The scorching desert sun beat down as Team 7 huddled together, chugging water and squinting at the hazy track. The roar of engines from the lineup of supercars and muscle cars blended with the distant echo of rock music blaring from the speakers. The smell of gas, oil, and sand hung thick in the air.

Sakura came jogging back, face glistening with sweat. "Alright, I got our starting spots," she announced, barely out of breath. "Hinata's in Row 2, Slot 3. Naruto, you're in Row 3, Slot 6."

Naruto's face dropped. "Are you serious, Sakura? That's shit placement! You couldn't draw us better slots?"

She raised her hands defensively. "Blame the raffle draw, not me! You think I wanted us stuck back there?"

Sasuke shook his head, smirking as he sipped his water. "Maybe focus on the race instead of crying over luck, Naruto."

"He's right," Shisui chimed in, leaning casually against his car. "This is it. We're up against the top dogs here."

Sakura nodded in agreement. "Exactly! This is literally the grand finale!"

Sasuke nodded in agreement. "This is the big one, it's the name of this chapter for a reason."

Hinata tilted her head, looking thoughtful. "Did you see the team roster while you were there, Sakura? I wonder who we're up against."

Sakura's face fell. "Ah, crap. I totally forgot to check the list."

Naruto snorted. "Bet we're the only ones from Konoha out here. No way anyone else got this far."

"Are you sure about that?"

The whole team spun around at the sound of a familiar, annoyingly confident voice. There, standing with her hands on her hips, was Ino Yamanaka, wearing a smug smirk and looking every bit the diva. A few feet behind her was Shikamaru, looking as bored as ever.

Sasuke managed a polite nod. "Ino," he greeted her carefully.

She held up a hand, silencing him before he could say anything else. Without even glancing back, she extended her other hand toward Shikamaru, who sighed and handed her sunglasses. She then looked back at Team 7, feigning surprise. "Well, well. I didn't know they let scrubs make it this far. Guess you guys had an easy run, huh?"

Sakura rolled her eyes, rubbing her temples. "What the hell do you want, Ino?"

Ino tossed her hair dramatically, pouting. "Oh, nothing really. Just wanted to stroll around and meet the competition. But then, ugh," she scrunched her nose, "I caught a whiff of something nasty in the air. I thought, 'No way,' but sure enough, it's you guys. My delicate senses almost couldn't handle it."

Sasuke chuckled under his breath, murmuring, "Still a bitch, I see."

Ino shot him a death glare. "21st of June, 2024. 1:52 pm."

Sasuke paled instantly, his confidence evaporating as he sunk back into his seat.

Sakura blinked, whipping towards Sasuke with curiosity. "Hmm?"

He muttered, "I… I don't know what she's talking about."

Sakura raised an eyebrow, looking intrigued. "Oh? Care to share with the class, Sasuke?"

Sasuke looked away, mumbling something under his breath as Sakura's steady gaze continued to burn a hole through his psyche.

Ino huffed with satisfaction, crossing her arms before setting her gaze on Shisui. "So, this is who you replace me with, huh?" she said sweetly, her eyes flicking over to Naruto and then to Hinata, "you really think this…" She gestured at Hinata, who blinked back innocently. "This little airhead is going to get you the win?"

Hinata smiled politely. "I'm very honored to be here, Ino."

Sakura crossed her arms. "Back off, Ino. Hinata's part of the team, and she's pulling her weight just fine. And isn't she supposed to be your friend?"

Ino rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, friendship and all that. But let's be real, Sakura. Being her 'friend' doesn't mean I have to lie. It whistles in her skull when it's windy, for god's sake." She looked back at Hinata with a fake smile. "Must be like a fucking hurricane in there when she's driving, that little brain of hers ping-ponging around like a DVD screensaver."

Before Naruto could even open his mouth to defend her, Shisui raised his hands in a calming gesture. "Okay, okay. Ino, if you have a grudge against us, just save it for the track. Coming over here to challenge us feels a bit… desperate."

Ino chuckled, her eyes flashing with something dark. "Challenge you? Oh no, Shisui. You are the ones challenging me." She glared at them, her voice dropping to a cold whisper. "I'm here to claim what's mine, and that means leaving your sorry asses in the dust."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Why are you so pissed at us, anyway? All this because Sasuke turned you down?"

