After burying Granny Chiyo, the atmosphere in the village shifted into a quiet, respectful calm.
The funeral had been simple but heartfelt—Sand shinobi bowing their heads, Gaara standing in silence, and Naruto clenching his fists as he promised himself he would honor her sacrifice.
With the ceremony over, the group decided they would remain for the day and leave at night. Kakashi was still unconscious, needing time to rest, and honestly, no one was in a hurry to rush off.
Naruto, however, saw an opportunity.
Since everyone was occupied and the village was calm, he flashed his trademark grin and made his way toward Temari.
"Alright," he said dramatically, giving a playful bow, "show me the wonders of the Sand Village."
Temari let out a soft chuckle—rare coming from her—shaking her head at his exaggeration.
"You're lucky I like confident guys," she muttered, just loud enough for him to catch.
Naruto's grin widened instantly.
"Then I guess I'm in the right place."
They walked side by side through the stone corridors of the Kazekage's complex. The setting sun painted the sandstone walls a warm gold, and despite the weight of the day, Temari felt something loosen inside her chest. The exhaustion of the last few days didn't seem so heavy anymore.
After a simple breakfast in the tower's dining area—flatbread, grilled talon fish, and cool desert tea—Naruto leaned back in his chair with a satisfied sigh.
"I honestly want a tour of the Kazekage's tower," he said, tapping his stomach. "I've been here before, but never properly."
Temari nodded. "Oh, alright. We'll start there. Then we can go around the village."
"Sounds perfect."
They began at the Kazekage's Tower, the tallest structure in Suna. The building rose like a carved monument, its curved sandstone walls built to withstand both sandstorms and invaders.
Broad banners fluttered near the top, the emblem of the Wind Village swaying gently in the breeze.
Inside, Temari guided him through each floor.
Scroll-lined hallways showed Suna's military strategies. Ancient artifacts and weapons rested behind sealed glass.
Maps of the Land of Wind covered entire walls—trade routes, hidden oases, enemy borders.
Everything was practical. Minimal. Efficient.
Very Gaara.
When Naruto stepped into Gaara's office, he paused, taking it in. The room was neat, clean, and surprisingly peaceful. A faint scent of desert ink and dry parchment lingered in the air.
Naruto smirked suddenly, a playful thought popping into his head.
Temari caught it immediately. She raised one eyebrow, arms crossing lightly. "What are you smirking for now?"
He turned to her with that same boyish charm that always caught her off guard.
"Well, I'm spending the day with a beautiful girl. What's not to be happy about?"
Temari's breath caught.
The words hit her harder than expected.
Heat rushed to her cheeks—she quickly looked away, pretending to examine the office wall even though her pulse had sped up.
Why does he make it sound so casual… but so sincere? Why does it affect me like this?
Normally she brushed compliments aside like dust in the wind. But with Naruto, it felt different. Warm. Disarming. Unexpectedly… nice.
After finishing their tour of the tower, they stepped outside, where a gentle desert breeze brushed past them—cooler now that the sun was dipping below the horizon.
Suna felt alive.
Children ran past them laughing, kicking a gourd-shaped toy around.
Merchants waved from their stalls, offering spices, trinkets, and cooling drinks. The village, usually harsh and sun-baked, felt softer today… perhaps because of the company they kept.
Naruto walked with his hands behind his head, eyes scanning the lively streets.
"Man… your village is kinda awesome," he said.
Temari hid a small smile. With him here, she thought, it really did feel different.
After spending the entire day together—wandering through the sandstone streets, browsing the market stalls, and sharing stories about their missions—they found themselves standing atop the village's outer wall. From up here, the entire Hidden Sand stretched out before them in ripples of gold and red. The setting sun cast long shadows across the dunes, staining the horizon in a deep amber glow.
A soft wind brushed past, warm but gentle compared to the harsh daylight heat. Naruto leaned forward on the railing, squinting at the horizon.
"I enjoyed my time here," he said with a soft grin. "If only it wasn't so hot, though."
Temari chuckled, her voice carrying lightly on the breeze. "You'll get used to it. Everyone complains at first."
Naruto stretched his shoulders, feeling the day's warmth still baked into his clothes. "We'll be leaving tonight. Better to cross the desert when the sun's down. Thanks for the tour, Temari. I really mean it."
She gave him a small smile, though she looked away toward the village lights flickering below. "No problem." A faint, almost imperceptible sigh slipped out before she added, "Well… we should head back."
She turned first, walking along the wall path, but her steps were slower than usual. A quiet disappointment tugged at her chest—nothing strong or dramatic, just a small ache that he didn't stay longer… or maybe that she wanted him to.
But she brushed the feeling aside quickly, straightening her shoulders as Naruto followed behind her, the warm evening wind accompanying their silent descent back into the village.
....
Naruto and the gang were sprinting back toward the Hidden Leaf, traveling across forests, cliffs, and riverbeds. The air rushed past them, and the branches whipped under their feet as they bounded from tree to tree.
But Naruto felt something prickling at his back.
A cold glare.
Sakura.
He didn't need to turn around to know she was staring daggers into him—anger, confusion, maybe even jealousy simmering behind her green eyes. Ever since the incident in Suna—Gaara waking up, Temari being unusually close to him—Sakura had been in a strange mood.
Naruto swallowed but kept running.
What does she want me to do? He pushed the thought aside. The mission was done, and he was exhausted.
He had no energy left to deal with Sakura's mood swings.
---
A few days later…
The familiar gates of the Hidden Leaf came into view. Warm, comforting—home.
But instead of heading to the Hokage's tower to make a mission report like everyone expected… Naruto turned left at the first street and walked straight toward his apartment.
He didn't even say goodbye. He just lifted a hand lazily.
"I'll uh… see you all later. I'm tired."
He vanished around the corner. Sakura glared after him again.
---
Inside the Hokage's Tower
Tsunade's office was thick with tension as the remaining members of the team stood before her. Kakashi was barely standing—propped up with one hand on the wall—while Gai, Neji, Tenten, and Lee stood behind him with solemn faces.
Tsunade pinched the bridge of her nose.
"So let me get this straight… Naruto beat an Akatsuki member. Alone. Without help?"
She stared at the exhausted copy-nin, disbelief dripping from every word.
"What in the world did Jiraiya teach that boy?"
As if summoned by the statement—
SHOOOM—!
The window burst open as Jiraiya leaped inside, sandals thumping against the floor.
"I'll tell you what I didn't teach him," he said, raising both hands. "That."
Tsunade's eyebrow twitched.
Jiraiya continued, voice dropping in seriousness.
"I didn't mention it earlier, but before I came to the village… me and that brat had a light spar."
Kakashi's visible eye widened slightly.
Jiraiya folded his arms, expression unusually heavy.
"I won't lie—Naruto isn't that far behind me. In fact…"
He glanced at Kakashi. "He might already be as strong as you."
A quiet gasp passed through the room.
Kakashi nodded slowly.
"I felt it. When he faced that Akatsuki member… there was something different. His movement, his awareness, his power. I actually wondered if you helped him develop that Rasengan he used."
Jiraiya blinked.
"What Rasengan?"
Everyone froze.
Kakashi straightened a bit.
"The one he used during the mission. The—"
He explained the technique: The rotation, the expansion, the cutting nature, the wind-nature chakra woven into it. A Rasengan so powerful it nearly tore Deidara apart.
As he finished, Jiraiya and Tsunade stared at him, mouths slowly falling open in shock.
They exchanged one look…
Then shouted together at full volume:
"HE DID WHAT!!?"
The tower shook from the force of it.
TO BE CONTINUED