What If Naruto Was Nezuko's Reincarnation & Tanjiro Became His Twin Brother Menma

The final demon fell, its body crumbling to ash as Nezuko's clawed hand pierced through its chest. Blood splattered across her kimono, but she didn't flinch. The Muzan fragment inside her pulsed, fighting against her will, but she crushed it with the power of her mind. She would not succumb. Not today. Not ever.

In the distance, her brother Tanjiro's sword flashed like lightning as he executed another perfect Sun Breathing form. Together, they had nearly accomplished what once seemed impossible—the eradication of all demons from Japan.

But something was wrong. The air crackled with unnatural energy. A rift—dark and pulsing—tore through reality before them.

"Nezuko!" Tanjiro screamed, lunging toward his sister.

Too late.

The void pulled her in, hungry and relentless. Tanjiro, unwilling to be separated from his sister again, leapt after her without hesitation. The rift snapped shut behind them, leaving nothing but settling dust and two abandoned weapons—a Nichirin blade and a pair of bamboo handcuffs—as proof they had ever existed in this world.

Darkness. Cold. The sensation of falling through endless space.

Then warmth. A heartbeat. Another presence, close by.

"Twins," a voice murmured from beyond the darkness. "How unusual for a jinchūriki."

Twelve years later, a blonde girl darted across the rooftops of Konoha, her long pigtails streaming behind her like golden banners. Three ANBU pursued her, but she laughed, the sound ringing with mischievous delight. Fresh paint dripped from the Hokage Monument, where she'd given the stone faces cartoonish expressions and technicolor makeovers.

"You'll never catch me!" Naruto Uzumaki shouted, her blue eyes flashing with something not entirely human. She leapt, impossibly high, sailing over a gap between buildings that would have stopped most genin cold.

A flash of movement caught her eye—another figure racing alongside her, matching her pace effortlessly. Menma. Her twin. His dark hair whipped in the wind, contrasting with her blonde locks, but their matching whisker marks and identical grins betrayed their connection.

"You just had to paint the Fourth's face pink, didn't you?" Menma called, his voice carrying a hint of exasperation despite the smile.

"It brings out his eyes!" Naruto shouted back, twisting in mid-air to avoid a reaching ANBU hand.

The twins locked eyes for a split second, an entire conversation passing between them without words—a habit left over from another life, another world. Naruto's foot slipped suddenly on loose tiles, and she began to fall. The ANBU lunged forward, certain they'd finally caught the prankster.

But Menma was already there. His hand shot out, catching his sister's wrist. With a strength belying his twelve-year-old frame, he swung her to safety, their movements flowing with inhuman grace.

"Blood Demon Art: Fog Veil," Naruto whispered, her voice changing slightly—a deeper, more ancient tone emerging.

Pink mist billowed from her body, dense and disorienting. The pursuing ANBU faltered, suddenly unable to distinguish up from down, right from left.

"That's cheating," Menma chided, but his eyes sparkled with the same mischief. "Using demon techniques for pranks."

"Says the boy who used Water Breathing to clean the Academy pool in three minutes flat," Naruto countered, sticking out her tongue.

They disappeared into the mist, their footsteps impossibly light. By the time the fog dissipated, the troublesome twins were long gone, leaving behind only faint laughter and confused ANBU.

In a secluded training ground, far from prying eyes, the twins finally stopped running. Naruto collapsed onto soft grass, her chest heaving with exaggerated breaths she didn't really need. Old habits died hard, even centuries after her transformation.

"Iruka-sensei's going to kill us," Menma said, leaning against a tree. He pulled a leaf from a branch and began absent-mindedly cutting it with his fingernail, creating intricate patterns that no ordinary human could manage with such precision.

"He'll have to catch us first," Naruto replied. Then she sat up suddenly, her nostrils flaring. "Someone's coming."

The wind shifted, carrying a familiar scent. Her tension dissolved. "It's just Sasuke."

Menma nodded, unsurprised by his sister's heightened senses. Even in this life, Nezuko's demon abilities had transferred over. Enhanced smell. Supernatural strength. Regeneration. Both of them had carried over abilities from their past lives, but Naruto's were more pronounced—more demonic.

Sasuke Uchiha emerged from the tree line, his hands in his pockets and his perpetual scowl firmly in place. But his eyes softened imperceptibly when they landed on Naruto.

"Graduation exam tomorrow, and you're wasting time painting faces on mountains," he said flatly, but there was no real bite to his words.

"It was good stealth practice," Naruto countered, springing to her feet with fluid grace. "Besides, everyone's so serious in this village. They needed something to laugh about."

"Hn," Sasuke grunted, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward.

"Did you come to train with us?" Menma asked, straightening up.

Sasuke looked away, feigning disinterest. "I suppose someone needs to make sure you two don't slack off before the exam."

The twins exchanged knowing smiles. Sasuke's pride would never allow him to admit he simply enjoyed their company.

"First one to land a hit gets to choose dinner!" Naruto shouted suddenly, lunging at Sasuke without warning.

The Uchiha's eyes widened before he leapt backward, barely avoiding her strike. Menma was already moving, coming at him from the opposite side. Their movements were a blur, three young ninjas dancing through the clearing in perfect, deadly harmony.

Naruto's fighting style was unorthodox—a strange blend of ninja techniques and something more primal, more bestial. When she moved at full speed, pink energy crackled around her body, leaving phantom afterimages in her wake. Menma's technique was more refined, disciplined. His hands moved in flowing patterns reminiscent of water, yet struck with the force of the sun.

Sasuke fought with everything he had, his prodigy status evident in every counter and strike. But against two opponents who shared a soul bond spanning centuries, even the last Uchiha found himself outmatched.

"Got you!" Naruto crowed as her finger tapped Sasuke's shoulder. The Uchiha froze, looking down at the point of contact with disbelief.

"Ramen it is!" she declared, blue eyes sparkling.

Sasuke shook his head, a reluctant smile forming. "Fine. Ramen."

As the three of them walked toward Ichiraku, sunset painting the village in gold, none of them noticed the silver-haired jōnin watching from a distant tree, his visible eye narrowed in concentration.

"Interesting," Kakashi Hatake murmured. "Very interesting indeed."

That night, as moonlight filtered through her apartment window, Naruto dreamed.

Blood everywhere. The stench of sulfur and rot. Her brother's desperate voice.

"Nezuko! Nezuko, fight it! Don't let him win!"

Pain. Bones breaking, reforming. Skin hardening. Hunger—terrible, all-consuming hunger.

A bamboo muzzle forcing her jaw shut. The taste of wood and desperation.

And eyes—countless malevolent eyes watching from the darkness. Red eyes with slitted pupils.

Naruto jolted awake, a silent scream caught in her throat. Across the small apartment, Menma was already upright, sweat gleaming on his forehead, his breaths coming in short gasps. The same nightmare. Always the same.

"Muzan," Naruto whispered, the name bitter on her tongue.

"Kurama," Menma replied, naming their new tormentor.

Both demons, separated by worlds, united in their desire to possess and corrupt.

A scratching at their door drew both siblings' attention. No footsteps, no chakra signature—no human, then. Naruto padded across the floor, her movements silent as she peered through the peephole.

Nothing there.

She opened the door cautiously, looking down to find a small orange toad sitting in the hallway. It blinked up at her, then opened its mouth impossibly wide, regurgitating a sealed scroll before disappearing in a tiny puff of smoke.

Menma was beside her instantly. "Jiraiya," he said, recognizing the summoning technique.

Naruto's face darkened. "What does he want?"

She picked up the scroll, breaking the seal with a flick of her clawed nail. Her eyes scanned the message, narrowing with each line.

"The Hokage wants to see us. Now. About our 'special circumstances,'" she reported, voice flat.

Menma's expression mirrored her own—wary, defensive. In their past life, humans who discovered Nezuko's demon nature rarely reacted well. In this life, only the Hokage and a select few knew about the twins' unusual abilities and memories.

"We knew this day would come," Menma said quietly. "They've been watching us. The ANBU, Kakashi... they've seen enough to report."

Naruto's fist clenched, crumpling the scroll. "If they try to separate us—"

"They won't." Menma's voice was steel, reminiscent of the demon slayer he once was. "I won't let that happen again."

The Hokage's office was dimly lit, occupied by more people than the twins expected. The Third Hokage sat behind his desk, pipe in hand, his aged face unreadable. Beside him stood Kakashi Hatake, his single visible eye studying them intently. In the corner lurked Jiraiya of the Sannin, arms crossed, unusually serious.

And by the window—Naruto's breath caught—Tsunade Senju, the legendary medic-nin who had supposedly abandoned the village years ago.

"Naruto. Menma." The Third's voice was gentle but carried authority. "Thank you for coming."

Naruto stepped forward slightly, positioning herself protectively in front of her brother—a reflex from another life, when she had been the demon and he the vulnerable human.

"What's this about?" she asked, her voice carefully neutral despite the tension vibrating through her frame.

"Your graduation exam is tomorrow," the Hokage stated. "Before you become official shinobi of Konoha, there are things we must discuss."

"Things?" Menma echoed, his tone equally guarded.

Tsunade pushed away from the window, her amber eyes piercing. "Your abilities. Your memories. Your... nature."

A low growl escaped Naruto's throat—not entirely human. Pink chakra began to leak from her skin, and her blue eyes flickered with hints of crimson. The room's temperature seemed to drop.

"Careful, girl," Jiraiya warned, straightening. "We're not your enemies."

"Then why the midnight summons?" Naruto challenged. "Why all the secrecy? Why her?" She jerked her head toward Tsunade, who had shown no interest in the village's affairs—or its jinchūriki—for years.

The Hokage sighed heavily, placing his pipe down. "Because tomorrow, you will be placed on teams. And your teammates deserve to be safe."

The words hit like a physical blow. Naruto staggered back, hurt flashing across her face. "You think we'd hurt them? After everything we've done to control our abilities?"

"Not intentionally," Kakashi interjected softly. "But the seal containing the Nine-Tails grows weaker every time you access your... other powers. The demon fox and your demon blood resonate, amplify each other."

Menma's hand found Naruto's, squeezing gently. Through their connection, he sent calming waves—the steady resolve of a water hashira, the unwavering courage of a sun breather.

"What do you want from us?" he asked.