Ino's eyes blazed. "Please, as if I care about him." She jabbed a finger at Naruto. "This is all because of you, Naruto. I'm only here to watch you lose. I don't even need the prize money. I just want to see your miserable ass suffer."

Naruto threw his hands up in exasperation. "What the hell, Ino? What did I ever do to you? We barely even talked before this whole race stuff!"

Ino narrowed her eyes, her lips curling into a sneer. "I just fucking hate you. Being stuck racing with you before was one of the most nauseating experiences of my life."

She turned sharply, snapping her fingers for Shikamaru to follow. Without looking back, she called, "I'd wish you luck, but I don't want to lie to myself."

As she stormed off, Shikamaru lingered for a moment, giving Team 7 a sympathetic look. "Sorry about her," he sighed. "Good luck, guys."

With a helpless shrug, he trotted after Ino, leaving Team 7 in stunned silence.

Shisui let out a groan, massaging his temples. "Why the hell do we have to deal with Ino and her salty ass in the final?"

Naruto shook his head, a mix of irritation and disbelief on his face. "She's out for blood. Racing against her's going to be a royal pain in the ass."

Hinata, ever the optimist, beamed. "Oh, I thought she looked very excited to see us! I'm really pumped to race against her."

Sakura gave Hinata a pointed look. "She compared your brain to a screensaver."

Hinata nodded thoughtfully. "Oh, right. She did, didn't she?" She tilted her head, blinking in confusion. "Hey, um… Sakura? What's a DVD?"

The team fell silent as a light breeze picked up, and, faintly, a soft whistling sound filled the air.

Naruto leaned against the hood of his car, hands stuffed in his pockets, squinting at the lineup ahead. It was a lineup that reeked of money and speed, no doubt. Hinata's Ferrari, deep red and polished to a mirror finish, sat in the row ahead. Just beyond her, he could make out some other supercars that were clearly way out of his price range. He tried to psych himself up, but his heart dropped a little as a black and gold McLaren P1 growled to a stop next to him.

"Wow…" he muttered, staring at the machine. "They're really bringing out the big guns."

As he took in the rest of the lineup, his mood didn't improve. Every car around him seemed bigger, louder, and faster than the one before it. The only thing that gave him a bit of comfort was the sight of a green Shelby GT350R, one row back. "At least someone here has a sense of modesty," he mumbled to himself.

Then, he caught a strain of what sounded suspiciously like orchestral music. He turned, eyebrow raised, just in time to see Team Akatsuki roll in.

Pain's Mustang BOSS roared as it slid confidently into place in the front row, while Konan's Dodge Charger pulled up smoothly behind Naruto's car. Naruto chuckled, half-impressed, half-amused. "Well, at least they aren't driving billion Ryo 'Euro-slop' supercars," he muttered.

Pain stepped out of his Mustang, his gaze as intense as ever, and exchanged a few words with Konan before they both turned to survey the lineup. Naruto watched them for a moment, then made his way over to Hinata's car, tapping on her window. Hinata rolled it down, gripping her steering wheel tight.

"Hey," Naruto said, offering her his warmest smile. "You good? Ready to take on these maniacs?"

Hinata's voice was steady, though her hands were tight on the steering wheel. "I'm fine," she replied flatly, her face a mask of focus.

Naruto's smile softened, a pang of something aching in his chest. "Well, you got this, you know? Just keep your head on straight and trust yourself. You're gonna be amazing." He gave her a thumbs up, but Hinata only offered a polite nod.

"Thanks, Naruto," she said, her tone polite but distant. It stung—a reminder that, at least for now, they were nothing more than teammates. He forced a weak smile and wished her luck as he turned to head back to his car.

"Uzumaki," a low voice called.

Naruto froze, glancing over his shoulder to see Pain watching him with those intense, unreadable eyes. Naruto's brow furrowed as he walked over. "Pain," he said cautiously. "What's up?"

Pain's gaze seemed to penetrate him, his voice calm but sharp. "I know how you feel," he said simply.

