"Sorry for ditching you at the restaurant yesterday."

Asuma waved it off, hiding the small smirk tugging at his lips. "Nah, it's fine." He had his own way of settling that score—out here, in this spar.

Then the kid pointed at him, eyes narrowing. "I know that look. You're gonna bully me during the spar, aren't you?"

That stopped Asuma cold. He blinked, caught off guard. "No," he said simply. He wasn't planning to bully the boy, just mess with him a little, maybe teach him a lesson or two. But the way Naruto said it—like he expected it—rubbed Asuma the wrong way. His brow furrowed. How the hell were the teachers at the academy treating this kid?

Sympathy hit him like a sucker punch. He'd been through something similar when he first returned to Konoha. He pushed the thought aside for now.

"Look, Naruto, I'm not mad at you or any of your team. I'm an adult. I have to act like one."

Naruto nodded, but the way he shrugged told Asuma he didn't completely buy it.

"This spar is just to assess your fighting style," Asuma added. "I need to see which wind jutsu will fit you best."

"Then why not let me spar with Team 10? I could show them what real training looks like."

Asuma chuckled. "Preference," he said shortly, though there was a lot more to it than that. Kakashi had warned him about what Naruto could do when he went all out. And he wasn't about to risk Ino's Mind Transfer Jutsu on a Jinchūriki. That was a disaster waiting to happen.

Naruto saw through him, of course. He smirked. "Admit it. You just don't want me embarrassing your team."

Asuma raised an eyebrow and narrowed his eyes slightly. The kid was sharp. "Let's see if you're as good as you think you are, Naruto. Put your money where your mouth is."

"Fine by me, old man."

They both made the Seal of Confrontation. Asuma tossed a kunai into the air.

The second it hit the ground, Naruto drew his Zweihander, and Asuma's eyes widened just a bit. The massive blade caught the sunlight, its weight and length impressive—hell, intimidating even. Asuma let out a low whistle. "Impressive weapon. Bit unwieldy, though, don't you think?"

Naruto's smirk deepened as he lowered into the Fool's Guard stance. His posture looked relaxed, but Asuma caught the subtle shift in his weight, the way his hands gripped the hilt just right. The kid knew exactly what he was doing.

"Trying to bait me? Not bad."

Naruto clicked his tongue, annoyed at Asuma's refusal to take the bait. With a swift motion, he shifted to the High Guard, his Zweihander poised above his shoulder, angled for a powerful downward strike.

The boy flickered out of view, his Shunshin no Jutsu carrying him forward in a blur of speed. Naruto reappeared directly in front of Asuma, his Zweihander arcing down in a vicious diagonal slash.

Asuma's trench knives shot up to meet the blade, their edges humming with wind chakra. The moment they clashed, Naruto felt the pressure—his sword shuddered violently, the sheer force of Asuma's chakra threatening to cut through it.

"Damn it!" Naruto hissed, realizing what was about to happen. The chakra-infused knives would cut through his Zweihander like paper, and there was no way he was letting that happen.

In a split second, the Zweihander vanished. Asuma's trench knives struck empty air.

"What the—?" Asuma muttered, startled by the sudden disappearance of the weapon.

Space-time ninjutsu? Suddenly, Kakashi's warning about the boy being compromised made sense. A Jinchūriki that didn't show love to the village—that was normal. But a Jinchūriki with mysterious abilities, items, and more that came out of nowhere? No wonder Kakashi and his father were being very careful and taking no chances with this.

Recovering quickly, Asuma lunged forward, aiming a downward stab at Naruto. But Naruto substituted with a log, the trench knives slicing through it effortlessly.

"Hey, watch it!" Naruto's voice echoed from behind a nearby tree. He stepped out, pointing an accusatory finger. "You almost destroyed my precious sword, old man!"

Asuma shrugged, his expression neutral but his trench knives glowing ominously. "That's the beauty of wind chakra. Up close, it's the most dangerous element to deal with."

"Fine!" Naruto huffed. "If close-range is your thing, I'll just fight you long-range!"

The blonde boy created two shadow clones. The trio quickly armed themselves with shuriken and a massive fuma shuriken that Naruto pulled from his inventory.

Asuma shifted into a boxer's stance, the wind chakra around his trench knives extending their reach by several inches.

"Let's see what you've got," Asuma said, his tone calm but his body tense, ready to react.

Naruto's clones moved first, throwing a barrage of shuriken in perfect synchronization. The projectiles arced through the air, glittering in the sunlight as they closed in on Asuma from multiple angles.

Asuma's trench knives flashed, cutting through the shuriken with precise, calculated movements.

Since the shurikens came from clones, they popped upon impact, creating a thick cloud of white smoke that completely obscured his vision. Clever strategy!

The real Naruto leaped into the air, hurling the fuma shuriken directly at Asuma. Its massive blades spun like a whirlwind, cutting through the air with a menacing hum.

Asuma's eyes narrowed. He sidestepped some shurikens, his trench knives ready, and swung upward in a powerful arc. The wind chakra around his knives extended even further, meeting the fuma shuriken mid-air.

