A hundred miles away, Team Dusk had set up camp and was resting around a crackling fire, casually discussing their next move.
"We've been searching every day for so long, and still not a single clue," Karui from Kumogakure said impatiently.
Samui, also from Kumogakure, was the first to speak up in response.
"Even so, we have to keep looking. If we don't, the entire Shinobi World will fall into Akatsuki's hands."
"Don't kill the mood," Akatsuchi from Iwagakure interjected, ladling food into bowls. "Let's just eat first."
"Thanks," the two women said in unison, taking the wooden bowls he handed them.
Karui took a deep breath of the food's aroma, her irritation momentarily forgotten.
"Damn, these rations from the Federation never get old. So many varieties, and easy to make too—not much more trouble than soldier pills."
Naturally, the Federation's supply kits for a fifteen-man unit came with top-tier food and weapons. Hyuga Gakuya wouldn't dare skimp on provisions.
"Agreed," Samui nodded. "If this kind of food were more widely available, shinobi wouldn't have to worry about meals during missions anymore."
Akatsuchi smiled. "We've got the Federation's tech to thank for that. They developed this stuff for convenience and portability."
While enjoying their meal, there was an underlying sense of urgency none of them could quite shake. The Federation's technological advancements had left the Five Great Nations in the dust.
Even though the other nations had finally started investing in research and development, the Federation had a ten-year head start and had already recruited countless scholars. Catching up wasn't going to be easy.
After working together for so long, the members of the fifteen-man unit had developed a strong bond. Their coordination in the field had improved dramatically, and they got along well enough to joke and share meals like old comrades.
...
Elsewhere in the camp, Naruto—disguised as a woman—was shoveling food into his mouth with gusto. Beside him, Chōjūrō of Kirigakure blushed furiously as he leaned over and offered the contents of his own bowl.
"N-Naruko… I'm not really hungry. You can have some more..."
"Thanks," Naruto mumbled through a full mouth, assuming it was just a teammate being generous. He thought Kirigakure shinobi were surprisingly warmhearted.
"No need to thank me… We're teammates, after all."
Turning his face away, Chōjūrō's cheeks flared crimson, as red as a ripe apple.
He whispered to himself, "She actually thanked me...! If I can just find more chances to talk to Miss Naruko, I'm sure we'll get closer… maybe I can learn more about her…"
The boy was over the moon.
From the moment he joined Team Dusk, Chōjūrō had been utterly captivated by Naruko.
Her fiery personality, radiant smile, beautiful features, and unmatched strength—everything about "her" had ensnared his heart like an invisible web of charm.
He had no idea, of course, that the girl of his dreams… was actually a guy.
And Naruto, being as dense as ever, had no clue about Chōjūrō's feelings. He assumed it was just normal camaraderie. If he ever found out what Chōjūrō really thought, he'd probably be horrified.
...
Nearby, Sai sat quietly, observing the interaction between Chōjūrō and Naruto with a thoughtful look on his face.
He glanced between the two of them, then looked down at the thick book in his hands, comparing their behavior to what he'd read.
"Is this… love? Or just friendship?" he murmured under his breath, the question gnawing at him.
According to the book, when someone has strong feelings for another person, they often show certain signs.
Based on that description, Chōjūrō's current behavior seemed to match the traits of someone harboring romantic feelings.
But there was a catch—Naruto was, without a doubt, a guy. And the book clearly said love was between a man and a woman.
This contradiction left Sai baffled.
"Could two men fall in love too? That just seems… unbelievable," Sai muttered, shaking his head, trying to banish the idea.
Still, he couldn't deny what he was seeing. Chōjūrō clearly had feelings for Naruto—feelings that went far beyond simple friendship.
If it wasn't love… then what was it?
...
While Sai continued to puzzle over the situation, Kakashi strolled over and casually pulled a book from his cloak, handing it to him.
"Try this one. I think it'll give you a… different perspective. It's a lot better than that thing you're reading now."
Then he added, "Love isn't limited by gender. What matters is the heart. Maybe Chōjūrō just hasn't realized his feelings yet."
Neither of them even considered the fact that Chōjūrō might not know Naruko was actually Naruto in disguise.
Sai nodded thoughtfully, feeling something click inside him. He glanced again at Chōjūrō and Naruto, his gaze softening with a new understanding.
With a respectful bow, he accepted the book from Kakashi, his voice full of sincerity.
"Thank you, Kakashi-senpai. I think I understand now."
Kakashi's lips curled into a subtle smile. He gave Sai an encouraging pat on the shoulder.
"Good. Keep learning. You're still young—there's a lot out there to experience and figure out."
"Oh, and once you finish this one, come see me. I've got plenty more you can borrow. Just be sure to take good care of them."
Sai nodded with conviction. "You have my word, Kakashi-senpai. I'll treat these books like treasures."
Kakashi was pleased. "That's the spirit. But for now, put the reading aside and come eat with us. You can dive back into the book after dinner."
...
Just as the group began to enjoy their meal in earnest, a sudden burst of crimson light erupted on the horizon. A blinding pillar of red flame pierced the night sky like a spear of fire, instantly grabbing everyone's attention.
The peaceful atmosphere shattered in an instant, and every pair of eyes turned to the blazing phenomenon.
...
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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