The moon over Konoha hung low and pale, bathing the hospital in soft silver light. The chaos of the invasion had finally settled, but tension still clung to the air like lingering smoke.
Tharion remained by the observation window, arms folded, watching Naruto and Gaara sleep peacefully for the first time in years.
Footsteps approached.
Slow.
Measured.
Old… but steady.
Tharion didn't need to turn.
"Hiruzen," he said quietly.
The sliding door opened.
The Third Hokage entered with two ANBU escorts—who were dismissed immediately with a flick of his staff.
"Leave us," Hiruzen ordered.
The ANBU bowed and vanished.
Now alone, Hiruzen stepped beside Tharion, his face lined with exhaustion but calm.
"You saved them both," Hiruzen said softly, eyes settling on Naruto. "Again."
Tharion remained silent for a moment.
"I saved them," he replied, "because others failed to protect them."
Hiruzen exhaled—a sigh full of age, guilt, and relief.
"Minato wanted to come," he said. "But as Hokage, he must oversee the damage assessments. Orochimaru's snakes ravaged half the village."
"I know," Tharion answered. "He is doing what a Hokage must."
Hiruzen nodded, leaning slightly on his staff.
"Your return…" he murmured, "was fate. Naruto would have died tonight if you hadn't intervened. And Gaara… he may never recover from this trauma without guidance."
Tharion finally turned to face him.
"He is a boy forced to become a monster. Like Naruto. Like many Jinchūriki."
Hiruzen swallowed.
"What do you intend to do now, Tharion?"
Tharion looked through the glass window again, his tone shifting—deepening with authority.
"I intend to make sure no threat—Orochimaru, Kabuto, Suna, Akatsuki, anyone—ever gets close to these two again."
Hiruzen's eyes flickered with recognition.
"You speak as someone more than a mentor."
"I am," Tharion said."I am their shield."
"And Minato's brother," Hiruzen added softly. "Naruto's uncle."
Tharion didn't deny it.
"Does Naruto know yet?"
"…He will," Tharion replied. "When he's ready."
Hiruzen took a long breath.
"I want to express my gratitude," he said. "Not as a Hokage… but as an old man who loves this village. You protected Minato and Kushina twelve years ago. You saved Naruto countless times. And tonight… you saved Konoha from being drowned in blood."
Tharion tilted his head slightly.
"You make it sound like I did something noble."
Hiruzen smiled faintly.
"In my eyes, you always have."
Tharion's expression hardened.
"Hiruzen," he said quietly, "Kabuto was in the forest. Watching. Interfering."
Hiruzen's jaw tightened.
"What did you do?"
"I told him to never lay a hand on Naruto… or he would face a wrath that even death fears."
Hiruzen stared at him.
"…That sounds like a threat."
Tharion's eyes glowed faintly.
"It was a promise."
Hiruzen turned toward the window again.
"Tharion," he said, voice softer, "Konoha is entering a dangerous era. The Suna alliance hangs by a thread. Orochimaru's ambitions grow. The Akatsuki moves in shadows."
He paused.
"I ask that you remain in the village for a while. As advisor, protector… and family."
Tharion stepped away from the window and faced the old Hokage fully.
"For Minato. For Naruto. For this village."
He placed a hand over his heart.
"I remain."
Hiruzen's eyes softened—true relief washing over them.
"Thank you," he whispered.
Hiruzen walked closer to Naruto's room. He placed a hand against the glass.
"He looks so small," the old man said. "But inside him burns a fire greater than even the Fourth Hokage's."
Tharion nodded.
"That fire is what will change the world."
Hiruzen turned to the other window.
"And Gaara?" he asked.
Tharion closed his eyes briefly.
"He carries a loneliness so deep it could crush any man. But Naruto reached him. Tonight was not just a battle. It was the first step toward his salvation."
Hiruzen smiled.
"You speak like someone who already knows their fate."
Tharion didn't answer.
Because he did.
The System had already shown him glimpses.
Hiruzen stepped back toward the door.
"Rest, Tharion. You've done enough for one day."
Tharion gave a small nod.
"I'll remain close. In case anything tries to disturb their recovery."
Hiruzen paused at the threshold, voice gentle.
"They are lucky to have you."
The door slid shut behind him.
The hallway fell silent.
Tharion walked back to the window, placing a hand on the glass between him and Naruto.
