"Do you really have to leave so soon?"

Tsunami's voice was a soft melody, heavy with a profound gratitude. They were standing at the entrance to the Great Kaiza Bridge, a structure that was no longer a project of wood and steel, but the symbol of a dream come true and of a newfound freedom. The morning sun reflected off the water, and for the first time in years, the air in the Land of Waves felt light, free from the oppression that had dominated the country for so long.

Sakura returned her smile, one that finally seemed genuine and lit up her face, masking the accumulated fatigue in her green eyes.

"Our mission is over, Tsunami-san. And you don't need us anymore."

"That will never be true," Tsunami replied, and without warning, she wrapped Sakura in a warm, motherly hug, as if saying goodbye to a daughter of her own. "You saved our lives. You saved the soul of this country. We can never repay you."

Sakura stiffened for a moment, surprised by the contact, before relaxing and awkwardly returning the hug. The memory of Gatō's head and of her own blood-and-dirt-stained hands seemed less overwhelming in the face of that sincere gratitude; the hug eased some of the guilt she still felt.

Then, Tsunami turned to Hinata, her kind eyes looking over the young kunoichi with a mix of admiration and concern.

"And you, Hinata-chan. Your courage… You are so strong. Take good care of yourself."

Hinata blushed violently, but she didn't pull back when Tsunami hugged her. She returned the gesture with a shyness that contrasted with the cold fury she had shown in battle, her hands trembling slightly as she wrapped them around the woman's back.

"W-we'll do what we can, Tsunami-san."

Finally, Tsunami faced Naruto. He scratched the back of his neck with a nervous smile, his blue eyes shining with that inexhaustible energy. She laughed and hugged him with a force that knocked the wind out of him, ruffling his blond hair as if he were her own son.

"Thank you, Naruto-kun. For reminding us all what it means to be a hero."

"It was nothing!" he managed to say, his face completely red, his voice muffled against Tsunami's shoulder. "Any future Hokage would have done it, believe it!"

Sasuke, who had maintained a calculated distance, took an almost imperceptible step back. He held a defensive stance, his arms crossed and his gaze fixed on the watery horizon. Tsunami, with intuitive wisdom, simply offered him a respectful nod, acknowledging his space.

"Take care, Sasuke-kun."

"Hn," was his only reply, a sharp, cold sound.

"Naruto-niichan!"

Inari's high-pitched voice cut through the air. The boy ran toward them, his face, once marked by bitter cynicism, now reflecting a new, fragile hope. He stopped in front of Naruto, his fists clenched at his sides and his posture straight.

"When I grow up, I'm going to be a hero like you and Kaiza! I'll protect my mom and my grandpa! And I won't cry over stupid things anymore!"

Naruto smiled, a wide, radiant grin, and affectionately ruffled the boy's hair.

"I know you will. But remember, it's okay to cry sometimes. As long as you get back up stronger afterward."

Tazuna approached, wiping a stray tear with the back of his hand. His usually weathered face looked ten years younger.

"I have no words to thank you," he said, his voice hoarse with emotion, with a slight tremor. "This bridge, this country… they owe you everything. If you ever need anything, the doors of my house will always be open for the heroes of Konoha."

Kakashi, who had been watching the scene in silence, stepped forward, his book already in hand.

"It's been a pleasure, Tazuna-san. But it's time for us to go home."

The team turned and began to walk across the bridge, the sound of their footsteps on the new wood marking the end of an era. Naruto turned one last time and waved with a burst of energy.

"See ya, old man! And don't drink too much sake or you'll fall off your own bridge!"

****

The journey back was strangely silent at first. The weight of the battle, of the lives lost and saved, could still be felt between them. They walked in a loose formation: Kakashi in the lead, pretending to read while scanning their surroundings; Sasuke on one flank, isolated in his silent fury; and the trio in the center, in a small bubble of camaraderie.

It was Naruto, as always, who broke the ice with his usual energy.

"Hey, you think there's a place in Konoha that sells better ramen than Ichiraku? Because after this mission, I need at least ten bowls! My body's in a serious noodle deficit!"

Sakura rolled her eyes, but a small smile played on her lips.

"Naruto, your body is always in a noodle deficit. And no, there's no better place. You know that perfectly well."

"But there could be!" he insisted, gesturing with his uninjured arm. "There could be a secret, legendary ramen stand that only heroes can find! It's logical!"

Hinata let out a soft giggle.

"Th-that would be… nice, Naruto-kun."

"See! Hinata-chan agrees with me!" he declared, giving her a playful nudge. "You're the best, Hinata-chan. Though you're a little scary when you get mad, you know? I almost felt sorry for that Zabuza clone! Almost!"

Hinata's blush was instantaneous. Outside of battle, her natural shyness took over again.

"I-I… I wasn't mad… I-I just…"

"You were amazing!" Sakura interrupted her with genuine admiration, making Hinata look up in surprise. "The way you moved… it was like a dance. I've never seen anything like it."

"Th-that was… amazing, Sakura-san," Hinata mumbled, looking down at her own feet. "You… you were the one who saved us all. Your plan… and your strength…"

Sakura flinched, and the smile vanished from her face. The memory of Gatō's head rolling on the ground was a wound that had not yet healed.