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

"That sadness," Pain continued, almost eerily calm. "That regret. The pain."

Naruto blinked, speechless for a moment. "Uh…what?"

Pain's gaze shifted, landing on Hinata's car, then back to Naruto. "She doesn't understand you. Very few do. But I see it—the torment, the longing," he said, voice deepening. "You and I…we're more alike than you realize."

Naruto looked around, desperately hoping the race would start soon. "Uh-huh. Sure, buddy."

Pain looked distant for a moment, then continued, "You and I, we both chose the classics. Vintage. Real cars." He nodded at Naruto's car. "And like me, you drive alongside an attractive teammate you'd like to—"

Naruto stiffened, holding up a hand, "Whoa, whoa—what?"

"—make love to in the back seat of your car, on a cold, windy night," Pain continued, his voice low and almost dramatic.

Naruto coughed awkwardly, his cheeks warming. "That…that's really specific, dude."

Pain smirked. "You and I both desire quick money, Uzumaki. Humble beginnings, a taste for the high life… It's obvious."

Naruto chuckled, crossing his arms. "What are you even talking about?"

Pain's eyes narrowed. "The stench of poverty on you is unmistakable."

Naruto let out a laugh, raising an eyebrow. "Wow, thanks for that."

Pain leaned in slightly, his tone growing intense. "The way we feel, Uzumaki… It can't be put into words. No one—not your teammate, not even you—can understand it. Only someone like me."

Naruto scratched the back of his head, glancing around for an exit. "Okay, what exactly is this 'feeling' you're talking about?"

Pain's voice dropped to a whisper. "It's like…" He paused dramatically. "It's like when I got a PlayStation 5 last week."

Naruto blinked, confused.

Pain continued, looking off into the distance with a haunted expression. "A console, meant to provide joy, an escape. But when I turned it on to buy a game… I found something dreadful."

Naruto tilted his head. "Uh, you…saw games?"

Pain's gaze hardened, his voice deadly serious. "No. There were no games. All I could see, all I could feel… was Pain."

Naruto blinked, staring blankly at him. He looked around again, feeling trapped. "Wow. That's… really something, Pain. Really."

Pain turned his gaze to the horizon, his voice carrying a hint of tragedy. "Life is like a PlayStation 5, Uzumaki. People expect joy, expect satisfaction. But when they turn it on…they only find Pain. And not everyone owns a PlayStation 5… so not everyone can understand this Pain."

Naruto watched him, utterly baffled. "Okay, what the fuck are you talking about?"

Konan chose that moment to walk up, wrapping herself against Pain's side as he draped an arm around her. She wiped a single, dramatic tear from her eye. "Your wisdom, Pain… It's so impactful."

Pain nodded solemnly, not breaking eye contact with Naruto. "One day, Uzumaki, when the world can finally feel the same Pain, then… they will understand. They will be united."

Naruto tilted his head, looking at Konan, then Pain. "Are we still talking about PS5s?"

Pain's eyes narrowed, his voice almost a whisper. "No. We're talking about…Pain."

Konan dabbed her eyes again, her face flushed with emotion. "One day, the world will understand, Pain."

Pain placed a gentle hand on her cheek. "Get inside, Konan," he said softly.

As Konan slipped back into her car, Pain turned and climbed into his Mustang without another word, leaving Naruto standing there, utterly baffled.

Well those guys are definitely insane...

He was shaken from his thoughts by a nearby racer who nodded thoughtfully, mumbling, "Man… Pain's words really make you think about the state of our society, huh?"

Naruto shot the guy an exasperated look, shaking his head as he made his way back to his car without saying a word.

By now, the rest of the cars were rolling in, filling up the slots in the lot. Naruto spotted Ino's Porsche 918 Spyder pulling up next to Pain's Mustang in front. She must've gotten an upgrade. And a white Nissan GT-R Nismo pulled in right next to Naruto's car—Shikamaru. Naruto met his gaze, and they exchanged nods.

He groaned, half in frustration, half in exhaustion. "Even Shikamaru got a new car. Just great."

Inwardly, Naruto clung to his last hope: Hinata. She was his one constant in this absurd lineup of supercars. He just had to hope.

