Hinata of the White Lotus
Enter: Sasuke
The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the village, its rays painting the Hokage Tower in hues of gold and amber. Shadows stretched long across the cobbled streets, and the soft hum of Konoha's bustling life surrounded the area. Yet, amidst the chatter of merchants and the laughter of children, Naruto sat alone on the front steps of the tower, his head bowed and his arms crossed tightly over his chest.
He looked out of place, like a restless storm cloud amidst a peaceful sky. His spiky blond hair caught the sunlight, but his expression was clouded with frustration. One leg bounced impatiently, and every now and then he let out an audible sigh, loud enough to startle the occasional passerby.
His blue eyes flicked toward the tower's grand entrance every few seconds, scanning for Hinata. It had been a while since he'd come out, and the longer he waited, the more his thoughts spiraled.
The problem was simple yet maddening: he had no idea where Tayuya was.
Naruto leaned back, letting his head rest against the cool stone of the steps. They were interrogating her, but where would that even happen? He mulled over the possibilities but quickly realized he had no clue. The thought alone made his frustration bubble over. He didn't even know who he'd ask. Everyone around him was so formal and uptight—they'd probably just lecture him about rules and clearance levels.
Tayuya was counting on him, though. That much he was certain of. She was alone in this village, surrounded by strangers who didn't trust her and likely didn't care if she was trying to make a fresh start. No one really believed her story—not yet.
He frowned, his gaze drifting upward, determination flickering in his eyes. Tayuya didn't deserve to be stuck in this situation. She had helped them fight Kimimaro, and while her sharp tongue and rough demeanor hadn't done her any favors, she had come to them for help. That had to mean something.
He shifted his position, resting his elbows on his knees and cradling his chin in his palms. His brow furrowed deeply, his mind spinning in circles. In the end, only one idea seemed to make sense: wait here for Hinata.
She was clever and resourceful, always seeming to know how to navigate situations he couldn't. If anyone would know where Tayuya was, it would be her. And more importantly, she had managed to get the Hokage's permission to look after Tayuya. Hinata trusted her too, probably the only other person in the village who did.
Naruto straightened slightly, reassured by the thought. Hinata wouldn't let him down—she never did. That was why he could rely on her now. All he had to do was wait for her to finish whatever business she had with the Hokage.
The corner of his mouth twitched upward slightly before he leaned back again, looking up at the sky. It must be nice being a Chūnin, he thought. Hinata had been the only one promoted after the tournament, and for good reason. Too bad he'd never gotten his chance to show what he could do. If only Sasuke had just been on time…
"Oi, Naruto!"
As if summoned by the thoughts alone, Naruto turned to see Sasuke approaching, his hands shoved deep in his pockets and his posture slouched like someone dragging themselves to a chore they'd rather avoid. His eyes were dark, and his entire demeanor radiated irritation. Naruto had seen Sasuke in a bad mood before, but this was on another level.
"Yo, Sasuke!" Naruto greeted, his voice a little too loud as he leaned up. He forced a grin, hoping to smooth over whatever storm was brewing behind his teammate's eyes. "Long time no see. What's wrong? Miss me too much while I was gone?" He chuckled, the sound hollow even to himself. But the joke didn't land. It didn't even come close.
Instead, Sasuke's expression darkened, his scowl cutting through Naruto's attempt at levity like a blade.
"Shut it!" Sasuke snapped, grabbing him roughly by the scruff of his jacket, hauling him upright with strength that was just shy of being violent. "Talk," he demanded, his voice low but seething. "What happened on your mission?"
Naruto's grin vanished, the humor in his eyes dying as his own irritation flared. He shoved against Sasuke's hands, not hard enough to provoke a fight but just enough to remind him that he wasn't going to be manhandled without protest.
"Shut it or talk, which is it?" Naruto shot back, his tone sharp. He didn't need to ask why Sasuke was upset—he already had a pretty good idea. The problem was, he didn't understand why his teammate was taking it out on him.
"I'm not playing your stupid games right now!" Sasuke's voice rose, loud enough to draw the attention of a few people lingering nearby. Their gazes burned against Naruto's back, but he couldn't spare the focus to care.
Naruto's hands snapped to Sasuke's wrists, shoving them aside as he pushed back with equal force. "And I'm not a damn mind reader!" he barked, the heat in his voice finally matching Sasuke's. "If you want something, ask like a normal person!"
