Yo!
I'm back with the next chapter of Seal of Fate.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Without further ado, let's get started.
Enjoy the chapter.
The Seal of Fate
Chapter 13
Game of Deception
With Kakashi
Suna
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the village of Sunagakure in hues of orange and violet, the members of Team Kakashi and Team Guy sat in their designated lodgings, exhaustion weighing heavily on their shoulders. Their arrival in Suna had been met with urgency and relief—relief that Gaara had been recovered, but urgency in fortifying the village in the wake of the Akatsuki's attack. However, beyond their contributions to Suna's defenses, none of them had seen or heard much from Naruto and Jiraiya since the initial encounter.
Earlier that day, upon arrival, they had rushed toward the hospital, expecting to assist in any way possible. Instead, their brief encounter with the duo had been fleeting—an almost dismissive moment where the blond had barely spared them a glance before disappearing. The teams had been left standing outside, bewildered at being overlooked so completely.
Sakura had been the first to break the silence, her brows furrowing as she turned to Kakashi. "Did… did Naruto just ignore us?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Kakashi's visible eye lingered on the retreating figures before exhaling softly. "Not intentionally," he said, though he wasn't entirely certain. "He's… changed."
Neji, who had remained observant, crossed his arms. "His presence was different," he noted. "More refined. More composed."
Tenten nodded, still staring in the direction Naruto had gone. "I barely recognized him," she admitted. "The way he carried himself… he didn't feel like the same loudmouthed kid from three years ago."
Lee, ever enthusiastic despite his exhaustion, clenched his fists in admiration. "Naruto-kun has truly embraced the flames of youth!" he declared, though his usual exuberance was tempered by a certain unease. Even he could feel the shift in Naruto's demeanor—there was something heavier in the way he moved, a quiet strength that hadn't been there before.
Sai, who had been watching silently, tilted his head slightly. "It's peculiar," he remarked. "His mission to retrieve the Kazekage was successful, yet he seemed… displeased."
Kakashi didn't answer right away. Instead, he turned to Baki, who had approached them shortly after Naruto and Jiraiya had disappeared. The Suna captain, ever stoic, had given them a brief nod of gratitude and a simple explanation: "They will be busy with the Kazekage today. Your assistance in securing the village's defenses would be greatly appreciated."
And so, instead of the rescue mission they had been expecting, the teams had spent the day reinforcing barriers, patching damage caused by the attack, and ensuring that Suna's weakened defenses were stabilized. It had been grueling work, but the underlying sense of uncertainty lingered—where was Naruto now? And why had he felt so distant?
Now, settled in their accommodations, the unease had yet to dissipate. The rooms provided by Sunagakure were comfortable, a clear sign of gratitude for their aid, but rest did not come easily. Sakura sat by the window, her thoughts swirling. The Naruto she had seen today was not the same boy who had left Konoha.
Kakashi, who had been leaning against the wall, finally broke the silence. "We'll likely hear from them tomorrow," he said, his tone even. "Until then, we rest."
Guy immediately protested when they were escorted to their lodgings, arguing that it was better for each team to stay together, reinforcing their bonds even during rest. His passionate plea was met with amused patience from the Suna shinobi, who assured him that the rooms provided were more than sufficient and that his team would not suffer from a single night apart. Eventually, even Guy had to relent, albeit reluctantly.
So, as the moon climbed higher into the night sky, each shinobi retired to their designated rooms, the weight of the day's events still fresh in their minds.
Kakashi stepped into his assigned room, his posture relaxed but his mind still active. The room was simple, its furniture sparse but functional—a bed in the corner, a small desk against the far wall, and a single lantern flickering softly beside it. A cool desert breeze wafted through the slightly open window, rustling the thin curtains.
With a quiet sigh, he removed his flak jacket, draping it over the chair before settling onto the bed. His body welcomed the comfort, but his mind refused to settle. The events of the day played back in his head—Suna's dire state when they had arrived, the fleeting glimpse of Naruto, the effortless way he had carried himself, and the staggering revelation that the mission was already over.
They had traveled across the desert expecting a grueling battle, ready to lay their lives on the line to retrieve Gaara. Instead, Naruto had done it first. And he hadn't just succeeded—he had done it without the rest of them even being needed.
He exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck as he stared up at the ceiling. He knew Naruto had grown stronger—he had expected it. But what he had seen today wasn't just growth. It was evolution. Naruto hadn't simply gotten stronger in the way most shinobi did through training and experience. No, something had changedin him, something fundamental.
