Chapter 52

Naruto's Wood Release-hardened staff clashed against Sakura's wind chakra-infused wakizashi, the sound of their sparring filling the training grounds. Sweat trickled down Naruto's forehead as he grinned, twisting his staff in a sweeping arc to block Sakura's overhead strike. She was fast—faster than he remembered—and her blows carried the strength of Tsunade herself. But then, so did his blows.

"You're not holding back, huh, Sakura-chan?" Naruto grunted as he ducked under a swing and countered with a low strike aimed at her legs.

Sakura smirked, sidestepping the attack with ease. "You wouldn't want me to, would you, Hokage-to-be?"

Their sparring drew the attention of two figures sitting nearby. Ino and Hinata sat on a grassy knoll, watching their respective partners with a mixture of admiration and frustration. Ino leaned back, her blonde hair glinting in the sunlight, a frown tugging at her lips. "When did they get so strong?" she muttered, crossing her arms.

Hinata, her lavender eyes focused intently on Sakura's precise movements, nodded softly. "It feels like... they're miles ahead of us," she admitted quietly. "Naruto-kun has grown so much, and I—"

"Hey," Ino interrupted, her tone sharp but not unkind. She sat up, placing a hand on Hinata's shoulder. "Don't start with that. I feel the same way about Sakura, we fought to a standstill three years ago at the Chūnin exams. Today, I couldn't last three minutes. SItting here sulking isn't going to fix it. We've just gotta catch up."

"You're right. We'll grow stronger, too." Hinata smiled faintly at Ino's words, finding a measure of comfort in her resolve.

The sparring match came to an abrupt halt as three figures appeared on the edge of the training grounds. Raidō Namiashi, Genma Shiranui, and Iwashi Tatami approached, their expressions grim and focused. Naruto and Sakura lowered their weapons, turning to face the newcomers.

"Sakura," Raidō said, his voice steady, "Tsunade-sama has sent us to train you in a critical technique."

Sakura tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her emerald eyes. "What kind of technique?"

"The Flying Thunder God Formation," Genma answered. His tone carried the weight of its significance. "It's a modified version of the Fourth Hokage's technique. It requires teamwork, allowing us to collectively transport ourselves and a target to a single predetermined location."

Sakura's eyes widened. "The Fourth Hokage's technique? I thought that was impossible to replicate."

"It is, in its original form," Iwashi explained. "This version is a collaboration, and Tsunade-sama believes you have the theoretical knowledge and skill to master it."

Sakura glanced at Hinata, who gave her an encouraging nod. Then she turned to Naruto, who smiled broadly. "Go get 'em, Sakura-chan. You're gonna kill it!"

With a determined expression, Sakura sheathed her wakizashi and stepped forward. "Let's get started."

The group disappeared in a blur of movement, leaving Naruto, Ino, and Hinata behind. Hinata stared at the spot where Sakura had stood just moments ago, her lips pressed together in a soft smile. Ino caught the look and smirked knowingly. "You've got it bad for her, don't you?"

Hinata's face turned scarlet. "I-I…"

Ino laughed, brushing a hand through her hair. "Relax, Hinata. I'm not judging." She turned her gaze to Naruto, who was already twirling his staff in anticipation of more training. "What about you, knucklehead? Gonna keep standing around or actually train?"

Naruto grinned, but before he could answer, a puff of smoke erupted in front of him. The small, wrinkled figure of Fukasaku, the elder toad of Mount Myōboku, appeared.

"Fukasaku-sama?" Naruto said, startled. "What are you doing here?"

Fukasaku hopped forward, his expression grave. "Naruto, there's no time to waste. If you're going to stand a chance against the Six Paths of Pain, you must learn the art of senjutsu."

"Senjutsu?" Naruto's brow furrowed. "You mean... like Jiraiya-sensei?"

"Precisely," Fukasaku replied. "It's time you learned Sage Mode. You'll need it to defeat Pain."

Naruto's grin faded as the weight of the elder toad's words sank in. The mention of Jiraiya's name brought a pang of sadness to his chest, but it also ignited a fire in his eyes. He nodded firmly. "Alright. Let's do this."

Fukasaku gave a solemn nod. "Then let us leave at once. Mount Myōboku awaits."

As Naruto prepared to leave, he turned to Ino, who stood silently, watching him with a mixture of pride and worry. She reached out and grabbed his hand, squeezing it tightly. "You'd better come back in one piece, idiot," she said, her voice wavering slightly.

Naruto smiled, leaning in to press a quick kiss to her forehead. "You know I will."

Hinata watched the exchange with a soft smile before turning her gaze back to the horizon, where Sakura had disappeared. Determination welled up inside her. They would all become stronger, together. She turned to Ino and they made eye contact, each feeling the weight of their partner's departure.

In the distance, the wheels of fate continued to turn as Shikamaru and Shiho worked tirelessly to decode Jiraiya's final message.