know they're being played. But you? You're not even a real revolutionary. Just another pawn playing someone else's game."

Jin's teeth ground together audibly. "Shut up."

Naruto's grin widened. "Touched a nerve?"

"You don't understand anything," Jin spat. "Kirigakure will rise again!"

Naruto's Rikugan flickered behind his shades, glowing faintly in the dim light. "Oh, I understand just fine." He tapped his temple. "And here's what I know—you should've left me alone."

Without warning, he casually flicked Jin's forehead, sending a controlled pulse of force through his skull. Jin's eyes rolled back, and he slumped forward—knocked out cold.

Naruto straightened, dusting off his hands. "Good talk." I wonder what that stuff about Kirigakure meant. Aren't they in the midst of a civil war?

The other two shinobi barely had time to register what happened before Naruto tapped their heads, knocking them out just as easily.

Silence fell.

The kids stood frozen, watching him.

"…He just flicked them unconscious," Kaito murmured.

"…I noticed," Hanabi said flatly.

Naruto stretched. "Welp, that's that."

He turned, ready to leave—

But then—

"Thank you."

Naruto paused.

It was Konohamaru who spoke first. His voice was quiet but firm. "Thank you, Naruto."

Then—

"…Yeah," Kaito muttered. "You saved us."

Hanabi gave a slight nod. Sakuto said nothing, but his sharp eyes lingered on Naruto a second longer than usual.

Even Riko—who had spent the majority of their time together arguing with him—crossed her arms and muttered, "You didn't have to do that. But… thanks."

Naruto blinked.

His brain short-circuited. What?

This wasn't—

He wasn't expecting—

People didn't thank him.

His fingers twitched at his sides. A strange, unfamiliar warmth curled in his chest—uncomfortable, foreign. He didn't like it. He didn't know what to do with it.

Naruto turned away with a lazy shrug. "Eh. You were in my way. Would've been annoying if you died."

Riko scowled. "Wow. Ever the charmer."

Ignoring her, Naruto shoved his hands into his pockets and took a few steps forward.

"Wait—where are you going?" Konohamaru called.

Naruto didn't stop walking. "To get something to eat."

"…You're seriously just gonna leave?!" Riko shouted, exasperated.

"Yup."

Sakuto reached into his pocket and pulled out the scroll Naruto had given him earlier. He took a step forward. "Then take this back."

Naruto waved a hand dismissively. "Nah, keep it."

Sakuto frowned. "Why?"

Naruto glanced back, his smirk lazy but his tone unreadable. "Call it an investment."

Kaito raised an eyebrow. "In what?"

Naruto turned fully, walking backward as he shot them a grin. "In not being useless."

Riko scowled. "You're impossible."

"I get that a lot."

Naruto stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Anyway, the barrier's breaking soon. You should probably head back to the others." He gestured vaguely toward the academy. "Looks like everyone's gathering over there."

The kids hesitated, then nodded.

Naruto gave them a lazy wave. "See ya, brats."

Then he turned and walked off.

The group stood in silence, watching him go not being able to see the genuine smile on his face. It was the first one in a long time.

"…Is he always like this?" Kaito finally asked.

Konohamaru exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "…Yeah." He grinned. "But he's the coolest guy I know."

Riko sighed. "Let's go."

Together, they grabbed the now-unconscious attackers and dragged them toward the front of the academy.

"He could've at least helped us carry them," Riko groaned.

KONOHA NINJA ACADEMY

Sasuke's vision blurred at the edges as he floated between unconsciousness and the pain of his broken body. His fingers twitched against the cold earth, grounding him back to the world. The rhythmic sound of his pulse filled his ears, but other noises soon crept in—muffled voices, filled with uncertainty.

"Do you think he's dead?"

"That would be unfortunate."

"…Should we poke him?"

Sasuke's eyes snapped open, his Sharingan flaring instinctively. His body jolted upright, and he found himself face to face with Kaito and Sakuto, crouched over him. The faintest hint of concern danced in their eyes, though it quickly vanished.

"He's alive," Kaito said, his voice dry.

Sakuto exhaled in relief. "Damn."

Sasuke groaned, pushing himself into a sitting position, the ache in his bones reminding him of the battle. His mind raced, flickers of flames, collapsing structures, and the feeling of falling into an abyss flashing through his mind.