The clash was explosive. The fuma shuriken shattered into pieces, the force of the impact sending shards of metal flying in all directions.

Asuma felt the sudden presence of the two clones materialize on either side of him, their movements perfectly timed to catch him off guard. He had been so focused on the original Naruto that he hadn't anticipated this flanking maneuver. His eyes darted to the glowing white chakra in the clones' hands, and before he could counter, an invisible force hit him from both sides like a shockwave.

The jōnin staggered, his muscles refusing to cooperate for a few critical seconds. It didn't hurt exactly—more like his body was locked in place, as if an unseen hand had pressed pause on his movements. His mind raced to assess the situation.

For a brief moment, Asuma felt genuine awe. This wasn't the reckless, unpredictable fighting style he had expected. This was strategy. Distractions, timing, teamwork—even if the clones were technically himself, Naruto had coordinated them like a squad.

Oh, this kid's got a tactical brain. Who would've thought?

But there was no time to dwell. The air around him suddenly grew hot, and Asuma's sharp senses picked up on the disturbance. His eyes flicked to Naruto, who stood a short distance away, one hand raised. Hovering above it was a roiling orb of flame, its heat radiating out in waves. But this wasn't a normal fire jutsu. There were no hand signs, no smoke—just raw fire chakra, burning in defiance of everything Asuma knew about traditional Fire Style techniques.

What the hell is this brat?!

Naruto grinned, his expression sharp and confident. "Betcha didn't see this coming, did ya, Asuma-sensei?" Without missing a beat, Naruto hurled the fireball forward, the glowing orb arcing through the air like a comet. The heat intensified, making the air shimmer, and Asuma realized that even though his body was stunned, he could still feel his chakra flow. That was good—it meant he could still fight back.

With a quick surge of chakra, he spat a large, dark glob of tar from his mouth.

Fire Style: Tar Bomb Jutsu!

The sticky substance hurtled toward the incoming fireball. The tar wasn't ordinary—it was infused with Asuma's chakra, making it resistant to flames. As the tar collided with Naruto's fireball, the explosion wasn't the usual fiery detonation. Instead, it burst apart with a deep, wet whomp, sending a cloud of acrid, black smoke billowing into the air.

The smell was immediate and overwhelming—a thick, noxious stench that clung to the back of the throat. Naruto yelped as the smoke hit him, his eyes watering instantly. He stumbled backward, frantically rubbing at his face.

"Gah! What is this?!" he yelled, coughing and waving his hand in front of his nose. "It smells like burnt ramen broth!"

"It's tar, kid. Nasty stuff, huh? Thought I'd give you a little taste of something unconventional. Consider it a lesson—don't assume every fireball will explode the way you want it to."

Naruto glared up at him, still coughing. "You could've just said that instead of gassing me like some kind of stink bomb!"

Alright, maybe this is karma for ditching me at the restaurant!

"You've got guts, kid, I'll give you that. Now go wash up. You smell like an overcooked barbecue."

Naruto sighed, shaking his head as the clones popped, leaving him alone to deal with the aftermath of the stinky tar cloud. "Next time, I'm definitely bringing my own stink bomb," he muttered, trudging off toward the river.

Asuma watched him go, a fond smile playing on his lips. This kid's something else. I wonder just how far he'll go…

----------------------------------------

The pavilion was quiet, save for the faint rustle of leaves in the evening breeze. Naruto sat across from Asuma, his Zweihander resting heavily on the table between them. The weight of the blade seemed to pull Naruto's thoughts down with it, his fingers idly tracing its hilt as his mind churned.

"I must say, kid," Asuma began, breaking the silence. "You've been full of surprises. The way you move, the way you fight—you're not exactly what I expected from the knucklehead of Team 7." He smirked. "With your skills, I could probably teach you short-range, mid-range, or even long-range wind jutsu, and you'd pull them off just fine."

Naruto looked up at him, his blue eyes glinting with determination. "About that," he said, placing a firm hand on the Zweihander. "I think I've got the perfect jutsu in mind."

"Oh? What's that?"

"I want to learn how to flow wind chakra into my weapons."

"Like my trench knives?" Asuma leaned forward, giving the massive blade an assessing look before tapping its surface. "This isn't chakra metal," he said. His tone wasn't dismissive, just factual.

"Yeah, I know. Is that going to be a problem? Don't tell me it's impossible!"

"It's not impossible—just... complicated," Asuma admitted, scratching the back of his head. After a brief pause, he created a shadow clone, which moved to an open clearing, trench knife in hand.

"Observe," the jonin said as the clone took over the demonstration. "Flowing elemental chakra into a weapon is one of the hardest skills to master. If your weapon were made of chakra-conductive metal, it'd be a lot easier. But with regular steel like this..." Asuma trailed off, pointing at a regular kunai his clone held out. "You run into a problem."

The clone channeled raw wind chakra into the kunai, and for a split second, it hummed and vibrated—before exploding in a shower of shards and energy.

"What the—?!"

