(A/N) Sakura is using Slug Sage mode in this chapter, along with some abilities I came up with for her.

I know it's overdone, but I gave her Wood Style because her Senju heritage plays a role in the story. She's meant to be "special" like Naruto and Sasuke, i.e. not the no-name civilian born canon Sakura (who is a great character in her own right).

However, her primary skillset is her Sage mode + her Canon abilities, and Wood Style mostly serves to augment them. So she's not going to become a Hashirama clone.

The sun filtered through the canopy of trees, casting dappled light over the forest floor. A light breeze rustled the leaves as Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, and Hinata stood in a small clearing. Naruto was a few steps ahead of the others, bouncing on the balls of his feet with a wide grin plastered across his face.

Sakura crossed her arms, her expression a mix of curiosity and mild annoyance. "Alright, Naruto," she sighed. "Go ahead and show us what's so important that you had to drag us out here."

Naruto flashed a confident smile. "Oh, trust me, you're gonna be impressed." He took a deep breath, reaching into his pouch to pull out a marked kunai.

"Just watch!"

With a quick flick of his wrist, Naruto tossed the kunai toward a distant tree. It flew through the air, embedding itself in the bark with a soft thud.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Is that it?" he muttered, folding his arms.

Before anyone could blink, Naruto vanished from his spot, reappearing beside the tree, his hand already gripping the kunai.

He turned back to his friends, a wide grin on his face, waiting for their reaction.

Silence.

Sasuke folded his arms. "That was… anticlimactic."

Naruto's smile faltered. "Huh? What do you mean, anticlimactic?"

"It was lame as hell, that's what I meant, definitely not worth all the pestering you subjected us to ever since you got back." Sasuke replied in a disappointed tone.

Before Naruto could protest, Hinata spoke up, her voice gentle but full of admiration. "I think it was impressive," she said softly. "That was the Fourth Hokage's jutsu, wasn't it?"

Naruto's expression brightened instantly. "Yeah! It's the Flying Raijin. My dad's jutsu." he exclaimed, his chest puffing with pride. "It means a lot to me to be able to learn it."

Hinata smiled warmly, her eyes soft. "It's incredible… Minato-sama would be very proud of you, Naruto."

Naruto's heart swelled at her words. "Thanks, Hinata," he replied, his voice filled with gratitude.

Sakura rolled her eyes, cutting through the moment. "Alright, alright lovebirds," she interjected, her tone teasing. "Can we go home now, or do you have more amazing, never-seen-before tricks up your sleeve?"

Naruto blinked, snapping out of his trance. Hinata meanwhile blushed deeply, bowing her head, her face a shade of pink.

"No way!" Naruto shook his head, refocusing. "We're not going anywhere until I beat Sasuke."

Sasuke let out a sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Why are you so bent on fighting me, Naruto? You already know how it's going to end."

Sakura nodded in agreement. "Sasuke has more experience, Naruto. It's not exactly a fair fight."

Naruto scoffed, waving off their comments. "Please, Sasuke only got his name by beating washed-up has-beens. He's a fraud."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly, his irritation clear. "Watch your mouth, Naruto. You might regret saying that."

"Or what?" Naruto challenged, stepping forward. "You'll stop pussying around and finally accept my challenge? Come on, Sasuke, your girl's watching," he teased.

Sasuke rolled his eyes, giving in. "Fine, but let's make it quick. I don't have all day."

Before the two boys could square off, Sakura stepped forward. "Actually, I don't want to watch. I'm joining too," she declared, her eyes flashing with determination.

Naruto looked her up and down, dismissing her with a wave. "That's cute but you should probably sit this one out, Sakura. The adults are talking."

Sakura rolled her eyes again, forming a series of hand seals.

[Wood Style: Wood Barrier]

With a grunt, she slammed her hands down. Thick wooden pillars erupted from the ground, forming a protective barrier around the clearing.

Naruto's jaw dropped. "Wha—how can you do that?!"

Sakura gave him a quizzical look. "I'm half-Senju. My mom's side, remember?"

Naruto blinked, still processing. "Wait… so you and Tsunade…?"

Sakura sighed, clearly frustrated by his ignorance. "Barely, but yes, Naruto. Why do you think Tsunade was so insistent on training me personally? I have the kekkei genkai." She stood straighter, placing her hands on her hips with a smug look on her face.

"First one to awaken it naturally in almost a century, since Lord First himself. Some people say I'm just lucky, but I call it…" Sakura completed her words with a confident hair flip. "... being better."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Isn't your Wood Style absolutely dogshit though?"

"Irrelevant," Sakura's response was immediate, her smirk steadfast despite his jab.

Naruto scratched his head, muttering under his breath. "I guess… I never really thought about it."

"I've told you like a million times, you just keep forgetting," Sakura groaned, her frustration beginning to show. "In fact we literally talked about it at Ichiraku yesterday!"

Naruto's mind wandered to the previous afternoon at Ichiraku, when he was having lunch with Sakura and Hinata…

"Tsunade-sama spoke with my mum yesterday," Sakura had said, twirling her noodles with her chopsticks. "Said something about making sure she put me through the freaking wall in training—like she hasn't already put me through enough masonry," Sakura had added with a sigh. "Of course my mum started yapping on about me being a future Senju clan head. Why won't she accept that it doesn't matter anymore?"

