The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the battlefield. Sasuke adjusted his headband, feeling the familiar weight of his katana at his side. The 35th Light Brigade was positioned along the enemy's flanks, ready to exploit the weaknesses in the combined enemy force of Kumo, Iwa, and Kiri. The night air was charged with tension, a quiet before the storm.

Shisui stood beside him, his expression hidden but his presence reassuring. As the moon began to rise, casting an eerie glow over the landscape, Shisui gave a silent signal. It was time to move.

With practiced stealth, the group advanced. The enemy soldiers, unaware of the impending assault, continued their routine patrols.

Sasuke and Shisui moved like shadows, slipping past sentries and weaving through the underbrush. Their mission was clear: disrupt the enemy's formation and draw their attention, creating chaos that the main forces of Konoha and Suna could exploit.

Sasuke's Sharingan activated, its crimson glow piercing the darkness. He could see the flow of chakra within the enemy soldiers, their every movement slowed to his enhanced perception. Ahead, a group of Kumo shinobi huddled around a campfire, their voices low and casual.

With a swift hand sign, Sasuke unleashed a burst of fire. The fireball roared through the night, crashing into the enemy camp and sending flames and debris flying. Shouts of alarm echoed as the enemy scrambled to respond.

"Attack!" Shisui's voice rang out, and the 35th Light Brigade descended upon the chaos.

Sasuke moved with lethal precision, his katana flashing in the firelight. He cut down one enemy after another, his Sharingan predicting and countering every move.

Shisui was a blur, his Body Flicker Technique making him appear in multiple places at once. The enemy soldiers, caught off guard and disoriented, fell quickly under the relentless assault.

An Iwa shinobi lunged at Sasuke, his kunai aimed for the Uchiha's throat. Sasuke sidestepped smoothly, his katana slicing through the air and striking his opponent down.

He barely had time to recover before another enemy charged, this one wielding a massive club.

Sasuke ducked under the swing, his blade cutting a deep gash in the shinobi's side. Blood sprayed, and the enemy crumpled to the ground.

Around him, the 35th Light Brigade fought with ruthless efficiency, their training and coordination evident in every move.

Shisui reappeared beside Sasuke, his eyes blazing with determination. "Keep pushing forward! We need to reach their command post!"

Sasuke nodded, his breath coming in short, controlled bursts. They pressed on, cutting a path through the enemy ranks.

The sounds of battle surrounded them – the clash of steel, the roar of jutsu, the cries of the wounded and dying.

Ahead, a group of Kiri shinobi formed a defensive line, their hands moving through rapid sequences of hand signs.

Water surged from the ground, forming into a towering wave that crashed towards the brigade.

[Fire Style: Fireball jutsu]

Sasuke screeched to a stop, launching another fireball at the incoming wave. The two elements clashed, steam hissing as fire met water. The explosion of steam provided cover, and Shisui took advantage, darting forward and engaging the enemy line.

Sasuke followed, his Sharingan picking out the gaps in their defenses. He moved with the fluidity of a predator, his katana slicing through the mist and finding its mark. The Kiri shinobi fell back, their formation breaking under the relentless assault.

As the steam cleared, Sasuke spotted the enemy command post ahead. A group of Iwa and Kumo shinobi were clustered around a map, shouting orders and trying to regroup their forces.

With a grim smile, Sasuke signaled to Shisui.

"Now!"

Shisui vanished, reappearing in the midst of the enemy command. His blade flashed, and the enemy commanders fell in quick succession. Panic spread through the remaining soldiers, their leadership decimated in an instant.

With the support of his allies, Sasuke pressed the attack, his movements a blur of speed and precision.

He cut through the enemy ranks, his katana moving almost of its own accord. The enemy soldiers, leaderless and demoralized, began to falter.

"Retreat!" one of the Kumo shinobi shouted, but it was too late. The 35th Light Brigade had achieved their objective, driving the enemy into a full retreat. The battlefield was littered with the bodies of the fallen, the air heavy with the scent of blood and smoke.

Shisui rejoined Sasuke, his expression bearing a semblance of pride. "We've done it. Now we hold this position and wait for the main forces."

Sasuke nodded, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He sheathed his katana, surveying the battlefield. The enemy was in disarray, their flanks exposed and vulnerable. The main forces of Konoha and Suna would move in soon, exploiting the chaos the brigade had created.

