NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Tracks in the Sand
MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR: First of all, I would like to apologize to my readers. I had a few commitments this past week that prevented me from releasing new chapters. However, I've taken some time to reevaluate my work and have come up with new ideas to enhance both my writing and the storyline. Thank you for your understanding, and I appreciate your support.
Tracks in the Sand
The gates of Konoha rose like sentinels against the fading light as Naruto Uzumaki staggered through, his boots caked with desert dust from the relentless three-day trek. Sweat streaked his face, his orange jacket frayed at the edges, but his blue eyes blazed with urgency. Sansuke's final words, "Just as he said you would be", looped in his mind, tangled with the scorched Leaf headband and that explosive end. He gripped Jiraiya's book in his pack, its weight a tether to the promise he'd made Pervy Sage, live it fully, write it down, no matter the chaos.
He stormed the Hokage's tower, shoving past guards and bursting into Tsunade's office. She sat at her desk, sake cup poised mid-air, papers strewn around her, a map pinned to the wall dotted with red marks, signs of trouble brewing. "You look like you've been dragged through a sandstorm," she said, setting the cup down with a clink, her hazel eyes narrowing. "What's got you running like a madman?"
"Rogues," Naruto panted, dropping his pack with a thud. "They're targeting the Leaf, Sansuke was one of 'em, but he's… more. He knew me, fought me, then blew himself up. Said someone told him about me. They're moving something big, I saw camps, weapons, outta the Sand." He straightened, chest heaving. "We've gotta act, Grandma."
Tsunade's expression tightened, fingers drumming the desk. "Gaara's report came yesterday, Sansuke, no record anywhere. That headband's a fake, or stolen. But rogues hitting the Leaf…" She stood, rounding the desk, her presence commanding. "I've been digging." She slid an old scroll toward him, its Uzumaki spiral faded but stark. "Found this in the archives, talks about 'future echoes.' Ring any bells?"
Naruto unrolled it, frowning at the cryptic text, "The blood walks again," "Shadows cast from tomorrow.", "Not a damn clue," he muttered, unease prickling his skin. "But Sansuke, he wasn't just some grunt. He died hiding something huge."
Kurama's growl rumbled in his mind, gravelly and sharp. "That kid's chakra, it's yours, brat, but off. Like it's from somewhere else, some, when, else."
"What the..." Naruto started aloud, catching Tsunade's arched brow. "Fox being weird," he waved off, but Kurama's hint sank in, twisting his gut. Future echoes? Sansuke's chakra?
"We'll sort it," Tsunade said, stepping closer, her tone shifting, less Hokage, more the woman, who'd kicked this whole wild ride off. "But you're a mess, and I need you focused. I'm calling a team, Sasuke, Sakura, Shikamaru for recon. West, now." She smirked, eyes glinting with that familiar heat, her hand brushing his arm. "And we've got a score to settle, you and me."
Naruto's pulse jumped, heat flooding his face as her fingers trailed down, igniting old sparks. "Grandma, now's not..."
"Zip it," she snapped, her voice dropping to a husky purr that sent shivers down his spine. She grabbed his collar, yanking him against her, lips grazing his ear. "Shizune cut us off last time, left me wanting. I don't do half-finished, brat." She shoved him back onto the desk, papers flying, and straddled him, her kimono riding up to bare her thighs.
"Tsunade, the team..." he stammered, but his hands betrayed him, gripping her hips as she ground down, her strength pinning him. She smirked, unzipping his pants with practiced ease, freeing his cock, already hard despite his protests.
"Fast and hard," she breathed, sinking onto him with a low groan, her tightness swallowing him whole. Naruto's head tipped back, a growl tearing free as she rode him, the desk creaking under her fierce pace, pure dominance, her breasts bouncing under her top, nails digging into his chest. "Fuck... Tsunade..." he gasped, thrusting up, matching her rhythm, the room a blur of heat and sound.
She clenched around him, her orgasm hitting with a sharp cry, and Naruto followed, spilling into her with a shudder, the release raw and quick. She slid off, adjusting her kimono with a smug grin, leaving him panting. "There," she said, voice steady despite the flush on her cheeks. "Now you're ready. Clean up... team's downstairs."
Naruto laughed, breathless, zipping up. "You're nuts, Grandma." He grabbed his pack, Jiraiya's book spilling out. He snatched it, flipping it open, and scrawled: "A race home, a fire reignited, desk and danger tangle." Tsunade peeked over, smirking. "Keep it vague, kid. I've got enough rumors."
Downstairs, the team waited—Sasuke against a wall, Sharingan glinting coldly; Sakura prepping gear, her gaze flicking to Naruto with a mix of warmth and something unspoken; Shikamaru yawning, muttering about "troublesome timing." Tsunade briefed them: "Rogues west of the Sand, moving fast. Recon only, find their stash, report back. No screwing around." Her eyes lingered on Naruto, a silent challenge.
As they headed out, Kurama growled again. "Sansuke's not past, brat, he's ahead. Something's coming, and it's got your scent." Naruto tightened his grip on the book, the desert's whispers clawing at him. Sansuke's shadow loomed, the rogues closed in, and now, future echoes? The road ahead stretched dark and wild, but he'd charge it head-on, Jiraiya's legacy fueling every step.