Hinata had chuckled softly. "I understand the pressure must be hard on you, Sakura."

Sakura had leaned back into her seat, briefly glancing at Naruto—who was still... occupied with something. "Naruto, we're putting all our orders on your tab, by the way."

"Uhh... Perfect," Naruto had murmured absent-mindedly, his gaze flicking to the dark haired girl seated across him.

"That's very generous of you, Naruto," Hinata had said, smiling softly at him. "Considering you eat so much usually."

Naruto had merely nodded in response, his heart pounding like a drum.

Don't look, don't look, don't—ah, I looked again…

Back in the present, Naruto rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You did, huh?"

Sasuke chuckled, a proud smile on his face. "See, idiot? You're not the only one who's been training hard over the years."

Naruto huffed, crossing his arms. "Fine! But don't think your little weeds and flowers are gonna help you here, Sakura!" he shot back, a teasing grin spreading across his face. "Let's make this interesting—a four-way free-for-all!"

Hinata immediately backed away, shaking her head. "Oh… no, I'm not sure I want to be a part of this."

Naruto pouted, stepping closer. "Aw, come on, Hinata."

Hinata smiled softly but stood her ground. "No, Naruto. I'm not in the mood today."

Sasuke nodded. "It's fine, Naruto. If Hinata doesn't feel like it, the three of us can spar."

Hinata gave Naruto a warm look. "I'll watch from the sidelines… and I'll be cheering for you, Naruto. I know you've grown a lot stronger."

Naruto's cheeks flushed a light pink, and he stammered, "Th-Thanks, Hinata. I won't let you down!"

The three shinobi moved to form a wide circle, tension rising in the air as they prepared for the spar. Sakura stretched her arms, her expression serious.

"Remember, guys, we'll be going on missions soon. This might be the last time we get to spar like this for a while."

Sasuke nodded, his eyes fixed on Naruto. "Let's make it memorable. And Naruto, try not to mess up in front of your fan."

Naruto scoffed, his grin returning. "Oh, I'm gonna enjoy beating both of you!"

And with that, the air grew tense with anticipation, the clearing buzzing with the promise of a fierce battle.

The afternoon sun cast its golden glow across the training grounds just outside the Hidden Leaf Village. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the surrounding trees, but within the clearing, a tension simmered, promising the storm to come. Naruto Uzumaki stood at one edge of the field, a broad grin stretched across his face. His bright orange jumpsuit stood in stark contrast to the greens and browns of the forest. His eyes gleamed with excitement, and his fingers twitched, already eager for action.

"Alright, you two," Naruto called out, his voice tinged with playful challenge. "Let's see what you've got! I'm not holding back."

Opposite him, Sasuke Uchiha's dark eyes narrowed, the three tomoe of his Sharingan spinning lazily as he assessed his two friends. His stance was relaxed but alert. "Don't get too cocky, idiot," Sasuke replied with a smirk. "I'm not planning on going easy, either."

Between them, Sakura Haruno stood calmly, her hands raised in a loose, defensive stance. Her vibrant pink hair was tied back, and her eyes flickered from one teammate to the other. She could feel the familiar surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins, but her face remained composed.

"Remember," she said, her voice steady and commanding, "this is a sparring match. We're here to improve, not kill each other."

She paused, turning to Sasuke. "Which means no sword for you."

Naruto chuckled. "Yeah, yeah, we know that, Sakura. But don't think I'm gonna let you have it easy just because it's you!"

Sakura's lips curled into a faint smile. "Good. I'd be insulted if you did."

With that, the tension snapped. Naruto moved first, darting forward with incredible speed, leaving a trail of dust in his wake. He formed a Rasengan in his right hand, its blue orb spinning rapidly, a whirling vortex of power.

Sasuke's Sharingan followed every movement, analyzing, predicting. He sidestepped Naruto's charge, pivoting on his heel and facing his approaching teammate.

[Chidori Senbon]

A flurry of lightning-imbued needles burst from his lightning covered hand, racing toward Naruto.

Naruto saw the attack coming and immediately flipped backward, twisting his body mid-air to dodge the lightning needles.

"Nice try, Sasuke!" he shouted, landing lightly on his feet. "But you'll need to do better than that!"

Sakura took advantage of the brief exchange. She formed a quick series of hand signs and slammed her palms to the ground.

[Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence]

Immediately, thick wooden tendrils erupted from the earth, snaking towards both Naruto and Sasuke. Sakura's Deep Forest Emergence was... underwhelming, but it was enough to get the job done—which was separating Naruto from Sasuke.

"That's it?" Naruto teased, smirking at Sakura. "Are you sure you have Wood Style or did you meanTwigStyle?"

Sasuke leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the creeping tendrils. Naruto, however, grinned and vanished instantly, reappearing behind Sasuke using Flying Raijin.

Shit!Sasuke cursed in his mind, seeing Naruto about to launch a Rasengan into his back.

[Chidori]

In the nick of time he turned, thrusting his lightning covered hand forward.

The Rasengan and Chidori met in a violent clash, energy crackling and sparking between the two shinobi. The ground beneath them cracked and split, debris flying in all directions.

Sakura watched their battle with sharp eyes, her mind working rapidly. "They're distracted... Now's my chance."