They stood like that, toe-to-toe, the tension between them thick enough to choke on. Naruto's heart hammered in his chest, his breath coming quicker than he wanted it to. Part of him felt bad—he knew Sasuke wasn't really mad at him, not entirely. But another part of him, the one still raw from everything he'd been through, bristled at the way Sasuke treated him, as if he were some reckless idiot who'd barely scraped by instead of someone who'd fought tooth and nail to survive.
Then Sasuke's eyes flicked downward, catching on Naruto's right hand—or what it was now. His scowl faltered, cracking for the briefest moment before something more vulnerable seeped through.
"Your hand…" Sasuke's voice dropped, softer but no less intense. Disbelief lined every word.
Naruto froze, his shoulders stiffening. He tried to shrug it off, forcing a lopsided grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Lost it during the mission," he said, his voice deliberately casual. "Got a new one. No big deal."
"No big deal?" Sasuke snapped, the flicker of concern in his eyes instantly replaced by anger. "What the hell happened out there?"
Naruto bristled, his frustration bubbling over. "I don't get why everyone's making such a big fuss about it," he said, louder than he intended. "It's just a hand! I can still fight just fine!"
Sasuke shook his head, his lips curling into a sneer that barely masked the tension radiating off him. "You're an idiot," he said, his voice sharp enough to cut. But even as the insult left his lips, his body betrayed him—leaning closer, pressing in, as though proximity could force the truth out of Naruto. "What about my brother?" he demanded, his tone dropping to something closer to a growl. "What happened to him? I heard he was killed."
Naruto blinked, momentarily thrown by the sudden shift. "Oh… right. That Itachi guy… he was your brother, huh?" He rubbed the back of his neck, his usual bravado faltering as he scrambled to find the right words. "I kinda figured. Same last name and all…" He hesitated, his mouth opening and closing once before he finally muttered, "Uh, sorry for your loss?"
"Sorry for my—" Sasuke cut himself off with an audible snap of his teeth, his breath sharp and ragged. His hand twitched at his side, fingers flexing like they were already curled around a weapon. Then, before Naruto could react, Sasuke stepped in again, their faces mere inches apart. The heat of his fury rolled off him like a storm. "It's true, isn't it? That girl killed him? That weak, quiet girl from our class?"
Naruto's expression hardened instantly. His fists clenched, the veins in his arms standing out as his patience thinned. "I know for a damn fact you're not talking about Hinata," he said, his voice low, guttural—a warning that only seemed to provoke Sasuke further.
Sasuke scoffed, sharp and dismissive, his eyes burning red. "Last I checked, she could barely hold her own in sparring matches. You're seriously telling me she killed my brother?" He shook his head, the disbelief twisting his features into something raw and ugly. "You're lying."
Naruto's patience snapped like a bowstring. He stepped forward, shoving Sasuke back just enough to create space before their faces collided. "Maybe you haven't been paying attention, but Hinata's not the same girl you remember," he bit out, his voice rough with anger. "She's stronger than you think. Hell, stronger than me half the time!"
Sasuke didn't budge. If anything, the accusation seemed to feed the fire already raging behind his eyes. His jaw tightened, his muscles coiling as though he were moments away from striking. "I don't care if they made her Hokage," he spat, his voice dripping venom. "There's no way she fought and killed Itachi. No way."
The words hit Naruto harder than Sasuke's fist ever could. For a moment, it was all he could do to hold his ground. He could feel the crowd gathering now—their stares pressing in, suffocating—but he refused to look away. He wouldn't let Sasuke see any hesitation, not now. Not about this.
Without breaking eye contact, Naruto reached into his pack, pulling out a heavy pouch that clinked with the unmistakable sound of coins. He shook it in Sasuke's face, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
"If you don't believe me, look at this," Naruto said, his voice loud enough for the crowd to hear. "This is one-fourth of your brother's bounty. Hinata got it, but she shared it with me. Believe it or not, she earned it."
Sasuke's eyes locked onto the pouch, and for a split second, Naruto saw it—the crack in his mask, the flicker of doubt that made his fingers twitch as though he wanted to snatch it away and weigh the truth for himself.
But then the moment shattered.
With a low, guttural growl, Sasuke lunged, his rage igniting like a spark in dry brush. His fist cut through the air, aiming straight for Naruto's jaw with all the fury he'd been holding back.
