Kurenai hurried through the hallways of the Hokage's office, her steps echoing loudly against the wooden floor. The sudden summons from Tsunade had caught her off guard, and her mind was racing with thoughts, questions piling up with each step she took.

"What happened? Why call me so urgently?" Her heart pounded in her chest, a sense of dread creeping into her veins. She reached the door to Tsunade's office, pausing for a brief moment before pushing it open.

Inside, the room was filled with tension. Kurenai's eyes quickly scanned the room, noting the presence of several high-ranking officials. Kakashi was there, standing stiffly by the window, his face unusually grim. Team Asuma was present, but something was wrong—Ino was sitting on a chair, her face buried in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably. Shikamaru was by her side, speaking to her in low tones, his own expression strained with worry. Guy stood near the doorway, his arms folded, a deep frown etched into his usually enthusiastic face.

Kurenai's heart sank further as she took in the scene. "What happened?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Tsunade, standing behind her desk, looked at Kurenai with a heavy expression, one that spoke of a burden she did not wish to carry. "Kurenai… please, take a seat," she said softly.

Kurenai hesitated but nodded, her movements cautious as she stepped forward and sank slowly into the chair opposite Tsunade. A cold, creeping fear was starting to settle in her stomach. She could feel her hands trembling slightly, and she clasped them tightly together to keep them still. "Why was I summoned?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Tsunade took a deep breath, glancing toward Kakashi, who had remained silent up until now. She gave him a small nod, urging him to speak.

Kakashi turned to face Kurenai, his eye dull and filled with sorrow. "Kurenai… it's about Asuma," he began, his voice thick with emotion.

Kurenai's eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat. "What… what about Asuma?" she managed to say, her voice shaky, the words catching in her throat.

Kakashi hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor as if the weight of what he was about to say was too heavy to bear. "We were on a mission… an ambush to intercept suspected Akatsuki members…" He paused, swallowing hard, his visible eye closing for a moment as if gathering strength.

Kurenai's breath hitched, a sudden, sharp pain gripping her chest. "No… no, Kakashi, just… just tell me," she pleaded, her voice barely holding together, as fear gripped her heart tighter.

Kakashi's gaze met hers, and she saw the anguish there. "Kurenai… Asuma didn't make it."

The words hit her like a blow, and for a moment, she felt as though the ground had been ripped out from beneath her feet. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out. She could feel her breath catching, her mind refusing to process what she was hearing.

"No," she whispered, her voice faint, barely a breath. "No… that can't be…"

Tsunade's expression softened further, her eyes filled with sympathy. "Kurenai, I'm so sorry…"

Kurenai shook her head, trying to find her voice, her eyes darting between Tsunade and Kakashi. "This… this isn't real," she whispered. "It can't be… not Asuma… not him…"

Shikamaru looked up from where he was sitting next to Ino, his eyes red-rimmed, his face filled with a deep, quiet grief. "Kurenai-sensei… it… it happened so fast…"

Ino's sobs grew louder, her shoulders shaking as she leaned further into Shikamaru. "He… he saved us," she choked out between her tears. "He… he protected us…"

Kurenai's mind spun, a dizzying whirl of disbelief and horror. She felt her chest tighten, the air around her thick and suffocating. "No… no, this has to be a mistake…" she whispered, her hands gripping the edges of the chair so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

Kakashi's voice was low, almost a whisper. "Kurenai… I'm sorry. I… I wish there was more I could say."

Kurenai felt the tears welling up in her eyes, her vision blurring as the reality of what Kakashi was saying began to settle into her mind like a jagged shard of glass. "But… how… why…?" She struggled to find the words, her voice breaking.

Tsunade sighed deeply, her face heavy with regret. "I know this is hard to hear, Kurenai… but we need to discuss what happens next. For now… please, just take a moment."

Kurenai couldn't respond, couldn't even nod. Her heart felt like it was breaking in two, a cold numbness spreading through her entire body. She sat there, staring ahead, her mouth open slightly, but no words would come. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess, a series of denials and disbelieving questions that had no answers.

As the room around her buzzed with quiet murmurs and soft sobs, Kurenai felt like she was trapped in a nightmare, unable to wake up. The news hung in the air like a thick, oppressive fog, and she sat there, speechless, unable to comprehend the weight of what she was about to hear.

Tsunade sat at her desk, her brow furrowed in concentration, as she scanned the reports laid out before her. The last few days had been chaotic, and the toll weighed heavily on her shoulders. Asuma's death and Choji's critical condition were fresh wounds for Konoha. She looked up as the door creaked open. Kakashi and Kurenai entered, their faces set with grim determination.

"Kakashi, Kurenai," Tsunade began, her tone formal, "Thank you for coming. We need to discuss the Akatsuki threat."

Kakashi nodded, stepping forward. "We tried to engage them, but they were... formidable," he said, his voice calm but tinged with frustration.

Kurenai's expression darkened. "Formidable is an understatement," she muttered. "They killed Asuma, and Choji is still in critical condition… We can't let this go unanswered."

Tsunade nodded. "I agree. That's why we need to eliminate them in a decisive battle." She paused, glancing at the two Jonin. "The Akatsuki cultists—Deidara, Hidan, and Kakuzu—are being tracked by our shinobi as we speak. They are extremely dangerous. If we don't act swiftly, Naruto could be at risk."

Kurenai's hands clenched into fists at her sides, her jaw set. "I'm ready. More than anything, I want to be part of this mission."

Tsunade's eyes narrowed slightly, watching Kurenai's demeanor. "Are you sure about this, Kurenai?" she asked quietly. "Your emotions are running high… I need to know you can handle this."

Kurenai's eyes flashed with determination. "I'm sure," she replied firmly. "I need to do this. For Asuma."

Tsunade held her gaze for a moment longer before nodding slowly.'I hope you won't let your emotions cloud your judgment,'she thought, feeling a pang of worry. "Alright," she said aloud. "Kakashi, any thoughts?"

Kakashi hesitated before speaking. "I think Naruto should stay behind on this mission," he suggested. "Endangering him might not be a good idea, considering the Akatsuki's goals."

Tsunade sighed deeply, shaking her head. "Naruto is a shinobi like any other. He has the right to fight and defend his village."

Kakashi seemed ready to protest but held back, giving a slight nod. "Understood."

Tsunade looked at both of them, her expression firm. "Gather your teams and head to the western gate. We move out immediately."

They both nodded, determination etched on their faces, and turned to leave.

At the western gate, the tension was palpable. The assembled shinobi—Team 7, Ino, Shikamaru, Kakashi, Kurenai, and Hinata—stood ready, though nervousness was evident in their postures. For many, this would be their first real encounter with the Akatsuki.

Hinata approached Kurenai quietly. "Kurenai-sensei," she began, her voice soft but steady, "I… I just wanted to say… I'm sorry for what happened. Asuma-sensei… he was a great man."

Kurenai's eyes softened for a brief moment, but her expression remained determined. "Thank you, Hinata," she replied, her voice tight. "But now is not the time for sympathy. I need to focus… We all do."