But then, he saw them.

Riko, Hanabi, and Konohamaru were tending to the wounded. Shikamaru sat against a crumbled pillar, face pale, while Choji lay beside him, clutching his stomach. Shino's cracked glasses reflected the faintest light as his insects fluttered sluggishly around him. Hinata, shaky but resolute, was stabilizing wounds with the last of her chakra.

They were alive.

Sasuke's breath caught in his throat. Relief washed over him.

Riko turned toward him, and their gazes locked. Without a word, she rushed forward and threw herself into his arms.

"You're okay," she whispered, voice thick with emotion.

Sasuke froze, unsure of how to respond. His muscles tensed. He wasn't used to this—this… closeness. His hand awkwardly patted her back. "Yeah," he muttered.

Before he could ask about what had happened, a sharp crack echoed through the air. The ground beneath them trembled as the barrier surrounding the academy shimmered violently before it shattered in a blinding burst of chakra. Debris skidded across the ground, and the sky above them cleared, as if the storm had been banished in a single moment.

"Konoha shinobi! Move in!" The command rang out, and reinforcements flooded the academy grounds—jōnin, ANBU, and medical nin all moving swiftly to assess the damage.

At the center of it all stood the Third Hokage, his eyes sweeping over the devastation. Beside him, Hiashi Hyūga moved with precision, activating his Byakugan to survey the area. In an instant, he was at his daughter's side.

"Hinata. Hanabi," Hiashi said, his tone firm.

Hinata's voice faltered. "O-Otou-sama…"

Hanabi remained silent, her face composed, but Sasuke could see the faint tension in her fingers.

Hiashi's gaze lingered on them both before he placed a firm hand on Hanabi's shoulder.

"We are leaving," he said, his voice final. There was no room for argument.

Hinata hesitated, her gaze flicking from Hiashi to the chaos around them. "But—"

"You've done enough," Hiashi replied, his grip tightening, guiding them away.

Sasuke barely had time to process this when a new presence reached him. Kakashi, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by quiet focus, moved toward him. Beside him, Yūgao Uzuki was just as poised, though her ANBU gear was stained with the remnants of battle.

Kakashi's gaze scanned his son, checking for injuries, before he gave a quiet nod. "You're alright," he said.

Sakuto gave a small nod, despite the weight in his chest easing slightly. "Of course."

Kakashi ruffled his hair, the old gesture familiar despite the grimness of the situation. "Good job, kid."

Yūgao stepped forward, her sharp gaze softening as she tilted his head to check for any hidden wounds. Her eyes met his, and for a brief moment, the sternness in them gave way to something far gentler.

"You had me worried," she murmured.

Sakuto rolled his eyes. "Tch. You're both overreacting."

But he didn't pull away.

Elsewhere, Kaito stepped forward, his expression unreadable. His eyes locked onto his grandmother, Hazuki, and for a moment, time seemed to still.

Hazuki's breath stuttered as she took in the sight of him—alive, standing in front of her after everything that had happened. Without a second thought, she rushed toward him, her hands trembling as she cupped his face, her fingers desperately searching for any signs of injury.

"You're safe," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You're really safe, thank the heavens."

Kaito smiled and hugged his grandmother tightly, she was the only family he had. He then, took a breath, steeling himself. "Obaa-sama… I need to tell you something."

Hazuki pulled back just slightly, her worried gaze fixed on him. "What is it?"

Kaito swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. "I want to become a shinobi."

Hazuki froze, the words hanging in the air between them. Her gaze softened, but there was an edge to it, the unspoken worry clear in her eyes.

"I know you don't want me to fight," Kaito continued, the words tumbling out before he could stop them. "But I want to protect people. I won't just stand by anymore. I want to find peace."

For a moment, Hazuki said nothing. Her expression wavered, torn between pride and fear. Kaito could see the battle in her eyes, the understanding that this was something he had made up his mind about.

Finally, she exhaled slowly, her voice quiet but firm. "We will talk later."

Konohamaru's hands were still clenched, his eyes darting around the ruins of the academy. His body ached, but he felt something new stirring inside him—determination.

"You did good," Asuma said, walking up to him, his voice soft but full of warmth. "I know you don't like fighting, but you showed courage when it counted. That's something worth being proud of."