Naruto noticed and changed the subject with the subtlety of a hammer.

"You were both amazing! We're the best team in the world! Even Sasuke had to admit we're useful! Right, Sasuke?"

The Uchiha didn't answer. He walked with his hands in his pockets. Inside, he was a whirlwind. The trio's camaraderie was like salt in his wounds.

Useless, he repeated to himself. A week ago, they were dead weight.

The humiliation of being relegated to the "last line of defense" burned in his chest. While he was crushing thugs, they had fought an elite jōnin. They had grown. And he, the genius, the Uchiha, had been left behind. Helplessness and rage swirled inside him.

The path wound through the dense forest. Naruto, hopping over roots, turned to Sakura.

"Hey, Sakura-chan! After that epic explosion, what are you gonna do first in Konoha?"

Sakura gave him a playful punch on the arm, her laughter genuine.

"Idiot! First, a hot bath. And then… maybe read more about tactics. My plan worked because I trusted Hinata. What about you, Hinata? What will you do when we get back?"

Hinata stumbled slightly on a stone.

"I-I… I want to talk to my father. To tell him that… that I can be strong without being perfect. And Naruto-kun, thank you for… for believing in me."

Naruto winked at her.

"You're the queen of the Byakugan! Without you, we would've been lost. Hey, Sasuke, what about you? Plans to train and get even grumpier?"

Sasuke, walking ahead, just grunted.

"Shut up, dobe. I don't need plans. Only results."

They passed a clear puddle of water. Sasuke saw himself, his face a mask of cold frustration. For a fraction of a second, the world was tinged a bloody red. He saw the reflection of his own eyes in the puddle, and for a moment, they weren't black. They were red, with a single tomoe spinning slowly in each pupil before vanishing. He stopped dead, blinking, his heart pounding in his chest.

"What…?"

"Is something wrong, Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked, having noticed he had stopped, her voice filled with genuine concern.

He looked at her, then at the puddle, then at his own trembling hands. There was nothing. It must have been a trick of the light. A hallucination brought on by exhaustion and rage.

"Nothing," he hissed, and resumed walking, his pace faster, more aggressive.

When the imposing gates of Konoha appeared on the horizon, a sense of relief washed over the group. They were home.

****

The Hokage's office smelled of pipe tobacco and the quiet authority of years. The Third Hokage received them with a tired but genuine smile, Iruka at his side, visibly tense and worried.

"Team 7, Hinata Hyuga, welcome back," the Hokage said, his voice calm. "I have received a preliminary report by messenger hawk. It is… extraordinary. Kakashi, the details."

Kakashi stepped forward, his book put away. His posture was relaxed, but his words were precise.

"Lord Hokage. The Rank C escort mission became complicated. We encountered two rogue chūnin from Kirigakure. It was during this confrontation that we discovered the client, Tazuna, had lied to us. His life was threatened by Gatō, elevating the mission to Rank A."

Iruka gasped. The Hokage, however, set his pipe on the desk and steepled his fingers, his expression turning stern.

"That is the tactical report, Kakashi. And I accept it. But there is another matter that requires an explanation. Naruto's outburst before you left."

The tension in the room became palpable. Sasuke frowned, his interest piqued.

"Naruto," the Hokage continued, his voice now devoid of kindness, "you mentioned Gatō by name. You spoke of elite ninja and silent killing techniques. Information far beyond the knowledge of a genin. It wasn't a hunch. It was precise intelligence. I demand an explanation."

Kakashi scratched the back of his neck in a casual-looking gesture, but his visible eye was fixed on the Hokage.

"About that, Lord Hokage. It was a miscalculation on my part. What Naruto shouted was the direct result of an unauthorized test I designed myself."

"Explain yourself, Kakashi. And don't omit any details."

"Yes, sir," Kakashi said, his tone now completely professional. "Before the mission, I orchestrated a situation for Naruto to witness, unseen, the exchange of an intelligence report. The report detailed the true situation in the Land of Waves. My intention was to test his mettle, to see if he would prioritize his own safety or the team's."

Iruka paled.

"You exposed him to that information on purpose? Kakashi, they could have died!"

"Being a ninja implies the constant possibility of death, Iruka," Kakashi replied calmly. "Elite teams are forged not in tranquility, but in chaos."

The Hokage took a deep drag from his pipe.

"So Naruto's outburst…"

"Was the response I expected, albeit in a more chaotic form," Kakashi confirmed. "He chose to warn the team, even if it made him look like a fool. My mistake was underestimating his capacity for creating such a public drama. I feigned that it was panic to maintain the authenticity of the test before the others and, of course, before you."

The Hokage watched him in silence.

"You put an entire team of genin and yourself at risk based on a personal philosophy. And you concealed your intentions from me."

"Yes, Lord Hokage. I did."

A heavy silence filled the office. Finally, the Hokage exhaled a long plume of smoke.