Tsunade stepped forward. "I've been studying your condition from afar. I believe I can help strengthen the seal—not to suppress your abilities, but to harmonize them with the Nine-Tails' chakra."

Naruto's eyes widened. "You can do that?"

"I can try," Tsunade corrected. "With Jiraiya's sealing expertise and my medical knowledge, we might create a balance that allows you both to use your full potential without risk."

The twins exchanged a long look, an entire conversation passing silently between them.

"There's a catch," Naruto finally said, turning back to the adults. It wasn't a question.

The Third Hokage's expression grew grave. "Indeed. The procedure will require you to face the Nine-Tails directly. To confront the demon within you, while simultaneously maintaining control of your own demon blood."

"No one has ever attempted anything like this," Jiraiya added. "The risk is—"

"I'll do it," Naruto interrupted, her voice suddenly calm and resolved.

The adults stared at her, surprised by the immediate acceptance.

Naruto smiled, but it wasn't her usual bright grin. This was older, wearier—Nezuko's smile, tempered by centuries of fighting her own demonic nature.

"I've been battling demons inside me for longer than any of you have been alive," she said quietly. "What's one more?"

Deep within Konoha's underground ANBU headquarters, a complex sealing array covered the floor of a reinforced chamber. Naruto lay at its center, her blonde hair spread out like a halo against the dark stone. Around her, five shinobi maintained the seal—Jiraiya at her head, Tsunade at her feet, the Third Hokage and two ANBU commanders at either side.

Menma knelt just outside the array, his eyes never leaving his sister's face. Despite protests from everyone else, he had refused to be separated from her during the procedure. When Jiraiya tried to physically remove him, Menma's killing intent had spiked so violently that cracks appeared in the stone floor.

"If anything goes wrong," he had said, his voice deadly quiet, "I will burn this village to ash."

They believed him.

Now, as the sealing jutsus activated and Naruto's consciousness sank inward, Menma began to hum softly—a lullaby from another time, another world. The song their mother had sung before demons tore their family apart.

Inside her mindscape, Naruto found herself standing in ankle-deep water. The familiar sewer setting—representation of her seal—stretched before her, but something was different. The water wasn't the usual murky blue but tinged with pink, and the walls pulsed with veins of crimson.

Her demon blood, manifesting in this inner world.

She walked forward, drawn toward the massive cage that housed the Nine-Tails. But before she reached it, the corridor split—one path leading to Kurama's prison, the other descending into darkness tinged with that familiar pink glow.

Two demons. Two choices.

Naruto hesitated, then made her decision. She turned toward the darkness.

The passage twisted downward, the pink glow intensifying until she entered a vast chamber unlike anything in her usual mindscape. Instead of industrial pipes and concrete, this place resembled an ancient Japanese temple, warped and corrupted by demonic energy. Blood-red wisteria flowers cascaded from the ceiling, their petals occasionally falling to dissolve in the pink-tinged water at her feet.

And in the center, kneeling before a shattered shrine, was a figure Naruto hadn't seen in centuries.

Herself—or rather, Nezuko. In her full demon form.

The figure turned, revealing crimson eyes with slitted pupils, prominent veins across her face, and a horn protruding from her forehead. She wore a tattered pink kimono, blood-stained and torn. When she smiled, sharp fangs gleamed.

"Nezuko," Naruto whispered.

The demon tilted her head. "Naruto," she replied, her voice a distorted version of the blonde's own. "Or are we both Nezuko now? It's so hard to remember sometimes."

"You're a fragment," Naruto realized. "When my soul reincarnated, the demon aspects separated into... this."

The demon laughed, the sound echoing unnaturally. "Smart girl. Yes, I am what you left behind—what you tried to escape." She stood, her movements fluid and predatory. "But you can never truly escape yourself, can you?"

"I didn't come to fight you," Naruto said calmly. "I came to make peace."

The demon's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Peace? With your own demon blood? How... unexpected."

"In our first life, I—we—proved something important," Naruto continued, taking a step forward. "That demons and humans aren't doomed to eternal conflict. That with enough will, enough love, we can coexist."

"Pretty words," the demon sneered. "But there's another demon here who might disagree."

A tremendous roar shook the temple, making the wisteria petals shower down in a crimson rain. The wall behind the demon form of Nezuko cracked, then shattered entirely, revealing the massive form of the Nine-Tailed Fox glaring down at them both.

"So the little demon girl finally comes to visit," Kurama growled, his voice resonating through Naruto's bones. "And brings her pet demon with her. How quaint."

Naruto stood her ground as the fox's enormous face pushed through the broken wall, his breath hot against her skin.

"You're not as different as you think," she told him. "Both of you, fragments of greater evils, forced into vessels not of your choosing."

"Do not compare me to this... parasite," Kurama snarled, but there was something uncertain in his eyes.

The demon Nezuko laughed again, the sound like breaking glass. "The great Nine-Tails, reduced to arguing with a child and her shadow." She turned to Naruto, her expression suddenly serious. "He fears us, you know. Fears what we could become together."

"Silence!" Kurama roared, a tail smashing through another section of the temple.

But Naruto understood now. The Fox wasn't angry—he was terrified. In all his centuries of being sealed into human hosts, he'd never encountered one with another demonic entity already inside them. The unknown frightened him more than any human ever could.

"I didn't come to subjugate either of you," Naruto said firmly, addressing both demons. "I came to offer a partnership."

The temple fell silent, both demonic entities staring at her with identical expressions of disbelief.

"Impossible," demon Nezuko whispered.

"Absurd," Kurama growled.

"Inevitable," Naruto countered. "The three of us, bound together in one body. Fighting each other has only made us weaker, more vulnerable to those who would use us. Together, though..."

She let the implication hang in the air. A jinchūriki with perfect harmony between her human chakra, her demon blood, and the tailed beast within her. The potential was staggering.

"And what do we gain from this... partnership?" Kurama asked, suspicious but clearly intrigued.

"Freedom—of a sort," Naruto answered honestly. "Access to senses, experiences. A voice in how my power is used. And a promise: I will never use your strength to harm innocents."

Demon Nezuko circled Naruto slowly, studying her from every angle. "You truly believe you can control us both? Me, who carries the blood of Muzan Kibutsuji? Him, the living embodiment of hatred?"

"Not control," Naruto corrected. "Harmonize. Like breaths—like the breathing techniques that allow humans to fight on par with demons by synchronizing their body and spirit."

At the mention of breathing techniques, demon Nezuko stopped circling. Her eyes widened slightly, a memory flickering behind them—a memory of Tanjiro, demonstrating his Sun Breathing forms, movements like a sacred dance.

"You remember," Naruto pressed. "You remember how beautiful that harmony can be."

For the first time, uncertainty crossed the demon's features. "And if I refuse? If we refuse?" she asked, glancing at Kurama.

Naruto smiled sadly. "Then we remain as we are. Fractured. Weak. Constantly fighting for control." She shook her head. "I'm tired of fighting myself. Aren't you?"

Something shifted in the atmosphere of the mindscape. The crimson wisteria stopped falling. The water stilled. Even Kurama's perpetual growl quieted.

Demon Nezuko approached Naruto, stopping just inches away. They were mirror images—one human, one demon, both fragments of the same soul.

"It won't be easy," the demon warned. "Centuries of hatred don't disappear with pretty speeches."

"I know," Naruto acknowledged. "But we have time."

"Do we?" Kurama interjected. "Your seal weakens every day, girl. Soon, I could break free regardless of your wishes."

"Or," Naruto countered, "you could help me strengthen it—from the inside. Create a seal that doesn't imprison you, but channels you. Both of you," she added, looking back at her demon self.

The two demons exchanged a long look—predators assessing each other, ancient enemies considering an unprecedented truce.

Finally, demon Nezuko extended her hand, claws retracted. "I accept your terms, other self."

Naruto took the offered hand. The moment their fingers touched, pink energy surged between them, warm and electric. The demon gasped, then dissolved into motes of crimson light that flowed into Naruto's chest.

She turned to Kurama, who watched with narrowed eyes.

"Don't expect me to disappear so easily, kit," he rumbled. "I am no fragment to be reabsorbed."

"I wouldn't want you to," Naruto replied honestly. "You're too stubborn, too strong-willed. I respect that." She approached the massive fox, fearless now. "But I think you're tired too. Tired of being feared, sealed, used as a weapon."

Something vulnerable flickered in Kurama's massive red eyes—so quickly that anyone else might have missed it. But Naruto, with her heightened senses, caught the momentary softening.

"One chance," the fox finally growled. "I will allow this... experiment. But at the first sign of treachery, I will tear you apart from within."

Naruto smiled, reaching up to place her palm against the fox's enormous muzzle. "I'd expect nothing less."

As her hand made contact with Kurama's fur, the mindscape exploded with light—not pink or red, but golden. Warm. Healing.

In the sealed chamber, the observers watched in astonishment as Naruto's body lifted from the ground, suspended by visible chakra currents. Pink, red, and golden energy swirled around her, occasionally taking recognizable shapes—a fox, a horned girl, a butterfly—before merging back into the vortex.

"Impossible," Tsunade breathed, her hands trembling as she maintained her part of the seal. "The energies are... harmonizing. On their own."

Jiraiya's eyes were wide with disbelief. "The seal isn't containing the Nine-Tails anymore. It's... channeling it. Working with it."

Outside the array, Menma smiled softly, still humming the lullaby. He had never doubted his sister.

Naruto's eyes snapped open, but they weren't their usual blue. One eye glowed crimson with a slitted pupil, the other shone gold with a fox-like vertical slit. Her whisker marks darkened and extended across her cheeks, and her canines lengthened slightly.

Then she took a deep breath, and the physical changes receded—not vanishing completely, but settling into a new equilibrium. Her eyes returned to blue, though with a hint of violet now. Her whisker marks remained more pronounced. And when she smiled at the astonished adults, her canines were just slightly sharper than before.

"We have an understanding," she announced, her voice carrying subtle harmonics—like three voices speaking in perfect unison.

The Third Hokage stared at her, pipe forgotten in his hand. "What have you done, child?"

Naruto sat up, the sealing array dissolving around her as she broke its constraints without effort. Yet no malevolent energy escaped, no demonic presence threatened the observers.

"Something new," she answered simply.

The next morning dawned bright and clear, revealing no hint of the momentous events that had transpired during the night. In the Academy classroom, students fidgeted with excitement as Iruka-sensei prepared to announce the team assignments.