Konohamaru looked up at Asuma, his heart pounding. "I didn't… I didn't want anyone to get hurt. I didn't want to fail them."

Asuma's gaze softened. "You didn't fail. You protected them. And that's what matters."

Konohamaru's shoulders tensed slightly at the praise, but before he could respond, a figure stepped up behind Asuma. The familiar, comforting presence of his grandfather.

Hiruzen's eyes lingered on his grandson for a moment, studying him closely. There was something different about Konohamaru now, something Hiruzen hadn't seen before.

"Konohamaru," Hiruzen's voice was calm, but there was an undeniable warmth there. "I'm glad you're safe."

Konohamaru, still gripping his sleeves, nodded. He felt like there was a storm brewing inside him—a sense of urgency, a need to prove himself.

"I…" he hesitated, looking between Asuma and his grandfather. "I want to get stronger. I don't want anyone to suffer because I couldn't do enough."

Hiruzen's eyes softened as he studied Konohamaru's expression. It was no longer the timid boy he'd once known. There was fire in his eyes now, the kind that came with a purpose.

"I see," Hiruzen said quietly, as though the words were as much a realization for him as they were for his grandson. "I'm proud of you, Konohamaru. But it's not just about strength. It's about knowing when to fight and when to protect. You've taken a big step today."

Asuma nodded, crossing his arms. "It's not easy, finding your own path, but I think you're on the right one."

Konohamaru looked up at his grandfather, his hands still gripping his sleeves, but there was no uncertainty in his eyes anymore.

"I'm ready," he said, his voice steady. "I won't let anyone get hurt."

Hiruzen smiled, a rare and soft smile that spoke of his relief and his pride.

"I'm glad to hear that," he said, placing a hand on Konohamaru's shoulder. "You've found your Will of Fire."

Konohamaru's eyes glimmered, and for the first time in a long while, he felt like he had a purpose.

A sharp, irritated voice rang out, caused Sasuke to snap his head in that direction.

"Sasuke Uchiha, what the hell were you thinking?!"

Sasuke turned sharply, his breath still ragged, only to find Kaori storming toward him, her features tight with fury and concern. The air around her seemed to crackle with intensity, the same presence that had once made her seem like a force of nature in his youth.

Behind her, Karin trailed, her crimson eyes scanning the crowd with precision. But when she saw Sasuke, her gaze softened, and she rushed forward, kneeling beside him. Her healing chakra swirled around her hands as she placed them on his wounds.

"Karin," Sasuke muttered, his voice hoarse as warmth flooded his body, dulling the sharp ache that had taken root.

"Stay still," Karin said gently, though the underlying command was there. Her touch was soothing, but there was a certain urgency to her actions. "You're hurt."

Sasuke nodded, the familiar, comforting sensation of her chakra easing the pain. "Thanks," he murmured quietly.

"Of course," Karin replied, her face flushing just a little, but her concern was palpable, her focus entirely on him.

Before Sasuke could say anything else, Kaori was upon him, her hands gripping his collar with a strength that startled him. She pulled him up, her sharp eyes boring into his as her breath came in quick, ragged bursts.

Sasuke stiffened, his mind racing as the air around her seemed to thicken with tension. His heart skipped a beat, and before he could protest, Kaori's voice cut through his thoughts like a blade.

"Do you have any idea how worried I was?" Her voice, usually so controlled, wavered with a mix of anger and raw emotion. "You could've died! I swear, if you weren't already half-dead, I'd kill you myself!"

Sasuke's breath caught. Her words struck him harder than he'd expected—he wasn't sure if it was the worry in her tone or the way her hands trembled ever so slightly as they gripped him. He opened his mouth to protest, to throw back the usual sarcasm, but something in him stilled.

"I'm fine," he muttered, trying to sound indifferent, though it came out more like a half-hearted attempt to push her away.

Kaori exhaled sharply, her expression still taut, but her gaze softened slightly as she took in his injuries. For a moment, there was a flicker of something—something he couldn't quite place—and it was gone almost as quickly as it appeared. It reminded him of his kaasan, whenever he would get hurt.

