Naruto had never felt such rage before. He also had never felt such power before. Both his anger and the all-encompassing pool of chakra had clouded his mind. His whiskers became more pronounced, fangs emerged, and demonic chakra bubbled and bled into the air. He and his chakra roared, blowing away the expertly thrown senbon with sheer power.
The various cuts surrounding his body began to disappear, healing exponentially as steam escaped from his wounds.
His red eyes narrowed at a distant ice mirror where his instincts told him the enemy ninja would be. With the might expected of a jinchuriki of the Kyubi he launched himself at the mirror.
Haku was already prepared launching senbon at the incoming child. He immediately travelled mirror to mirror as Naruto deflected to senbon with a shout. Appearing above him Haku realized simply sending senbon would not be enough to stop the raging beast. Attacking from his blind spot utilizing his own speed, he swiftly attempted to stab him.
But being the host of the nine tails, in an impressive show of both agility and strength, he launches himself into the air as he barrel-rolls manoeuvring away from the attack.
Haku wasn't in the safest position, so he logically attempted to enter one of his ice mirrors as fast as possible.
But he was caught off guard as the enraged Naruto latched on to his arm. The resulting explosion of chakra destroyed all the ice mirrors and blew away all the mist in the vicinity. There would be no escape for him.
Bringing back his arm, a devasting punch sent Haku careening through his own mirror shattering it, as he landed meters away harshly on the ground.
Righting himself on his feet, he looked up and his vision was covered by an enclosed fist.
Bringing up his arms, he blocked the incoming punch. But of course, efficiently blocking such a monstrous force is nigh-inconceivable.
Snap! The resounding sound clued Haku in on his effectively broken arm as did the agonizing pain.
Looking up at the almost unrecognizable boy, Haku began to weave one-handed hand signs. He had one more card he could play.
"Demonic Ice release: Freeze-beam Technique!"
Using shape manipulation, he gathered a large amount of water chakra in his palm.
Looking at the punch that was nearing his face, Haku launched his palm at the side of Naruto. Freezing over the left side of his body in a column of ice as he himself was launched backward.
A minute passes he stands up his mask breaking apart and falling on the ground.
He was exhausted and looked up at his opponent. Naruto was not better off as he gazed at him, surprise on his face.
"Y-you're that girl from earlier", Naruto gasped at the realization, the kyubi's chakra dissipating. With half his body frozen painfully.
Sakura didn't know what to expect as the mist that had obscured her vision was suddenly and violently blown away.
She looked up her heart stopped. She stood there frozen, her heart racing in her chest as she stared at the lifeless body of her crush and teammate lying on the ground.
It was like time had stopped, and she couldn't believe what she was seeing. Her mind was in a fog as she tried to process the scene before her. She felt a lump form in her throat as she fought back tears.
Sasuke the boy who always seemed so powerful to her, so confident in everything he did.
"T-this, this can't be happening", Her voice wavered in despair.
She wanted to run to him, to hold him and tell him everything would be okay. But something kept her rooted to the spot, fear, and shock coursing through her veins. All she could do was stand there, hoping that he would somehow come back to life.
She heard a crash, as it woke her from her stupor gazing at the source. Her blond teammate came into view. She had never seen Naruto so angry before.
Shame coursed through her veins, what was she doing?
Here, was Naruto doing his best to fight the enemy ninja, even though half his body was covered in ice and pain was etched onto his face.
Taking a deep breath, she wiped away her tears and steeled herself. She couldn't let despair take over. She had to be strong, for him, and for herself. With determination in her heart, she vowed to fight for him, to make things right. She could not give up now. Not as she saw the resolve on Naruto's face.
But there was also something else, anger. Anger at the ninja who had killed Sasuke and who was currently injuring her other teammate.
Something else had changed, her chakra felt erratic, her vision sharper, and her perception more in-depth.
Reaching into her pouch she brought at a couple of shurikens and launched them at the blind spot of the enemy nin.
Haku was not expecting it as 3 of the five projectiles lodged into his back. He was still quick enough to dodge the remaining two.
Sakura went through the familiar signs. Ram, Boar, Ox, Dog, Snake, "Substitution Jutsu!"
She took influence from when Naruto had transformed himself into a kunai against Zabuza Momochi.