'He barely looked at us,' Kakashi thought, remembering the fleeting moment at the gates. There had been no greetings, no banter, no loud exclamations of victory—just a brief glance before he had disappeared with Jiraiya.
It was practical, efficient… but different.
Kakashi wasn't sure how he felt about that.
His fingers absentmindedly reached for his mask, adjusting it slightly. He had seen that kind of confidence before—the unshakable presence of someone who no longer doubted their own power. And he had only known one other person who had ever exuded that same quiet but overwhelming strength.
Minato-sensei.
Kakashi closed his eyes, the thought settling heavily in his chest. If Naruto was starting to resemble his father more, that was a good thing… wasn't it? He should have felt pride, maybe even a little satisfaction in knowing that his sensei's son was stepping into his rightful place among the greats. And yet, something about today made him uneasy.
He dismissed the thought, knowing it would do him no good to dwell on it now. The day had been long, and the exhaustion he had pushed aside was finally creeping up on him. He let out a quiet breath, relaxing into the bed.
Just as sleep began to take hold, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over him. His eyes fluttered open, the sensation unexpected but not alarming. He scanned the room quickly—nothing was amiss, no signs of genjutsu or external interference.
His body felt heavy, but it wasn't a warning—it was just pure, unfiltered exhaustion.
Letting out a final sigh, Kakashi allowed himself to surrender to sleep completely, his thoughts scattering as he drifted into a deep, undisturbed slumber.
Tomorrow, there would be answers.
For now, he would rest.
Unknown Location
With Zetsu
The moon hung high in the sky as Zetsu moved through the shifting sands, its dark form barely distinguishable against the deep shadows cast by the dunes. The white half hummed softly, almost absently, as if the barren landscape was of no concern, while the black half remained utterly silent, its mind churning with frustration.
It had spent decades—centuries—scouring the world for remnants of power, for buried secrets lost to time, for anything that could tip the scales in favor of its ultimate goal: the return of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki. It had known every forgotten ruin, every hidden temple, every graveyard where remnants of chakra users long since dead still lingered in faded whispers. The world had its history, and Zetsu had long since woven itself into its fabric, feeding information into the Akatsuki to keep their plans in motion.
And yet, despite everything it knew, despite all the knowledge it had accumulated over lifetimes, it had nothing.
Nothing that could prepare them for him.
Naruto Uzumaki.
The name itself burned like an irritant in its mind, a splinter lodged so deep that even its usual patience felt frayed. He should not have been thismuch of a problem. He was a jinchūriki, yes. He was Asura's Transmigrant, yes. He was even the son of Namikaze Minato, a nuisance in his own right, yes.
But none of that should have made him like this.
Zetsu had seen what happened on the battlefield. It had observed from the shadows as Naruto clashed with Deidara and Sasori, his power not merely growing but evolvingin real-time. The brat wielded his dojutsu with an ease that shouldn't have been possible, as if he had always been meant to see the world that way. His chakra, vast and layered, carried a resonance that sent alarms through Zetsu's very being.
It wasn't normal.
It wasn't human.
It wasn't just jinchūriki power—it was something else.
And the worst part? It was familiar.
That boy's chakra… it should notfeel like Mother's.
Zetsu had dismissed the thought when it first crept into its mind, but the deeper it analyzed what it had seen, the more undeniable the truth became. Naruto wasn't just wielding immense power—his chakra bore a similarity to Kaguya's that should have been impossible. The only logical explanation was that the seal he carried had awakened something within him, something primal and ancient, something that had no place in the shinobi world.
Something Zetsu had notaccounted for.
That thought alone sent a tremor of fury through its blackened form.
Unacceptable.
It shouldhave known. It had spent centuries playing the long game, ensuring every piece was positioned exactly where it needed to be, guiding Madara, manipulating the foolish shinobi of this world like marionettes. And now, at the most crucial moment, something had slipped through the cracks.
Naruto Uzumaki had slipped through the cracks.
It could not—would not—let this stand.
Black scowled in the darkness, pushing deeper into the desolate terrain, moving with inhuman precision as it sought out the most remote, most ancient sites of power left in the world. If there was anythingleft—anythingthat could give the Akatsuki an edge, that could counter whatever Naruto was becoming—it had to be here.
Ruins long forgotten, buried beneath shifting lands. Temples lost to time, where the echoes of ancient chakra still lingered like ghosts. Hidden burial sites of warriors who had once held power so vast they had been sealed away rather than fought. Zetsu knewof them all, had marked them in its mind for potential use.