Naruto sat beside Menma, both twins appearing outwardly unchanged despite the interior transformation the blonde had undergone. Only the most observant might notice the new grace in Naruto's movements, the occasional flicker of something ancient in her eyes, or the way her whisker marks seemed more defined—almost like facial veins when viewed from certain angles.

Sasuke, seated on Naruto's other side, definitely noticed. His dark eyes kept sliding to her profile, narrowing slightly as he cataloged the subtle differences.

"What happened to you?" he finally murmured, voice low enough that only someone with enhanced hearing could catch it.

Naruto's lips curved into a small smile. "Growth spurt," she whispered back.

Before Sasuke could press further, Iruka cleared his throat loudly.

"As of today, you are all officially ninjas of the Hidden Leaf," the instructor announced, pride evident in his voice. "But you are still genin. The hard journey that lies ahead has just begun."

The room filled with excited whispers that Iruka silenced with a raised hand.

"You will be assigned to three-person teams, led by a jōnin sensei." His eyes swept across the classroom, lingering momentarily on the twins.

As Iruka began reading off teams, Naruto felt a familiar sensation—the prickling awareness of being watched. She casually scanned the classroom, finding nothing out of place. Then she looked up, toward the ceiling corner.

To ordinary eyes, there was nothing there. But Naruto's enhanced senses detected the subtle distortion of a high-level concealment jutsu. She winked directly at the spot, causing a minute fluctuation in the chakra pattern. Whoever was observing them had been startled.

"Team Seven," Iruka announced, drawing Naruto's attention back to the front. "Sakura Haruno."

The pink-haired girl straightened in her seat, eyes darting hopefully toward Sasuke.

"Sasuke Uchiha."

Sakura pumped her fist triumphantly while Sasuke remained impassive.

"And..." Iruka paused, his eyes flicking between the twins with an unreadable expression. "Naruto Uzumaki."

Murmurs erupted around the classroom. The twins had never been separated before—not for missions, not for training, not for anything. Even more shocking was that the usually inseparable duo would be split up now.

Menma's face remained carefully neutral, but Naruto felt the spike of anxiety through their bond. She reached under the desk, gripping his hand tightly.

It's okay, she conveyed silently. Trust the old man. He must have his reasons.

"Team Eight," Iruka continued. "Hinata Hyūga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame."

More names followed, but Naruto barely registered them until:

"Team Ten: Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Chōji Akimichi."

"Where does that leave Menma?" someone called out, voicing the question on everyone's mind.

Iruka adjusted his clipboard. "Due to our uneven numbers this year, Menma Uzumaki will be placed in an apprenticeship position with a specialist jōnin, focused on his unique aptitudes."

Whispers intensified. An apprenticeship was rare, usually reserved for prodigies with specific talents that a team structure might not accommodate. It was considered either a great honor or a diplomatic way of sidelining someone deemed unfit for standard team dynamics.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed further, his analytical mind working through the implications. The Uzumaki twins had always displayed unusual abilities—strengths that didn't quite align with standard ninja techniques. Now they were being strategically separated, one placed with the last Uchiha and a girl with perfect chakra control, the other given special solo training.

It wasn't random. It was calculated.

"Your jōnin instructors will meet you after lunch," Iruka finished. "Until then, you're dismissed."

The classroom erupted into excited chatter as students sought out their new teammates. Sakura approached Sasuke and Naruto's table, her expression caught between delight at being on Sasuke's team and uncertainty about Naruto. The blonde girl had always been something of an enigma—friendly to everyone but close to almost no one besides her brother and, inexplicably, Sasuke.

"Looks like we're teammates," Sakura said with forced brightness.

Naruto smiled genuinely. "Looks like it! We should grab lunch together—start building that team bond, you know?"

Sasuke stood abruptly. "Before that," he said, his voice unusually intense, "I need to speak with both of you." He looked at Menma. "You too."

Without waiting for a response, he stalked from the room. The twins exchanged a glance before following, Sakura hurrying behind them with a confused expression.

Sasuke led them to a secluded training area, well away from curious ears. Once certain they were alone, he turned, crossing his arms.

"What's going on?" he demanded. "The special attention from the Hokage. The midnight summons yesterday. The sudden team arrangements that just happen to separate you two for the first time ever." His eyes bored into Naruto's. "And whatever happened to you overnight."

Sakura's head swiveled between them. "What are you talking about, Sasuke-kun? What midnight summons?"

Menma sighed, leaning against a tree. "You've been watching us."

It wasn't a question. Sasuke didn't deny it.

"I watch everyone," he replied coolly. "Especially those with... unexplainable abilities."

The air grew heavy with tension. Naruto could feel Kurama stirring within her, curious about this confrontation. Her demon blood thrummed in her veins, responding to the potential threat—but neither felt hostile. Just interested.

"If we're going to be a team," Naruto said slowly, "I suppose you deserve some truth." She looked at Sakura. "Both of you."

Sakura blinked, surprised at being included in this clearly sensitive conversation.

"We're not... exactly what we seem," Naruto continued carefully.

"Obviously," Sasuke scoffed. "No normal twelve-year-old moves the way you do. Or heals overnight from injuries that should take weeks. Or performs jutsus without hand signs."

"Or has conversations with people who aren't there," Sakura added unexpectedly.

All three turned to her in surprise.

The pink-haired girl flushed. "I've seen you both do it. Staring at nothing, nodding, sometimes even murmuring responses to... no one." Her green eyes were sharp, intelligent. "At first I thought you were just weird, but it's more than that, isn't it?"

Menma pushed off from the tree, moving to stand beside his sister. "We have memories," he said quietly. "Memories of another life, another world. Another time."

Sakura's mouth dropped open. Sasuke's eyes widened fractionally—the Uchiha equivalent of shock.

"You're saying you've been... reincarnated?" Sakura asked incredulously.

"Something like that," Naruto confirmed. "Our souls carried over... certain abilities from our previous existence. Abilities that don't quite align with the ninja techniques of this world."

"That doesn't explain everything," Sasuke pressed. "The Nine-Tails' attack twelve years ago, your unusual chakra, the village's treatment of you—"

"We're getting to that," Menma interrupted. He looked at his sister. "Are you sure about this?"

Naruto nodded. In one swift movement, she lifted her shirt just enough to expose her stomach, then channeled a small amount of chakra. The complex seal appeared on her skin, dark and intricate.

"I'm a jinchūriki," she stated simply. "The Nine-Tailed Fox was sealed inside me the day we were born. The day it attacked the village."

Sakura gasped, taking an involuntary step back. But Sasuke moved forward, eyes locked on the seal with fascination rather than fear.

"And last night," Naruto continued, letting her shirt fall back into place, "I made peace with the demon inside me. Well, demons, plural."

"Demons... plural?" Sakura echoed weakly, her academic mind struggling to process these revelations.

"In our previous life," Menma explained, his voice gentle but firm, "we fought in a war against demons—creatures that preyed on humans. I was a demon slayer, wielding a special sword and breathing techniques that gave me supernatural strength."

"And I," Naruto added softly, "was his sister who had been turned into a demon, but retained my humanity through willpower and love."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed in concentration. "The pink mist you sometimes produce... the impossible strength... the heightened senses..."

"All remnants of my demon abilities," Naruto confirmed. "When we were reborn in this world, our souls brought those powers with them. And then the Nine-Tails was sealed inside me, creating... complications."

"Two demonic energies fighting for dominance," Sasuke concluded, his analytical mind making connections rapidly. "That's why they separated you," he said to Menma. "They're afraid of what might happen if both of you access these abilities simultaneously."

Menma nodded reluctantly. "The Hokage believes my presence amplifies Naruto's demonic energy—a resonance effect. He wants us to learn control separately before combining our strengths."

Sakura had gone pale, but determination replaced her initial fear. "Is it... dangerous? Being on a team with you?" she asked Naruto directly.

The blonde girl smiled, touched by Sakura's courage. "Not anymore. The procedure last night created a balance between all aspects of my power. The Fox, my demon blood, and my human chakra are now working together instead of against each other."

"Show us," Sasuke demanded suddenly.

Naruto hesitated, then nodded. She closed her eyes, concentrating. When she opened them again, her right eye was crimson with a slitted pupil, while her left glowed golden with a vertical slit. Pink and orange chakra swirled around her in perfect harmony, neither overpowering the other.

"This is what I am now," she said, her voice carrying those subtle harmonics. "Human. Demon. Jinchūriki. All in balance."

Rather than recoiling, Sasuke stepped closer, studying her with intense fascination. "The power you must have..."

Naruto let the transformation fade, returning to her normal appearance. "Power isn't everything, Sasuke."

"Says the girl who just admitted to having three power sources," Sakura muttered, but there was a hint of a smile on her face now—the beginning of acceptance.

"There's more you should know," Menma said. "About our abilities, our fighting styles. If we're going to be working together—or even separately—you should understand what we can do."

"The breathing techniques," Sasuke prompted, his interest clearly piqued.

"In our world, demon slayers used special breathing patterns to enhance their physical abilities," Menma explained. "Each style was modeled after an element or concept—Water, Fire, Thunder, Stone..."

"I specialized in Water Breathing," he continued, dropping into a fluid stance that seemed to make the air ripple around him. "And eventually mastered Sun Breathing—the original style from which all others derived."

"Can you teach us?" Sakura asked eagerly, her academic mind already cataloging possibilities.

Menma and Naruto exchanged glances.

"The techniques require a physical conditioning that takes years," Naruto said gently. "But we can teach you the fundamentals. With your perfect chakra control, Sakura, you might adapt quickly."

"And you?" Sasuke asked Naruto. "What's your specialty?"

Naruto grinned, her canines glinting slightly. "Blood Demon Arts—but I've modified them to work with chakra instead of human blood. And I've been developing my own style: Medical Breathing."

"Medical... Breathing?" Sakura repeated, intrigued.

"A blend of demon healing abilities, medical chakra techniques, and specialized breathing patterns," Naruto explained. "It allows me to accelerate healing—both for myself and others."

Sasuke's eyes gleamed with rare, undisguised interest. "And your teamwork? You move together like you're reading each other's minds."

"Because we partially are," Menma admitted. "Our soul bond carried over from our previous life. We sense each other's emotions, sometimes even thoughts."

Sakura looked between them with a hint of envy. "That must be nice, having someone who understands you so completely."

