Chapter 20: A New Era Begins

Tsunade stood in the pristine, aseptic hospital ward, her hands glowing faintly green with an aura of healing chakra. Kakashi lay before her, his breathing steady but weak. She concentrated, her chakra delving into his system, repairing the damage caused by Itachi's devastating Genjutsu.

"There," she said after a moment, stepping back. "He'll need rest, but he should be back on his feet soon."

Might Guy, standing near the doorway, visibly relaxed. "Thank you, Lady Tsunade."

Tsunade turned to the next patient: Sasuke Uchiha. His body was still battered from his confrontation with Itachi, the scars from his curse mark battle with Orochimaru faint but present. She hesitated for a moment before placing her hands over his chest, her expression softening.

"He's lucky to have you looking out for him," she said, glancing at Guy. "And the same goes for you and your student."

Guy's usual exuberance dimmed slightly, his voice quiet. "About Lee..."

Tsunade straightened, folding her arms. "I'll examine him. I won't promise anything, but I'll do everything I can."

The gratitude in Guy's eyes was immediate. "Thank you! You've given me hope."

Later that afternoon, Tsunade sat in the Hokage's office for the first time. The chair felt foreign to her, its weight heavier than she'd expected. She glanced around the room, her gaze lingering on the portraits of her predecessors.

The First Hokage's stern but kind face stared back at her, followed by the determined gaze of the Second. Her eyes lingered on the Third Hokage's picture, a pang of guilt welling up in her chest. She had missed his funeral, too consumed by her own fears and doubts.

Then her gaze fell on the Fourth Hokage. The youthful face of Minato Namikaze seemed to radiate confidence and hope, even in stillness. Tsunade stared at his portrait, her voice quiet. "You made the right decision, trusting him with this burden. He'll make you proud."

She exhaled slowly, her fingers brushing across a stack of scrolls that had accumulated in the Hokage's absence. Each one was marked with urgency, their contents ranging from budget reports to mission requests. She began flicking through them, her brow furrowing as she worked.

Her thoughts drifted as she signed off on one scroll after another. The duties of a Hokage were endless. She hadn't wanted this, yet here she was, carrying the weight of the village on her shoulders.

Amid the mundane scrolls, one caught her attention. Its title, written in bold kanji, read: chūnin Promotions.

Curiosity piqued, she broke the seal and unrolled the scroll. Her eyes scanned the contents, her lips twitching into a broad grin.

"Well," she said aloud, leaning back in her chair. "I think I can get used to this job after all."

As she read through the recommendations and evaluations, her mind wandered to the young shinobi who had fought so bravely during the Chūnin Exams. Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Shikamaru... each of them had shown promise, each in their own way. At least insofar as her promotion committee had been concerned. However, only two had been ultimately nodded for the promotion.

The future of the village felt uncertain, but for the first time in years, Tsunade felt a flicker of hope. She had a chance to nurture that future, to protect it, and to guide it.

As the sun set over Konoha, casting the village in warm hues of orange and gold, Tsunade stood at the window of her office. Below her, life continued—shinobi darting between rooftops, children playing in the streets, and merchants closing up shop.

She placed her hand on the windowpane, her voice a quiet vow. "I'll protect them. All of them. No matter what."

In the distance, the faint laughter of Naruto echoed through the streets as he and Konohamaru ran past, engaged in some playful chase. Tsunade smiled softly, her resolve solidifying. The future of Konoha was bright, and she would ensure it remained that way.

The warm glow of the Ichiraku Ramen stand felt like a sanctuary. Naruto slurped noisily from his bowl, sighing contentedly as the flavorful broth hit his taste buds. Across from him, Sakura chuckled softly, her own bowl half-finished.

"I swear, Naruto, you're the loudest eater I've ever met," she teased, resting her chin in her palm.

Naruto grinned, a noodle dangling from his mouth. "Can't help it! Ramen this good deserves to be appreciated!"

Sakura rolled her eyes but smiled nonetheless. Despite herself, she felt at ease. They'd grown closer over the past few months—closer than she'd ever expected. Their nightly training sessions, the missions, and the battles had forged a bond between them. She couldn't deny it anymore: Naruto had matured. He wasn't the same loud, brash boy who once asked her out every other day.

