25 To Suna
A new day began, and for me it felt less like morning and more like the opening move of a war.
My gear was already laid out and checked. Kunai. Shuriken. Explosive tags. Two storage scrolls packed with essentials, spare clothes, rations, sealing tools. My tent was rolled tight. Ninth Cutter rested quietly in its seal, waiting. I wasn't anxious. I was ready.
I was just waiting for the signal.
Back at the Hokage Tower, Tsunade had just finished burning through another stack of paperwork when the door slammed open.
A jōnin rushed in, breathing hard. "Lady Tsunade. Suna just sent a messenger scroll. You need to see this. Now."
The seal on the scroll was unmistakable. Hokage-level clearance.
Shizune took it immediately, broke the seal, and started reading.
Tsunade leaned over her shoulder.
The room went quiet.
Then Tsunade spoke, her voice low and sharp. "Bring Kakashi. Naruto. Sakura. Immediately."
Shizune swallowed. "They've started."
Minutes later, Team Seven stood inside the office.
"Akatsuki attacked Sunagakure," Tsunade said flatly. "The Kazekage has been kidnapped."
Sakura froze.
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed.
I forced my expression into shock, even though I'd been expecting this moment for a long time.
"Damn it," I said. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's move."
Kakashi started listing preparations. Sakura mentioned medical kits and needing time to pack.
I cut in. "I'm already packed. Extra gear too."
They looked at me.
I took a breath. "I can go ahead first. Full speed. Kakashi and Shizune can follow in about an hour and catch up."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "How fast?"
"One day to reach Suna," I said calmly.
The room went dead silent.
"That's impossible," Sakura said.
"How much weight can you carry?" Kakashi asked.
"I can carry summons," I replied. "Adds maybe an hour or two. Not more."
Tsunade stared at me for a long second, then nodded. "All right."
She bit her thumb and slammed her hand down. "Summoning Jutsu."
A small slug appeared.
"Lady Katsuyu," Tsunade said, "I need you to go with Naruto. Once he reaches Sunagakure, perform reverse summoning on Shizune."
Katsuyu inclined her head. "Understood."
"Kakashi," Tsunade added, "summon your ninken."
Pakun appeared moments later and listened carefully before nodding. "I'll keep up."
Tsunade turned to me. "Go. Now."
I didn't waste another second.
As I vanished out the window, I heard Sakura hesitate. "Lady Tsunade… is it really wise to send Naruto alone?"
Tsunade didn't look worried. "Jiraiya told me he keeps a shadow clone at Mount Myōboku. If anything goes wrong, he'll be back here in minutes. Now pack."
I was already moving.
Tree to tree. Rooftop to rooftop. Full speed.
Pakun clung to my pack. Katsuyu rested calmly against my shoulder.
"Damn," Pakun muttered. "You're faster than Kakashi."
I smirked. "Try not to fall off."
"Keep your chakra steady," Katsuyu warned gently. "Reaching Suna isn't the end of this."
"I know," I said. "I've got chakra to spare. And I'm not running the whole way."
About an hour later, I spotted someone ahead on the road.
Blonde. Fan on her back.
"Temari!" I called.
She turned, startled. "Naruto? What's going on? You look—"
"Gaara's been kidnapped," I said immediately. "Akatsuki attacked Suna."
Her face went pale. "Then we have to—"
"We will," I said. "But not on foot."
I grabbed her wrist, pulled her close, bit my thumb, and slammed my hand down.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Smoke exploded outward.
When it cleared, we stood on the head of a massive toad clad in green, twin swords strapped to his back.
"Huh?" the toad grumbled. "Human world again? …Naruto-kun?"
"Sorry to spring this on you, Gamaken," I said. "Suna's under attack. Gaara's been taken. I need to get there fast."
Gamaken's expression hardened. "Then hold on."
I wrapped an arm around Temari. "Stick chakra to your feet. This ride's going to be rough."
I relayed the same warning to Pakun and Katsuyu.
Gamaken crouched.
Then launched.
The world blurred.
Hours later, sand stretched across the horizon.
The desert had come into view.