Naruto sidestepped the blow easily, his movements almost casual. Compared to the fights he'd endured on the mission, Sasuke's attack was slow and predictable. As he dodged, Naruto tossed the bag of coins into the air, letting it arc directly in front of Sasuke's face.
The distraction worked. For half a second, Sasuke's vision was obscured. By the time he registered the bag, Naruto was already countering with a swift left hook, his fist cutting through the air.
But the punch never landed.
A blur of motion separated the two boys. The coins were snatched mid-air, and a firm yet graceful force knocked both combatants several steps apart. Naruto stumbled slightly, his hand lowering as he registered what had stopped him.
Standing between them was Hyūga Hinata, her expression unreadable but her presence commanding. The fight was over before it could even begin.
Slowly and without a single word, she held up the sack of money Naruto had tossed into the air moments before. With deliberate care, she handed it back to him, placing it firmly in his wooden hand. Her movements were calm and deliberate, but the look she gave him struck deeper than any words could have. Her Nichiren Byakugan shimmered faintly, and within the depths of her gaze was not anger but sadness—profound and unshakable.
Naruto's usual bravado faltered. He couldn't meet her eyes for long, his shoulders slumping slightly under the weight of her unspoken reproach.
Hinata turned toward Sasuke next. "Sasuke-kun," she said softly. Then, to Naruto's surprise, she bowed deeply, holding the pose for several long, silent seconds. Sasuke froze, caught entirely off guard by the gesture. The shift in atmosphere seemed to break through his simmering anger, leaving him staring at her in confusion.
Whether it was her unexpected action, the sheer composure she exuded, or the grief radiating from her, Naruto couldn't tell. Sasuke, so quick to lash out, suddenly seemed unsure of how to react.
"I am terribly sorry for your loss," Hinata said as she straightened, her voice measured and sincere. The weight of her words hung in the air, and for once, even Sasuke was left speechless. "I understand you and your elder brother had a… complicated history. But I cannot begin to imagine the burden you must feel now that he's gone."
Her tone was neither pitying nor condescending, but filled with an unassuming compassion. "If there is anything I can do to ease the pain of his passing, please do not hesitate to ask. I would be honored to share what I know of his final moments, should it help bring you even the smallest measure of closure."
Naruto blinked in surprise. This wasn't the Hinata he knew, the one who was shy and nervous, always struggling to find her voice. This was something entirely different. Her words carried a formality and poise that reminded him of her sensei, Kurenai. For the first time, Naruto was reminded that Hinata had grown up as the Hyūga clan heiress, trained for a life of diplomacy and leadership.
Unbeknownst to him, Hinata's legs were trembling beneath her. Her composure was carefully constructed, but inside, she was frantically second-guessing herself. She had no idea what kind of confrontation she had just walked into, and she feared she might have made things worse.
Sasuke's eyes lingered on her, sharp and searching, as though he could will the truth from her lips if he just looked hard enough. His fists slowly unclenched, the tension in his shoulders easing by degrees, yet his gaze remained hard. The fury that had driven him moments ago hadn't vanished, but it had dulled—transformed into something colder, heavier.
"So you don't deny it?" he asked at last, his voice quieter but no less demanding. "You don't deny killing him?"
Hinata flinched inwardly, though her posture remained steady. Her heart pounded against her ribs, but her voice, when it came, was even. "Me?" Her brows knit slightly. "No. Itachi-san was slain fighting another S-ranked ninja, Hoshigaki Kisame. We… simply happened to be there."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering like embers behind his Sharingan. "You happened to be there?" His tone dripped with disbelief.
Hinata swallowed, pushing past the knot forming in her throat. She hated how hollow her words felt, how flimsy the excuse sounded even to her own ears, but it was the only truth she could offer without revealing more than she dared.
"We believe the organization Itachi-san belonged to was after something we had," she continued, her voice steady but thin. "A disagreement broke out between Itachi-san and his partner, which led to their deaths. My team only played a small part in the chaos, but rumors have since exaggerated our role."
The air between them grew taut again, but this time it wasn't the sharp edge of anger—it was the weight of doubt, of unraveling assumptions. Sasuke's eyes bore into her, dissecting every word, every flicker of her expression. She forced herself to meet his gaze, refusing to look away even as her stomach twisted.