As they ate, Sakura's smile faltered for a moment. They had just come from the hospital, where they had visited Sasuke, Rock Lee, and Kakashi. Sasuke's still form lingered in her mind, a quiet worry gnawing at her heart.

"You okay?" Naruto asked, noticing the change in her expression.

Sakura blinked, surprised by his perceptiveness. "Yeah, just... thinking about Sasuke-kun. Tsunade-sama said he'll wake up soon, but it's hard seeing him like that."

Naruto's eyes softened. "He'll wake up. If anyone's too stubborn to stay down, it's him."

Sakura chuckled weakly. "You're probably right."

Deciding to shift the mood, Sakura reached into her bag, her grin returning. "Look at what Kakashi-sensei gave me," she said, pulling out a small sheath. She hesitated for a moment, her earlier excitement briefly dimmed by the thought of Kakashi still recovering from his injuries.

She unsheathed the blade with a flick of her wrist, revealing a stunning tanto with a radiant, white blade. Its surface shimmered faintly, catching the dim light of the ramen stand.

"This is the White Light Chakra Sabre," she said, pride evident in her voice. "It used to belong to Kakashi-sensei. And before him, it was used by the White Fang of Konoha."

Naruto's eyes widened as he leaned closer, his chopsticks frozen mid-air. "Whoa! That's incredible! Kakashi-sensei really gave that to you?"

Sakura nodded, her smile splitting her face. "Yeah! He said it's time I learn more about close-range combat. He thought I'd be a good fit for it."

Naruto reached out, hesitant but eager. "Can I...?"

Sakura carefully handed it over. "Be careful. It's sharp."

Naruto held the blade reverently, turning it over in his hands. "This is so cool," he said in awe. "Kakashi-sensei used this? And his dad, too? That's insane, Sakura-chan!"

Sakura watched him with a mix of pride and amusement. "It's going to take some serious practice, but I'll get the hang of it. Yugao-sensei's already started giving me lessons."

Naruto handed the blade back with a grin. "That's awesome. You're gonna be unstoppable with that thing."

Sakura blushed faintly at the compliment, quickly sheathing the tanto. "Thanks, Naruto. But you're really strong yourself, you know. You've come a long way."

Naruto scratched the back of his head, his grin widening. "Well, I've got to keep up with you and Sasuke, right?"

Sakura laughed, the tension from earlier melting away. For a moment, it felt like everything was normal, like they were just two friends enjoying a meal. But beneath the laughter, both carried the weight of the battles they'd fought and the ones still to come.

The streets of Konoha were quiet as Naruto and Sakura walked side by side, the cool night air carrying a sense of peace that had been absent for far too long. The stars above seemed brighter, unburdened by the weight of war and chaos.

Naruto had his hands behind his head, his usual carefree grin plastered on his face. "Man, I forgot how nice it feels to just walk around the village without worrying about someone trying to kill us."

Sakura chuckled softly. "You're not wrong. Things have been... intense."

They walked in silence for a few moments, the memories of the past few months weaving through their minds. From the misty shores of the Land of Waves to the chaos of the Chūnin Exams, and finally, the devastating invasion by Orochimaru and the Sand Village—every step of their journey had been a trial of life and death.

Sakura glanced at Naruto from the corner of her eye. The boy who had once been the loudest, most obnoxious part of her life now seemed so different. His resilience, his strength, and his unwavering spirit had reshaped her perspective. She felt a lump form in her throat as she remembered the countless times she'd dismissed him, written him off as nothing but a nuisance.

"Hey, Naruto," she began, her voice quieter than usual.

"Hmm?" He turned to her, his blue eyes wide with curiosity.

She hesitated, her steps slowing. "You... you saved my life."

Naruto blinked, taken aback by the sudden confession. "Huh? When?"

Sakura stopped walking and turned to face him fully. "At the Chūnin Exams. During the invasion. When Gaara had sent me flying... if you hadn't caught me, I would've..." She trailed off, her hands gripping the hem of her sleeves.

