Report

Naruto leaned against a wooden table... Like always. He stared at the bonfire lit in front. People dancing, singing to their heart content. Laughing, smiling... It felt foreign to be in such a peaceful place, as if the loom of dread was always hanging on his neck.

Gaara approached him with two wooden cups, his eyes never leaving the dancing crowd. He leaned against the table beside Naruto, and gave him a cup.

"Try it. It is one of the finest in our Village". Naruto drank the Sake in one big swoop, making Gaara chuckle.

The blonde stared into the cup, then at Gaara with a subtle smile. "Color me impressed, it's the best one I've had"

Gaara took a sip of his and smiled. "I appreciate the compliment"

They stared at the bonfire in silence, a dreadful silence. It lasted for minutes, then hours. The celebration died down, and all of them went back home... Except for them.

The bonfire left its last spark, then... It was darkness.

"Briefly before that man knocked me out with his Jutsu... I had thought I was going to die today."

A tear silently ran down Gaara's cheek. His expression hidden under the veil of darkness surrounding them.

"I looked down at the Village... My Village. I saw the horror in their eyes, and I was half assured it was the last time I'd see them. But... You happened"

Naruto chuckled. "Forget it. But Gaara..." Naruto tilted his head toward him. "If you die, you make sure I'm not aware of it... Or I'll come kill you, alright?"

Gaara laughed at his words, and then so did Naruto. There, that night... Gaara's eyes were once again opened, he realised he had a friend. And a very good one.

As the next day came, Team Kakashi set out after they bid their farewell.

As they made their way through the desert, then through the dense forest of the land of Fire, Kakashi proposed to take a break, and so they did.

Naruto sat on a boulder, Sakura and Kakashi beside him.

"Naruto, did you read that letter Temari gave you?" Sakura asked, his tone probing.

"Ah yes, I almost forgot"

Naruto reached for his pockets and took out a letter, he tore the wax and pulled the paper inside. He opened the folded paper and started reading through it.

'Dear Naruto Uzumaki. Thank you for saving my Brother, Gaara. I am happy he has a friend such as you, who is reliable even at his lowest. Words cannot express the appreciation I feel for you, and not just me, our whole Village sees you as the hero.

The bravery you showed us by stepping in for his safety has left a wide mark of your existence in the deepest part of our hearts. As her sister, I hope this friendship continues forever. Like you are there for him everytime, Gaara and I will be there for you, whenever you need us.

With Thanks.

-Temari'

Naruto stared at the paper and folded it into his pockets again. His face not giving any hint of happiness or sadness... It was as if he had not read anything at all.

Seeing the blank look on his face, Sakura and Kakashi shared concerned glances.

"Naruto... What happened to you?"

She whispered under her breath. Kakashi too, mentally wondered what could have changed the hyperactive and naive brat, in just three years.

They continued their journey, and in another two days, they reached Konoha. The journey went without a hitch, with a little bit of break here and there.

They stepped in through the door to the Hokage's office, alerting the people inside.

Tsunade, sitting behind her desk, stood up with a surprised look on her face.

"You're back already?"

Kakashi stepped forward with a stern look. Tsunade sat on her chair again and waited.

"Jonin, Kakashi Hatake reporting. The journey..."

As he continued to explain the details of the aftermath of the mission. Tsunade found it hard to take her eyes off Naruto, her pupils shrinking from time to time.

Jiraiya-who was in the corner-grinned like a madman. He approached Naruto and patted his back like a proud father.

"See, Tsunade? What did I tell ya? The kid's full of surprises, hahahaha!"

The Fifth Hokage stared at the blonde with parted lips as the report ended. Shizune behind her also had bulging eyes.

"D-Did you just say... He called a seal for a Bijuu... Weak?"

Shizune couldn't help it, that was one thing tearing off a bijuu seal, but calling it weak... That was madness. A Bijuu seal was known for its complexity and formidable prowess, made by the finest of seal users... Calling it weak was something only a...

"Seal Master"

Shizune had the colour of her face peeled off. Seal Masters were no joke, the last one was an Uzumaki... And it seems that the lineage continues.

Tsunade raised a questioning brow at Jiraiya who was giving an arrogant smirk. I mean... Who wouldn't when you had a student like Naruto?

"Jiraiya, you aren't a seal master, so how did Naruto...?"

Jiraiya grinned. "He taught himself, in... a year"

"Impossible!" Both Tsunade and Kakashi blurted out, but calmed down as quickly. Tsunade fell on her chair with a sweat running down her forehead.

"I have no reason to lie, Tsunade"

She paid his words no heed. All she could think of now was the word "A year" Kakashi was having a mental breakdown as well.

Sakura gave an awkward smile looking at the reaction of the two.

"You shouldn't have said that... Master Jiraiya"

The Sanin shrugged. "Oh, I was as surprised as them, alright... After all, this son of a bitch right here is a goddamn genius after all"

He gave Naruto a warm smile before his figure vanished with a flicker. Sakura stared at Naruto, who had just exited through the door.

'Genius, huh?... The last thing I remember was calling him a dumbass, now look, a legendary Sanin is calling him a genius... What does that make me?'