Hinata nodded. "I understand… But please, if there's anything I can do—"

"There is," Kurenai cut in, her voice suddenly sharp. "Stay focused. Stay alive. That's all I ask."

Hinata blinked, then nodded more firmly. "I will, Kurenai-sensei."

Nearby, Sasuke and Naruto were seated together, a few feet away from the rest of the group. Naruto's head was lowered, his face clouded with sadness. Sasuke glanced over at him. "Naruto, you need to focus," he said bluntly. "We're not going to bring down the Akatsuki if you're lost in thought."

Naruto sighed. "I know… I just… I feel like it's my fault. If they're targeting me, then… then all of you are in danger because of me."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "That's not how it works," he said. "We're a team, Naruto. We protect each other. None of us regret standing up to defend you. You're our comrade. That's what we do."

Naruto looked up, his blue eyes searching Sasuke's face for any sign of doubt. "You mean that?"

"Of course I do," Sasuke replied firmly. "We're going to fight, and we're going to win. For Asuma, for the village, and for each other."

Naruto nodded slowly, feeling a sense of resolve building inside him. "Yeah… You're right. We've got to defend the village. Defend each other."

Kakashi's voice cut through the tension. "Everyone, gather up!" he called out, stepping forward. "We need to go over the mission details before we head out."

The group assembled quickly, forming a tight circle around Kakashi. His expression was serious, his tone commanding. "Alright, listen up. Our targets are the Akatsuki members Deidara, Hidan, and Kakuzu. They're formidable opponents, and they won't hesitate to kill."

Kurenai's voice was steady as she spoke. "We strike fast, and we strike hard. No hesitation."

Kakashi nodded in agreement. "Right. Our primary goal is to neutralize them before they can cause any more damage or reach Naruto. This is a mission of elimination. Stay focused, work together, and watch each other's backs."

Shikamaru spoke up, his voice tense but clear. "We're ready, Kakashi-sensei. Asuma's death… it won't be in vain."

Ino, still red-eyed from crying, nodded beside him, determination in her gaze. "We're going to finish this. For him."

Hinata gave a firm nod. "We won't let them win."

Kakashi looked around the group, a small sense of pride swelling in his chest. "Good. Let's move out. We've got a village to protect and enemies to eliminate."

The team nodded in unison, and they began to head out, the western gate creaking open to reveal the forest beyond. The mood was tense, but each shinobi was resolute, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

The dense canopy of the forest stretched above them, sunlight filtering through in erratic patches, dancing across the ground as the leaves rustled. Three figures moved swiftly among the shadows, their cloaks flaring with each step. Deidara, his blond hair hanging over his left eye, let out an exaggerated sigh.

"This is so boring, yeah…" Deidara muttered, kicking a loose rock as he walked. "Why do we always get the lame assignments?"

"Shut up," Kakuzu snapped, his tone curt and commanding. "If you have time to complain, you have time to keep your eyes open."

Hidan swung his triple-bladed scythe lazily through the air, grinning. "Nah, I think Deidara's got a point. We must be getting close to Konoha. I'm looking forward to more Leaf shinobi showing up to 'welcome' us," he said, his smile widening. "Maybe they'll send some more with big bounties, like that one guy. What was his name? Oh yeah, Asuma."

Deidara scoffed, rolling his eye. "You mean the guy we just took care of, huh? You know, you two didn't even give me my fair cut for that one."

Kakuzu's eyes narrowed beneath his mask. "That's because you were useless," he snapped, his voice low and threatening. "You didn't do anything."

Deidara's mouth fell open, indignant. "Useless? Are you kidding me, hm? Scouting is just as important as any other job! Just because you don't—"

Kakuzu cut him off with a glare sharp enough to slice through steel. "If you yap about your 'art' one more time, I'll take your heart and add it to my collection."

Deidara crossed his arms, grumbling to himself. "Sasori would never have threatened me like that… you're too mean, hm…"

Hidan threw his head back and laughed. "Art is a meaningless aspect of life. In the end, we're all gonna die, so who cares?"

Deidara glared at Hidan. "That's a stupid way to look at life, hmm. Art is eternal! It's a lasting explosion that transcends—"

"Oh, shut it, blondie," Hidan interrupted, waving a hand dismissively as he continued to walk ahead, still grinning. "Your 'eternal art' is nothing compared to—" He suddenly stopped, realizing that Kakuzu and Deidara were no longer beside him. "Huh?"

Hidan looked around, puzzled. The trees seemed to twist and warp, their trunks melting and bending like liquid. "What the hell?" he muttered, swinging his scythe defensively.

He tried to move, but his feet were suddenly bound to the ground. He looked down in shock, seeing the earth itself rising up, snaking around his ankles. "A genjutsu…?" he snarled, realizing he had been caught in an illusion. He tried to focus, to break free, but the world around him continued to distort.

A tree branch above him moved, lowering itself like a snake. It twisted and transformed, slowly taking the shape of a figure—Kurenai. Her red eyes were locked onto his, her expression calm and determined.

Before he could react, Kurenai lunged at him, her kunai flashing toward his throat. Hidan's eyes widened, and he struggled to free himself. But just as the blade was about to meet his skin, a sudden explosion of light and smoke erupted beside them.

Deidara, from a distance, had thrown a small clay bird toward Kurenai. "Don't forget about me, hm!" he shouted. The explosion disrupted the genjutsu, and Hidan stumbled backward, blinking rapidly as the illusion dissolved.

Hidan glanced around, his breath coming in short, angry bursts. "What the hell just happened?"

Deidara smirked, brushing his hair back. "You were caught in a genjutsu, idiot. I saved you. You're welcome, hm. Now stay alert—we're under attack."

Hidan frowned and looked around, noticing Kakuzu was nowhere to be seen. "Where's Kakuzu?"

Deidara's grin faded, and his tone became serious. "Isolated. They've separated us," he said, his single eye scanning the trees around them.

High above, hidden among the branches, Kakashi whispered into his radio, "Now. Move in. It's time."

He dropped silently from the tree, landing in a crouch. Naruto and Hinata emerged beside him, each ready to engage. "Kurenai got Kakuzu in a genjutsu," Kakashi continued, "But he won't stay trapped for long. We need to move fast."

Meanwhile, not too far away, Kurenai looked over at Sakura, who nodded in understanding. "Let's separate them," Kurenai whispered. "We need to take them down one by one."

Sakura's hands formed a quick series of seals.

[Wood Style: Triple Barricade]

She placed her hands together, and thick vines burst from the ground, forming a dense, prickly barrier that snaked between the trees, effectively separating Hidan from Deidara.

Deidara's face twisted in annoyance. "Oh, come on, hm! This is so not fair!" he shouted, forming a clay bird in his hand.

Hidan scowled, swinging his scythe to test the barrier. "Guess they don't want us teaming up. Fine by me, I prefer one-on-one!" He grinned, his bloodthirst evident.