Naruto smiled sympathetically. "It has its advantages. But it can make connecting with others... challenging."

An awkward silence fell as the weight of all these revelations settled around them. Finally, Sasuke broke it.

"I don't care if you were demons, humans, or something else entirely in a past life," he said firmly. "What matters is what you can do now, and how it affects our missions."

His practicality was refreshing. Naruto felt a surge of gratitude, quickly followed by something else—a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with demon energy or fox chakra.

"Sasuke's right," Sakura agreed, surprising them all with her quick recovery. "We should focus on how to make our unique abilities work together as a team."

Menma smiled—a rare, genuine expression that transformed his serious face. "I think you're going to be just fine," he told his sister.

The sound of approaching footsteps made them all turn. A silver-haired jōnin with most of his face covered by a mask and headband strolled into the clearing, orange book in hand.

"Yo," Kakashi greeted lazily. "My first impression is... you're all quite serious." His visible eye curved in what might have been a smile. "Interesting."

"A survival exercise?" Sakura questioned, disbelief evident in her voice.

Team Seven stood in Training Ground Three, facing their new jōnin sensei. The morning mist had barely lifted, dew still clinging to the grass beneath their feet. Birds chirped in the surrounding trees, oblivious to the tension below.

"That's right," Kakashi confirmed cheerfully. "But this isn't just any exercise. Of the twenty-seven graduates, only nine will be accepted as genin. The rest will be sent back to the Academy."

"What?" Sakura exclaimed, while Sasuke's expression darkened. Naruto remained oddly calm, studying Kakashi with those slightly altered eyes.

"You see," the jōnin continued, pulling two small bells from his pocket, "your task is to take these bells from me before noon. Anyone who fails to get a bell fails the test."

"But sensei," Sakura pointed out, "there are only two bells."

"Very observant," Kakashi praised sarcastically. "That means at least one of you will definitely fail and be sent back for further training."

He tied the bells to his waist, the metal tinkling softly with his movements. "You'll need to come at me with the intent to kill if you hope to succeed. Now, begin!"

All three genin vanished instantly—or appeared to. Kakashi's experienced eye caught the subtle differences in their concealment techniques. Sasuke had used standard Academy-taught methods, hiding among the trees with minimal chakra output. Sakura employed a basic genjutsu to blend with surrounding foliage—impressive for her age, but detectable to a jōnin.

Naruto, however...

Kakashi frowned, extending his senses fully. The girl had completely disappeared—no visual trace, no chakra signature, not even a scent trail. It was as if she'd never been there at all.

Interesting, he thought. The reports weren't exaggerated.

A flicker of movement to his right made Kakashi casually sidestep, avoiding Sasuke's first attack—a volley of shuriken thrown with precision. The Uchiha followed immediately, emerging from the trees with a flying kick that Kakashi blocked with one hand, his attention still seemingly on his book.

"Lesson one: Taijutsu," Kakashi announced, countering Sasuke's subsequent punches and kicks with minimal effort.

Despite the jōnin's apparent nonchalance, he was carefully evaluating the boy's technique. Sasuke fought with exceptional skill for a genin, but there was something off about his style—subtle adaptations that weren't taught at the Academy. His movements had an unusual fluidity, almost as if...

Almost as if he's been training with the Uzumaki twins, Kakashi realized.

Sasuke leapt back, his hands forming seals at impressive speed. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

Kakashi's visible eye widened slightly. A C-rank technique, performed by a fresh Academy graduate? He substituted himself with a log just as the massive fireball engulfed his previous position.

From her hiding spot, Sakura watched with admiration. Sasuke-kun is amazing! But as the flames cleared to reveal a charred log, her tactical mind began working. Kakashi-sensei is testing our individual abilities first, gauging our strengths and weaknesses. The real challenge will be working together with only two bells as the prize.

A hand suddenly covered her mouth from behind. Sakura nearly screamed until she recognized the familiar scent of ramen and wildflowers.

"It's a teamwork test," Naruto whispered directly into her ear. "The bells are a distraction."

Sakura's eyes widened. Of course! The emphasis on three-person teams throughout their education, yet a test designed to pit them against each other? It was a test of values, not skills.

She nodded, and Naruto released her.

"Where's Sasuke?" Sakura whispered.

"Still engaging Kakashi-sensei," Naruto replied. "Listen, I have a plan, but I need you to do something first."

Kakashi was beginning to wonder if he'd overestimated the Uzumaki girl when the ground beneath him suddenly erupted. Sasuke leapt backward as Naruto burst from the earth, her clawed hand grazing one of the bells.

Earth Style jutsu? Not a technique taught to genin, Kakashi noted, twisting away. And those claws aren't normal.

"Almost had you, sensei," Naruto taunted, her blue eyes gleaming with mischief.

What happened next came so quickly that even Kakashi, with his years of ANBU experience, barely followed the sequence of events.

Naruto's body seemed to blur, afterimages trailing behind her as she moved with impossible speed. Pink mist leaked from her skin, obscuring Kakashi's vision for just a moment—long enough for Sasuke to re-engage from the opposite side, his movements perfectly synchronized with Naruto's.

They're moving as a unit, Kakashi realized with surprise. But they've never trained together as an official team.

Sakura's voice suddenly rang out from the trees: "Sasuke, thirty degrees east! Naruto, drop!"

Without hesitation, both genin adjusted their attack pattern according to her instructions. Sasuke unleashed another fireball, while Naruto dropped flat to the ground.

Kakashi dodged the flames, only to find himself stepping directly into Naruto's path as she slid beneath him, hands reaching for the bells.

He leapt upward, avoiding her by inches—and found himself facing a rain of shuriken from multiple angles. As he deflected them with a kunai, something caught his peripheral vision: Sakura, emerging from her hiding spot with perfect timing, making a grab for the bells while his hands were occupied.

They're working together, Kakashi thought with satisfaction. Despite the two-bell constraint, they've prioritized teamwork.

He substituted again, reappearing several yards away. All three genin immediately regrouped, standing side by side, facing him with determined expressions.

"Interesting approach," Kakashi commented, closing his book for the first time. "Care to explain your strategy, Naruto?"

The blonde grinned, her slightly sharper canines visible. "The test is about teamwork, isn't it? You're trying to divide us with the two-bell setup, but that's just a trick."

"Oh? And what makes you so sure?"

"Because Konoha values teamwork above individual achievement," Sasuke stated flatly. "The entire Academy curriculum emphasizes it."

"And logistically, it makes no sense to send only one of us back," Sakura added. "Teams are structured in threes for tactical reasons, with skill sets designed to complement each other."

Kakashi's eye curved into his signature smile. "Very good. But knowing the test's purpose and actually passing it are two different things. You still haven't gotten the bells."

"We don't need to," Naruto said confidently. "We just need to show you we're willing to work together even when the system seems designed to pit us against each other."

"And if I told you that wasn't enough?" Kakashi challenged. "If I said I needed to see you actually succeed in your mission objective?"

The three genin exchanged glances, a silent communication passing between them.

"Then we'd have to get serious," Naruto replied, her voice dropping to a deeper register.

Before Kakashi could respond, pink mist billowed outward, quickly enveloping the entire clearing. Within seconds, visibility dropped to near zero.

A smokescreen? Kakashi thought, maintaining his calm exterior while heightening his other senses. No, this is something else. It feels... alive.

The mist carried no scent, yet somehow interfered with his ability to smell anything else. Similarly, sounds became muffled, distorted. Even his sense of direction seemed affected, the world tilting slightly off-axis.

Genjutsu? He formed the release seal. "Kai!"

Nothing changed. This wasn't an illusion—it was something more primal, more physical.

A flash of movement to his right—Sasuke, emerging from the mist with a kunai drawn. Kakashi blocked automatically, only to realize too late it was a feint. The real attack came from behind as Sakura's foot connected with the back of his knee, momentarily destabilizing him.

In that split second of imbalance, Naruto appeared directly in front of him, moving so fast she seemed to materialize from the mist itself. Her hand shot out—not for the bells, but for his masked face.

Kakashi's years of combat instinct took over. He caught her wrist, twisting to throw her aside. But Naruto didn't resist as expected. Instead, she went with the momentum, her body contorting unnaturally to bring her feet up toward his chest.

What kind of flexibility— The thought cut short as her sandals made contact.

Not a kick. A distraction.

The bells jingled loudly as Sasuke's hand closed around them, yanking them free from Kakashi's waist.

The mist receded as quickly as it had appeared, revealing the three genin standing together once more. Sasuke held the bells, looking almost surprised at their success.

"Well," Kakashi said after a moment of stunned silence, "that was... unexpected."

Naruto beamed, while Sakura exhaled in relief. Even Sasuke allowed himself a small smirk of satisfaction.

"So, Sasuke," Kakashi continued, genuinely curious, "which of your teammates gets the second bell?"

Without hesitation, the Uchiha tossed one bell to Naruto and the other to Sakura. "They can have them both. Send me back to the Academy if you must."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. The last Uchiha, famed for his pride and ambition, willingly sacrificing his advancement?

"No," Sakura countered, offering her bell back to Sasuke. "You're the strongest fighter among us. The team needs you."

"Actually," Naruto interjected, "I think I should go back. My... unique situation might complicate missions." She held her bell out. "You two take these."

Kakashi watched with growing approval as the three genin argued, each insisting that the others should advance without them. Finally, all three turned to him with resolved expressions.

"We refuse to be separated," they stated in near-perfect unison.

The jōnin stared at them for a long moment. Then he eye-smiled again.

"You pass."

"We... what?" Sakura blinked.

"You pass," Kakashi repeated. "All of you. Team Seven is officially formed."

Relief and joy spread across their faces—even Sasuke couldn't fully suppress his smile.

"Those who break the rules are trash," Kakashi continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone, "but those who abandon their comrades are worse than trash. Remember that, always."

He looked at each of them in turn, his gaze lingering on Naruto. "Now, about those unusual techniques you displayed..."

Naruto straightened, meeting his eye directly. "I told them everything, sensei. About my past life, about the Nine-Tails, about last night's procedure. They deserved to know if we're going to be a team."

Rather than the disapproval she expected, Kakashi nodded. "Good. Secrets between teammates lead to mistrust, and mistrust leads to failure in the field." He turned to Sasuke and Sakura. "I trust you understand the sensitive nature of this information?"

Both nodded solemnly.