Substituting with the shuriken right in front of Haku. She once again took him by surprise as she appeared and attempted to stab him.
Haku deflected to attack from his core, but due to exhaustion, he couldn't defend as she redirected her attack to his leg. The kunai lodged into his thigh.
Deciding to take advantage of the situation Sakura tried to go for another stab, but a swift kick sent her flying backward toward Naruto.
Naruto caught and winced as she crashed into him.
"Sakura-chan, are you all right!?", he said in relief. He was glad to see her as he himself was injured and he wasn't sure how he was going to beat Haku.
'With me and Sakura, I'm sure we can beat him easily' he grinned with determination.
Sakura pushed herself off Naruto. 'Even though that blow was freakishly fast, I could still see it!'
"And if I can see their attack" she smirked, "Then I can react to them!", Sakura was confident in their chances of winning.
Haku dropped into a crouch, the wound to his leg would restrict his movement. 'Naruto is not using that mysterious power anymore, it's possible he has exhausted that energy, but his pink-haired teammate has joined the fray'. Haku levelled his options and decided what was the best course of action.
'Wait those eyes of hers! That's the Sharingan'. Haku would never have guessed she was an Uchiha as well. 'She did not use her Kekkei Genkai before it's probable that she has just awakened it … Meaning she is not proficient with it'. Haku reasoned 'This is still a winnable fight, even though I am almost out of chakra'.
'I am a blade of Zabuza-san I will not allow myself to lose at this moment!'. Even though Haku had resolved to fight, he still would not attempt to use deadly force. 'Maybe Zabuza-san is correct, that it is a weakness. Even so, I won't go back on my ideals'.
The two sides stared each other down, waiting for the other to strike. The hyoton user vs the Kyubi host and the pink-haired Sharingan user.
The air was thick with tension, as the two sides stared each other down. Every muscle in their bodies was taut, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
It was a moment of truth, a do-or-die situation where the slightest mistake could mean the difference between victory and defeat. The silence was deafening, broken only by the sound of heavy breathing and the pounding of hearts. At that moment, there was no room for hesitation. It was a fight to the death, and the outcome would determine the fate of all who stood there.
Woosh! Five senbon flew out at a blinding speed. Naruto watched as they sped for them.
Clang! Clang! Five shurikens had expertly intercepted them. The Eye on Insight had allowed Sakura to intercept the senbon. Reaching into her pouch she brought out more shurikens and threw them toward Haku.
Haku dispatched the incoming projectiles with more senbon. His gaze met hers. Both brought more of their respective weapons and engaged in a long-range battle. Numerous shurikens and senbon clash in the air.
But it was clear even with Sakura's improved vision, Haku's skill was greater than hers and he was gaining ground on her as his senbon got closer and closer.
'It's clear that I will win this throwing contest, so why is she continuing this? Even with the Sharingan, she's at a disadvantage. Why force your opponent into a fight where they hold the advantage?'. Sakura smirked which confused Haku. Then it hit him
'My mobility is low, close-range combat would be very disadvantageous to me, by challenging me in such a way that it forces me to exhaust my main line of attack! I only have one-quarter of my senbon supply left'. Haku stopped throwing senbon and instead brought out a kunai and deflected the shurikens coming at him.
Bringing up his hands into a cross. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!", Naruto yelled as clones of Naruto popped into existence. Surrounding Haku. 'Heh let's how you like it, being hit from all sides!'.
The clones all charged, and Haku was forced to intercept them with both taijutsu and his senbon. The single man stood calmly amidst the chaos, his eyes focused and his body poised for action.
Thirty clones surrounded him, each one armed and dangerous. But he was undaunted. With lightning-fast reflexes and impeccable hand-to-hand combat skills, he dispatched each clone with ease.
His movements were a blur as he ducked and weaved, striking with deadly precision. He employed the use of throwing needles, taking out multiple clones at once. Despite their overwhelming numbers, the clones were no match for him.
And when the dust settled, he stood victorious, a testament to his unparalleled fighting prowess. Even injured and tired he was still a formidable opponent.
A clone of Naruto approached quickly throwing a punch, Haku jumped placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder flipping over him, and landing an axe kick on the back of his head.
