Naruto: The Nine-Tails' Legacy

How strange. Is the Fourth Kazekage really this kind of person?

Mei found it somewhat surprising.

As someone widely considered a future Mizukage candidate, she naturally possessed a decent understanding of the leaders of the other villages.

Sunagakure had once fallen into chaos after the disappearance of the Third Kazekage.

It was the Fourth Kazekage who stabilized the village and restored order.

Yet while the Fourth Kazekage was known for being devoted to governing his village, Mei had never heard of him taking much interest in broader shinobi-world affairs.

Much less showing concern over Akatsuki, a group that had not yet displayed any hostility toward Sunagakure.

After all, during the war years, this was the same Kazekage who had sent Sunagakure's hero, Pakura of the Scorch Release, to her death in Kirigakure simply to secure peace between the two villages.

A man willing to sacrifice one of his village's greatest heroes for political stability.

How could someone like that willingly provoke a dangerous organization simply because an ally requested it?

Is he merely putting on a show for Konoha?

Or is he genuinely interested in Akatsuki's movements?

The question lingered in Mei's mind.

At that moment, Kurama's voice sounded inside Naruto's head.

"Looks like I won't get a chance to see that stinking tanuki this time."

Tanuki?

"Hmph. Don't worry about it."

"We'll run into it sooner or later."

The prospect of not seeing the One-Tail clearly dampened Kurama's mood.

After a few more words, he fell silent again.

Maki escorted them to a nearby town.

Not only did she arrange accommodations, but she handled every detail with remarkable efficiency.

At least on the surface, Sunagakure looked far more like a proper ally than Kirigakure had.

"Who's there?"

Late at night, Sasuke suddenly turned around during his training session.

Upon recognizing the newcomer, his guard relaxed slightly.

"I've grown accustomed to watching Kakashi and you train every day."

"So seeing only little Sasuke training by himself feels a bit strange."

Mei walked over and sat nearby.

"What do you want?"

"Hm?"

"Nothing much."

"But since I'm carrying the title of 'Ninjutsu Advisor,' I should probably do some actual work."

She smiled faintly.

"For example, I couldn't help noticing that ever since we arrived in the Land of Wind, your emotions have been unusually unstable."

"Something on your mind?"

"That's none of your business."

Sasuke looked away.

"Just think of me as the team's wise older sister trying to help."

"...What does that have to do with being a Ninjutsu Advisor?"

"You're only asking because you're curious."

Seeing his unwillingness to discuss the topic, Mei sighed.

"Fine."

"Then let's do something more appropriate for a Ninjutsu Advisor."

"I originally hoped to build a better team atmosphere."

"After all, Kakashi specifically asked me to teach you some things."

Sasuke paused.

"Teach me ninjutsu?"

"That's right."

"Before we left, your teacher specifically requested it."

"He said that even without him around, you'd never stop training."

"And according to him, your talent for ninjutsu is exceptional."

She leaned back casually.

"Compared to someone like Kakashi, who specializes more in ninjutsu-enhanced taijutsu and swordsmanship, I'm better suited to teaching this aspect."

"You'll improve faster."

Then she added casually:

"After all..."

"You don't want the gap between you and Naruto to become too large, do you?"

The words struck directly at Sasuke's heart.

Too large a gap.

Ever since being placed on the same team as Naruto, Sasuke had never once relaxed his standards.

Yet the stronger he became...

The more he realized how enormous the distance between them truly was.

At first, he had believed the Naruto who sparred against Kakashi at the training grounds had been fighting seriously.

Now he no longer thought so.

Kakashi had explained that Chidori, his swordsmanship, and many of his techniques relied on Lightning Release nature transformation.

Once nature transformation was mastered, a technique's power increased dramatically.

Much like Sage Mode.

A method capable of multiplying a jutsu's strength several times over.

After learning this concept, Sasuke had begun combining Sage Mode with Lightning Release to strengthen himself.

With that power, even Akatsuki members no longer seemed invincible.

Yet Naruto had never once displayed a nature-transformation technique of comparable caliber.

There was no way Naruto didn't know them.

Which meant Sasuke still hadn't seen Naruto fight seriously.

And despite that...

No enemy they had encountered so far had forced Naruto to reveal his true strength.

How big is the gap between us?

Even after years of being repeatedly defeated by reality, a stubborn desire remained deep within Sasuke's heart.

A desire to surpass Naruto.

The flame had long since been beaten down to a tiny spark.

Yet it refused to die.

Sometimes, he wasn't even sure whether his hatred toward Itachi...

Or his desire to catch up to Naruto...

Was truly the stronger feeling.

"What do I need to do?"

Sasuke looked directly at Mei.

No hesitation.

No pride.

Just determination.

Meanwhile, in another room...

Hinata and Naruto were conducting their own training session.

"That's right."

"Go a little deeper..."

"Try sensing it..."

"Come on, Hinata. You can do it."

"Take it slowly."

"Don't rush."

"Blend them together..."

Naruto's expression was unusually tense.

He continuously offered encouragement, even though most of his instructions sounded incomprehensible.

Moments later, Hinata's body trembled slightly.

Though she persisted, it was obvious she was reaching her limit.

Then—

Bonk.

Naruto gently but precisely tapped one of the chakra points on her forehead.

"Mm!"

Hinata winced.

Opening her eyes, she saw Naruto's reassuring smile.

Her expression dimmed.

"I'm sorry, Naruto-kun."

"I failed again."

"No, no!"

Naruto immediately waved his hands.

"You've improved compared to before."

"Actively absorbing natural energy is difficult."

"The beginning is always the hardest part."

"You already have a solid foundation."

"Once you get past this stage, you'll learn much faster."

Even so, Hinata looked disappointed.

"Hinata, don't rush just because Sasuke can already use it."

"You've seen how much effort he puts into training."

"Besides, don't forget you still have the power I gave you—"

"Naruto-kun."

Hinata interrupted him gently.

"I want to master Fox Sage Mode through my own efforts."

"Maybe my talent isn't as great as yours or Sasuke's."

"But I don't want to become a burden to either of you."

Looking at Naruto's somewhat clumsy attempts at comfort, she finally smiled.

"I think I've almost grasped the key."

"I'll probably need your help a little longer, though."

"Why would that be a problem?"

Naruto scratched his head.

"You stayed with me all that time when I was training."

"You never complained."

Then his face gradually turned red.

"And..."

"I like being with you too."

"Isn't that normal?"

"For people who are... you know..."

"Dating?"

Hinata's face instantly reddened as well.

Her eyes darted away.

"...Mm."

She answered softly.

A sweet warmth filled the room.

The unmistakable atmosphere of two young people experiencing their first love.

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