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The morning sun cast long shadows across the terraced fields of Kumo's Outer Lands, bathing the mountainside villages in golden light. Narrow stone pathways wound between plots of vibrant crops—hardy wheat, mountain potatoes, and the cloud berries unique to Lightning Country. Suspended walkways connected clusters of houses built directly into the mountain faces.
Naruto stretched his arms wide, inhaling deeply. The air here was different—fresh, and it smelled like home. It was good to be back in familiar territory after the chaos of Wave Country.
"This is where Kumo gets most of its food," Naruto explained, gesturing toward the terraced fields below them. "Each village specializes in different crops. This one's known for its rice and sweet potatoes."
Ranmaru stood transfixed at the edge of the path, his unusual red eyes wide with wonder. The small, lavender-haired boy had barely spoken since they'd left Wave Country, but his expression now spoke volumes.
"It's... floating," he whispered, pointing to a village partially obscured by mist on a neighboring peak. Wooden bridges spanned the gap between mountains, swaying gently in the breeze.
Naruto grinned. "Not floating. Just built really well." He ruffled the boy's hair. "Wait until you see Kumogakure itself. Makes this place look boring."
"Nothing about this is boring," Ranmaru replied.
Kid's got good taste, Naruto thought. Maybe he'll adjust faster than I expected.
Behind them, Yugito and Omoi walked side by side, their voices low but carrying on the mountain air.
"—still don't understand why they specifically wanted Naruto and me," Yugito was saying.
"Well, not to sound crazy, but maybe it has something to do with the wild beasts you have inside your bodies, that might be it, and they thought—"
Naruto pretended he couldn't hear them, though the same questions had been circling his mind since the bridge. Why had Itachi singled him out? What was that organization, with their matching cloaks and rings? And what the hell had Itachi put in his head during that genjutsu?
He still hadn't told anyone about the cryptic message Itachi had embedded in the Tsukuyomi: "When the time comes, you will have to make a choice, war or peace, the price will be your happiness."
What was that supposed to mean? What choice was Itachi talking about?
Doesn't matter, Naruto told himself firmly. Kumo is my home. Has been since I was a baby.
But ever since Jiraiya had revealed the truth about his parentage, doubts had been creeping in. Questions he'd never thought to ask before, about who he really was and where he belonged.
"Naruto-san," Haku's soft voice broke through his thoughts. "I believe Ranmaru-kun is getting tired."
Naruto blinked, focusing on the small boy who was indeed looking paler than usual, his thin frame swaying slightly.
"Oh, shit—sorry, kid," Naruto apologized, crouching down. "Hop on. I'll carry you for a while."
Ranmaru hesitated. "I don't want to be a burden."
"You're like what, forty pounds soaking wet? Hardly a burden," Naruto snorted, turning to offer his back. "Besides, this is the perfect time to start your training."
Ranmaru climbed onto Naruto's back reluctantly. "Training?"
"Yep," Naruto confirmed, standing effortlessly despite the added weight. "First lesson in chakra control—feel the energy circulating in your body?"
"I... think so?" Ranmaru said uncertainly.
"Try to direct it to your hands," Naruto instructed. "Just a little. Like you're pushing warmth through your palms."
As they continued along the mountain path, Naruto guided Ranmaru through the basics of chakra circulation. It wasn't the most conventional training method, but the kid needed to build his strength somehow. His body was far too weak for a child his age—likely from years of being carried everywhere by Raiga.
Ahead of them, Zabuza and Darui had stopped at a fork in the path, deep in conversation. The towering swordsman's body language radiated suspicion, while Darui maintained his characteristic laid-back posture despite the tension.
"Trouble in paradise already?" Naruto muttered to himself.
"They don't trust each other," Ranmaru whispered close to Naruto's ear.
Naruto glanced back, surprised. "You can tell that from here?"
Ranmaru nodded. "I can see... intentions. Feelings. Zabuza-san is afraid of being trapped. Your sensei is being careful with his words."
Well, that's a handy and slightly creepy ability, Naruto thought.
"That's why Raiga kept you around, huh?" he asked, keeping his voice light. "Built-in lie detector?"
"Among other things," Ranmaru admitted. "I can see through walls, detect enemies from far away. Create illusions, sometimes."
Naruto whistled. "No wonder Kumo's interested in you. But hey—" he twisted to meet Ranmaru's eyes, "—you're not just a tool here, got it? You're going to be trained as a proper shinobi."
"If I can get stronger," Ranmaru said doubtfully, looking down at his thin arms.
"You will," Naruto promised. "Feel anything in your hands yet?"
Ranmaru's brow furrowed in concentration. "Something... warm? And tingly?"
"Perfect!" Naruto beamed. "That's your chakra responding. Now try pushing it outward, just a little."
As Ranmaru focused, Haku approached, walking gracefully beside them. Her expression was serene, but Naruto caught her watching their impromptu training session with interest.
"You have a natural way with children, Naruto-san," she observed.
Naruto almost tripped over his own feet. "What? No way. I just know what it's like to be different, that's all."
"Is that why you offered us sanctuary as well?" she asked.
Naruto considered this. "Well, the Raikage wants you in the village as well," he admitted. "But mostly because talent shouldn't go to waste. And Zabuza seemed ready for a change." He grinned. "Plus, I'm a sucker for a good redemption story."
"Redemption?" Haku repeated, a small smile playing at her lips. "Is that what you think Zabuza-sama seeks?"
"Everyone's seeking something," Naruto shrugged. "Even if they don't know it yet."
Ahead, Omoi had paused to point out a peculiar rock formation jutting from the mountainside. "That's the Dragon's Tooth," he called back. "Local legend says it's actually a real dragon that turned to stone while trying to bite the mountain in half."
"What a ridiculous story," Yugito scoffed, though she eyed the formation with grudging interest.
"It does look like a fang," Ranmaru observed from his perch on Naruto's back.
"Wait till you see the Valley of Storms," Naruto told him. "There's a waterfall there that flows upward when the wind is strong enough."
"You're making that up," Ranmaru accused, but there was a note of delight in his voice at the possibility.
"Lightning Country is weird," Naruto laughed. "Physics takes a holiday here sometimes."
They rounded a bend in the path, and the village came into full view. Houses cascaded down the mountainside like a wooden waterfall, interconnected by a network of bridges and staircases. Smoke rose from chimneys, carrying the mouthwatering scent of cooking food.
