046 A Long Road

Konan was surprised. "That sage power... does it come from the same place as yours, Mount Myōboku?"

Naruto replied cautiously, "I'm not sure yet. Stay close, Sister Konan. Don't stray too far."

Sensing a power like his own, Naruto realized someone was watching them and that person had noticed him too.

Zzzt!

In the mist, a pair of golden eyes appeared, and a low humming came from their direction.

Naruto's eyes widened. "Killing intent!"

Whoosh!!

A shadow burst through the fog!

"So fast!!"

Naruto grabbed Konan and dodged to the side just in time.

The flying figure had launched an arrow, made of a strange mix of purple and green liquid, right where Naruto had been standing.

Chichichi...!

The arrow sizzled as it hit the ground, dissolving into mist.

"It's poison!" Konan gasped. She had fought Hanzo's forces many times and could recognize poisons instantly. 

"This one's even deadlier than the salamander's! Naruto, we need to get out, now! If we stay, we'll die!"

Coo!

A second poisoned arrow flew toward them!

Naruto's left eye snapped open.

——Shinra Tensei!

Boom!

A burst of repulsive force exploded, shattering the arrow and releasing an even thicker cloud of poison gas.

Naruto's Rinnegan stared deep into the mist. He spoke in a low voice, "I remember your chakra…"

Whoosh!

The pupil in the center of his Rinnegan glowed, forming a black circle.

—Realm of Samsara: Release!

Swish!

Amegakure, outside the tower.

Naruto and Konan opened their eyes at the same time. Rain poured down their faces, cold and heavy, but there was still a flicker of thrill in their expressions.

"That was close…" Naruto muttered.

Konan replied, "It's nothing like the memories you showed me."

Naruto smiled, stretched, and stood up.

"There were 152 in total. Over 30 of them are already heading out to sea. That should be enough."

"Yeah… it's time to rest."

Konan stood up, her face pale, and walked quickly toward the tower

But suddenly, she stumbled and collapsed.

"!"

Naruto's expression changed. He rushed forward and caught her. "Are you okay, Sister Konan?"

Konan gave a faint smile. "I'm fine… just used too much chakra."

But Naruto could tell It wasn't that simple.

Naruto gently placed the back of his hand on Konan's forehead. His expression changed instantly.

"You're so hot! You have a really high fever!"

Konan's eyes were unfocused. 

"Maybe it's because I used too much chakra dispersing the paper clones… and the rain didn't help either. I'm sorry, Naruto. Can you help me back to my room?"

Naruto helped her back.

Konan was burning with fever, still in her soaked clothes. If this kept up, things would get worse.

Naruto made a quick decision. "I'll go to the village and find some women to help "

"Wait… no!"

Konan grabbed his hand, stopping him.

"No, Naruto. I'm the leader of the Rain Shinobi. The image I've built is one of being calm, untouchable. If that image breaks, it'll be hard to manage things later…"

Naruto frowned. "You're worrying about that now?"

Konan let go of his hand, breathing weakly as her eyes slowly shut. "I'm a ninja… I won't die from a little fever…"

Naruto stood there, conflicted, eyes falling on Konan's rain-soaked cloak, the backless mesh shirt beneath, and her light purple pants.

He remembered when Hinata had fallen seriously ill. He took care of her back then, cleaned her up, even performed chakra purification.

But that was different. She was his wife.

Konan was his senior, someone he deeply respected.

Doing something like that now… might cause big problems later.

"…Hah."

Naruto took a deep breath. "Sister Konan, wait here. I'll be back soon."

Konan was already unconscious

...

Early morning in Konoha Village was lively and full of energy.

After many days in a coma following the battle with Pain, Tsunade had finally woken up.

Outside a temporary tent, Shizune stepped out, holding her pet pig. She suddenly stopped, her eyes narrowing as she looked into the shadows.

"Who's there?" she asked coldly.

A calm voice replied, "Shizune-san, how have you been?"

A young man in a fire-patterned cloak stepped out and removed his mask.

"...Naruto?!" 

Shizune gasped in surprise. But then she remembered, Naruto was considered a traitor now. Her expression turned cautious.

"What are you doing here in Konoha?"

Naruto spoke evenly. "I need your help, Sister Shizune."

Holding her pig in her left arm, Shizune discreetly reached for a kunai with her right. "This better not be a trick…"

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

Zzzt!

Naruto's right eye changed,revealing the three tomoe of the Sharingan.

"Sharingan, no!" Shizune quickly shut her eyes to avoid being caught in a genjutsu.

But it was too late.

Naruto smirked, dashed forward, and effortlessly lifted Shizune over his shoulder.

Shizune was shocked. "Na-Naruto… what are you doing?!"

"Sorry," Naruto said. "It's an emergency and I had no choice."

Swish!

With a flash of Flying Thunder God, Naruto disappeared with her.

Tonton, the pig, fell through the air

Swish!

Naruto flashed back in, caught the pig midair, and vanished again.

…..

Amegakure, Seventh floor of the tower

Shizune sat against the wall, frowning. "Naruto, you need to explain what's going on!"

Holding Tonton in his arms, Naruto spoke sincerely. "I'm sorry for bringing you here like that, Sister Shizune. One of my companions is sick and needs care. But because of… the difference between men and women, I thought of you right away."

"..."

Shizune stared at him in silence.

Naruto added, "Please trust me. I could've used genjutsu with the Sharingan… but I didn't. I chose to ask you."

Shizune's expression softened. She had known Naruto for years, and even with everything that had happened, deep down she still trusted him.

And as a medical ninja trained by Tsunade, her duty was always to the patient first.

She stood up and said firmly, "Where is the patient?"

Naruto pointed. "In the room behind you."

Shizune gave him a long, searching look. "We'll talk more after this."

With that, she turned and stepped into the room.

Naruto held Tonton in his arms, quietly watching the cold rain fall outside the tower.

The pale moonlight cast a chill that seeped into his heart.

"…Yeah. I'm no longer Hokage. No one rushes to help me when I'm in trouble. I even have to sneak back into the village like a thief…"

He let out a deep sigh.

"Being a traitor… it's heavier than I expected. Sasuke… was it like this for you too? Looks like we both still have a long road ahead."

"Guwuwu~…"

Tonton let out a soft, piggy whimper.

Naruto gently patted her pink head and smiled.

"Hungry? Don't worry. I'll make sure you're fed before you head back…"

…..

Meanwhile, in Akatsuki's new hideout

Whoosh!

Kamui swirled and released its target.

Sasuke reappeared, back in his original form, cold and silent.

Obito looked at him seriously.

"So… have you cooled down a little, Sasuke?"

.

.

TO BE CONTINUED

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