Chapter 21: News Like No Other

Naruto hurried through the streets of Konoha, his mind racing with possibilities. Why would Granny summon me to the Hokage's office? He'd never been formally called before. Usually, he barged in unannounced or was dragged there by someone else. He frowned. Did I do something wrong?

As he approached the building, his thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Yo, Naruto."

Naruto turned and broke into a grin. "Shikamaru! How are you?"

The other boy groaned dramatically, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Annoyed that I'm being dragged into something troublesome, as always. What are you doing here?"

Naruto clapped him on the shoulder, his usual energy undeterred by Shikamaru's complaints. "Summoned on official business, I guess. Never known Granny Tsunade to be so serious."

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, glancing at Naruto with skepticism. "If you're involved, this is going to be a serious drag."

Naruto laughed, and the two walked up the stairs together, exchanging idle banter.

At the top of the stairs, they were greeted by Shizune, who offered them tea while they waited. Naruto buzzed with anticipation, but Shikamaru sat with his usual air of indifference.

Before long, Tsunade's voice called them into the office.

As they entered, Naruto noticed something unusual: the Hokage's face seemed less stern, more... satisfied. Was that pride in her eyes?

Tsunade cleared her throat, leaning back in her chair with an air of practiced nonchalance. "The reason I've called you both here is that this is the first genuinely enjoyable thing I've been able to do since I accepted this stupid hat."

Naruto tilted his head in confusion. "Huh?"

She sighed dramatically, waving a hand at the paperwork piled on her desk. "Most days, I deal with the fallout of a war I wasn't even here for. Endless bureaucracy." Her lips twitched into a wry smile. "But today, I get to hand out promotions."

With a quick flick of her wrist, she tossed two scrolls, one to each of them.

"Inside, you'll find your standard-issue chūnin vest," she said. "You don't have to wear it, but rookies like you don't pass the exams every day. Congratulations."

Naruto stared at the scroll in his hands, his mind reeling. "How—why—when..." He shook his head, trying to piece it together. "It's been so long! I'd forgotten all about that part of the exams!"

Shikamaru, meanwhile, looked at the scroll like it was a death sentence. "You're promoting me?" he groaned. "Seriously? I quit."

"I know, and don't think about backing out," Tsunade chuckled. "Too late for that."

Naruto turned to Shikamaru, his excitement brimming. "Hey, you totally deserve it! You're crazy smart. Remember how you beat Temari? That was genius! Giving up though? I question that decision."

Shikamaru sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I get why you're being promoted, Naruto. Honestly, I don't think people really appreciated how genius what you did to Neji was. You systematically probed his Byakugan for weaknesses. Waves of clones, projectiles, and distractions to buy time. It was tactical—unexpectedly so."

Naruto blinked, staring at Shikamaru as if he'd grown another head. "Uhhh, thanks, Shikamaru?"

The boy waved him off. "If I hadn't been watching, I wouldn't have believed it. You, the guy who scored 21% on a written exam final, outplayed a prodigy like Neji on the battlefield. Unreal."

"H–hey, you scored like 40% ont hat test," he protested weakly. He wasn't sure how to accept compliments, he'd had little practice. Naruto scratched his head, his cheeks tinged pink. "Well, uh... I just kinda did what I thought would work."

Tsunade grinned, leaning forward. "Shikamaru, your father had a lot to say about your performance during the invasion. He told me he was impressed. Said it's rare for you to actually try."

Shikamaru groaned louder than before. "Of course he did. Troublesome."

As the boys adjusted to their new reality, Naruto couldn't help but puff his chest out slightly. "So... we're chūnin now, huh? What do you think that means?"

Shikamaru sighed. "More responsibility. More missions. More headaches."

Naruto laughed. "Yeah, but we'll also get cooler missions! This is awesome!"

Tsunade watched them with a small smile. "You've both earned it. Don't let me down."

Naruto gave her a confident thumbs-up. "You can count on us, Granny!"

Shikamaru muttered something about troublesome blondes but couldn't hide the faint smile tugging at his lips.

As they left the office, Naruto grinned at his scroll, feeling a swell of pride he hadn't expected. The journey wasn't over—far from it—but for the first time, he felt like he was truly on the path to achieving his dream.

Naruto stood in front of the Konoha Mall, his hands stuffed in his pockets and a look of sheer terror on his face. The towering glass building seemed to mock him, its polished façade reflecting his wide-eyed expression. He'd never been here before—not once in his entire life.