"We'll rest here tonight," Darui announced, rejoining the group with Zabuza shadowing him. "Continue to Kumogakure in the morning."
Naruto felt Ranmaru's grip tighten on his shoulders. "It's... beautiful," the boy whispered.
"Hey, Ranmaru," Naruto said, an idea striking him. "Try channeling chakra to your eyes now. Just a tiny bit, same as your hands."
Ranmaru complied, his breathing quickening with excitement as he focused. "Everything's... clearer! I can see people moving in the houses. I can see the fields beyond the village!"
"That's it!" Naruto exclaimed. "You're already getting better at controlling your abilities."
Haku watched them with a soft expression that Naruto couldn't quite decipher. Was that approval? Nostalgia?
"What?" he asked when he caught her staring.
"Nothing," she replied. "I just find it interesting that someone so powerful would take such care with someone so physically weak."
Naruto felt his face heat slightly. "Hey, I'm not—"
"I meant it as a compliment, Naruto-san," Haku interrupted gently. "It speaks well of your character."
My character, Naruto thought. Whatever that is.
Sometimes he wasn't sure who he was anymore—the orphan raised by the Raikage's family, or the abandoned son of Konoha's Yellow Flash. The jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, or the prodigy of Purple Lightning. Yugito's teammate, Omoi's best friend, Killer Bee's pseudo-nephew, or something else entirely?
Maybe he was all of those things. Or maybe none of them defined him completely.
"Come on, kid," he said aloud, jostling Ranmaru lightly. "Let's find something to eat in this village. Can't build your strength on an empty stomach!"
As they made their way down the winding path toward the village, Naruto found himself pointing out landmarks with genuine enthusiasm—the observatory perched on the highest peak, the hanging gardens that swayed beneath the largest bridges, the communal ovens where villagers gathered to bake bread together.
This was his country. These were his people. Whatever doubts Jiraiya had planted, whatever questions Itachi's cryptic message had raised—this was home.
For now, at least, that would have to be enough.
Darui
The village elder had offered them use of a modest guesthouse near the edge of the settlement, perched on a stone outcropping that provided a breathtaking view of the valley below. As the others settled in—Naruto showing Ranmaru to a small sleeping alcove, Yugito and Omoi unpacking provisions in the common area—Darui stepped outside onto the narrow wooden balcony that wrapped around the structure.
Darui leaned against the railing, enjoying a moment of quiet after days of travel. His shoulder still ached from where Samehada had grazed him during the battle on the bridge, but the wound was healing well enough.
He sensed Zabuza's presence before he heard him.
"Nice view," Zabuza remarked, his voice flat and unimpressed as he stepped onto the balcony. Without his mouth bandages, his sharp teeth were fully visible, giving every statement an oddly predatory edge.
"One of the perks of mountain living," Darui replied casually, not turning around. "You'll get used to it."
Zabuza moved to stand beside him, resting his massive blade against the railing. For a moment, neither spoke. The distant sounds of village life—children laughing, merchants calling out their wares, the rhythmic pounding of a blacksmith's hammer—filled the silence between them.
"So," Zabuza finally said, "now that we're away from the others, how about you tell me the real reason Kumogakure is so eager to bring us in?"
Darui sighed, rolling his stiff shoulder. "I already told you."
"You told me a partial truth." Zabuza's eyes narrowed. "I've been around long enough to know when I'm getting the full story. And I'm not."
Darui turned to face him, maintaining his characteristic laid-back demeanor. "The Raikage recognizes valuable assets when he sees them. It's really that simple."
"Nothing's ever that simple," Zabuza countered. "Especially not in the hidden villages."
A small, knowing smile played across Darui's lips. "Fair point." He looked out at the fading daylight again. "Kumo's always had a different approach than the other villages. We collect strength wherever we find it. Bloodlines, techniques, talented individuals—doesn't matter where they come from originally. If they can strengthen Kumo, the Raikage wants them."
"And what exactly will be expected of us?" Zabuza pressed, his voice hardening. "What's our real function going to be in your village? Weapon development? Breeding stock for Haku's kekkei genkai? Assassination squad?"
"Nothing you haven't already done," Darui replied evenly. "You'll serve as shinobi of Kumogakure. Take missions. Train others in your specialties. Live as valued members of the village."
Zabuza snorted, clearly skeptical.
"Look," Darui continued, "I'm not going to pretend we're recruiting you out of the goodness of our hearts. But we're not looking to exploit you either. The Raikage keeps his promises. You'll be treated fairly, with the respect your abilities deserve."
"And what about them?" Zabuza jerked his head toward the guesthouse, indicating Naruto and Yugito inside. "Why the hell do you have two jinchūriki on a single genin team?"
Darui raised an eyebrow, though he wasn't particularly surprised by the question. Both Naruto and Yugito had revealed their tailed beast powers during the bridge battle.
"Why do you bring that up?" he asked carefully.
"I don't give a damn if they've got giant magical beasts stuffed inside them," Zabuza said sarcastically, eliciting an eye roll from Darui. "What I care about is Haku. I didn't sign up for the likes of Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki coming after us."
Ah, there it was. The real concern.
"That situation was... unexpected," Darui admitted. "But in Kumogakure, you'll be safer, not more vulnerable. We're one of the Five Great Villages for a reason. Our defenses are substantial."
"Those two cut through us like we were academy students," Zabuza growled. "Even with two jinchūriki and the famous 'Black Lightning user' on our side." There was a mocking edge to his use of Darui's title.
"We were unprepared," Darui acknowledged. "That won't happen again." He straightened, his tone becoming more serious. "In Kumo, you and Haku will be protected by the full might of the village. The Raikage doesn't take kindly to people targeting those under his protection."
Zabuza studied him for a long moment, searching for deception. "And if they come back? This time with reinforcements?"
"Then they'll have to get through all of Kumogakure," Darui replied simply. "Including the Raikage himself." He left unsaid that even Ay might struggle against the level of power Itachi and Kisame had demonstrated. Ay was not as young as he used to be. Seventy-two years could do that to a person.
Zabuza's posture relaxed slightly, though wariness remained in his eyes. "I'll hold you to that," he said. "Haku deserves a chance at something better than running with a missing-nin." A rare hint of genuine emotion slipped into his voice before he masked it again. "And I'd prefer not to have my retirement plans cut short by some organization with a grudge against your jinchūriki."
"Fair enough," Darui nodded. "But for what it's worth, I think they were after something specific. Information, maybe. If they'd wanted Naruto or Yugito dead, they would have pushed harder."
