Forged Beyond

we meet again

"Dang it... it's pouring out here," Sakura muttered, tightening the straps of her ninja boots to fit her legs perfectly. She adjusted the red kitsune mask over her face, the small wooden doll of herself tied to her hip swaying slightly as she swung on her black cloak.

"That shouldn't be a problem—at least not for us," Tsunade smirked, stepping out of the hideout without a single drop touching her.

Sakura followed, walking into the downpour, yet remaining untouched. The rain hissed and evaporated before it could reach her, her chakra burning at a high temperature to keep her body warm and dry.

"You learned this technique pretty fast. It's pretty advanced if you ask me," Tsunade remarked, folding her arms as she pulled on her own brown kitsune mask.

Sakura chuckled under her breath. "I had a good teacher."

Without another word, both kunoichi shot forward, sprinting through the trees. The wind rushed past them, the rain-soaked branches barely bending under their weight as they leaped effortlessly from one to another. Sakura's toned legs carried her with ease, her movements fluid, precise. She could feel the power in her limbs, the strength she had built over months of rigorous training.

And, underneath it all, excitement.

She was finally going to see them again—Naruto and Sasuke.

Hours passed in silence, the rhythmic sound of their footsteps blending with the distant rumble of thunder. The rain never let up, but it didn't matter. They pushed forward relentlessly, their stamina barely waning.

Then, after nearly six hours of non-stop travel, a dark silhouette emerged in the distance. Hidden beneath the roots of a massive, gnarled tree stood a fortress-like hideout, barely visible through the heavy rainfall.

Sakura's heartbeat quickened.

"We're here," Tsunade murmured, her voice barely audible over the storm.

Sakura's grip tightened around the wooden doll at her hip and smirked

Naruto... Sasuke...

She was ready.

__________


"Lord Orochimaru, I sense four chakra signatures approaching us. Two are close by, and two are already at the entrance," one of Orochimaru's subordinates reported.

She was undeniably striking—vibrant red hair cascading past her shoulders, sharp crimson eyes hidden behind maroon-framed glasses. She wore a long-sleeved, grayish-purple top, cinched at the waist by a gray belt, paired with black shorts and sturdy ninja boots. Despite her aloof demeanor, she harbored a lingering fondness for Sasuke—though she would never openly admit it.

Orochimaru didn't even glance up. "Open the gates, Karin. We know who they are. Let them in."

Karin hesitated for only a moment before nodding and walking off toward the entrance. The large boulder groaned as they parted, allowing their guests inside.

Back in the dimly lit main hall, Kabuto stood beside Orochimaru, an amused smirk playing on his lips. Across from them, Sasuke sat in the corner, elbows resting on his knees, his dark eyes fixed on the cold stone floor. He gave no reaction to the approaching footsteps—at least, not outwardly.

Then—

"THIS PLACE CREEPS THE HELL OUTTA ME!"

Naruto's unmistakable voice echoed down the corridor, loud and unfiltered as always.

Kabuto let out a low chuckle, and for the first time in a long while, Sasuke smirked. So... he was back, huh?

"Hello there!~" Jiraiya's smooth, teasing voice followed, directed at Karin. She shot him a blank, unimpressed stare, utterly ignoring him as she continued leading them down the hall.