Asuma sighed. "Regular kunai and standard metal resist the flow of chakra. There are some exceptions, like Lightning chakra—it flows better in most metals. But wind chakra? Regular metal hates it. You force too much in, and it shatters."

Naruto frowned and looked down at his Zweihander. "Guess I'll need to learn another jutsu, then."

"Did I say it was impossible?"

Naruto blinked and looked up. "But you just said—"

"What I explained is what happens when you shove raw wind chakra into metal. A jutsu, though? That's different. A jutsu isn't just raw input—it's refined control."

"So, you're saying... there's a jutsu that can let me channel wind chakra into my sword?" Naruto's eyes lit up with hope.

"Of course," Asuma said, grinning.

Naruto tilted his head. "Then why don't you use that jutsu instead of wasting a fortune on those knives?"

Asuma scratched the back of his head, looking a little sheepish. "Well... it's because using raw wind chakra is faster and more efficient in a fight. In combat, you don't always have the luxury of setting up a jutsu like Vacuum Blade."

"So, what's the point of learning it then?"

Asuma smirked, but there was something thoughtful in his eyes. "The point is control. Wind Style: Vacuum Blade isn't just a flashy jutsu—it's refined. When mastered, it can turn any ordinary weapon into something deadly, even without chakra metal. But that mastery doesn't come easy."

Naruto's eyes lit up with curiosity. "How hard are we talking?"

Asuma sighed, crossing his arms. "Let's put it this way. I spent years learning to get it right. Vacuum Blade requires you to shape the wind chakra perfectly, molding it like a sheath around the weapon without letting it rupture like that kunai earlier. If you slip even slightly, the flow destabilizes and boom—you're left with shards of metal flying in your face."

Naruto winced. "So, it's dangerous if you mess up."

"Exactly," Asuma said, nodding. "That's why it's an A-rank jutsu. Even shinobi who are great at wind chakra control often avoid it because of how much patience it takes to master. But once you do... there's nothing quite like it. A weapon enhanced by Vacuum Blade can cut through almost anything."

Naruto grinned. "Sounds like my kind of challenge."

"Yeah, well, don't get too excited just yet," Asuma warned. "It's not something you'll get overnight, even with shadow clones. But if you're serious, I'll teach you."

"So where do we start?"

"We're going to cut a waterfall."

Naruto blinked, confused. "Wait—what? A waterfall? You're joking, right?"

Asuma's grin turned sly.

----------------------------------------

The two of them trekked through the dense forest, the scent of fresh pine and damp earth filling the air. Sunlight filtered through the trees in patches, casting golden beams onto the forest floor. Naruto walked quickly, practically bouncing with anticipation as he tried to keep up with Asuma's long strides.

After about ten minutes of hiking, the sound of rushing water grew louder. They stepped into a clearing, and Naruto's eyes widened at the sight before him.

A massive waterfall cascaded down a jagged cliffside, the water crashing into the pool below with a roar that filled the air. Mist rose from the base, catching the light and creating faint rainbows that danced in the spray. The pool fed into a winding river that snaked into the forest, its current strong and unrelenting.

Naruto stared at the waterfall, his eyes wide. "You really weren't joking..."

"You're going to stand behind that waterfall and use your wind chakra to cut the flow of water. Think of it like cutting the leaf," Asuma explained. "But way harder. Unlike the leaf, the water's constantly moving, constantly changing. You can't just trickle your chakra into it—you need to release it in a single, precise burst. When you can manage that, we'll start with the hand signs for Vacuum Blade."

Naruto stood at the edge of the clearing, fists clenched, eyes blazing with that unshakable determination Asuma was quickly learning to expect from him. Without hesitation, Naruto began stripping off his armor piece by piece, setting it on the ground with a metallic thud.

Asuma's eyebrows shot up as he took in the sheer definition of the boy's physique. His body was built like a weapon—lean, powerful, and honed through years of effort. This wasn't the kind of build you got overnight. No, this kid had been working hard for a long time, long before the village had even started noticing him.

Exhaling through his nose, Asuma tapped the cigarette between his fingers. So that's why Konoha's got its eyes on you. It wasn't just the Nine-Tails. It was this. All of this. The mystery surrounding him, the strength he'd built, the unknowns that made people uneasy.

But that's the problem with shinobi. They were trained to look underneath the underneath, to dig for secrets. But with Naruto... where do you even start looking when you don't know what you're looking for?

A sharp shout from the boy snapped him out of his thoughts. Naruto was already behind the waterfall, water crashing down on him like a hammer as he braced himself against the force. His clones mirrored his stance perfectly, their hands glowing faintly with chakra as they tried to cut through the water. The first attempt sent only a small ripple, barely noticeable against the roaring cascade.

"Again!" Naruto barked, his voice carrying over the rush of the falls. His clones nodded, their expressions just as serious as they reset their stances.

Leaning against a nearby tree, Asuma watched him closely. Maybe that's Konoha's problem. They're too focused on his secrets, trying to figure out what makes him tick. But they're missing what's right in front of them. The boy, not the mystery. The person, not the power.