"That's what worries me," Zabuza muttered. "People who collect information usually have bigger plans."
Behind them, the door slid open, and Haku stepped onto the balcony, her expression politely neutral. "Forgive the interruption, Zabuza-sama. The village elder has sent an invitation to join them for the evening meal."
Zabuza gave Darui one last meaningful look before turning to Haku. "We'll continue this discussion another time," he said to Darui, his tone making it clear this wasn't simply a polite dismissal.
As Zabuza followed Haku inside, Darui returned his gaze to the darkening horizon. There was truth to Zabuza's concerns—ones he shared but couldn't fully address. Whatever organization Itachi and Kisame belonged to, they were formidable beyond anything he'd anticipated. And if they were specifically targeting jinchūriki...
He pushed the troubling thought aside. That was a problem for the Raikage to handle. For now, his job was to get everyone safely back to Kumogakure.
With a last glance at the mountains fading into twilight shadows, Darui turned and went inside to join the others.
Kakashi
Kakashi pushed them harder than he'd ever pushed a genin team before. Through forest and field, over rivers and rocky terrain, with only the briefest stops for food and rest. Ten days of relentless travel that had left even him feeling the strain.
Too slow, he thought, watching his team leap through the trees ahead of him. We should have been back in seven.
He'd made the calculations a dozen times. The normal route from Wave Country to Konoha took about fifteen days at genin pace. He'd cut that by a third, but it still wasn't enough. Not when the implications of what they'd discovered were so staggering.
The Nine-Tails, supposedly destroyed with Minato's death, was alive and well in Kumogakure. And if his suspicions were correct, so was Minato's son.
Sensei, what happened that night? Kakashi wondered, his visible eye fixed on Sasuke's back as the young Uchiha propelled himself. Did Kushina survive long enough to flee? Or did Kumo take advantage of the chaos to steal your child?
The questions had been eating at him for days, almost as much as the guilt. He should have checked more thoroughly. Should have demanded to see Kushina's body. Should have...
No. This wasn't the time for self-recrimination. He needed to focus on reporting to the Hokage and determining their next steps.
"We're approaching the village gates," he called out, noting the familiar outlines of Konoha's massive walls coming into view through the trees. "Standard formation."
His team adjusted without question, falling into the defensive diamond pattern he'd drilled into them. Sasuke took point, with Sakura and Sai flanking, and Kakashi bringing up the rear. They'd maintained perfect discipline throughout the journey—even Sakura, who normally would have peppered him with questions about their unusual pace.
The massive gates of Konoha loomed before them, a welcome sight after so many days on the road. Izumo and Kotetsu, the eternal gate guards, straightened as they approached, obvious surprise registering on their faces.
"Team Seven, returning from Wave Country," Kakashi announced formally as they came to a halt.
Kotetsu checked his logbook with raised eyebrows. "You're... five days early? We weren't expecting you until next week."
"Circumstances necessitated an expedited return," Kakashi replied neutrally.
Izumo studied the team with a critical eye. "You all look like you've been through the wringer." His gaze lingered on Sasuke, noting the young Uchiha's unusually subdued demeanor. "Run into trouble?"
"Mission parameters evolved," Kakashi said, using the same phrase he'd been giving his team for days. "Nothing we couldn't handle."
Except we didn't handle it, he thought grimly. We were outclassed, outmaneuvered, and only alive because Itachi decided to leave.
"Right," Kotetsu drawled, clearly not believing the casual dismissal but professional enough not to press. "Well, welcome back. The Hokage will want your report, I assume."
"He'll get it promptly," Kakashi confirmed. He turned to his team. "Sasuke, Sakura, Sai—you're dismissed. Get some rest. We'll reconvene in three days for training."
Sakura glanced worriedly at Sasuke. "Kakashi-sensei, shouldn't we—"
"Rest," Kakashi interrupted firmly. "That's an order."
Sasuke, who had been staring at the ground for the past several minutes, looked up. His dark eyes were hollow, haunted by whatever Itachi had shown him in that brief genjutsu encounter.
"I need to train," he stated flatly. "Not rest."
"What you need," Kakashi countered, "is to process what happened. Rushing into training in your current state will only result in injury."
Sasuke's jaw tightened, a flash of his usual stubbornness breaking through the strange, detached demeanor he'd maintained since Wave. "You don't understand. I need to—"
"Sasuke-kun," Sakura interjected softly. "Maybe Kakashi-sensei is right. We all need a little time to... to think about everything."
"I believe Ugly has a point," Sai remarked with his usual inappropriate smile. "Physical recovery is required for optimal performance."
Sakura shot him a venomous glare at the nickname, but didn't rise to the bait as she normally would.
They're all off-balance, Kakashi realized. Even Sai, though he hides it better.
"One more thing," Kakashi added, his tone hardening. "This mission is now classified. You are not to discuss what we witnessed in Wave Country with anyone. Not your families, not your friends, not even among yourselves outside of secure environments. Is that clear?"
Sakura's eyes widened slightly. "But—"
"Is. That. Clear?" Kakashi repeated, allowing a hint of killing intent to seep into his voice.
All three genin straightened immediately.
"Yes, Kakashi-sensei," Sakura replied quickly.
"Understood," Sasuke muttered.
Sai merely inclined his head, that artificial smile never wavering.
"Good." Kakashi softened his tone. "Then you're dismissed. Take care of yourselves."
He watched as they walked away—Sakura hovering near Sasuke without quite daring to speak to him, Sai maintaining a calculated distance from both. Under normal circumstances, he might have followed Sasuke to ensure the troubled young Uchiha didn't do anything rash. But these weren't normal circumstances.
The Hokage needed to know about Naruto Yotsuki immediately.
"Quite the intense mission, eh?" Izumo commented as Kakashi turned back toward the gate station.
"You have no idea," Kakashi replied, eye crinkling in what appeared to be a smile but was merely reflex at this point.
"Want to grab a drink later and tell us all about it?" Kotetsu offered. "Been quiet around here. Could use some excitement."
"Maybe another time," Kakashi demurred. "Got a hot date with some mission reports."
The familiar banter felt hollow, automatic. His mind was already in the Hokage's office, rehearsing how to deliver news that could potentially upend the fragile balance of power between the Five Great Nations.
If Kumo has both the Eight and Nine-Tails, plus the Two-Tails...
The implications were staggering. Three bijuu under one village's control would represent an unprecedented concentration of power. And if one of those jinchūriki was indeed the Fourth Hokage's lost son...
