For his first destination, Naruto chose his friend Gaara's territory: the Hidden Sand Village.
According to intelligence reports, Gaara had successfully become the village leader. Not just any leader, either—the Fifth Kazekage.
We're the same now, Naruto thought with satisfaction. Both Kage-level leaders. Perfectly matched friends.
The journey took several days, with a planned detour through the Hidden Rain Village first. Nagato wanted to see Konan, and Naruto was happy to accommodate.
They found the Rain Village changed. After the catastrophic battle, the surviving ninja had regrouped under Konan's leadership. Without the Akatsuki organization's grand "dream" to pursue, the entire village seemed calmer. More focused.
Konan had followed Naruto's instructions and begun manufacturing explosive tags at scale. For materials procurement and sales channels, Naruto connected her with Shikamaru.
The Nara heir's workload had increased substantially, but the responsibility was shaping him into something exceptional. Every decision he made seemed calculated to benefit Naruto's long-term interests, as if he were transforming into the perfect administrative assistant.
Nagato and Konan spent one day together before Naruto urged them to leave.
"If you stay longer, you'll distract her from production," Naruto explained as they departed. "Shikamaru's already signed contracts with multiple nations. If she misses deadlines, Konoha has to pay breach-of-contract penalties."
He glanced back at the village shrinking behind them. "Time is money, Brother Nagato."
Once they entered the Land of Wind's territory, Naruto got a better sense of Nagato's personality during travel.
The man didn't talk much. Actually, he barely talked at all unless directly addressed. Some might call him boring.
He spent most of the journey deep in conversation with Sasuke, discussing theoretical modifications to the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique. With his dream of world peace shattered, resurrecting Yahiko seemed to be the only goal keeping him anchored.
At least he's focused, Naruto thought, watching the two of them debate chakra flow patterns while Nine-Tails napped on his shoulder.
On the fourth day at noon, they finally arrived at the Hidden Sand Village.
Gaara met them at the gates alongside Temari, Kankuro, and Maki. As Fifth Kazekage, Gaara received Naruto with the highest hospitality protocols—not just securing the best accommodations, but reserving an entire luxury restaurant for lunch.
"All the chefs are yours for the afternoon," Gaara said proudly. "Order whatever you want. As much as you want."
Naruto's eyes lit up. Gaara truly understands me.
The extravagance wasn't actually from the Kazekage's budget. Gaara's father Rasa had been skilled with Gold Dust techniques, accumulating substantial wealth before his death. That inheritance had passed to Gaara.
So really, this was just a rich kid treating his friend to lunch.
When they met face-to-face, Gaara immediately pulled Naruto into a hug.
Then immediately regretted it.
His face barely reached Naruto's chest. The height difference made the embrace profoundly awkward.
Why did I do that? Gaara thought, cheeks flushing as he stepped back.
Inside the restaurant, waiters moved in continuous streams, delivering dish after dish. The table groaned under the weight of food. Naruto surveyed the spread with deep appreciation.
Gaara really is my friend. He gets it.
He looked across at the young Kazekage. Gaara wore his formal robes well, the white and blue fabric crisp and clean. More importantly, his face looked healthy—the dark circles that had given him permanent panda eyes were gone entirely.
Being stared at made Gaara self-conscious. He pulled out the small hand mirror Naruto had given him months ago, checking his reflection for stray rice or smudges.
Nothing. His face was clean.
"Naruto," he said, putting the mirror away, "there's nothing on my face. What are you looking at?"
"You still have that mirror?" Naruto asked, surprised.
"Of course." Gaara's tone suggested the question was ridiculous. "You gave it to me. Why would I throw it away? I carry it everywhere."
The admission came easily, without embarrassment. Naruto had been his first real friend, the person who'd taught him that accepting warmth and connection could make life better. That mirror represented their friendship—of course he kept it close.
His relationship with Temari and Kankuro had improved dramatically since then. They felt like actual siblings now instead of wary strangers. He'd even started building bonds with other Sand ninja, people who used to fear him.
All of it traced back to Naruto.
Sometimes late at night, when Naruto's face flashed through his mind, Gaara would take out the mirror. Not to look at his own reflection, but to hold something tangible that connected him to that friendship.
"I'm glad you kept it," Naruto said warmly. "And I noticed your eyes look much better now. No more dark circles. Being Kazekage must agree with you."
Gaara nodded, gratitude filling his expression. "I have you to thank for that too. Remember when you fought Shukaku in Konoha? Beat him so badly he's still traumatized?"
Naruto's lips twitched. "Vaguely."
"Now whenever he tries to cause trouble, I just threaten to let you know. He shuts up immediately." Gaara actually smiled. "Shukaku's become extremely cooperative. Which means I can finally sleep properly. Hence, no more panda eyes."
"So that's why you always looked exhausted," Naruto said, understanding clicking into place. "Shukaku was keeping you awake."
"Exactly."
Conversation shifted to Temari and Kankuro. Both siblings were genuinely happy to see Naruto, though they initially addressed him as "Lord Hokage" with formal bows.
Naruto's face immediately soured. "Don't do that. It's weird."
They both flinched at his displeasure and quickly reverted to using his name casually. The tension dissolved.
Kankuro reflected on how much his feelings toward Naruto had changed. During the Chunin Exams, he'd been the first one forced into friendship. He'd resented it initially—being coerced into declaring someone his friend felt manipulative and controlling.
But then everyone else became Naruto's friend too. At least I'm not alone in this, he'd thought.