As a child, he'd known implicitly that the doors of places like this were closed to him, either explicitly or through the deterring whispers and glares of the villagers. He hadn't been hurt, not physically, but the sting of isolation had left scars. His mind flickered back to the academy, to the lonely swing that had become his solace while other kids ran to their parents, beaming with joy.

He shook his head, clenching his fists. You're a chūnin now. You can do this.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward.

"Hey!"

Naruto turned to see a familiar figure walking toward him. Ino Yamanaka, dressed in her usual lavender crop top and skirt, with a bandage-wrapped midsection, waved cheerfully. Her pale blue eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"Ino?" Naruto said, blinking. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," she replied, stopping in front of him. Her gaze was playful, her smile teasing. "Didn't think I'd ever see you at the mall."

Naruto chuckled awkwardly. "Yeah, well, I didn't think so either. I'm, uh... doing something I've never done before."

Ino raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"

"Clothes shopping," Naruto admitted, scratching the back of his head. With a hint of sarcasm, he added, "Might surprise you, but I've never put much thought into it before."

Ino laughed, the sound light and airy. Naruto stared at her, taken aback. He'd never noticed how her laugh seemed to brighten the air around her, how her whole face lit up when she smiled. He quickly suppressed a blush, clearing his throat.

"What's the occasion?" Ino asked, her voice turning scandalous as she tilted her head. "I've never known you to stray from your trust orange jumpsuit."

Naruto grinned, matching her energy. "Don't get me wrong, I love my good ol' reliable jacket. But I don't think orange goes well with my new vest."

In a plume of smoke, he produced his freshly earned chūnin vest, holding it out for them both to see for the first time.

Ino went silent, her eyes widening in awe. For a moment, she just stared at the vest, and then a slow smile spread across her face. "Naruto! That's incredible. I'm so happy for you."

Before he could react, she threw her arms around him in an enthusiastic hug. Naruto froze, his face immediately turning red.

Ino pulled back slightly, her eyes glinting mischievously. "But you do know what this means, don't you?"

"Uh..." Naruto managed, still processing her sudden closeness.

"You're going to need a whole new wardrobe," she declared, her tone leaving no room for argument. "And lucky for you, you've got me to assist you in this daunting task. You're going shopping with me."

Naruto's jaw dropped. "Wait—what? Ino, I don't—"

Before he could finish, Ino grabbed his hand, interlocking her fingers with his. "Nope! No protesting. You need a woman's eye for this, and I'm not letting you ruin that vest with more orange."

Naruto opened his mouth to argue, but she was already pulling him toward the mall's entrance. His previous reservations about the mall, the memories of being shunned, all melted away as Ino's infectious energy took over.

The noise and bustle of the mall hit Naruto like a wave. Brightly lit shops lined the corridors, and crowds of people moved with purpose, carrying bags and chatting animatedly. It was overwhelming, but Ino's grip on his hand grounded him.

"First stop: the basics," she said, leading him toward a clothing store. "We need to get you something that actually matches that vest."

Naruto groaned. "Why do I feel like this is going to be long and painful?"

"Because it will be," Ino replied with a grin. "But trust me, it'll be worth it. And you've got good company, at least."

Over the next hour, Naruto found himself trying on countless outfits, each one more unfamiliar than the last. Ino offered critiques with the precision of a shuriken, dismissing anything that didn't meet her high standards.

"That color washes you out."

"Too baggy."

"Now this—this could work."

Naruto stared at himself in the mirror, wearing a navy blue shirt with black pants and sturdy boots. It was simple but felt... right. Ino beamed at him.

"See? This is why you need me."

Naruto scratched his head, feeling a little self-conscious but grateful. "Thanks, Ino. This is actually kinda fun."

"Of course it is," she said, grabbing another outfit for him to try. "You just needed the right person to show you how it's done."

As they laughed and continued their shopping spree, Naruto felt a warmth he hadn't experienced in years. For the first time, the mall didn't feel so intimidating. With Ino by his side, it felt almost... welcoming.

And for that, he was grateful.

The training ground was alive with the sound of clashing steel. Sakura moved swiftly, the dual blades in her hands slicing through the air with precision. Her White Light Chakra Sabre gleamed with its signature ethereal glow, while the wakizashi, a gift from her sensei, felt sturdy and reliable in her grip. The two blades were extensions of her will, though she was still learning to wield them in harmony.