"Excellent. Then our first official team meeting will be tomorrow at 8 AM, right here. We'll discuss training regimens tailored to your unique abilities." Kakashi's eye crinkled again. "Dismissed."

As the jōnin disappeared in a swirl of leaves, the three genin remained standing together, the weight of their new bond settling comfortably around them.

"Ramen to celebrate?" Naruto suggested hopefully.

Sasuke sighed in mock exasperation. "Fine."

"I'll come too," Sakura decided, her usual diet concerns momentarily forgotten in the glow of their success.

As they walked toward the village, Naruto felt a warm rumble within her mindscape—something that might almost be described as a chuckle.

"Not bad, kit," Kurama's voice echoed in her mind. "For a human."

We make a good team, Naruto replied silently. All of us.

The demon fox snorted but didn't disagree.

Three months passed in a blur of D-rank missions and increasingly specialized training. Under Kakashi's guidance, Team Seven evolved into something unusual—a unit that defied traditional ninja classification.

Sasuke's affinity for fire techniques complemented Naruto's demon abilities, creating combination attacks of devastating power. Sakura, with her perfect chakra control, had begun learning the basics of Medical Breathing, her natural talents accelerating her progress beyond anyone's expectations.

Meanwhile, Menma trained separately under the tutelage of a special jōnin whose identity remained classified—though Naruto knew from their soul bond that her brother was mastering Water and Sun Breathing techniques adapted to chakra use.

On a warm summer morning, Naruto stood alone in a secluded forest clearing, far from the village proper. Dew glistened on the grass as dawn light filtered through the canopy, creating dappled patterns on the ground. The perfect setting for what she planned.

"Are you certain about this?" Kurama's voice rumbled within her. "Summoning contracts are not trivial matters."

It feels right, Naruto replied, kneeling on the ground. In our world, creatures with demonic aspects weren't inherently evil. Some were allies.

"This world has different rules," the fox cautioned, but his tone lacked conviction. He was curious too.

Naruto bit her thumb, letting blood well from the small wound. As she began forming the complex series of hand signs Jiraiya had reluctantly taught her, her demon blood pulsed in harmony with her chakra.

"Summoning Jutsu!" she called, slamming her palm against the ground.

The sealing array spiraled outward from her hand, glowing with an unusual combination of blue chakra and pink demonic energy. A plume of smoke erupted, larger than Naruto had anticipated. She leapt back, kunai automatically appearing in her hand as the smoke cleared to reveal...

A butterfly. But not an ordinary insect.

This creature had a wingspan nearly six feet across, its massive wings patterned in iridescent pinks, golds, and blues that seemed to shift with each gentle movement. Its body was humanoid—a slender female form with blue-tinted skin, four arms, and compound eyes that shimmered with intelligence. Delicate antennae extended from her forehead, occasionally emitting soft pulses of light.

"Ara?" the butterfly woman spoke, her voice melodic and surprised. "A summoner? After all this time?"

Naruto stared, kunai lowering slowly. "You... can talk."

The butterfly laughed, the sound like wind chimes. "Of course I can talk, little one. All higher summons can." She fluttered closer, examining Naruto with obvious curiosity. "But you're no ordinary summoner, are you? Your chakra tastes of... elsewhere. Of another world."

Naruto's eyes widened. "You can tell?"

"We Butterfly Clan are sensitive to such things," she explained, circling Naruto in a graceful aerial dance. "Reality is but a fragile membrane to us. We drift between worlds in our dreams."

She landed delicately before Naruto, folding her magnificent wings. Her compound eyes reflected Naruto's image back in hundreds of tiny facets.

"I am Kochō, princess of the Western Butterfly Court," she introduced herself with a slight bow. "And you, little demon-child-who-is-not-quite-a-demon?"

"Naruto Uzumaki," the blonde replied, bowing deeply in return. "I was Nezuko Kamado in another life."

"Nezuko..." Kochō repeated, her antennae glowing softly. "Yes, I see it now. The ember of another world still burns within you." Her head tilted curiously. "And what would you ask of the Butterfly Clan, Naruto-who-was-Nezuko?"

Naruto straightened, meeting the summon's multifaceted gaze. "An alliance. A contract. In my previous life, I protected humans from demons who would devour them. In this life, I seek to protect this village, these people, from those who would harm them."

"Noble goals," Kochō acknowledged. "But what do you offer in return? Summoning contracts are exchanges, not charity."

"I offer sanctuary," Naruto replied without hesitation. "Your clan can establish territory within Fire Country, protected by my authority as a Konoha ninja. I offer chakra when needed, and..." she hesitated, then continued: "I offer a connection to worlds beyond this one, through my unique nature."

Kochō's antennae pulsed more rapidly, betraying her interest. "You suggest we might... explore this connection? This resonance between realms?"

Naruto nodded. "Together, we might discover pathways neither of us could find alone."

The butterfly woman considered this, her wings opening and closing in slow, thoughtful movements. Finally, she produced a scroll from seemingly nowhere, unfurling it with her multiple hands.

"The Butterfly Clan has not contracted with a summoner in seven generations," she said, her voice taking on a formal quality. "Our last ally betrayed our trust, using our dream-walking abilities to torment his enemies."

Naruto winced sympathetically.

"But you..." Kochō continued, studying Naruto intently, "you carry multiple souls in harmony. The demon blood. The fox spirit. Your human heart. Such balance suggests an integrity rare among your kind."

She offered the scroll. "Sign, if you truly wish this alliance."

Without hesitation, Naruto bit her thumb again, signing her name in blood beside ancient signatures faded with time. As the final stroke was completed, the scroll glowed momentarily, then vanished in a burst of butterfly-shaped motes of light.

"The contract is sealed," Kochō declared. "You may now summon members of the Butterfly Clan according to your need and chakra capacity." She fluttered upward. "I shall inform the Court of our new alliance."

"Wait," Naruto called. "There's something else I wanted to ask."

The butterfly paused, hovering.

"I have... students," Naruto explained, thinking of two little girls who haunted her dreams—girls she had yet to find in this world, but whom she knew were waiting for her somewhere. "Would the contract extend to them as well? With your approval, of course."

Kochō's antennae twitched with surprise. "Students? You are young yourself, little one."

"Age is relative when you've lived multiple lives," Naruto replied with a small smile.

The butterfly considered this, then descended once more. "These students—they are important to you?"

"They were my sisters in another life," Naruto said softly. "Or they will be, when I find them."

Understanding dawned in Kochō's compound eyes. "Ah. Soul-bonds, like the one you share with your twin."

She hovered closer, her wings creating gentle currents that lifted Naruto's blonde hair. "Bring these students to me when you find them. If they are worthy, the Butterfly Clan may extend our contract."

"Thank you," Naruto said sincerely.

"Until we meet again, Naruto-who-was-Nezuko." With that, Kochō vanished in another cloud of smoke, leaving behind only a single iridescent scale that drifted slowly to the ground.

Naruto picked it up carefully, tucking it into her weapons pouch. As she turned to leave the clearing, a familiar presence brushed against her senses.

"You can come out, Menma," she called, unable to keep the smile from her voice. "I know you're there."

Her twin emerged from the treeline, looking slightly chagrined at being detected. "How long have you known?"

"Since before I started the summoning," Naruto admitted. "Our bond, remember?"

Menma approached, curiosity evident in his expression. "Butterflies? That's your summon animal?"

"Don't sound so surprised," Naruto countered, lightly punching his arm. "They're perfect."

"For what? Delivering very pretty messages?"

Naruto shook her head, her expression growing more serious. "For finding them, Menma. For finding Shinobu and Kanae."

Her brother's teasing smile faded. "You're still having the dreams?"

"Almost every night now," Naruto confirmed. "They're out there, somewhere. Two orphaned sisters, just like in our last life. And they need us—need me—just like before."

Menma sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "Naruto, we don't even know if they've been reincarnated in this world. The dreams could just be memories, not premonitions."

"No," she insisted. "It's different. I see them wearing clothes from this world. Speaking this language. They're here, Menma. I know it."

Her twin studied her for a long moment, then nodded reluctantly. "If you're certain, then I'll help you look. The butterfly summons can cover more ground than we ever could alone."

Naruto's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you. I just... I can't explain it, but finding them feels important. Like it's part of why we're here."

"I understand," Menma said, and through their bond, Naruto felt that he truly did. Despite his pragmatic caution, he shared her belief that their rebirth in this world had purpose beyond mere chance.

As they walked back toward the village together, Naruto felt a strange sense of anticipation building within her—a feeling that events were accelerating, paths converging, destiny approaching.

Within her mindscape, Kurama stirred. "Something is coming," he growled, his massive form shifting restlessly. "I can feel it in the air."

For once, the demon aspect of her blood agreed with the fox, sending pulses of alertness through her veins.

Change, Naruto thought. Change is coming.

"Absolutely not! I want a real mission!" Naruto's voice rang through the mission assignment room, causing several chunin to look up from their paperwork with disapproving frowns.

The Third Hokage sighed, setting down his pipe. "Naruto, you've only been genin for three months. D-rank missions are appropriate for your experience level."

"With all due respect, Hokage-sama," Sasuke interjected before Naruto could respond with something less diplomatic, "our team's capabilities exceed typical genin parameters."

Iruka, who was assisting with mission assignments, frowned. "Sasuke, the ranking system exists for a reason. It's not just about skill, but about preparedness for the dangers involved."

"We are prepared," Sakura stated with quiet confidence. The past months had transformed the once-timid girl. Standing between her teammates, back straight and eyes determined, she barely resembled the Academy student who had fawned over Sasuke and dismissed Naruto. "Kakashi-sensei has run us through A-rank combat simulations."

Kakashi, who had been pretending to read his book throughout the exchange, glanced up with his signature eye-smile. "They're not wrong, Hokage-sama. This team is... exceptional."

The Third studied them, his aged eyes sharp with assessment. Team Seven stood before him in perfect formation—Sasuke on the left, Sakura in the center, Naruto on the right. Their chakra signatures had begun to harmonize, he noted, a phenomenon usually observed only in teams that had worked together for years.

"Very well," he decided, selecting a scroll from a different pile. "I have a C-rank mission that might suit your abilities. An escort assignment to the Land of Waves."

Naruto's face lit up with excitement, but Kakashi caught a flash of something else in her expression—recognition?

"Send in the client," the Hokage instructed an aide.