For what felt like an eternity, he said nothing. Then, finally, his shoulders sagged, the fire in his eyes dimming just slightly.
"…I see," he said, the words heavy with reluctance, his voice quieter than before. "So you weren't the one to kill him, after all."
Hinata inclined her head, though her throat tightened at the way his words sounded—not like relief, but resignation. "No, Sasuke-kun," she replied softly. "I was not."
Sasuke exhaled slowly, the breath dragging out like it might steady him. "Not that I care or anything," he muttered, the words falling flat as though even he didn't believe them. He paused, his jaw tightening before he forced the question out. "But… did my brother have any last words?"
The question pierced her. Hinata's breath hitched before she could stop it, but she forced herself to stay composed. She had stood in that office not long ago, speaking with Itachi, yet his brother's name had never come up. She had no answer that could bring Sasuke peace—only the kind of truth that would weigh him down even more.
She swallowed hard, her voice softer now, colored by the weight of regret she couldn't conceal. "His throat was… severely injured in the fight," she admitted, her eyes lowering slightly. "I'm afraid he couldn't speak."
The silence that followed felt unbearable. It stretched between them like a chasm, and Hinata could feel the shift in Sasuke—the tension in his stance crumbling inward, the way his eyes dulled as though the light had been snuffed out completely.
He didn't speak, but he didn't need to. The slight tremor in his breath, the way his shoulders dropped as if the weight had finally become too much to carry—it was all there, plain and raw.
Hinata wanted to say something—to offer him words of comfort, of understanding—but nothing came. Her voice felt trapped in her chest, tangled in the same ache that threatened to break through her carefully composed exterior.
"…Thank you for the information," Sasuke said at last, his voice flat, stripped of everything but the barest civility. He didn't look at her as he spoke. He didn't need to. The distance between them had already become something unbridgeable.
He turned without another word, his footsteps echoing faintly as he walked away, his pace measured but heavy.
Hinata watched him go, her hands curling tightly at her sides, her nails digging into her palms. She kept her breathing even, kept her face calm, but her chest burned with the effort.
She had given him the truth—just enough to let him move forward, but not enough to let him rest. And as she stood there, staring after him, she couldn't help but wonder if she had only made the weight he carried even heavier.
Naruto hesitated, his feet rooted to the spot as he watched Sasuke's retreating figure disappear into the shadows of the village. The tension in the air hadn't fully lifted, and something about the way Sasuke carried himself—rigid, but hollow—made it impossible for Naruto to let him go without saying something.
"Oi, Sasuke!" Naruto's voice rang out, sharp and unguarded, cutting through the silence like a blade.
Sasuke didn't stop, but his steps slowed. His shoulders tensed, his head tilting ever so slightly, just enough to show that he'd heard.
Naruto clenched his fists, the words struggling to form in his throat. He didn't want to tread lightly—he never had—but even he could feel the fragility in the moment, like one wrong word would shatter it completely.
"Are you really okay with this?" Naruto asked, his tone softer but still carrying his usual bluntness. "That was, like… your ambition or whatever, wasn't it?"
Sasuke finally stopped but didn't turn, his posture stiffening further. Naruto knew his teammate well enough to recognize the emotions he was likely bottling up. Despite their earlier fight—or maybe because of it—Naruto couldn't help but feel for him. Losing the chance to face Itachi himself was probably akin to Naruto being told he could never achieve his dream of becoming Hokage. It wasn't just a goal; it was the very core of who Sasuke was.
"Sasuke finally turned his head just enough for Naruto to catch the faintest glimpse of his profile. His voice, when it came, was low and unsteady, but not broken. "I don't know."
The words hung in the air, raw and vulnerable in a way Naruto hadn't expected. Sasuke exhaled slowly, his breath barely audible over the ambient noise of the village. "I just… need some time."
Naruto's chest tightened, but he nodded anyway, even though he knew Sasuke wouldn't see it. "Yeah," he said, forcing a weak grin that felt out of place even on his own face. "Take all the time you need. Just don't do anything stupid while you're thinking, alright?"
Sasuke didn't respond. He didn't need to. Instead, he turned away again, his footsteps fading into the crowd—slow, deliberate, yet heavy with unspoken thoughts.
Naruto stood there, watching until Sasuke was gone, his shoulders slumping slightly as the tension finally drained out of him. He wanted to chase after him, to keep pushing, but something in Sasuke's voice had stopped him cold.