Yet as it searched, as it clawed through sand and stone, as it moved from one forgotten place to the next, it found nothing.
Nothing substantial. Nothing useful.
Nothing that could counter what was coming.
Black seethed. 'No. This isn't possible. There must be something!'
It pushed further, moving across the land with desperate speed, each failure tightening the noose of its frustration. It scoured the ancient tombs of long-dead warriors, rifled through the remnants of lost clans whose power had once shaken the world.
Nothing.
It traced the boundaries of the lands Kaguya had once ruled, lands where her will had shaped the very fabric of existence.
Nothing.
It delved deep into hidden places, whispering to the remnants of old, testing what chakra still clung to the bones of those long forgotten.
'Nothing!'
The wind howled around it, as if mocking its failure.
It could notgive up.
It would notgive up.
Naruto Uzumaki was an anomaly. A variable that had not been accounted for. But every anomaly could be corrected. Every threat could be neutralized. It had done it before. It had shaped the fate of this world since before these shinobieven understood what fate was.
And it would do it again.
But time was running out.
It had seen what Naruto was becoming, and if it did not act soon—if it did not find a countermeasure—it would lose the advantage.
The mere thought was repulsive.
Zetsu slowed, its black half silent and brooding as its white half, for once, remained uncharacteristically quiet. They both knew what had to be done. If the past held no answers, then the only solution was to createone.
Its movements were swift, purposeful. The winds howled behind it as it slipped back into the underground tunnels leading to one of its many hidden paths. There was no time for frustration anymore—only planning. Only execution.
But first, it needed help.
The usual white halves were worthless—giggling, chattering idiots who were better suited to infiltration and planting misinformation rather than actual problem-solving. It required a sharper mind for this, a different kind of ally.
And that was why it had him.
Emerging into the darkness of one of Akatsuki's deeper hideouts, It found the masked figure humming idly to himself, one foot propped against the cavern wall in an almost lazy posture.
Tobi.
His spiraled mask gave nothing away, but the tilt of his head as Zetsu approached suggested amusement. "Zeeee~tsuuu-chaan!"Tobi greeted in a sing-song voice, stretching his arms lazily."You actually came to see me! How rare."
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(AN: For the following part, Black Zetsu will be called as Black, I don't like repeatedly writing Black Zetsu, Black Zetsu and Black Zetsu. So please keep this in mind when reading the following part.)
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Black didn't bother with pleasantries. "I need your help."
Tobi let out a delighted gasp, placing both hands over his chest dramatically. "Oh my!This is unexpected. The ever-so-proud Zetsu asking mefor help? This is truly a momentous occasion."
"Enough,"Black snapped, though there was no true anger in its voice, only impatience. "You have access to things even I do not."
"Oh?"Tobi tilted his head. "You mean the other dimension?"His voice still held that carefree lilt, but there was an undeniable sharpness underneath.
Black let out a slow hum, its expression unreadable. "Yes. That dimension may hold something we need."
Tobi didn't answer immediately, and for a moment, there was only silence between them. Then, he let out a chuckle. "Zetsu-chan, if you need to dig through forgotten places, why not ask Madara-samafor help?"
Black stilled.
Tobi tilted his head again, but this time, Black could feelthe gleam of amusement behind that spiraled mask. He was playing his games again.
Black, however, was barely listening anymore.
"Madara?"No. The one Tobi called "Madara" was out of the question—a necessary piece in its plans. However… the masked fool had inadvertently given it an idea. A dangerous, risky idea, but one that could tip the scales in its favor.
There was another.
A missing piece.
A power linked through a girl's death.
Kakashi Hatake still carried hiseye.
Black's dark mind hummed with possibilities. If it could extract that eye, if it could tap into the latent potential within the other half of Obito's mangekyō… It wasn't the same as directly wielding Kamui, but it was close. Hatake uses it instinctively, even without Uchiha blood—proof that the potential was still there.
With the right methods, it could be bent, twisted… replicated.
A plan was forming, and Black did not waste time.
"That won't be necessary,"it finally said, its voice slow, thoughtful. "But your assistance will still be required."
Tobi clapped his hands together. "Ah, how delightful! I do so love being useful. What are we doing, hmm? Hunting something special?"
Black turned away. "First, we gather what we need."
Tobi chuckled, falling into step behind him. "I do love scavenger hunts."
Black didn't dignify that with a response.
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.
The hideout where Madara had once nurtured his grand delusions of controlling the world was abandoned, its chambers long left untouched. Black moved through the darkness with familiarity, its anticipation growing with each step. It led Tobi and seven additional White Zetsu clones through the winding tunnels, each one silent save for the occasional squelch of shifting organic matter as they moved.