He sighed, the irony of his own thoughts settling in. He wasn't exactly innocent here. Hell, his first instinct had been to evaluate Naruto as a potential threat too. But seeing him now, pushing himself past his limits, it hit differently.

He reminded him of himself.

When he was Naruto's age, he'd been the same way—relentless, stubborn, desperate to prove something. Back then, it had driven a wedge between him and his old man.

He took another drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling into the sky. Naruto and I aren't so different. Both of them sons of Hokage. Both living under shadows they didn't ask for. Both ostracized in their own ways. Maybe that's why I feel such a connection to him. Naruto wasn't just some student. He's a reflection of who I was—and who I still might be.

Asuma watched as Naruto tried again, this time sending a larger ripple through the waterfall. It wasn't much, but it was progress. And knowing the kid, he'd keep pushing until he succeeded.

That's the thing about him—he doesn't give up.

A smile tugged at Asuma's lips as he flicked the ash from his cigarette. I think I can finally see it. His ninja way wasn't just about protecting the village anymore. It was about something bigger—ensuring that the next generation, kids like Naruto, had a future worth inheriting.

He wouldn't see Naruto for his mysteries. He wouldn't treat him like a puzzle to solve or a threat to monitor. He'd see him for who he was. Naruto. His student. A kid who deserved to be treated with respect and kindness, not suspicion.

He chuckled softly as Naruto shouted at his clones to keep going. Your secrets might intrigue my shinobi instincts, kid, but my humanity knows better. You're Naruto first. And that's how I'll treat you. I'll make sure you succeed, not because of the village's expectations, but because you deserve it.

That's my ninja way.

----------------------------------------

A few hours later...

Naruto sat on a tree stump near the river, a pile of empty bento boxes stacked beside him. His chest gleamed under the fading sunlight, droplets of water rolling down his well-defined muscles. His soaked pants clung uncomfortably to his skin, but the food more than made up for it. Team 10 stood nearby, watching him eat like he hadn't seen a meal in days.

"Slow down, Naruto," Choji said, sounding half-impressed and half-concerned. "Even I take my time to enjoy the taste."

Naruto didn't slow down. "Can't. Too hungry," he mumbled through a mouthful of rice, grabbing another rice ball and scarfing it down. He picked up a bottle of juice and drained it in one gulp. "Training makes you starving."

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow at Choji. "When you're telling someone to slow down, you know it's serious."

"Seriously," Choji said with a chuckle. "I feel like I should be worried for you."

But neither of them noticed that Ino wasn't paying attention to the conversation. Her eyes were glued to Naruto's upper body. She had never thought much of him before—loud, annoying, and definitely not her type—but now, drenched from head to toe and radiating a confidence she couldn't quite place, he looked... different. And those muscles. Where did those even come from?

"Geez," she muttered under her breath, and before she knew it, her hand reached out as if it had a mind of its own. Her fingers brushed against his chest, and she gave his pec a light squeeze.

Naruto froze mid-bite. Slowly, he turned to look at her, his chopsticks still halfway to his mouth. "Uh... Ino? What are you doing?"

Ino snapped her hand back, her cheeks burning red. She coughed awkwardly and looked away, trying to play it cool. "Just... uh, checking if they're real."

"Really, Ino?"

Choji, meanwhile, was staring at her with wide eyes. "Did you... did you just touch him?"

"Shut up!" she hissed, shooting both of them a glare. "It was nothing!"

"Okay," Naruto said with a shrug, completely unfazed. He resumed eating, shoveling more food into his mouth without a care in the world.

Ino stared at him, dumbfounded. What kind of guy doesn't even react to that?

"How did you get like this, anyway?" Choji asked, leaning closer and poking Naruto's bicep. His eyes widened. "Your muscles feel like rocks!"

"It just kind of happened." Truthfully, every time he gained more experience and pushed himself further, his body seemed to transform on its own—stronger, sharper, more defined. The only thing that didn't seem to change, much to his frustration, was his height.

"Gah, Sakura is so lucky," Ino said, pouting. "She gets to hang out with Sasuke-kun and... and..." Her voice trailed off as she realized what she was about to say. She shook her head, her cheeks turning pink again. "Never mind."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, swallowing a mouthful of rice. "And what?"

"Nothing!" she snapped, avoiding his gaze. But she couldn't help stealing another glance at his chest. Not that impressive, she told herself. Sasuke-kun is still better.

"Uh-huh," Naruto said, giving her a suspicious look before turning to Shikamaru.

"So, how are Sasuke and Sakura training?"

"Probably lazing around like a pig. Unlike Sasuke-kun, at least you're putting in the effort." Ino gave Naruto an appraising look. "I'll give you that."

Naruto frowned. "Actually, Sakura's been training barrier ninjutsu. She's been working really hard."

"Yeah, right," Ino scoffed. "She's probably doing nothing and hoping Sasuke will save her, as usual."

Naruto's expression darkened. He set down his chopsticks, crossing his arms over his chest. "Or maybe that's just your fantasy."

"Excuse me?!"

