Naruto-ReBorn as a Baker

Chapter 247: The Knight's Farewell

The dust settled in the cavern, the air heavy with the remnants of energy and the acrid scent of battle. Naruto stood tall, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. "Whew! Well, that wasn't so bad," he said with a wide grin, his usual optimism shining through. "Piece of cake, right?"

Malik raised an eyebrow, a sly smile curving his lips. "Piece of cake, huh? Funny, I didn't realize you had such… big appetites, Naruto. Should we talk about how much chakra you just burned through?"

Naruto tilted his head in confusion, and before he could ask, Sakura's fist came crashing down on Malik's head with all the force of her monstrous strength.

"Will you quit it with the dirty jokes, Malik! Also, come up with better jokes because that was both sad and bad," she snapped, her voice a mix of irritation and exasperation.

Malik staggered forward, holding his head in both hands. "Ow! Dammit, Sakura! You've got hands like a sledgehammer!" He rubbed the growing lump, glaring at her playfully. "Seriously, how are you this strong?"

"Because I'm amazing," Sakura shot back, folding her arms and turning away. "Now focus—this place is falling apart."

A deep rumble echoed through the cavern, loose rocks and chunks of the temple falling as the Vein of Gelel lost its energy. Shikamaru, standing near Kankurō, glanced up at the crumbling ceiling, his expression grim. "Gaara's doing her best to keep this whole thing together, but even she's not a miracle worker. We need to move, now."

Kankurō nodded in agreement, her face calm but serious. "Yeah, I'd rather not be buried alive today."

Malik dusted himself off, nodding toward the elder Kahiko. "Fugai, would you mind? The elder here could use a lift."

Fugai raised an eyebrow but obeyed without question, scooping Kahiko up as though he weighed nothing. The elder flushed a deep shade of red, sputtering as he was cradled in her strong arms. "This—this is completely unnecessary!"

Fugai smirked, her wolf-like features softening slightly. "Relax, old man. You'll live longer if you don't fight it."

Malik couldn't resist a quip. "See? Everyone's getting carried out. Sakura, think you can handle me?"

To his surprise, Sakura grabbed him by the front of his shirt, slinging him over her shoulder like a sack of flour. "Fine. But only because you're too valuable to let die," she muttered, her cheeks pink as she adjusted his weight.

Malik blinked in disbelief, his view now of her bouncing steps. "Wow, I didn't think you'd actually do it. You're really carrying me, huh?"

"Shut up, Malik," she muttered, her voice quieter but filled with affection. "Just stay alive, okay?"

The group raced through the collapsing temple, the ground trembling beneath their feet. Ranke, Kamira, and Fugai led the way, their Gelel-enhanced agility allowing them to navigate the unstable terrain with ease. Shikamaru and Kankurō covered the rear, their sharp eyes scanning for any dangers as the temple crumbled around them.

Malik, still over Sakura's shoulder, called out, "Left turn ahead! That's the fastest route out!" His glowing pink magic illuminated the darkened corridors, guiding the group through the chaos.

As they neared the exit, the rumbling intensified, and the ground beneath them began to sink. Outside, Gaara stood on a cliff edge, her sand swirling around her as she desperately held the temple's structure together. Beads of sweat dripped down her face, her energy clearly waning.

"Gaara's reaching her limit," Shikamaru said, his voice tight. "If we don't get out now, none of us will."

Just as the group emerged from the collapsing temple, a massive explosion of Gelel energy erupted from its core. The ground beneath the temple sank rapidly, the ruins disappearing into a cavernous abyss. Gaara's sand softened the collapse, preventing it from turning into a full-blown disaster, but the temple was lost to the earth.

Then, something miraculous happened. The remaining Gelel energy escaped in a radiant burst, spreading outward like ripples in a pond. The wasteland around them began to transform—the barren, cracked earth turned lush and green. Trees sprouted from the ground, their branches stretching skyward, and vibrant flowers bloomed in every direction. Streams of crystal-clear water began to flow, turning the desolation into a thriving oasis.

The group stood on the cliff, watching in awe as the landscape changed before their eyes. Kahiko, still cradled by Fugai and now holding Nerugui in his arms, stared in disbelief. "The land… it's alive again."

Naruto scratched his head, looking out over the transformed wasteland. "Wow. I guess it wasn't all bad, huh?"

Nerugui wriggled in Kahiko's arms, letting out a soft chirp. Naruto leaned in closer, his face brightening. "See? Even the cat's happy!"

Nerugui hissed, swiping at Naruto's face with its tiny paw.

"That's not a cat!" everyone shouted at once, earning an indignant look from Naruto.

Kahiko stepped forward, his gaze lingering on the now-lush landscape. "Thank you," he said softly, his voice filled with emotion. "For everything. The temple is lost, but perhaps… that's for the best. The Gelel's power is buried, and with it, the destruction it could cause."