The real Naruto snuck up behind attempting to punch Haku, but Haku danced around him and as he was about to strike, he was then forced to block a steady stream of kunai. Naruto created more clones and together they were gaining ground.
The numerous clones along with the stream of kunai and shurikens, and with an injured leg to boot. Cuts began to appear on Haku. As even with his superior agility the current situation couldn't be allowed to continue.
Completing a set of one-handed hand signs. He roared "Ice Release: Ice Bomb Jutsu". A concentrated ball of cold air exploded destroying the rest of Naruto's clones. Sakura had part of her leg frozen.
Using the Jutsu again he aimed and sent it soaring as fast as possible toward the pink-haired girl. Despair settled at the accelerating ball of ice chakra. 'This is it' Closing her eyes she prepared for the worse.
She expected pain, a cacophony of noise. All she got was silence, she opened her eyes, and the familiar orange jacket stared back at her.
Naruto turned around a smile on his face "Y-y-you, all right Sakura?", he said shakenly. Half his body was covered in ice. Shards of ice were lodged into his body. Suddenly he fell forward unconscious. Catching him she laid him on the ground and checked his pulse.
"S-still strong", looking at his wounds she noted none of the shards hit any vital parts. 'But still the cold might kill him, I have to defeat him quickly, I can't lose him too'.
Reaching into her pocket her gaze centered on something. 'I can use this, I have only one chance to make this work'.
Facing the enemy, she resolved herself, quickly constructing a plan of action. She moved, fast, faster than she's ever moved before. Throwing a punch at Haku who was forced to block it with one hand. Haku responded with an elbow to her head which sent her mind reeling.
Looking up, she dodged the follow-up kick and blocked a sidekick aimed at her head. With Sharingan, she dodged and blocked all of Haku's attacks. Haku attempted to knee her in the face with a flying knee. Jumping up placing a hand on Haku's knee she flipped in the air copying Haku's style she slammed the heel of her foot on the back of Haku's head.
Haku crashed onto the ground caught completely off guard. 'She copied my move! This is the third time she has caught me off guard. I'll end this now!'.
Haku's hand blurred as he launched senbon at such close range. Riddling Sakura in senbon. Sakura fell to the ground.
Haku walked forward intending in knocking her out. Sakura completed several hand signs. "Substitution Jutsu!". Sakura disappeared replacing herself with the trunk of a tree.
'What! Substitution! Wait is that a paper bomb!'
Boom!
The explosion ripped through the plain, sending shockwaves across the open landscape. Smoke and debris rose, filling the sky with a thick, choking haze. The ground shook violently as if the very earth was protesting the destructive force unleashed upon it. The sound of the explosion was deafening.
Sakura watched from afar, in bated breath, waiting for any sign of movement. The smoke died down and she saw what looked like a burned corpse on the ground. Moving closer till she was only a couple of paces from Haku's remains.
Poof!
'It disappeared!'
A rush of movement
She tried turning around.
But she was slow, too slow.
Haku using his only good arm, slammed it into her abdomen region sending her flying.
"It's over now", Haku gasped, not having dodged the full explosion. He was covered in burns, his once immaculate skin was covered in injuries, and his face was tense in pain.
"GET AWAY FROM SAKURA NOW!", Naruto barrelled into him, roughly sending Haku to the ground, intense pain flaring in Haku's body.
Getting up slowly Haku observed him as Naruto brought up his fist the punch him.
'I guess you were right Zabuza-san, my kindness is my weakness'. Haku smiled.
Naruto's fist stopped inches away from Haku. "Y-you're the kid I met this morning!". Remembering the kind boy (he had been sure he was a girl!) he had talked to.
"Why did you stop?", confused Haku observed him. "I murdered your comrade, your beloved friend, and attempted to kill both you and that girl … And yet you still spare me?!"
Looking back at Sasuke's beaten form, at Sakura who was on all fours hunched in pain.
Naruto punched him.
"All the power you had before is gone now. You can't hope to kill me in your state". Naruto became aware of his rugged breathing, the icy coldness, the throbbing pulse of ache in his movements, The abrasions brought from the many cuts he gained in the battle.
["Do you have anyone special in your life? I'm willing to do whatever it takes to protect the one I care about the most. Doing so is my own dream"]. The last words uttered between them.