"Sakura's been working her butt off," Naruto said firmly. "She's not the same girl she was in the Academy. Don't dismiss her like that."

The two of them locked eyes, tension crackling in the air.

"Whatever you say," Ino muttered, looking away. "Working hard doesn't mean she can beat my beauty."

Naruto snorted. "Right. Because that's what matters in a fight."

A heavy silence settled over the group. Shikamaru and Choji exchanged a glance, both silently agreeing: no way were they poking this hornet's nest.

Finally, Naruto broke the silence. "Why do you even like Sasuke?"

Ino blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

"Why do you like him?" Naruto repeated, leaning forward slightly. "What's so great about Sasuke, anyway?"

"I..." Ino hesitated, her usual confidence faltering. "I like Sasuke-kun because he's... strong. And cool. And he's... he's..."

Ino's voice trailed off, her confidence slipping away. The words refused to come, slippery and evasive like water through her fingers. She prided herself on her eloquence, her ability to name and describe the intricate beauty of flowers, the subtle nuances of emotions—but now, when it mattered, she found herself at a loss.

Despite her extensive vocabulary, none of the words she grasped for felt right. None could truly capture the reason she admired Sasuke. For the first time, she was struck by how hollow those words sounded when said aloud.

Naruto, watching her struggle, crossed his arms. His voice was quiet but firm as he broke the silence. "Grow up, Ino. Sakura's grown up, and it's time for you to do the same."

The words weren't spoken with malice, but they landed heavily nonetheless. He'd meant to defend Sakura, to stop Ino from dismissing her progress—but instead, his words pierced deeper than he'd intended.

Ino froze, her mind spinning as she stared at him. His bluntness, so unpolished yet undeniably honest, cut straight to the heart of her feelings. She couldn't think of a retort, couldn't summon her usual snark. Instead, one question echoed in her head, louder and louder until it drowned out everything else:

Why do I like Sasuke?

----------------------------------------

The shop was quiet again, save for the faint rustle of flower stems brushing together as Ino moved to rearrange a display. The bouquet she had just crafted sat like a ghost in her mind—a reflection of something she didn't have. She didn't know why it lingered, why the young man's beaming face made her feel so hollow. She didn't know why she was suddenly noticing these things.

Ino's fingers hovered over a set of delicate white lilies before she stopped and placed her hands on the counter, staring out the glass window again. People bustled past, each one consumed by their own lives, their own stories, their own people. A world full of connections, of bonds, of flowers handed off in shaking hands to express words that were too difficult to say.

Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

She hated it. Not the flowers, not the shop, but the quiet moments like these—where there were no customers, no distractions—because that was when her thoughts would creep back in.

Why do you like Sasuke?

Naruto's blunt question echoed through her head again, that familiar frustration bubbling up. She pushed it down, pretending it didn't matter. But it did matter. It mattered because she couldn't escape it, because every time she thought about Sasuke, really thought about him, the words seemed to wedge themselves deeper into her chest.

She shook her head, her hands trembling slightly as she forced herself to focus on the lilies. She adjusted their stems, moving them just so, but her thoughts kept unraveling.

Why do you like Sasuke? Naruto's voice repeated again, but this time, it was her own voice underneath his.

Why do I like Sasuke?

At first, the question annoyed her—like it was an attack, a challenge to her feelings. But the more it repeated, the more it began to shift, to burrow deeper into places she had tried to keep hidden from herself. She wanted to dismiss it, to wave it off like she always did. Because he's strong. Because he's cool. Because he's... he's Sasuke.

But even to herself, the words felt hollow, thin, like paper crumpling under the weight of something heavier.

She leaned over the counter, letting her head rest in her hands, her mind unraveling faster now. The memories began to bubble up—ones she had pushed down for so long.

How long have I even liked him?

Her thoughts drifted back to the first time she saw him in the Academy. Sasuke, quiet and stoic, sitting alone in the back of the room, his hair messy in a way that somehow made him look perfect. Back then, her heart had skipped a beat just looking at him, and she had decided then and there that he was someone worth admiring, someone worth chasing. But why?

Because he looked cool? Because he didn't notice anyone else? Because everyone else liked him, and I wanted to win?

Her chest tightened. The thought felt ugly, bitter, and yet, it rang true in a way that made her stomach turn.

She had told herself over and over again that it was because Sasuke was strong, because he was a prodigy, because he was destined for greatness. But if that was the case, why couldn't she name a single thing about him—beyond his face and his abilities—that she actually liked?

"Ino-chan."

The familiar voice pulled Ino from her spiraling thoughts. She looked up from the counter to see her father, Inoichi, stepping into the shop, the soft chime of the door heralding his arrival. His ever-calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the chaos she felt inside.

"Is it lunchtime already?" she asked, glancing at the clock. It was a routine they had fallen into: she'd take the morning shift, and then head out to join her team while her father managed the shop for a few hours. It amazed her that a man like him—head of the Yamanaka clan, leader of T&I (Konoha's feared Torture and Interrogation unit)—somehow always made time for a little flower shop.

