Naruto separated from Sakura and others as he made his way to the forest behind the village.
The sun filtered gently through the dense canopy of the trees, casting speckled patterns on the forest floor. The jungle at the back of the Hidden Leaf Village was quiet, its serenity broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds.
Naruto moved through the dense underbrush with a practiced ease. The path was not marked, yet he walked it as if he'd taken it a hundred times. The soft thud of his sandals against the soil blended with the natural music of the forest.
The clearing ahead came into view, modest in size but unmistakably shaped by battle. Trees were marked with clean cuts, kunai embedded deep in bark, and several parts of the ground were hollowed out from repeated impacts.
Naruto paused just at the edge of the clearing, his blue eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the sight.
Not too ahead, Itachi Uchiha moved with the grace of a seasoned warrior. His motions were sharp but controlled. Each step he took, every motion of his arm, spoke of experience far beyond his years.
Across from him stood Sasuke, his younger brother, panting slightly. He gripped a kunai in each hand, his brow furrowed in concentration. Though his movements weren't as fluid or sharp as his brother's, there was a stubborn fire in his eyes — the same fire that refused to dim, no matter how many times Itachi struck him down in a spar.
The two brothers moved again. Kunai clashed — a flash of metal on metal. The sound rang through the clearing like a chime of war.
"You're leaning too far left," Itachi said calmly, almost conversationally as he stepped past Sasuke's shoulder and tapped him lightly with the dull edge of his weapon. "If I were an enemy, you would already be on the ground, bleeding."
"Damn it!" Sasuke hissed and turned quickly, correcting his posture.
Itachi didn't scold or criticize. His expression remained unreadable, yet there was a faint warmth in his tone.
"Again."
They went at it once more. This time, Sasuke feinted left, spun low, and tried to slash upward — but Itachi, in one impossibly fast motion, stepped aside and planted a hand on Sasuke's forehead.
"Better," He said. "But you're still overusing your upper body. Your Sharingan can read movements, but if your own body lags behind, you'll lose every time."
Sasuke gritted his teeth, frustrated.
"Tch."
"Anger clouds judgment. Control your emotions, Sasuke."
Naruto stood watching from the trees, arms loosely crossed over his chest. A small, genuine smile formed on his face.
The sight before him — of two brothers sparring, of Itachi guiding Sasuke with a steady hand — was a reward more precious than any recognition.
None of this would've been possible if not for him.
He had worked in the shadows, played a dangerous game with the most powerful players in the village.
Danzo... The elders...
The potential of civil war had loomed like a thundercloud on the horizon. But Naruto had dismantled it — with careful, calculated moves.
He had protected the Uchiha from the brink of annihilation.
Naruto's smile widened a little more. He felt a presence behind him, but he didn't react.
"Yo," came a playful, teasing voice. "How long are you gonna stand there like a stalker, Naruto?"
Naruto chuckled softly, still not turning. "Brother Shisui. I was wondering when you'd show up."
Shisui Uchiha stepped beside him, arms crossed and a relaxed smile on his face. His dark green flak jacket was a little faded, his hair slightly tousled from moving through the forest, but his eyes — the famed Sharingan — gleamed with mischief.
"You're too calm," Shisui said, peeking at him sideways. "Aren't you supposed to be surprised I snuck up on you?"
Naruto snorted. "You're one of the few who can sneak up on me. But even then..."
He turned his head slightly and looked over his shoulder with a smirk. "I don't think you could touch me."
Shisui laughed — a rich, easy sound. "Cocky as ever."
"Confident," Naruto corrected, tapping the side of his head. "There's a difference."
"Big talk from someone who still owes me three bowls of ramen."
"I was ten the last time we made that bet."
"Promises don't expire, my friend."
Naruto shook his head in amusement. "You're impossible."
"I try," Shisui winked. Then, more seriously, his eyes softened. "But really, you're something else. You mastered the Body Flicker in half a month. HALF a month. Do you know how ridiculous that is? I spent years refining mine, and you're already surpassing me."
Naruto turned back toward the clearing where the Uchiha brothers had paused their training and were now watching them with curiosity.
Itachi's dark eyes were calmly observant, while Sasuke looked a little confused — but not unfriendly.
"Hard work and good teachers," Naruto said quietly.
Shisui glanced at him. "You always downplay yourself."
Naruto shrugged. "Someone has to."
The soft crunch of leaves drew closer, and soon Itachi and Sasuke approached.
Itachi, as always, moved like a shadow — silent and poised. Sasuke looked a bit winded but walked with the pride of someone trying to match giants.
"Naruto," Itachi greeted with a slight nod.
"Sasuke," Naruto smiled at the younger boy. "You're getting stronger."
"Hmph," Sasuke crossed his arms. "Still not strong enough to beat him... and you."
"You'll get there," Naruto replied. "Just don't lose that drive."
Sasuke blinked, then looked away, ears slightly red.
Itachi looked between Naruto and Shisui, his voice calm. "We didn't expect visitors today."
"I'm just bored and decided to pay a visit." Naruto grinned.
"You're always welcome here," Itachi said simply. "This place belongs to no one."
Naruto looked around again, the wind picking up slightly. The forest hummed with energy, and the sky above seemed to shine a little brighter.
Sasuke suddenly spoke up, "Hey... Naruto. You and my brother. You've sparred before, right?"
Naruto smiled, eyes twinkling. "A few times."
Sasuke looked up, face earnest. "Then spar with him once more? I want to see how you handle my brother."
Itachi was about to interject, but Naruto held up a hand.
"You sure?"
"I want to know what I'm missing," Sasuke said firmly. "And... I want to catch up."
Naruto looked at him for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"Alright."
As Naruto was excited for the battle, Shisui interjected and announced.
"How about this? Why don't we have a 2v2 battle? Itachi and I will spar against you and Sasuke. I think it will be more beneficial for you both."
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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