Across from her, Yugao Mitarashi stood with poise, her single katana held loosely in her right hand. The older woman's movements were fluid, almost hypnotic, as if she were performing a deadly dance rather than a sparring match.

Sakura lunged, her blades forming an X as she aimed for Yugao's midsection. Yugao parried effortlessly, spinning to Sakura's side and forcing her to retreat with a swift riposte.

"You're improving," Yugao said, her voice calm despite the flurry of strikes she delivered. "But your form still has holes. Don't overextend."

Sakura gritted her teeth, smirking despite the pressure. "We'll see about that."

Sakura had been preparing for this. Hours of careful planning and execution had led to this moment. She knew Yugao had the upper hand in raw experience, but Sakura had a trick up her sleeve—or rather, in her blade.

Her White Light Chakra Sabre hummed softly as she tapped into the chakra stored within it. She had spent weeks painstakingly inscribing the hilt with storage seals, pouring in as much chakra as she could spare every single day. Now, the blade held over twenty times her natural chakra reserves.

As she funneled the smallest bit of that stored energy from the blade, it emitted a soft white light. Sakura felt a surge of power course through her muscles, her movements becoming sharper and faster.

The White Light Chakra Sabre's unique ability to convert chakra into wind chakra activated, transforming the blade's edge into an ethereal, glowing white. Its hum grew louder, and Sakura could feel the raw potential in her hands.

Sakura pressed the attack, her blades a blur as she forced Yugao onto the defensive. The elder kunoichi's eyes narrowed as she adjusted her stance, parrying each strike with precise, economical movements.

"You've been busy," Yugao commented, stepping back as the wind chakra-enhanced blade bit into the ground near her feet.

Sakura smirked. "You could say that."

Yugao raised her katana, lightning chakra sparking along its length. The blade crackled with energy, and Sakura's smirk faltered into a mock pout.

"That's cheating," Sakura teased. "Lightning cancels wind."

Yugao rolled her eyes but didn't respond. Instead, she dashed forward, her movements too fast for Sakura to react. The older woman's katana struck Sakura's wakizashi, sending a jarring shock through her arm and forcing her to backpedal.

Sakura gritted her teeth and adjusted her grip, switching her focus to the White Light Chakra Sabre. With a burst of wind chakra, she slashed at Yugao, creating a crescent-shaped arc of energy that rushed toward her opponent.

Yugao leapt into the air, flipping gracefully to avoid the attack. She landed behind Sakura and struck with precision, her blade stopping just short of Sakura's neck.

"Yield," Yugao said calmly, her katana crackling with residual lightning.

Sakura sighed, lowering her weapons. "Fine. You win."

As they sheathed their blades, Yugao patted Sakura on the shoulder. "You're good, Sakura. Unnaturally good for your age. But don't let that go to your head. There's still a lot to learn."

Sakura nodded, wiping the sweat from her brow. "I'll keep that in mind."

Yugao gave her a rare smile. "Good. Now, let's go over what you did right—and where you can improve."

Despite her loss, Sakura felt a sense of pride. She had held her own against an experienced Jōnin and pushed herself beyond her limits. The path ahead was long, but she was ready for it.

As she listened to Yugao's feedback, her mind wandered briefly to her teammates. She couldn't wait to show them what she'd learned.

The moonlight illuminated the training grounds as Sakura and Hinata squared off, the soft rustling of leaves the only sound apart from their steady breathing. The night air was cool, and despite the calm surroundings, an undercurrent of tension buzzed between the two kunoichi.

Hinata stood with her arms raised in the traditional Gentle Fist stance, her lavender Byakugan-activated eyes focused on Sakura. Her movements were hesitant, her shoulders stiff as if weighed down by doubt.

Sakura, on the other hand, stood firm and confident, her pink hair tied back in a loose ponytail. Her striking green eyes glimmered with encouragement rather than animosity. She adjusted her stance slightly, bouncing on her heels, a habit she'd picked up from Lee during their training.

"Come on, Hinata," Sakura said with a playful grin. "You've got to do better than that. I know what you're capable of. Don't hold back."

Hinata bit her lip, her heart hammering in her chest. "I... I don't want to hurt you, Sakura-san."

Sakura let out a short laugh, shaking her head. "You're not going to hurt me. Trust me—I've been training under Lee. I can take a few hits." Her smile softened, and her tone grew more serious. "Don't go easy on me, Hinata. Show me the Hinata who challenged Neji in the Chūnin Exams."

