They didn't linger.
With Deidara gone and the possibility of Akatsuki reinforcements returning, the group moved quickly, leaping across the battered canyon floor until they reached a quiet stretch of open grass. The field was wide and peaceful—tall blades swayed gently in the breeze, untouched by the violence that had taken place only hours earlier.
There, on the soft green earth, they laid Gaara's lifeless body down.
The air grew still.
Granny Chiyo stepped forward with slow, deliberate steps. Her old hands trembled—not from fear, but from the weight of the choice she had already made. She knelt beside Gaara and placed her palms on his chest, fingers spreading as faint blue chakra began to glow around them.
Everyone watched in silence.
The chakra spread like gentle ripples of water, wrapping Gaara's still form in a soft light. Chiyo's breathing grew shallow, her back curving as she poured more and more of herself into the technique. Sakura clenched her fists, helpless. Kakashi narrowed his eye, understanding all too well what the jutsu required.
Minutes stretched.
Sweat formed on Chiyo's brow. Her body began to sag.
"I… need a little more," she whispered, voice barely louder than the wind.
Naruto didn't hesitate. He dropped to his knees beside her and placed his hand over hers.
"Here"
As his chakra flooded into the jutsu, the light brightened—flaring so intensely that everyone had to look away. When it finally faded, Chiyo's hand slipped from Gaara's chest, falling limply to the earth. Her small, frail body slowly slumped forward.
The field was silent.
Then—a breath.
Gaara's fingers twitched. His eyelids fluttered. A moment later, his eyes opened, confused, unfocused, searching.
The surrounding Sand ninja gasped, then erupted into cries of relief and joy. Tears streamed down faces hardened by war and loss. Their Kazekage—alive again.
But Gaara wasn't looking at them.
His gaze drifted past the cheering crowd until he saw Naruto standing slightly apart, head bowed as he stared at Chiyo's still form. Naruto didn't speak. He simply watched over her with quiet respect.
Gaara's expression softened.
A life had been traded for his own.
The celebration continued around them as they lifted Gaara to his feet. But in the center of the field, only two people understood the true depth of the sacrifice.
Soon after, they began their journey back—dust rising behind them as they headed down the long road home, each lost in their own thoughts.
And the wind carried the memory of an old woman who gave everything for the future of her village.
.....
Everyone returned to the Sand Village together, their steps echoing through the canyon-like entrance. The moment Gaara appeared, the entire village erupted.
Cheers burst through the streets.
Mothers pulled their children close.
Veteran shinobi straightened with pride.
Even the old, who rarely left their homes, stepped outside just to see their Kazekage alive again.
Sand swirled through the air as villagers rushed forward, surrounding Gaara with relieved smiles, tears, and shouts of joy.
"Lord Kazekage!"
"You're safe!"
"Thank the heavens—thank you!"
Gaara stood in the center of it all as the noise washed over him. His teal eyes flickered, not in defense, but in quiet disbelief. For so long he had been met with fear, dread, and hatred. The ghosts of his past still clung to him—but seeing his people celebrating his return made something deep inside him soften.
' They… waited for me. They care for me.'
The realization hit him harder than any wound.
He turned toward his allies—Team Kakashi, Team Gai, and the remaining Sand shinobi who helped along the way. Gaara bowed his head deeply, something he rarely did.
"Thank you… all of you," he said, his voice steady but thick with sincerity. His gaze locked onto Naruto—his friend, his mirror, the boy who once offered him hope. "Especially you, Naruto."
Naruto flashed a wide grin and rubbed the back of his head.
"Come on, don't make it sound like a big deal. That's what friends do, right?"
The quiet pride in his expression said everything words couldn't.
As the villagers crowded around Gaara to welcome him home, the others slowly stepped back to give him space. Naruto drifted toward the side of the street, watching the scene with a soft smile on his face.
That's when he noticed Temari standing beside him.
She wasn't cheering like the others. Instead, she was watching Gaara, her expression touched with relief—and then she glanced at Naruto. When their eyes met, her face pinked suddenly. She tucked a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear, her tough composure slipping just slightly.
"You really kept your promise," she said quietly. Her voice, usually strong and firm, carried a gentle warmth he wasn't used to hearing from her. "I really am grateful. I… don't even know how to repay you."
Naruto turned toward her, shoulders relaxed.
"You don't have to repay me. But if you really want to…" He let a playful smirk curl onto his lips. "How about we hang out sometime? I wanna get to know you better."
Temari blinked, caught off guard. She felt heat rise to her cheeks again—something nobody ever made her feel. Not opponents. Not allies. Certainly not boys her age.
But Naruto? He was different. Blunt, honest, brave—completely unfiltered. And strangely… comforting.
She crossed her arms in an attempt to ground herself, but the small smile tugging at her lips betrayed her.
"I'd like to get to know you as well," she admitted softly. "So… when should we?"
"How about tomorrow?" he said, trying to sound casual even though a spark lit up in his eyes. "I'm staying here for another day."
"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow, teasingly. "Then I guess I'll be giving you that tour we talked about before."
She turned toward one of the nearby buildings.
"Come on. I'll show you your room."
Naruto shot her a smirk before following, but inside, he felt a quiet warmth spread through his chest.
Before heading off with Temari, he had spoken with Kakashi and the others. After everything Granny Chiyo had sacrificed, it felt wrong to leave immediately.
They agreed together:
They would stay one more day. To honor the life that brought Gaara back.
Naruto took one last look at the celebration behind him… then walked beside Temari, ready for whatever tomorrow held.
TO BE CONTINUED