Naruto's grin faded, replaced by a softer, more serious expression. "Sakura-chan, you don't need to thank me for that. You're my teammate. Of course I'd save you. You'd just saved me, remember? It's what we do."

Sakura shook her head. "It's not just that. You didn't just save me. You saved Sasuke. You saved the whole village. That monster, Shukaku, would've leveled the city if you hadn't stopped him."

Naruto scratched the back of his head, looking away with a sheepish smile. "Well, it wasn't just me. Jiraiya-sensei helped me summon 'Bunta, and—"

"No," Sakura interrupted, her voice firm. "It was you, Naruto. You're a hero."

The sincerity in her words hit Naruto like a punch to the gut. He stared at her, his usual bravado slipping away. "Sakura-chan..."

She smiled softly through her eyes shimmered with guilt. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "For how I've treated you these past few years. I ignored you, made fun of you... and you were always there, always trying your hardest. You were my classmate. You are my teammate. And now... now you're my hero."

Naruto felt his cheeks flush, the warmth spreading to the tips of his ears. He scratched his cheek awkwardly, unsure of how to respond. "Sakura-chan, you're making me blush."

Sakura laughed, the sound light and genuine. "Good. You deserve it."

They resumed walking, a comfortable silence settling between them. For the first time, Sakura truly felt like she understood Naruto—not just as her teammate, but as a person. And for Naruto, Sakura's words underscored a validation he had yearned for, a sign that he was no longer just the knuckleheaded ninja of Team Seven.

As they reached the fork in the road where their paths diverged, Sakura paused. "Goodnight, Naruto."

"Goodnight, Sakura-chan," Naruto replied, his grin returning.

As she walked away, Naruto stood there for a moment, staring up at the night sky. His heart felt lighter, his resolve stronger. He had come so far, and with people like Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura by his side, he knew he could go even further.

The air in the hospital room was tense, the silence heavy as Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke sat together. Sasuke had only recently woken up from his coma, and his presence filled the space like a storm cloud. Sakura hovered near his bed, a bowl of soup in her hands.

"You should eat something, Sasuke-kun," she said softly, holding the bowl out to him.

Sasuke glanced at her briefly before turning his head away. "I don't need it."

Sakura's shoulders slumped, her face falling. "But you need your strength—"

"Leave me alone," Sasuke snapped.

Naruto, who had been leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, pushed off with a growl. "Hey, don't talk to her like that! She's just trying to help, you ungrateful jerk!"

Sasuke's dark eyes locked onto Naruto, his expression unreadable. "Do you have a problem?" he asked coldly.

Naruto met his gaze without hesitation. "Yeah, I do. You're acting like a spoiled brat."

For a moment, neither moved, the tension between them growing thicker with each passing second. Finally, Sasuke stood, his movements slow and deliberate. "Then let's settle it. Right now."

Naruto blinked. "What?"

"Fight me," Sasuke demanded, his voice low and steady. "On the roof."

Despite Sakura's frantic protests, the three made their way to the rooftop of the hospital. The cool breeze did little to quell the heat of the confrontation. Sakura stood to the side, her hands clasped tightly in front of her as she pleaded with them.

"Please, stop this!" she cried, tears streaking down her face. "We just recovered from the invasion. We're a team. Why are you doing this?"

Sasuke didn't even glance at her. His thoughts were consumed by his failures—his inability to defeat Gaara, the way Naruto had triumphed where he had fallen short. If Naruto could surpass him, how could he ever hope to kill Itachi?

Naruto sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're so angsty, you know that? Just because you lost once doesn't mean you have to pick a fight with everyone."

Sasuke's Sharingan activated, the crimson eyes glowing in the dim light. "You don't understand anything," he said coldly. "Now fight me."

Naruto shrugged. "Fine. If this is what it takes to knock some sense into you."

The two charged at each other, their fists colliding with a resounding crack. Naruto immediately summoned a swarm of shadow clones with his signature cross-seal, the rooftop filling with identical versions of himself. Sasuke's Sharingan blazed as he danced through them, flipping and twisting with precise movements, dispelling clone after clone.

Sakura stood at the edge of the roof, her heart pounding in her chest as she watched the two battle. Every strike, every dodge, felt like a blow to her own chest. "Stop it!" she screamed, but neither boy paid her any attention.