"Your methods are, as always, unorthodox and dangerous, Kakashi. But the results… are undeniable. You have returned with a team that has survived a Rank A mission and liberated a nation. For now, I will accept your report. But you and I will have a longer conversation about this. In private."

He turned to the rest of the team, his expression softening.

"As for the addition of Hinata… she was an unexpected variable," Kakashi admitted. "But she proved to be an immensely valuable member. Her ability was crucial."

The Hokage nodded, his smile returning.

"An extraordinary result. You have all shown courage and skill beyond what was expected. I am proud. Hinata Hyuga, your temporary assignment is concluded. The rest of you, rest. You've earned it."

****

As they left the tower, Sasuke couldn't hold back any longer. His fury, fueled by the journey and the humiliating report, finally erupted. He grabbed Kakashi by the arm, dragging him into a nearby alley.

"What was that?" he hissed, his voice trembling with rage. "'An excellent distraction'? 'Kept morale high'? That report was a farce! You're hiding something from me!"

Kakashi gently pulled free.

"What are you talking about, Sasuke?"

"Don't treat me like an idiot!" Sasuke snapped, getting closer. "I saw Hinata! No genin moves like that! And Sakura… that strength isn't normal! And Naruto… that idiot knew the puddle was a trap. He knew everything! What's going on, sensei? What kind of secret training have you been giving them?"

Kakashi sighed.

"There is no secret training, Sasuke. The pressure of a real battle unlocks potential."

"Don't talk to me about teamwork!" he interrupted. "I saw what I saw. And you left me out. I want the truth, not excuses."

He turned away, his back rigid with wounded pride.

"Fine. If you won't tell me, I'll find out for myself. And I'll become stronger than all of you. Stronger than Naruto, than Hinata, than Sakura… and stronger than you. I don't need anyone."

He walked away, his footsteps echoing in the alley, leaving Kakashi alone with the consequences of a secret that was already beginning to fracture his team.

****

That night, the trio met in the cave that had become their unofficial sanctuary, hidden behind a dense curtain of vines. The interior was lit by a small fire.

"Sasuke is furious," Sakura said, hugging her knees. The worry had replaced her trauma. "He confronted Kakashi-sensei."

Naruto nodded, his face serious in the firelight.

"I know. But we can't tell him. Not yet. He wouldn't understand. His pride wouldn't allow it."

"So what do we do?" Hinata asked softly. "The team… it's breaking apart."

"It's not breaking apart," Naruto corrected her, with a strange certainty. "It's transforming. Sasuke needs to find his own path. Until then, we have to get stronger. For ourselves, and for him. The mission gave us power, but it also showed us our weaknesses. Sakura-chan, your impact leaves you exhausted. Hinata-chan, your Lion Heart can't depend on me getting hurt to activate."

The analysis was so precise that both girls fell silent.

"We have to train," Naruto concluded, his tone determined. "In secret. We have to polish these new skills. Because I know worse things are coming. Much worse."

Sakura looked at Naruto, then at Hinata, her doubt replaced by a steely resolve.

"You're right. When do we start?"

"Tomorrow at dawn, right here," Naruto said. "For your exhaustion, Sakura-chan, practice precise strikes instead of big explosions. Hinata, try to activate your Lion Heart with meditation, by visualizing threats. I'll train my stamina. Together, we'll be unstoppable."

****

The next day found Hinata back with Team 8. The atmosphere was strange.

"Hinata!" Kiba shouted, Akamaru barking. "I heard you became a beast! Kurenai-sensei said your tracking skill was key! Fight me right now!"

Shino observed her from behind his glasses.

"Your chakra flow is… different. Denser. It is an interesting anomaly. The reason is… illogical."

Hinata laughed nervously, blushing.

"N-not now, Kiba-kun. But… I promise I'll train with you. Just… give me time. It's… battle experience. Nothing more."

Meanwhile, Sakura arrived home and stopped in front of the bathroom mirror. She looked at herself, but she saw a different person. She saw the kunoichi who had taken down an army, the strategist who had freed her sensei. She saw the strength in her own eyes. And for the first time, when she thought of the word "strength," Sasuke Uchiha's face did not come to mind. She touched her reflection on the fogged glass.

"I'm not that little girl anymore… I'm strong. For me. For the team."

****

As sunset painted the sky in shades of orange, the lights of Konoha began to twinkle to life. High above the village, perched on the stone head of the Fourth Hokage, sat Naruto, watching over his home as dusk settled in.

A gust of wind, and Kakashi was beside him, appearing without a sound.

"Good job holding the team together, Naruto," he said, sitting down next to him.

"It's not a team yet," Naruto replied, without looking away. "But it will be."

Kakashi watched his student, the boy who carried the future on his shoulders, and felt a sense of pride.

"It had better be," he said, and the smile in his eye was visible even against the light. "I've heard rumors… It seems Konoha will be hosting the next Chūnin Exams. And you wouldn't want your team to look like a bunch of idiots, would you?"

Naruto turned his head, his smile a mix of childish excitement and a veteran's serious understanding.

"We're going to train hard, sensei!"

The final image was of Naruto's face, his smile lit by the setting sun, as the next storm was brewing, not in a distant land, but in his own home.