She focused intently, feeling her body surge with the potent natural energy around her. Her skin tingled as she entered Sage mode, a faint layer of acid chakra coating her body as her eyes turned pure black. Without hesitation, Sakura charged forward, her speed and strength magnified by her sage abilities.

She aimed a powerful punch at Naruto's torso, her target barely managing to flicker out of sight with Flying Raijin, landing several yards away with a surprised look on his face.

"Whoa, Sakura! What happened to you?"

Sasuke took a moment to reposition, his Sharingan catching the subtle changes in Sakura's chakra. "So, you're using Sage Mode already, huh?" he muttered. "I guess I should get serious."

He flashed through a series of hand signs, inhaling deeply.

[Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu]

A massive orb of fire exploded from his mouth, roaring toward Sakura with fierce intensity.

Sakura didn't flinch. Instead, she slammed her hand on the ground, quickly creating a wooden barrier that blocked the fireball.

Sakura caught movement at her side and noticed Naruto trying to get her while she was focused on Sasuke. "Not so fast..."

[Sage Art: Acid Breath]

She countered, releasing a corrosive mist that hissed towards Naruto from her mouth.

Shit, I need to act fast!Naruto thought, quickly placing his hands together.

[Wind Style: Breakthrough]

A gust of wind pulsed from him, intercepting Sakura's acid mist. The two attacks collided, creating a thick steam that filled the clearing, obscuring their vision. Naruto, taking advantage of the distraction, acted quickly, forming several shadow clones. "Let's see how you handle this!" he yelled.

The clones fanned out, each forming a Rasengan, and they charged toward both Sakura and Sasuke. Sasuke's eyes narrowed, and he pivoted, dispatching two clones with a Chidori Lance, the elongated spear of lightning slicing through the air.

Meanwhile, Sakura ducked and weaved, her acid-coated fists cutting through the clones like paper. She moved with fluid grace, her body a blur as she dodged and countered, her powerful punches sending clones flying with each strike.

But Naruto wasn't done. From the thick steam, he emerged again, this time with a Rasenshuriken spinning furiously in his hand. "Incoming!" he shouted, hurling it toward Sakura.

Sakura's eyes widened, but she reacted swiftly.

[Wood Style: Wood Locking Wall]

A thick wall of wood shot up in front of her, absorbing the impact of the Rasenshuriken, though the force of the explosion sent shockwaves through the area, shaking the ground beneath her feet.

She gritted her teeth.I have to finish this quickly…she thought. Channeling her energy, she charged at Sasuke, who was waiting for her with a calm, focused expression. He sidestepped her right cross and countered with a swift side kick, but his foot merely glanced off her acid-coated body, the chakra burning his skin. Sasuke hissed in pain and jumped back, but Sakura was relentless, pressing her advantage with a flurry of punches.

Sasuke dodged and weaved, using his Sharingan to predict her movements, but even he was finding it difficult to keep up. "I can't hit her…" he muttered, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "But I can stun her…"

Seeing a chance, Sasuke side-stepped a punch from his girlfriend, his Sharingan spinning as successfully landed a genjutsu on her. With a satisfied smirk, Sasuke moved in to finish her off and thin down his list of worries to just Naruto.

His smirk didn't last long. Sakura broke out of the genjutsu before Sasuke could take advantage of her immobilized state. She swung her hand at him, backhanding him across the terrain. Sasuke landed hard, skidding along the grass until he came to a stop.

"Ow, ow...that burns.." he groaned through gritted teeth, realizing her acid cloak had burnt his skin through his shirt.

At that moment, a kunai pinned itself in the ground near Sasuke, and Naruto suddenly appeared beside him, breathing heavily. "It might sound like a dirty play, but I suggest we team up on Sakura."

Sasuke hesitated for a moment, but then he nodded in agreement. "Agreed. Follow my lead."

Up in her vantage point, Hinata observed the battle, her eyes wide in amazement. "They're amazing," she said, watching on in admiration. "What are Naruto and Sasuke up to?" She wondered, noticing the two of them weren't attacking each other.

In the distance, Sakura studied them carefully, deep in thought. I won't last much longer in Sage mode, if I run out of nature energy, I'll lose my biggest advantage…

After devising a quick plan, Naruto and Sasuke moved in perfect sync. Sasuke darted in close, using his Chidori Stream to enhance his speed while Naruto launched a Rasenshuriken towards her to keep her on her toes.

"What?! You can't double-team me!" Sakura called out, enraged. "That's not fair!"

"War's never fair, Sakura!" Naruto laughed mischievously, launching a barrage of kunai marked with the Flying Raijin seal towards her.

"We're not at war, you dumbass!" Sakura yelled, dodging the kunai, but as she did, Naruto teleported directly in front of her, swinging a Rasengan at point-blank range.

Sakura raised her arms, absorbing the blow with her forearms. The Rasengan fizzled before dissolving harmlessly against her acidic aura, and she grinned in relief. "Nice try, Naruto, but you're gonna have to hit harder than that!"

Meanwhile, Sasuke was already moving, forming hand seals.

[Chidori Senbon]

His hand crackled with electricity again as it unleashed a barrage of tiny, sharp needles of lightning. Sakura spun, dodging some but taking a few hits to her side. Her acid chakra dissolved them almost instantly, but she still felt the painful electric sting, causing her to wince.

"Man, this is annoying," she muttered, her eyes darting between her foes. "Heads up!" Sakura called out, alerting them to her next move as she placed her hands together.