"Idiot…" Naruto muttered to himself, not sure if he was talking about Sasuke or himself. Probably both.
The silence that settled over the street between Naruto and Hinata was thick with unspoken words. Neither of them seemed to know how to break it, each lost in their own thoughts. In the end, Naruto, as expected, was the first to crack.
"So, uh…" He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, avoiding her gaze. "Sorry you had to see all that." His voice was sheepish, almost embarrassed. "And, uh… thanks for stepping in. I probably would've felt bad about slugging him after. I mean, he did just lose his brother and all…"
"You don't have to apologize for anything, Naruto-kun," Hinata replied, shaking her head with a gentle smile. "I was worried that perhaps I had done something unnecessary by interfering."
"There's no way!" Naruto waved his arms in exaggerated dismissal. "Besides, you looked really cool stepping in at the last moment like that. I think even Sasuke was surprised by how strong you were, y'know?"
"Strong?" Hinata's cheeks flushed a faint pink, and she ducked her head slightly, her fingers brushing nervously against the hem of her shirt. "You're exaggerating. What I did wasn't anything special… I was just desperate to stop things before they got worse. I'm sure I must have looked absolutely panicked."
"Panicked?" Naruto echoed, his brows furrowing in disbelief. "What? No way! You didn't look panicked at all!" He paused, trying to find the right words. "You looked… I dunno, calm? Confident? Like you had it all under control. There's no way Sasuke would've listened if you hadn't been so… so cool."
Hinata's eyes widened at the praise, but she quickly looked away, her face turning redder. "Thank you for saying that," she murmured, though it was clear she didn't believe him.
Naruto frowned slightly, watching her expression. He'd seen this before—the way she dismissed compliments and downplayed her own abilities. Hinata, despite everything she'd accomplished, still seemed to see herself as the timid girl she had been in the academy. But the Hinata he knew now was so much more than that.
He thought about everything she'd faced: Neji, Gaara, Itachi, Kisame, Kimimaro. Each battle had tested her, pushed her to the brink, and she'd come out stronger every time. The Hinata standing beside him now was a far cry from the shy, uncertain girl she used to be. But somehow, she still couldn't see it.
Naruto scratched the back of his head, frustrated. He wasn't good with words—not the kind that could fix something like this. But as he looked at her, he felt a determination swell in his chest. He didn't know how to bridge the gap between the person Hinata saw and the person she had become, but he was going to find a way.
He scratched the back of his head, searching for the right words, but subtlety had never been his strength. Finally, he just blurted it out. "Hey, uh… you remember that you and I are rivals, right?"
Hinata blinked, the unexpected question snapping her out of her thoughts. She turned toward him, her expression caught somewhere between confusion and curiosity. "Rivals?" she echoed, tilting her head slightly.
"Yeah!" Naruto grinned, his voice loud enough to turn a few heads. "We promised to fight each other during the Chūnin Exams, remember?"
Hinata's lips parted slightly, the memory tugging at something deep inside her—admiration, hope, and fear. But the look on Naruto's face made her pause. There was no pity there, no condescension—just confidence. Not just in himself but in her too.
Naruto puffed out his chest, pointing a thumb at himself. "I almost had my match against Sasuke just now, and let me tell you—I'm stronger than ever. So you better be ready when it's our turn. I'm not gonna hold back!" He grinned and held up his fist, waiting expectantly.
For the first time in what felt like weeks, Hinata's expression shifted. The edges of her lips curved upward, slow and uncertain at first, but gradually blooming into a real smile—warm and unguarded. She raised her fist and bumped it lightly against his, the gesture small but meaningful. "I'll be ready," she said, her voice steady despite the flicker of emotion beneath it. "Thank you, Naruto-kun."
Naruto felt a swell of pride at her words, his grin widening. "Heh, don't thank me yet," he teased, shoving his hands into his pockets as they continued walking. "You're gonna regret it when I win."
Hinata let out a soft laugh—a sound Naruto hadn't realized he'd missed until now. It wasn't loud or boisterous like his, but it was real, and it eased something in his chest. Maybe he hadn't said anything particularly deep or profound, but seeing her smile again felt like a win all on its own.
Naruto's grin widened, his usual energy bubbling back to the surface. "Alright then! So, what's next? You heading to see Tayuya?" His tone was light, hopeful even, like he was already envisioning their next adventure.
