-3rd Person -

-Flashback-

The doors of the Hokage's office crash open with a force that shakes the room. Papers flutter off the desk as Naruto, Kakashi, and Sakura storm in, their anger palpable in the tense air. Sai trails quietly behind them, his usual expression unreadable, but there's something different about him today—something more guarded.

"Why did you do it?! Why did you order Yamato to restrain Mizuki?!" Naruto's voice is the first to break through the heavy silence, his face flushed with fury as he strides forward, fists clenched tightly at his sides. His blue eyes are blazing, wild with confusion and pain.

Tsunade, sitting at her desk, rubs her temples and lets out a deep sigh. She looks tired, worn down by the weight of her responsibilities. But the fire in Naruto's voice forces her to straighten up, her sharp eyes flickering with authority.

"I had no choice, Naruto," Tsunade replies firmly, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions brewing in the room.

"No choice?!" Sakura interjects, stepping forward, her face flushed with anger. "Mizuki nearly got hurt because of Yamato's jutsu! He didn't let her—"

"She could've reached Sasuke!" Naruto cuts in, his voice loud and raw, filled with a deep sense of betrayal. "You stopped her from getting to him. She could've—"

"She could've done what, Naruto?" Tsunade snaps back, her patience thinning. "Talked him into coming back? You think it's that simple?"

Naruto's eyes widen in shock at Tsunade's sharp retort, but he doesn't back down. "Yes! If anyone could reach Sasuke, it's Mizuki! She's—"

"Mizuki is not equipped to handle Sasuke in his current state," Tsunade interrupts, her tone cold and cutting. "You think Yamato's actions were harsh, but they were necessary. Do you know what Sasuke could have done to her? You have no idea how dangerous he's become."

"I don't care!" Naruto shouts, slamming his fist on the desk. The wood cracks under his knuckles, but he doesn't flinch. "Mizuki would never hurt him. And Sasuke wouldn't—"

"He's dangerous, Naruto!" Sakura suddenly screams, her voice cracking with emotion. Tears brim at the corners of her eyes, her anger melting into something more fragile—something filled with fear. "I know you don't want to admit it, but Sasuke isn't the same person we knew. If Mizuki had gotten closer to him... who knows what could've happened?"

Kakashi, who has been silent until now, steps forward, his calm demeanor masking the underlying tension in his body. "Tsunade," he says in his quiet, serious tone, "I understand that you had to make a decision, but was restraining Mizuki really necessary? We could have handled it differently."

Tsunade meets Kakashi's gaze, and for a moment, the exhaustion in her eyes flickers again. She leans back in her chair, exhaling slowly. "I didn't want to, Kakashi. But do you really think Mizuki would've listened to reason? She was desperate. She was reckless. The moment she saw Sasuke, everything else disappeared. Her emotions took over, and in a mission like this, emotions are dangerous."

Sai, standing quietly behind them, lowers his gaze, his hands folded behind his back. His usual impassive face doesn't betray much, but there's a subtle hint of guilt in the way he holds himself. He looks down, almost as if he's retreating into his own thoughts.

Tsunade's eyes briefly flicker toward Sai, acknowledging his presence, but she doesn't address him directly. Instead, she continues. "Mizuki's feelings for Sasuke cloud her judgment. That's why I ordered Yamato to restrain her. It was for her own safety."

"That's a load of shit!" Naruto growls, stepping forward again. "Mizuki wouldn't do anything stupid! She knew what she was doing!"

"She didn't," Tsunade responds coldly. "She wasn't thinking clearly, Naruto. She wasn't thinking like a shinobi. And that's dangerous—for her and for the rest of you."

Sakura takes a shaky breath, her voice trembling as she speaks. "But why didn't you trust us to handle it, Lady Tsunade? Why didn't you trust us to stop her if things got out of control?"

Tsunade stares at them, her eyes hard. "Because you're all too close to this. None of you were in the right mindset to make those kinds of decisions. I had to make the call, and it wasn't easy. But it had to be done."

The words hang in the air like a heavy weight, and for a moment, no one speaks. The tension is thick, suffocating. Naruto's jaw clenches, his fists still shaking at his sides.

"I'm her brother," Naruto finally says, his voice quieter now, but filled with raw emotion. "I would never let anything happen to her. You didn't need to... treat her like that."

Tsunade's expression softens slightly, the anger in her voice fading. "I know, Naruto. But this isn't just about being her brother. It's about the bigger picture. Mizuki is valuable, and we can't afford to lose her—not to Sasuke, not to her emotions."

Naruto's face crumples, and he looks down at the ground, his anger replaced by frustration and hurt. "I... I just don't want to lose her too."

Kakashi places a hand on Naruto's shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze. "We won't lose her, Naruto. But we have to be smart. That's all Tsunade is saying."