[Sage Art: Venom Cutter]

She took a deep breath and exhaled, sending out a high-pressure jet of acid in a sweeping arc toward both of them. The acid was held together by chakra, shooting forth at incredible speed to corrode and cut through any surface it contacted.

Naruto and Sasuke separated, dodging the venomous jet, but Sakura didn't let up. She rushed at Naruto, her fists a blur. Naruto struggled to keep up, dodging some blows but getting grazed by others. Every touch from her acid armour burned, and he could feel his energy draining.

Sasuke suddenly flickered behind Sakura, his hand crackling with electricity. "Now!" he shouted.

Understanding Sasuke's plan, Naruto grinned, using Flying Raijin to teleport to the side of Sakura. They were going to attack her at the same time.

"Gotcha!"

But Sakura was ready. She twisted her body with great speed, catching Naruto off guard with a powerful punch that sent him flying into a tree. The impact was so fierce that the trunk splintered.

In the nearby tree line, Hinata's heart skipped a beat as she watched Naruto crash into the tree. "That looked painful..." she whispered, fearing for his medical bill.

Back in the clearing, Sakura watched Naruto slice through the air triumphantly. But suddenly, she could feel her energy begin to drain as her features returned to normal.

No! I've run out of nature energy!

Eyes wide with worry, she tried to respond to Sasuke, who was still a threat. But before Sakura could catch her breath, Sasuke was upon her, moving like a shadow. His Chidori was aimed straight for her back. For a moment, Sakura felt the surge of electricity behind her, the air humming with danger.

But then… nothing.

She glanced over her shoulder and saw Sasuke standing there, his hand placed gently on her back, the Chidori dissipating harmlessly. He was smiling faintly. "Checkmate," he said softly.

Sakura blinked, surprised, and then let out a small laugh, her shoulders relaxing. "You held back at the last second," she teased. "Afraid of hurting me?"

Naruto groaned from his position against the tree. "Jeez, you two… always leaving me out of things."

He gestured at their feet, and his teammates looked down to find two of his marked kunai pinned in the ground near them.

"I had the last laugh, so I win," Naruto declared with a proud smile.

Sasuke shrugged, retracting his hand. "Let's call it a draw?"

Sakura nodded. "Agreed. We all pushed each other hard today."

Naruto stood up, brushing off the dirt and grinning. "Yeah, but next time, I'm definitely winning!"

The three friends laughed, the sound carrying through the trees. The battle had been fierce, but their bond had only grown stronger.

Naruto stood outside Sakura's house days later, rocking on his heels as he knocked loudly on the door. A few seconds later, the door swung open, revealing Mebuki Haruno with a warm smile on her face.

"Naruto! What a surprise!" Mebuki greeted, wiping her hands on her apron. "Come in, come in! Have you eaten? I made some dumplings earlier."

Naruto grinned. "Dumplings? Oh man, you're the best, Sakura's mom!"

Mebuki chuckled and led him inside, offering him a plate piled with freshly made dumplings. Naruto wasted no time stuffing his face, speaking with his mouth full.

"Thaanksh, Mish Haruno! Sakura home?"

Mebuki sighed fondly. "Yes, she's upstairs in her room. You know the way."

Naruto gave a thumbs-up, swallowing his food. "Thanks again!" He grabbed another dumpling for the road and dashed upstairs without hesitation.

Without bothering to knock, Naruto threw the door open and burst in. "Sakuraaaa!"

"Aahh!" Sakura shrieked, bolting upright from her bed. Beside her, Sasuke flinched, his Sharingan instinctively flickering for a split second before he realized it was just Naruto. Both were sitting on Sakura's bed, a book spread open between them. Sasuke's arm had been loosely draped over her shoulder before Naruto barged in.

Sasuke sighed, rubbing his temple. "Naruto... ever heard of knocking?"

Naruto blinked, then smirked as he looked between them. "Wow, wish I knocked. Seeing you two getting all cuddly like that is... vomit-inducing." He exaggeratedly gagged, nearly choking on the dumpling in his mouth. "Ugh, still not used to it."

Sakura, still recovering from the shock, rolled her eyes. "Oh, shut up, Naruto."

Sasuke sighed, shooting Naruto a flat look. "Don't you have anything better to do than barge in and ruin people's afternoons?"

Naruto grinned, waving off the remark. "Yeah, yeah. I just stopped by to see Sakura before I head out on a mission with Kakashi. Gotta escort some construction crew to one of the outer villages. Place is crawling with bandits, so they need some security."

Sakura raised an eyebrow. "An escort mission? Sounds boring."

Naruto pouted. "Come on, don't jinx it! Maybe I'll get some action!"

Sasuke leaned back against the headboard, smirking. "Don't get your hopes up. It's just gonna be long hours of standing around, watching guys hammer stuff into the ground."

"Hey, I like hammering stuff!" Naruto shot back. "Besides, gotta do my part for the village, right?" He took another bite of his dumpling, chewing thoughtfully. "Oh yeah, I stopped by your place earlier, Sasuke. Thought you'd be there, but I should've figured you'd be here instead."

Sasuke shrugged. "I practically live here now."

Sakura gave him a playful nudge. "I don't mind..."

Naruto groaned loudly. "Ugh, you guys are too much." His eyes wandered around the room, scanning the shelves and walls until something caught his eye. His chewing slowed as he stared at the large poster hanging above Sakura's bed.