She'd asked him about it once, wondering how he managed to balance so much. His answer had been almost nonchalant: "Clones and good time management, Ino. It's all about priorities."

Inoichi studied her for a moment, his sharp eyes catching something in her expression. "Something on your mind?"

Ino sighed, knowing better than to hide it. Her father had an uncanny ability to see straight through her, no matter how hard she tried to mask her emotions.

"Yeah, a little."

Inoichi didn't press her immediately. Instead, he walked around the shop, casually tending to a row of chrysanthemums. It was his way of inviting her to speak on her own terms, giving her the space she needed.

Finally, he spoke. "You know, I may not be able to read your mind without your permission, but I can still tell when something's eating at you." He gave her a small smile. "Want to talk about it?"

Ino hesitated. She could brush him off, but deep down, she knew her father was someone she could trust. He had a way of framing things that made her feel less... lost.

"It's about Sasuke," she said finally.

Inoichi nodded, as if he had expected this. "Ah, the Uchiha boy. Go on."

She fidgeted with the edge of the counter, her voice quieter now. "I asked myself why I like Sasuke… and I couldn't answer. I thought I could, but when I tried to explain it, nothing felt... real."

Her father turned fully toward her, his gaze thoughtful. "And that bothered you?"

"Yeah. I mean, it's Sasuke. He's... Sasuke. I've liked him for years. But now I'm starting to wonder if I even know why." She sighed, frustrated. "What's wrong with me?"

Inoichi moved to stand beside her, his tone calm and measured. "Nothing is wrong with you, Ino. What you're experiencing is perfectly natural. It's called cognitive dissonance—when your beliefs and your actions don't align, it creates discomfort. You're questioning your feelings because, deep down, part of you realizes they might not be as genuine as you thought."

She looked at him, confused. "So, what, you're saying I don't really like Sasuke?"

"I'm not saying that," Inoichi clarified. "I'm saying it's worth examining why you feel the way you do. Let me ask you this: when you think about Sasuke, what comes to mind first?"

"Uh... he's strong, and cool, and..." Her voice trailed off as she realized she had nothing else to add.

Inoichi nodded knowingly. "Do you think that's enough to build a meaningful connection? Admiration is one thing, but it's not the same as love."

Ino frowned. "But isn't love just... you know, liking someone a lot? Wanting to be with them?"

Her father chuckled softly. "It's more than that, Ino. Love is trust. At its core, it's about relying on someone and letting them rely on you in return. It's about seeing someone for who they truly are—their strengths, their flaws, everything—and choosing to stand by them anyway."

Ino was silent, her mind turning over his words. "But Sasuke's... Sasuke. Everyone likes him. Everyone admires him."

Inoichi's gaze softened. "Do you like him, or do you like the idea of him?"

Her breath caught. The question hit harder than she expected. "I... I don't know," she admitted quietly.

"You know, Ino, I wear a lot of hats in this village. I'm the head of the Yamanaka clan. I run T&I, where I deal with some of the most dangerous minds in Konoha. And yet, I come here to this little flower shop every day. Do you know why?"

"Because of Mom," Ino said without hesitation.

A big smile touched his lips. "That's right. This shop was hers. It's where we met, where we fell in love. She taught me everything I know about flowers. And even after she was gone, I kept it going. Not because I have to, but because I trust her legacy. This shop is a part of her, a part of us. It reminds me of what we built together."

Ino stared at him, her throat tightening. "So... love is just trust?"

"It's one way to look at it, yes. Trust is the foundation—without it, love doesn't last. It's not just about how someone makes you feel; it's about what you've shared, what you've built together. Trust is what holds it all together when the feelings waver, as they sometimes will. So tell me, Ino—have you ever shared that kind of bond with Sasuke?"

She swallowed hard, unable to answer.

Inoichi continued. "I'm not saying your feelings aren't real, Ino. But real love isn't just about what someone looks like or how they make you feel in passing. It's about what you build together, over time."

His words settled over her like a blanket, heavy but warm. For the first time, she began to see her feelings for Sasuke in a different light—not as something magical or inevitable, but as something she had crafted in her own mind, shaped by admiration, competition, and maybe even a little insecurity.

"What brought this on?" Inoichi asked, tilting his head.

"Naruto," she admitted. "He asked me why I liked Sasuke, and it just... messed with my head."

Ino glanced at her father, who was still standing there, pale as a ghost, with that strange constipated look plastered on his face.

"Uh... hello? You there, Dad?" she asked, waving a hand in front of his face.

Inoichi didn't respond. His sharp blue eyes, normally so alert, seemed lost in some deep, unsettling thought. Whatever it was, he wasn't about to share it, and Ino wasn't in the mood to wait around.

"Right," she muttered. "Good talk, Dad. Thanks for the advice."

Her father's words hung heavily in her mind: Love is trust. Trust takes time to build, brick by brick.

It sounded so simple when he said it, but as she walked, her thoughts tangled into knots, pulling her back into a question.

Who is Sasuke?

The question hit her again, sharp and cutting, and this time she didn't brush it aside.

