Forged Beyond

Hyuuga Bird No more!

Alright, SO, I do not have much to say right now, but I really hope you like this chapter!! please, please, please leave comments, they are my fav to read!! and why don't you try guessing who will be introduced in this chapter!! looking forward to hearing from you all!!


I DO NOT OWN NARUTO

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Sakura was sitting quietly on the surface of the river, eyes closed and legs crossed. She focused her chakra with precision, improving her balance while the water rippled faintly beneath her. Meanwhile, about fifty meters away, Sasuke stood beside the riverbank, working tirelessly on his stamina, pushing his limits to expand his chakra reserves. Naruto, on the other hand, was still stubbornly trying to pop the balloon with his chakra, grumbling under his breath every time it stubbornly refused to burst.

The training dragged on, and the sun rose higher into the sky. By the time it was nearly noon, the three of them were drenched in sweat. Sakura finally opened her eyes, exhaling deeply as she rose gracefully, stepping back onto the riverbank. Sasuke, still panting from his workout, trudged toward her, his brow furrowed in mild frustration. Naruto, clutching the unyielding balloon, balanced it precariously on his head as he stumbled toward the group.

"I'm starving, and exhausted," Sakura admitted, pressing a hand to her growling stomach. "My chakra's almost spent."

"Same," Sasuke muttered, his voice low, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand.

Naruto groaned dramatically, clutching his stomach. "I can't even think anymore! Training is so much harder on an empty stomach!" He looked at Sakura and Sasuke, flashing a mischievous grin. "Let's catch some fish and eat by the river! Bet I'll catch the biggest one!"

Despite their exhaustion, the idea of fresh fish spurred them into action. The three worked together, setting up a makeshift campfire and using their skills to catch fish from the river. Naruto, naturally, made the most noise, diving headfirst into the water several times before emerging with a slippery fish gripped tightly in his hands. Sakura used her precise chakra control to gently coax fish toward the shore, while Sasuke, with his sharp reflexes, caught several with ease.

As they sat around the fire, grilling the fish, an eerie silence fell over the area. It wasn't the usual calm that accompanied nature, but something unnatural. Sakura glanced at the river. The water wasn't moving as it normally did—it seemed frozen, yet still fluid. The trees around them stood unnaturally still, not even the faintest breeze stirring the leaves.

"Something's wrong," she whispered, setting down her fish. Her eyes darted around their surroundings, alert.

Sasuke immediately stiffened, his hand moving toward his kunai pouch. "I noticed it too. The wind—it's too steady. Like the air isn't even breathing."

Naruto stopped mid-bite, looking up with furrowed brows. "Maybe it's just a quiet day?"

Sakura shook her head. "No. This is different. It's... too quiet."

"Ignore it. Eat your food," Sasuke said quietly, his voice calm but his posture tense. He sat down again, picking up his fish as though nothing was wrong.

Then he froze. The fish slipped from his hands as his head snapped up.

That chakra.

Sasuke shot to his feet, his eyes scanning the shadows. He recognized it immediately—so familiar it sent a chill down his spine.

"Sasuke..." a soft, almost gentle voice called from the edge of the treeline, just out of sight.

"Itachi," Sasuke hissed, his voice laced with anger. "I knew I'd see you eventually!"