Kakashi took to the rooftops, moving toward the Hokage Tower. The familiar red and white structure rose above the village.
Sorry, sensei, he thought grimly. I should have protected your legacy better. But if your son is truly alive...
He left the thought unfinished as he landed on the tower's entrance balcony. Some hopes were too dangerous to fully form, even in the privacy of one's own mind.
"The Hokage needs to see me," he told the ANBU guard stationed outside. "Immediately."
The Hokage's office was bathed in sunlight of the afternoon as Kakashi finished his report. He had been methodical, clinical even, recounting every detail of the Wave Country mission—from their arrival to the unexpected battle on the bridge. Throughout his narrative, the Third Hokage had remained silent, his weathered face impassive beneath the shadow of his hat, fingers steepled before him.
Now, in the silence that followed, Hiruzen Sarutobi reached for his pipe. The familiar ritual of filling it, tamping down the tobacco, and lighting it seemed to give the old man time to process the implications of Kakashi's report.
"You believe this boy—this Naruto Yotsuki—might actually be Minato and Kushina's child," Hiruzen finally said. It wasn't a question.
"I do," Kakashi confirmed, standing at parade rest before the Hokage's desk. "The timing fits. The appearance fits. And most tellingly, he displayed unmistakable use of the Nine-Tails' chakra."
Hiruzen exhaled a cloud of smoke that hung between them like the tension in the room. "You're certain it was the Nine-Tails? Not some other form of chakra manipulation?"
"Three distinct chakra tails formed around his body," Kakashi replied. "His eyes changed from blue to red with slitted pupils. The chakra was visible, malevolent, and distinctly fox-like in manifestation." He paused, then added, "I've only felt that chakra once before, Lord Hokage. The night of the attack."
The reminder of that night—the night Konoha lost its Fourth Hokage, the night when hundreds of shinobi and civilians died—settled heavily in the room.
"And you say Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki were specifically targeting this boy?" Hiruzen asked.
"That's what Itachi claimed, yes. Though they also captured the Two-Tails jinchūriki briefly." Kakashi shifted his weight slightly, his only tell of discomfort. "Both were wearing identical black cloaks with red cloud patterns. It suggests they're part of some organized group."
"A group interested in tailed beasts," Hiruzen mused, taking another contemplative draw from his pipe. "Troubling, but not unexpected. Bijuu have always been coveted weapons."
"Do we have any intelligence on such a group?" Kakashi asked.
Hiruzen shook his head. "Nothing concrete. There have been whispers of a new player emerging in the shadows, but nothing substantial enough to act upon." He tapped his pipe against his desk. "I have no information on why these two were pursuing jinchūriki, but I'll activate our intelligence networks immediately."
Kakashi nodded, then ventured into more complicated territory. "If this boy truly is Naruto Uzumaki..."
"Then he is a citizen of Konoha," Hiruzen finished firmly. "The son of our Fourth Hokage, and rightfully belongs here."
"Kumo seems to view him differently," Kakashi noted. "He's being raised as the grandson of the Third Raikage. The son of A Yotsuki. The boy introduced himself as the grandson of the Raikage when our groups introduced each other."
A flicker of something—surprise, perhaps, or dismay—crossed Hiruzen's face before disappearing behind his practiced political mask. "That's... a significant position."
"It complicates matters," Kakashi agreed.
Hiruzen rose from his chair, moving to the window that overlooked Konoha. His reflection in the glass looked suddenly older, more tired than Kakashi could remember seeing him.
"This isn't the first report of this team from Kumogakure," Hiruzen said after a long moment. "Asuma encountered them in the Land of Tea, approximately five months ago. Darui of the Black Lightning was leading them then as well."
Kakashi's eye widened fractionally. "Asuma didn't mention seeing a jinchūriki."
"Because there wasn't one visible at that time," Hiruzen replied, turning back to face Kakashi. "But he did report an unusual teen with purple lightning techniques. Significantly more powerful than a typical genin should be."
"That would be Naruto," Kakashi confirmed. "His primary affinity seems to be lightning, not wind as one might expect from an Uzumaki."
"Interesting," Hiruzen murmured. "Nature can be shaped by nurture, it seems."
A moment of silence stretched between them. Finally, Kakashi broke it.
"What do we do now, Lord Hokage?"
Hiruzen returned to his desk. "For now, we keep this quiet. Very quiet." He fixed Kakashi with a penetrating stare. "I cannot stress enough how volatile this information is. If word gets out that the Fourth's son is alive and being raised in Kumogakure, it could trigger a diplomatic incident at best, open war at worst."
"Understood," Kakashi acknowledged.
"There's also the matter of verification," Hiruzen continued. "While your observations are compelling, we must consider all possibilities. There have been cases, rare though they are, where villages have managed to extract and transfer portions of a bijuu's chakra to create pseudo-jinchūriki."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "You think this might be such a case? That Kumo somehow harvested chakra from the Nine-Tails before or during the attack?"
"It's a possibility we cannot discount," Hiruzen replied, though his tone suggested he found it unlikely. "Before we make any moves, we need absolute certainty. Diplomatic relations with Kumogakure are... delicate at the best of times."
"An understatement," Kakashi muttered.
Hiruzen's lips twitched in a humorless smile. "Indeed. Which is why discretion is paramount. Your team—Sasuke and Sakura specifically—must maintain absolute silence regarding everything they witnessed in Wave Country."
"I've already instructed them," Kakashi assured him. "Though, what about Sai? He seems to report to... other channels."
A shadow passed over Hiruzen's face. "Sai knows to keep his mouth shut. Or rather, his handler does."
The implication was clear enough. Kakashi had long suspected Sai's connection to Root, Danzo Shimura's supposedly disbanded black ops division.
"Is there anything else you'd like me to do?" Kakashi asked, sensing the meeting drawing to a close.
Hiruzen considered him for a moment. "Be prepared. I may need your particular expertise in the coming weeks." He paused, then added more softly, "And keep an eye on Sasuke. His encounter with Itachi, however brief, will have affected him deeply."
"Already planned to," Kakashi assured him. "Is that all, Lord Hokage?"
Hiruzen nodded. "For now. Dismissed."
Kakashi bowed and turned to leave, his mind already cataloging the implications of their discussion. As he reached for the door handle, Hiruzen spoke once more.
"Kakashi."
He paused, glancing back over his shoulder.
"If this boy is indeed Minato's son..." Hiruzen's eyes were distant, troubled. "We failed him once. We will not do so again."