The announcer's voice crackled to life over the loudspeakers, his voice hyping up the crowd. "Alright, folks! Are you ready for the final event of the tournament?"

The crowd exploded in cheers.

"All the best teams and drivers have gathered here, in the ultimate face-off! A 20-kilometer dash on one of the most unforgiving roads in this part of the world!"

Naruto took a deep breath, his grip tightening around the steering wheel as he settled back inside his car.

The announcer's voice rang out once more. "It's anyone's game, racers! So buckle up, because it's you, the road—and a significant chance to go out in a fiery blaze of glory!"

The crowd cheered even louder at the announcer's words, their excited roar drowning out even the rumble of the racer's engines.

"And I mean that literally!" the announcer added, flashing the cameras a brilliant grin.

Inside his car, Naruto gulped nervously, trying to calm his nerves. He took a look at Shikamaru's tinted window by his side, and then at Hinata's Ferrari's rear in the row ahead of him.

Ahead of him, a coordinator stepped in front of the cars, holding up a black and white flag, and the engines roared in unison as the crowd's cheers reached a fever pitch.

Naruto exhaled, his eyes locked on the road ahead.

This was it.

The coordinator swung her flag once, twice—and then it dropped.

All eight engines roared to life as tires squealed and clouds of smoke billowed into the air, the rush and rumble of powerful machines tearing from their starting positions. Naruto's Chevelle jolted forward with the sheer power of its engine, the familiar rumble pounding through his veins. It was barely seconds before Sakura's voice crackled into his headset, a welcome anchor in the chaos.

"Keep your head on, Naruto," she said, her tone calm but commanding. "Stick by Hinata. Support her. She's got the better car. And bring the cash home."

Naruto's hands tightened on the wheel. "I got it, Sakura," he responded, his voice steady, though his heart was racing. He could already feel the intense vibrations of the other cars as they tore down the track. The McLaren P1 was ahead, darting forward as the pack began to stretch out. In his periphery, he could see Pain's Mustang pushing hard, refusing to let the McLaren leave it behind. Hinata's red Ferrari sped into third, and Naruto gunned his Chevelle forward, determined not to be left behind.

The speedometer climbed—160… 180… 200 km/h. The Chevelle's V8 roared louder with each click, every muscle in his body straining against the g-forces as he pushed harder. He could feel the pavement blurring beneath him as he locked his gaze ahead, only barely catching glimpses of the other cars jostling for position. The formation was loosening up as the speeds increased, distinct leaders beginning to pull ahead.

Sakura's voice came through again. "Slight right curve coming up—brace yourself."

Naruto adjusted, mentally preparing for the bend. The road banked gently, but at their speeds, even the slightest curve could mean disaster. He turned his wheel, gritting his teeth as Shikamaru's GT-R took advantage of the inside lane, slipping past him with almost effortless precision.

"Damn it!" Naruto cursed, struggling to keep the Chevelle steady through the turn, the tires barely gripping the edge as they skidded slightly. The road straightened again, and he finally let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

"Straightaway for the next kilometer," Sakura said in his ear. "Then things are going to get tight. Use the chance to get up there."

Naruto switched frequencies, linking to Hinata's channel. "Hinata! Think I could slipstream behind you?"

There was a moment's pause, then Hinata's voice came in, slightly strained but firm. "Y-You can, but you have to get here first!"

"On it!" he replied, his voice determined. He was well over 220 km/h now, fighting to keep the Chevelle steady as it barreled down the two-lane road. In his side mirror, he caught sight of a flash of green—a Shelby GT350R, its driver making a move, edging into the tiny space beside him.

"What the…?" Naruto muttered, feeling the Shelby press closer, trying to squeeze past in a dangerous overtake attempt. He considered cutting it off, but at this speed, even a small miscalculation could be fatal. So, he focused on his line, keeping the Chevelle steady.

Beside him, the Shelby pushed closer, its right tyres skirting dangerously close to the edge of the road. Naruto clenched his jaw as dust began to kick up beside him, the Shelby's two right wheels dipping off the asphalt and into the dirt.