As the fight dragged on, their techniques grew fiercer, their attacks more desperate. Sasuke's frustration boiled over, his mind consumed by thoughts of his inadequacy. He had to prove himself. He couldn't let Naruto surpass him. He flipped to the top of a nearby pole and flashed through three hand-seals.

"Chidori!" Sasuke roared, the crackling sound of lightning filling the air as his hand lit up with electric energy.

Naruto, not backing down, summoned a clone and began forming his brand new Rasengan. The swirling blue orb coruscated in his hand, the energy humming with raw power.

Sakura's voice broke as she screamed, tears streaming down her face. "Stop it! You'll kill each other!" She ran forward in a desperate attempt to intervene.

The two boys charged at each other, their attacks ready to clash. Just as the Chidori and Rasengan were about to collide, a blur of silver appeared between them.

Kakashi grabbed Sasuke's wrist with one hand and Naruto's with the other, halting their attacks mid-strike. "That's enough," he said firmly, his voice brooking no argument.

With a swift motion, Kakashi tossed both boys aside, sending them flying into two separate water tanks on opposite ends of the roof. Sakura fell to her knees, sobbing as the tension finally broke.

Naruto groaned as he climbed out of the dented water tank, shaking water from his hair. "What the heck, Kakashi-sensei?!"

Sasuke stood as well, glancing at the damage he had caused. A smirk tugged at his lips as he noticed the large, gaping hole his Chidori had left in the front of the tank. "Looks like I win," he muttered, walking away.

Kakashi found Sasuke sitting on the hospital roof, staring at the horizon. He approached slowly, his hands in his pockets. "You know, Sasuke, fighting your teammates won't make you stronger."

Sasuke didn't respond, his eyes distant.

Kakashi continued. "Naruto's getting stronger, that's true; he's doing it by learning with and from his teammates and fellow Leaf ninja. But you're strong too, hardened by your crucibles, both self-imposed and those out of your control. Isolation has forged you into a weapon, but you still need people, just like he does. Comparing yourself to him isn't the answer. Don't ask yourself how he's getting so strong, ask him. He trains with anybody and everybody."

Sasuke's fists clenched. "You don't understand. If I can't even beat Naruto, how can I ever hope to defeat my brother?"

Kakashi placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "Strength doesn't come from hatred, Sasuke. It comes from protecting what's important to you."

As Kakashi turned to leave, Sasuke's eyes flickered to the water tanks below. His smirk faded when he noticed something that made his chest tighten. The front of Naruto's tank had a small dent, but the back of it was completely blown out, the metal warped and shattered.

Sasuke frowned, his jaw tightening. He's getting too strong, too fast.

The weight of that realization pressed down on him as he stared at the destruction, the feeling of inadequacy clawing at his chest once more.

The night was eerily quiet as Sasuke walked the outskirts of the village, his mind clouded with frustration. The image of the water tank flashed in his memory—the devastating damage Naruto's Rasengan had caused compared to his Chidori. The weight of his misperceived inadequacy gnawed at him.

A sudden rustle broke the silence. Sasuke stopped, his eyes narrowing. From the shadows, four figures emerged, each bearing the distinct insignia of Orochimaru's followers: the Sound Four.

"You're the Uchiha brat," the leader, Jirobo, said with a smirk. "Orochimaru-sama has big plans for you."

Sasuke scoffed. "If he has something to say, he should come himself."

Tayuya, the foul-mouthed kunoichi, sneered. "You think you're hot stuff? Let's see what you're made of."

The fight began abruptly, the Sound Four attacking in unison. Sasuke fought back with ferocity, his Sharingan blazing as he dodged and countered their coordinated strikes. One by one, he forced them back, his speed and precision outmatching them.

But as the battle dragged on, the Sound Four activated their Curse Marks, their bodies transforming into the monstrous second forms. Their power multiplied, and Sasuke quickly found himself overwhelmed.

Pinned to the ground, his body battered, Sasuke felt the familiar pull of his own curse mark. He gritted his teeth, allowing its power to flow through him. Black markings spread across his skin as his strength surged. He managed to hold his own briefly, but even with the curse mark, the Sound Four's combined power was too much.