"Often people are mistaken, that showing mercy to a foe is kindness. But don't you see? It's an empty existence, to go on living alone and unloved when defeat is already costing you your dreams!".
"What?!", Naruto said confusedly.
"You have taken away my reason for living, Master Zabuza has no use for a weak shinobi". It was simple, wasn't it? Haku's dream was to protect Zabuza. By losing that dream, his reason to live is lost, for if he can't protect then he has no purpose.
Shocked Naruto tried to understand Haku's view. But something stood out to him. "Why waste all that devotion on such a creep?! That Scumbag doesn't care about who he works for or who gets hurt, just so someone pays him!".
Taking a deep breath, Naruto unleashed all his grievances. "Is that BROWLESS JERK really someone precious to you? Your so-called Beloved Friend?!".
A sad smile appeared on his face. "There was a time once, when I was precious, where I belonged to my parents".
And so Haku talked. Telling Naruto his backstory. Born to two good and kind people. The land of the mist has been a place of non-stop war. Those who possess Kekkei Genkai, bloodlines were loathed and seen as abominations. Abilities that were exploited and used for slaughter, till they were seen and condemned as harbingers of doom.
"After the wars were over, we who possessed bloodlines were hunted only able to survive by hiding the existence of our skills. My father learned that my mother came from such a clan, and so he killed her. And before I realized it my father had died at my hand". Naruto was completely and utterly shocked, no husband should do such a thing to their wife, right?
"And so, I was forced to accept the reality, but the most hurtful thing was accepting I was alone in the world. Superfluous. Unwanted. Shunned". Haku spoke his innermost thoughts.
'What, he sounds the way I feel'. Astonished at the parallel between Haku's words and his feelings.
"You told me you wanted to be the number one ninja in your village and make everyone accept you. If you had one person in your life who acknowledged, you and even cared for you. Wouldn't they become your most treasured person?". Flashes of Iruka popped into Naruto's head.
Haku continued, telling him about how Zabuza adopted him knowing of his bloodline. "I was so happy...!". Haku had pledged himself a tool for Zabuza someone who will strike where told to strike, kill whom he is told to kill. 'Forgive me Master Zabuza your tool has failed you'.
"Naruto" he paused, "Please… Take my life".
….
Kakashi froze as a gigantic amount of killing intent smothered him. This wasn't Zabuza's. It was much more evil and sinister, more malicious. Wait, 'Don't tell me Is it the Nine tails!? Did the seal fail?! Is it unleashed?! No there's not enough chakra for that to be the case. The fox's chakra and killing intent are just slipping out'. It still wasn't an ideal situation, 'what caused Naruto to lose control?'.
"Enough of this posturing, you can't tell where I truly am! While I on the other hand know exactly where you are!" Zabuza taunted.
Kakashi took out a scroll. 'I need to finish this quickly'. Dog, Dragon, Serpent, Tiger! Slamming his hand on the ground he called out.
"Earth Style: Fanged Vengeance. Shinobi Conjuration!". The markings of a summoning taking place appeared around his hand.
"You see Zabuza, I purposely allowed you to spill my blood". Six dogs leaped out of the ground, suddenly biting and immobilizing Zabuza. "When your eyes and ears have let you down, you can always follow your nose. Especially if you're tracking your own smell".
"The fog is lifting; I can see your future." Kakashi glared at Zabuza. "Your future is death".
Ox! Hare! Monkey! The crackle and chirp of lightning, the aura around him completely changed. Zabuza could almost see the chakra in Kakashi's palm.
"The man you're trying to kill Mr. Tazuna is the heart and spirit of this place. The bridge you're trying to prevent him from completing is this Land's Hope". And in a blur of movement, too fast for Zabuza to perceive Kakashi disappeared.
"Chidori!". And so, a life was reaped.
….
Sakura watched as Haku blocked an attack from Naruto, 'What the', he then disappeared.
She frantically looked around trying to find him. 'There!'.
In front of Zabuza, pierced by Kakashi's Chidori was Haku.
The silver-haired jounin's eyes widened as blood dripped onto his face. He had appeared out of nowhere defending Zabuza from his attack. Kakashi stared at the boy's chest cavity. Before ripping his hand away to dodge a sword swing from Zabuza.