But Hinata hesitated. "Actually…" Her eyes shifted toward the main road leading to the hospital, her expression softening. "I was going to visit Kurenai-sensei first. She's been waiting for me." She glanced back at Naruto, her voice quiet but purposeful. "You should come too."
Naruto's grin faltered. "Oh, right…" His hand drifted to the back of his head as his shoulders slumped slightly. "I mean, I don't really know Kurenai-sensei all that well, y'know? She probably doesn't even want me barging in." He forced a chuckle, but there was an undertone of uncertainty.
Hinata tilted her head, confusion flicking across her eyes for a second. "That's not why I suggested it, Naruto-kun." Her voice was gentle but carried a firmness that made Naruto flinch slightly. "You need to get your arm looked at."
Naruto glanced down at his arm reflexively, flexing his wooden fingers as if testing their durability. The carved joints creaked faintly, but it didn't hurt—not really. "It's fine," he muttered, brushing it off with a shrug. "It doesn't even hurt anymore. See?" He wiggled the fingers to emphasize the point.
Hinata didn't budge. Her eyes softened, but her tone sharpened, a rare edge in her voice. "It's not about whether it hurts." She stepped closer, her gaze searching his. "You've been through so much, Naruto-kun. More than you're willing to admit. You need to make sure there aren't any complications—because this isn't just about your arm."
Naruto froze, his usual bravado faltering under her words. He opened his mouth to argue but stopped himself, the unshaken resolve in her eyes making it clear she wouldn't back down. Hinata didn't push often, but when she did, it was impossible to ignore.
"Alright, fine," he finally relented, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "I'll go." His tone was gruff, but there was no heat behind it, only a flicker of embarrassment. "But after that, we're going to see Tayuya, yeah?"
Hinata exhaled softly, the tension in her shoulders easing just a little. "Yes," she promised, her lips quirking into the faintest smile. "We'll go after."
With their plans decided, the two began walking toward the hospital. As they weaved through the bustling streets, Naruto found himself reminiscing. The last time he and Hinata had walked this path together was over a month ago, back before the final stage of the Chūnin Exams. So much had changed since then—it was almost hard to believe it had only been weeks.
They walked in companionable silence for a while, their footsteps light against the worn stone paths of Konoha. The mid-afternoon sun stretched their shadows long across the street, but the warmth did little to ease the weight in Hinata's chest. Finally, she broke the quiet, her voice softer now, almost hesitant.
"Naruto-kun… about what Asura-san asked me to look into," she began, her eyes flickering to the rooftops and alleys around them as if ensuring no one else could overhear. "The identity of his brother's reincarnation…"
Naruto's gaze shifted toward her, curious but relaxed. Before she could say more, he shrugged casually. "Yeah, I know," he said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "It's Sasuke, right?"
Hinata stopped mid-step, her sandals scuffing slightly against the stones. She turned to face him, her eyes wide and filled with disbelief. "You knew?" she whispered, the words barely escaping her lips.
"Well, I didn't know-know," Naruto admitted, coming to a halt and turning to meet her gaze. His tone softened slightly as he rubbed the back of his neck, as if embarrassed by his own intuition. "It's more like… I felt it. Like it was always there, y'know? I just didn't really think about it until recently."
Hinata's initial shock melted into quiet understanding, her brows knitting as she nodded slowly. "That makes sense," she murmured, her voice thoughtful. "Kali mentioned that Asura-san is always drawn to Indra-san. Maybe that's what you've been sensing all this time."
Naruto shrugged again, the gesture deliberately lighthearted, but Hinata could see the faint crease in his brow. "Probably," he said, though there was a trace of unease in his voice. The whole idea of reincarnation—the strings of fate tying them together—left an itch at the back of his mind he couldn't quite scratch. Dwelling on it never sat well with him.
"So, what do we do now that we know for sure it's Sasuke?" Naruto asked, his tone casual but his blue eyes sharper than before.
Hinata hesitated, her teeth grazing her bottom lip. "I'm… not entirely sure yet," she admitted, her voice quieter now. She hated not having answers, especially when the stakes felt this high. "I'll ask Kali about it the next time I meditate. But in the meantime, maybe you could try reaching out to Asura-san directly? I could teach you how to meditate if you'd like."