"Sleep well, little fox," he whispered."The world will not harm you while I draw breath."
He turned to Gaara's glass.
"And you, child of the desert… you are no longer alone."
His eyes sharpened.
The night was peaceful.
But his instincts screamed—
This peace won't last.
The night deepened.
Beyond the hospital window, Konoha slept uneasily—streets scarred by battle, rooftops broken, but alive. Tharion stood with his back to the room, hands resting loosely at his sides, eyes fixed on the stars above the village.
For a brief moment… he felt another sky.
A quieter one.
A mountain breeze.A familiar garden.Selene's gentle presence.And a small cradle beside a window—where Aster, now four months old, slept peacefully, unaware that his father stood between worlds.
Tharion closed his eyes.
With a thought, he could leave.The boundary between realms no longer resisted him.One step—and he would be home.
He began to raise his hand.
Then—
"…Uncle…?"
The voice was hoarse. Weak.But unmistakable.
Tharion froze.
He turned slowly.
Naruto's eyes were open.
Still tired. Still unfocused.But alive.
And beside him, in the adjacent bed, Gaara had also awakened—pale green eyes fixed silently on the man standing near the window.
Neither spoke again.They only stared.
Tharion let his hand fall.
So… they were awake.
He turned fully and walked toward Naruto's bed, his presence calm, grounding—like an anchor holding the room steady. He placed two fingers lightly against Naruto's neck, then another hand over his chest, chakra flowing gently as he checked the boy's condition.
"Easy," Tharion said softly. "No sudden movements."
Naruto blinked slowly. "…You didn't disappear."
Tharion allowed a faint smile.
"I wasn't going to," he replied. "Not yet."
Naruto swallowed. "I… I remember fighting… sand… and then this red… thing…"
Tharion's hand paused for half a heartbeat—then continued its steady rhythm.
"You fought bravely," he said. "And you won."
Naruto's eyes widened slightly. "…I didn't hurt anyone, did I?"
"No," Tharion answered without hesitation. "You protected them."
Naruto let out a shaky breath, relief washing over his face.
From the other bed, Gaara finally spoke—his voice quiet, uncertain.
"…Why am I alive?"
The question wasn't fear.
It was confusion.
Tharion looked to him.
"Because someone reached you," he said. "And because you chose to stop."
Gaara stared at the ceiling, fingers curling into the blanket. "…The voice… it went quiet."
Tharion nodded. "It will speak again someday. But next time, you won't face it alone."
Gaara turned his head slightly—just enough to look at him.
That single sentence meant more than any promise.
Footsteps approached outside the room.
The door slid open.
Minato entered first—still in his Hokage cloak, exhaustion etched deep into his features. Behind him was Kushina, eyes red from worry, hair tied back hastily as if she'd run the entire way.
The moment she saw Naruto awake—
"NARUTO!"
She rushed forward, hands trembling as she cupped her son's face, tears falling freely. "You scared me—do you have any idea how scared you made me?!"
"Mom—ow—ow—!" Naruto winced, then laughed weakly. "I'm okay! I think!"
Minato stood at the foot of the bed, relief softening his usual composure. His eyes lifted—meeting Tharion's.
For a moment, nothing was said.
Then Minato bowed his head deeply.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "Again."
Tharion inclined his head in return. "That's what family does."
Kushina looked up sharply. "…Family?"
Tharion stepped back slightly, allowing space—but his presence remained solid.
"He knows," Tharion said. "When the time is right… he'll know everything."
Naruto frowned faintly. "…Know what?"
Kushina laughed through her tears, brushing Naruto's hair back. "That you're surrounded by too many people who won't ever let you fall."
Naruto grinned weakly. "Heh… figures."
Tharion glanced once more toward the window.
Beyond it—another world waited.Another family.Another child who would soon open his eyes and look for him.
But here…Two boys lay between pain and hope.
So he stayed.
He rested a hand gently on Naruto's shoulder, chakra warm and steady.
"Get some rest," Tharion said. "I'll be here."
Naruto smiled sleepily. "Yeah… Uncle."
Gaara closed his eyes as well—not sleeping, but no longer afraid.
Outside, dawn began to creep over Konoha's horizon.
And Tharion stood exactly where he was meant to be—
Between worlds.Between destinies.Between the past he protected… and the future he would not allow to break.