"Idiot," Naruto hissed, watching as the Shelby's speed faltered. A nervous glance back showed the driver desperately fighting for control, the car wobbling on its precarious edge.

Sakura's voice cut through his headset. "Naruto—30-degree incline up ahead. Hold tight!"

Naruto's pulse quickened. The track was now narrowing between two rocky outcrops, the road pitching upwards into a steep incline. He tightened his grip on the wheel, bracing as the Chevelle surged up the hill.

"Come on, come on…" he whispered, feeling the engine strain as they hit the peak—and then, for a heartbeat, he was airborne.

The Chevelle soared for what felt like an eternity, floating in open air. Naruto held his breath, eyes locked on the asphalt ahead. The lead cars smashed back onto the asphalt with a spray of sparks, one after another, until his own car slammed back down with a bone-jarring crash. He felt every bolt in the car rattle, the tires gripping the road just enough to keep him from spinning out.

Behind him, a loud bang echoed, followed by a flash of green in his side mirror. The Shelby.

"What was that?" Naruto shouted, but Sakura's voice came through urgently, cutting him off. "Focus on the road! It's fine!"

But a quick look told him the GT350R was anything but fine. The car was skidding across the asphalt, sparks flying in a ferocious trail as it struggled to stay upright. For a brief, horrifying moment, it careened towards the edge of the asphalt, caught a stray boulder on the roadside, and launched into the air with a sickening crunch. Naruto's stomach twisted as he watched it crash back down on its roof, the car spinning and screeching down the track before finally skidding to a halt in a shower of sparks and metal.

Ahead, the Charger blasted past the wreck without a single hesitation, its engine snarling as it continued the brutal race.

Naruto muttered, swallowing hard as he pushed the image of the Shelby out of his mind. The Road of Death was living up to it's name. He couldn't afford distractions now. Not when the worst was yet to come.

The helicopter overhead swept low, capturing every heart-stopping second. The world had shrunk down to just the road, the roar of engines, and the distant crackling of Sakura's voice.

And in that moment, Naruto could feel it in his bones. He wasn't just racing for the finish line. He was racing against fate itself.

In the control booth, tension crackled like static in the air. Sakura watched the live feed of the track on her laptop, her hand hovering over her headset. The wrecked Shelby twisted across the screen, upside down, sending smoke and sparks scattering as it scraped against the tarmac before finally coming to a stop. She wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead, eyes wide. The booth fell silent.

Shisui whistled low under his breath. "Yeesh. Hate to say it, but I think that driver is gone, unfortunately," he said casually, shaking his head. "That crash looked nasty."

"Don't say things like that," Sasuke shot back, his voice cold but shaken. "We don't know that for sure."

Sakura inhaled sharply, trying to focus, her hands trembling slightly as she readied herself for the next update. She forced herself to breathe evenly, but worry gnawed at her, scratching at her resolve. "Naruto and Hinata…" she muttered, watching the live feed as the remaining cars hurtled down the narrow, dangerous stretch of road known for chewing up drivers. Her mind raced with possibilities, each worse than the last.

Sasuke leaned over, his voice steady. "They'll be fine, Sakura. Naruto and Hinata know what they're doing, but they need you to stay calm, keep them in line. Just focus."

Sakura closed her eyes briefly, grounding herself. She nodded, her determination reigniting as she turned back to her laptop and radioed in to Hinata. "Hinata, keep your head up. You're coming up to a slight left curve—there'll be hills on either side after that. Stay alert, and keep the outside lane steady. Naruto's closing in behind you."

There was a crackle of static, then Hinata's voice came through. "Understood, Sakura." Her voice was calm, but Sakura could hear the faint strain. On the screen, Sakura could see Hinata in her Ferrari, laser-focused, her eyes darting briefly to the rear-view mirror. Naruto's Chevelle was creeping closer, its distinctive outline visible among the other racers. He was still a few lengths behind her, stuck in fifth place, but he was pushing forward relentlessly.

Inside his Chevelle, Naruto squinted against the growing blur at the edges of his vision. His foot was welded to the accelerator, and he knew he was pressing his car to its absolute limits. He glanced at his speedometer, which was flirting dangerously close to the 300 km/h mark. The world around him narrowed to just the sight of Hinata's Ferrari pulling away from him slightly up ahead. He gritted his teeth, knuckles white against the wheel as he prepared for the next challenge looming on the horizon.