Naruto stiffened slightly at the suggestion, already shaking his head. "Nah, I'll pass," he said quickly, waving his hand as if brushing away the very idea. "If he wants to talk to me, he'll do it like last time. Just—poof!—show up in my head or something." He forced a grin, trying to lighten the mood. "I'm not about to go chasing after some ancient ghost, Hinata."
Hinata's shoulders sagged, her lips pressing into a faint, almost imperceptible line. Naruto's words had been meant to ease the tension, but she couldn't help the flicker of disappointment that crossed her face. He noticed—of course he did—but before he could think of something to say, Hinata's voice broke the silence again.
"Do you think Sasuke-kun will be alright?" she asked softly, the worry bleeding through despite her attempts to sound steady.
Naruto's grin faltered for just a moment before he forced it back into place. "He'll be fine," he said firmly, as if saying it with enough confidence would make it true. "Sasuke's tough, y'know? He can handle himself."
Hinata nodded, but Naruto didn't miss the way her hands fidgeted at her sides. He wanted to say something more—something reassuring—but the words didn't come.
Instead, they fell back into step, their conversation gradually drifting to lighter topics as the towering silhouette of the hospital came into view. Naruto laughed at something Hinata said, his voice echoing faintly in the empty street, but the momentary warmth didn't completely chase away the unease gnawing at the back of his mind.
Because even as he joked and tried to move forward, he couldn't quite shake the image of Sasuke walking away from them earlier—his shoulders rigid and his footsteps heavy with anger and doubt. And though Naruto didn't want to admit it, part of him couldn't help but wonder if the ties that bound him and Sasuke as Asura and Indra were pulling them toward something inevitable.
Sasuke sat silently on the edge of a weathered wooden dock spanning a tranquil riverbank near the abandoned Uchiha compound. The structure creaked faintly beneath him, its age betrayed by cracks in the planks and moss creeping up its supports. Above him, the sky blazed in shades of orange and crimson, the waning light of dusk setting the water below aglow with fiery reflections.
It was a place steeped in memory—a place that felt frozen in time. Sasuke's eyes drifted to the faded kanji etched into the bridge's railing, weathered but still legible. He recognized his own clumsy handwriting from years ago, beside the careful strokes of his elder brother's. Fire. Strength. Legacy.
This dock had been the site of one of his most cherished memories—a time when he had still believed in heroes. It was here, under his father's watchful gaze, that he had first succeeded in performing the Great Fireball Jutsu. He could still see the flicker of rare approval in his father's eyes as the flames roared forth, lighting up the dusk.
But what stood out most vividly in his memory was his brother's presence. Itachi had been there too, his expression unreadable as always. Yet there had been a glimmer of something in his eyes—a fleeting warmth, a hint of pride. Sasuke had worked tirelessly to master the technique, not only for his father but for his brother as well. He had craved their praise, their acknowledgment, and on that day, he had felt like he belonged to the family that bore the Uchiha name.
Now, as Sasuke sat on the same dock, he felt an ache that refused to fade. The once-crystal-clear water below seemed murky and dull in the fading light, the reflections distorted. His hands, resting limply on his knees, trembled faintly. He couldn't decide whether it was from anger, grief, or the suffocating weight of emptiness that had engulfed him ever since the news of Itachi's death.
He had hated his brother with every fiber of his being, cursed his name, and vowed vengeance for their clan. Itachi had told him to do so. Hadn't that been the point? So why now, with Itachi gone, did it feel as though something vital had been ripped from him?
Sasuke clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms as his mind churned. Was it because someone else had taken what was rightfully his—the chance to end his brother's life with his own hands? No, it wasn't just that. Deep down, in the corners of his heart he had refused to acknowledge, there had been something more.
He wanted answers. He wanted to ask Itachi why. He wanted to know the truth—if there had been any reason behind his betrayal, any justification for the slaughter of their family. The hope of that conversation, however buried, had been extinguished along with Itachi's life.
Now, he would never know.
He didn't notice the footsteps at first. They were too soft, too measured, blending seamlessly into the natural rhythm of the shifting leaves and murmuring water. But the voice that followed shattered the fragile stillness like a pebble cast into glass.
"Everything's not lost yet, Sasuke-san."
Sasuke's shoulders stiffened, and his hand instinctively went to the pouch on his hip. He turned sharply, his dark eyes narrowing as they locked onto the figure standing at the opposite end of the dock.
