Forged Beyond

Gone?

The sun blazed above, too bright for a day painted in grief and fury. The crowd, which had once murmured in confusion, now erupted into chaos.

Sakura's breath was ragged, chest heaving as she pushed through the tide of shinobi and civilians. Her fists were clenched so tightly, her nails drew blood from her own palms. Her eyes were filled with tears — burning, not from sorrow... but betrayal.

Naruto stood beside her, his expression warped with rage and disbelief. The lie echoed in his head again and again:
"Sasuke Uchiha has been executed for his crimes."

It couldn't be.
It wasn't true.

They broke through the last of the crowd, and Sakura let out a scream that shook the square.

"ITACHI!"

Two ANBU operatives lunged from the side, grabbing Sakura by the arms. She thrashed wildly, screaming louder, trying to fight through the agony in her chest.

"YOU KNOW HE'S INNOCENT! YOU KNOW HE DIDN'T DO THIS!!"

But Naruto was already airborne.
His chakra flared in golden threads beneath his feet as he soared over Sakura and the ANBU, and his foot smashed against Itachi's chest, sending the older Uchiha staggering back into the stone platform.

Before Itachi could speak, Naruto had him pinned, fist pulled back, knuckles shaking.

"SAY IT!! TELL THEM IT'S A LIE! TELL THEM IT WASN'T SASUKE!!" Naruto roared, his voice raw, eyes bloodshot.

Danzo's voice snapped like a whip.
"GET HIM OFF! NOW!"

Four more ANBU dove in, ready to drag Naruto away, but the second they touched Naruto —
Sakura twisted her hip, spun, and flung both agents across the plaza like rag dolls, their bodies crashing into a vendor's cart with a thunderous crash.

She stormed forward, every step cracking the stone beneath her. Tears fell freely, but her voice didn't waver.

"HOW DARE YOU STAND THERE AND LIE TO OUR FACES! YOU KNEW HIM! YOU FOUGHT WITH HIM! YOU—"

But before she could reach Itachi—
A burst of heat cut through the air.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

The blaze roared toward her like a comet.

Sakura flipped back just in time, the edge of the fire licking her boots. She landed, skidding backwards, her eyes meeting those of her attacker.

Izumi.

She stood at Itachi's side, her eyes cold — too cold — mouth drawn in a firm line.
She didn't hesitate, didn't flinch. She had to sell the act.

"Sakura Haruno," Izumi said flatly, "you're interfering in an official Konoha declaration. Stand down."

Sakura didn't blink. Her fists shook.

"Don't pretend you didn't love him too, Izumi!" she shouted, heart cracking in the middle of the plaza.
"You know this is wrong!"

The villagers stared, frozen in place — the truth twisting in the air like chakra smoke.

But Izumi raised another hand.

"I am loyal to Konoha. And to the Hokage's command."

Sakura stepped back.

Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"...So you're just like them now."

Behind her, Naruto's roar cracked again. He punched the ground beside Itachi's face, tears falling freely, fists trembling, unable to deliver the blow.
"Why would you do this?! He's your brother!!"