"I'm glad," she said quietly, her tone losing some of its earlier bite, but the relief was unmistakable in her voice. She looked at him again, her eyes searching, before she spoke again, her voice laced with more emotion than Sasuke was used to hearing from her.

"Just... don't scare me like that again," she said, softer now, her fingers trembling slightly as they still held onto his collar. Her usual sharpness had softened, replaced by something deeper, more vulnerable.

Sasuke met her gaze, his chest tightening as he saw the depth of her concern—how it mirrored the protective streak he had always known in her, even if he often masked it with his own walls. He nodded slowly, the words feeling heavier than usual.

"I won't," he said, the promise feeling strange, yet necessary. He wasn't sure if it was a promise to her, or to himself. "I'm sorry."

Kaori's grip loosened slightly, but her eyes didn't leave him. A small smile formed on her lips, breaking the tension. "You better not. We can't have you losing and getting all bloody. You're an Uchiha and I refuse to let you get roughed up by some losers."

Sasuke smiled back at her, the edges of his lips curling just a little. "I get the message."

His attention then turned to Riko, who stood still, her eyes scanning the growing crowd, her posture rigid and tense.

Riko didn't move. Her gaze swept over the faces, her heartbeat quickening with each passing second.

Her father was nowhere to be seen.

Her fingers curled into tight fists. Of course. Why would he be here? Why would he ever—

A ripple of tension shot through the surrounding shinobi. Guards moved to intercept, hands hovering over their weapons, but it wasn't an enemy.

It was the Fire Daimyō.

He shoved past his own escort, disregarding their protests. His usual composed, regal presence was gone, replaced by desperation. He was running.

"Riko!"

Her breath caught in her throat. Her body froze, and then, in an instant, he was there, his arms enveloping her, pulling her close. His grip was unshakable.

"Riko, are you— I thought I— I'm so glad you're safe," he said, his voice breaking with relief as he cradled her head, his hands trembling.

Riko's walls, which had stood strong for so long, began to crack. For the first time in what felt like forever, the dam inside her broke. She let herself cry, her shoulders shaking with each sob that tore through her, but it wasn't just the pain of the battle—it was everything she'd kept hidden for so long.

In his arms, Riko could feel the weight of the years of neglect, the unanswered questions, the silence between them that had festered. But in this moment, with him holding her so tightly, she allowed herself to feel something else: relief. And maybe, just maybe, the chance for something to heal.

Sasuke, Karin, and Kaori watched the heartfelt reunion. Sasuke briefly met Riko's gaze, and she mouthed, "Thank you."

He simply smiled back at her and nodded.

Kaori, noticing the exchange, couldn't resist teasing her nephew. "You mind telling me what that's about?" she asked with a playful grin.

Sasuke rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed, which sent Kaori into a burst of laughter.

Kaori then nudged Karin, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Looks like you've got some competition."

Karin's face flushed bright red, and she immediately started fidgeting, clearly uncomfortable.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, looking thoroughly confused. "What?"

Kaori's playful expression shifted into something more sharp as she locked eyes with Sasuke. Her gaze turned into a silent, searing warning.

Sasuke felt the intensity of her stare and slowly looked away. What did I do now?

---

The courtyard was still filled with the aftermath of battle—smoke rising from collapsed structures, the scent of burned wood and stone lingering in the air. Medics moved swiftly, tending to the wounded, while the jōnin and senior shinobi surveyed the wreckage, speaking in hushed tones.

At the heart of it all, Hiruzen stood before the gathered students, his hands clasped behind his back, his expression unreadable.

For a long moment, silence stretched between them. Then—

"You have all demonstrated extraordinary courage today." His voice, steady and commanding, carried across the courtyard. "This was an unprecedented incident, something that no academy student should have had to endure. And yet—you did not falter."

His sharp gaze swept over them, lingering on each student in turn—Sasuke, Shikamaru, Karin, Ino, Kiba, Choji, Shino, and the absent Hinata.

"You did not run. You did not cower. You stood and fought to protect your comrades, your village, and yourselves. That is what it means to be a shinobi."

He let those words settle before offering a rare, genuine smile.

"You have proven yourselves. As such, from this moment forward—you are all officially genin of Konohagakure."

A stunned silence followed.

Sasuke, standing near the front, merely nodded at the announcement, though a flicker of satisfaction crossed his face.

