The night air was cool as the moonlight shimmered over the lake behind Amegakure (Hidden Rain Village). A wooden bridge stretched across the water, leading to an octagonal pavilion at the lake's center.
Beneath the pavilion, Tsunade and Jiraiya sat together, reunited after years apart, sharing their thoughts and burdens.
Inevitably, their conversation turned to Naruto Uzumaki.
Tsunade, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol she had consumed, leaned her head gently against Jiraiya's shoulder. Her gaze was fixed on the ripples spreading across the lake's surface, her amber eyes reflecting a deep uncertainty.
"Naruto has become a complete mystery to me," she admitted, her voice soft and tinged with regret. "I don't understand why he left the village, nor do I know what he hopes to achieve in the future. I can't even decide how I or Konoha should approach him now. Jiraiya, you were his teacher. Can you tell me what you think?"
Jiraiya remained silent for a long while, lost in thought. Finally, he reached for his pen, only to find that his paper had run out.
Tsunade extended her hand, palm up, and murmured, "Write it here."
Jiraiya hesitated briefly, then gently held her delicate hand and wrote two characters on her palm:
"Trust."
A gentle breeze swept across the lake, carrying away the ripples—and the uncertainty clouding Tsunade's eyes.
"Jiraiya," she said resolutely, "if this is your choice, then I will stand firmly by your side."
After leaving the Hall of Eternal Life on Mount Myōboku, Naruto declined Shima's invitation to a "bug feast" and returned to Amegakure that same night.
With the key to the Four Symbols Seal now in his possession, he was ready to unlock the seal on the Nine-Tails. His next destination: the Falls of Truth on Paradise Island in the Land of Lightning.
Before his departure, Tsunade came to see him off.
"You're leaving?" Naruto asked, his tone casual. "Granny Tsunade?"
"Yes," she replied. "Jiraiya, I'll leave him in your care."
"Of course," Naruto said with a faint smile. "That's my responsibility. By the way, about Sakura..."
Later that night, Sakura Haruno knelt on the path Tsunade would take to leave the village.
Tsunade stopped in front of her. "Sakura."
Sakura, her head bowed deeply, replied, "Yes, Master."
Tsunade's gaze darkened. "Naruto and Katsuyu have already told me everything. Including... what happened to your parents."
Sakura's voice trembled as she fought back tears. "I'm sorry, Master! I've failed you and your teachings!"
Tsunade's tone was firm but not unkind. "From this day forward, you are no longer my disciple, nor are you a shinobi of Konoha."
Sakura's fingers dug into the dirt, her voice barely audible as she forced out, "Understood."
Tsunade's voice softened, though it carried the weight of finality. "Now, for my last lesson to you: lift your head."
Sakura raised her head slowly, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.
"Medical ninjutsu transcends nations and villages," Tsunade began. "Its purpose is to save lives, no matter where those lives are. You've mastered the Strength of a Hundred Seal and possess the ability to summon Katsuyu. As a medical ninja, you are already my equal."
"From now on, you will remain in Amegakure, by Naruto's side. Use this opportunity to contribute to this village—not just for its sake, but for Konoha's as well."
Tsunade's voice grew heavier as she continued. "During the past shinobi wars, the great nations—including Konoha—ignored the suffering of smaller nations and villages, leaving them with scars that can never heal. This is why Pain sought to destroy Konoha. We planted the seeds of our own destruction and reaped the bitter fruit."
"Even if Konoha defeated Pain, as long as the root of the problem remains unresolved, another Pain will rise. It's time to make amends. But as Hokage, I must prioritize the interests of my nation and village. There are limits to what I can do. Sakura, I am entrusting this mission of redemption to you. Can you fulfill it, as a shinobi born in Konoha but now a part of Amegakure?"
Tears finally spilled from Sakura's eyes—not tears of weakness, but of determination.
"I will give my life for this mission!" she declared.
Tsunade smiled, her expression filled with pride. She helped Sakura to her feet, removed her Konoha headband, and replaced it with one bearing the symbol of Amegakure, which she had received from Naruto.
"Though you and Naruto have left Konoha, the village will not consider you traitors. Let this be your new beginning. As a shinobi, make your mark on the world."
With those parting words, Tsunade strode away, her figure disappearing into the wind.
Shizune, carrying Tonton in her arms, paused to offer Sakura a warm smile of encouragement.
As she watched Tsunade's retreating figure, Sakura bowed deeply, her heart filled with resolve.
At the gates of Amegakure, Yamato came running, breathless.
"Lady Tsunade, wait for me!"
Tsunade stopped, turning to face him. "Tenzo?"
Panting heavily, Yamato managed to say, "Please... let me return to the village with you!"
Tsunade frowned in thought before replying, "Naruto is preparing to harness the power of the Nine-Tails. To be safe, Yamato, you will accompany him. Your Wood Release may prove invaluable in critical moments."
"What?!" Yamato exclaimed, visibly distressed. "Naruto is now considered a rogue ninja, and he's been linked to the Akatsuki. While I personally want to help him, the village will surely disapprove."
Tsunade's voice was unwavering. "This is an order from the Hokage. I will take full responsibility for the consequences."
Yamato straightened, his expression serious. "Understood!" he said. Then, hesitating, he asked, "Once my mission is complete, may I return to the village?"
Tsunade considered this for a moment before replying, "Stay and assist with the reconstruction of Amegakure. Once the work is done, you may return to Konoha."
"Understood," Yamato said with a nod.
And so, Yamato became one of the companions on Naruto's journey to Paradise Island.
On a ship bound for Paradise Island in the Land of Lightning, Yamato sat stiffly, his discomfort palpable. The reason for his unease? Another companion on this journey: Orochimaru.
"Of all people," Yamato thought grimly, "I have to travel with Orochimaru? Just thinking about it is shortening my lifespan."
Orochimaru turned to him with a sly smile. "It'll be a while before we reach Paradise Island. Why don't you rest for a bit?"
Yamato jolted upright. "N-no, thank you. I'm not tired at all!"
Orochimaru chuckled, his tone unsettlingly friendly. "You don't need to be so nervous. After all, you're one of my adorable little experiments. Of all the children, you were the only one who survived and grew into such a fine adult. Just looking at you fills me with nostalgia."
If Yamato hadn't witnessed Orochimaru's monstrous battle with Naruto in his Four-Tails form during the Tenchi Bridge incident, he might have believed the man had turned over a new leaf.
"What is Orochimaru plotting?" Yamato wondered. "Could he be the reason Naruto left the village? Did he manipulate him?"
At dawn, their ship approached Paradise Island.
"Naruto," Yamato asked, "this place is sacred to the Land of Lightning and falls under Kumo's jurisdiction. Did you notify them in advance?"
Naruto smiled faintly. "I did. Whether they approve or not, though, is another matter entirely."
Yamato felt a chill run down his spine. "I have a bad feeling about this," he muttered.
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