Kurenai, Ino, and Shikamaru moved in on Hidan. Shikamaru's shadow crept forward, snaking through the underbrush toward Hidan's feet. "We've got you now," Shikamaru muttered.

Deidara, now facing Sasuke and Sakura, laughed as he prepared to attack. "You again, Uchiha? alright, let's see if you appreciate true art, hm!" he shouted, molding the clay into several small explosive figures.

Sakura cracked her knuckles, a determined look on her face. "You'll find out soon enough!" she replied.

Sasuke Uchiha's Sharingan spun to life, his crimson eyes narrowing to catch every flicker of movement from their enemy, Deidara. The rogue artist hovered above them on his clay bird, a smirk etched into his face as his hand mouths munched hungrily on more explosive clay. Sasuke could feel the pulsing chakra building up in Deidara's bombs, each one a ticking clock that could blow them apart in an instant.

"Sasuke, incoming from the left!" Sakura's voice was sharp, a stark contrast to the way she usually spoke to him. She was in full battle mode now, her Slug Sage Mode activated.

Her body was covered in the faint glow of her Acid Release Chakra Cloak, a swirling mist of green energy that hissed and whenever a stray piece of debris touched it.

Deidara released a squadron of clay birds toward them, small but deadly, each one capable of blasting them to pieces.

"Right," Sasuke muttered, his hands forming a quick series of seals. "I'll handle the bombs. Cover me."

Sakura nodded, her eyes focused as she darted forward with blinding speed. Sasuke ran alongside her, weaving through the incoming projectiles.

[Chidori Senbon]

With a flick of his wrist, he scattered lightning-infused needles that tore through the clay birds, neutralising them mid-air.

But Deidara was relentless, sending wave after wave of clay creations at them, the explosions growing louder and more ferocious.

"He's stalling us," Sasuke grunted, dodging a blast that sent a shower of rocks cascading down. "Trying to wear us out."

"Not happening," Sakura shot back, her voice a low growl. She leaped, taking a deep breath as she spun in mid-air.

[Sage Art: Venom Cutter]

The jet of venom sliced through a trio of incoming birds, dissolving them into nothingness. But Deidara's laugh echoed above them.

"Impressive, but you'll have to do better than that, little girl!" Deidara taunted, hands moving as his clay bird ascended higher into the sky. He conjured a new creation — a C2 Dragon that hovered over them like a dark omen. "Let's see you dance around this!"

The dragon's maw opened, and from it poured a barrage of explosive clay missiles. Sasuke felt the tremor in his bones as the missiles hurtled toward them, leaving trails of smoke and ash in their wake.

"Sakura, stay close to me!" Sasuke shouted, forming handseals.

[Chidori Stream]

Lightning crackled from his body, waves of electrical energy spreading across the ground like a net, disabling the clay bombs in its path. Sasuke carefully manipulated the energy to avoid Sakura, who took shelter behind his form.

But Deidara didn't give them time to recover. His dragon was already forming more projectiles, raining destruction from above.

"Scatter!" Sasuke shouted. In a blur, him and Sakura flickered out of the path of a particularly large missile, the explosion sending chunks of earth scattering from the point of impact.

"We need to ground him," Sakura hissed, sliding next to Sasuke. "He's got the advantage up there."

Sasuke nodded, his mind working quickly. "I'll bait him down. You set the trap. Ready?"

"Always," Sakura replied, a fierce determination burning in her eyes.

Sasuke shot forward like a streak of lightning, weaving through the onslaught of explosions.

He leaped high into the air, his Chidori crackling in his hand. "Deidara!" he shouted, "Is this the best you can do?"

Deidara's eyes flickered with annoyance. "You arrogant little—!" He controlled his dragon to unleash a new barrage of missiles.

Sasuke ducked under the barrage, pivoting in mid-air to avoid the blast by landing on a nearby tree trunk. He channeled chakra to his legs, leaping off the tree and darting toward the enemy.

Sakura quickly placed her hands on the ground as she watched Sasuke get closer to Deidara.

[Wood style: Gate Fortress]

A barrier of wood appeared ahead of Sasuke, and he leaped off it, propelling himself towards Deidara.

The Chidori in his hand crackled, sending arcs of lightning across his body. He thrust it forward, aiming for Deidara's mount.

Deidara twisted his body, dodging the direct hit, but the dragon's wing was clipped by the lightning.

It shuddered, its clay composition destabilizing, and began a rapid descent. Sasuke landed hard on the ground, rolling to his feet just as Deidara crashed down, his dragon dissolving into chunks of inert clay.

"Now, Sakura!" Sasuke yelled.

Sakura moved with blinding speed, closing the gap between herself and Deidara.

Her fist, glowing with chakra, crashed down toward Deidara's head, but he narrowly evaded the blow. The ground where she struck cratered, chunks of rock flying outward, forcing Deidara to leap back.

Deidara's mouth twisted into a grin as he pulled out another handful of clay. "Let's try something different," he sneered.

Sakura struck again and again, but Deidara skillfully evaded each blow, already working on his next move. Leaping backwards to put space between them, he spat out C4 Karura, a giant humanoid figure of clay that began to disintegrate, releasing a cloud of microscopic bombs into the air.

Sasuke's eyes widened. "Watch out!" he shouted. "Don't breathe it in!"

Sakura nodded, moving fast to hold her breath as she waved her hands in a rapid series of seals.

[Sage Art: Acid Breath]

A thick, corrosive mist mingled with the microscopic clay bombs. The two clouds clashed in the air, the acid sizzling as it began to eat away at the invisible bombs.

"Nice trick," Deidara said, his grin never fading. "But how long can you keep it up?"

Sasuke knew they were running out of time. "Sakura, let's go again."

"Got it," she replied, reaching deep into her chakra reserves. She formed a quick series of seals.

[Wood Style: Earth Thorn Jutsu]

Jagged wooden spikes erupted from the ground beneath Deidara, forcing him to leap away. The wood was crude and rough, the technique clearly not Sakura's specialty, but it bought them a few precious seconds.

"You're full of surprises," Deidara muttered, landing lightly on his feet. "But you're still not good enough!"

He reached into his pouch, preparing another clay sculpture, but at that moment, Sakura launched herself forward, acid cloak burning around her like a halo of death.

Deidara swung his arm up to deflect her punch, but the acid hissed and melted his sleeve, forcing him to recoil.

"Got you!" Sakura snarled, her fist glowing with chakra.

Deidara kicked off the ground, flipping backward. "Not quite!" He tossed another C2 Dragon into the air, preparing a new assault. "This one's got your name on it!"

The dragon's maw opened, releasing a torrent of clay bombs straight at them. Sasuke and Sakura moved in unison, a silent understanding guiding them.

"I got this," Sasuke sent a surge of electricity through the ground with Chidori Stream, frying the nearest bombs and disrupting their circuits.

But one bomb slipped past his defenses, hurtling straight toward Sakura. Sasuke's heart lurched. "Sakura, look out!"

Sakura turned, but there wasn't enough time.