Upon reaching their destination, Black's dark gaze landed on a chamber filled with suspended bodies—failed experiments and preserved remnants of Madara's attempts to create the perfect vessel. There, among them, was what it sought.
Black wasted no time.
It extracted what it needed, securing the necessary samples with meticulous care. The process took time, but Black was patient. It had always been patient.
Once the materials were secured, it turned to Tobi. "We move to Sunagakure."
"Ooooh? Suna? That's quite far,"Tobi mused, placing a finger to his mask. "And why, pray tell, are we going there?"
Black gave a sinister hum. "To obtain a copy ninja."
Tobi let out a delighted laugh. "Oho! Now that isinteresting."
In Suna
Kakashi slept soundly, his body fully relaxed for the first time in days. His breathing was even, his posture slack, his mind blissfully unaware of the shadows moving toward him.
Black's form peeked from the floor, tendrils creeping toward the bed where the copy ninja rested. Tobi watched from the corner of the darkened room, his single eye hole gleaming with anticipation. The seven White Zetsu clones moved in perfect synchrony, their footsteps silent as they positioned themselves around the bed.
The dim moonlight filtering through the paper-thin window cast a pale glow over the room. The process of easing him into sleep took time, but the patience of Zetsu knew no bounds—especially when it came to the fruition of a well-laid plan.
Black turned its gaze toward Tobi, who remained standing at the foot of the bed, his masked head tilting slightly in amusement.
"Take over his body,"Black ordered, its voice a low murmur laced with anticipation. "Extract the Sharingan. Painlessly."
Tobi let out an exaggerated sigh, his posture loosening as he wagged a gloved finger. "Ooooh, you always get the fun parts, Zetsu-chan,"he whined, though the barely contained excitement in his tone betrayed him. "Fine, fine. But you dorealize I have to change my mask hole to the left side now, right? What a bother."
Ignoring his own complaint, Tobi stepped forward, crouching beside Kakashi's still body. His movements became disturbingly slow and precise, every motion calculated as he placed his gloved hand over the sleeping shinobi's left eye. Chakra surged at his fingertips, dark tendrils slithering from his sleeve like living shadows as they coiled around Kakashi's eye socket.
The tendrils pulsed, weaving through the tissue and carefully suppressing any potential discomfort signals that could trigger an involuntary awakening. Even in deep sleep, a shinobi's instincts were dangerous. But Tobi's expertise in controlling the human body was unparalleled. He had done this before.
With the grace of a sculptor, he manipulated the chakra flow, gently loosening the Sharingan from its home.
The moment it came free, the eye twitched slightly, chakra flickering around the severed nerves for a brief second before it dimmed into a state of dormancy.
Tobi held it up with an eerie reverence, marveling at the glistening crimson Sharingan resting in his palm. "Well, well, well,"he mused, his voice laced with a quiet glee. "You've served him well, but you'll be even better in my colleagues collection."
Black moved closer, its dark, creeping tendrils retracting as it revealed a small glass vial filled with a transparent preservative liquid. it's anticipation was palpable as it held out the vial, its tone practically purring. "Place it here. We'll keep it safe."
Tobi chuckled, carefully lowering the extracted eye into the vial. The liquid shimmered as the Sharingan settled inside, preserved perfectly for future use. It sealed the sharingan with an almost ceremonial flourish before tucking it into its body.
Then, with equal nonchalance, Tobi reached into his robes and pulled out another vial—this one housing a different Sharingan, its dormant crimson glow swirling with a unique, intricate pattern. Unlike Kakashi's, this Mangekyō Sharingan had an eerie, sharp design— three sharp, flame-like claws curving outward symmetrically, the central one more pronounced than the others.
"This little beauty,"Tobi mused, holding the vial to the dim light, "was once part of the Uchiha Clan's greatest collection. The original Madara had such fine tastes."
Black hummed in approval. "A fitting replacement."
Without further delay, the procedure began.
A White Zetsu clone moved swiftly, positioning itself at Kakashi's side, its organic matter shifting to form precise medical tools from its own body. With eerie precision, its chakra-infused fingers hovered over Kakashi's left eye, delicately the opening empty socket.
Black observed closely, its inky tendrils coiling with anticipation. "His body won't reject the new one,"it stated. "He had a Sharingan for too long—his chakra has already adapted."