"No, Lord Hokage," Kakashi agreed quietly. "We won't."
The door closed behind him with a soft click.
Inside the now-silent office, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat motionless for several long moments. Then, without turning, he spoke to the apparently empty room.
"Wolfblood."
A shadow near the ceiling shifted, resolving into the kneeling form of an ANBU operative wearing a stylized wolf mask. "Lord Hokage."
"Bring me Danzo. Immediately. No excuses, no delays."
The ANBU vanished without a sound, leaving Hiruzen alone with his thoughts.
When the door opened again some twenty minutes later, it admitted a figure that seemed to embody shadow itself. Danzo Shimura walked with the aid of a cane, his right arm hidden beneath his robes, his face partially wrapped in bandages. Despite his apparent infirmity, power radiated from him.
"You summoned me, Hiruzen?" Danzo asked, sounding a little intrigued.
"I did." Hiruzen turned from the window where he'd been watching the village lights come on as dusk deepened. "I have a job for you, old friend."
"Oh?" A flicker of interest stirred in Danzo's visible eye. "And what task is so urgent that it requires my... particular attention?"
Hiruzen's gaze hardened, the genial old man vanishing behind the steel of the God of Shinobi. "One that, if handled poorly, could lead us to war."
Itachi Uchiha
The cave was damp and cold, illuminated only by the eerie glow of nine spectral projections. Most appeared as featureless silhouettes, their identities concealed in shadow except for the gleam of eyes and occasional glint of metal. Only two were physically present—Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki, standing at the center of the semicircle arrangement.
"So," a silhouette with peculiar spiral patterns where eyes should be spoke, his voice distorted by the projection technique, "the fearsome duo returns empty-handed. How unexpected."
Kisame's lips curled back, revealing shark-like teeth. "Watch it, Tobi. I'm not in the mood for your yapping."
"Did the little kittens scratch you too hard?" Another silhouette taunted, this one was Hiden. "And here I thought you were supposed to be the Monster of the Hidden Mist."
"Funny you should mention scratching," Kisame growled, hefting Samehada forward. The massive sword was wrapped in bandages, but several places revealed unusual damage—blackened scales that seemed partially melted. "The Two-Tails jinchūriki did a number on Samehada. Bijuu fire burns hotter than I expected."
"Perhaps you should rename yourself," a deep voice rumbled from the tallest silhouette. "The Singed Shark of the Hidden Mist has a certain ring to it."
A ripple of dark chuckles circulated through the cave.
"Enough," a commanding voice cut through the mockery. The central figure—Pain—stepped forward slightly, his ringed eyes gleaming in the darkness. "I want to hear precisely what happened."
Itachi, who had remained silent during the exchange, finally spoke. "We encountered the Nine-Tails jinchūriki in Wave Country," he stated, his voice devoid of emotion. "He is being raised as Naruto Yotsuki, purported grandson of the Third Raikage, Ay Yotsuki."
"A political powerhouse," observed a silhouette with glowing green eyes. "Kumo has positioned their jinchūriki rather strategically. Unlike some villages that treat them as weapons or outcasts."
"The boy has considerable raw power," Itachi continued as if there had been no interruption. "He accessed the Nine-Tails chakra up to three tails while maintaining consciousness and control. He also possesses an unusual lightning release variant—purple in color and extremely potent."
"And yet you couldn't capture one teenager?" The female silhouette scoffed. "I'm disappointed, Itachi. Your reputation suggested greater competence."
Itachi's expression remained impassive. "Capturing was not our objective at this stage. We were gathering intelligence, as instructed."
"A convenient excuse for failure," the tallest shadow muttered.
Kisame barked a harsh laugh. "You're welcome to try yourself next time, Kakuzu. The kid was accompanied by Darui of the Black Lightning, and the Two-Tails jinchūriki transformed when we had the Nine-Tails subdued. Not to mention Konoha's Copy Ninja and his brats decided to join the party."
"Konoha was there?" This came from a hunched silhouette, his voice grating with curiosity. "Interesting coincidence, hmm?"
"No coincidence," Itachi replied. "They were on a mission in the same location. My foolish little brother was among them."
"Family reunion!" Tobi's voice took on a sing-song quality. "How touching! Did you exchange presents? Share warm hugs and heartfelt tears?"
A slight narrowing of Itachi's eyes was the only indication he'd even heard the taunt.
"The Konoha team witnessed the Nine-Tails' chakra manifestation," he continued smoothly. "By now, they will have reported to the Hokage. This may complicate future acquisition."
"In other words," the silhouette with strange eyes that resembled stitched threads interjected, "you've blown our element of surprise and made the job harder for all of us. Splendid work."
"On the contrary," Pain spoke, silencing further criticism. "This development aligns with our broader strategy. Konoha's awareness will create tension with Kumogakure. Tension between villages serves our purpose."
The cave fell silent as the members processed this perspective.
"Did you at least confirm the seal's parameters?" the hunched silhouette asked. "My intel suggested the Fourth Hokage used an Eight Trigrams Seal. For our extraction technique to work properly, I'll need precise details, hmm."
"The seal appears functional but not impenetrable," Itachi responded. "The chakra leaks when the host experiences strong emotion. Three tails manifested during our observation."
"And the Two-Tails?" Pain inquired.
Kisame grunted. "Similar access to bijuu chakra, but more controlled transformation. Started becoming the beast itself before we departed."
"Retreated, you mean," the female silhouette corrected.
"Made a strategic withdrawal," Kisame shot back with a toothy grin. "But I'm happy to demonstrate the difference by removing that pretty head of yours, Konan, if you'd prefer."
"Enough," Pain commanded again, more forcefully. "The intelligence gathered is sufficient for this phase. We will adjust our timeline accordingly."
"So which jinchūriki are we targeting next?" Kisame asked, eager anticipation evident in his voice. "I've got a score to settle with that Two-Tails brat."
"Neither," Pain answered, his ringed eyes unblinking. "Your next assignment is of a different nature entirely."
This pronouncement drew surprised murmurs from several silhouettes.
"Not a jinchūriki?" The one called Kakuzu sounded displeased. "I was under the impression our primary objective was collecting the bijuu."
"It is," Pain confirmed. "But to reach that goal requires resources, and certain... obstacles must be removed first."
"What sort of obstacles?" Kisame inquired, Samehada twitching on his back as if sensing his growing bloodlust.