Shikamaru let out a long sigh, rubbing his temples. "Man… this is such a drag."

Karin scoffed, crossing her arms. "You can complain later. This means we're one step ahead now." Despite her usual irritation, there was an undeniable gleam of pride in her crimson eyes.

Kiba's eyes widened before a huge grin spread across his face. "HELL YEAH! I KNEW IT!" Akamaru barked in agreement, his tail wagging.

Choji, still holding his injured arm, brightened. "So… does this mean we get to eat the big meals now?"

Ino rolled her eyes. "That's what you're thinking about?"

Shino, as usual, remained calm. "This result was expected."

Sakuto, standing beside Kaito and Konohamaru, watched the scene unfold with quiet contemplation. Then, after a beat, he spoke.

"…What about us?"

Hiruzen turned his gaze to him.

Sakuto glanced at Konohamaru, Kaito, and Hanabi (who had already been taken back by Hiashi) before meeting the Hokage's eyes. "Are we genin now too?"

A low chuckle escaped the old man as he stroked his beard. "Unfortunately, no."

Konohamaru scowled, crossing his arms. "That's not fair!"

Hiruzen gave him an amused but knowing look. "Becoming a shinobi isn't about fairness. It's about readiness." His tone softened. "But I have no doubt that when the time comes, you will all make fine shinobi."

Konohamaru grumbled under his breath, but a faint smirk twitched at the corner of his lips.

Kaito remained silent, his expression unreadable, but something in his posture relaxed.

Sakuto simply nodded.

Then, Hiruzen turned his attention to Riko.

"And as for you," he said, his voice carrying a different kind of weight. "You are not a shinobi, nor do you follow our traditions. But despite that—you showed remarkable resilience, perseverance, and courage in the face of grave danger."

Riko straightened slightly at the unexpected praise.

"You protected your comrades, you stood your ground, and you survived." Hiruzen's eyes twinkled with something akin to admiration. "That is more than commendable."

Riko opened her mouth, as if to say something, but for once, she didn't know what to say.

She settled for a small, hesitant nod.

Hiruzen smiled, then exhaled, his expression becoming serious once more.

"However, as proud as I am of all of you, the events of today must be properly documented." He straightened his posture. "You will accompany me to the Council Chambers to give a full report of what transpired here."

The students stilled.

They had been expecting this.

Slowly, Riko, Sakuto, Kaito, and Konohamaru exchanged glances.

No words were spoken, but a silent understanding passed between them.

They wouldn't mention Naruto.

He had saved them. Led them. Fought for them.

And judging by the way he spoke of the higher-ups… he wouldn't want them knowing.

Besides, if the village hadn't cared about him before… why should they know now?

Without hesitation, the four of them wordlessly agreed.

Hiruzen observed them quietly, but if he suspected anything, he chose not to say it.

"Let's go," he finally said.

And with that, the newly promoted genin and their companions followed their Hokage—carrying with them the truth they had chosen to protect.

But from the shadows, a pale white snake slithered across the torn pavement, its movements slow and deliberate. It lingered for only a moment—watching, listening—before vanishing into the streets of Konoha, unseen by anyone.

HOKAGE MONUMENT

The night was quiet. The chaos had faded, replaced by the murmurs of a village licking its wounds.

Naruto sat on the Hokage Monument, his legs hanging over the side as he gazed at the village below. His shades were pushed up on his head, and his usual smirk was replaced with something unreadable. The cool night air brushed against his face, but he barely registered it. His thoughts were miles away, focused on something deeper that he wouldn't allow himself to acknowledge.

Even from here, he could see them—the academy students, now surrounded by their families, laughing, embracing, alive.

His gaze flickered toward the Fire Daimyō, still holding onto Riko as if afraid she might disappear. Toward Sakuto, reunited with his parents, Kakashi and Yūgao, ruffling through their son's hair. Kaito, standing beside his grandmother, his expression unreadable, but something in his posture had changed. And finally, Konohamaru, standing before Hiruzen, his back straight, his eyes determined.

His sharp blue eyes lingered on Sasuke, who was standing with Karin and Kaori.

Naruto watched it all, expression unreadable.

Inside his mind, Kurama stirred.

