Naruto and his squad successfully entered Kumogakure.
As usual, after Naruto showed the guards at the village entrance the scroll bearing the seals of the Hokage, Kazekage, and Mizukage and explained his mission in detail, he and his team were permitted to enter the village.
They quickly found a familiar face.
As they walked through the village on their way to the Raikage's office, Naruto was suddenly tackled by a large figure lunging at him from the side. He was knocked flat onto the ground and nearly suffocated by an enthusiastic kiss.
It lasted about two minutes before she finally pulled away. Still catching his breath, Naruto said,
"Yugito-chan, did you miss me?"
"Sorry," Yugito replied, blushing more than usual, her voice tinged with shyness. "...I was just too happy. You're safe. Everyone heard you'd gone missing in Amegakure, but we later found out it was a false alarm—you're safe and just traveling."
She hesitated slightly before continuing and then noticed the two people standing next to Naruto wearing similar uniforms. "Are they your teammates?"
Naruto nodded. "Yeah, that guy is Sai, and the girl is Maki. Both are excellent subordinates."
Smiling warmly, he continued, "You look great, Yugito. I'm glad to see you again since last time… Has your hand healed already?"
He still remembered how badly she'd hurt her hand during the battle against Kakuzu and Hidan.
Yugito grinned and held up her palm for Naruto to see. Except for a small scar right in the center, it looked completely restored. "It was just a minor injury—rehab took care of it quickly."
Yugito studied the young girl for a moment before looking back at Naruto. "Well, you couldn't have come at a better time. Your friends from Konoha are here—they've been waiting for you."
Naruto gave her a confused look, then realization dawned on him. "Wow, I didn't expect that! Master Jiraiya and Tamako arrived before us? How did they manage? Master Jiraiya moves slowly, and Tamako isn't even a ninja yet!"
Yugito led them to an inn—it was the same place Naruto stayed in during his last visit to Kumogakure.
Once they reached the floor where Jiraiya and Tamako were staying, Naruto suddenly spoke up:
"Wait, did the Raikage only book them one room?"
Looking at him strangely, Yugito nodded. "Well, I'll warn you now—there might be some… unusual noises tonight."
Standing in front of Jiraiya and Tamako's room, Naruto cleared his throat and gently pushed open the door, calling out:
"Ero-Sennin, I'm warning you—if you've laid a finger on Tamako while I was away, I'll rip off your other arm too!"
A startled scream rang out from the room, followed by a happy shout, then footsteps thundered—one heading across the room, the other sprinting toward the door.
The door burst open, and Naruto was nearly tackled to the ground as his adorable assistant threw her arms around him, squealing with delight: "Lord Uzumaki!"
Naruto opened his arms wide and pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm so glad you're okay!"
Tamako softened her hold and gently cradled his face with both hands, studying his eyes closely—particularly his right one.
She looked into that blue eye and knew it wasn't really his. She couldn't even begin to fathom the power concealed beneath it—the Sharingan itself.
But Naruto had specifically warned her not to speak of this matter, so she chose to remain silent.
Jiraiya let out a loud cough to clear his throat.
"Kid, didn't you learn anything from me? If you're gonna get all mushy with a girl, at least do it in your room! Honestly, no professionalism at all."
Naruto glanced past Tamako toward Jiraiya inside the room and shot him a fierce glare—at first. But soon, his expression softened. "Glad to see you've recovered, Ero-Sennin."
Jiraiya raised his fist using his only fully intact hand and said,
"Good guys aren't so easily taken down, kid. I'm glad you came—we need to discuss something serious."
Naruto narrowed his eyes slightly, stepped into the room, and faced everyone. "You're right. There's something important you all need to know—and Raikage-sama too."
Yugito simply nodded without asking questions. She silently resolved to take them straight to the Raikage, sparing Naruto the need to repeat everything later.
"Follow me. He's been waiting for you. That's also why I found you so fast."
******
**Konoha – Hokage Office**
Tsunade stood at the window of the Hokage Office, gazing out over the entire village, her eyes resting on the Hokage Rock.
Her gaze lingered on the nearest face on the monument, and she allowed herself a small smile. She thought to herself that maybe one day, his face would appear there too.
"Hah, if my face ever ended up up there, I'd probably look totally awesome."
Tsunade didn't flinch at the unexpected voice. Slowly, she turned around and saw the person who had occupied her thoughts for some time now—the very same person since he completed that mission which initiated full-scale communication between Konoha and Mist. If only Danzo hadn't interfered back then...
Well, forget about that old fool—he doesn't understand diplomacy at all. Everything will work out in the end.
"Don't get me wrong—I'm glad you're safe, brat—but what are you doing here? I thought you were headed to Kumogakure."
"I'm a Shadow Clone," Naruto's clone replied, walking over beside Tsunade until they stood side by side, gazing at the distant Hokage Rock. "I need to tell you something... About my last mission..."
"You look good in the new outfit," Tsunade chuckled.
She noticed that Naruto had grown taller than her. To her, it seemed like only yesterday he barely reached her chest when they first met. He grew like wildfire and was now over six feet tall.
Tsunade wrapped her arms tightly around Naruto—even though it was just a Shadow Clone.
After a moment, sensing his time was almost up, the clone readied himself to deliver the message: "Lady Tsunade, there's something you must know."
Tsunade murmured softly, indicating she was listening.
"In my last mission, I defeated another member of Akatsuki—Deidara. His body... exploded into nothingness. There wasn't even a single piece left to claim the bounty."
Tsunade gave a silent nod. To her, missing out on a reward wasn't a big deal—Naruto was already wealthy enough. But she knew that wasn't the point he was trying to make.
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