"...Is that Hashirama Senju?" Naruto asked, baffled.

Sakura crossed her arms defensively. "So what if it is?"

Naruto burst out laughing. "Oh man, Sakura, you grew up with posters of Hashirama Senju on your wall? Obsessed much?" He wiped a fake tear from his eye. "Get off your knees for once!"

Sakura turned bright red. "Watch your mouth, Naruto!"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow at the poster, then glanced at Sakura. "Really?"

"Shut up!" Sakura snapped, turning away to hide her embarrassment. "I admire him, okay? He's a legendary shinobi!"

Naruto snickered. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, Sakura." He turned to leave, but Sakura quickly grabbed his sleeve, lowering her voice. "Hey, Naruto... did you tell her yet?"

Naruto blinked, confused. "Huh? Who?"

Sakura sighed, rolling her eyes. "Hinata, dummy. Does she know you're leaving?"

Naruto instantly went red, scratching the back of his head nervously. "I-I was gonna tell her later."

Sasuke glanced between them, frowning. "What's going on?"

"Nothing!" Sakura said quickly. She turned back to Naruto, whispering, "You should tell her. She's gonna miss you, you know."

Naruto laughed awkwardly. "I dunno, Sakura... I mean, would she really?"

Sakura gave him a deadpan look. "Naruto. She practically looks at you like you're the sun. Go see her before you leave."

Naruto sighed but grinned. "Alright, alright. I'll swing by her place on my way out. Happy?"

Sakura smiled. "Very."

Naruto turned to Sasuke, pointing a finger at him. "Take care of things while I'm gone, yeah? Keep an eye on Sakura. Make sure she doesn't put up more weird posters."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Don't die of boredom out there."

Naruto grinned, making his way out of the room. "Oh, and uh... I'm grabbing more dumplings before I go!"

Sakura groaned. "Just go already!"

As Naruto jogged down the stairs, stuffing more dumplings into his mouth, Mebuki called out, "Leaving so soon? Take care, Naruto!"

"Will do, Miss Haruno!" Naruto called back, waving as he stepped outside. He took a deep breath, looking down the street in the direction of Hinata's house. "Guess I better stop by..."

With a grin, he dashed off towards Kurenai's, already thinking about what he was going to say.

The midday sun cast a warm glow over Kurenai's home, nestled quietly in the heart of Konoha. In the small, well-kept garden outside, two figures were tending to the vibrant array of flowers—Kurenai, kneeling by a bed of daisies with a watering can in hand, and Hinata, her hands gently brushing over the delicate petals of sunflowers as she carefully pruned them.

Naruto approached, hands in his pockets, a casual smile on his face. "Yo, Kurenai-sensei!" he called out cheerfully.

Kurenai looked up from her flowers, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Ah, Naruto," she greeted politely, though her eyes held a trace of wariness.

"What brings you here?"

Naruto's gaze flickered to Hinata, who was still kneeling among the flowers, her dark eyes peeking at him shyly from behind a sunflower. "I uh… wanted to talk to Hinata," he admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.

Hinata blinked, her eyes widening a fraction before she quickly composed herself. She stole a glance at Kurenai, who arched a brow but gave a small nod. "Hinata," Kurenai called, standing up and dusting off her knees. "Naruto wants to speak with you."

Hinata hesitated for a moment before standing gracefully, wiping the dirt from her hands on her apron. "Oh, um… sure," she murmured softly, approaching Naruto with an expectant yet gentle smile.

Kurenai returned to tending her flowers, though she remained within earshot, subtly keeping an eye on the interaction.

Naruto rocked on his heels, a little nervous but covering it with his usual grin. "So, uh, I'm heading out on a mission soon," he began, crossing his arms. "Thought I'd let you know."

Hinata's smile softened, and she clasped her hands together. "I see. I hope your mission goes well, Naruto," she said sincerely.

Naruto scratched his cheek, feeling a pleasant warmth at the way she said his name. "Yeah, thanks! It's just a small escort job, nothing too crazy."

He glanced down at the small spade in her hand. "Uh… so, gardening, huh?" he asked curiously. "You always liked flowers?"

Hinata nodded, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Yes, I find it… calming." Her fingers traced the edge of a sunflower gently. "It helps me focus."

Naruto crouched down beside her, examining the flowers with newfound interest. "Huh. You really take care of these, huh?" he said, a little impressed. "I guess it's kinda like training, right? You gotta be patient."

Hinata giggled softly, the sound making Naruto's chest tighten. "In a way, yes," she agreed. "Flowers need time, care, and the right environment to grow."

She plucked a fully bloomed sunflower and held it out to him. "This one is my favorite."

Naruto took it, looking at the bright yellow petals. Without thinking, he tucked it behind his ear, striking a ridiculous pose. "How do I look?" he joked, grinning widely.

Hinata laughed, covering her mouth with her hands. "Y-You look… very nice," she said between giggles, her cheeks tinged with the faintest pink.

Naruto felt his heart flip at the sight of her laughing. It was rare to see her like this—so open, so unguarded. He swallowed, suddenly recalling what Sakura had said earlier about Hinata possibly missing him while he was gone. Maybe… maybe there was something to that? His train of thought derailed, and he found himself staring at her a little too long, forgetting what he was about to say.

