When Jiraiya arrived at Naruto's residence, he found it empty. The unsettling silence filled him with a vague sense of unease.
---
Elsewhere
Naruto and Temari were traveling rapidly toward Sunagakure. Naruto marveled at the utility of the Flying Thunder God Technique, while Temari, being carried in a close embrace, was lost in her own thoughts.
This was the first time Temari had been held so intimately by a boy, and it left her flustered. To her, their relationship was only beginning, yet this situation felt so... personal.
Breaking the awkward silence, Temari asked, "Do you really need to carry someone to use Flying Thunder God?"
Naruto, who was holding her in a classic princess carry, tightened his grip slightly. His left hand wrapped around her waist, and his right hand rested firmly on her thigh.
"Well, uh, yes," Naruto replied hesitantly. "I'm still new to it. If I don't carry someone, the teleportation might misfire."
Temari lowered her gaze, feeling the warmth of Naruto's embrace. "How convenient for you…" she muttered under her breath.
Unbothered by her sarcasm, Naruto focused on their destination. Within moments, they crossed the River Country and a vast desert, arriving at the outskirts of Sunagakure.
Setting Temari down gently, Naruto took in his surroundings. "Your village sure is… uh… remote. I mean, your people must have incredible willpower to thrive here," he said, trying to sound diplomatic.
Temari chuckled softly. "It's okay. We're used to it."
Naruto was about to respond when a sudden scream pierced the air. Temari's expression turned serious. "Something's wrong with Gaara's seal again!"
---
System Mission Triggered
At that moment, Naruto's system chimed in his mind:
[Ding! New Mission Unlocked: Subdue Shukaku.]
Reward: +1 Simulation Opportunity
Naruto smirked. The system always seemed to know when things were about to heat up. Without hesitation, he pulled out a Flying Thunder God kunai, grabbed Temari's hand, and teleported directly into the village.
---
Chaos in Sunagakure
The scene in the village was chaotic. Streets were in disarray, and Gaara—half-transformed into Shukaku—was rampaging. Civilians fled in panic while Kazekage Rasa struggled to contain the situation, using his Gold Dust to suppress Gaara's movements.
Naruto shouted, "Kazekage-sama, step back!"
Rasa turned, startled. "Uzumaki Naruto? No, stay back! You'll make it worse!"
Ignoring him, Naruto formed a single-handed seal. "Wood Style: Myojin Gate!"
Massive wooden torii gates descended from the sky, slamming into the ground and pinning Gaara's transformed body. The gates radiated a powerful sealing energy that not only restrained Gaara but also absorbed Shukaku's chakra.
Even Rasa, caught in the range of the Myojin Gate's sealing power, found himself immobilized. His chakra felt suppressed, and he dropped to the ground, helpless.
Naruto calmly walked over, helped Rasa to his feet, and guided him out of the Myojin Gate's influence. As the Kazekage regained control, he stared in shock at the massive wooden gates.
"This sealing technique… It's beyond anything I've seen," Rasa muttered.
---
Temari's Surprise
Temari, who had arrived moments later, was equally stunned. She remembered Naruto using brute force against Shukaku in the Forest of Death, but this… this was on a whole different level.
"How… how did you learn such an advanced sealing jutsu?" she asked, her tone a mix of awe and suspicion.
Naruto didn't respond immediately. Instead, he focused on Gaara, who had returned to his human form but was unconscious.
The system chimed again:
[Ding! Mission Complete: Subdue Shukaku.]
[Reward: +1 Simulation Opportunity.]
[Ding! New Mission Unlocked: Strengthen Gaara's Seal.]
Reward: +1 Simulation Opportunity
Naruto's lips curled into a small smile. It seemed like every step he took brought new opportunities.
---
Inspecting Gaara
Naruto deactivated the Myojin Gate and approached Gaara. As he knelt to inspect the seal, Shukaku's voice boomed in his mind.
"Get your filthy hands off me, brat!" the One-Tail snarled.
Naruto chuckled. "Oh, come on, Shukaku. Don't be so grumpy. Should I call Kurama to calm you down?"
Hearing this, Rasa's face turned pale. "Nine-Tails?! You're joking, right? Please tell me you're joking."
Temari, still recovering from her earlier embarrassment, watched the interaction in disbelief. How was Naruto so calm in the presence of a tailed beast?
"Shukaku," Naruto continued, "I'm not here to fight. I'm here to help Gaara. So how about you work with me instead of against me?"
Shukaku grumbled but fell silent, his chakra retreating slightly.
---
Planning the Seal
Naruto turned to Rasa. "Kazekage-sama, who originally sealed Shukaku into Gaara?"
"Chiyo," Rasa replied, his tone somber.
Naruto nodded. "Her methods were good, but Gaara needs something more stable. I'll reinforce the seal, but I'll need some supplies and a quiet place to work."
Rasa hesitated. Letting an outsider—especially a Konoha ninja—tamper with such a critical matter was risky. But seeing Gaara's peaceful expression for the first time in years, he decided to trust Naruto.
---
A New Beginning
Later that day, Naruto began the intricate process of strengthening Gaara's seal. Temari stayed by his side, her initial wariness gradually giving way to admiration.
As Naruto worked, he felt a sense of fulfillment. Not just because of the system rewards, but because he was making a real difference.
For the first time, Gaara might have a chance at a normal life.
[Ding! Mission Complete: Strengthen Gaara's Seal.]
[Reward: +1 Simulation Opportunity.]
---
Reflection
As the sun set over the desert, Naruto stood atop a cliff overlooking Sunagakure. Temari joined him, her expression soft.
"You're not just strong, Naruto," she said quietly. "You're… kind."
Naruto scratched the back of his head, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Well, I just do what I can."
Temari smiled, her earlier irritation forgotten.
In that moment, Naruto realized something. The world was full of people like Gaara—individuals burdened by circumstances beyond their control.
And he would do everything in his power to help them.
Even if it meant holding a certain someone in a princess carry again.
---
End of Chapter.
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