Chapter 8

"I will be Hokage! I swear I will bring peace to the Village Hidden in the Rain!"

A memory of his youth. A promise once made to a defeated Nagato.

"I failed that too..." Naruto murmured.

He had done everything he could during his time as Hokage, carrying the weight of the title passed down to him by Kakashi. Yet, despite his efforts, the Village Hidden in the Rain rejected Konoha's aid, their officials shutting them out. He hadn't realized back then—Kara had already taken root. The best he could do was offer sanctuary to the refugees who fled.

Then came the memory of his adopted son's vow.

"I will eliminate all Otsutsuki."

Naruto lowered his gaze, his hands resting over his gut where the Modified Double Tetragram Seal lay. The battle before his imprisonment had drained it, forcing his body's adaptation to halt. The moment he was sealed inside the Stygian Lacrima, time itself seemed to stop for him.

"Maybe Kawaki was right..."

But then, a different voice echoed in his mind—Boruto. His son. His unwavering will.

"No."

He clenched his fists. That was foolish of him.

Naruto closed his eyes, focusing inward.

Inside his mindscape, where Kurama once resided, he recalled his fleeting glimpse into a new power. Faux Baryon Mode. He had barely scratched its potential during his epiphany on his 21st day in this world. Back then, it had lasted for only three seconds—three seconds of absolute, overwhelming existence. Unlike the original Baryon Mode, which burned like a supernova, this was different.

It wasn't just power.

It was a state of being.

For that brief moment, he had felt as if he were one with the universe itself. His eyes—not golden—but the boundless blue sky. A sky so vast it concealed the starry expanse within, capable of perceiving everything down to its smallest, most microscopic detail.

"I don't need three seconds."

"I don't even need one."

The resources he had gathered over these past months were immense. If he unleashed Faux Baryon Mode in its unfinished state, he would have to backpedal immediately—but he only needed a fraction of a second.

Not even a second.

In that instant, the orange markings of Sage Mode faded. His golden toad-like eyes were replaced by clear, glowing blue. It almost seemed as though he had reverted to his normal state—but these were not ordinary eyes.

They were the blue sky itself.

Faux Baryon Mode.

And just like he expected he didn't even need a fraction of a second.

The seal that bound him shattered, overridden in an instant. A power he had not anticipated, a possibility beyond what he imagined.

His glowing blue eyes dimmed, shifting back to the familiar golden hue of Sage Mode.

"Naruto."

Two voices called out to him.

His mother and father.

"Mom... Dad?" Naruto whispered, stunned.

Then, another voice—a new, familiar one.

"Naruto!"

"Naruto! Naruto, wake up!" Wendy cried, shaking him desperately. The blonde's body was burning up, his skin slick with sweat as he lay motionless on the ground. His breath was ragged, shallow—his entire body trembling from the sheer force of whatever was happening inside him.

Wendy clenched her teeth, placing her hands over his chest. A soft blue glow enveloped her palms as she poured her healing magic into him. "Healing magic: Troia!" she chanted, hoping to ease his suffering. But the moment her magic seeped into him, a harsh resistance pushed back against her, repelling her spell.

Her heart sank. It's not working!

"Why isn't it working?! Come on, please…!" she pleaded, pressing her hands harder against him. She could heal wounds, exhaustion, even certain ailments, but this—this was something different. The fever wasn't just from fatigue. It was something deeper, something internal—his very body was struggling against itself.

I can't leave him like this!

Gritting her teeth, Wendy fought back the panic clawing at her chest. She had to move. If she couldn't heal him, she could at least get him to safety.

She crouched down, wrapping Naruto's arm around her shoulders. Though his body felt impossibly heavy, she refused to let that stop her. With a deep breath, she stood, lifting him with all the strength her small frame could muster. Immediately, his weight threatened to topple her, but she planted her feet and pushed forward.

"I won't let you die here!" Wendy gasped, her legs burning as she forced herself into a sprint.

She knew where she had to go—back to where she first got separated from Carla in Worth Woodsea. If she could just reach that spot, maybe she could find help. Maybe Carla was still there, waiting for her.

Please, just hold on, Naruto!

With the wind whipping against her face, Wendy ran, her desperation outweighing her exhaustion. Every step felt like a battle, but she refused to stop.

Because Naruto needed her. And she wouldn't let him down.