And then Gaara transformed. His younger brother, the unstable jinchūriki who'd nearly killed him multiple times, became... stable. Kind, even. Respectful of his siblings.
All because of Naruto's influence.
Maybe being his friend isn't so bad, Kankuro had admitted to himself. Maybe it's actually pretty good.
Temari spent most of the meal asking about Shikamaru. She tried to sound casual, but the specific nature of her questions betrayed her interest.
"So he's Hokage's assistant now?" she asked, trying not to sound too impressed. "Managing Konoha's finances and business operations?"
"That's right," Naruto confirmed. "He's handling most of the day-to-day administrative work while I focus on... other things."
"I always knew he was exceptional," Temari said, satisfaction coloring her voice. "Even when we first met. You could just tell he was different."
Naruto grinned. "You should visit Konoha sometime. Shikamaru would be thrilled to see you."
Her cheeks flushed slightly, but she nodded.
Eventually, Naruto turned his attention to Maki. The older man smiled, but something in his expression seemed strained. Being Naruto's "friend" at the same age as Gaara's teacher created an awkward dynamic that Maki hadn't quite reconciled.
More than that, an ominous feeling had been building in Maki's gut since Naruto arrived. This visit had purpose beyond simple friendship. He could sense it.
Then Naruto confirmed his suspicions.
"Gaara," Naruto said, his tone shifting to something more serious, "do you remember what my dream is?"
Gaara didn't hesitate. "Of course. You want to make friends—many, many friends."
He remembered everything Naruto had told him. Every word carried weight.
"Exactly right." Naruto's expression brightened. "I've made friends throughout Konoha, and in several other places. But I've only taken one small step toward my dream. There's still a much bigger journey ahead."
He leaned forward slightly. "I came here because I want to make friends throughout the Hidden Sand. I want to become close with the ninja and civilians here, build real connections with everyone."
His face showed genuine excitement at the prospect.
Sasuke and Nine-Tails exchanged knowing looks. Both wore matching expressions of anticipation.
When Naruto makes friends, they thought simultaneously, we need to get snacks and watch.
But Naruto's words made Maki's heart sink. There it is. That's his agenda.
If Naruto succeeded, if everyone in the Hidden Sand truly became his "friend," then Sand's power would effectively belong to him. After all, what kind of friend refuses to help when asked? It was a conspiracy hiding in plain sight, wrapped in genuine warmth and impossible to refuse.
Maki tried frantically signaling Gaara with his eyes. Don't agree. Don't make this easier for him. We need to maintain some independence as a village.
Nagato, focused entirely on his meal, noticed Maki's exaggerated blinking. "Maki-sensei, is something wrong with your eyes?"
Gaara, seated next to Naruto and not facing Maki directly, missed the desperate eye signals entirely. His face lit up with understanding.
"Naruto, I see! You want me to help introduce you to people, right? Since I'm Kazekage, I know everyone and can make proper introductions."
"I've got sand in my eye," Maki said flatly, giving up. He grabbed a chicken leg and bit into it with more force than necessary.
If I'm going to become Naruto's friend anyway, he thought miserably, I might as well enjoy this expensive meal first.
"That's exactly right, Gaara," Naruto said, pleased by his friend's quick understanding. "You have the connections here, the authority to arrange meetings. It would help tremendously if you could facilitate introductions."
The polite phrasing caught Gaara off-guard. He wasn't used to Naruto being so formal with him. But he also recognized it as respect for his position and, more importantly, for the dream itself.
"No problem," Gaara said firmly. "Leave everything to me."
After that, conversation paused for serious eating. Naruto unleashed his full appetite, and within minutes every chef in the kitchen was working at maximum capacity just to keep up with his consumption rate.
When the meal finally concluded, Gaara personally escorted Naruto and his companions to their accommodations. The residence met the highest standards—spacious rooms, elegant furnishings, prime location. The best the Hidden Sand had to offer.
"Rest up," Gaara said after showing them around. "I'll start arranging meetings with Sand ninja immediately."
The moment Gaara left with Maki and the others, Nagato claimed Sasuke and disappeared into the tea room to continue their resurrection technique research.
Naruto found himself in the back garden with Nine-Tails, who'd grown to the size of a large dog and was racing around the landscaped paths.
"Naruto!" The fox leaped onto his shoulder, tails swishing excitedly. "When you make friends here, I want to watch."
"Of course," Naruto agreed.
"I'm so excited!" Nine-Tails's voice carried genuine enthusiasm. "This is going to be amazing!"
"Yeah," Naruto said softly, looking out at the Sand Village spreading beyond the garden walls. "I'm excited too."
This was his first real stop outside Konoha. The first test of expanding his dream across the shinobi world. After this would come other villages, other nations, more connections built one person at a time.
The prospect thrilled him.
Meanwhile, Gaara led Maki and his siblings to the Kazekage Building. Like most structures in the Land of Wind, it featured a distinctive rounded architecture designed to withstand the harsh desert winds and sandstorms.
His office occupied the top floor—the same space his father Rasa had used. Gaara had changed very little about the decor, though he'd removed some of the colder, more austere elements.
"I need to start organizing meetings," Gaara said, moving toward his desk. "Naruto asked for my help, and I intend to deliver."
Maki stepped in front of him. "Wait."
Gaara paused, reading concern in his teacher's expression. "Maki? What's wrong?"
The older man glanced at Temari and Kankuro. "Could you two give us privacy? I need to speak with Lord Kazekage alone."
Both siblings looked to Gaara, who nodded permission. They left quietly, Kankuro even closing the door behind them with exaggerated care.
Once they were alone, Maki's worried expression intensified.