Hinata tilted her head curiously. "Naruto?"

Snapping out of it, he blurted out, "Hey, uh—when I get back, I'll bring you something cool, okay?"

Hinata's eyes widened, clearly surprised. "Oh! You don't have to—"

"Nope! I insist!" Naruto grinned, crossing his arms proudly. "Think of it as a good-luck gift!"

Hinata pressed her fingers together, a pleased expression blooming on her face. "Then… I'll look forward to it," she said softly, her gaze lingering on him a little longer than usual.

Naruto felt an odd sense of satisfaction at her words. "Cool! Well, I should get going." He gave her a thumbs-up. "See ya, Hinata!"

"Goodbye, Naruto," Hinata said, her voice carrying a hint of something warm and hopeful.

As Naruto walked off, he glanced over his shoulder once, catching her still watching him. He grinned to himself, feeling inexplicably lighthearted.

Meanwhile, Kurenai, who had been pretending to fuss over a patch of violets, frowned slightly. Hinata was smiling too much, and that was… troubling. Her student's reserved nature didn't typically allow for such open displays of emotion. And she knew exactly who to blame—Naruto Uzumaki, the reckless, headstrong student of Jiraiya.

Degenerate spawn, she called the notorious Sage. Though these days, she suspected his student, Naruto was edging closer and closer to being worthy of such a moniker himself.

Kurenai sighed, shaking her head. "I'll have to keep an eye on this," she muttered to herself.

Hinata, still holding the sunflower in her hands, approached Kurenai and knelt beside her to resume gardening. The faint smile lingered on her lips, and despite Kurenai's suspicion, she decided not to bring it up—at least, not yet.

For now, she let Hinata enjoy her happiness.

Inside a dimly lit chamber within an ancient temple, the flickering candlelight casting shadows along the walls, illuminating the intricate carvings of an old goddess—forgotten, forsaken, and silent. The faint scent of burning incense hung heavy in the air.

Nagato Uzumaki sat in a high-backed wooden chair, his red hair falling around his pale face as he thumbed through the worn pages of an ancient book. His eyes, deep and unreadable, scanned each line with silent reverence. The words were old, the language older, yet their meaning weighed heavily on his soul.

The rhythmic sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the corridor outside. Without looking up, Nagato turned a page, his voice calm yet expectant.

"Pain," he acknowledged.

The towering figure stepped forward, his presence commanding, his Rinnegan eyes locking onto Nagato with unwavering intensity. His orange hair barely moved in the still air, and his expression remained impassive.

"Nagato," Pain greeted, his voice as cold and measured as ever.

Nagato closed the book gently and set it aside on a small, ornate table. "What news do you bring?"

Pain took another step closer, his hands clasped behind his back. "Orochimaru has provided reliable intelligence. The jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails—Naruto Uzumaki—is leaving the safety of Konoha."

Nagato's gaze sharpened, and he leaned forward slightly. "Leaving?"

Pain nodded. "A mission will take him to a distant outer village, away from his stronghold. This may be our best opportunity to capture him without unnecessary complications."

Nagato sat back, exhaling softly. "He won't be traveling alone," he mused. "Even outside Konoha, he will be heavily guarded. If we fail now, Konoha will be forced to respond in kind." He fixed Pain with a knowing look. "A direct assault on Konoha is not yet an option. We must avoid drawing too much attention."

Pain inclined his head slightly. "Agreed. That is why I have chosen our agents carefully." His expression remained unreadable as he continued, "Kisame and Orochimaru will carry out the capture. They will strike when Naruto reaches his mission's farthest point, isolated from reinforcements."

Nagato closed his eyes briefly, contemplating the plan. "Kisame is a formidable force in battle, and Orochimaru's cunning knows no bounds." He paused. "But they must understand... failure is unacceptable."

Pain's eyes darkened. "They understand."

Silence stretched between them for a moment before Pain added, "This opportunity aligns with our other objective—the Two-Tails. The capture of both jinchuriki will set the stage for the final phase."

Nagato's gaze drifted towards the ornate mirror mounted on the wall. He raised a hand, his fingers tracing a silent pattern in the air. The mirror shimmered, and a spectral image flickered to life—an ominous, towering form standing against the void.

The Gedo Statue.

Pain's eyes narrowed. "It's stirring."

Nagato's voice was low, almost reverent. "It responds to the Tenseigan."

Pain's brow furrowed. "The Tenseigan?"

Nagato gave a slow, deliberate nod. "Yes. It has been reborn in our world." He gestured to the Gedo Statue's closed eyes, noting how one had cracked open slightly, a sliver of malevolent light seeping through. "Do you see? The eyes of the beast are awakening. The presence of the Divine Matron grows stronger."

Pain was silent, absorbing the gravity of the revelation. "Then it's true... the legend speaks of the Tenseigan and the Ten-Tails as two halves of the same whole."

Nagato clasped his hands together, his voice laced with conviction. "Indeed. When the Tenseigan fully awakens, the Divine Matron will seek it. She will come." His eyes flickered with a distant fire. "And with her arrival, salvation will follow."

Pain's voice was thoughtful, but tinged with uncertainty. "Can we locate the Tenseigan now?"