Tobi stepped forward, holding the new one in the palm of his gloved hand. He crouched slightly, lowering the fresh Mangekyō toward Kakashi's exposed socket. As soon as the eye made contact, a surge of chakra flared between them, the new Sharingan immediately syncing with its new host.
Kakashi's body tensed slightly, as if reacting to the foreign chakra latching onto his system, but the genjutsu held firm.
With practiced efficiency, Black extended a dark tendril, pressing against Kakashi's temple. The regenerative properties of its cells merged seamlessly into his skin, repairing the nerves and linking the new Mangekyō to his chakra pathways as if it had always belonged there.
A soft pulse of crimson flickered beneath Kakashi's closed eyelid, the new Sharingan stabilizing within its host.
Tobi straightened, watching as the chakra gradually settled. "Seamless,"he murmured, pleased."And, best of all, he'll never know."
The seven White Zetsu clones that had been assisting with the procedure through the genjutsu stood at attention, waiting for the next move. One of them tilted its head curiously, whispering, "Are we done?"
Black gleaming eyes flickered toward Kakashi, whose breathing remained even, his body undisturbed. The transition had been flawless—there would be no residual pain, no sense of something amiss. When he awoke, he would go about his day none the wiser.
"Yes,"Black said, satisfaction rolling through its voice. "We leave."
With ghostlike efficiency, the figures melted into the shadows. Within seconds, the room was empty. The only evidence of their presence was the subtle shift in Kakashi's chakra flow—an alteration so minuscule that even he would fail to notice.
By the time he opened his eyes in the morning, there would be no indication of what had transpired.
Next Morning
Kazekage Residence
The morning air in Sunagakure was crisp, the golden hues of the desert basking in the soft glow of the rising sun. Inside the Kazekage's residence, the scent of freshly prepared breakfast wafted through the halls, mingling with the quiet murmurs of the staff attending to their duties. The tension from the previous battles had finally begun to ease, leaving behind a subdued sense of peace.
Seated at the long dining table, Naruto tore eagerly into his meal, his appetite fully restored after a well-earned rest. Jiraiya, far more composed but no less appreciative of the food, flipped open a scroll he had received earlier that morning. His sharp eyes skimmed over the elegant yet firm handwriting of Tsunade.
Naruto, noticing the shift in Jiraiya's expression, swallowed a mouthful of food and raised a brow. "What's up, Ero-sennin? You look serious."
Jiraiya lowered the scroll, tapping a finger against the edge of the paper. "Message from Tsunade," he said, tone casual but carrying an underlying weight. "She's ordering us all back to Konoha. Our mission here is complete, and since Gaara has been stabilized, there's no reason to stay."
Naruto's chewing slowed slightly, his brows furrowing. He glanced toward the hallway, instinctively thinking about Gaara, who was still resting in his chambers. A part of him had already expected this, but hearing it aloud made it more final.
After a brief pause, he exhaled and nodded. "Yeah… makes sense. We've done what we came here to do." His voice was steady, but there was a hint of reluctance beneath it.
Jiraiya studied him for a moment before smirking. "Didn't expect you to agree so quickly."
Naruto shoved another piece of food into his mouth, chewing determinedly before replying. "I mean, I'd love to stick around, but there's more to do back home. We've still got the Akatsuki to worry about. And besides…" He swallowed, grinning slightly. "It's not like this is goodbye forever."
Jiraiya chuckled, ruffling Naruto's hair. "That's the spirit, kid."
After finishing their breakfast, Jiraiya sent a message for the Konoha teams to assemble inside the Kazekage's residence, standing in a loose semi-circle as Jiraiya and Naruto entered. The atmosphere was far more relaxed than when they had first arrived in Sunagakure, the tension of the past few days replaced by an air of quiet relief.
After the initial greetings, Jiraiya's gaze flickered across the gathered shinobi, his casual demeanor not quite masking the sharp scrutiny behind his eyes. "You all holding up well?" he asked, arms crossed over his chest.
Sakura nodded. "No injuries on our end. After the everything settled, we just kept a watch on the village and helped with minor patrols."
Lee, ever full of energy, threw a dramatic fist into the air. "We have been maintaining our youthful vigilance, ensuring Sunagakure's safety remains uncompromised!"
Neji inclined his head slightly. "We've been ready in case of another attack, but it seems the Akatsuki have withdrawn for now."
Jiraiya hummed in approval before his eyes landed on the one unfamiliar face among them. "And you must be the new addition I've been hearing about."
Kakashi stepped forward slightly, gesturing toward Sai. "This is Sai. He's been assigned to our team as a replacement for Sasuke."