Wendy's heart pounded against her ribs as she sprinted through Worth Woodsea, Naruto's unconscious form draped over her back. His fever raged hotter than before, his breathing ragged, his body trembling as it struggled to realign itself after absorbing too much ethernano.

"Just hang on, Naruto," she whispered, tightening her grip around his legs as she pushed her weary body to go faster. She had tried everything—every healing spell, every technique—but the fever ran too deep. It wasn't just a wound or an ailment; it was something beyond her reach. All she could do now was get him to safety.

The ground quaked beneath her feet. Magic bursts rippled through the air, pressing against her senses. She counted at least five different sources of battle. The air was thick with clashing energy, and despite the chaos, a familiar scent caught her attention. Carla. Wendy's exhausted eyes sharpened, her pulse quickening with renewed urgency.

Carla was in danger.

Carla, in her human form, crouched low as a chunk of earth came crashing down where she had stood mere moments ago. Hoteye's signature magic rippled through the battlefield, the very ground bending to his will. She exhaled sharply, her golden eyes locked onto her opponent. The battle had dragged on for too long, and fatigue clawed at her limbs. Still, she refused to give in.

Hoteye chuckled, his usual carefree demeanor now laced with something sharper, more focused. "You're persistent, I'll give you that. Not bad for a—bipedal cat. Didn't think your type could fight like this."

Carla wiped a trickle of blood from her lip, rolling her shoulders loose despite the exhaustion. Her hands flexed, relaxed, and then curled again—light, ready. "Yeah? Well, I didn't think a member of Oración Seis would be struggling so much against a 'mere cat.'"

Hoteye's grin twitched. "Struggling? You're amusing. But let's see how much longer you can run."

He stomped the ground, and a tidal wave of earth surged toward her. Carla didn't just dodge—she slipped through the attack, her body weaving like flowing water. As stone pillars erupted to trap her, she pivoted mid-air, twisting impossibly fast and landing softly atop one of the jagged formations. Her golden eyes never left Hoteye.

Naruto's training had honed her into something sharper than just quick reflexes. She was movement itself—controlled, calculated, untouchable.

Before Hoteye could react, she launched herself forward, closing the gap in a blink. He swung at her—a wide, powerful strike—but she wasn't there. A flicker of white darted past his vision, then—impact.

A sharp, precise strike landed against his ribs, not with brute force but with pinpoint accuracy. Hoteye staggered, his breath hitching from the unexpected pain.

"Tch..." He rubbed his side, his amusement waning. "That's annoying."

The ground beneath Carla trembled. She felt the shift before it happened and moved before the attack could form. As stone spires shot upward, she twisted through them, using the debris to rebound into a rapid counterattack. Her movements were unpredictable, erratic—but not wild. Every step, every dodge, every strike was intentional.

Hoteye growled as another strike connected—this time to his shoulder. His arm numbed for a moment, his reaction slower than before. He was powerful, relentless, but Carla was wearing him down, chipping away at his foundation with every well-placed blow.

He roared, forcing the battlefield to convulse beneath them. Carla felt the next attack before it even came. But this time, her body was a fraction too slow.

The ground exploded beneath her.

A column of earth struck her side, launching her across the battlefield. She hit the dirt hard, rolling, coughing as pain flared through her ribs. Her vision blurred for a second—just a second, but it was enough.

Hoteye loomed over her, raising his hand. The earth trembled in response. "You fought well," he admitted. "But this is where it ends."

Carla grit her teeth, trying to move, but her body was sluggish, the impact slowing her down just enough. She was too slow—

A blur of blue streaked across the battlefield.

Hoteye's eyes widened as a gust of wind slammed into him, forcing him to retreat a few steps. Before he could react, Carla was gone, whisked away from danger.

Wendy skidded to a halt a few meters away, lowering Carla gently to the ground next to Naruto, who remained feverish and still.

"Wendy...?" Carla's voice was faint, her vision blurred as she stared up at her friend. "But you were... taken..."

"No time for that now." Wendy placed a hand on Carla's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You've done enough. Rest. I'll handle this."

Carla tried to protest, but exhaustion overtook her, and her consciousness faded.

Wendy straightened, turning to face Hoteye. Her breath was labored, her limbs screamed in protest, and she knew she was running low on magic. But none of that mattered. She wasn't going to let him hurt anyone else.

Hoteye narrowed his eyes as he studied Wendy, his expression shifting from surprise to suspicion. "You…?" His voice carried genuine bewilderment. "H-how did you escape?" He took a step forward, his tone darkening. "What about Jellal?! Our Master had you in his grasp. There's no way you should be standing here right now."