Pain's gaze swept across the assembled members. "We have identified a group that possesses an artifact of significant interest to our organization. Your task is to retrieve it."
"And if these people resist?" Itachi asked quietly.
The faintest hint of a smile played at the corners of Pain's mouth, visible even through the projection. "Then they will know pain."
Kisame's face split into a predatory grin. "Now that's more like it. Where are we headed?"
"The Land of Iron," Pain replied. "You leave at dawn."
A ripple of surprise passed through the gathered silhouettes.
"The samurai?" Tobi's voice had lost its playful edge. "That's... unexpected."
"The Land of Iron is neutral territory," Konan observed. "Breaking that neutrality could draw unwanted attention."
"Which is precisely why subtlety is required," Pain stated with finality. "Itachi, Kisame, you will receive detailed instructions before departure. The rest of you, continue your assigned tasks."
One by one, the silhouettes flickered and vanished until only Pain remained facing the two physical members.
"Do not fail," he said simply, before his projection too dissolved into nothingness.
In the sudden darkness, Kisame's chuckle echoed off the cave walls. "The Land of Iron, eh? I've never killed a samurai before."
"Let's hope that remains the case," Itachi replied, already turning to leave. "This mission requires discretion, not bloodshed."
"You really know how to suck the joy out of everything, don't you?" Kisame sighed, falling into step beside his partner. "Fine, fine—subtle it is. But if one of those armor-plated peacekeepers draws a sword at me..."
"Then you'll follow the mission parameters," Itachi finished for him, red eyes gleaming momentarily in the darkness. "Or answer to Pain."
Even Kisame had no retort for that.
Darui - Kumo
The gates of Kumogakure loomed ahead, their massive steel frames embedded into the mountainside like ancient sentinels. Darui felt the familiar pulse of relief that always accompanied his return home—a subtle lightening of the shoulders, something that happened only when the gates came into view.
Home. Finally. The thought settled comfortably in his mind as they approached.
"There it is," he announced to their newest additions, gesturing toward the village sprawling across multiple mountain peaks, interconnected by suspension bridges and winding stairs carved directly into the stone. "Kumogakure."
Ranmaru, still perched on Naruto's back, let out an audible gasp. "It's in the clouds!"
"Hence the name," Darui replied with a small smile. The boy's wonder was refreshing.
The gate guards straightened as they approached, their expressions shifting from boredom to alert interest at the sight of unfamiliar faces.
"Team Darui, returning from Wave Country," Darui called out, presenting his identification. "Plus three... recruits."
The senior guard, a veteran jōnin with a scar bisecting his left eyebrow, eyed Zabuza's massive sword warily. "Momochi Zabuza? The Demon of the Hidden Mist?"
"Former Demon," Zabuza corrected flatly. "Currently unemployed."
"Not anymore," Darui interjected smoothly. "The Raikage has approved their residency. Full documentation will be processed today."
The guard hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with allowing a notorious missing-nin into the village, but Darui's authority as the Raikage's right hand prevailed.
"Proceed," the guard finally conceded. "Medical team is waiting for you at the checkpoint. Orders from above."
Of course they are, Darui thought with a mixture of appreciation and resignation. Nothing gets past Mabui's efficiency.
"The Raikage wants us checked out before debriefing," he explained to the others. "Standard procedure after high-profile encounters."
"I don't need a doctor," Naruto protested immediately, adjusting Ranmaru on his back. The wound on his neck was mostly healed, but it left behind a scar on the side of his neck.
"That's not for you to decide," Yugito replied, nudging him forward. "Even jinchūriki need medical clearance."
Darui led them through Kumogakure's winding streets, past terraced buildings and elevated training grounds. Citizens paused in their daily activities to observe the unusual procession—particularly Zabuza with his enormous weapon and Haku in her distinctive attire.
News will spread quickly, Darui noted. The Raikage will need to make a formal announcement soon.
The medical team was indeed waiting at the checkpoint building—a circular structure situated at the first major intersection within the village. Chief Medical Officer Shī stood at the entrance, his blonde hair and serious expression immediately recognizable.
"Welcome back," Shī greeted them briskly. "We'll need individual examinations for everyone. Priority for the boy with the neck wound and the smaller child."
"His name is Ranmaru," Naruto supplied, carefully helping the lavender-haired boy down from his back. "And I'm fine, really."
"I'll be the judge of that," Shī countered, gesturing for them to enter. "Yugito-san, you're with Dr. Yome. Omoi, Dr. Kaito. Naruto, you're with me. The newcomers will be examined by Dr. Michiko."
Darui watched as his team was efficiently sorted and directed to different examination rooms. Part of him wanted to stay and ensure everyone was properly cared for—a protective instinct he rarely acknowledged but felt keenly for those under his command. Instead, he turned toward the tower rising from the central peak.
"I'll report to the Raikage," he informed Shī. "Send me updates on their conditions."
"Of course," Shī nodded. "Though you should get that shoulder looked at before you go."
Darui rotated the shoulder in question, feeling the twinge where Samehada had scraped away a layer of skin and muscle. "It'll hold until after the debriefing."
"Stubborn as always," Shī muttered, already turning his attention to Naruto, who was attempting to sneak back out the door.
Predictable, Darui thought with mild amusement. The kid hates hospitals even more than I do.
The journey to the Raikage's tower took him through the heart of Kumogakure—past the academy where young shinobi trained, around the communal hot springs that served as both relaxation spot and informal meeting ground for off-duty ninja, and up the winding staircase that spiraled the central mountain.
The village was vibrant today, civilians and shinobi alike enjoying the rare sunshine that had broken through the usual cloud cover. Street vendors called out their wares, children darted between buildings in games of tag, and the distinctive clang of weapons practice echoed from various training grounds.
This is what we protect, Darui reminded himself, feeling a swell of quiet pride that he rarely expressed outwardly. Not just land or political power, but this—life, community, home.
For all his laid-back demeanor and tendency to describe things as "dull," Darui's dedication to Kumogakure ran bone-deep. The village had given him purpose when he'd been a directionless orphan, had recognized his potential when others saw only another mouth to feed. The Third Raikage had personally overseen his Black Lightning training, seeing something worthy in the quiet, serious child he'd once been.
That debt could never be repaid, but he tried every day.
The Raikage's office occupied the top floor of the tower, with windows offering a panoramic view of the village below. As expected, Mabui was at her desk outside the main office, her olive skin practically glowing in the sunlight streaming through the windows. She looked up as he approached, relief momentarily softening her professional expression.