Sai offered his usual empty smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Jiraiya-sama, Naruto-san. I've read a great deal about you two." His tone was polite but clinical, devoid of warmth.
Naruto frowned slightly at Sai's demeanor but didn't comment. Jiraiya merely chuckled, rubbing his chin. "Well, I hope you can keep up with these knuckleheads. They're not exactly easy to handle."
Sai tilted his head. "That seems accurate."
Naruto rolled his eyes, muttering, "Great, another guy with a stick up his—"
Before he could finish, Jiraiya clapped a hand on his shoulder, steering the conversation back on track. "Alright, enough small talk. I didn't call you all here just to chat. We've received direct orders from Tsunade." His tone lost its usual playfulness, growing firm. "The mission is complete. Gaara is stable, Sunagakure is secure, and our presence is no longer needed. We need to head back to Konoha immediately."
A brief pause followed before Sakura sighed, crossing her arms. "So, we're really heading out already?"
Naruto nodded, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah. Got orders from Baa-chan. Mission's over, so it's time to head back."
Lee gave a dramatic thumbs-up, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "It was truly a youthful mission, Naruto-kun! Your flames of determination have burned brighter than ever!"
Neji, standing beside him, simply nodded. "You've proven your strength, as expected."
Tenten smiled. "And saved the Kazekage in the process. Not bad."
Kakashi stood slightly apart, rubbing his left eye absently as though something was irritating it. His visible eye crinkled in amusement as he observed Naruto. "Seems like you didn't even need us here," he mused. "That's impressive, Naruto."
Naruto snorted. "Oh, don't say that, Kakashi-sensei. You guys helped too. Uh… kind of."
Jiraiya, having caught Kakashi rubbing his eye multiple times now, watched the movement thoughtfully but said nothing. Something about it tugged at his instincts.
Before the gathered shinobi could exchange further words, the doors to the hall slid open with a soft creak. Temari stepped in, her sharp gaze flickering between them before settling on Naruto. She crossed her arms, posture firm, but there was something else beneath her usual confidence—an unspoken understanding, a quiet acknowledgment.
"Leaving already?" she asked, her tone even, but there was something in her eyes that betrayed a mix of gratitude and concern.
Naruto turned to her with an easy grin. "Yeah. Konoha's calling." His expression softened slightly, his voice dropping just enough for only those closest to hear. "Thanks for everything while we were here."
Temari studied him for a moment before her lips quirked up slightly. "Don't mention it. You saved my brother." She exhaled, her shoulders easing just a fraction. "The least I could do was make sure you didn't drop from exhaustion."
Naruto chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "You know, you should visit Konoha sometime. I owe you for the hospitality—so I'll return the favor."
Temari raised a brow, a flicker of amusement flashing in her emerald eyes. "I'll hold you to that, Uzumaki."
Before Naruto could respond, a quieter but firm voice interrupted.
"Naruto."
The air in the hall shifted.
Gaara stepped inside, fully dressed in his Kazekage robes, the jade fabric swaying gently as he walked forward. Baki followed a step behind, his face unreadable, though his careful observation of Gaara's posture did not go unnoticed.
Naruto immediately perked up, his grin wide and unrestrained. "Gaara! You're up!" Relief colored his voice, though a deeper emotion lurked beneath it—one he wouldn't voice outright. He knew what Gaara had endured. He knew how close it had been.
Gaara inclined his head slightly, his steady gaze locking onto Naruto's. "Yes." He stopped just before him, the weight of everything unspoken pressing into the space between them. His voice was calm as ever, but there was something different—something heavier. "Because of your help."
Naruto's grin faded just a little, not out of hesitation, but out of understanding. A quiet stillness settled over the room, a shared acknowledgment of everything they had fought through together. For a long moment, no one spoke.
Then, Naruto smirked and, with a familiar ease, playfully punched Gaara's shoulder. "Don't mention it," he said, his voice lighter but no less sincere. "That's what friends do."
Gaara blinked, his expression unreadable at first, but then, almost imperceptibly, the faintest hift—just the slightest curve of his lips, an acknowledgment. "Then… I won't."
Naruto grinned wider. "Good."
Gaara held his gaze, the weight of his words carrying more than just a promise—it was an oath. "If you ever need anything," he said quietly, firmly, "I will be there."
Naruto's grin softened, his voice steady. "Same goes for you."
A heavy but comforting silence followed. There was nothing left to say—because they understood.