Hinata's eyes widened slightly at the mention of her fight with Neji. Memories of that battle resurfaced—the pain, the desperation, but also the determination she'd felt that day. She hesitated, but then her gaze met Sakura's. The pink-haired kunoichi's smile was warm and reassuring, free of judgment.

Sakura raised her fists and stepped forward. "Come on, Hinata. I want to see what you're really made of."

Hinata took a deep breath, steeling herself. "A-alright... I'll try my best."

With a sudden burst of speed, Hinata darted forward, her palms glowing faintly with chakra. She struck out with precision, aiming for Sakura's arm, but Sakura sidestepped effortlessly.

"Better!" Sakura said, grinning as she pivoted and delivered a swift kick toward Hinata's side. Hinata blocked it with her forearm, the impact sending a shockwave through her body.

The spar continued, Sakura pressing the attack with a flurry of quick punches and kicks. Though Hinata's Gentle Fist technique was precise, her movements were hesitant, lacking the ferocity Sakura had seen during her fight with Neji. Sakura quickly gained the upper hand, her strikes forcing Hinata to retreat step by step.

With a final sweeping kick, Sakura knocked Hinata off balance, sending her stumbling backward. Hinata caught herself but looked flustered, her eyes darting nervously.

"Stop holding back!" Sakura said firmly, lowering her fists. Her voice was gentle but carried an undeniable edge. "You're not giving it your all, Hinata. I know you can do better than this. Don't be timid—show me your strength."

Hinata hesitated, staring at Sakura. The moonlight caught the strands of Sakura's long pink hair, making it shimmer faintly. Her striking green eyes held no malice, only encouragement and belief. For a moment, Hinata felt her heart flutter—something she usually only felt around Naruto.

Over the last few weeks, Hinata had begun to feel something she'd never truly experienced before: belonging. Sakura, Naruto, and now Lee, who attended their training sessions even on crutches, had welcomed her into their group with open arms. Naruto and Sakura had encouraged her every step of the way, their friendship warm and genuine in a way her own team had never been.

Sakura smiled, her voice softer now. "You've already come so far, Hinata. I know it's in you. Don't hold back. Fight me like you mean it."

Hinata took a deep breath, the warmth of Sakura's words chasing away the lingering doubt in her chest. She straightened her stance, her fingers glowing brighter with chakra as her Byakugan sharpened its focus.

"Alright," Hinata said, her voice steadier now. "I won't hold back."

Sakura's grin widened. "That's more like it!"

Hinata moved first this time, her speed increasing as she launched a series of precise strikes. Sakura blocked and dodged, but the force of Hinata's attacks pushed her back. For the first time, Sakura felt the strength behind Hinata's Gentle Fist, the strikes tingling as they came dangerously close to hitting her chakra points.

"Now that's the Hinata I wanted to see!" Sakura said breathlessly, leaping back to regain her footing.

The spar continued, both kunoichi pushing themselves harder. Hinata's movements grew bolder, her strikes faster and more calculated, while Sakura countered with her newfound Taijutsu skills and quick reflexes. For every strike Hinata landed, Sakura returned one of her own, the clash of their techniques becoming more intense.

Finally, after a particularly strong exchange, both kunoichi stopped, panting heavily as they stared at each other. Sweat dripped down their faces, but there was a mutual respect in their eyes.

"See?" Sakura said, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "You're stronger than you think, Hinata. You just needed to believe in yourself."

Hinata blushed faintly, looking down at her hands. "Thank you, Sakura-san. I... I'll keep trying."

Sakura stepped forward and placed a hand on Hinata's shoulder, her smile warm and genuine. "You're doing great. We all believe in you, Hinata."

Hinata felt her heart swell, the warmth of Sakura's encouragement filling her with a newfound determination. She nodded, her blush deepening slightly as she looked at Sakura.

"Thank you," Hinata whispered, her voice barely audible.

From a nearby post, Lee clapped enthusiastically, nearly falling over on his crutches. "Excellent work, both of you! Youth burns brightly tonight!"

Sakura and Hinata exchanged a laugh, the tension from their spar dissipating. As the group gathered together to cool down, Hinata couldn't help but feel a quiet sense of happiness. For the first time, she wasn't just training to become stronger for Naruto's sake—she was training for herself. And with friends like Sakura and the others, she knew she would only grow stronger.