[Chidori]

Sasuke threw himself in front of her, his Chidori set to deflect the explosive, but it detonated just a moment too soon. The blast threw him back, pain lancing through his side as he hit the ground hard.

"Sasuke!" Sakura's voice was filled with panic, but there was no time to check his wounds. She leapt to his side to shield him, her acid cloak melting away any debris that dared approach.

"I'm fine," Sasuke grunted, pushing himself to his feet despite the burning pain in his side. His hand pressed against the wound; it was bleeding, but not enough to take him out of the fight. "We need to finish this."

Sakura's face was tight with worry, but she nodded. "Together, then."

Sasuke's eyes locked onto Deidara. "He's got more tricks up his sleeve," he muttered. "But we've seen most of them. We can still win this."

Sakura's fists tightened, "I'll keep him distracted. You look for an opening."

Sasuke smiled, despite the pain. "We can do this."

Sakura's grin mirrored his own. "I'll patch you up when this is all over." She helped him to his feet. "But we need to take down this guy first."

Sasuke nodded in agreement. "Lightning and acid have proven effective at countering his clay bombs."

The two of them leapt to a nearby tree branch to dodge a missile that struck their position. "... but even if we hold the advantage, he can still find a way to hit us where it hurts," Sasuke continued.

"I'll go on the offensive," Sakura declared. "Buy you some space to hit him hard from the rear."

"Perfect."

Deidara watched them from the distance, his expression shifting from confidence to something like genuine concern. "You think you can win?" he spat, molding more clay with frantic energy. "Let's see how you handle my next masterpiece!"

Sasuke and Sakura darted forward, moving in perfect sync. Deidara hurled a pair of clay birds down, but Sasuke reacted instantly.

[Chidori lance]

He slicing through them with a bolt of electricity that extended from his hand like a sword. The birds exploded harmlessly in mid-air, but Deidara was already preparing his next move.

"Keep him busy," Sasuke muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Sakura to hear.

"Got it," she replied. She launched herself at Deidara, her feet barely touching the ground as she closed the distance.

[Sage Art: Acid Breath]

She exhaled, sending a mist of corrosive acid at Deidara, forcing him to pull back.

Deidara's eye narrowed as he deftly dodged the acid, his hand mouths chomping furiously on more clay. "You think you can hit me with that, girl?" he taunted, but his smirk faltered when he saw the determination in her eyes.

Sakura didn't answer. Instead, she pressed forward. She swung her arm at him, aimed right at Deidara's torso.

He twisted to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack, but the coat of acid still grazed his arm, leaving a sizzling burn on his sleeve.

"Damn you!" Deidara spat, shaking off the pain.

While Deidara's focus was on Sakura, Sasuke began his preparations. He raised his hands subtly, forming the seals.

[Fire Style: Fire ball Jutsu]

With a deep breath, he expelled a massive burst of fire into the sky. The flames roared upwards, their heat distorting the air around them.

The fireball disappeared into the darkening clouds, unnoticed by Deidara, who was too focused on his immediate threat.

Sakura caught the flicker of flames out of the corner of her eye and understood immediately. She threw a glance at Sasuke, and he gave a brief nod. They both knew what was coming.

Sasuke was preparing Kirin.

"More tricks?" Deidara sneered, unaware of Sasuke's true intentions. "I'll just have to blow you both up at once!"

He performed a handspring, buying space tossing more bombs their way. "Take this!"

Sasuke moved quickly to intercept the clay bombs Deidara sent flying toward them.

[Chidori Senbon]

The senbon shot out like lightning, piercing the bombs and causing them to explode harmlessly in the air. The battlefield lit up with a series of rapid flashes, but Sasuke's eyes remained sharp, calculating.

"Sakura!" he shouted.

Sakura didn't hesitate. She charged forward, feinting to the right before twisting her body to the left, throwing off Deidara's aim as she closed in.

She swung a punch, her fist glowing with chakra. Deidara dodged, but she followed with a swift knee to his gut, forcing him to backpedal.

Sakura wasted no time, sending Deidara reeling backwards into the terrain with a solid hit to the jaw.

Deidara grimaced as he rose to his feet, his frustration evident. "You're getting on my nerves!" he hissed through his injuries, forming another clay bomb, this time a C3. "Let's see you handle this!"

He tossed the C3 bomb high into the air. It expanded rapidly, growing into a massive statue-like figure that began to descend upon them, promising total destruction.

Sasuke glanced up, his eyes narrowing. He could feel the intensity of the chakra in that bomb. It would level the entire forest.

Sasuke made a quick decision. He launched a fireball directly at the C3, causing a massive explosion in the air that scattered the force of the bomb across the sky.

But he wasn't done yet. He continued to shoot fireballs into the sky, the air above growing hotter with every blast, the dark clouds above rumbling ominously.

Deidara's eyes darted up to the sky, a hint of concern flashing across his features. "What are you—?" he began, but Sakura didn't let him finish. She ran forward again, forcing him to focus on her once more.

"Don't you forget about me!"

Sasuke continued his preparations, sending more fire into the heavens. The clouds above began to churn, darkening, twisting, the scent of ozone growing stronger.

Meanwhile Sakura kept up her relentless assault, her fists swinging with blinding speed, forcing Deidara to stay on the defensive.

Eventually, a blow connected with Deidara's temple, the impact devastating. He was sent backwards, tumbling along the ground till he slid to a stop.

"You'll pay for—"

Sakura didn't let him finish. She slammed her hands to the ground.

Deidara's expression was one of shock as a large tendril of wood shot upwards from underneath his feet. "Huh?"

Sakura's head whipped towards her partner. "Sasuke!"

He was already moving.

His hand crackling with electricity, Sasuke sprinted up the wooden tendril, his focus on Deidara nestled at it's peak.

"Shit!" Deidara cursed, his hands furiously chomping on clay to create a bird fast enough for him to escape with. Finally, they opened their mouths, regurgitating a stream of—

Too late.

[Chidori]

Deidara cried in pain as Sasuke's lightning infused hand severed his arm at the elbow. "Dammit!" Deidara cursed, losing his balance and falling from his elevated position.

Sakura saw her chance.

[Wood Style: Four Gods Pillars]

Four wooden pillars began to erupt from the ground, encompassing Deidara as he plummeted towards the earth.

"Annoying little girl!" He spat, his hands frantically munching on clay to create a counter.

Sakura dashed forward, leaping onto the first pillar as it continued to ascend. She leapt towards the next of her creations, each jump taking her higher and higher towards her target.

Deidara struggled to track her as she leapt from pillar to pillar around him, his mind trying to predict her movements. She's going to land on—

His thoughts were Interrupted as he felt Sakura's hands clamp around his neck.

"ALTITUDE!" she cried.

With a snap, Sakura twisted midair, yanking Deidara's face downwards as gravity did the rest. Deidara squirmed in her grip, but his eyes widened in horror as he saw it—a small tree stump sprouting in the trajectory of his descending face.

Oh, come on!

"ADJUSTMENT!"

CRACK!