Another hill.

The Chevelle roared up the incline, its tires briefly leaving the ground as it soared through the air. For a split second, Naruto felt the weightlessness of flight, time stretching like an elastic band. He braced himself as the car came crashing back down, his teeth rattling with the impact. Cursing under his breath, he fought to bring the Chevelle back under control. Behind him, he saw Shikamaru's GT-R struggle to maintain its position after an even rougher landing, the car wobbling before finally stabilizing. Naruto seized his chance, swerving into fourth place.

He tapped his radio. "Hinata! Hold steady on the outside lane. I'm right behind you."

Hinata's voice came back, laced with determination. "Copy that. I'll keep the lane open—stay close, Naruto."

Naruto took a deep breath, slipping into the reduced air resistance of Hinata's slipstream. Her Ferrari pulled him forward as they glided in perfect synchrony through the long curve. The Chevelle's cornering was shaky at best, but with Hinata breaking the wind resistance, he could make it through with a bit more speed than his car's limitations would normally allow. Together, the two cars hugged the road, tires mere inches from the edge of the asphalt.

As they approached the end of the curve, Naruto signaled for Hinata to give him room to slide into the other lane, hoping to create a wall between them and the racers behind. But before he could make his move, he caught a flash of crimson and black in his side mirror—a bold, unmistakable emblem streaked into view. His heart dropped.

Pain.

Pain's Mustang rocketed past on the inside, snaking ahead of Hinata and slicing through their careful maneuver. Naruto clenched his jaw, forcing himself to stay steady, even as his competitive instincts flared. Pain's car thundered in front of him, the Mustang's engine screaming as it took the lead.

Sakura's voice cracked over the headset. "Naruto, Hinata, be ready. You've got three tightly packed hills coming up—don't lose your pace. Pain's going to try and push through first, so stay sharp!"

Naruto's grip tightened as he urged his car to close the gap. Up ahead, he saw Hinata pull up alongside Pain, her Ferrari growling in defiance as she matched his speed. Her voice broke through his headset.

"I'm going for it, Naruto. I'll try to pass him before the hills," Hinata said, her words measured and calm.

Naruto couldn't hold back a grin. "Go get him, Hinata," he replied, glancing at his own speedometer as they rocketed forward. He was now hitting 350 km/h, the needle climbing into the red. The strain of his speed began to creep in at the edges of his vision, tunneling his sight. He forced himself to keep breathing, focused only on the rear of Hinata's car and the flash of Pain's Mustang beside her.

The hills loomed closer, a series of sharp, sudden inclines that challenged even the most experienced drivers. The jagged rock formations flanked each side of the track, blurring past them like the walls of a tunnel. Naruto steadied his breathing, his eyes trained on the two cars fighting for position up ahead. Hinata's Ferrari climbed the first hill, her sleek form soaring into the air. She cleared it with perfect grace, her landing smooth and controlled. Right beside her, Pain's Mustang thundered down with a rougher impact, but it kept pace.

Naruto's turn came. He pushed his Chevelle forward, bracing himself as it rocketed up the hill, the nose lifting until he felt that familiar weightless sensation once more. He held his breath as the car hung in mid-air, his heart racing.

In his headset, Sakura's voice rang out, high-pitched and tense. "Stay steady, Naruto! You've got this!"

The Chevelle crashed back down with a spine-jarring thud, its suspension creaking as Naruto fought to regain control. His tires skidded briefly on impact, but he kept the car steady, ignoring the tremors that rattled through his bones. Up ahead, he saw Hinata and Pain locked in a fierce duel, their cars weaving as they jockeyed for position.

Hinata's voice came through, fierce and focused. "I won't let him get past me!"

The roar of the Chevelle's engine pounded in Naruto's ears as he crested the next hill, the world seeming to slow as his car became airborne. For a moment, the road disappeared beneath him, leaving him in a weightless suspension with nothing but the sky ahead. Then, the nose of the car began to dip, and he felt the control slipping from his fingers.

