After the main forces of Iwagakure retreated, Konoha sent a scout team to investigate.
Their findings confirmed that the Iwa troops had completely withdrawn from the Land of Fire.
This left Kakashi and the others puzzled.
----
Konoha's Command Tent
Shikaku Nara studied the map, tracing the positions where Iwa's forces had been stationed.
"Why did they retreat?" he muttered.
The sound of crunching filled the silence.
Kakashi folded his arms. "Maybe they backed off because of Sakiya's abilities?"
"Unlikely," Shikaku shook his head.
"That technique is powerful, but not enough to force a full retreat. Besides, their losses, while significant, were nothing their army couldn't handle. And..."
More crunching.
Shikamaru, a tic forming on his forehead, continued, "And they barely made any real progress. From a tactical standpoint, now is the worst time for them to retreat."
The crunching got louder.
Yamanaka Inoichi frowned. "The sensory team confirmed it—Iwa's forces are completely gone. Even their supplies were evacuated."
Shikaku stroked his chin, deep in thought.
"That's what's so strange."
More crunching.
Shikaku turned, narrowing his eyes at her—the source of the noise.
"You're seriously eating at a time like this?"
The culprit, Sakiya, didn't seem to notice his glare.
She was busy digging into a bag of crispy snacks, sliding them onto each of her fingers before biting them off one by one, licking her fingertips with satisfaction.
Shikaku sighed. "Sakiya, any thoughts?"
Crunch.
She casually popped another snack into her mouth.
Everyone waited.
And waited.
Then, finally, she looked up—completely unfazed.
"Mmm? Oh, you were talking to me?"
The room filled with the sound of collective exasperation.
Sakiya suddenly looked up from her snacks, blinking blankly at the people around her.
"Huh? Is the strategy meeting over?"
…
Shikaku Nara's face twitched.
He resisted the overwhelming urge to smack her and instead forced a kind smile.
"Sakiya, what do you think about Iwagakure's sudden retreat?"
Sakiya furrowed her brows, as if deep in thought.
But then—her gaze dropped to her fingertips, where five crispy snacks still rested.
She hesitated for only a moment before quickly devouring them one by one.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
Satisfied, she realized there was one last step left.
Her eyes lit up. Without a second thought, she lifted her fingers to her lips and licked them clean, finishing with a small, contented slurp.
…Silence.
Everyone stared at her.
The room, once filled with serious military discussions, was now frozen in awkward horror.
Sakiya blinked, suddenly aware of the shift in atmosphere.
She slowly lifted her gaze… only to meet Shikaku's cold, deadpan expression.
Behind him, the other strategists stood motionless, their aura like vengeful spirits from the depths of hell.
A bead of sweat rolled down Sakiya's forehead.
Shikaku took a slow, deliberate step forward, his voice eerily calm.
"What… are you doing?"
Sakiya stiffened. Her voice trembled slightly.
"I… I was absorbing the core energy of the battlefield…"
Shikaku's expression shattered.
"Core energy?! What kind of nonsense—!"
Shikaku groaned, rubbing his temples furiously.
"Do you even remember what I just asked you?"
Sakiya tilted her head, trying to look innocent.
"Uh… that my Eye of Death wiped out all the enemies?"
Shikaku's face darkened even further.
Sakiya hesitated, then cautiously added:
"Or… the Invisible Boundary Line?"
A heavy sigh filled the room.
----
Inside Konoha's command tent.
Without warning, Sakiya was unceremoniously tossed out.
Still seated, she sailed through the air in a perfect arc, her expression utterly dazed, before landing on the ground with a soft thud.
Before she could even process what had happened, a bag of crispy snacks came flying after her, landing squarely in her arms.
Then—slam!
The tent's entrance snapped shut.
Sakiya sat there for a moment, blinking at the closed flap.
"Huh…"
She glanced down at the snacks in her arms.
The military meeting? Completely forgotten.
Humming happily, she popped one into her mouth and continued munching.
---
Back at the resting tent.
Sakiya wasn't alone—Chihiro and Ino were already there, chatting on the side.
As soon as they saw her return, their faces lit up.
But before they could greet her—
"Sakiya-chan!"
A familiar blond blur came charging toward them.
Sakiya blinked blankly at the approaching whirlwind of energy, casually biting into another snack.
Crunch. Crunch.
Naruto skidded to a stop, catching his breath before flashing his usual bright grin.
"Sakiya-chan, I came to say goodbye!"
"...?"
Sakiya tilted her head, confused.
Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"Tsunade-sama has a mission for me, so I have to head back."
Sakiya gave a small nod.
"The Eye of Death will watch over you. Go forth!"
A flicker of hesitation crossed her face. Then, after a brief pause, she reached into her snack bag and pulled out a single crispy piece.
Holding it out to Naruto, she said seriously:
"Here. It's great for restoring… core energy."
Naruto stared at the crispy snacks in his hand, momentarily stunned.
Meanwhile, Sakiya had already turned around and was heading back toward the tent.
Naruto glanced at the scattered pieces in his palm, his expression softening.
"Sakiya-chan!"
Sakiya flinched, clutching her snack bag tightly as she turned back to him, eyes wary.
"No! I won't give you any more!"
Naruto chuckled and waved.
"I wasn't asking for more. I just wanted to say goodbye."
With that, he turned and walked away without waiting for her response.
Sakiya watched his retreating figure, her expression unreadable.
"Huh… that kid's really growing up."
---
Indeed.
People always grow.
After the war, Naruto had matured. He was no longer the impulsive loudmouth he used to be.
Well… he was still loud.
But now, there was depth to his thoughts—a sense of purpose.
At this point, he reminded Sakiya of the Naruto who had chased after Sasuke when he first left the village.
Of course, this mission wasn't just about Naruto.
Tsunade had assigned it as a cover—an excuse to keep Naruto away from the battlefield.
After all, he still couldn't fully control the Nine-Tails.
Sakura and Sasuke had been sent to accompany him back to the village.
Their team was also joined by Yamato, a skilled Konoha ninja.
Their mission?
Escort the Four-Tails Jinchūriki, Roshi, back to Konoha.
Yamato was in charge. The group moved at a steady pace along a forest path, with Roshi walking far too casually for someone being "escorted."
The Konoha ninjas weren't concerned, though.
They trusted the sealing jutsu that bound him.
Sasuke, his sword hanging at his waist, looked as disinterested as ever.
"This is a waste of time."
Naruto scowled.
"Hey! This is an S-rank mission!"
Sasuke folded his arms.
"Maybe for you. For me, it's just boring."
Just then—
"Something's wrong."
A nearby Konoha ninja whispered sharply.
Instantly, everyone tensed.
Ahead, two figures stood on the narrow road.
Both wore black cloaks with red clouds.
Itachi lifted his head, his voice cold and calm.
"It's time."
Beside him, Kisame grinned, resting his massive blade, Samehada, on his shoulder.
"We've been waiting."
Sasuke's eyes went wide in shock.
Then, pure hatred twisted his expression.
"Itachi!!!"
____________
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