With Sakura
Sakura stood rooted in place, arms crossed, her mouth slightly open as she processed what had just happened. She had watched Naruto say his goodbyes to Gaara and Temari with an ease that was almost unnerving—his words carrying a weight of confidence, a natural rhythm to his tone that felt completely foreign to the boy she had known.
Gone was the brash loudmouth who blurted out half-baked responses and stumbled through conversations. Instead, this Naruto spoke with deliberation—each word landing with precision, his demeanor relaxed yet unshakable.
This wasn't just growth. This was mastery.
And it flabbergasted her.
She huffed, shaking her head as she quickly caught up with him before he could leave. "Naruto!" she called out, her tone shifting into her familiar exasperated reprimand. "When did you—howdid you become so… smooth?!"
Naruto turned to her with a raised brow, an amused smile tugging at his lips. "Smooth? What are you talking about, Sakura-chan?"
Sakura crossed her arms, pointing a finger at him accusingly. "Don't act dumb! Back there—you were just casually telling Gaara he can count on you, throwing around reassurances to Temari like it was nothing! And she—she smirked! Like she actually—ugh!" She groaned, rubbing her temples. "You used to be so awkwardat this stuff!"
Naruto's grin widened as he rubbed the back of his head. "Aw, come on, Sakura-chan. Can't a guy just be cool for once?"
"That's not the point!" she snapped. "When did you even learn to talklike that?"
Jiraiya, standing beside Naruto, let out a boisterous laugh, slapping the blond on the back with obvious pride. "That, Sakura, is the result of years of rigorous training under the greatest sage to ever live!" He gestured dramatically to himself. "You're looking at the work of a master."
Sakura groaned again, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Oh, great. So this is your fault."
Naruto, seizing the opportunity, smoothly deflected her irritation with a teasing smirk. "Hey, don't act like you're mad, Sakura-chan. I know deep down you're impressed."
Sakura's eye twitched. "I am not."
Jiraiya wagged his finger at her. "Denial, my dear girl, is the first step toward acceptance."
Sakura shot him a glare but quickly realized that neither Naruto nor Jiraiya was taking her seriously. She let out an exasperated sigh, finally giving up. "You're impossible."
Naruto gave her a cheeky grin before turning his attention back to Gaara, who had been silently observing their exchange. His expression, though still composed, held a trace of amusement.
Jiraiya stepped forward, his playful demeanor briefly giving way to something more serious. He reached into his cloak and pulled out a small but intricately designed scroll, handing it to Gaara. "This is a sealing matrix," he explained. "Use it to strengthen Suna's surveillance. It won't stop the Akatsuki, but it'll give you an early warning system, buying you time if they come for you again."
Gaara took the scroll, his fingers brushing over the elegant markings before nodding. "Understood."
Jiraiya crossed his arms, lowering his voice. "And train well with your new control over Shukaku's chakra. If something changes or you run into trouble, send us a hawk immediately."
Gaara nodded again, his gaze steady. "I will."
With that, the departure became inevitable. The shinobi of Suna had already begun to gather near the gates, murmuring in hushed voices as the two Konoha teams prepared to leave. Word had spread quickly of Naruto and Jiraiya's role in their Kazekage's rescue, and what had started as a simple farewell had turned into something larger.
Almost all of Suna's shinobi had assembled.
Naruto blinked, slightly taken aback by the sheer number of them. Some stood with hands clasped behind their backs in a disciplined stance, others offered nods of gratitude. Many bore expressions of quiet respect, acknowledging what had been done for their Kazekage.
Baki stepped forward first, his gaze locking onto Naruto. "Suna owes you a great debt," he said formally. "Not just for saving Kazekage-sama, but for ensuring Shukaku was not taken." He bowed slightly, a gesture of deep respect.
Naruto hesitated for a split second before offering a small, awkward scratch at the back of his head. "Uh, you don't have to bow, Baki-san," he said, grinning. "I just did what anyone would do for their friend."
A murmur of approval swept through the gathered shinobi at his words.
Gaara stepped beside Baki, his piercing gaze sweeping across his people before settling on Naruto. "Sunagakure is grateful," he said simply. "And I, personally, owe you."
Naruto met his gaze and grinned. "You don't owe me, Gaara. Just remember that you're not alone."
Gaara's expression didn't shift much, but there was something in his eyes—an understanding, a quiet acceptance of Naruto's words. "Nor are you."
Temari, standing to Gaara's right, smirked slightly. "Try not to let your head get too big, Naruto."
Naruto smirked back. "No promises."