Her feet stopped moving, her body rooted to the spot as her mind began unraveling the carefully constructed image of the boy she'd idolized for so long. Sasuke was the Uchiha prodigy. He was strong. Cool. Perfect. But what did that actually mean?

What do I even know about him?

She felt a pang of panic, her chest tightening as the realization hit her. She didn't know Sasuke. Not really. She knew the way he looked, the way he carried himself, the stories everyone told about him—but that was it. She couldn't name a single thing he liked, a single moment they had shared that wasn't just her forcing herself into his orbit.

Her father's voice echoed in her head: Do you like him, or do you like the idea of him?

The more she thought about it, the more her admiration for Sasuke felt like a reflection of her own insecurities. It wasn't about him—it was about her. Her desire to prove something, to be someone, to win at something that didn't even have clear stakes.

Her stomach churned as the truth unraveled before her.

Why did I sacrifice so much for him?

Her thoughts shifted to Sakura, and a wave of guilt crashed over her.

She and Sakura had once been inseparable, two halves of the same whole. They had shared everything—their dreams, their fears, their silly fantasies about white knights and perfect weddings. They had been sisters in all but blood.

And then Sasuke had come between them.

She could still see the moment it happened so clearly, the day they had declared themselves rivals for his affection. It had felt dramatic and important at the time, like they were stepping into some grand story. But looking back now, all she could see was how childish it was.

They had sacrificed their friendship—one of the purest, most meaningful bonds she'd ever had—for what?

What did I even win? she thought bitterly. We gave up everything, and for what? For a boy who barely notices either of us? For someone who wouldn't lift a finger to protect me if I was in danger? For someone who doesn't even smile?

Her chest tightened again, and she felt her throat close up as tears threatened to spill. She blinked them away angrily, refusing to cry over this. Over him.

Her father's words returned to her, steady and grounding: Trust takes time to build. It's about shared experiences, vulnerability, and mutual respect.

Trust. Vulnerability. Respect.

She and Sasuke had none of that.

But she and Sakura had. Once.

The ache in her chest shifted, no longer anger or bitterness but something softer, more painful. Regret. She had thrown away one of the most important bonds in her life—not for love, not even for friendship, but for pride. For competition.

She stared blankly at the flowers in a nearby planter, their vibrant colors muted by the shadows.

Ino's fingers brushed against a stray flower petal, her thoughts softening as she remembered her father's expression when he talked about her mother. That was love—not some fleeting crush or infatuation, but something real, something earned, something built over time.

She wanted that.

She didn't want Sasuke. Not the chase, not the endless competition, not the shallow admiration of someone who didn't even know she existed.

She wanted something real.

Her fingers curled into a fist as a quiet determination settled over her. Maybe Naruto had been right. Maybe it was time to grow up. To stop chasing after ideas and start finding something—or someone—that was real.

Ino found herself standing in front of the roaring waterfall, the spray of water misting her face. Naruto was still training, relentlessly slicing through the rushing water with bursts of wind chakra.

Minutes ticked by.

"How much stamina does this idiot have?" she muttered under her breath, her foot tapping impatiently.

Ino's gaze drifted to the bank of the waterfall, where Naruto's armor lay discarded, glinting faintly in the sunlight. Her eyes then trailed to him, still cutting relentlessly through the rushing water, his movements precise yet filled with an intensity that made her pause. But what really caught her attention was the broken sword strapped to his belt, tied securely with ninja wires.

It wasn't just a weapon. That much was obvious.

Her brows furrowed as she pieced things together. That sword... It had been at his side every time she'd seen him train. And hadn't Kiba made some snarky comment about it? She couldn't exactly forget Naruto's killer intent.

Her thoughts churned as she watched him. He had changed so much—yet, in some ways, not at all.

Ino glanced back at the sword, then to the armor. Both seemed heavy, not just in the physical sense but emotionally too. Like they carried pieces of him, pieces he didn't talk about but couldn't let go of.

What did he go through?

She tried to evaluate him like her father had taught her—breaking down his behavior, his actions, his emotions.

He wasn't the same boy who had loudly declared he'd be Hokage during every class. That boy had been full of bluster and confidence, but this Naruto... he was different. He was confident, yes, but it came from a place of experience, not blind belief. He didn't talk about his dreams as much anymore—he just worked toward them, quietly, relentlessly.

But there was also a wall.

She could see it now, even as he trained. He pushed himself harder than anyone she knew, but it wasn't just for improvement. It was like he was running from something, or maybe toward it. The way he clung to that broken sword, the way his anger had flared at Kiba's insult—it all pointed to something deeper.

What happened to you, Naruto?

Finally, after twenty grueling minutes, she cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled, "Naruto! I want to talk to you!"

Naruto skidded to a stop, his chakra dissipating as he turned to see her.

"Huh? Oh, hey, Ino!"

He jumped toward her with his usual energy, landing in front of her, completely drenched. "What's up?"

Ino hesitated, looking at the ground for a moment before meeting his eyes. "You were right," she said quietly.

"Of course I was. But, uh... about what, exactly?"

