(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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The outcome of Naruto and Kakashi's battle remained unknown to Colt.
At that moment, he was with Temari enjoying her last dinner in Konoha.
Temari had come to deliver the latest contract between Sunagakure and Konoha on Gaara's behalf.
After three years, Sunagakure's compensation had been largely settled, and the terms between the villages needed revision.
She had volunteered for this task.
Her true purpose? Delivering the letters was secondary; seeing the person she loved was the primary goal.
Colt also shared the news of Naruto's return.
"That's wonderful! I'll tell Gaara when I return. He's always talking about Naruto," Temari said, her cheeks flushed from drinking with Colt.
Her younger brother Gaara, was a good friend of Naruto.
Seeing her slightly tipsy and alluring appearance, Colt was caught off guard.
Furthermore, her clothes were a bit loose, and she was quite close to him, moving closer every time…
It was clear to him what she wanted.
"Cough, cough"
"Temari, I need your help with something," Colt said trying to hide his embarrassment.
"What is it?" Temari looked curious.
Colt spoke mysteriously:
"I know a jutsu called the [Rasengan] in its regular state."
"However, to turn it into the [Big Ball Rasengan] it requires..."
His voice grew quieter as Temari's face reddened when she understood what he was implying.
Soon after, noises were heard from inside.
(E/N: This caught me off guard, I wasn't prepared for how soon he had another passionate night lol. Anyway, I'll add the smut chapter for each girl he sleeps with as a side chapter, but it won't be in the same chapter the original author implies the smut had happened because it requires time to write it. For now, I have two side chapters to write, Temari and Koyuki. When you see those chapters in the future marked as a side chapter, you'll know they are just smut chapters and can ignore them if you'd want to)
The next day.
"Did you like the jutsu I showed you yesterday?"
Angrily pinching Colt, Temari set out on her journey back to Sunagakure.
She wasn't as drunk as yesterday, so she was a bit embarrassed.
"Haha," Colt laughed.
Shortly after leaving Konoha's gate, Temari felt a sudden heart palpitation.
As if something bad had happened related to her.
Shaking her head, she dismissed it as an aftereffect of last night's over-exertion.
After seeing Temari off, Colt took his time to take a shower, eat breakfast, and strolled to the third training ground.
The uneven ground hinted at the intensity of yesterday's battle between Kakashi and Naruto.
Colt focused a bit, and the soil on the ground rolled for a moment before leveling out.
Today's Colt wielded ninjutsu at will, no longer restricted by conventional techniques.
He had just used Chakra to communicate with the earth element, manipulating it effortlessly. It wasn't even a complete ninjutsu.
"Colt!" Naruto's voice called from behind as he approached happily.
It was then that Naruto noticed a slight height difference between them.
After three years apart, Colt had become even more handsome and taller.
Naruto looked at him enviously.
The Colt of today had fully matured, with refined facial features, smooth skin that even Ino would envy, and refreshing short hair.
Whenever they walked the streets, Hinata and the others had to remain vigilant.
They feared some girls might leap at Colt directly.
"Naruto, I have girlfriends," Colt said, slightly unnerved by the stare, taking two steps back.
"Ah, I know. Why did you mention them though?"
"Didn't you come to teach me a new Jutsu today?"
Seeing Naruto's straightforward response, Colt relaxed.
'This guy is just stupid'
Just as he was about to speak, he saw a figure rapidly approaching in the distance.
"Colt-san, Uzumaki Naruto, Hokage-sama has sent an urgent order for you. Sunagakure was attacked, and Gaara was captured. Please report to the Hokage building immediately!"
The ANBU messenger spoke breathlessly, not daring to delay.
In the next second, Colt grabbed Naruto and used the [Flying Thunder God Technique] to appear in the office.
Tsunade saw them and motioned to wait.
Soon after, Kakashi arrived.
"The ANBU has informed you of the situation," Tsunade said solemnly.
"Konoha and Sunagakure are allies. Gaara was attacked, so we must help them."
"Moreover..." Her expression grew grave.
"This time, the enemy is the Akatsuki."
Yesterday, Jiraiya had returned and shared much about the organization, leaving her deeply concerned.
Without Colt's presence, it was uncertain if Konoha could withstand an Akatsuki attack.
Even a defensive battle against the organization would likely be impossible.
This mission was an opportunity to better understand the organization's capabilities and possibly eliminate some of its members.
"Colt, Kakashi, Naruto, you three will form an emergency team and depart for Sunagakure immediately!"
"Yes!" The three answered in unison, their expressions serious.
Naruto's eyes betrayed his anxiety.
"Colt, watch out for Naruto..." Jiraiya said cryptically, but both Tsunade and Colt understood his meaning.
Colt, with his Sharingan and Wood Style, was the ideal candidate to suppress a tailed beast.
As the number of Naruto's rampages increased, the seal in his body had weakened.
Someone needed to be able to control him.
"I understand. Leave it to me," Colt nodded, making a promise.
After quickly preparing, the three converged at the gate ten minutes later.
Naruto remained silent throughout the journey, and Colt understood his feelings.
If anyone in this world could relate to Naruto's pain, it was Gaara, a fellow Jinchūriki.
Colt activated his [Kagura Shingan] along the way, searching for Temari's trail.
The news of her brother's capture needed to reach her as soon as possible.
Finally, after a long trek, Colt detected Temari's Chakra.
She, too, sensed the undisguised presence of the three-approaching ninjas.
Upon recognizing Colt, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"What brings you here?"
"Sunagakure was attacked. Gaara was captured by the Akatsuki while protecting the village. Tsunade-sama ordered us to support Sunagakure," Colt explained.
As he finished speaking, Temari's body shook.
Her morning premonition had been correct.
"Don't worry. With me here, we'll definitely rescue Gaara," Colt said seriously, gripping Temari's shoulders.
His words eased her anxiety considerably.
The three-person team became four as they continued their journey.
Finally, they made camp in a forest to rest for the night.
While Colt could have pressed on, the other three were exhausted.
He created a shelter using the [Wood Style] and made a fence surrounding it to protect them.
Seeing this, the three sighed in relief and soon fell asleep.
Noticing Temari's furrowed brows, Colt sighed and held her hand.
Feeling the familiar warmth, the sadness in her expression eased somewhat.