"You know," Kurama's voice rumbled in his mind, sharp as ever, "if you really didn't need anyone, you wouldn't go out of your way to keep them in your orbit. You wouldn't have done what you did today."

Naruto's smirk flickered, but he didn't look away from the village. "What are you talking about?"

"You know exactly what I mean. You're acting like you don't care about any of them, but if that were true, you would've let them take all the credit. But you didn't. You kept your distance, sure, but you didn't let them take your place. If you didn't need them—if you really didn't care—you would've stayed out of the spotlight. But you didn't."

Naruto said nothing at first. Kurama's words hit closer than he was willing to admit, but he wasn't about to let it show.

After a long pause, Naruto finally let out a short, amused laugh.

"The Konoha Council would've had my head if I stayed. You really think I've got time for those old fools? They can't even agree on which way the wind blows."

Kurama snorted in response. "Then why not let them all flounder? If you don't need anyone, what's it matter?"

Naruto turned his head slightly, gazing out over the village again. "Because they're just kids. And I've been through that—hell, I am that." His voice dropped slightly, softer than before, and it carried a weight that wasn't lost on Kurama.

"Hmm... so that's it, huh?" Kurama muttered, though there was a flicker of something deeper in his tone that Naruto missed. "You've got a soft spot for them after all."

Naruto chuckled, though it was hollow. "I wouldn't call it a soft spot. They just need a little nudge. They'll figure it out. I'm just making sure they don't mess up. They've got a lot of potential but I don't have time to babysit." His eyes hardened again, quickly reverting to his usual guarded self.

Kurama was silent for a moment, sensing the conflict in Naruto's heart. "Don't think I don't know what you're doing, brat. But don't kid yourself. You keep saying you're fine alone, but that's just your way of hiding from the truth."

Naruto didn't respond right away, instead staring down at the village lights flickering in the distance. He didn't want to hear it, didn't want to think about it. Not now. Not yet.

The silence stretched between them, until Naruto broke it with his usual nonchalant tone. "I don't need anyone. I've got enough on my plate already."

"Liar."

Naruto ignored the jibe and pushed off the Monument, jumping to his feet with a fluid motion. "I've got work to do." His voice was sharp again, masking whatever vulnerability had seeped through before. "I'm not gonna stand around here all night."

Kurama's chuckle rumbled low. "Yeah, keep running, brat."

Naruto didn't respond, but his gaze lingered for just a second longer on the village. For a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to wonder if he might actually want more than the solitude he'd convinced himself he needed.

But he turned away before he could let those thoughts take root, heading into the night, his mind firmly back on the path he had carved out for himself—one that didn't have room for attachments. Not now.

Naruto exhaled deeply, then pushed his shades back over his eyes.

"Well, that's enough sentimentality for one night," he muttered, hopping to his feet. He stretched his arms over his head, grinning to himself. "Time for some Ichiraku Ramen."

And just like that—he was gone.

HOURS LATER – KONOHA

The streets of Konoha were alive, even as the night deepened. Lanterns lined the roads, casting warm golden hues across the bustling marketplace. Civilians whispered about the academy attack, retelling exaggerated versions of what had happened, while vendors continued their late-night routines.

At the center of it all, the newly promoted genin had regrouped.

Sasuke, Karin, Shikamaru, Ino, Kiba, Choji, and Shino stood together, each donning their new hitai-ate.

Shikamaru groaned, rolling his stiff shoulders. "Man… sitting through that stupid council meeting was the worst."

"I know, right?" Kiba scoffed. "They spent, like, half an hour just arguing about who to blame. I swear, one of the old geezers fell asleep."

Choji sighed dramatically. "I say we celebrate. Barbecue—on me."

Shikamaru exhaled through his nose. "Too much effort."

Karin rubbed her temples. "I'm too tired to even argue with you."

Kiba smirked. "For once."

Choji looked betrayed. "Fine. Ramen?"

No one objected.

As they made their way toward Ichiraku Ramen, Karin suddenly glanced around. "Wait—where's Hinata?"

Sasuke, walking beside her, shrugged. "Her father took her back to the compound. She couldn't join us."

Karin huffed. "Figures."

Finally, turning the corner, they reached Ichiraku Ramen—only to freeze.

There, already seated, chopsticks in hand, casually chatting with Ayame—was Naruto.