After delivering a final blow that left Sasuke gasping for air, Kidomaru crouched beside him. "You're strong, Uchiha, but not strong enough. Orochimaru-sama can change that."

Tayuya crossed her arms, looking down at him. "Power like this comes with a price. You've got to cut those weak little bonds holding you back."

Sakon sneered. "Think about it. True power is worth any sacrifice."

The Sound Four disappeared into the night, leaving Sasuke with their parting words echoing in his mind. He lay there for a moment, staring at the stars. Their offer tempted him, a dark whisper in the back of his mind. He clenched his fists, a storm brewing within him.

On the other side of the village, Naruto led Sakura to meet Jiraiya at a small tea house. The Sannin sat lounging on a cushion, looking utterly disinterested as Naruto introduced them.

"Ero-Sennin, this is Sakura-chan," Naruto said, his grin wide. "She's super smart, and she's been training hard with Yugao-sensei. Oh, and she's really into Fuinjutsu."

Jiraiya's eyes flicked lazily to Sakura, giving her a polite nod. "Nice to meet you."

Sakura, unfazed by his lack of enthusiasm, took a seat across from him. "Naruto tells me you're an expert on seals."

At the mention of himself, Jiraiya's demeanor changed instantly. His eyes lit up with excitement, and he leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Fuinjutsu, you say? Of course I am. Are you a reader?"

"Yes, I've read nearly everything you've published… on the topic of Fuinjutsu, that is," Sakura smiled, producing a small scroll. "I've been working on disruption seals and chakra storage systems. I read about a new type of seal that allows chakra to retain its nature transformation. Like storing fire chakra to be employed to use Fire Ninjutsu at a later time."

Jiraiya's grin grew as he unrolled the scroll, inspecting Sakura's detailed notes. "This is impressive," he admitted. "You've got a sharp mind for this."

For what seemed to Naruto must have been hours, they delved into Fuinjutsu theory, discussing chakra conversion nodes, the intricacies of seal stability, and the advancements made by recent generations. Sakura shared how she had repaired Naruto's seal after Orochimaru had tampered with it.

"You fixed Naruto's seal?" Jiraiya asked, his tone serious.

Sakura nodded. "I recognized the five-pronged seal Orochimaru added and released it. It was disrupting the flow of his chakra."

Jiraiya's expression shifted, equal parts impressed and contemplative. "Not bad for a genin. That's advanced work."

Naruto fidgeted uncomfortably, his gaze dropping to the table. The mention of his seal always made him uneasy, a reminder of the burden he carried. Sakura noticed and mouthed a quick apology, which Naruto waved off with a small smile.

As their conversation wound down, Sakura hesitated before asking her next question. "Jiraiya-sama, do you know anything about Sasuke's curse mark? I want to help him."

Jiraiya leaned back, his expression darkening. "I've seen Orochimaru's handiwork before, but I'm no expert on that seal. It's a dangerous and insidious creation."

"Is there a way to counteract it?" Sakura pressed.

Jiraiya stroked his chin thoughtfully. "If anyone would know, it's Anko Mitarashi. She was one of Orochimaru's test subjects. She has a similar mark."

Sakura nodded, determination gleaming in her eyes. "Thank you. I'll find her."

Naruto watched her, his respect for Sakura growing even more. She was willing to do whatever it took to help their team, even if it meant delving into dangerous territory.

As they left the tea house, Naruto turned to Sakura with a grin. "You're really something, Sakura-chan."

Sakura smiled. "So are you, Naruto. Let's keep getting stronger. Together."

Naruto nodded firmly, his resolve matching hers. The road ahead was uncertain, but with their team at the center, they would face whatever came their way.

The moon hung low over Konoha, casting pale silver light over the training field outside the Uchiha compound. Sasuke stood alone, shirtless, his breath coming in ragged bursts as he unleashed a series of powerful strikes on a wooden training post. His knuckles were raw, and his muscles burned, but the pain didn't matter. He couldn't stop. Not tonight.