Moments later, an older man entered, carrying a bottle of sake and wearing the simple clothes of a laborer. He squinted at Team Seven through glasses perched on his nose.

"These are the ninjas protecting me? They're just a bunch of kids!" He took a swig from his bottle. "Especially the short blonde one with the stupid face."

Naruto's eye twitched, but instead of the explosion of indignation Iruka expected, she smiled—a knowing, almost predatory smile that made the bridge builder take an unconscious step back.

"Tazuna-san," she said sweetly, "I assure you, we're more than capable of protecting you from any... bandits... you might encounter on your way home."

The emphasis on "bandits" wasn't lost on Kakashi, who narrowed his visible eye slightly.

Tazuna paled visibly. "H-how did you know my name? The old man didn't mention it."

Naruto's smile widened. "Lucky guess. You have the calloused hands of a builder, and your accent is distinctly from the coastal region of Wave Country." She tilted her head. "Besides, aren't you famous? The master bridge builder working on a project that will revolutionize Wave's economy?"

Something unspoken passed between them—Tazuna looking increasingly uncomfortable under Naruto's unwavering gaze, while the blonde maintained her pleasant smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Y-yes, that's right," Tazuna finally managed, taking another nervous drink.

"Naruto," Kakashi interrupted, his tone casual but with an underlying firmness, "perhaps we should let the client explain the mission parameters himself."

The blonde nodded, stepping back but keeping her eyes fixed on Tazuna. The bridge builder cleared his throat awkwardly.

"I'm building a bridge back in my homeland that will connect us to the mainland. I need protection until it's completed."

The Third Hokage nodded. "Team Seven, your mission is to escort Tazuna-san to the Land of Waves and protect him until the bridge is complete. Departure is scheduled for tomorrow morning."

"Hai, Hokage-sama," the team responded in unison.

As they filed out of the mission room, Kakashi placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder, holding her back while Sasuke and Sakura continued ahead with Tazuna.

"Something you want to share?" the jōnin asked quietly once they were alone.

Naruto looked up at him, her blue eyes solemn. "This mission isn't what it seems, sensei."

"Oh?"

"Tazuna is being hunted. Not by bandits, but by ninja hired by a shipping magnate named Gatō," she explained. "He's lying about the mission parameters because Wave Country is impoverished—they can't afford a B or A-rank mission, which is what this should be classified as."

Kakashi studied her carefully. "And you know this how?"

Naruto hesitated. She couldn't exactly explain that in her dreams—dreams that felt more like memories of a future not yet experienced—she had seen this mission play out before. Had seen Zabuza Momochi and his apprentice Haku. Had witnessed the tragic events at the bridge.

"Intuition," she finally said. "And..." she tapped her stomach, indicating Kurama. "He senses deception. Plus, Wave Country's economic situation is well-documented. They've been isolated since Gatō took control of their shipping routes."

It wasn't entirely a lie. Kurama had sensed Tazuna's fear and desperation.

Kakashi didn't seem fully convinced but nodded slowly. "I'll inform the Hokage of your... intuition. We'll proceed with caution."

Naruto sighed, accepting his decision. "Thank you, sensei."

As she jogged to catch up with her teammates, a flash of movement in her peripheral vision caught her attention. There—a flutter of pink, gone almost as soon as it appeared. Her enhanced senses detected the faintest trace of a scent that sent electricity shooting down her spine.

Wisteria.

The journey to Wave Country began uneventfully. Too uneventfully for Naruto's liking.

"You're jumpy," Sasuke observed quietly as they walked, positioned on either side of Tazuna while Sakura took point and Kakashi brought up the rear.

Naruto's eyes never stopped scanning their surroundings, her nostrils occasionally flaring as she sampled the air. "Something's wrong," she murmured. "We're being watched."

Sasuke nodded almost imperceptibly, trusting her enhanced senses without question. Through subtle hand signals, they alerted Sakura, who immediately adjusted her formation, one hand casually moving closer to her kunai pouch.

Kakashi observed the silent communication with approval. They were functioning as a seamless unit, responding to threats before he even needed to alert them.

The attack, when it came, was swift and brutal. Two ninja burst from a puddle on the road—a puddle that shouldn't have existed given the lack of recent rainfall, Naruto noted absently—their chain weapon connecting them as they encircled Kakashi, shredding him to pieces.

"One down," one of the assassins growled.

"Four to go," the other finished.

They charged toward Tazuna, clearly targeting the civilian first.

Sasuke reacted instantly, hurling a shuriken that pinned their chain to a nearby tree, followed by a kunai to secure it. As the assassins struggled to detach from their trapped weapon, Sakura appeared before Tazuna, her stance protective and confident.

But before either Demon Brother could free themselves, something pink and terrifying descended upon them.

Naruto moved like liquid lightning, her body blurring as she accelerated to inhuman speed. Pink chakra enveloped her form as her eyes transformed—right eye crimson, left eye golden, both with slitted pupils. When she spoke, her voice carried those eerie harmonics.

"Blood Demon Art: Binding Threads."

Razor-thin pink filaments shot from her fingers, wrapping around the enemy ninja with surgical precision. The threads tightened, immobilizing them completely while drawing thin lines of blood wherever they touched skin.

"Not lethal," Naruto explained to her wide-eyed teammates. "Just enough to keep them still."

Kakashi emerged from the treeline, entirely unharmed. "Maa, good work team. I wanted to see how you'd handle the situation." His eye crinkled in a smile that didn't quite reach it. "Though that was an... unusual technique, Naruto."

The blonde shrugged, releasing her partial transformation as the pink threads dissolved. "Effective, though."

Kakashi turned his attention to their prisoners. "The Demon Brothers of the Hidden Mist. Chūnin-level missing-nin." His voice hardened as he faced Tazuna. "Care to explain why assassins are targeting a simple bridge builder?"

Tazuna's shoulders slumped in defeat. As he confessed the truth about Gatō and Wave Country's desperate situation, Naruto noticed Sasuke studying her with intense curiosity.

"You knew," the Uchiha said quietly, out of earshot of the others. "You knew this was coming."

It wasn't a question. Naruto sighed, knowing she couldn't hide things from her perceptive teammate.

"I've been having... visions," she admitted. "Dreams that feel like memories, but of things that haven't happened yet."

Sasuke frowned. "Precognition?"

"Maybe. Or maybe it's just another quirk of my reincarnation." She shook her head. "They're not always clear, but this mission... I've seen parts of it play out before."

Before Sasuke could respond, Kakashi called them back to attention. The jōnin had secured the Demon Brothers and was addressing the team.

"This mission has clearly escalated to at least B-rank, possibly A-rank if Gatō has hired jōnin-level missing-nin," he stated gravely. "Standard protocol would be to return to the village and request proper reassignment."

"But Wave needs help now," Sakura interjected, her green eyes flashing with determination. "They can't afford to wait for bureaucratic procedures."

"And we can handle it," Sasuke added confidently.

Kakashi looked at Naruto, who nodded firmly.

"Alright," the jōnin sighed. "We continue. But stay alert. The next enemy won't be chūnin level."

"No," Naruto agreed softly. "He'll be much, much stronger."

The mist rolled in without warning, unnaturally thick and chakra-laden. Visibility dropped to near zero within seconds. Team Seven instantly moved into defensive formation around Tazuna, backs facing inward as they scanned the impenetrable whiteness surrounding them.

"Sasuke," Naruto whispered, "three o'clock."

The Uchiha didn't question how she could sense anything through the mist. He simply adjusted his position, dark eyes straining to perceive threats.

A low, menacing chuckle echoed around them, seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.

"Eight points," a disembodied voice intoned. "Larynx, spine, lungs, liver, jugular, subclavian artery, kidneys, heart. Which vital organ do you want struck first?"

Killing intent crashed over them like a physical wave. Sakura's breath hitched momentarily before she stabilized herself with a breathing technique Naruto had taught her. Tazuna trembled visibly, but remained upright, protected by the triangle of genin.

Kakashi's voice cut through the tension. "Zabuza Momochi, Demon of the Hidden Mist."

A massive figure materialized on a nearby tree branch—tall, muscular, bandages covering the lower half of his face. The enormous sword on his back gleamed dully in the mist.

"Copy Ninja Kakashi," Zabuza acknowledged. "No wonder the Demon Brothers failed. But your little genin won't be enough against me."

Sasuke's hand tightened on his kunai, but Naruto placed a gentle restraining touch on his arm. Her eyes, now fully transformed, could see more than just Zabuza. There, hidden in the trees some distance away, was another chakra signature—smaller, cooler, but no less deadly.

Haku, she thought. Right on cue.

"Kakashi-sensei," she called, her voice steady. "Permission to engage."

The jōnin's visible eye widened in alarm. "Absolutely not. This is a jōnin-level opponent."

"Not alone," Naruto clarified. "As a team. Trust us."

Before Kakashi could respond, Zabuza struck, his massive sword cleaving through the air where the jōnin had stood a split second before. Battle erupted in a chaos of water clones, substitutions, and deadly blade work as the two experienced ninja clashed.

"Now," Naruto whispered to her teammates. "Sakura, protect Tazuna. Sasuke, with me."

They moved without hesitation, their months of training together evident in every synchronized step. While Kakashi kept Zabuza occupied, Naruto and Sasuke circled behind, approaching from opposite directions.

Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash, Naruto thought, channeling chakra through her body in the pattern Menma had taught her. Though not as proficient as her twin in the Water techniques, she could execute the basics effectively.

Simultaneously, Sasuke flashed through hand signs. "Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"

Multiple small fireballs shot toward Zabuza, who leapt away easily—directly into the path of Naruto's water technique. The blonde moved with fluid grace, her kunai enhanced with water-natured chakra as she slashed at the missing-nin's exposed back.

Zabuza blocked with his sword, surprise evident in his eyes at the genin's speed and precision. "Not bad, brat," he growled, kicking her away with brutal force.

Naruto absorbed the impact, her demon-enhanced body barely registering the pain as she flipped mid-air to land on her feet. Pink mist began leaking from her skin, spreading outward to counter Zabuza's own concealing technique.

"What the hell is this?" the swordsman snarled as his mist jutsu destabilized, disrupted by Naruto's demonic energy.

"Blood Demon Art: Exploding Blood," Naruto whispered, clapping her hands together.