The boy was pale—almost unnervingly so. His features were sharp, almost delicate, and his dark hair was cut short, framing a face that felt just a little too perfect. What unsettled Sasuke most, though, wasn't the boy's appearance. It was his eyes—or rather, the lack of them. They were shut, sealed behind lids that betrayed nothing. Yet his smile, stretched thin and empty, seemed to see more than it should.
Sasuke's grip on his kunai tightened. "Who the hell are you?" he demanded, his voice sharp and edged with mistrust.
The boy didn't flinch. Instead, he inclined his head slightly, his closed eyes angled just enough to suggest he was looking at him—no, looking through him.
"My name is Sai," the boy replied. His voice was calm, almost melodic, but it lacked warmth. It was hollow, like a puppet repeating words fed to it. "And I think you'll want to hear what I have to say."
Sasuke's glare darkened. He didn't trust the boy—didn't trust the way he stood there, still and composed, as if he were rehearsing lines from a script. He turned back toward the river, dismissing him with deliberate coldness.
"I doubt it."
Sai's smile didn't falter, but something in his tone shifted—just barely. "Do you doubt me enough to ignore this?" He took a single step closer, the sound of his sandal against the wood impossibly loud against the evening hush. "What if I told you that Itachi-san is alive?"
The words hit Sasuke like a blow, sharp and unexpected. The air seemed to thin, the distant sound of rushing water fading into silence. For a moment, he didn't breathe. His heart hammered painfully against his ribs, but his expression remained carved from stone.
"Don't," he hissed. It wasn't a request—it was a threat.
But Sai wasn't deterred. His smile stayed fixed, that same eerie curve that made Sasuke's skin crawl. "I'm only the messenger."
Sasuke didn't realize he'd moved until Sai's back hit the wood. He was on him in an instant, his hand clamped around the boy's throat, pinning him effortlessly. His other hand gripped Sai's wrist, holding it just tightly enough to feel the faint tremor of his pulse.
"You're lying," Sasuke growled, his voice low and dangerous. His Sharingan flared, the scarlet glow bathing Sai's pale face in blood-red light. "Say that again, and I'll make sure it's your last breath."
Sai didn't even flinch. He hung limp beneath Sasuke's grip, as though the pressure on his throat was nothing more than a minor inconvenience. "I'm only here to guide you," he said evenly, his voice strained but steady. "Whether Itachi-san lives or not, I can't say for certain. But I can take you to someone who can."
Sasuke's grip tightened for half a second before he let go and stumbled back to his feet. His chest rose and fell with the force of his breathing, his anger boiling just below the surface. "Who?" he demanded. "Who do you expect me to believe knows more than I do?"
Sai stood back up, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve before clasping his hands neatly in front of him. "The foundations of this village," he said cryptically. "Where truth hides in the shadows and feeds the roots of power. There, you will meet our leader. Shimura Danzo."
The name landed like a stone dropped into a well—heavy and unsettling, leaving ripples of unease in its wake. Sasuke had heard it before, whispered in passing by shinobi too cautious to speak it outright. Danzo's reputation preceded him, shrouded in secrecy and fear. A man of schemes and shadows, the kind of figure who didn't just pull strings—he wove entire webs.
Sasuke turned his gaze back to the river, but he didn't really see it anymore. His reflection—fragmented and uncertain—stared back at him, echoing the doubt churning in his mind. It couldn't be true. It shouldn't be true. But what if it was?
The thought burned like poison. If there was even the smallest chance—no matter how slim, no matter how absurd—then ignoring it wasn't an option. Not for him. Not after everything.
Sai's voice interrupted his thoughts again, calm yet pointed. "You can either keep staring at the water, Sasuke-san… or you can follow me and find the answers you're looking for."
Sasuke didn't move immediately. The orange glow of the setting sun cast his shadow long across the bridge, its edges stretching toward Sai like grasping fingers. Finally, he exhaled slowly as he turned toward Sai with a hard, unreadable expression.
"Lead the way."
Sai's smile widened, though it didn't reach his closed eyes. "I thought you'd see reason."
Sasuke said nothing, his jaw tight as he followed Sai into the deepening twilight. With every step, the crimson sky dimmed, and the shadows around them lengthened—reaching out like the roots of the village itself, eager to pull him deeper into the unknown.