The events of the day replayed in his mind in endless loops: Naruto's defiance, their clash atop the hospital roof, the crackling energy of their attacks, Kakashi's intervention, and the suffocating weight of his own inadequacy. The humiliation burned in his chest, as did the mark on his neck, a constant, sinister reminder of Orochimaru's offer of power.

He gritted his teeth and pulled his fist back for another strike when a quiet voice interrupted him.

"I let myself in; I hope that's not a problem."

Sasuke froze, his body stiffening. Slowly, he turned to see Sakura standing a few paces away, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. She looked small and uncertain in the moonlight, her green eyes shimmering with something between worry and resolve.

"What do you want?" Sasuke asked flatly, his voice cold and detached. His body remained tense, his gaze narrowing slightly as the weight of the day still hung over him like a dark cloud.

Sakura hesitated for a moment, then took a tentative step closer. "I'm worried about you, Sasuke-kun." Her voice was quiet but steady. "You're pushing yourself too hard. You've been through a lot today, and... I want to help."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed further, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. "Help me? You can't help me, Sakura. You don't understand what I'm dealing with."

Sakura's gaze didn't waver, though his words stung. "Maybe I don't understand everything, but I'm trying. That's why I came here—to try." She paused, searching for the right words. "I want to help you control it."

"Control what?" Sasuke asked, his tone sharp.

"The curse mark," Sakura said, her voice steady but cautious.

Sasuke's eyes darkened, and he took a small step back, instinctively reaching toward his shoulder where the mark rested. "What do you mean, 'control it'?"

Sakura took another step forward, her voice softening but her resolve unwavering. "I've been thinking... that mark—it gives you power, right? But Orochimaru's the one who gave it to you. He's the one pulling the strings. But what if it didn't have to be that way? What if you could harness its power without letting him control you?"

Sasuke's silence was deafening. His dark eyes bore into hers, but she held her ground.

"I'm not saying it'll be easy," she continued. "But you're strong, Sasuke-kun. Strong enough to control it. We can figure it out—together."

Sasuke's expression was unreadable, his gaze locked on her. For a moment, he didn't speak, his mind racing. The idea of controlling the curse mark's power without succumbing to Orochimaru's influence was... intriguing. Tempting, even. But he hated the vulnerability that Sakura's words had stirred in him, and he hated how much he wanted to believe her.

After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice low. "...Why do you care so much?"

Sakura blinked, surprised by the question. "Because I care about you, Sasuke-kun. You're my teammate, and I don't want to see you destroy yourself. I want to help."

Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, Sasuke said nothing. Then, almost reluctantly, he gave a stiff nod. "Fine. We'll try. But I'm not making any promises."

A small, hopeful smile tugged at Sakura's lips, but she didn't press further. "Good. We'll start tomorrow night. Naruto and I will be at the training ground. You can meet us there."

Sasuke's nod was curt, and his gaze shifted away, his body tense. "Alright. Now go. I need to finish here."

Sakura hesitated, as if she wanted to say more, but she thought better of it. "Okay. Goodnight, Sasuke-kun."

She turned and walked away, the faint sound of her footsteps fading into the distance. Sasuke watched her go, his mind a storm of conflicting emotions.

As the silence returned to the training field, he turned back to the post, his fists clenching. The thought of controlling the curse mark was enticing, but it also brought a sense of unease. Could he really wrest power from something as dark and malevolent as Orochimaru's gift?

With a sharp exhale, Sasuke struck the post again, his knuckles splitting against the rough wood. He didn't have the answers yet, but for the first time in a long while, the idea of working with his team didn't feel like weakness.

And that, more than anything, scared him.

The training grounds were quiet, the moonlight filtering through the canopy of trees and casting pale shadows across the grass. Sasuke stood stoically with his shirt pulled down slightly to reveal the curse mark on his neck. His expression was blank, but his eyes betrayed a mix of distrust and anticipation. Sakura knelt beside him, her fingers glowing faintly with chakra as she appraised the seal with both her eye and her growing knowledge of Fuinjutsu.

"Hold still, Sasuke," Sakura murmured, her voice calm but focused. She traced the mark with delicate precision, taking note of the lingering traces of Orochimaru's influence.