"You're back," she stated, rising from her chair. Her eyes quickly assessed him for injuries with the kind of scrutiny only someone who genuinely cared would bother with. "The Raikage is expecting your report."
"I figured as much," Darui replied, allowing himself a small smile. "How bad has his mood been?"
"On a scale of one to property destruction?" Mabui raised an elegant eyebrow. "We've replaced three desks since you left."
"Only three? That's practically serene for him."
Mabui's lips twitched. "Don't let him hear you say that." She glanced at a clipboard on her desk. "The newcomers' accommodations have been arranged in the eastern district. Basic furnishings, three months' stipend for supplies, standard integration package."
"Efficient as always," Darui commented, genuinely impressed by her thoroughness. "They're still in medical. Will you—"
"I'll escort them personally once they're cleared," she finished for him. "Go on. He's waiting."
Darui nodded his thanks and moved toward the double doors of the Raikage's office. He paused with his hand on the handle, taking a moment to organize his thoughts.
No use delaying the inevitable, he decided, pushing the door open.
The Third Raikage, Ay, stood with his back to the door, gazing out over his village. Unlike his son A, who was all explosive energy, the elder Ay projected the kind of stillness that only came with absolute confidence in one's strength. At seventy-two, he remained an imposing figure—broad-shouldered and straight-backed, with a weathered face that had seen decades of warfare and politics.
He didn't turn as Darui entered, merely stating, "Report."
Darui closed the door behind him. "Mission completed successfully, Lord Raikage. Wave Country is now open to trade with Lightning Country, and we've secured valuable assets for the village."
Now Ay turned, his sharp eyes assessing Darui in one sweeping glance. "The missing-nin and his apprentice."
"Yes, sir. Zabuza Momochi and Haku. Plus an additional recruit—a young boy named Ranmaru with unique sensory abilities."
Ay crossed to his desk—recently replaced, Darui noted—and lowered himself into the chair. "And the complications?"
Straight to the point, as always. "We encountered two powerful shinobi who appeared to be targeting Naruto and Yugito specifically. One was identified as Itachi Uchiha, former ANBU captain of Konoha, the Butcher of the Uchiha Clan, the Kinslayer. The other was Kisame Hoshigaki, another missing-nin from Kiri."
A flicker of concern crossed Ay's normally impassive features. "They were after the Nine-Tails and Two Tails."
"It appears so," Darui confirmed. "They also briefly captured Yugito, but seemed more interested in Naruto."
"Both were wearing identical cloaks," he continued. "Black with red cloud patterns. They seem to be part of some organization with interest in the tailed beasts."
Ay's fist clenched on the desk, the wood creaking ominously beneath his strength. "And Konoha was there as well. You mentioned that in your message."
"Yes, sir. Team Seven under Kakashi Hatake. They witnessed Naruto using the Nine-Tails' chakra."
Darui knew his Raikage knew what that meant for them.
"There's more," Darui added. "The girl who can with us, she has Ice Release."
This drew Ay's full attention. "Ice Release? You're certain?"
"I saw it myself," Darui confirmed. "Exceptional control, too. Not just raw talent, but refined technique."
A rare smile crossed the Raikage's face. "Well done, Darui. That alone justifies bringing them into the fold." His expression sobered quickly. "But Konoha's involvement complicates matters. By now, Kakashi will have reported to Hiruzen."
"And if they suspect who Naruto really is..." Darui let the sentence hang unfinished.
"They'll want him back," Ay completed grimly. "Or at minimum, they'll demand explanations for how a supposedly deceased Konoha jinchūriki ended up in Kumogakure."
"What's our position on this, sir?"
Ay stood, moving back to the window. "Our official position remains unchanged. Naruto Yotsuki is my grandson, being groomed alongside A as the future leadership of this village."
"And unofficially?"
"I need to contact Jiraiya," Ay said after a moment's consideration. "He's been monitoring the situation from his intelligence network. This new organization pursuing tailed beasts will be of particular interest to him."
Darui nodded, though privately he wondered how the Toad Sage would balance his loyalty to Konoha with his apparent concern for Minato's son. The man's visit months ago had already created ripples in Naruto's sense of identity.
"There's one more thing," Ay added. "Yoruichi is returning from her reconnaissance mission. Given recent events, I've requested she take a more active role in Naruto's training."
"His Purple Lightning technique?"
"Among other things," Ay confirmed. "If unknown parties are targeting him specifically, he needs every advantage we can give him."
Darui understood the unspoken sentiment. Despite the political implications, despite the potential conflict with Konoha, despite everything—Naruto was one of their own. Had been raised as family. The village would protect him, as it protected all its children.
"I'll have a full written report on your desk by morning," Darui said, recognizing the dismissal in the Raikage's posture.
"Good. And Darui—" Ay's voice stopped him at the door. "Get that shoulder looked at. I need you at full capacity in the days ahead."
Darui smiled faintly. "Yes, Lord Raikage."
As he closed the door behind him, Mabui looked up questioningly.
"About what I expected," he told her. "Are the new arrivals cleared from medical yet?"
"Just received word," she confirmed, standing and gathering a folder of documents. "I'm heading there now."
"Need company?"
Mabui glanced at him assessingly. "Shouldn't you be getting that shoulder treated?"
"Probably," he admitted. "But I'd like to make sure they're properly settled first."
A knowing look crossed her face. "Always taking care of everyone else first, aren't you?" It wasn't really a question. "Fine, but afterward, medical. No arguments."
"Yes, ma'am," Darui replied with exaggerated deference, earning a small smile from her.
As they headed back down the tower stairs together, Darui found himself watching Mabui from the corner of his eye. Her efficiency sometimes made people forget that beneath the professional exterior was a woman of remarkable compassion and intelligence. Those were qualities Naruto had clearly recognized in her as well, though their relationship remained discrete.
Not my business, Darui reminded himself. In Kumogakure, personal relationships were precisely that—personal—unless they interfered with missions. So far, Naruto's complicated love life hadn't affected his performance as a shinobi, and that was all that ultimately mattered.
Still, he hoped the kid knew what he was doing. Juggling multiple relationships took a kind of emotional intelligence Darui wasn't sure the enthusiastic teenager possessed.
But then again, he mused as they stepped out into the afternoon sun, he keeps surprising us all.