Dropping Haku on the ground he ducked under another slash and kicked Zabuza in the gut.
Zabuza continued charging, but each of his attacks was being neutralized. Batting away the giant sword, Kakashi's fist impacted his face. His hand latched onto Zabuza's upper arm controlling it. A spinning elbow had Zabuza kneeling before a knee-to-face sent Zabuza flying backward.
It was clear Kakashi had the advantage. He managed to lodge two kunai into both of Zabuza's arms, effectively rendering them useless. He appeared behind him. "Now there's no way you can beat me. It's over you just don't know it yet". Zabuza growled.
Sakura felt herself grow extremely tired dropping to her knees. "Sakura are you all right!", Naruto rushed to her.
She turned him and Naruto had a look of surprise on his face.
"S-Sakura", Naruto said worriedly, looking at her in surprise.
"Your eyes"
Taking a kunai from her pouch, she looked at her reflection, going ramrod straight as the vaguely familiar eyes of the Sharingan stared right at her.
'These eyes, there like Kakashi sensei's, her vision blurred as red turned to emerald, green. Chakra exhaustion took over as she dropped to the ground the last thing she heard was.
"Heh, heh, heh. So, you're getting your ass kicked. How pathetic are you really the Demon of the mist", Gatou sneered as his army of mercenaries came up behind him. "There's been a slight change of plan, Zabuza. You're going to die here and now".
….
Sakura stirred from her slumber, her heavy eyelids fluttering open. A throbbing ache pulsated through her head, causing her to wince in discomfort. As she gazed around the room in Tazuna's house, the warm glow of the morning sun spilled in, casting a serene atmosphere. Yet despite the pain, weariness clung to her like a dense fog, weighing her down like an oppressive shroud.
She sat up slowly not to aggravate her injuries. 'I wonder what happened after I passed out'. Suddenly Naruto barged in. Their eyes met.
"SAKURA-CHAN! Your awake!", he exclaimed in excitement. Looking over her bandaged form.
"Naruto could you please not be too loud", she was too tired to deal with his endless amount of energy. 'He was as battered as I was yet here, he is acting as if nothing ever happened'.`
"Ah sorry, Sakura-chan" he spoke rubbing his head sheepishly. "I'll have to tell Kakashi-sensei and Sasuke-teme you awake". 'Wait, Sasuke-teme?'.
"Sasuke is all right?" she was flabbergasted, she had seen his lifeless body lying on the ground.
"Yep! I'll tell you what happened when I get them". He said it with such confidence couldn't help but believe him.
"Mah, no need for that Naruto, we're already here", Kakashi and Sasuke strolled into the room. "Yo! Sakura how are you feeling". He seemed concerned, Sasuke was staring at her with an unreadable expression.
"I'm fine Kakashi sensei, just a bit tired".
"Naruto here had a pretty good story he told us", Kakashi replied. 'What story?'. She was unsure what he was getting at.
"YEAH! I told them about how your eyes were like Kakashi-sensei's and teme's, but they didn't believe me", he pouted.
"So, Sakura can you validate his story?" She didn't know how to. How does one go about activating a secret ability you had no knowledge of? Thankfully Kakashi told her. "Just channel some chakra toward your eyes".
So, she did that. Noticing the immediate change. "See I told you!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Impossible", a whisper reached her ears, and everyone else's it seems. Sasuke with his own Sharingan stared at the two, one-tomoe Sharingans his teammate possessed. 'Is she an Uchiha!? Is that possible?'
Kakashi decided to intervene before his genin start to overthink. "This something you will have to discuss with your parents when we get back to Konoha".
"Kakashi-sensei what will happen now?" she asked.
"For now, let's rest up and finish the rest of the mission", giving an eye smile he disappeared in a flutter of leaves. 'So cool' Naruto thought.
…..…. [Timeskip] ….
Two weeks had passed since the incident at what is now known as The Great Naruto bridge. Sakura and Sasuke were fully healed.
Sakura questioned Naruto about what happened after she passed out. And learned of Gatou's ploy to betray Zabuza. How Inari had rallied the villagers to fight back against Gatou. Today was the day Team 7 would be returning home. She was very much happy to go home, not only was she a bit homesick, but team 7 was in a bit of an awkward bind.