Wendy remained silent, her breath steady despite her exhaustion. The weight of Naruto on her back had slowed her, and her magic reserves were dangerously low, but she refused to show weakness.

Hoteye clicked his tongue, irritation flashing across his face. "Hmph. No matter." His lips curled into a smirk. "I'll just take you back myself." He rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck. "You're more valuable than you thought, little girl. Master Brain will be pleased to have you returned."

Wendy did not bother, she was aware of what was her purpose to them, she kept her mouth The ground beneath Wendy trembled as Hoteye flexed his fingers, preparing to strike. Despite the fatigue pulling at her limbs, she took a deliberate step forward. Her stance shifted, her feet planting firmly into the ground in a way that felt different from before—more disciplined, more precise. She raised her arms, palms open, fingers slightly curled as she positioned herself into the stance Naruto had drilled into her: the Gentle Fist.

Hoteye raised an eyebrow at the change. "Oh? That's new. But it won't make a difference."

Wendy panted heavily, her chest rising and falling as she stared down her opponent. Her legs trembled slightly, exhaustion creeping into every fiber of her being. She had maybe 40% of her magic left—barely enough to keep fighting—but Hoteye looked worse for wear too. Carla had pushed him to his limits, proving just how much stronger she had become. But even so, Wendy knew she was at a disadvantage.

Her hands clenched into fists before opening again, fingers loose but controlled. She had to win. Not just for herself, but for Carla, for Naruto, for everyone.

Flashback - Training with Naruto

The forest clearing echoed with the rhythmic shuffle of feet against dirt, the sound of breathless exertion, and the occasional sharp crack of impact. Wendy and Carla, both in their human forms, circled each other, sweat glistening on their skin as they traded strikes.

Naruto stood a few feet away, hands in his pockets, watching with an intensity that felt almost unnatural compared to his usual goofy demeanor. His sharp blue eyes tracked every movement, every shift in weight, every wasted motion.

"Alright, cut it." His voice was firm, cutting through the tension.

Wendy lowered her arms, gasping for breath. "What… what is it?"

Carla rolled her shoulders, shaking out her wrists. "We were getting into a rhythm."

Naruto exhaled, stepping forward. "Yeah, and that's the problem. You're too reactive, moving on instinct without a structure. That works against someone sloppy, but against a real fighter? Instinct alone gets you put down."

Carla's ears twitched as she frowned. "So what, we're supposed to ignore our instincts?"

Naruto grinned, shaking his head. "Nah, you're supposed to refine them." He raised a finger, pointing first at Wendy. "You fight like you're second-guessing yourself. You hesitate. You rely on dodging when you could end the fight in one clean move."

Wendy's brows furrowed. "But I'm not as strong as you."

Naruto tapped his temple. "It's not about strength. It's about placement. Efficiency." He shifted into a stance, feet light, fingers slightly curled—loose, controlled, precise. "You? You're gonna learn how to hit where it actually matters. Not just swinging wildly, but striking with intent. A well-placed hit is way deadlier than a strong one."

He then turned to Carla, his stance shifting. His body swayed slightly, light on his feet, his movements fluid. "And you, Carla—you rely too much on speed without direction. You move fast, but you don't move smart. You burn energy when you should be controlling the fight."

Carla's tail flicked behind her as she narrowed her eyes. "Hmph. And what, you're gonna make me fight like you?"

Naruto smirked. "Nope. I'm gonna make you fight like you, just better." He suddenly burst forward, too fast to track. Carla tensed, raising her arms—only for Naruto to sidestep at the last second, twisting around her like a ghost. Before she could react, his knuckle lightly tapped the back of her knee, and she staggered forward.

She barely caught herself before hitting the ground, glaring at him. "What the hell was that?"

Naruto grinned. "That? That was movement with a purpose. You don't just dodge—you counter, you redirect, you flow. You've got cat-like reflexes, right? Then move like a damn cat. Not just fast, but unpredictable. Use your surroundings, your agility. Be somewhere they don't expect you to be."

Carla's glare softened, a thoughtful look replacing it.

Wendy swallowed, staring at her own hands. "And me?"

Naruto stepped up to her, raising a single finger. "For you, it's all about control." Without warning, he lightly tapped a spot on her shoulder. A strange sensation rippled through her body, locking her limbs for a brief second before she regained control.

