The forest on the outskirts of Konoha was never meant to feel fear. It had stood for centuries—weathering storms, housing beasts, witnessing countless shinobi pass through its shade.But tonight… it trembled.
Because he was here.
Tharion moved silently along the branches, each step precise, predatory. His senses sharpened to an edge beyond any Konoha shinobi. He felt everything—the fading echoes of Naruto and Gaara's chakra clash, the lingering malice of Shukaku, and the faint vibration of the barrier he destroyed still settling in the air.
But beneath it all…
A slithering presence.Deceptively calm.Soft, measured breaths masked under layers of medical chakra.
Kabuto Yakushi was near.
Tharion's eyes narrowed, crimson-gold chakra flowing around him in a quiet hum. He had allowed Orochimaru to escape for now—but not his right hand.
Not this time.
Kabuto crouched in the shadows, adjusting his glasses as he examined a bloodstained leaf. Orochimaru's orders echoed in his mind.
Observe. Gather data. Do not engage.
But Kabuto wasn't collecting data now.He was waiting.
Waiting for Naruto to weaken.Waiting for Gaara to fall unconscious.Waiting for an opening to slip in like a knife in the dark.
He never got the chance.
A shadow fell over him.
Before Kabuto could blink, a hand—unyielding as iron—grabbed his wrist and yanked him up from the ground.
Kabuto gasped, eyes widening.He didn't even hear the approach.
"You…" his voice cracked. "The other—Namikaze…"
Tharion didn't speak at first.
He only tightened his grip.
A sharp, sickening CRACK echoed through the clearing as Kabuto's arm twisted unnaturally sideways.
Kabuto's breath hitched. Pain exploded up his nerves. Even he couldn't suppress the tremor that shook his voice.
"W–wait, we… we can discuss—"
Tharion finally spoke. His voice was calm.Too calm.
"You were watching my nephew."His grip tightened."You were studying his transformations."He twisted further."And you were planning to take advantage of the battle."
Kabuto's heartbeat spiked—Tharion could hear it screaming in his veins.
"You think Orochimaru's protection keeps you alive," Tharion murmured. "But the truth is simple…"
He brought Kabuto closer until their foreheads almost touched.
"…if you ever lay a finger on Naruto or this village again—"The trees around them groaned as his chakra surged."—even death will tremble before I'm finished with you."
Kabuto's composure cracked completely.This was not Hiruzen.Not Jiraiya.Not even Minato.
This was a force that did not belong to the shinobi world.
This was Tharion.
"You're making quite the mess, Tharion."
Kakashi's voice drifted through the clearing like a breeze.
Tharion didn't turn, though Kabuto recoiled at the arrival of the Copy Ninja—his good arm clutching his broken one.
Kakashi stepped forward, hands in pockets, Sharingan exposed from earlier battles. His gaze flicked between Tharion and Kabuto with quiet calculation.
"You know," Kakashi drawled, "usually it's the ANBU interrogators who break bones, not visiting uncles."
Tharion's reply was steady.
"He was planning to abduct Naruto. You felt it too, didn't you?"
Kakashi sighed softly."Unfortunately, yes."
Kabuto tried to slip away, molding chakra to his feet—
Tharion kicked the ground lightly.
A shockwave burst outward, sending Kabuto stumbling back to his knees.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow."You're not letting him go?"
"Oh, I am," Tharion answered. "But only with the fear he'll never forget."
Kabuto swallowed hard.Tharion leaned down, voice like a whisper of doom.
"Run back to your master, Kabuto. Tell him the Other Namikaze has returned."
He released him.
Kabuto didn't waste another second—he vanished into the treeline with a speed fueled entirely by terror.
The forest fell silent again.
Kakashi stepped beside Tharion, looking in the direction Kabuto fled.
"You've changed," Kakashi said.
"No," Tharion corrected softly. "I've simply remembered why I came back."
Kakashi tilted his head. "And why is that?"
"For family."Tharion's eyes hardened."For the people Minato asked me to protect. For the life that Naruto deserves. For Kushina's final wishes."
Kakashi studied him for a long moment—then sighed, a faint smile behind his mask.
"Minato would have been relieved," Kakashi whispered. "To know he wasn't the only storm watching over Naruto."
Tharion gave a short laugh.
"Every time I return to this world, the village seems to be under attack."
Kakashi sweat-dropped. "Honestly? Yeah… that's just a Tuesday for us."
For the first time since stepping into this world again, Tharion's expression softened.
But only for a moment.
The wind shifted.
Naruto's chakra—unstable but calming.
Gaara's—weakening.
The battlefield—settling.
Tharion straightened.
"It's time to check on the boys."