Malik, finally free from Sakura's grip, stretched his arms and grinned. "Glad we could help. And, hey, about that blessing for Emina—"

"Don't push your luck, boy," Kahiko said with a chuckle, shaking his head.

The group laughed softly, the weight of their journey momentarily lifted as they stood together, watching the birth of a new oasis in the heart of the wasteland.

The night had fallen, cloaking the newly transformed oasis in a serene glow under the silver moonlight. Despite the exhaustion that hung heavy over them all, there was a quiet determination in the air as Temujin, Kamira, Ranke, and Fugai worked together. Their hands were caked in dirt and sweat, their movements purposeful but reverent. A simple clearing had been chosen near the edge of the cliff, overlooking the vibrant greenery that now covered the once barren wasteland.

The four stood in solemn silence, their eyes occasionally glancing at the stones they had gathered. These stones, now carefully arranged into a grave marker, stood as a final act of closure for a man who had once been their leader, their dreamer, and their captor.

Temujin knelt before the marker, his hands resting on the largest stone they had used to form the base of the grave. His once-bright green eyes were dimmed with sorrow, but there was also a glimmer of resolve. "This is not for the warlord," he said quietly, his voice carrying the weight of his thoughts. "This is for the man who once spoke of a dream—a dream that inspired us, even if it was twisted into something monstrous."

Kamira stood beside him, her blonde hair catching the moonlight. She let out a soft sigh, her usual playful demeanor replaced by a rare vulnerability. "He wasn't all bad," she murmured, her fingers brushing over the engraved letters they had etched into the stone with Malik's tools. "I hate admitting it, but there were moments… moments when it felt like he actually cared. Even if those moments were buried under all the lies."

Ranke crossed her arms, her light-violet eyes narrowing as she stared at the marker. "He used us," she said bluntly, her tone sharp but lacking its usual bite. "But even tools can be cared for, I guess. Maybe he wasn't completely heartless. Maybe somewhere, in his own twisted way, he thought he was doing the right thing."

Fugai, her body langue a little tense and aggressive but subdued, stood a few paces back, her violet eyes fixed on the grave. Her voice, low and gravelly, carried over the group. "He gave me a purpose when I didn't have one," she admitted, her fists clenching. "Even if it was for his own ends… he made me feel like I mattered. That's why we have to leave him here—not as the monster he became, but as the man who once believed in something better."

They all nodded in agreement, the weight of their shared history binding them together in this act of redemption. For each of them, this was not just a farewell to Haido but a farewell to their old selves—Haido's knights, his weapons, his pawns.

The gravestone was simple but meaningful. They had carved the words into the smoothest stone they could find, using tools Malik had lent them. Each word was deliberate, chosen with care:

Here lies Haido

A man who dreamed of a better world

May his mistakes rest with him, and his dream live on in others.

Temujin stood and stepped back, his gaze lingering on the marker. He bowed his head, his hands clenched at his sides. "Rest now, Haido. Your dream doesn't have to end with you."

Kamira reached out and rested a hand on Temujin's shoulder, her red eyes soft with understanding. "We'll do better. We'll make sure no one else falls into the darkness like you did."

Ranke, standing on Temujin's other side, let out a shaky breath. "Yeah, well… don't expect me to get all mushy about it. This is about moving on, not dwelling on the past."

Fugai gave a small nod, her sharp features softening. "It's the least we can do."

As they finished, the four stood in silence, the grave glowing faintly under the moonlight. It felt like a small act in the grand scheme of things, but for them, it was monumental. It was the first step toward becoming something new—something more than what Haido had made them.

Behind them, Malik approached quietly, his presence a calming force. He observed their work with a faint smile, his glowing pink eyes reflecting the soft moonlight. "It's a good marker," he said gently. "A start."

Temujin looked at him, his expression a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty. "Do you think it's enough?"

Malik rested a hand on his shoulder, his voice steady and kind. "It's not about being enough, Temujin. It's about what you do next. This… this is just the beginning."

Kamira smirked faintly, her eyes glinting with mischief despite the somber moment. "You're not gonna lecture us about redemption and second chances, are you, Handsome?"

Malik chuckled, his grin easy. "No lectures. Just… don't let his mistakes define you. You're free now. Make of that what you will."

Ranke rolled her eyes but gave a small smirk. "Yeah, yeah. No pressure, right?"

Fugai huffed, her wolf-like tail flicking. "We'll figure it out."

Malik stepped back, his gaze lingering on the four of them before turning to the grave. He gave a respectful bow of his head, then turned toward the horizon where the moonlit ocean stretched endlessly. "Well," he said, his tone light but resolute. "Time to keep moving forward. We've got a lot of living to do."