His snow-white hair fell messily around his face, his ever-present dark shades pushed up onto his forehead. He sat slouched against the counter, looking completely at ease, like he hadn't just ditched them earlier that day.

He looked up as they arrived, pausing mid-slurp. His sharp blue eyes flickered between them.

"…You guys look like crap."

For a moment, silence.

Then—

"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?!"

Karin exploded, stomping forward. Her red eyes flared in outrage. "Do you have ANY idea what we just went through?! We got interrogated by the COUNCIL! For HOURS! And you—" she gestured wildly at him, "—you're just here stuffing your face?!"

Naruto blinked, looking genuinely perplexed. "Council meeting? What are you guys talking about?" He tilted his head. "Where have you been?"

Karin twitched. "Wha—wha—"

Shikamaru groaned, already rubbing his forehead. "I hate this guy."

Before Karin could launch herself at Naruto, Sasuke's arm shot out, grabbing her by the collar.

"Calm down," he muttered.

Karin gawked at him. "Sasuke, don't you DARE defend him—"

Sasuke ignored her, turning to Naruto. "Where have you been?"

Naruto grinned. "Oh, you know." He reached into his pocket and casually pulled out a freshly tied hitai-ate, dangling it between two fingers.

"…Getting this."

Silence.

Then—

"YOU GOT PROMOTED?!"

Ino, Kiba, Choji, and even Karin all exploded in outrage.

"You were LAZING AROUND the WHOLE TIME!"

"How the HELL did YOU get promoted before US?!"

"THAT'S NOT FAIR!"

"You WEREN'T EVEN AT THE MEETING!"

Naruto simply grinned, waggling the hitai-ate in front of them. "The old man gave me this a couple of weeks ago."

Kiba looked ready to start barking.

Karin sputtered. "You—you—UGH!"

Shikamaru, Sasuke, and Shino, meanwhile, just watched the chaos unfold.

Sasuke sighed. "This is stupid."

Shikamaru shook his head. "Troublesome."

Shino simply adjusted his glasses. "Expected."

Naruto, still smirking, turned back to Ayame. "Another bowl, please."

Ayame, looking mildly amused, nodded.

The group begrudgingly sat down, still fuming. The night stretched on, filled with exhausted laughter, retellings of battle, and the occasional outburst from Karin.

Ichiraku Ramen became just another light in the vast, bustling village—and the group's bickering echoed into the night.

SHIMO NO KUMI (THE LAND OF FROST)

Snow fell relentlessly, blanketing the forgotten fortress nestled in the Land of Frost. The cold, desolate landscape mirrored the isolation of the place. In the chamber of a decaying fortress, a figure sat motionless, his back to the frost-rimed window beyond which the world seemed to vanish into endless white.

A shadow emerged from the darkness, kneeling without a sound. The masked figure, wearing a featureless bear mask, bowed low. "My lord, the Kirigakure shinobi have failed to capture the Daimyō's daughter."

The seated figure exhaled slowly, his breath visible in the frigid air. Bandages wrapped tightly around his forehead and eye, the remnants of battles long past.

"Pathetic," he muttered, his voice sharp with contempt. "They couldn't even handle a simple task."

The kneeling figure remained silent, waiting for further instruction.

"You are dismissed."

The shadowed figure vanished instantly, leaving the room in eerie stillness. But it was not long before a slithering presence filled the chamber—smooth, like poisoned silk.

"That Uzumaki boy..." the voice purred, as if testing the air. "He interests me. That kekkei genkai of his... Could he be the perfect vessel instead of the Uchiha? ~So many possibilities~."

The figure at the desk did not turn. He did not flinch, and his tone was chillingly calm. "Forget not our arrangement, Orochimaru. The Kyūbi's container is mine."

A low chuckle reverberated from the darkness, and a pair of golden, slit-pupiled eyes glimmered momentarily before disappearing into the shadows.

Orochimaru's amused chuckle filled the space like a venomous mist. "Ah, Danzō, my dear old friend... You don't need to remind me of our little... arrangement. Don't think I've forgotten."

Danzō's gaze hardened as the voice continued to swirl around him.

The air in the chamber grew colder.