Naruto
Naruto's apartment stood at the edge of Kumogakure's shinobi district—a modest two-bedroom unit with a small balcony offering a sweeping view of the cloud-shrouded mountains. He had started living here since the day he learned about his parents. The medical team had finally released him with strict instructions to rest, which he was predictably ignoring. Instead of sleeping, he sat cross-legged on the balcony floor, eyes closed in what might have appeared to be meditation but was actually a swirling internal dialogue.
The fading sunlight caught the new scar on the side of his neck—a thin, pale line where Itachi's kunai had sliced through skin. By all medical logic, he should have died from that wound. If not for the Nine-Tails' healing factor...
His hand rose unconsciously to touch the mark. Another reminder of how different he was from ordinary shinobi. How complicated his existence had become.
"You're the son of Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage of Konoha, and Kushina Uzumaki." Jiraiya's words from months ago still echoed in his mind, disrupting everything he thought he knew about himself.
"What would they have done to her? To my mother, if Kumo had successfully kidnapped her?" His own question to the man he'd called grandfather his entire life.
"You don't want to know, Naruto." Ay's grim response, heavy with implications that haunted Naruto's dreams.
The sliding glass door behind him whispered open, drawing him from his thoughts. He knew who it was without turning.
"Brooding doesn't suit you, kitten," a playful voice teased from behind him. "Your face might freeze that way."
Something in Naruto's chest loosened at the sound. He turned, unable to suppress the smile that spread across his face. "Yoruichi."
She stood in the doorway, arms crossed beneath an impressive bust barely contained by her form-fitting black top. Her dark skin seemed to glow in the fading sunlight, purple hair pulled back in its usual ponytail. At twenty-nine, Yoruichi Shihōin moved with the confident grace of a predator, comfortable in her own lethal skill.
"Miss me?" she asked with a knowing smirk, stepping onto the balcony with feline grace.
Naruto rose to his feet, his smile widening into a grin. "Maybe a little."
"Liar," she laughed, closing the distance between them. Her golden eyes narrowed as they fixed on his neck. The playfulness vanished instantly, replaced by a dangerous intensity. "Who did that?"
"It's nothing," Naruto said automatically. "Already healed."
Yoruichi's fingers traced the scar with a gentleness that belied the tension in her body. "This isn't 'nothing,' Naruto. Someone got close enough to cut your throat."
He sighed, knowing she wouldn't let it go. "Uchiha Itachi. Former ANBU from Konoha. He and his partner tried to capture me in Wave Country."
Her eyes widened fractionally. "Uchiha Itachi? The Kinslayer?"
"You know him?"
"Know of him," Yoruichi corrected, her expression grave. "He's in the bingo book with a flee-on-sight order for anyone below S-rank."
"Yeah, well, wish I'd known that before I went three tails on him," Naruto muttered.
"Tell me everything," she demanded, pulling him back into the apartment and shutting the balcony door. "From the beginning."
Naruto did, recounting the Wave mission in detail—from their first encounter with Team Seven to the final battle on the bridge. Yoruichi listened intently, interrupting only occasionally for clarification. When he finished, she let out a long, slow breath.
"And I thought my reconnaissance mission was eventful," she murmured. "Are you really okay?"
"Physically? Yeah," Naruto answered, dropping onto his couch. "The rest of it..." He trailed off, unable to articulate the tangle of emotions churning inside him.
Yoruichi settled beside him, draping her legs across his lap. "Talk to me, kitten. What's going on in that head of yours?"
The familiarity of her presence, the lack of judgment in her golden eyes, broke something loose in him.
"I keep thinking about those people in Wave," he admitted. "They were suffering, dying slowly while Gato bled them dry. We helped them, but not because it was right. We helped them because it benefited Kumo to have a trading partner in Water Country." He stared at his hands. "It was the right thing for the wrong reasons."
Yoruichi considered him thoughtfully. "And that bothers you."
"Shouldn't it?" he challenged. "If we only do good things when there's something in it for us, are we really any better than Gato?"
"The world isn't divided into heroes and villains, Naruto," Yoruichi replied, her voice gentle. "Every village operates on self-interest. Konoha, Suna, Iwa—they're no different, just maybe more subtle about it. In the end, all villages want the same thing: security, prosperity, power."
Her hand found his, fingers intertwining. "That doesn't make them—or us—evil. It's just how the world works."
"So we just accept that?" Naruto asked, frustration creeping into his voice. "That everything is about advantage and power plays?"
"No," Yoruichi shook her head. "We recognize it for what it is, and then we find ways to do good within that system. Like you did with Inari and Ranmaru."
Naruto fell silent, considering her words. Finally, he voiced the question that had been burning inside him since their encounter with Team Seven.
"I wanted to talk to them," he admitted quietly. "The Konoha team. I wanted to ask them about... about my parents' village. Is that wrong? To be curious about the place they called home?"
Yoruichi's expression softened. "Of course not, kitten. It's perfectly natural to want to understand where you came from." She shifted position, moving to straddle his lap and look him directly in the eyes. "Your heritage is part of you, whether you were raised in Konoha or Kumo. Being curious doesn't make you disloyal."
Naruto's hands settled naturally on her waist. "I don't even know what I'm looking for. It's not like I want to leave Kumo or anything. I just... I want to understand."
"Understanding is never wrong," Yoruichi assured him. "Just be careful how you pursue those answers. The political situation between villages is... delicate at best."
"Tell me about it," Naruto grimaced. "My existence alone could probably start a war if Konoha found out."
"All the more reason to keep you alive and in one piece," Yoruichi murmured, leaning closer. Her eyes dropped to the scar on his neck, then rose to meet his gaze. "Which means your training intensifies starting tomorrow. No more opponents getting close enough to leave marks on you."
"Yes, sensei," Naruto replied with mock seriousness.
Yoruichi's own lips curved in a predatory smile that sent a pleasant shiver down his spine. "I've always liked when you call me that," she purred before closing the remaining distance between them.
Her lips met his in a kiss that quickly deepened from affectionate to passionate. Naruto's hands tightened on her waist, then slid lower as she guided them to the curve of her ass—a feature he'd been not-so-subtly admiring since she entered the apartment.
"Bedroom," Yoruichi murmured against his lips, her golden eyes darkening with intent. "Now."
Before he could respond, she had already pulled him to his feet and was guiding him through the apartment. At the threshold of his bedroom, she turned, pushing him backward with a playful smirk until he fell onto the mattress. She followed in one fluid motion, straddling him.
"Enough talking for tonight," she purred, leaning down to brush her lips against his ear. "I've got much better plans for that mouth of yours."
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