The morning sun shone brightly over Konoha as Naruto stood at the village gate, stretching lazily while letting out a small yawn.
"I can't believe Baachan forced me into another supervised mission…" Naruto complained.
Behind him, a soft voice responded.
"This mission was personally requested, Naruto-kun."
Naruto turned around and smiled when he saw Hinata standing there, dressed in her standard combat outfit. She looked slightly nervous, but her eyes showed determination.
"Oh, it's you, Hinata! So we're teamed up again, huh?"
Hinata nodded shyly.
"Yes… I volunteered."
Naruto blinked in surprise.
"You volunteered?"
Before Hinata could answer, another voice interrupted them.
"Don't get the wrong idea, idiot. This is an official mission."
Both of them turned as Ino walked toward them with her usual confident stride, her long blonde hair swaying behind her.
"Ino? You're joining too?" Naruto asked.
"Of course. Intelligence support is needed. Try using your brain for once."
Naruto scratched his cheek awkwardly while laughing.
As the three of them gathered near the gate, Tsunade appeared on top of the wall overlooking them. Her sharp gaze carefully observed Naruto.
"This is a B-rank reconnaissance mission near the border," Tsunade announced.
Naruto crossed his arms casually. "Sounds easy enough."
Tsunade's expression remained serious.
"You are not allowed to act recklessly, Naruto. Your current chakra condition is unstable."
Naruto sighed. "Yeah, yeah… I get it."
But deep down, he knew Tsunade was right. Ever since that night, the golden chakra inside him occasionally pulsed without warning.
The team quickly departed from the village and headed toward the dense forest near the Fire Country border.
The wind rustled through the leaves as they moved swiftly across the treetops.
Naruto suddenly slowed down.
"Wait…"
Hinata immediately activated her Byakugan.
"What is it, Naruto-kun?"
Naruto frowned slightly.
"I don't know… I just feel like something is watching us."
Ino crossed her arms.
"Are you sure that's not just your paranoia?"
Before Naruto could respond, Hinata gasped softly.
"There are three chakra signatures hiding ahead… They're suppressing their presence extremely well."
Naruto's expression turned serious instantly.
"Ambush, huh…"
Suddenly, three masked shinobi burst out from the trees, launching kunai toward them.
Naruto moved instantly.
In a flash, golden chakra surged around his body as he deflected every kunai mid-air with pure chakra force.
The attackers froze for a moment, clearly shocked.
"What kind of chakra is that?!" one of them shouted.
Naruto clenched his fist as the golden aura intensified slightly.
"I was hoping you guys would explain that to me…"
The battle erupted immediately.
Hinata moved gracefully beside Naruto, striking one of the enemies with precise Gentle Fist attacks. Her movements were sharper than usual, almost as if Naruto's presence gave her extra confidence.
Meanwhile, Ino quickly formed hand seals, using her Mind Transfer Technique to momentarily freeze one attacker's movement.
"Now, Naruto!"
Naruto nodded and dashed forward, his speed far surpassing his normal level.
He delivered a single punch infused with golden chakra, instantly knocking the enemy unconscious.
The last attacker attempted to escape.
Hinata prepared to chase, but suddenly Naruto grabbed her wrist gently.
"Wait…"
Hinata looked up at him, surprised by his sudden touch.
Naruto's expression was focused as he closed his eyes briefly. The golden chakra around him expanded slightly, spreading across the forest.
"I can sense him… He's hiding behind that cliff."
Hinata stared at Naruto in shock. That level of sensory ability rivaled elite shinobi.
Naruto released her wrist slowly.
"Let's finish this."
They quickly cornered the final attacker. Within minutes, the enemy was restrained and unconscious.
Silence filled the forest afterward.
Hinata slowly approached Naruto, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Naruto-kun… Your chakra earlier… It felt incredibly warm."
Naruto scratched his head awkwardly.
"I still don't understand it myself."
Without realizing it, Hinata stepped closer. She placed her hand gently on Naruto's arm.
The golden chakra surrounding him suddenly calmed down, becoming softer and more stable.
Both of them froze.
They stared at each other for a few seconds before Hinata quickly stepped back, her face turning red.
"I-I'm sorry…"
Naruto laughed nervously.
"No, actually… it helped again."
Not far from them, Ino watched the scene silently. A strange feeling formed in her chest.
"Why… does that annoy me…" she whispered to herself.
As they prepared to return to Konoha, none of them noticed a hidden observer watching from deep within the shadows.
The mysterious figure slowly smiled.
"So… the Sun God's heir has awakened…"
The figure disappeared into the darkness.
And far beyond the borders of the Fire Country, forces long forgotten had begun to stir once more.