Naruto gripped the wheel tighter, his knuckles going white. "Come on…steady," he muttered, forcing himself to slow down a fraction as he approached the final and tallest hill. The thrill of speed tempted him to keep pushing, but the memory of the previous rough landing flashed in his mind. He couldn't risk it. Not with everything on the line. Ahead, Hinata and Pain were still locked in a fierce battle for third. He could only hope she'd hold out until he could close the gap and back her up somehow.

But then, a flash of orange and black streaked over the top of the hill—the McLaren P1, the current race leader, ascending with staggering speed. Naruto's eyes widened as he watched, his breath catching when a gust of wind hit the car just as it crested the summit. The McLaren was airborne, tilting dangerously as the wind caught its underside. A collective gasp from the crowd, audible even through his helmet's speakers, echoed in Naruto's ears.

The sleek supercar landed right on top of a massive rock outcrop flanking the road, and in an instant, all semblance of beauty and speed was stripped from it. The McLaren crumpled as it collided with the unyielding rock, shattering like glass, flipping in a chaotic whirl of twisted metal, broken glass, and burning rubber before tumbling down the side of the hill.

The wreckage slid back onto the track, still spinning, a deadly obstacle in the path of anyone following close behind.

"Oh no… no, no!" Naruto's heart stopped as he watched Hinata's Ferrari crest the hill, right in line with the tumbling wreckage. He was certain it was the end. There was no way she'd be able to react in time.

But, as if by some miracle, Hinata's reflexes saved her. At the last possible second, she veered sharply, the sleek red Ferrari barely missing the shattered McLaren as her wheels hit the ground.

Naruto exhaled, tension loosening slightly. "Thank God…" he breathed, amazed by her precision and quick thinking. She'd always had incredible reflexes, but now, he had a front-row seat to just how sharp they—

BANG!

His relief vanished in a heartbeat as Hinata's Ferrari spun wildly, veering off the road. Pain's Mustang was right behind her, unable to avoid the Ferrari's chaotic path. He slammed on his brakes, but it was too late; the hood of the Mustang rammed into the side of Hinata's car, crumpling the sleek machine as it tore into the Ferrari's engine bay. Both cars were totaled on impact.

The sound was deafening—a shattering crunch of metal and glass. The impact forced Hinata's Ferrari into a barrel roll, flipping violently on its side. The car tumbled forward, shards of metal scattering across the track. One of the rear wheels snapped off, rolling freely down the road as the Ferrari struck the peak of a nearby boulder. The wreck twisted midair, flipping end over end as it careened forward in a trail of smoke, sparks, and debris.

"HINATA!" Naruto screamed, barely aware of his own voice echoing in his ears.

Adrenaline surged through his veins as he hurtled down the hill, desperate to reach her. His mind barely processed what was happening when a black-and-red blur—Pain's Mustang, now a lifeless shell of crumpled metal—rolled into his path, and Naruto had to swerve hard to avoid it. His car lurched, teetering on the edge of control as his tires screeched against the asphalt, skimming dangerously close to fishtailing.

Then, as if the universe was taunting him, one of the Ferrari's tires detached, bouncing erratically right into Naruto's path.

Naruto's entire body tensed as he braced for impact. The tire collided with his hood, an explosion of force that shook the car and sent him jerking back in his seat. The Chevelle's hood crumpled and flew upward, flapping on its hinges and blocking his view entirely.

Naruto cursed, panic gripping him as he struggled to process the chaos around him. He couldn't see—only darkness filled his windshield, punctuated by flashes of light as the hood bounced with the movement of the car. His hands tightened around the wheel, fighting to keep the car from swerving out of control.

All he could think of was Hinata, trapped in the wrecked Ferrari somewhere ahead.

With a shout, Naruto forced himself to breathe, leaning forward to try to peer through the narrow gap where the hood bent upward. It was barely enough, but it would have to do. His heart hammered as he gritted his teeth and focused on keeping the Chevelle steady, the tunnel vision closing in at the edges as he roared forward.

But his thoughts were a blur, stuck on a single, haunting refrain that echoed in his mind, louder than the scream of his supercharger, louder than the roar of the crowd:

Hinata just crashed...