The clearing where the combined Konoha and Suna squad met Kimimaro resembled a battlefield from an ancient era.
The ground was heaved up by waves of sand mixed with mud. Giant, sharp bone spikes stuck out of the soil like tombstones.
In the center of this chaos lay a body. Kimimaro Kaguya. His death wasn't glorious. He simply ran out of steam. His heart stopped under the onslaught of illness and coordinated attacks: Gaara's sand techniques, Lee's bone-breaking strikes, and precise support from Neji, Chōji, and the Sand Team. They overwhelmed him with numbers and tactics.
Gaara stood over the body, arms crossed. Rock Lee sat on the grass, bandaging his leg.
The bushes parted.
Naruto emerged from the forest. Shikamaru and Kiba followed him.
The commander's appearance was eerie. His black jacket had turned into rags, revealing mesh armor and skin covered in burns and abrasions. But he walked evenly, without limping. A heavy, suppressive aura still hovered around him—a residual effect after breaking through to the Golden Core.
Neji activated his Byakugan, scanning the forest behind Naruto.
"Where is the Uchiha?" he asked.
Naruto stopped. He scanned his squad. Everyone alive. That was the main thing.
"With Orochimaru," Naruto's voice was hollow, devoid of emotion. "I met the Snake. The fight was... difficult. Sasuke was taken."
Silence fell.
The shock was palpable. The Genin understood: if Naruto, who coordinated the destruction of the Sound Three and broke the Barrier in the battle of the Third, says the fight was "difficult" and the enemy got away... it meant there was absolute hell.
Gaara slowly nodded. The sand at his feet calmed.
"A Sannin..." he said quietly. "That explains Shukaku's reaction. You survived a fight with a monster, Naruto Uzumaki. That is already a victory."
"It's not victory, but survival," Naruto cut off harshly. "We lost a man but saved the squad."
He straightened up, suppressing the overwhelming fatigue with an effort of will.
"Squad, listen to my command. We are returning. We are bringing the report. Temari, Kankurō, Gaara—thank you for your help. Konoha won't forget this debt."
***
Konoha Gates. Sunset.
The sky was painted in alarming crimson-purple tones. The huge green gates were open, casting long shadows.
Izumo and Kotetsu, standing at their post, peered tensely at the road drowning in twilight.
Two kunoichi stood next to them. Sakura, nervously biting her lips, and Ino, who came to learn the fate of Shikamaru and Chōji.
When silhouettes appeared on the horizon, the girls leaned forward.
One, two, three... all except one.
Sasuke wasn't there.
The squad entered the gates. They walked in formation, maintaining dignity despite wounds and exhaustion. Naruto walked at the head.
Sakura and Ino rushed to meet them.
"Naruto!" Ino exhaled, her eyes widening with fear at the sight of the guys' condition. "Where... where is Sasuke?"
Sakura was silent. She turned pale, already understanding the answer from Naruto's face.
Naruto stopped. He didn't look away.
"I found him," he said firmly, looking at Sakura. "We talked. He was ready to return. But Orochimaru intervened. Personally."
Naruto put a heavy hand on Sakura's shoulder. A gesture not of a boy, but of a man comforting a civilian.
"He is alive. The Snake won't kill him," Naruto said confidently. "Sasuke is valuable to him as a tool. We have time. This is a kidnapping, Sakura. We will get him back."
The girls didn't become hysterical. Looking at Naruto, who even now radiated danger and strength, Ino felt a strange awe. He was different now from how he was in the Academy. This was a Commander who had just returned from the beast's maw.
"This is not over yet," he finished.
***
Hokage Residence. Office.
Darkness was gathering outside the windows; lamps burned in the office.
The atmosphere was tense to the limit.
Tsunade sat at the desk, fingers interlocked. Next to her stood a grim Shizune.
In chairs opposite, like two vultures, sat the Elders—Koharu and Homura.
The door opened.
Naruto and Shikamaru entered.
Naruto stood in the center. He didn't bow to the Elders. He looked only at the Hokage.
"Report," Tsunade demanded.
"The Sound squad of four has been eliminated," Naruto began, enunciating clearly. "Three neutralized by my squad. The fourth, Kimimaro Kaguya, died in battle with Sand reinforcements. No casualties among Konoha personnel. Sasuke Uchiha captured by S-rank international criminal Orochimaru in the Valley of the End area."
"You lost the Sharingan!" Homura struck the floor with his cane. "This is a failure!"
"The Jinchūriki couldn't handle it!" Koharu echoed in a creaky voice. "How could Genin even survive against Orochimaru? You're lying, Uzumaki! Did you just run away? Or lost control of the Nine-Tails and scared everyone off with your chakra?"
Tsunade frowned.
"Orochimaru is Kage level. That you returned alive is a miracle. But losing the Uchiha..."
Naruto slowly shifted his gaze to the Elders. A light ignited in his eyes.
"I didn't run," his voice became quiet, but the window panes vibrated from it. "I forced him to retreat."
"Rubbish!" Koharu snorted. "With what? You are just a vessel. Without the Nine-Tails' power, you are nothing."
"You think so?" Naruto raised his right hand palm up.
He appealed to his recently formed Golden Core.
No seals. No chakra concentration. Only pure Will.
The air in the office distorted. The pressure dropped sharply, causing Shizune to clutch her heart.
Above Naruto's palm, from nothing, solid light began to form.
It thickened, condensed, and took shape.
A blindingly white, shining blade of pure energy hovered in the air. It didn't look like Rasengan or Chidori chakra. It looked like matter made of light. A low, dangerous hum emanated from it, making the hair of those present stand on end.
Qi Control: Projection. Blade.
Dead silence reigned in the office.
Homura pressed back into his chair. Koharu opened her mouth but made no sound.
Tsunade stood up, looking at the blade with greedy professional interest and shock.
He brought that dense energy I saw during surgery outside? And gave it shape? Incredible.
"I awakened the Uzumaki clan heritage," Naruto said calmly, looking at the pale advisors. "My lineage's Kekkei Genkai. Energy control that Orochimaru couldn't overcome with brute force. That is what made him flee."
He clenched his fist. The blade scattered into sparks of light, disappearing as quickly as it appeared. The pressure vanished.
"Sasuke Uchiha is not a traitor. We talked, and he agreed to return when Orochimaru intervened. He is a kidnapping victim. Official status—'Captured.' If you declare him a missing-nin, you admit your weakness before Orochimaru. We will get him back."
Naruto looked at Tsunade.
"Report finished, Hokage-sama. I need to recover."
He turned and walked out, leaving the Konoha leadership in dead silence.
Shikamaru, who had stood nearby the whole time trying not to breathe unnecessarily, followed, casting a look full of respect and fear at his friend.
Naruto Uzumaki was no longer a child to be controlled. He had become a player himself.