Forged Beyond

Teleported

Almost 30 minutes had passed, and Naruto was struggling. His movements had slowed, his breath coming in ragged gasps as Pain stood before him, unmoving, calm, and calculating. Then, with a flick of his wrist, several black rods shot toward Naruto like spears. He barely had time to react before they struck—piercing through his hands, his arms, his legs. Agony seared through his body as he collapsed to the ground, the metal rods pinning him down like a crucified man.

Pain loomed over him, expression devoid of sympathy. "You understand nothing. Jiraiya thought he had reached the peak of Sage Jutsu, but even he failed to grasp true power. His ideals were weak, just like yours. And now, you will know pain."

Meanwhile, near the hospital, Hinata stood frozen, watching in horror as Naruto was struck down. Her fingers clenched into trembling fists. "N-Naruto-kun..."

She had been tending to the wounded, placing a battered shinobi onto a makeshift stretcher, but she couldn't stay still any longer. Her body moved on its own.

"Hinata!" Ino's voice rang out behind her, but she couldn't afford to stop.

She sprinted, faster than she ever had before, weaving through the wreckage of Konoha, the world around her a blur. The only thing in focus was Naruto—his body writhing on the ground, the light in his eyes flickering.

Pain continued his speech, unaware of the figure launching toward him from behind.

A shadow soared into the air—Hinata.

She twisted mid-air, striking forward with the precision of the Hyūga, her palm just missing Pain's head by a hair's breadth.

Naruto's head snapped up. "Hinata! No! You shouldn't be here!"

Pain barely reacted, his expression one of mild irritation as he turned to face her. Before he could strike, Hinata dropped down beside Naruto. Her hands moved quickly, grabbing the rods impaling his hands first. She yanked them free in one swift motion.

Pain's brows furrowed slightly. "Annoying."

Hinata ignored him. Her hands were steady as she pulled the rods from Naruto's arms, then his back, then his legs, freeing him. She stood in front of him protectively, shifting into her stance, the Byakugan veins bulging around her eyes.

"I won't let you hurt him anymore."

Naruto gritted his teeth, feeling chakra surge back through his limbs. The pain dulled, his energy returning. Hinata wasn't supposed to be here—but she was, and she wasn't backing down.

Pain extended his hand toward her, ready to send her flying with Shinra Tensei, but Hinata was faster. She launched herself forward, her hands glowing with chakra.

"Twin Lion Fists!"    (FOLLOW ME PLEASEEE T_T )

Two massive chakra-formed lion heads engulfed her fists as she attacked, striking at Pain with a speed that even surprised him. Naruto, still recovering, forced himself to his feet. He wasn't about to let her fight alone.

____


Hinata lunged again, her strikes fluid and relentless. She had figured it out—Pain's Shinra Tensei had a five-second cooldown. If she could endure the push or dodge it, those precious five seconds were hers to land an attack. The timing was razor-thin, and the window was barely enough, but she would make it work.

Pain thrust out his hand. "Shinra Tensei."

Hinata was blasted backward, but she flipped mid-air, landing on her feet, skidding against the broken stone. She coughed but refused to let the pain stop her. Her Byakugan pulsed as she watched his chakra system.