Deidara's body whiplashed as his face impacted the tree stump, his feet kicking up dust as he crashed onto his back.

Sakura landed smoothly, crouched beside her stunned opponent. She flicked her wrist, shaking off the sting. "There's more where that came from, Deidara."

Deidara rose to his feet with a painted groan. Frustration twisted his features, blood dripping from his injuries. He needed to end this. "You want to dance? Fine!" he yelled, his hand moving to his chest, revealing a stitched mouth. "You leave me no choice! I'll show you my ultimate art!"

Sakura's eyes widened. "Oh, shit!" she shouted, recognizing the signs. Deidara was preparing his C0, a suicide bomb that would destroy everything around him.

Deidara's body began to swell, his skin splitting and cracking as he prepared to detonate himself. "Art... is an explosion!" he screamed, maniacal glee in his voice.

But Sasuke was ready. His eyes narrowed as he focused on Deidara, and he thrust his arm toward the heavens.

"I agree."

The clouds above responded to his call. A serpentine bolt of lightning ripped through the sky, descending with a deafening roar. The world seemed to freeze for an instant, every detail crystallized in the brilliant, blinding light of the lightning.

The bolt struck down like the hammer of a god, slamming into Deidara with a thunderous crack.

The force of Kirin was unimaginable. The very earth seemed to split apart as the lightning struck, creating a blinding flash that consumed Deidara's form. For a moment, it was as if the entire world had gone silent, every sound swallowed by the raw power of Sasuke's technique.

Then came the shockwave, a blast of air and sound that tore across the battlefield, flattening everything in its path.

Sakura shielded her eyes, her acid cloak flickering and fading as her Sage Mode finally reached its limit. She dropped to one knee, gasping for breath as the aftershocks rumbled through the ground.

As the dust settled, Sasuke moved to her side, breathing heavily. His eyes were fixed on the charred crater where Deidara had stood moments ago. The rogue shinobi was gone, reduced to ash by the power of his jutsu.

Sakura looked up at Sasuke, a smile forming on her lips despite her exhaustion. "You... actually did it," she said, her voice soft but filled with admiration.

Sasuke chuckled, his hand pressing against his still-bleeding side. "I couldn't have done it without you," he replied, a warm softness in his tone.

Sakura took a deep breath, feeling the fatigue seep into her bones. "Just… give me a moment," she said, dropping her hands onto the ground to steady herself.

Sasuke knelt beside her, his hand moving to her shoulder, a gentle touch amid the chaos. "Take your time," he murmured, his own voice heavy with relief.

For a moment, they were silent, the battlefield strangely still after the violence that had just unfolded. Sasuke kept his gaze on her, his expression softening. "You did well," he added, almost quietly.

Sakura looked up at him, her cheeks flushed from exertion. "Of course you got yourself hurt again…" she said, her smile widening a fraction.

Sasuke shrugged, wincing slightly at the pain. "It's nothing," he muttered, though his expression softened when he saw the concern in her eyes. "I've had worse."

"Still," Sakura said, reaching up to press her glowing hands against his side, healing his wounds with her remaining chakra. "One of these days, you're going to get yourself really hurt and you might not make it."

He gave her a small smile, one that held just a hint of warmth. "While the world's best medic's by my side? Doubt."

She looked away, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks, but her hands remained steady as they worked to close his wounds. "We should… check on the others," she said after a moment.

Sasuke nodded, feeling the warmth of her healing chakra seep into his skin. "Yeah. Kakashi and Kurenai are still fighting. They might need our help."

Sakura finished her healing, drawing back and taking a deep breath. "Alright," she said, pushing herself back to her feet. "Let's go, then."

"Is that all you've got, Kakashi?" Kakuzu taunted, his voice dripping with contempt as he sent a water dragon at Kakashi.

Kakashi grimaced as he barely avoided the strike, rolling out of the way. His eyes flicked to the distance, where his teammates were locked in their own battle. Naruto, Hinata, be careful...

Close by, Naruto and Hinata were engaged in a fierce battle with Kakuzu's hearts. Naruto launched Rasenshurikens with explosive force, targeting the hearts with the spinning discs of destruction.

Hinata, wielding her staff with expert precision, danced through the air, her weapon's strikes shattering the approaching tentacles of Kakuzu's remaining hearts.

She landed in a clearing, watching a heart barrel down on her with bated breath. She knew that Naruto wasn't far away...

The combined effort of their attacks finally bore fruit as one of Kakuzu's hearts was obliterated by a powerful Rasenshuriken from Naruto who was waiting in the canopy, sending a shockwave through the forest.

"We've got one!" Naruto shouted, grinning with satisfaction as he looked over at Hinata.

But the battle was far from over. Kakuzu's remaining hearts surged with renewed vigor, and Kakashi, overwhelmed by Kakuzu's relentless onslaught, found himself backed into a corner.

He barely managed to dodge a crushing blow from Kakuzu, only to be hit by a fireball that sent him crashing into a nearby tree.

The impact exploded the trunk, sending splinters flying. Kakashi lay dazed, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

"No!" Naruto's eyes widened in horror as he saw Kakashi's plight. "We need to help him!"

Kakuzu's eyes glinted with malevolent satisfaction. "You're next," he sneered, his remaining hearts flying around the clearing as they prepared for a final assault.

Hinata, her breath coming in sharp, ragged bursts, glanced at Naruto. "We need to finish this quickly. Kakashi-sensei can't hold on much longer."

Naruto nodded, determination burning in his eyes.

Moments later, Hinata leaped onto a high branch, breathing heavily as she caught her breath. Her mind was racing, and she glanced across the battlefield to see Naruto perched on a tree, waiting for his opportunity.

Feeling a rush of encouragement, Hinata saw Naruto throw a marked kunai over her, pinning it into the tree trunk. Just as a heart zeroed in on her, Hinata sprang into action, leaping from the branch to narrowly avoid a lightning bolt that streaked towards her.

Naruto appeared on the branch in a flash, teleporting to the kunai. The heart, now focused on Naruto, left itself vulnerable. Hinata, mid-air, threw another marked kunai, targeting the heart from behind.

Nice! Naruto thought, a smile forming as he teleported to the kunai Hinata threw. With a burst of speed, he formed a Rasengan and drove it into the heart's head.

The sphere of swirling energy collided with the heart's head, obliterating it in a burst of light and debris.

The heart's remnants scattered as Naruto and Hinata landed, their teamwork proving effective once again. They exchanged brief smiles, knowing they were making progress.

"Nice job, Hinata," Naruto nodded, his eyes sparkling with relief.

"Thanks, Naruto," Hinata said, her gaze steady. "Let's finish this."

But their victory was short-lived as Kakuzu, now merging with his remaining two hearts, prepared for a final, desperate assault.

Hinata's mind raced as she remembered the mysterious woman who had been appearing in her thoughts, promising to guide and protect her. She closed her eyes, reaching out for any sign of her presence, but felt only a void. Panic began to rise within her.

As Kakuzu's tentacles surged towards them, Naruto leaped to evade, his voice urgent. "Hinata, move!"