She gasped. "What—what was that?"

Naruto stepped back, folding his arms. "That? That was what happens when you hit the right place with the right amount of force. No wasted energy, no wild swings. Just precision." His gaze flicked between the two. "Carla, you're gonna master movement. Wendy, you're gonna master impact. Once you do? You'll be fighting on a whole different level."

Carla cracked her knuckles. "Alright, then. Show us."

Wendy nodded, determination replacing her earlier doubt.

Naruto's grin widened. "That's the spirit."

And with that, their training truly began. Wendy learned to strike with surgical accuracy, weaving her Sky Dragon Slayer magic into her newfound precision. Carla refined her movement, transforming her speed into something untouchable, a blur of relentless counters and unpredictable strikes.

By the time the sun dipped below the trees, they weren't just learning a new way to fight.

They were becoming so much more.

Back to the Present

Wendy steadied her breath, Hoteye's looming form standing before her. Her exhaustion was real, but so was her resolve.

Hoteye, still catching his breath, narrowed his eyes. "Her stance, her form… she's different from the cat?"

She exhaled, shifting her stance, her fingers curling into a refined, precise form—Gentle Fist.

Wendy's sapphire eyes burned with determination. "I'm going to use all that I've learned."

Hoteye scowled but smirked a little. "You think a change in stance will save you? You're running on fumes, little girl."

He stomped the ground, and another wave of Lacrima-imbued tremors erupted toward Wendy. The earth beneath her cracked and surged as Hoteye's magic distorted the terrain.

Rotation.

Sky Dragon's Dome!

Wendy pivoted on her heel, her arms spreading out as she channeled the force of the wind around her. A whirlwind barrier spiraled into existence, her body becoming a blur as she spun. The moment the earthen shockwaves collided with her defense, the energy dissipated—deflected effortlessly.

Hoteye's eyes widened. "What?!"

Wendy slid to a stop, her feet digging into the fractured ground. "You're too reliant on your magic—" she said. "Your attacks have power, but they're reckless. You're exhausting yourself more than I am."

Hoteye clenched his fists. "Hmph… then I'll just end this in one go!"

He raised both hands, and the entire battlefield trembled as dozens of massive underground spikes erupted from below, shooting toward Wendy with incredible force.

Wendy's hands moved instinctively—her fingers tracing intricate arcs in the air. With her insane amount of precision guided her every movement.

Sky Dragon's Dome!

She spun again, faster this time. The wind screamed around her as her Sky Dragon's Dome formed, a perfect dome of compressed air that shattered every incoming spike before they could reach her. Dust and debris exploded outward from the force.

Hoteye shielded his eyes, his disbelief growing. "Impossible…! You were supposed to be a support fighter! How can you block everything?!"

The whirlwind ceased, and Wendy stood firm. Her arms ached, her magic reserves were dangerously low, but her mind was sharp. "I trained for this. I won't lose!"

Hoteye growled. He launched another barrage of seismic waves, the ground bubbling and twisting in chaotic upheavals. Wendy, instead of spinning this time, dashed forward, dodging and weaving between the ruptures with fluid grace. Every step was measured, every movement precise.

She closed the distance.

Gentle Fist - Sky Dragon's Twin Talons!

Her hands shot forward, striking Hoteye's abdomen with pinpoint accuracy. A pulse of both air pressure and internal disruption magic surged into his body.

"Gah—!" Hoteye stumbled back, his muscles locking up. His magic stuttered—his body refusing to obey him.

"You... what did you do?!"

Wendy exhaled. "Gentle Fist doesn't just hit the body—it disrupts the flow of energy inside. Your magic won't work as easily now."

Hoteye snarled. "You brat…!" He forced his muscles to move, summoning a final, desperate surge of power. "Then I'll finish this with everything I have!"

The ground beneath them shattered entirely.

Hoteye's magic reached its peak—a tidal wave of earth and stone rushed forward, aiming to bury Wendy in an instant.

Wendy planted her feet. The battle had taken everything from her, but she had one last move left.

Naruto's voice echoed in her mind:

"A true wizard doesn't just endure. They adapt, they grow, and when the moment comes… they strike!"

She raised her right hand, air twisting violently around her palm. The wind spiraled inward, condensing into a bladed sphere of raw force.

Hoteye's massive wave of destruction came crashing down.

Sky Dragon's Spiraling Sphere!

