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After Yamato's explanations and preparations, the three finally made their move, slipping quietly into the underground passage.
…
Below, the clash between Neji and Sasuko was winding down. When she lunged at him again, Neji twisted effortlessly, seizing her wrists and pinning her to the ground.
Looking down at the Uchiha struggling beneath him, he gave a faint smile.
"You've definitely grown. Orochimaru's training shows your ninjutsu, taijutsu, even your tactics are sharper than before."
Sasuko scoffed, no longer struggling. "And yet you're still holding back. You fight me the same way you always did never seriously. Always… just out of reach."
To her, it felt like climbing a mountain hidden by endless clouds. Every time she thought she was close, the peak revealed another summit above.
Neji studied her for a long moment, then released her hands and stood. The spar had served its purpose she had gained experience, and that was enough.
"I told you this was training, not a real fight. You're strong, but surpassing me will take more than a few years."
His Tenseigan flickered as he thought of the powers beyond her reach: the Mangekyō Sharingan… the Eternal Mangekyō… the Rinnegan… and further still. He had glimpsed that path. She hadn't.
Sasuko flexed her wrists, glaring at him. "You know something… Don't you?"
"Maybe. Just a little," he replied casually, brushing it aside.
His expression turned serious. "Naruto and Sakura are here. Do you… want to see them?"
She looked away sharply. "Hmph. Whether they came or not means nothing to me. I don't want to see them."
Classic tsundere, Neji thought with a small sigh. She said one thing, but her eyes told another story.
"Then I'll be leaving." He tossed her a small pendant. "This one's new. The old one… keep it. It suits you."
Sasuko caught it without thinking, her lips tightening. By the time she looked up, Neji was gone.
…
High above ground, Neji sat cross-legged on a floating cloud island, a protective barrier shimmering around it.
A simple table appeared at his gesture, covered in food and drink. He leaned back, watching events unfold below.
All he needed now was to observe. For the world to change, sometimes a new enemy, a shared threat, had to exist. Only then would the ninja nations unite.
Raw strength could suppress, but it could never change people's hearts. If peace was ever to last, the shinobi world had to want it.
He smirked faintly. Let's see what happens when Naruto and Sasuko meet again… this should be interesting.
…
A thunderous crack shook the ground as part of the cavern collapsed. From the rubble, Sasuko emerged into the sunlight.
Her figure was striking long black hair streaming in the breeze, pale skin glowing under the sun.
She wore a white kimono top with a deep blue sash tied by a purple rope belt; her sword was sheathed at her hip. The Uchiha crest was small, but visible on her back. Armguards shielded her forearms, her posture radiating pride and confidence.
She stood like a painting proud, untouchable.
"Is that… Sakura?" Sasuko's cool voice carried down, laced with faint recognition.
Sakura froze mid-step, heart thundering at the sound. That voice is so familiar.
"Sasuko…!"
Her eyes widened, drinking in the sight of her friend, her rival, the girl she had missed for three long years.
From the tunnel, Naruto's breath caught. His chest tightened painfully as he stared upward. For three years, not a day had passed without her in his thoughts. And now… she was really here.
Without even realizing it, he ran. Stumbling once, falling hard to the ground, but scrambling up without care. His body moved on its own.
His breath was ragged, his pulse wild. Was it friendship? Bonds? Something else? He didn't care. He only knew he had to reach her had to bring her back.
Bursting into the sunlight, he squinted against the glare. Slowly, her figure came into focus.
"Sasuko…"
She stood there, proud as ever. Her eyes, cold and distant, landed on him with the same sharp disdain as before, as if his presence was an annoyance, an inconvenience.
Yet that look, more than anything, made his heart race. For beneath the contempt, he still felt the thread of their bond tugging tight.
Sasuko's Sharingan lingered on him, analyzing. Naruto wasn't the little knucklehead she remembered. Taller now, his presence steadier, stronger. His clothes and hair were as sloppy as ever, but his aura had matured.
"…Naruto. So you came." Her tone was unreadable. "That means Kakashi must be here too."
Yamato stepped forward from the tunnel. "Kakashi-sensei isn't with us. I'm leading in his place. And I'm here to bring you back to the Leaf, Sasuko."
Sai, silent until now, suddenly drew his blade and leveled it at her.
Sakura gasped. "Sai! You—!"
But Sasuko's smirk froze her. "So he's your replacement, huh? Another soft-hearted fool, talking about protecting bonds with Naruto. You just keep finding weaklings to join you."
Her words, instead of stinging, made Sai's grip tighten.
"I won't deny it," he said quietly. "My mission was to kill you. But… I won't follow that order anymore."
He lowered his blade slightly, eyes firm. "Because Naruto reminded me of something. Something I thought I'd lost a long time ago. And I can't throw it away."
High above on his cloud, Neji chuckled under his breath. Naruto's tongue really is sharper than any blade. He can win over men as easily as enemies. No wonder even Root can't resist him.
The stage was set. Bonds, vengeance, and destiny all collide in the blazing light of reunion.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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