Kakashi nodded, falling into step beside him.
"Konoha has changed," Kakashi murmured. "But with you back… maybe we stand a little stronger."
Tharion didn't answer.
But the air around him thrummed with purpose.
The forest trembled once more—not from fear this time, but anticipation.
Because the Other Namikaze had returned…
and destiny was moving again.
The battlefield finally fell quiet.
Naruto had collapsed after suppressing Shukaku's transformation. Gaara was barely conscious, sand still clinging to his eyelashes like fading armor. The forest, moments ago writhing with monstrous chakra, now stood still—broken branches and craters the only marks of the clash.
Tharion stepped forward and gently lifted Gaara into his arms.
The boy was trembling.
Not from pain…but from the terror of realizing what he almost became.
Kakashi knelt beside Naruto, checked his pulse, and let out a relieved sigh.
"He's exhausted," Kakashi murmured. "But stable."
Tharion nodded. "Let's take them home."
Kakashi blinked."…Home?"
Tharion looked toward the village walls glowing faintly in the distance.
"These two aren't monsters. They are children. And tonight… they protected their villages."
Kakashi said nothing more.He simply lifted Naruto onto his back with the care of an older brother.
The walk to the village was slow and silent.
Tharion kept one hand supporting Gaara, the other radiating a warm, soothing chakra flow. Gaara's breathing steadied, the cracks of sand on his skin melting seamlessly back into flesh. For a moment, the boy blinked up at him.
"W… why?" Gaara whispered hoarsely. "Why help me? I nearly… killed your nephew…"
Tharion's voice was soft but firm.
"You didn't. You fought. You resisted the beast inside. That's more bravery than most shinobi ever learn."
Gaara's eyes widened just a little.
"Sleep, child," Tharion added gently. "You're safe."
Gaara's eyes fluttered shut.
Kakashi glanced sideways.
"Kids like these…" he said quietly. "They always carry too much."
Tharion nodded. "And that's why people like us must carry the rest."
The moment the gates came into view, two ANBU guards stiffened, hands flying to their weapons—only to freeze in recognition.
"Lord Tharion?"One ANBU stuttered."You… you've returned?"
Tharion's reply was calm.
"Send word to the Hokage. Two Jinchūriki are wounded but stable. They need immediate medical support."
The ANBU vanished in a shunshin.
Kakashi gave Tharion a sideways eye."You know, the ANBU listen to you faster than they listen to the actual Hokage."
Tharion shrugged lightly."I taught half their predecessors. It becomes habit."
They reached the hospital's emergency wing within minutes. The staff jolted into motion the instant they saw who the carriers were.
"U–Uzumaki Naruto?!"
"Sabaku no Gaara?!"
"Healers! Prepare two isolation rooms! Bring sealing monitors!"
Kakashi placed Naruto on the stretcher that was rushed to him.Tharion laid Gaara down on another, brushing a hand over the boy's forehead to stabilize his chakra before stepping back.
A head nurse bowed deeply.
"We are honored, Lord Tharion. We will ensure both boys are treated with utmost care."
"Good," Tharion said with a nod. "Their lives are precious. Do not let them out of your sight."
"Yes, sir!"
Nurses dispersed, calling out chakra levels, medical orders, and sealing preparations.
As Naruto and Gaara were wheeled through the sliding doors, Tharion stood still—quietly watching.
The future of two villages…the sons of two Kage…both sleeping, broken but alive.
Kakashi exhaled.
"I'll report to Lord Third," he said.
Tharion nodded."Tell him everything."
Kakashi appeared inside Hiruzen's office in a burst of leaves—mask still on, uniform tattered.
Hiruzen looked up from a pile of battle reports.
"Kakashi," the old Hokage said urgently, "what is the status of Naruto and Gaara?"
Kakashi bowed slightly.
"Both are hospitalized. Exhausted, but their lives are not in danger. Lord Tharion ensured Gaara's Shukaku corruption was stabilized before arrival. Naruto is drained but recovering."
Hiruzen closed his eyes—a breath of pure relief.
"Thank the heavens…"
Kakashi continued.
"Lord Tharion carried Gaara himself. And… he has returned for good, I believe."
Hiruzen's eyes opened sharply, warmth blending with shock.
"He's truly back?"
"Yes," Kakashi confirmed. "And he broke Kabuto's arm."
Hiruzen's pipe nearly fell from his fingers.
"…Good," the Hokage said bluntly."He deserved it."
Tharion stood at the observation window, staring at the two sleeping boys—each in their own room, hooked to monitors glowing with sealing formulas.
His expression was unreadable.But his eyes…
There was fire there.
Fire promising that anyone who threatened these children again…
Would face the storm.