The pink mist ignited, creating a controlled blast that forced Zabuza to retreat—directly into Kakashi's waiting trap. Water Prison Jutsu snared the Demon of the Mist, trapping him in a sphere of dense liquid.

"It's over, Zabuza," Kakashi stated.

But Naruto's attention had already shifted to the trees where Haku lurked. The hunter-nin was preparing to intervene, senbon needles ready between slender fingers.

"Wait!" Naruto called out, looking directly at Haku's hiding spot. "We don't have to be enemies!"

Everyone froze. Zabuza's eyes widened in shock as Naruto addressed his hidden apprentice. Even Kakashi seemed startled by this development.

A figure in a hunter-nin mask emerged cautiously from the trees, poised to attack or flee as necessary.

"How did you know I was there?" Haku's soft voice asked from behind the mask.

Naruto stepped forward, leaving behind the safety of her team despite Sasuke's warning hiss.

"I know more than that," she said gently. "I know your name is Haku. I know you have a kekkei genkai that lets you manipulate ice. I know Zabuza found you after your family was killed for having special abilities." She took another step. "And I know you're not a killer at heart."

Haku stiffened. "How could you possibly—"

"Because I've been through something similar," Naruto interrupted, her voice softening further. "I know what it's like to be feared for abilities you didn't ask for. To be hunted for simply existing."

Without warning, she released a controlled burst of her demon chakra—just enough to manifest her crimson eye and elongated canines. "I'm not exactly normal either."

The revelation sent ripples of shock through everyone present. Zabuza struggled against his water prison, now looking at Naruto with something beyond simple combat assessment—a calculating interest tinged with wariness.

"What do you want?" Haku asked, mask tilted in confusion.

"An alternative," Naruto stated simply. "Gatō plans to betray you both anyway. He never intended to pay you. Once the bridge builder is dead, his thugs will eliminate you too—or try to."

Zabuza stopped struggling, his eyes narrowing. "What makes you so sure, girl?"

"Because Gatō is a businessman first, and a crook second," Naruto explained. "Paying missing-nin is expensive. Killing them once they've served their purpose is cost-effective."

A tense silence fell over the misty battleground. Even Kakashi seemed uncertain how to proceed with this unexpected turn.

"I can prove it," Naruto continued. "Give us one week. If Gatō doesn't move against you by then, you can resume your contract. If I'm right..." She let the implication hang.

"This is highly irregular," Kakashi finally spoke, maintaining the water prison around Zabuza. "Naruto, we can't simply negotiate with enemy ninja during combat."

"Why not?" she challenged. "Isn't it better than needless bloodshed?"

The jōnin stared at his genin, seeing something in her eyes that gave him pause—a wisdom beyond her years, beyond this lifetime.

"What exactly are you proposing?" he asked carefully.

Naruto smiled, sensing the first step toward victory. "A truce. One week. We protect the bridge builder, Zabuza and Haku lay low and watch Gatō. When Gatō inevitably shows his true colors..." Her smile turned predatory. "Well, then we can discuss a mutually beneficial arrangement."

Zabuza laughed, a harsh sound muffled by both his bandages and the water prison. "You've got guts, kid. Stupidity too, but guts nonetheless." He stopped laughing, eyes sharpening. "One week. No more."

Haku stepped forward, mask still in place but posture less defensive. "If what you say is true about Gatō..."

"It is," Naruto assured. "And when it proves true, I have a proposition that might interest you both."

Kakashi sighed, realizing he'd somehow lost control of the situation to his twelve-year-old genin. "I must be insane," he muttered, before addressing Zabuza. "If I release you, do we have a truce? No attacks on Tazuna or anyone from Wave for one week?"

The swordsman considered this, then nodded curtly. "One week. But the girl better be right about Gatō, or our next meeting won't be so... conversational."

With visible reluctance, Kakashi released the Water Prison Jutsu. Zabuza leapt back, putting distance between himself and Team Seven, but made no move to attack.

"One week," he repeated, before vanishing into the remnants of the mist with Haku.

As the unnatural fog dissipated completely, Naruto turned to find her entire team plus Tazuna staring at her with varying degrees of shock, admiration, and suspicion.

"What?" she asked innocently. "I just saved us a difficult battle."

Kakashi pinched the bridge of his nose. "Naruto, we need to have a very long talk about appropriate mission protocols and not making unilateral decisions during combat situations."

But beneath his exasperation, the jōnin couldn't deny his student had achieved something remarkable. He'd never heard of anyone talking Zabuza Momochi down from a fight—much less a genin who somehow knew details about the missing-nin's apprentice that weren't in any bingo book.

"How did you know all that about the masked kid?" Tazuna finally asked, breaking his stunned silence.

Naruto's expression became unreadable. "Let's just say I have good intuition."

Tazuna's home stood at the edge of a quiet inlet, waters lapping gently against weathered docks. The house itself was modest but sturdy, built on stilts to accommodate the frequent tidal surges typical of Wave Country.

Inside, Tazuna's daughter Tsunami welcomed them with grateful hospitality, while his young grandson Inari remained distant and distrustful. The boy's cynicism bounced off Naruto like water from oiled paper—she'd seen too much tragedy across two lifetimes to be bothered by childish pessimism.

As evening fell, Kakashi called a team meeting on the home's small veranda. Away from Tazuna's family, he fixed Naruto with a stern gaze.

"Explain," he demanded simply.

The blonde sighed, knowing this moment had been inevitable. "Which part?"

"Start with how you knew details about Zabuza's apprentice that aren't in any intelligence reports," Kakashi suggested with deceptive mildness. "Then perhaps move on to why you're so certain about Gatō's intentions."

Sasuke and Sakura watched intently, equally curious about their teammate's uncanny knowledge.

Naruto considered her options carefully. The whole truth seemed too fantastical, yet outright lies would be detected instantly by her perceptive team.

"I've been having visions," she finally said, deciding on a version of truth. "Dreams that feel like memories, but of events that haven't happened yet—or happened differently."

"Precognition?" Kakashi asked skeptically.

"Not exactly," Naruto hedged. "It's more like... glimpses of potential futures. Possibilities." She looked directly at her sensei. "I think it might be related to the demon blood in me. Demons in my previous world sometimes had abilities that transcended normal perception."

"You're saying you can see the future because you're part demon?" Sakura clarified, her analytical mind wrestling with the concept.

"In a sense," Naruto confirmed. "Though it's not consistent or completely reliable. More like... intuitive flashes."

Kakashi studied her silently for several long moments. "And you believe these 'flashes' have shown you that Gatō will betray Zabuza."

"I know he will," Naruto stated with absolute certainty. "Gatō is a parasite who uses people until they're no longer useful, then discards them. He's done it to this entire country."

"Even if that's true," Sasuke interjected, "what's your endgame here? What proposition were you planning to offer Zabuza and his apprentice?"

Naruto smiled, pleased that her teammate had caught that detail. "Protection. Legitimacy. A new start."

"You want to recruit missing-nin to Konoha?" Kakashi asked, his tone making clear how absurd he found the idea.

"Not necessarily to Konoha," Naruto corrected. "But away from a life of mercenary work. Zabuza's ultimate goal is to raise funds for another coup attempt in Kiri, to end the Bloody Mist practices. It's actually a noble aim, just with questionable methods."

"And you know this how?" Kakashi pressed.

Naruto tapped her temple. "Visions, remember?"

The jōnin sighed heavily. "Naruto, even if your... visions... are accurate, we can't make unauthorized offers to missing-nin. That's far beyond our mission parameters and could create diplomatic incidents."

"I'm not suggesting anything official," Naruto clarified. "Just opening a door to possibilities. Showing them there are alternatives to working for scum like Gatō."

Silence fell as the team considered her words. Finally, Sakura spoke up.

"I think Naruto might be onto something," she said thoughtfully. "Strategically speaking, turning enemies into allies is always preferable to eliminating them—especially powerful ones with unique abilities."

Sasuke nodded in agreement. "The masked one—Haku—has an ice kekkei genkai. That's rare and valuable."

Kakashi looked between his genin with a mixture of pride and exasperation. They were thinking like seasoned strategists rather than newly-minted ninja. Part of him wondered if Naruto's unusual influence was accelerating their development, or if they'd simply been exceptional all along.

"We'll see what happens with Gatō," he finally conceded. "But no promises or offers without consulting me first. Understood?"

"Understood, sensei," Naruto agreed readily—perhaps too readily.

Kakashi's suspicion must have shown in his expression, because the blonde quickly added, "I promise! No unauthorized negotiations with S-rank missing-nin."

"Good." The jōnin stood. "Now, let's discuss our guard rotation for protecting Tazuna at the bridge..."

As they planned their security measures, none of them noticed the tiny pink butterfly perched on the veranda railing, its compound eyes reflecting their animated discussion before it fluttered away into the gathering darkness.

Later that night, while her teammates slept soundly, Naruto slipped silently from the house. The full moon cast silver light across the inlet, transforming the poverty-stricken fishing village into something almost ethereal.

She made her way to a secluded cove, her enhanced senses confirming she wasn't followed. Once alone, she bit her thumb and performed the now-familiar hand signs.

"Summoning Jutsu," she whispered, slamming her palm against the rocky shore.

A much smaller puff of smoke than her first summoning appeared, resolving into a butterfly significantly more modest in size than Kochō. This one had a wingspan of perhaps eight inches, its body humanoid but only about the size of Naruto's finger. Despite the diminutive stature, the butterfly's wings glowed with vibrant pink and purple patterns that seemed to pulse with inner light.

"Reporting, Naruto-sama," the tiny butterfly said, her voice high and musical. "I followed the ice user as instructed."

"And?" Naruto prompted, kneeling to better hear the small summon.

"They're staying in an abandoned house near the northern shore. The swordsman is suspicious but intrigued by your proposal. The ice user seems more receptive." The butterfly's antennae twitched. "But there's something else—something unexpected."

Naruto frowned. "What?"

"Two others arrived at Gatō's compound this evening. Children—girls. Sisters, I believe." The butterfly's glow intensified with excitement. "One carries a sword case, though she seems too small for it. The other moves like a healer."

Naruto's breath caught in her throat, her heart suddenly pounding. "Describe them. Exactly."

"The older one has black hair with purple highlights, cut in a straight bob. The younger has long dark hair. Both wear kimono-style clothing, modified for movement. They arrived in chains, with Gatō's thugs escorting them."