With their farewells given, the Konoha shinobi turned toward the open desert, the wind picking up slightly as they prepared for departure. Kakashi, who had been silently observing the exchange, glanced at Naruto with a knowing look. "You're different," he remarked quietly.
Naruto turned to him, raising a brow. "Good different or bad different?"
Kakashi's visible eye curved into a smile. "We'll see."
With that, they were off.
The shinobi of Suna stood at attention as the Konoha teams departed, their forms gradually blending into the shifting sands. Their pace was swift, moving at a steady low-Jounin speed—quick, efficient, yet mindful of the long journey ahead.
As they traveled, Naruto exhaled slowly, his mind briefly flickering back to Gaara, to the people of Suna, to everything that had unfolded in the past few days.
The Akatsuki had been stopped, but not defeated.
There was still so much to do.
But for now, with the desert stretching before them and Konoha waiting in the distance, Naruto allowed himself a small moment of peace.
Even as the storm loomed ahead, he was ready.
With Danzo
In the dimly lit chambers of Root's underground headquarters, Danzo sat at the head of a long, barren table, his single exposed eye scanning the report in his hands. The words, meticulously written by Sai, detailed Uzumaki's latest capabilities—his evolving prowess, and, most notably, the new weaponshe wielded.
Danzo's grip on the parchment tightened slightly. A dojutsu. A staff. A gourd.These were power—new, unknown, and entirely unaccounted for. It was an unacceptable oversight. He had spent years ensuring that Uzumaki, the perfect weapon, would remain under Konoha's control. Yet here he was, left to grow unchecked, wielding strength that no one had anticipated.
More infuriating than Uzumaki's newfound strength was the fact that he was being trained by Jiraiya. A Sannin, a man who, like Hiruzen, foolishly believed in nurturing rather than controlling. Instead of shaping Uzumaki into the village's most powerful asset, they had allowed him to become a shinobi of his own choosing. That kind of independence was dangerous.
The Kyuubi itself was irrelevant. The fox had proven time and time again that it was a rebellious force, one that even its jinchūriki struggled to control. But the weapons—they could be taken, studied, and repurposed. If Konoha could claim them, there would be no need to rely on an uncooperative beast.
Danzo's fingers drummed against the table as his mind worked through the possibilities. Tsunade was unlike Hiruzen, which was both a curseand, in this case, a blessing. She did not operate on blind sentimentality; she valued results over ideals. If the situation was framed correctly, she might be persuadedto allow oversight on Naruto's abilities.
A direct confrontation with Naruto was out of the question. He had embedded himself too deeply into Tsunade's trust and had the unwavering loyalty of too many influential shinobi. If Danzo made any overt moves now, it would only draw unnecessary attention to Root. No, this had to be done subtly.
First, he needed observation. Not just from Sai, whose presence had already been noted, but from others—Root operatives who knewhow to stay invisible. Every battle, every training session, every moment Naruto displayed his strength would be cataloged, analyzed, and deconstructed.
Next, he needed access to the Hokage's intelligence network. Tsunade had restricted Root's influence, but the Council could be swayed. If the right whispers reached their ears, if Naruto's unchecked power was framed as a riskrather than an asset, they would push for oversight. And if that didn't work?
Danzo's expression did not shift, but a slow, calculating coldness settled in his chest. Then he would take matters into his own hands. Tsunade's influence is temporary.Even the Hokage could be replaced. And if the world was changing, Konoha had to change with it.
His eye flickered toward the doorway, where a masked Root operative knelt in silence. Without hesitation, Danzo's voice cut through the chamber. "Begin surveillance. Discreetly. I want everything on those weapons."
The operative bowed once before vanishing into the shadows. Danzo leaned back slightly, watching the candlelight flicker against the walls. He had waited this long. He could wait a little longer.
Naruto Uzumaki would soon learn that power did not belong to the individual.
It belonged to Konoha.
And by extension, it belonged to him.
And Cut!
That'sit for this chapter folks.
AN:
We saw many things happen in this chapter, important of which is the teams finally leaving Suna to reach Konoha. Zetsu being the sneakiest bastard and taking Kakashi's Sharingan, and it didn't stop there as well, lol. Let me know your thoughts on the looks of the Mangekyou and the possible abilities it could have.
So the teams will come to Konoha and the real fun starts with Danzo's schemes to get the weapons. Who do you think will win in the end? And obviously, still no one knows what the hell does the seal on Naruto's left palm does, lol. Should I write the seal acting up and Naruto getting the Kama markings? Let me know.
As always, let me know in your reviews and do share your feedback and suggestions!
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Black Infinity 1289,
Ja Ne.