Nagato's expression hardened. "No. It remains hidden from us... but we do not need to. The Ten-Tails will act as a beacon. Once it is revived, the Divine Matron will have no choice but to call out to it." He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with fervor. "Our task is simple. Ensure the revival of the beast, and the rightful owner will take her throne."

Pain's voice was steady, unwavering. "And guide this world to its destined glory, under her watch."

Nagato smiled faintly. "Exactly. It is only a matter of time."

The flames of the candles flickered wildly, as if in response to their whispered plans. The shadows cast by the towering statues in the temple seemed to deepen, stretching across the room like silent watchers of an impending fate.

Pain turned away first, his voice low. "I will oversee the preparations. The next phase begins now."

Nagato watched him go, his gaze drifting back to the image of the Gedo Statue in the mirror. His fingers unconsciously curled into a fist. "The Divine Matron... the dawn of a new era."

Naruto trudged alongside Kakashi, arms folded behind his head, his face scrunched in boredom.

They had just finished another patrol around the perimeter of a newly constructed outpost, and, to no one's surprise, they had found absolutely nothing. No rogue shinobi, no bandits, not even a stray cat to chase. Naruto groaned loudly, breaking the comfortable silence.

"Man, I'm starving!" he whined, kicking a stray pebble down the dirt road.

Kakashi sighed without looking up from his book. "Naruto, you're always hungry."

"I've told you like a million times already," Naruto shot back. "My metabolism's through the roof because of Kurama, remember? Jinchuriki perk... or curse, depending on how you look at it."

Kakashi's eyes flicked over to him, unimpressed. "I'm starting to think you're just making excuses to eat more food."

Naruto gasped in mock offense. "Hey! I'm a growing boy!"

Kakashi let out an exaggerated sigh, snapping his book shut. "Fine. Go grab something to eat. But don't wander too far. The construction team is relocating soon, and I don't want to hear another speech about your stomach distracting you from the mission."

"Yes, sir!" Naruto grinned, throwing a lazy salute before dashing off towards a nearby teahouse he'd spotted earlier.

The small teahouse had a cozy, rustic feel to it, with wooden tables and soft paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling. The faint aroma of tea and freshly baked rice cakes filled the air, making Naruto's stomach rumble louder than before. He walked up to the counter, flashing his signature grin at the waitress—a young woman around his age who looked flustered at his attention.

In small villages like this, shinobi were a rare sight. People spoke in whispers about the fabled mercenaries who could harness the elements and achieve the unimaginable. Throughout the mission so far, Naruto and his team had been the object of attention in the village, drawing curious gazes from both the old and young alike.

And Naruto loved every second of it.

"Hey there," he said, leaning on the counter with an easygoing smile. "I'm a little new around here. Any recommendations for a hungryshinobilike myself?"

The waitress blushed slightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "W-Well... our rice balls are pretty popular among you shinobi, and the ice tea is a house favorite."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Rice balls and ice tea? Sounds like a solid choice. Y'know, working all these high-stakes missions makes a guyreallyappreciate a good meal. No big deal or anything, just keeping the village safe, you know how it is..."

The waitress giggled nervously, not sure how to respond. Naruto picked up the menu and scanned it, but before he could decide, a smooth, wiry voice interrupted him from the side.

"I suggest the mint tea," the voice drawled. "It's the best option they have here."

Naruto blinked and lowered the menu, glancing at the table beside him. His eyes locked onto a pale man dressed in dark robes, long black hair framing his eerily composed face. The man's golden, snake-like eyes seemed to study Naruto with unsettling interest.

Next to him sat a towering man, shark-like features pronounced even in the dim light, with gills on his cheeks and a massive sword wrapped in bandages propped against the table.

Naruto frowned. "Uh... thanks, I guess?" He eyed the shark-looking man suspiciously. "What about you, Fish Legs? Got any recommendations?"

The tall man, Kisame, let out a deep chuckle. "Fish Legs, huh? That's a new one. Sorry to disappoint, but I'm more into sake than tea."

Naruto cocked his head. "You guys from around here?"

Orochimaru smirked slightly. "Not exactly."

Kisame leaned in, resting his chin on his hand. "We're just a couple of guys chasing a paycheck, same as you."

Naruto squinted. "So... you're with the construction company?"

"Not quite," Orochimaru said smoothly, his lips curling into a faint smirk.

Naruto's eyes darted to Kisame's massive sword. "You're shinobi then, huh?"

Orochimaru gave a noncommittal shrug. "That's one way to put it, but bounty hunters would be more accurate."

Kisame tapped the handle of Samehada lightly, the motion sending a shiver up Naruto's spine. "In fact, we're here for a target right now." He grinned, flashing his rows of sharp teeth. "And what luck, the target walked right to us."

The atmosphere in the teahouse shifted in an instant.

The waitress, sensing the tension, quietly slipped away into the back. Naruto's expression darkened as his hand hovered over his kunai holster. His heart pounded, but his face remained carefully neutral.

"Heh," Naruto chuckled, masking his tension. "Guess that means I should leave, huh?"

Before they could respond, Naruto made his move. In a flash, he tossed a marked kunai at the ceiling and teleported above them, Rasengan forming in his palm.

[Massive Rasengan]

With a roar, he drove it down at Kisame, but before it could connect, Samehada unwrapped itself anddevouredthe chakra in an instant. The Rasengan fizzled out, leaving Naruto stunned mid-air.

"What the—?!"