Hinata snapped her eyes open and saw the incoming assault. With a frown, she infused her staff with lightning chakra. She stood her ground and began to spin her staff with incredible speed, each swing crackling with electric energy.

Tentacles were obliterated in a shower of sparks and splinters as Hinata's staff danced through the air. Her movements were graceful yet powerful as leaped over Kakuzu's appendages, every strike an artful display of her weapon mastery.

As she landed, panting heavily, Naruto appeared by her side. "We need to finish this," he whispered urgently. "I can take him down with my Rasenshuriken, but I need to be sure the hit lands."

Hinata nodded, her gaze resolute. "What do you need me to do?"

Naruto handed her a marked kunai. "Use this to help me position myself for the attack. We need to make sure he doesn't see it coming."

As Kakuzu roared threats and prepared for their final clash, Naruto and Hinata readied themselves. The two stood their ground, focusing on their plan. Kakuzu's monstrous form loomed ominously, ready to crush them.

Hinata's heart raced, her mind reflecting on the woman who had appeared in her dreams. Though she had felt her presence slip away, she resolved to fight with every ounce of strength she had.

"Ready?" Naruto's voice penetrated her thoughts, his voice low but filled with determination.

Hinata nodded, her hands gripping her staff tightly, lightning chakra flickering along its length. "Let's do this," she replied, her voice steady.

They moved in sync, dashing towards Kakuzu with fluid grace, weaving between the tendrils that snapped at them with terrifying speed. Kakuzu unleashed a torrent of elemental attacks—a fireball roared towards them, splitting the air with its intensity.

Hinata leaped aside, her staff spinning as she struck away a stray tendril with precision. Naruto ducked low, avoiding a blast of wind that tore through the branches above his head.

They were in perfect harmony, moving like parts of a single entity, each anticipating the other's movements.

Naruto tossed a marked kunai towards Kakuzu, watching it arc through the air, its flight path cutting straight toward the enemy.

Just as Kakuzu raised a fist to counter, Naruto vanished in a blink, teleporting to the kunai. Kakuzu swung his tentacles where Naruto should have been, only to hit empty air.

Hinata was there in an instant, seizing the opening. She darted in behind Kakuzu, her staff swinging with relentless speed. The staff cracked against his side, and Kakuzu staggered, his tentacles twisting wildly as he sought to regain his balance.

Naruto reappeared beside her, his kunai glinting in the sunlight. He thrust forward his open palm, a dense orb of chakra forming in it.

[Rasengan]

But Kakuzu grabbed his arm with his tentacles, flinging Naruto to the ground with a loud crash. Kakuzu snarled, his voice a deep rumble that seemed to vibrate through the earth. "You think you can defeat me?!" he roared, his tentacles lashing out like whips.

Naruto and Hinata dodged, their bodies moving as if driven by instinct, barely avoiding the deadly tendrils. Naruto tossed another marked kunai to Hinata just as she jumped into the air to avoid a searing fireball.

She reached out, catching it narrowly between her fingers as she landed against the side of a tree, her breath coming fast.

Naruto rushed in, but he wasn't fast enough. A tentacle lashed out, slamming into him with a force that sent him flying back, his body twisting through the air. He gritted his teeth, his eyes never leaving Kakuzu.

[Rasenshuriken]

In mid-air, Naruto twisted and hurled a Rasenshuriken at Kakuzu with all his strength. The spiraling sphere of wind and chakra tore through the air, its high-pitched whine growing louder as it closed in.

One of Kakuzu's mouths crackled with lightning as he prepared to strike at Hinata, who was still perched on the tree. He fired a bolt of electricity at her, and the tree branch exploded, sending her hurtling backward.

But Hinata's eyes were sharp with determination. Even as she was flung through the air, she drew two kunai in quick succession.

One was aimed straight at Kakuzu's back; the other flew towards the Rasenshuriken itself.

Naruto's heart pounded in his chest as he saw Hinata's form spinning through the air, and he felt a pang of fear.

The Rasenshuriken vanished just as it reached Kakuzu's face, dissipating into thin air.

Kakuzu smirked, a momentary flash of triumph. But before he could react, the Rasenshuriken reappeared behind him, flying straight at his back from where the second kunai was headed towards.

"What—?!" Kakuzu's eyes widened in shock.

The Rasenshuriken slammed into him, the force of the impact creating a massive dome of energy that swallowed him whole.

The air erupted in a deafening roar, and the ground shook as the devastating chakra attack unleashed its fury.

Naruto watched as the dome of wind and chakra engulfed Kakuzu, tearing into him with a ferocity that left no doubt. The Rasenshuriken worked like a storm unleashed, tearing his form apart with its relentless cutting power.

When the chaos subsided, the air was thick with dust and smoke. Kakuzu's body lay crumpled on the ground, his hearts silent and still. He was dead.

Naruto's heart raced as he looked around, searching frantically for Hinata. He saw her crumpled against a tree, her body slumped but moving. Relief flooded through him, and he sprinted over to her side.

"Hinata!" he called, his voice edged with worry. He dropped to his knees beside her, his hands already moving to check for injuries. "Are you okay?"

Hinata winced but managed a small smile. "I'm fine, just… a little banged up," she replied, her voice soft but steady.

Naruto's face broke into a wide grin, a mixture of relief and pride. "You did it! That was incredible!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining with admiration.

Hinata's cheeks flushed, but her smile grew. "We did it," she corrected softly, her eyes meeting his with a quiet warmth.

They shared a brief moment of relief, their breaths still coming fast, the adrenaline still coursing through their veins. But their task wasn't over yet.

"Let's check on Kakashi-sensei," Naruto said, his expression becoming serious once more. He helped Hinata to her feet, and together they ran toward where Kakashi had fallen.

Kurenai's daggers flashed in the dim light as she faced Hidan, the Akatsuki member's scythe slicing through the air with a sickening whistling sound. Her every move was calculated, aimed at countering the unpredictable swings of Hidan's weapon.

Each clash of metal was accompanied by the thud of her breathing, controlled but edged with exhaustion.

Hidan's grin was manic, his movements almost too fluid to follow. "You think you can defeat me with those little toys?" he taunted, his voice dripping with sadistic glee.

He swung his scythe in a wide arc, forcing Kurenai to leap back. The blade whizzed past, narrowly missing her, but the gust of wind it left in its wake ruffled her hair and clothes.

Kurenai grimaced, feeling the strain of the fight. She lunged forward, aiming to close the distance between them. Her daggers moved in a flurry of sharp, precise strikes, aimed to pierce Hidan's defenses.

But Hidan was quick, his scythe a blur of motion as he blocked and deflected her attacks with practiced ease.

"You're getting slow," Hidan mocked, his eyes gleaming with malicious intent. He twirled his scythe and brought it down with a powerful overhead swing.

Kurenai barely managed to deflect it with one of her daggers, the impact sending a jolt up her arm. She stumbled, her footing faltering just as Hidan took advantage of her lapse.