"You should be grateful," Orochimaru's voice softened, dripping with menace. "Without me, you'd be nothing. A fading relic, your ambitions buried with you. After all, I've given your men my Curse Mark. Strength. Power. And yet you've failed at every step."

Danzo's teeth clenched. His patience was wearing thin, but he spoke with icy resolve. "Do not worry about me. Worry about your friends in Kirigakure. They have failed to capture the Daimyō's daughter."

Orochimaru's voice lingered, sly and sharp. "Ah, yes... though it seems that our operatives in Kirigakure are experiencing issues. The civil war there is... complicating things. It seems some of them are finding themselves in unexpected positions. I trust you can make use of the situation?"

His tone was almost playful, but full of venom.

Danzo's fingers tightened around the armrest. "I'll handle it. You worry about your part of the plan."

A low hiss echoed from the darkness, as if Orochimaru were amused. "I always do, Danzo. But you must be prepared for the unexpected. Some pieces on the board are moving of their own accord now."

The room grew cold again, and Orochimaru's voice softened. "As for the Uzumaki… I will deal with his Infinity but I need time."

A pale serpent, sleek and white, uncoiled from the shadows, slithering across the cold floor toward the chamber's exit. The light caught its gleaming, unblinking eyes before it vanished into the darkness.

Danzo sat motionless, watching the last tendrils of Orochimaru's presence recede into the void.

His hands slowly clenched into tight fists. He despised his dependence on Orochimaru, but it would serve his ultimate goal. Soon, Konoha would burn, and Sarutobi would die.

And this old war hawk would spread his wings once more and take flight.

/END OF CHAPTER/

These chapters seem so wordy… I'm going to increase the pacing as there seems to be so much unnecessary filler. It's making these chapters much harder to write especially since I'm trying something new. Leave any criticism, don't worry about hurting my feelings. This is the internet, and I don't know you nor do you know me. The ending is extremely rushed but here is an extra moment:

EPILOGUE – HATAKE RESIDENCE

The Hatake residence was unusually lively that evening. The dining table was filled with various dishes, and the room buzzed with conversation.

Kakashi sat at the head of the table, his usual lazy demeanor replaced with a rare attentiveness. Beside him, Yugao listened intently, her violet eyes sharp. Across from them, Sakuto recounted the events of the day, his expression a mix of frustration and awe.

"And then Naruto just... appeared out of nowhere," Sakuto said, shaking his head. "He's so arrogant and selfish, but he still decided to save us. I think he's borderline insane."

Kakashi leaned back, absorbing the information. He had been listening to his son for a while now, reflecting on the boy he once knew. He's going to be a handful. I need to speak with Lord Third and ask him some more questions, he thought to himself.

He was taken out of his thoughts when a four-year-old girl came from out the door, headed straight towards them. She wore a black dress with red flowers on it. She had brown eyes similar to her brother's, but her hair was short silvery white that extended slightly past her neck. However, there were streaks of violet scattered across her head.

Maki giggled as she approached the table. "He sounds funny!"

Yugao smiled warmly, lifting Maki into her lap. "He does, doesn't he?"

Sakuto rolled his eyes. "Funny isn't the word I'd use. But he did give me this cool scroll." He pulled out the scroll Naruto had given him, holding it up for everyone to see.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow, skeptical of the 'gift'. "A scroll, huh? Let's see what this is."

As soon as he unrolled it, water began gushing out of the scroll, flooding the living room in seconds. Maki squealed in delight, clapping her hands as the water splashed against the walls and furniture.

"Sakuto!" Yūgao snapped, standing up as she tried stop the flood. "What did you do?!"

Sakuto's eyes widened in panic. "I didn't know! Naruto gave it to me! I thought it was something cool!"

Yugao shook her, trying to keep the water from soaking the furniture. "Kakashi, are you alright?"

"Well… it's certainly a surprise Kakashi, now drenched head to toe, held up the now-empty scroll, his eye twitching. "I need a towel."

Meanwhile, Naruto strolled through the moonlit streets, hands stuffed into his pockets, and a wide grin on his face. His snow-white hair gleamed under the moonlight, and his dark shades reflected the flickering lantern light.

"I love it when a plan comes together," he muttered to himself, the sound of his laughter echoing through the streets, drawing confused glances from villagers.

Naruto didn't care. He just kept walking, his laughter fading into the night.