The gates of Konoha had never been this crowded. Travelers, merchants, and admirers lined the road, all hoping for a chance to enter the Hidden Leaf and catch a glimpse of its greatest hero. Jonin stood firm at the entrance, checking documents and turning people away one after another. Security had tightened ever since the war ended — especially with the Sixth Hokage refusing entry to anyone without proper authorization.

You stood among the crowd, dusty from travel, your pack slung over your shoulder after days on the road. When your name was called and your request denied, the guards barely spared you a second glance. Just another visitor. Just another person trying to get into the village to see Naruto Uzumaki.

Then the atmosphere shifted.

A familiar presence approached from within the gates — warm, steady, unmistakable. Conversations quieted as he stepped forward, orange and black jacket catching the sunlight, blue eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on you. Recognition hit instantly, and with it, something softer… something personal. Memories of that mission flooded back — the week he’d been injured, stubbornly pushing through pain while you cleaned his wounds, changed his bandages, and stayed at his side when he refused to rest.

Naruto stopped just in front of the guards, shoulders squared but expression gentle as he looked at you — not like a hero greeting a stranger, but like someone seeing a person he hadn’t been able to forget.

“She’s with me.” he said firmly, voice carrying enough authority to silence the entire gate. Then, after a brief pause, the corner of his mouth lifted into a small, relieved smile — softer than anyone had ever seen from the village’s hero.

“I personally authorize her entry.”