His scythe cut through the air, catching her side with a deep, searing wound.

Kurenai gasped in pain, stumbling back as blood welled up from the gash. Her breath came in ragged bursts, her vision blurring from the shock of the injury.

Panic began to set in, her mind racing. She could feel her heartbeat pounding in her ears, the fear of being overwhelmed by Hidan's relentless assault.

Hidan laughed happily, preparing his ritual circle as his skin turned black. "Glory to Jashin! Glory to the eternal one!"

Ino, watching from a distance, narrowed her eyes as she saw Kurenai's predicament. She knew she had to act quickly. "Shikamaru!" she called, her voice steady despite the chaos. "I'm going to distract him. Get ready!"

Shikamaru, positioned in the shadows, nodded sharply. "Got it. Make it count!"

Ino took a deep breath and focused, casting a powerful genjutsu over Hidan. The air around him seemed to warp and distort as the genjutsu took hold. Hidan's eyes widened in confusion as the world around him shifted, his expression twisting into one of disbelief.

Kurenai seized the opportunity. Her eyes flicked to Ino, then back to Hidan, her resolve hardening. With a burst of speed, she closed the distance between them.

Her daggers flashed in the light as she stabbed Hidan repeatedly, the blades cutting into his flesh with brutal efficiency. Each thrust was driven by a fierce determination, the memory of Asuma fueling her rage.

Hidan's body twitched as the genjutsu began to unravel. He shook his head, trying to clear the disorienting images from his mind, but he was still unable to move.

Shikamaru's shadow Possession jutsu had him ensnared, holding him in place.

Ino, eyes focused and determined, prepared to use her mind Transfer Jutsu. With a swift hand movement and a focused incantation, she entered Hidan's mind. Hidan's eyes glazed over momentarily as Ino took control. "He's mine," she said, her voice steady despite the tension.

Hidan's scythe clattered to the ground, his body moving in a robotic manner as he stepped out of the ritual circle he had created. Kurenai's eyes were fierce as she saw the opening.

She pressed her attack, her daggers darting in and out with relentless precision. The wounds she inflicted were deep, her strikes fueled by years of grief and anger.

As Hidan's mind began to fight back, he tried to regain control, but Ino's possession was firm. She held him in place, forcing him into a defenseless state. "Don't let up!" she shouted to Kurenai. "He's still trying to fight back!"

Kurenai's breath came in heavy gasps as she slashed at Hidan. Her daggers moved with practiced precision, carving through flesh with each swing.

Memories of Asuma surged through her mind, driving her forward despite the exhaustion and pain. Each cut was a tribute to her fallen comrade, a manifestation of her need for justice.

Hidan, struggling against Ino's control, managed to repel her from his mind briefly, but his movements were slow and clumsy, hindered by Shikamaru's shadow. "You can't… defeat me…" Hidan growled, his voice filled with a desperate edge.

Shikamaru, seeing the opportunity, sprang into action. He gestured toward a nearby pit he had prepared earlier. "Now, Ino!" he shouted. "Lead him towards the trap!"

Ino, her concentration unwavering, guided Hidan's body with precision. "Move!" she commanded, steering him toward the pit. Hidan, still fighting against his bonds, stumbled forward, his movements disjointed.

As Hidan neared the edge of the pit, Kurenai readied herself. She could see the trap's mechanisms, her heart pounding with anticipation.

With a final push from Ino, Hidan fell into the pit, his body crashing down amidst the scattered explosives.

Kurenai's eyes narrowed as she watched the scene unfold. She took a deep breath, her heart heavy with the weight of impending justice. With a swift movement, she activated the detonator.

The explosives ignited in a deafening roar, the ground shaking violently as the pit erupted in a fiery explosion.

Smoke and debris billowed into the air, obscuring the pit from view. Hidan's frantic cries were swallowed by the roar of the blast. Kurenai stood at the edge, her face illuminated by the flames, watching as the smoke began to clear.

Ino, still focused, cut the rope holding the sack of sand and debris. The contents spilled into the pit, covering the remains of the explosion with a final, suffocating layer of earth and debris. The sight of the collapsing pit brought a profound sense of relief.

Kurenai's knees trembled as the adrenaline began to wear off. She sank to the ground, tears streaming down her face as she allowed herself a moment of vulnerability.

The pent up grief and anger finally came pouring out, her sobs mingling with the fading echoes of battle.

Shikamaru and Ino moved quickly to her side. Shikamaru placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You did it," he said quietly, his voice filled with genuine sympathy. "Asuma's avenged."

Ino knelt beside Kurenai, her hands moving to check for any injuries. "Are you alright?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. "You need to take care of yourself."

Kurenai looked up at them, her face streaked with tears but her expression softening. "Thank you," she whispered. "For everything."

As Ino tended to Kurenai's wounds and Shikamaru helped her to her feet, the forest slowly fell back into a haunting silence. The battle was over, but the scars of the fight, both physical and emotional, would remain.

Naruto and Hinata sprinted across the battlefield, the remains of their clash with Kakuzu still smoldering around them. Naruto's heart was pounding harder than ever, not from the exertion of the battle but from a rising sense of dread. As they neared Kakashi's fallen form, a knot tightened in his chest.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto shouted, skidding to a stop beside the prone figure of his mentor. His heart sank at the sight before him. Kakashi lay against the charred remains of a tree, his breathing ragged and shallow. Blood stained his clothing, seeping through the tears and cuts from his earlier fight with Kakuzu.

Hinata knelt down, her hands moving quickly, pressing against Kakashi's wounds with a desperate urgency. "He's losing too much blood," she said, her voice trembling as she worked to stabilize him. "We need to stop the bleeding!"

Naruto's hands shook as he fumbled through his pouch, pulling out gauze and bandages. "Come on, come on…" he muttered under his breath, his fingers moving frantically as he tried to remember what Tsunade had taught him in those brief moments of first aid training.

Hinata studied him carefully , her gaze sharp and focused as she scanned Kakashi's body. "His pulse is weak... and he's suffered severe burns," she said, her voice wavering with fear.

Naruto pressed his hands down, applying pressure to the deepest wound, but he could feel Kakashi's life slipping away with every passing second. "Stay with us, Kakashi-sensei!" he pleaded, his voice strained.

Hinata bit her lip, knowing that what they were doing wasn't enough. She placed a gentle hand on Naruto's arm, her eyes locking with his. "Naruto… this isn't working. We need Sakura or Ino. They can heal him. You're faster—you have to go, now!" she urged, her voice firm despite the tremor in her words.

Naruto's eyes widened in panic, but he nodded, realizing the urgency of the situation. "Okay! Just… hold on, Kakashi-sensei. I'll be back. I promise!" he shouted, his voice cracking with desperation.

He sprang to his feet, his body tensing as he prepared to dash away. Without another word, Naruto took off, moving faster than he ever had before, his feet pounding against the earth as he raced to find help.

Hinata watched him go, her heart heavy with worry as she continued to apply pressure to Kakashi's wounds, whispering a silent prayer under her breath.