After a moment, she pressed her palm against the seal, her chakra flaring briefly as it interacted with the remnants of Kakashi's earlier suppression jutsu. The black markings briefly flared to life, twisting and writhing like living tendrils before settling down once more.

"There," Sakura said, standing up and brushing her hands off. "That'll at least make it so Orochimaru can't touch you—unless you call to him, Sasuke."

Sasuke nodded grimly, his jaw tightening. "Understood."

He pulled his shirt back into place and turned to Naruto, who had been unusually quiet during the proceedings. Sasuke's dark eyes narrowed slightly as he studied him. "Naruto, I have a question."

Naruto blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, yeah? What is it?"

"That red chakra," Sasuke said bluntly, crossing his arms. "The power you used against Haku... and again in the Forest of Death when Orochimaru attacked us. What is it?"

Naruto froze, his face tightening in unease. His hand rubbed the back of his head nervously as he avoided Sasuke's piercing gaze. "Uh... well... you know, I don't really get it myself. It's just... it happens sometimes, you know?"

Sasuke's frown deepened, and Sakura's curiosity was piqued.

She glanced at Naruto, noticing the way he avoided looking at either of them. "It has something to do with your seal?"

Naruto gulped and waved his hands dismissively. "Oh man, look at the time! I, uh, just remembered I need to meet up with Yamato-sensei about... stuff! Yeah, super important stuff. So, uh, see you guys later!"

Before either of them could respond, Naruto took off in a cloud of dust, his orange jumpsuit disappearing into the night.

Sakura sighed, crossing her arms. "He's keeping secrets from us. I don't like it."

Sasuke shrugged, his expression unreadable. "Everyone has their reasons. If it's important, he'll tell us when he's ready."

Sakura tilted her head thoughtfully before nodding. "I guess you're right. I won't press him about it."

Their brief conversation was interrupted by a faint rustling sound from the bushes nearby. Both ninja tensed immediately, their gazes snapping to the source of the noise. Sharing a quick glance, they moved in sync, silently leaping into the shadows to flank the potential intruder.

In a blur of motion, Sakura landed on one side while Sasuke appeared on the other, both ready to ambush the figure hiding in the foliage.

"Who's there?" Sakura demanded, her voice sharp.

With a startled squeak, a familiar figure stumbled out of the bushes and into the moonlight. Hinata Hyuga stood frozen, her pale lavender eyes wide with panic as her hands fumbled nervously. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to— I wasn't spying! I just—"

She tripped over her words, her face flushed a deep red as she bowed repeatedly. "I-I'm so sorry! Please don't be mad!"

Sakura blinked, her stern expression softening. "Hinata?"

Hinata's flustered apologies only increased as she realized she'd been caught. "I-I just happened to be passing by, and I thought I heard... um... Naruto-kun..."

Sakura smiled gently and raised a hand to calm her. "It's okay, Hinata. You don't have to apologize so much. You're fine."

Hinata blinked up at her, still nervous but slightly reassured by Sakura's kind tone.

"You fought bravely in the Chūnin Exams," Sakura added, offering her an encouraging smile. "You've got real potential, Hinata. You shouldn't sell yourself short."

Hinata's blush deepened at the compliment, and she looked down, fiddling with her fingers. "Th-thank you, Sakura-san."

Sakura glanced at Sasuke, then back at Hinata, an idea forming in her mind. "Hey, since Lee is still recovering from Tsunade-sama's procedure, would you like to join us in training? It might help you get stronger—and Naruto trains with us too."

Hinata's eyes widened, and her face turned an even deeper shade of red at the mention of Naruto. She hesitated, looking between Sakura and Sasuke nervously, but the thought of being closer to Naruto—and the unexpected kindness from Sakura—made her nod timidly.

"I-I'd like that," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sakura beamed. "Great! We'll start tomorrow night. You'll fit in just fine, Hinata."

Hinata's heart fluttered at Sakura's sincerity, and for a brief moment, she felt a glimmer of confidence. As Sakura and Sasuke turned back toward the training grounds, she lingered behind, her mind racing with thoughts of Naruto—and the strange, unexpected connection she felt with Sakura.

The night air was calm again, but something had shifted. A new bond was beginning to form, fragile yet promising.