The garden opened to a small koi pond. The water was smooth and undisturbed except for the gentle movements of the fish gliding beneath the surface. The moon hung above them, its reflection shimmering with every small ripple.
"Wow," Naruto murmured. "Didn't expect a place like this out here."
"It's really nice," Sakura agreed, stepping closer to the edge. "The moon looks beautiful tonight."
Naruto looked at her instead of the moon.
The silver glow bounced off her hair, off her eyes… making her look almost ethereal.
He didn't say anything, but the moment stayed in the air.
After a bit, he broke the silence with a question.
"So, Sakura… besides Sasuke… why did you decide to become a ninja? I mean, you were always pretty normal compared to the rest of us."
Sakura blinked, surprised by the depth behind the question. She looked down at the water.
"…Because I wanted something more."
Naruto stayed quiet, listening.
"I didn't have a legacy like the Uchiha or anyone else," she said softly. "No Kekkei Genkai, no ancient clan techniques. I was just… me. Just a normal girl with average parents. But I wanted to prove that I could be something more than what everyone expected."
Naruto nodded slowly. "Your parents didn't like that?"
"They didn't," she admitted with a sigh. "They were terrified I'd get hurt. Sometimes they still are."
Naruto's expression softened into something understanding. "They're from a different generation. They grew up during war after war. They've seen things we haven't. Losing people. Losing friends. They just don't want that for you."
Sakura turned and looked at him like she was seeing him differently.
"Yeah… I guess that makes sense."
"It doesn't matter how strong you get," Naruto added quietly. "To them, you'll always be their little girl."
She stared at him for a long moment.
' How is he so good at this? How is he this mature?'
They were the same age, yet Naruto suddenly felt… older.
"You always know what to say," she said with a small laugh. "I might have to make you my therapist."
Naruto immediately shook his head. "Nah"
She laughed louder this time, her shoulders relaxing fully for the first time that night.
As they turned back toward the resort, a sharp rustle came from the bushes. The sound was quick, light, and too deliberate to be just the wind.
Sakura tensed instantly, instinctively stepping closer.
Naruto didn't hesitate.
His arm slid around her waist, pulling her flush against him. His stance shifted, feet braced, eyes narrowed toward the shadows.
His voice dropped lower, steady.
"Stay close."
Sakura's breath hitched—her heartbeat jumped at both the danger… and the sudden closeness.
The rustling stopped.
A second later, a fat squirrel bolted out and disappeared across the stones.
Naruto exhaled. "Huh. False alarm."
But he didn't move his arm right away. Sakura didn't pull away either. Her face was warm, her heartbeat loud in her ears.
'He really is a gentleman…'
Naruto smirked slightly as they continued walking, still close.
'Not bad for a peaceful stroll,' he thought.
As the first rays of the sun filtered through the wooden blinds, Naruto stirred beneath his blanket. The warmth pressed against his face, coaxing him from sleep.
He groaned, squinting at the light, and lazily rubbed his eyes. His mind wandered, as usual, somewhere between yesterday's events, last night's bath, and what he'd have for breakfast.
After a few minutes of half-conscious reflection, he swung his legs off the futon and padded toward the bathroom. A splash of cold water on his face jolted him fully awake, washing away the last remnants of sleep.
He brushed his teeth, combed his hair quickly, and adjusted his ninja gear—ankle weights snugly in place—before stepping outside.
The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and distant cooking fires from the village. The team was already gathered near the edge of the forest path, stretching and checking equipment.
Yamato stood at the front, calm and composed as always, scanning the surroundings with sharp, practiced eyes.
"Okay, let's get moving," Yamato said in his measured tone.
Naruto fell into step beside Sakura, who shot him a quick glance from time to time. He noticed but didn't comment, instead focusing on keeping pace and pretending he wasn't aware of her attention.
The team resumed their journey toward Tenchi Bridge, the forest path winding through rolling hills and clusters of trees. Birds chirped lazily above, but the tension in the group made even the wildlife seem subdued.
Naruto tried starting conversations with Sai along the way, hoping to break some of the awkward silence, but the discussions only left him more confused than before.
'This guy really is a nutcase,' Naruto thought, glancing at Sai's blank expression. 'How did he even bag Ino?'
Sakura walked a few steps ahead, keeping her eyes on the path, though Naruto could feel her presence. He decided not to push it—there'd be time to talk later.
As night fell, the air cooled and the forest darkened, shadows stretching across the uneven ground.
Yamato stopped them at a small clearing and calmly summoned a wooden structure using his Wood Release.
Logs grew and interlocked naturally, forming a sturdy cabin that would serve as their temporary shelter.
Inside, the group gathered around as Yamato outlined their plan in detail. Lanterns hung from wooden hooks, casting a soft glow over maps and notes spread across the floor.
"Before we proceed, Sakura," Yamato said, turning toward her, "I need a detailed breakdown of Sasori's characteristics—mannerisms, speech patterns, any quirks that could help me mimic him convincingly."
Sakura nodded, settling onto a mat. She recounted everything she could remember: his cold, detached demeanor, clipped and precise way of speaking, and the subtle arrogance he carried, even when speaking casually.
Yamato listened carefully, absorbing each detail, letting it sink into his Wood Release-enhanced perception so that his eventual impersonation would be flawless.
Naruto, meanwhile, slouched against the wall of the cabin, half-listening as his mind wandered elsewhere.
'Man… this arc is kinda boring,' he thought, stretching and cracking his neck. 'Even in the anime, it only got interesting when I went Four-Tails and fought Orochimaru… and Orochimaru completely bodied me. Guess the Sannin really don't mess around.'
He shifted slightly, letting out a quiet sigh.
'Welp… let's just get through this. It's only a matter of time before things heat up.'
Once Yamato finished his briefing, the team prepared their bedding and supplies for the night. Lanterns glowed softly, the smell of pine and warm wood filling the cabin.
Despite the camaraderie and soft murmurs, the tension was undeniable. Each of them knew tomorrow could mark the first step into chaos, and that this would likely be their last night of calm before the storm.
Naruto closed his eyes for a moment, listening to the forest outside—the faint rustle of leaves, the distant call of nocturnal creatures, and the occasional crack of a branch. For the first time all day, he let himself relax… if only for a little while.
TO BE CONTINUED