Naruto's feet pounded the ground in rapid succession, his heart racing. Panic set in as he sprinted to get help, his breath ragged and uneven. He had to find Sakura or Ino, someone with more advanced medical skills than he and Hinata had.

He glanced back once, biting his lip, before pushing himself to run faster. Hinata had to keep Kakashi alive until he could bring help.

Meanwhile, Hinata knelt beside Kakashi, her hands trembling as she pressed against his wounds. Blood soaked through her fingers, the warmth of it startling against the cold air. "Stay with me, Kakashi-sensei," she whispered, her voice thick with worry. Her limited medical ninjutsu could only do so much.

She could feel Kakashi's pulse growing weaker, each beat slower, more distant. Her mind spun in frantic circles, grasping at any solution. She knew that Naruto wouldn't make it back in time with help.

Kakashi's breathing grew shallow, his face pale. "No... no," Hinata muttered to herself, her hands pressing harder against the wound, desperately trying to staunch the bleeding. She could feel him slipping further and further away.

She looked around frantically, her mind racing. "Think, Hinata, think," she urged herself. But no thought came. Only the memory of the strange woman, the one only she could see, the one she had tried to reach before in a moment of fear. Was it worth trying again? She shook her head, dismissing the idea. She had tried before, and nothing happened.

But Kakashi's labored breath, the pallor of his skin, the way his life seemed to ebb away... She clenched her fists. She had no other choice. She had to try. She closed her eyes, focusing inward, the way she did when she meditated.

"Please," she whispered under her breath, her voice almost lost in the wind. "Please, if you can hear me... I need you. Help me save him."

Silence answered her plea. For a moment, a crushing, hopeless silence.

Hinata's heart sank. She was about to give up when a gentle voice suddenly whispered in her mind. Startled, she opened her eyes to find herself standing in a vast, empty plane, an endless expanse of white beneath a pale, overcast sky. The air was thick and still, heavy with something she couldn't name.

The woman stood before her, serene and otherworldly, her eyes watching Hinata with an almost maternal curiosity. "You called for me," the woman said, her voice soft but resonant.

Hinata quickly scrambled to her feet, realizing she was still kneeling. "Yes," she stammered, feeling a sudden wave of fear in the woman's presence, but she swallowed it down. "I… I need your help. Kakashi-sensei... he's dying. Please, save him."

The woman tilted her head slightly, her gaze never wavering. "And how important is he to you, child?" she asked, her tone calm and measured.

Hinata blinked, taken aback by the question. "He… he's important to my village. He's a great shinobi, a teacher..."

The woman's expression didn't change. "I did not ask about his importance to your village," she replied, her voice taking on a sharper edge. "How important is he to you?"

Hinata hesitated, her heartbeat quickening. "I… he's… he's important to Naruto," she replied, her voice more tentative. "He's important to someone I care about… so by extension, he is important to me."

The woman's smile was faint, enigmatic. "I see," she murmured. For a long moment, there was silence.

The woman's gaze bore into Hinata's, searching, weighing. Then, finally, she spoke again. "I hear your heart's desire," she murmured. "But for me to fulfill it, you must let me in."

Hinata felt a shiver run down her spine. "Let you in?" she repeated, her voice trembling.

"Yes," the woman replied simply. "Open yourself to me… and I will grant your wish."

Back in the real world, Kakashi watched Hinata kneeling beside him, her hands glowing faintly with chakra. He struggled to keep his eyes open, the world around him blurring and fading. He could feel his strength leaving him, his body growing cold.

Then, without warning, Hinata collapsed beside him, her eyes rolling back into her head. Kakashi's heart pounded weakly in his chest as he watched her, barely able to process what was happening.

Moments later, Hinata's body jerked upright, her eyes opening wide. There was something different about her, something unsettling in the way she moved, her posture straighter, her expression calm and distant.

Hinata reached out, her hand hovering just above Kakashi's chest. He could barely hear her speak, but the voice was not hers. It was smooth, authoritative, carrying a strange resonance that sent a shiver down his spine. She spoke a command, her voice echoing with a power Kakashi had never felt before.

"Heed me, time, and return."

A soft glow enveloped Kakashi's body, warm and comforting. He felt his injuries closing, the pain fading. It was as if time itself had reversed, erasing every cut, every bruise. When the glow faded, he was whole again, as if he had never been wounded at all.

Kakashi's eyes widened in disbelief. He opened his mouth to speak, but Hinata leaned closer, her eyes dark and intense. A trickle of blood ran down from her nose, staining her pale skin. "Rest," she whispered in that strange, commanding tone.

Kakashi felt his consciousness slipping, his eyes fluttering shut. Darkness enveloped him, and he knew no more.

Moments later, Naruto burst onto the scene, followed closely by Sakura, Sasuke, and Kurenai's team.

Sakura knelt next to Kakashi, her hands glowing with healing chakra. Naruto was beside her in an instant, panic in his eyes. "Is he… is he going to make it?"

Sakura was deep in focus next to Kakashi, her hands glowing green as she examined him. Naruto's gaze shifted to Hinata, who sat beside Kakashi, her face pale, blood staining her sweater. "Hinata, are you okay?" he asked, his voice thick with worry.

Hinata nodded slowly, but her expression was distant, her eyes unfocused.

Sakura's brow furrowed as she continued her examination. "This… this doesn't make sense," she muttered, confusion lacing her voice.

Kurenai leaned closer. "What's the matter, Sakura?"

Sakura looked up, bewildered. "He's… fine," she said slowly. "Completely fine. It's like he was never hurt."

Naruto's mouth fell open in shock. "What? No, when I left, he was—he was on the verge of death!" He turned to Hinata, searching her face for answers. "Hinata… you saw him right?"

Hinata looked up at him, her face pale and drawn, her eyes unfocused. She struggled to form a response, her thoughts scattered. "I… I don't know," she murmured, her heart pounding in her chest.

Kurenai glanced over at Sakura, concern etched on her face. "What's the matter, Sakura?"

Sakura shook her head slowly, still in disbelief. "There's nothing wrong with him. No injuries, no scars… nothing. It's like he was never hurt at all."

Naruto turned back to Hinata, his face a mask of confusion. "Hinata… did you… did you heal him somehow?"

Hinata remained silent, lost in thought, her mind racing with questions of her own. She barely heard Naruto's words, her heart thundering in her chest. She didn't understand what had happened or how, but she could feel the weight of it pressing down on her, a presence lingering at the edges of her consciousness.

Kurenai cleared her throat, breaking the tension. "We should head back to Konoha," she suggested, her tone firm. "Kakashi is fine, but we all need a proper check-up. And we need to report to the Hokage."

The group nodded in agreement, and they began to move out, carrying the still-unconscious Kakashi. As they made their way back, Hinata trailed behind, her thoughts heavy.

Her mind was restless, filled with questions and fears. She could feel something had changed within her, something she did not fully understand. And she knew, deep down, that whatever had happened today would have far-reaching consequences, ones she could not yet foresee.