As the first light of dawn began to break, the 35th Light Brigade took up defensive positions. They had won the battle, but the war was far from over. Sasuke's mind drifted briefly to Sakura, wondering where his friend was and if she was safe. But there was no time for distraction. The fight would continue, and he would be ready.

Naruto leaned against the cold iron bars of his cell, watching Bee as he sat cross-legged on the floor outside. The older jinchuriki looked relaxed, a stark contrast to the unease that constantly brewed within Naruto. The dim light of the cell cast soft shadows on the walls, making the two look like they were part of some surreal painting.

Bee held up a bracelet, its jeweled surface catching the scarce light. "What do you think of this, little man?" he asked, his grin broad.

Naruto tilted his head, trying to get a better look at the accessory. "I can't see it from here. Mind giving me a closer look?"

Bee nodded and handed the bracelet through the bars. Naruto took it gently, examining the intricate design and the carefully arranged gems. After a few moments, he passed it back. "It's pretty."

Bee's grin widened. "Knew it! Got it from a top-notch store, didn't I?"

Naruto rolled his eyes at Bee's cockiness. "Why are you showing it off, anyway? You don't usually flaunt this kind of stuff."

Bee chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "It's for Yugito. Her birthday's coming up, so I thought I'd get her something special."

Naruto's expression soured at the mention of her name, though he tried to keep it subtle. "You and Yugito must be awfully friendly if you're getting her something like this."

Bee's face softened, his eyes warm. "You could say that."

Naruto leaned back, slightly surprised. "It's a good gift, Bee. You're a good friend."

Bee let out a hearty laugh. "Friend? Nah, little man, we're more than that."

Naruto blinked, confused. "More than that?"

Bee looked at Naruto, puzzled, before realization dawned on him. "You mean you don't know?" he asked, shock lacing his voice. "Me and Yugito are a couple, bro."

Naruto's confusion deepened. "A couple?"

Bee laughed harder, clutching his stomach. "What did they teach you in Konoha if you don't know what a couple is? Man, you've been living under a rock!"

Naruto frowned, thinking. "Wait… you mean, like, a romantic couple?"

Bee snapped his fingers, nodding enthusiastically. "Exactly! Me and Yugito, we're in love, y'know?"

Naruto's eyes widened slightly as the pieces fell into place. "Seriously? I never knew. You guys seem to argue so much, though."

Bee shrugged, still smiling. "It's part of the experience, man. Being in a relationship isn't all sunshine and rainbows. You gotta take the good with the bad. Didn't you have someone back home you were close to like that?"

Naruto looked away, his chest tightening slightly. "I've been stuck here for years, Bee," he muttered.

Bee's face fell. "Ah, right… sorry, man. That was thoughtless of me."

Naruto waved it off, but his thoughts drifted to Hinata. He mumbled quietly, almost to himself, "There's no one."

Bee studied him for a moment, then pocketed the bracelet, a dreamy smile spreading across his face. "One day, you'll find someone, little man. You'll fall head over heels and finally get what I'm talking about. Love makes you do crazy things, but it's worth it."

Naruto let out a small laugh, glancing around at his cell. "I just hope I'm out of here by then. Otherwise, I might need to start practicing on my clone."

Standing up with a light laugh, Bee stretched his arms over his head. "I'm gonna go wait for Yugito, give her this gift. See ya around, little man."

Naruto nodded as Bee walked away, his footsteps echoing in the corridor. As soon as he was alone again, Naruto's mind wandered back to Hinata. The memory of that fleeting moment when he thought he'd heard her voice during the failed Anbu rescue flickered in his mind like a candle's flame.

He leaned back against the cold wall, closing his eyes. Hinata… he wondered how she was holding up, if she even remembered him after all this time. A soft smile touched his lips as he recalled her gentle smile, the shy way she'd looked at him, even when everyone else had been afraid.

His mind went back to what Bee had said about love. Could he and Hinata have been close like that if he'd never been taken? Would she have stayed by his side, like Bee and Yugito did for each other? The thought warmed his heart, and he felt a deep longing for freedom, a longing to see her again.

Maybe it wasn't too late.

For the first time in what felt like forever, a genuine smile crossed Naruto's face. He whispered a silent promise to himself, holding onto Hinata's memory like a lifeline. He would see her again. He would fight, endure, and survive, all for that chance.

