28 Suna
The storm finally broke a few hours later. The wind died first, then the sand settled, and before dawn could fully claim the sky, Naruto and Temari were already moving. They ran through the fading dark, the horizon slowly bleeding into orange and gold. By the time the sun rose properly, they were already deep into Wind Country. By late morning, Sunagakure stood before them, battered and tense.
Two guards blocked the gate, weapons raised.
"Hold! Identify yourselves and state your purpose!"
Naruto raised both hands calmly. "Easy. You sent a request to Konoha for backup. I'm part of that response."
The second guard sneered. "Then where's the rest of your squad, dumbass?"
Naruto sighed and glanced sideways. "Temari. Little help?"
Temari stepped forward, eyes sharp. "Stand down."
Both guards froze. "Lady Temari?"
"Yes. Lower your weapons. Now." Her voice left no room for argument. "And tell me what's going on."
One of them swallowed hard. "Lady Temari… Lord Kankuro has been poisoned. He's in critical condition."
Temari's expression hardened instantly. "Then why are you still standing here? Take me to him. Now."
They rushed through the village and into the hospital. Temari broke into a sprint the moment they entered, heading straight for her brother's room. Naruto stayed outside for a brief second, already moving through his plan.
"Katsuyu. Pakun. You know what to do."
Both nodded.
A moment later, smoke erupted in the hallway. Kakashi and Shizune appeared beside their summons.
"So," Kakashi said lightly, eye crinkling, "you really made it here in almost a day."
"No time," Naruto cut in. "Kankuro's poisoned. Badly."
Shizune was already moving. "Take me to him."
Inside the room, Temari reluctantly stepped aside as Shizune examined Kankuro, hands glowing with precise green chakra. Her frown deepened with every second.
"This is advanced poison," Shizune said. "We'll need antidote compounds. Do you have a herb garden?"
"Yes," Temari answered instantly. "Come with me."
Before they could leave, a sudden blur crossed the room.
"White Fang! I've got you now!"
Kakashi barely leaned aside as an elderly woman lunged at him. She staggered after a few wild swings, then collapsed flat onto the floor.
Everyone froze.
"…Is she dead?" Naruto asked carefully.
Temari shook her head. "No. That's Granny Chiyo. One of our elders. She sealed Shukaku into Gaara."
Naruto blinked, then looked at Kakashi. "Why'd she call you White Fang?"
"That was my father," Kakashi replied quietly.
A nearby jonin cleared his throat. "During the Second Shinobi War, Elder Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law were killed fighting the White Fang. She's held onto that grudge ever since."
"We don't have time for this," Temari snapped. "Shizune, this way."
They moved quickly to the herb garden. Shizune immediately began sorting plants, grinding and mixing with practiced speed. There was no hesitation in her movements, no wasted motion.
Back inside, Chiyo pushed herself upright, eyes sharp despite her age. "So," she muttered, "this is the Slug Queen's apprentice."
Naruto crossed his arms. "Yeah. Tsunade's first one."
Chiyo snorted. "Hmph."
Naruto didn't rise to it. "Auntie Tsunade has two more apprentices in training," he added calmly. "But when it comes to medicine… after her, there's no one better than Shizune. I'll put my life on that."
For the first time, Chiyo studied him properly. The room fell quiet again, but the air had shifted.
Sunagakure was wounded, angry, and desperate. And now, help had finally arrived.