"Prisoners?" Naruto asked sharply, her demonic energy flaring involuntarily with protective rage.

"Acquisitions, it seemed," the butterfly corrected. "I overheard Gatō telling his men they would be 'useful tools' once properly trained."

Naruto stood abruptly, her decision instant and unshakable. "Show me where they are."

"Naruto-sama, your team—"

"Now," she commanded, her voice layered with harmonics as her eyes shifted to their dual-colored state.

The butterfly summon hesitated only a moment before fluttering upward. "This way. But Gatō's compound is heavily guarded."

"Not heavily enough," Naruto replied, already moving with inhuman speed as she followed the glowing insect into the night.

Shinobu. Kanae. The names echoed in her mind, in her soul. After centuries apart, across worlds and lifetimes, she had found them again. And this time, she wouldn't let anyone harm her sisters.

Behind her, unnoticed in her focused determination, a shadow detached itself from the treeline. Sasuke Uchiha, his dark eyes watchful, followed silently after his impulsive teammate.

Gatō's compound rose from the northern edge of the island like a malignant growth—all fortified walls and ostentatious design, a stark contrast to the impoverished villages surrounding it. Guards patrolled the perimeter, their weapons gleaming in the moonlight.

Naruto crouched in the shadows of the tree line, observing the security patterns. Her butterfly summon hovered near her ear, occasionally whispering updates about movement inside the walls.

"The girls are being kept in the eastern wing," the tiny scout reported. "Second floor, room with barred windows."

"How many guards between here and there?" Naruto asked, her mind already calculating routes and risks.

"Twelve outside, unknown number inside. Gatō himself is present, in the main building."

A twig snapped softly behind her. Without looking, Naruto sighed. "You might as well come out, Sasuke. I can smell you."

The Uchiha emerged from the darkness, his expression unreadable. "Mind explaining why you're planning to infiltrate a crime lord's compound without backup?"

"Go back to Tazuna's," Naruto said, her eyes never leaving the compound. "This is personal."

"Those girls," Sasuke guessed. "The ones from your past life. Shinobu and Kanae."

Naruto's head whipped around, surprise evident on her face. "How did you—"

"You talk in your sleep sometimes," he said simply. "And you've mentioned them before, when you thought no one was listening." His dark eyes held hers steadily. "You believe they've been reincarnated too."

"Not a belief. A certainty." Naruto turned back to the compound. "And now Gatō has them. Plans to 'train' them—to use them as 'tools.'" Her voice grew deeper with each word, demonic energy crackling visibly around her clenched fists. "I won't allow it."

Sasuke moved to crouch beside her, his shoulder brushing against hers in silent solidarity. "Then we do this together."

"This isn't your fight."

"We're teammates," he said simply, as if that explained everything. And perhaps it did.

Naruto studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "Fine. But we do this my way. Quick and quiet—get the girls out without alerting Gatō if possible. I don't want to tip our hand about the Zabuza situation yet."

Sasuke nodded, already checking his equipment. "Lead the way."

With a final glance at her butterfly scout, Naruto whispered, "Guide us," then launched into motion with Sasuke keeping pace beside her.

They moved like shadows, exploiting blind spots in the patrol patterns with practiced efficiency. The compound wall presented no real obstacle—both genin scaled it without chakra assistance, relying on physical skill alone to avoid detection by any sensor types that might be present.

Once inside, the butterfly scout led them through service corridors and unused passages, their progress swift and silent. Only twice did they encounter guards, dispatched with quick pressure point strikes before they could raise alarms.

Finally, they reached the eastern wing—a section decorated with distasteful opulence that suggested it was used for housing Gatō's "special acquisitions."

"There," the butterfly indicated, fluttering toward a heavy wooden door with an iron lock. "Inside."

Naruto's enhanced hearing detected slow, steady breathing beyond the door—the rhythm of sleep, two distinct patterns. Her heart raced with anticipation as Sasuke examined the lock.

"Simple tumbler mechanism," he murmured. "Give me thirty seconds."

"Too long," Naruto replied, placing her palm against the door near the lock. "Stand back."

Pink energy gathered around her hand, condensing into hair-thin filaments that infiltrated the locking mechanism. With a soft click, the tumbler disengaged.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, impressed despite himself.

Slowly, carefully, Naruto eased the door open, wincing at the faint creak of hinges. The room beyond was sparsely furnished—two small beds, a washing stand, and little else. No windows, contrary to the butterfly's report, just a small ventilation grate too small for escape.

And on the beds, two sleeping forms.

Naruto's breath caught as moonlight from the hallway illuminated their faces. Exactly as she remembered them, yet younger—perhaps eight and ten years old. Shinobu with her purple-tinted black hair, Kanae's longer locks spread across her pillow.

Both girls were thin, with faint bruises visible on their exposed arms—evidence of rough handling. Sleeping fully clothed and sandaled, prepared to flee or fight at a moment's notice. Survivors, even at their young age.

"Shinobu," Naruto whispered, approaching the older girl's bed. "Kanae."

The effect was instant. Both children snapped awake, bodies tensing as they registered the intruders. Shinobu moved protectively in front of her younger sister, a makeshift weapon—what appeared to be a sharpened chopstick—clutched in her small hand.

"Stay back," she warned, her voice steady despite the fear evident in her eyes. "I know how to use this."

Naruto raised her hands in a placating gesture, keeping her voice soft and gentle. "We're not here to hurt you. We've come to rescue you."

Suspicion radiated from Shinobu's rigid posture. "Why would you help us? Who sent you?"

"No one sent us," Sasuke replied from his position by the door, keeping watch. "But we need to move quickly."

"You won't take us to another master," Shinobu declared fiercely. "We won't be anyone's tools."

The words struck Naruto like physical blows—so similar to what her summon had reported, yet spoken with the righteous defiance she remembered so well from her past life's sister.

"Never," she promised, her voice thickening with emotion. "You'll never be tools again. You'll be family."

Something flickered in Shinobu's eyes—confusion, doubt, perhaps a flicker of recognition. Behind her, Kanae peered out with wide, uncertain eyes.

"Your hair," the younger girl whispered suddenly. "It's like sunshine."

Naruto's heart clenched at the familiar description—Kanae had said those exact words the first time they met in their previous life, when Naruto had still been Nezuko.

"Time to go," Sasuke hissed from the doorway. "Guards changing rotation."

Decision time. Naruto extended her hand toward the girls. "Please. Trust me. I'll explain everything once you're safe."

The sisters exchanged glances, some unspoken communication passing between them. Finally, Shinobu lowered her makeshift weapon, though wariness remained in her stance.

"If you try anything..." she warned.

"I won't," Naruto promised. "Now come on."

As they slipped from the room and back into the shadowy corridor, alarm bells suddenly shattered the night's silence. Shouts echoed from the main compound, followed by the unmistakable sounds of combat.

"That's not for us," Sasuke realized, straining to hear. "Something else is happening."

Naruto nodded grimly. "Zabuza," she guessed. "Looks like he didn't need a week to verify my claims about Gatō."

The distraction worked in their favor, drawing attention away from their escape route. With the butterfly scout leading the way, they made it back to the wall unchallenged, the compound's security forces focused entirely on whatever threat had emerged elsewhere.

Scaling down proved more challenging with two children, but Naruto's enhanced strength allowed her to carry both girls effortlessly. Once safely back in the forest, they paused to catch their breath.

"What's happening back there?" Sasuke asked, gesturing toward the sounds of chaos still emanating from the compound.

Naruto's eyes gleamed in the darkness. "Justice," she said simply.

Shinobu stepped forward, her small face set in determination despite her obvious exhaustion. "You promised explanations."

"And you'll get them," Naruto assured. "But we need to get farther away first." She knelt before the girls, offering her back. "Kanae, climb on. Shinobu, Sasuke will carry you."

The younger girl complied without hesitation, wrapping thin arms around Naruto's neck. Shinobu hesitated, eyeing Sasuke warily before reluctantly allowing him to lift her.

As they traveled swiftly through the moonlit forest, Naruto felt Kanae's breath against her ear—warm, alive, real. After centuries of separation, across worlds and lifetimes, her sisters had returned to her. The butterfly's mission complete, it dispersed in a tiny puff of smoke.

Behind them, Gatō's compound continued to erupt with sounds of violence—the beginning of Wave Country's liberation, though few would understand the catalyzing role played by a blonde genin with memories of another world.

Dawn broke over Wave Country, pale light filtering through the windows of Tazuna's home. In the small guest room assigned to Team Seven, Kakashi Hatake stared down at his blonde student with an expression caught between exasperation and grudging respect.

"Let me summarize," the jōnin began, his voice deceptively calm. "You snuck out in the middle of the night, infiltrated a crime lord's heavily guarded compound, rescued two children you believe to be the reincarnations of your sisters from a previous life, and somehow, coincidentally, Zabuza Momochi chose that exact moment to attack Gatō's forces."

Naruto nodded, unrepentant. "That covers the highlights."

Beside her, Sasuke maintained his usual stoic expression, though the slight quirk of his lips suggested he found the situation somewhat amusing.

Kakashi sighed deeply. "And where are these girls now?"

"With Tsunami," Naruto answered. "She's giving them food and clean clothes."

"And Zabuza?"

"Unknown," Sasuke replied. "But given the extent of the fighting we heard, I'd say Gatō's operation has been significantly disrupted, if not eliminated entirely."

The jōnin pinched the bridge of his nose. "This mission continues to evolve in ways I couldn't possibly have anticipated." He fixed Naruto with a stern look. "You realize I'll have to report all of this to the Hokage."

"Of course," she agreed readily. "And I'll accept whatever consequences come. But I won't apologize for saving Shinobu and Kanae."

Before Kakashi could respond, a soft knock interrupted them. The door slid open to reveal Sakura, her expression serious.

"Sensei, there's someone here to see us," she reported. "Actually, three someones."

Kakashi tensed, hand moving subtly toward his weapons pouch. "Who?"

"Zabuza, his apprentice Haku, and..." Sakura hesitated, glancing at Naruto. "Gatō's head."

Silence fell over the room for several heartbeats.

"Well," Kakashi finally said, rising to his feet. "That's certainly direct."

They filed downstairs to find a surreal tableau in Tazuna's modest living room. Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Hidden Mist, sat cross-legged on a tatami mat, his massive sword propped against the wall behind him.