He clenched his fists, the resolve in his heart hardening. Until then, he'd hold onto the hope of a future where he could be free, where he could find out if those feelings were real. With that thought, he closed his eyes, still smiling.

Someday, he promised himself. Someday.

Naruto lay in his cell, deep in sleep, his breathing slow and even. The cold stone floor was unforgiving, but after years of captivity, he had grown used to it. Dreams of Konoha flitted in and out of his mind—familiar faces, warm sunlight, and freedom just beyond his reach.

Suddenly, a sharp *thunk* rang through the cell as a kunai embedded itself into the wall near his head, jerking Naruto awake. His eyes shot open, still groggy, his body stiff from the cold. Instinctively, his hand reached for where a weapon would have been, but he had none. His eyes darted to the source of the sound.

"Who—?"

"Shh."

Naruto's heart skipped a beat at the familiar voice. His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked up to see a man standing right next to him, golden hair and a long white cloak with flames etched on the bottom.

"Dad...?" Naruto whispered, his voice barely audible.

Minato raised a hand to silence him, his expression calm but focused. "I'm here to take you home."

Before Naruto could react, Minato grabbed his hand. In an instant, the cell walls, the cold floor, and the shadows of Kumo vanished, replaced by the familiar warmth and light of the Hokage's office. Naruto blinked, disoriented, still feeling like it was some sort of dream. He stood, frozen, unable to believe what had just happened.

Minato released his grip and stepped back, giving Naruto space. "You're back in Konoha, son," he said gently.

Naruto's breath hitched. His eyes flickered around the room, still in shock. "How…? How did you find me? How did you get me out?"

Minato smiled softly, relieved to see his son in one piece. "We had a plan in place. One of the Anbu agents left a marked object inside the holding facility in Kumo. It was a backup, a Plan B in case the first rescue attempt failed."

Naruto shook his head, still trying to process it all. "Plan B? But how did you know when to—"

"We had to time it perfectly," Minato interrupted. "I infiltrated the holding facility when we knew security would be light. I was worried they might have barriers in place to disrupt my teleportation jutsu, but luckily, there were none. I was able to get to you without any issues."

Naruto looked down at his hands, still feeling the rush of being teleported across nations in a split second. He was back. He was really back. "I can't believe it…" he muttered.

Minato stepped closer, his eyes scanning over Naruto with concern. "You look terrible, Naruto. You've lost weight." His voice darkened, an edge of anger creeping in. "The Raikage had no right to treat you like this."

Naruto winced slightly, realizing just how bad he probably looked. He had gotten so used to the way he felt that he hadn't noticed how much he had deteriorated. His voice was shaky when he finally managed, "Thank you… Dad. For getting me out."

Minato's expression softened as he placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "You're home now, Naruto. You've been through so much... more than I could ever imagine. You stayed strong through it all."

Naruto's heart pounded in his chest, the weight of everything crashing down on him all at once. The loneliness, the fear, the uncertainty—all of it had been bottled up for so long. He stared at Minato, blinking rapidly, struggling to keep his emotions in check.

Minato's voice was warm, filled with pride. "I'm proud of you, Naruto."

At those words, something inside Naruto broke. Without thinking, he threw himself forward, wrapping his arms tightly around Minato. He buried his face into his father's shoulder, his whole body trembling as he fought to keep the tears at bay. He had been alone for so long, and now, suddenly, he wasn't.

Minato tensed for a moment, surprised by the sudden embrace, but then he slowly wrapped his arms around Naruto, holding him close. "It's okay," he whispered. "You're safe now. You're home."

Naruto didn't say anything, just held on tighter, as if letting go would mean losing everything all over again. His chest heaved, but he refused to let himself cry, not here, not now. But the feeling of warmth and safety—of being home—was overwhelming.

For the first time in years, Naruto felt at peace. Minato continued to hold him, not rushing him, just letting him stay in that moment.

"Home," Naruto whispered, almost to himself, as if saying the word would make it all real.

Minato gave a gentle nod, his voice steady and full of reassurance. "Yes. Home."

Naruto closed his eyes, still holding onto his father. He didn't know what came next—what challenges awaited him or how long it would take to fully recover—but for now, being here, in his father's arms, was enough.