In an instant, Kisame swung his sword again, Samehada extending toward him. Naruto threw another kunai to teleport away, but the sword greedily drained his chakra, yanking him back down to the ground with a grunt. He landed roughly, panting as the reality of the situation settled in.

Kisame chuckled darkly. "Nice try, Yellow Flash Junior."

Orochimaru leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh, don't struggle, Naruto-kun. You're coming with us."

Naruto clenched his fists, forcing himself to focus. "Over my dead body."

Orochimaru's smile widened. "That can be arranged."

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the training field as the day wound down. Hinata stood beside Neji, her breath steady but her muscles aching pleasantly from their sparring session. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of grass and the distant chirping of crickets preparing for nightfall.

"You've improved, Hinata," Neji said, his voice calm yet carrying the subtle warmth he reserved for her alone. "Your footwork has become more precise."

Hinata smiled, brushing a few strands of hair from her damp forehead. "I had a good teacher," she replied softly, earning a small chuckle from Neji.

They walked side by side along the dirt path leading away from the field, the remnants of their sparring evident in the slight scuff marks on their clothes. The silence between them was comfortable, punctuated only by the rustling of the leaves overhead.

Hinata reached into her pocket and carefully pulled out a small, delicately adorned hairpin. Tiny flowers decorated its surface, each petal crafted with meticulous detail. She held it out to Neji with a hopeful look in her eyes.

"Could you give this to Hanabi for me?" she asked. "I thought it would suit her."

Neji took the hairpin, examining it with a rare, gentle smile. "She'll love it," he said confidently, tucking it safely into his sleeve. "She always appreciates the things you make for her."

Hinata's lips curled into a soft smile of relief. "Thank you, Neji."

They soon reached their crossroads—Neji heading toward the Hyuuga compound, Hinata turning toward Kurenai's home. He glanced at her one last time.

"Don't overwork yourself, Hinata. Even with your... talents, rest is just as important as training."

Hinata gave him a reassuring nod. "I'll be fine. See you tomorrow?"

"Of course," Neji replied before heading off, his silhouette soon disappearing into the evening haze.

Hinata sighed, watching him go before continuing her way home, feeling a sense of warmth in her chest.

Later that evening…

The soft clinking of chopsticks echoed through the small dining room as Kurenai sipped her tea, her crimson eyes focused intently on Hinata across the table. The warm aroma of their dinner filled the air, a simple but comforting meal of rice, grilled fish, and vegetables.

"I swear, Tsunade-sama nearly threw a sake bottle at Shizune today," Kurenai said with an amused smirk. "Apparently, the paperwork pile just keeps growing no matter how much they finish. You'd think the Hokage would have developed some sort of jutsu to deal with it by now."

Hinata smiled politely, listening intently as she took a sip from her glass of water. "Maybe Shizune-san should learn the Shadow Clone jutsu."

Kurenai chuckled. "True, but imagine the disaster that would be."

Hinata let out a soft laugh, raising her glass to take another sip—

Suddenly, her entire world shifted.

A jolt of somethingwrongshot through her body like ice water, freezing her mid-drink. Her grip on the glass tightened as an onslaught of unfamiliar memories crashed into her mind.

A woman—someone Hinata had never seen before. Blonde hair, fierce eyes, a kunoichi from Kumo. Yugito Nii, the Two-tails jinchuriki.

Hinata's breathing hitched, her dark eyes widening in shock as she saw through the woman's eyes—

Two figures in dark cloaks adorned with red clouds stood before her, one wielding a wicked, blood-stained scythe, the other radiating an eerie, emotionless presence.

And then there was Pain.

Unbearable, soul-wrenching pain. Yugito's body lay motionless beneath her, the dreadful sensation of her very essence being sucked away by an enormous statue with multiple eyes.

Hinata gasped, choking violently on her water as she clutched her chest. The glass slipped from her hand, shattering against the table.

Kurenai was on her feet instantly. "Hinata!"

Hinata clutched the edge of the table, her chest heaving as she coughed violently, trying to clear the water from her throat. Her eyes were wide, staring blankly ahead in shock, her pale hands shaking. The room spun, reality flickering between what was and what wasn't.

"Wh-what...?" Hinata gasped, feeling her pulse racing in her ears.

Kurenai was by her side in an instant, steadying her with firm hands. "What happened? Are you okay?!"

"I... I don't know," Hinata stammered, trying to calm her ragged breathing. Her hands pressed against her chest, feeling the erratic thump of her heart.

Kurenai's expression was tight with worry. "Hinata, this isn't normal. We're going to the hospital."

"No, it's fine," Hinata insisted weakly, swallowing against the lingering sensation of pain that wasn't her own. "I think... I just pushed myself too hard training today."

Kurenai narrowed her eyes. "Hinata."

Hinata forced a smile, though the fear lurking beneath it was evident. "Really, sensei. I'm okay now."

But Kurenai wasn't convinced. "You collapsed, Hinata. That's not something I can ignore. We're going—end of discussion."

Hinata sighed, realizing she wouldn't win against Kurenai's stubbornness. "Alright..."

As they stepped out into the cool night air, Hinata's thoughts swirled in turmoil.

Those memories—

She didn't know who that woman was, but she felt everything as if she had lived it herself. It wasn't a genjutsu. It wasn't an illusion.

Something inside her had changed.

And she was terrified to find out what it meant.