The four knights exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of uncertainty and resolve. Together, they turned away from the grave, their steps heavier but their hearts lighter. Haido's reign was over, and their new lives had only just begun.

<

the salty breeze of the ocean carried a sense of closure as Temujin and the others prepared Haido's fortress—now a makeshift ship—for their departure. The sun reflected off the water, painting it in hues of gold and blue, a stark contrast to the destruction left behind in the wastelands.

Temujin stood at the base of the fortress, his armor replaced with simpler clothing—a white shirt and green vest. His bright green eyes, free of the crimson hue of the Gelel Stone, shone with clarity and purpose. He glanced toward Shikamaru and Sakura, who had come to see him off.

"Please thank the Sand Ninja for me—Gaara and Kankurō," Temujin said sincerely. "I never got the chance before they returned to the Hidden Sand Village."

Shikamaru nodded, his hands in his pockets. "Will do. They played their part, and I'm sure they'd appreciate the sentiment."

Temujin turned to Sakura, a small, sheepish smile tugging at his lips. "Thank you again, Sakura… for everything. And, uh, for the money you gave me. I'll make sure it's put to good use."

Sakura waved him off casually, though there was a hint of mischief in her smile. "Don't mention it. It was Malik's money anyway—I just… borrowed it."

Temujin chuckled softly, though the weight of his next words tempered his amusement. "I also want to apologize—for the trouble I caused. And thank you, Elder Kahiko, for your guidance."

Nearby, Kahiko stood with Nerugui nestled in his arms. The elder sighed deeply, his disappointment plain as he looked at the ferret. "You're really going, huh, Nerugui?"

The ferret chirped in response, nuzzling Kahiko briefly before hopping down to join Temujin. Kahiko groaned. "Ungrateful little furball."

Naruto stood on a cliff overlooking the scene, his hand raised in a solemn sign. "Hey, Temujin!" he called. "Don't forget what I said, alright? Never give up, no matter what!"

Temujin met Naruto's gaze, his own hand rising to return the gesture. "Never," he promised. "And you don't forget either."

As the fortress-ship began to move, propelled by what remained of Haido's mechanisms, Temujin and his group sailed into the horizon, leaving behind a land that had transformed into something new.

Back on the Beach and Above the shoreline, on a higher cliff overlooking the water, Malik reclined in a beach chair under the shade of an umbrella. A cold drink in his hand, he let out a contented sigh, the tension of the past few days melting away. Kiyomi stood nearby, her silver hair shimmering in the sunlight, her athletic form accentuated by the elegant yet functional bathing suit she wore. She fanned him dutifully, though her piercing grey eyes betrayed her exasperation.

"Thank you for saving those kids from the orbs," Malik said, glancing up at her. "And sorry for making you miss out on all the action."

Kiyomi stopped fanning him, bowing slightly. The movement caused her ample figure to bounce subtly, drawing a teasing smile from Malik.

"It was my duty, my lord," she replied. "Besides, I'm not one for unnecessary chaos."

Malik chuckled. "You're the best, you know that?"

His attention shifted to the nearby scene. A few meters away, Haido's former knights—Ranke, Kamira, and Fugai—stood in a small cluster, their figures striking even in casual swimsuits. Each had chosen a style that matched their personality: Ranke's was bold and violet, with intricate patterns mimicking lightning bolts; Kamira's was a flowing turquoise piece that seemed to shimmer like water; and Fugai's was a dark blue one-piece with claw-like slashes across it.

Malik's smile widened. "Finally, I get to see my knights out of armor and it to more comforbable outfits. I should save this moment forever."

Ranke noticed his gaze and huffed, placing her hands on her hips. "Enjoying the view, ShortStack?"

Kamira smirked, tilting her head playfully. "Careful, my sweet man. Look too long, and you might find yourself in trouble."

Fugai rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small grin. "Keep staring, and I'll throw you into the ocean myself."

Malik laughed, raising his drink in a mock toast. "Ladies, don't worry—Like I said before, I've got love to share with everyone! If you're serious, I'll happily put rings on all your fingers. But remember, weddings take time, and each of you deserves nothing less than perfection."

The knights exchanged glances, a mix of amusement and mild jealousy evident on their faces. Malik winked at them, defusing any tension. "Relax. We've earned this break."

As the sun dipped lower, the group gathered at the edge of the cliff, looking out over the colorful and wild ocean. 

Kahiko stood looking out, a sad look on his face, his hand patting the spot where Nerugui would perched on his shoulder. He turned to the group, his voice soft but filled with gratitude. "Thank you. For everything."

Malik stepped forward, clapping Kahiko on the back. "Don't mention it, old man. Just make sure this place stays peaceful."

The elder gave him a sidelong look. "And stay away from my granddaughter."

Malik grinned. "No promises."