Sakura wipes her eyes, her voice still shaky. "But she must be so confused... and hurt. We need to explain this to her."

Tsunade nods slowly. "When she's stable, we'll talk to her. But right now, she needs rest."

Sai, who has remained silent throughout the conversation, shifts slightly. His eyes are cast downward, and there's a flicker of guilt in his expression. He knows Mizuki, perhaps better than anyone realizes. She's one of the few people who treated him like a friend, despite his awkwardness. He doesn't say anything, but the guilt gnaws at him because he knows that he, too, played a role in this mission—no matter how small. And seeing Mizuki hurt... it affects him in ways he didn't expect.

Tsunade's gaze briefly falls on Sai, as if sensing his inner turmoil, but she doesn't address it. Instead, she turns her attention back to the others. "This wasn't easy for any of us. You think I wanted to put Mizuki in that position? You think I wanted to see her restrained? I did what I had to do to protect her. And if any of you were in my position, you would've done the same."

Naruto looks up, his eyes red from holding back tears. "I just... I don't know what to do anymore. Everything feels like it's falling apart."

Kakashi tightens his grip on Naruto's shoulder, offering silent support.

Tsunade sighs again, softer this time, the weight of her position evident in her weary expression. "I understand, Naruto. It feels like everything is spiraling out of control. But we're shinobi—we have to keep moving forward, even when it feels impossible."

Naruto's fists clench, but his resolve wavers. "I don't want her to hate us for this."

"Mizuki won't hate you," Tsunade reassures, though her voice is measured. "She might be angry, confused, even hurt right now. But she'll come to understand why we did what we did. We'll explain it to her—together."

Sakura steps forward, her voice soft but firm. "We should be the ones to talk to her, Lady Tsunade. She trusts us... even if she's upset."

Tsunade nods in agreement. "Once she's awake and stable, you'll have that chance."

There's a moment of quiet where everyone seems to take in the gravity of the situation. Kakashi s hand remains on Naruto's shoulder, grounding him. Sakura stands close to both of them, her heart still heavy, but the rage that had initially fueled her has dissipated, leaving only concern.

Sai, who has been the silent observer, finally speaks up. His voice is quiet, almost hesitant. "She's stronger than we think."

The others turn to look at him, surprised by his words.

Naruto blinks, his anger momentarily forgotten. "Sai..."

Tsunade observes Sai carefully, noticing the subtle shift in his tone. She's aware that Sai and Mizuki have an unusual connection—perhaps a mutual understanding that's hard to put into words. Mizuki had always been kind to him in a way most others weren't.

"I hope you're right," Naruto murmurs, his voice shaky but more subdued. "I don't want her to feel alone."

"She won't be alone," Kakashi assures him. "We'll be there for her. All of us."

Sakura nods, wiping the remaining tears from her cheeks. "We're her family. We won't abandon her."

Sai's gaze remains downcast, but there's a subtle shift in his expression—something like quiet resolve. He knows Mizuki is strong, but part of him can't shake the guilt of not doing more, of not being able to prevent the situation from escalating to this point. It's a strange feeling for him, to care so deeply about someone else's well-being, but Mizuki had that effect on people.

Tsunade stands up, her authoritative presence filling the room once more. "Go check on her. She'll need familiar faces when she wakes up."

Naruto nods, the fire in his eyes dimming but not extinguished. He turns toward the door, his steps heavy but determined. Sakura follows closely, her fingers trembling slightly as she pushes the door open again. Kakashi brings up the rear, his calm demeanor a steadying force for the group.

Sai lingers for a moment, his eyes briefly meeting Tsunade's. There's no need for words—she understands the burden he's carrying, even if he doesn't fully grasp it himself yet. He gives a small nod and quietly exits the room.

As the door closes behind them, Tsunade lets out a long breath, her shoulders sagging under the weight of the choices she's made. She turns back to the scattered papers on her desk, but her mind is far from the documents in front of her. The events of the day have left a mark, one that won't fade easily. But, like always, they'll endure. That's what being Hokage means—shouldering the impossible and moving forward anyway.

Outside the office, Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, and Sai walk in heavy silence toward the hospital. The tension between them has lessened, but the weight of Mizuki's condition still hangs over them.

Naruto glances sideways at Sai, his voice quiet. "You think she'll forgive us?"

Sai's response is soft, almost contemplative. "Mizuki isn't like other people. She doesn't hold grudges. She tries to understand... even when it's hard."

Naruto's lips press together in a thin line, his thoughts spinning. "I hope you're right."

They continue walking, the hospital looming closer. The anticipation of seeing Mizuki again, of explaining everything to her, fills them with a strange mixture of relief and fear. But no matter what happens, they'll face it together—just as they always have.

-End of flashback-

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Slayy I THINK I WROTE THIS CHAPTER WELL!

Lemme know your thoughts!

Bye Potatoes!

Stay Fab!