Wendy thrust her hand forward, her Spiraling Sphere slamming into the incoming attack. The moment it touched the earth magic, a vacuum of compressed wind detonated outward—disintegrating the attack in an instant.

Hoteye's eyes went wide. "What—?!"

Before he could react, Wendy was already in front of him.

Her attack struck true.

The Spiraling Sphere slammed into Hoteye's chest, the sheer force launching him backward like a ragdoll. He crashed into the rubble, an explosion of wind pressure kicking up dust and debris in all directions.

Silence followed.

The battlefield settled. Wendy stood there, chest rising and falling with deep, labored breaths.

Hoteye groaned, barely conscious. His magic had burned out. His body refused to move.

Wendy staggered but remained standing. "It's… over…" she muttered.

Then, she collapsed to one knee, exhausted. But even in her exhaustion, she smiled.

She did it.

She won.

With a triumphant stride Wendy moved forward.

The night sky stretched endlessly above, a sea of stars shimmering like scattered diamonds against the vast darkness. A cool breeze rustled the trees, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and pine. Despite the beauty of the night, Wendy's heart remained heavy with concern.

She finally made it back to the small clearing where she had left Carla and Naruto. Carla lay on her side, her breathing steady but weak, while Naruto remained slumped against the base of a tree, his fevered body still radiating intense heat. His golden hair was damp with sweat, strands clinging to his forehead as he shifted slightly in his unconscious state.

Wendy dropped to her knees beside them, brushing her fingers lightly against Naruto's cheek. His skin was burning. Too hot. Even after everything, his fever hadn't gone down.

"Still the same…" she whispered, worry creeping into her voice.

She placed both hands over his chest and let her magic flow into him once more, but just like before, it barely made a difference. His body was still rejecting external healing. The over-absorption of ethernano had reached too deep.

Wendy bit her lip. "Come on, Naruto… just hold on a little longer."

A soft groan pulled her from her thoughts.

Carla stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she let out a quiet, pained hiss. Wendy immediately turned her attention to her friend, resting a gentle hand on Carla's shoulder.

"Carla, don't move too much," Wendy urged, channeling a small amount of healing magic into her. "You're still hurt."

Carla blinked a few times before her gaze settled on Wendy. "Wendy…?" Her voice was groggy, disoriented, but as soon as she spotted Naruto's unmoving form beside her, clarity snapped back into her expression. "Naruto! Is he—?"

"He's alive," Wendy reassured her quickly. "But his fever won't break. No matter how much I try to heal him, it's not working."

Carla exhaled in relief, but worry remained in her sharp feline eyes. She tried to push herself upright, wincing slightly as her body protested, but thanks to Wendy's magic, she managed to sit up properly.

Wendy sat back on her heels, tucking a stray strand of blue hair behind her ear. She let out a deep breath before looking at Carla with a determined gaze.

"I need to go," she said.

Carla frowned. "Go where?"

"To help the others." Wendy clenched her fists. "I can sense their battles from here. They need me. I can't just sit here and do nothing while they fight."

Carla's expression hardened. "Wendy, you're already exhausted. You've been carrying Naruto, fighting Hoteye, using your magic over and over. You need rest."

"I don't have time to rest." Wendy shook her head. "If I don't go now, things could get worse. I won't let them fight alone."

Carla looked at her friend, searching her face for any hesitation, any second thoughts—but there were none. Wendy's sapphire eyes burned with resolve, unwavering and fierce. She had made up her mind.

A sigh escaped Carla's lips as she crossed her arms. "…You're too stubborn for your own good."

Wendy smiled faintly. "I wonder where I got that from."

Carla scoffed but didn't argue. Instead, she glanced at Naruto again, then back at Wendy. "Fine. Go."

Wendy blinked, surprised at the lack of resistance.

Carla rolled her eyes. "What? You were going to leave anyway, even if I protested." She let out a small huff. "Just be careful. And don't do anything reckless."

Wendy nodded, then reached out and squeezed Carla's hand briefly. "Thank you, Carla. Watch over Naruto for me."

Carla sighed again, but this time, a small smirk tugged at her lips. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't come back half-dead."

Wendy stood up, taking one last glance at Naruto. His fevered expression remained the same, his body still caught in whatever battle was raging inside him.

She swallowed hard.

Just hold on a little longer, Naruto. I'll be back soon.

And with that, she turned and sprinted off into the dark forest, her heart pounding with urgency as she raced towards her next point.

Chapter End