Her teammates were constantly at each other's throats in their constant need to try to one-up each other. Speaking of teammates, Sasuke had been actively avoiding her ever since she woke up. The idea that there was possibly someone from his clan that wasn't that man alive baffled him. He didn't know how to deal with her, so he simply avoided her.
Team 7 held a funeral for Haku and Zabuza beginning their return journey. Though Sakura was pleased with how their first C-rank turned A-rank mission went. They had handled the difficulty of the mission well. Surviving the Demon of the mist was a miracle.
She had awoken a powerful bloodline, and they had completed a dangerous mission before any rookie genin teams even stepped foot out of the village.
Entering Konoha they made their way to the Hokage tower.
"A, C-rank gone A-rank how unlucky of you. But it seems you all managed to get the mission done superbly", The grandfatherly man looked over at team 7 eyes settling on Kakashi. "We will have a talk later". His eyes moved toward Sakura "I have already spoken to your mother, and I understand you are half Uchiha, it's best if you have parents explain it to you. Team 7 dismissed".
Team 7 split up each going to their respective homes. Entering her home she made her way to the kitchen where she found her mother.
"Sakura your back", looking at her daughter she decided to address the elephant in the room. "I'm sure you have lots of questions so I'll just explain it".
"I had a relationship with a man called Uchiha Yashiro, he was a high-ranking clansman and so our relationship was short-lived as he didn't want the clan to know about it. After we broke ties I found out I was pregnant".
"That's it?" She didn't know what she expected but she surely expected something a bit more grandiose.
She knew her daughter well, and how she had probably thought of some kind of unbelievable tale." Yes, Sakura that's it".
"Uh, I guess I'll head to bed now". Wordlessly she went to her room, threw herself on her bed, and let blissful sleep take over.
….
She has awoken by the sound of something hitting her window. Getting up she checked the time '5 am'. Walking to the window she peered out into the darkness, but the last thing she expected was her fellow Uchiha teammate.
Sasuke observed her. "Sakura dress up and follow me".
Sasuke had spent the last few weeks thinking about his pink-haired teammate. He was shocked to know there was someone else other than him and his brother who was an Uchiha, even if she was only half. He found himself strangely accepting of the fact, he was not alone, it had been a long time since he had something akin to family.
Sakura followed him quietly all the way into the Uchiha compound as they reached a lake, he turned around. "Uchiha are not considered adults until they can successfully perform the Great Fireball technique".
"I was 7 when I mastered this Jutsu, activate you Sharingan, and I will show you how the Jutsu is done". Sasuke felt a strange sense of responsibility, did need to make her stronger, just like how he wished to make himself stronger. "Look closely".
Horse, Serpent, Ram, Monkey, Boar, Horse, Tiger
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu", hot flames escaped his mouth taking the form of a giant orb of fire. "Read over the scroll and then try it".
She did just that, her Sharingan had given her insight into the technique, and she believed she would be able to wield the Jutsu after seeing it done. But reading the scroll had increased her understanding of it.
Going through the hand signs, she kneads chakra in her stomach, breathing in she turns it into fire.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu". A replica of Sasuke's fireball, the flames scorched the ground before going over the edge and are extinguished.
"Good job, from now on we will be training in the compound where I will teach you how an Uchiha fights". He reached into his pocket bringing out a scroll. "This is the Uchiha Kata passed down through the main family.".
Taking it from him. She skimmed the scroll. 'Wow, there are 85 forms'. "Wait did you say this is passed through the main family?". Why would he entrust her with the fighting style given to the main family? "Sasuke-kun shouldn't this be something, I don't know, sacred?".
"There was another Uchiha kata that was practiced by the rest of the clan". It doesn't matter now anyways they're all dead. A pang of sadness hits him, as usual when he thinks of them, he ignores it. "I expect you to have them memorized by the end of the week".
And with that, he began walking away. Normally she would squeal and be so overjoyed with the opportunity to be alone with him. Wave had been a reality check. Sasuke almost died, Naruto could have died, and she could have died.
It lit a fire under her, she wasn't going to be the same weak girl who couldn't do anything, she had been offered a path of power. And Sasuke now had expectations for her she wasn't going to let him down.
She looked up at the moon, a smile on her lips, this was a start.