Forged Beyond

Our New Lives

Hey guys!! Because I felt like it, I decided to upload another chapter, TYSM for the votes, and TYSMMMM SOO MUCHH - Darsh96 For commenting and supporting my story!! Now, without further waiting- Here you all go! Enjoy!! I hope you like it! <3

It had been hours since they left, the silence of the forest surrounding them as they moved through the dense woods. Sakura walked into the center, with Naruto on her left and Sasuke on her right. The morning air was cold, and the sun still hadn't risen, leaving a quiet darkness lingering over the forest.

Naruto's eyes, after hours of silence, finally sparked with their familiar warmth and color. "So, Sakura-chan, where do we go from here?" he asked, his voice cutting through the stillness.

"Village of Dento," Sakura replied calmly. After a moment, she elaborated, "It's home to many elite samurai and ninjas, mostly those with Fire and Water natures. It's also a famous spot for traveling shinobi and tourists."

Sasuke glanced at her, his sharp eyes meeting hers briefly before turning back to the path ahead. "Good choice. It'll help us grow stronger. But... it also makes it obvious. Anyone looking for us might head there first."

Sakura nodded, having anticipated his concern. "I took that into consideration. But here's the thing-Dento's known to be more of a, well... 'adult' town. You get what I mean?" She raised her eyebrow, her tone hinting at something playful. "It's not exactly the kind of place you'd find teenagers hanging around. And, no-" she added quickly, eyeing Naruto, "we'll stay away from the creeps. But it's a good spot. The river nearby is famous, and the training grounds there will push us to our limits. It's a challenge for any ninja."

Naruto burst out laughing at her comment, his cheerful energy brightening the cold air. "Hah, I wouldn't mind staying away from those weirdos, but the training-now that's what I'm talking about!"

Sakura chuckled, rolling her eyes before giving Naruto a playful slap on the back of his head. "Don't laugh too hard. You might regret it when we're training."

Sasuke smirked slightly at their banter, though his eyes remained fixed on the horizon. They continued walking in comfortable silence as the forest around them began to lighten with the soft hues of dawn.

Soon, they reached the foot of a mountain. It wasn't tall but steep enough to give them a vantage point. Wordlessly, they began their ascent, their breaths visible in the crisp morning air. The world was still quiet as they climbed, the sky gradually shifting from deep blue to a pale orange.

When they finally reached the top, they were greeted with a breathtaking view. The sun had just started to peek over the horizon, casting a golden light across the land. Below them, the Village of Dento looked small, almost insignificant in the vast landscape, nestled between rolling hills and dense forests. A river shimmered in the distance, snaking its way around the village like a silver ribbon. The sight was calming, almost surreal in its beauty.

Sakura stepped closer to the edge of the cliff, her breath catching in her throat as the light bathed her face. "It's beautiful..." she murmured softly.

Naruto stood beside her, his expression unusually serene as he took in the view. "Yeah... it's moments like these that remind me why I fight. To protect things like this." His voice was soft, carrying an unexpected depth.

Sasuke, standing slightly apart, crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on the rising sun. For the first time since they left, his expression softened. He glanced at Sakura, catching her eyes for just a moment, and then looked back at the horizon. There was a shared understanding between them, a quiet connection.