The setting sun above Konoha was orange, clouds still thin with light. Birds perched along the tiled rooftops, in Naruto's small apartnt, the quiet was broken by hurried footsteps.
tying his forehead protector tightly and checking the pouch on his hip. His jacket was fastened, his expression set. There was no ti for eating. Tsunade had now allowed him to go after his friends and help them, he was going now.
He stepped out, the door clicking behind him.
As he crossed the familiar streets, the villagers greeted him with quick nods, but Naruto didn't slow down. His mind was already ahead, out there, beyond the gates, where Gaius and Diana were heading toward the Rain Village.
By the ti he reached the gate, Kakashi, Sakura, and Sai were already waiting. Kakashi stood relaxed, reading his small orange book as usual, though the way he glanced up as Naruto approached showed he was ready.
Sakura waved lightly. "You're not late for once."
Naruto grinned. "Didn't wanna keep you guys waiting and i have to go chase my friends."
Sai gave a polite nod.
Naruto scratched the back of his head. "Let's get going then."
Kakashi closed his book, sliding it into his pouch. His tone was calm, but serious. "Everyone ready?"
They all nodded.
"Then let's move out."
Kakashi took the lead, leaping up into the trees that lined the road out of Konoha. The others followed in rhythm, Naruto close behind, Sakura to his right, and Sai moving lightly with them. The wind cut past their faces as they moved swiftly through the forest canopy, the branches whispering under their feet.
For a while, no one spoke. It was just the sound of leaves and the rhythm of their steps. Then Kakashi glanced back slightly.
"Hey, Naruto," he called over his shoulder. "Mind if I ask you sothing?"
"Sure, Kakashi-sensei."
Sakura and Sai both tilted their heads slightly, listening too.
Kakashi continued, "This Gaius person you ntioned… who exactly is he?"
Naruto slowed slightly, thinking. "He's… kinda hard to explain."
"Try ," Kakashi said, voice light but curious.
Naruto rubbed his chin as they leaped across another branch. "He's like a samurai. Yeah, like a samurai, but way, way stronger. He's called a Primaris Ultramarine at least he was called like that before."
Kakashi blinked once. "A what?"
"Ultramarine," Naruto repeated, scratching his head. "It's like… their version of a ninja village. But instead of ninjas, they've got these huge warriors. They protect their worlds, fight battles, that kind of thing."
Kakashi gave a small hum. "And this Gaius is one of them?"
"Yeah," Naruto said. "He's not just one of them, though. He's a Primaris, stronger than normal Ultramarines."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow behind his mask. "How strong are we talking?"
Naruto thought carefully before answering. "Okay, so… imagine a shinobi who's built like Guy-sensei, but ten tis Stronger. And ten tis faster. they just don't have chakra."
Sakura blinked. "Ten tis… Guy-sensei?"
Even Kakashi gave a soft laugh. "That's terrifying." Even without using chakra, Guy is already terrifying. Now imagine a Guy who's ten tis stronger.
Naruto shook his head. "That's just an Ultramarine. Gaius is a Primaris. They're even stronger. when i saw him fight last ti, he completely crushes his enemy easily, and he cannot be overwhelm by number."
Sai tilted his head thoughtfully.
Kakashi nodded slowly. "And his armor?"
Naruto frowned, trying to recall. "All I know is it's incredibly strong. Heavy too, but sohow he moves like it's nothing. The armor makes them stronger, protects them, and… well, looks kinda scary."
Kakashi humd again, thinking. "Sounds like we should be glad he's an ally."
"Yeah," Naruto said simply.
They continued forward, the forest beginning to thin.
After a while, Kakashi slowed, signaling with his hand. Up ahead, three figures appeared walking the sa road, Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji.
Kakashi landed first, followed by the rest of Team 7.
Shikamaru looked up, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, it's you guys."
"Yo," Naruto said, waving.
"Heading sowhere?" Choji asked curiously, munching on a chip.
"Yeah," Kakashi said. "Mission from the Hokage."
Naruto stepped forward quickly. "Hey, did you guys et two people on the road? One's a huge guy in gold armor, the other's a woman in armor too."
Shikamaru blinked, then nodded slowly. "Yeah, we saw them. Passed them earlier, just an hour ago."
Ino frowned a little. "They weren't… enemies, right?"
Naruto shook his head. "No, they're friends. They're helping with sothing."
That made Shikamaru relax visibly. "That's a relief. They gave off strong aura or, whatever that was, but they didn't act hostile."
"Do you know where they went?" Kakashi asked.
Shikamaru nodded toward the northwest. "Rain Village. I told them the direction to the rain village."
Kakashi nodded. "Good. Thanks."
"That's good. I thought there might've been trouble," Shikamaru said, hands in his pockets.
Naruto grinned. "Don't Worry, they are my friends."
Kakashi motioned to his team. "Let's move."
They ran past, continuing up the road. Ino watched them go.
"Should we be worried?" she asked.
Shikamaru looked after them, thoughtful. "…No. If Naruto says they're his friends, we trust him."
Far ahead, Gaius and Diana walked along the dirt road. The trees had thinned, the landscape gradually turning rocky as they neared the borderlands.
Each of Gaius's steps landed with a faint thud, leaving deep marks in the ground. His warhamr rested against his shoulder, his gaze straight ahead. Diana walked beside him, cloak swaying softly.
For a while, neither spoke. Only the wind moved through the grass.
Finally, Diana broke the silence. "We've been walking for an hour and a half. Think we should pick up the pace? The sooner we reach the Rain Village, the sooner we can return to Naruto."
Gaius turned his head slightly toward her. "How strong are you, Diana?"
She smiled faintly. "Strong enough to keep up with you."
Gaius looked toward the horizon, where the clouds gathered thick and dark. "Then we run until we see the storms of Rain."
Diana nodded once. "Understood."
They prepared to move, then both paused.
A shadow passed over them.
They looked up.
A large white bird glided overhead, paper wings shining faintly in the light. On its back, four figures stood. Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, and Sai.
As the bird descended, Naruto jumped down, landing near them in a crouch before standing upright with a grin.
"I convinced Granny Tsunade to let help," he said proudly.
Diana smiled slightly. "Good to see you again, Naruto."
She glanced at the group on the bird. "And these must be your Friends, why don't you introduce us Naruto."
Naruto nodded, his energy bright as always. "Yeah! This is Kakashi-sensei, our leader. And that's Sakura and Sai."
Kakashi gave a polite wave. "Pleasure."
Sai bowed his head slightly. "Greetings"
Gaius's eyes shifted to the white bird curiously.
Naruto seeing Gaius looking at the white bird, he said. "Sai made it with his jutsu. He draws creatures that co to life."
Gaius nodded once, interested but silent.
Diana smiled faintly. "That's quite a skill."
Kakashi stepped forward, casting a quick glance toward the horizon to stop Naruto from revealing his teammates' confidential abilities. "We heard you're heading for the Rain Village now."
Gaius gave a firm nod. "That's correct."
"Then we'll accompany you," Kakashi said. "The Hokage's orders us to assist you."
There was no argunt. Gaius simply accepted it with a small nod.
"Then we continue together," he said.
The six of them turned toward the distant dark line of clouds, the edge of the Land of Rain. The wind was cooler now, carrying the scent of coming rain.
End of Chapter 75
~~~
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