"I don't like Sasuke," she said, the words tumbling out of her like thunder, leaving her stunned by the force of them.

Naruto blinked, clearly baffled. "Okay," he said slowly, scratching the back of his head. "When did I say you didn't?"

Ino closed her eyes, bracing herself for some kind of mocking remark, a teasing jab—but it never came.

Instead, she felt herself being pulled into a tight, unexpected hug.

Her eyes flew open in shock as Naruto's wet, muscular frame pressed against her. The water from his training seeped into her clothes, and her cheeks turned scarlet. She could feel the warmth of his skin beneath the dampness, his strong arms wrapping around her in a gesture so casual it made her ears steam.

"W-what are you doing?!" she stammered, her voice high-pitched as she tried to push him away.

Naruto pulled back slightly, looking genuinely puzzled. "Uh... isn't this what you wanted? You tell me your sad love story, I give you a hug. That's how this works, right?"

"It's not a sad love story," she shot back, crossing her arms indignantly.

"Are you sure about that?"

Ino hesitated before letting out a defeated sigh. "Okay… maybe it is a sad love story."

Naruto grinned as if he'd just won some unspoken argument. Then his eyes caught sight of the cup of ramen she was holding. "Is that for me?"

Ino rolled her eyes but extended the cup toward him. "Yeah, but it's cold now. You took too long."

"Cold ramen's not gonna stop me!" Naruto said confidently, pulling out his pyromancy flame.

Ino stared, wide-eyed. "I don't think that's going to—"

Before she could finish, the cup caught fire. Naruto yelped, flinging the burning ramen into the river.

For a moment, there was silence. Then Ino burst into laughter, clutching her stomach as she doubled over. She laughed so hard she started wheezing, covering her mouth with her hand in embarrassment.

"Why are you covering your face?"

"Because my laugh is ugly!" she managed between giggles, her cheeks burning.

"I think it's cute. You shouldn't hide it."

The simplicity of his statement made her freeze, her laughter dying in her throat as her face turned bright red. "Y-you think my laugh is cute?"

"Yeah," Naruto said, as if stating an obvious fact. "Why wouldn't it be?"

Ino looked away, her heart racing. What is with this guy?

After a moment of awkward silence, she cleared her throat. "Naruto… I think I need to apologize to Sakura."

Naruto tilted his head again. "Apologize? For what?"

Ino hesitated but decided to explain. "Sakura and I… we used to be really close. Like sisters. But then we both started liking Sasuke, and things just… fell apart. We've been rivals ever since. And it's my fault."

Naruto frowned, listening intently. He didn't interrupt her, which was rare for him. When she finished, he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"Can I say something?"

Ino nodded, bracing herself.

"You're an idiot," he said bluntly.

She winced, but she didn't argue. "I know."

"And," Naruto continued, "you should just go talk to Sakura. I think she'd be happy to have her friend back."

Ino hesitated, biting her lip. "But… what if she doesn't want to be friends?"

Naruto shrugged. "Well, then that's her choice. But if I was Sakura, I would probably want my old friend back."

Ino stared at him, his words settling over her like a warm blanket. For all his brashness and lack of tact, Naruto had a way of cutting straight to the heart of things.

"Thank you," she said softly.

Naruto grinned, scratching the back of his head. "No problem! Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a waterfall to destroy!"

As he ran back toward the roaring water, Ino couldn't help but smile. Her heart felt lighter, her path clear. Naruto's words echoed in her mind—it was time to fix things.

It was time to rebuild what she had lost.

It was time to get her friend back.

----------------------------------------

Ino stood outside Sakura's house, clutching the straps of the small bag she'd brought with her. The sun had barely risen, casting the street in a soft golden glow, and the quiet of the morning made every creak of the wooden porch and every distant birdcall seem louder than it was.

Her heart was racing, her palms slightly damp. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, debating for the hundredth time whether she should turn around and leave. She could still hear her father's words from the night before: You don't have to have all the answers right now, Ino. Just take the first step.

But what if this wasn't the right step? What if Sakura slammed the door in her face, or worse, laughed at her for even trying? They hadn't had a real conversation in years. The idea of facing her old friend—or rival—now felt overwhelming. Ino took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. It's going to be fine, she told herself, but her hands gripped her bag tighter. Sakura isn't the same girl I used to know. She's stronger now, more confident. But I'm not the same either. This doesn't have to go wrong. It's just… talking.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a door creaking open. Ino straightened up instinctively, her nervous fidgeting freezing as she saw Sakura step out onto the porch.

"All right, I'll see you both later!"

Ino exhaled, her resolve hardening. This is it. Just talk.

"Hey, there, bill—" she started, but her mouth snapped shut. Years of calling Sakura billboard brow had almost spilled out, and she cursed herself for the slip.

Sakura froze in her tracks, her eyes narrowing.

"What do you want, Ino-pig?"

Ino flinched but forced herself to stand tall. "I just want to talk, Sakura," she said, her voice more earnest than she expected.

Sakura blinked, her hand twitching at her side. "Wait… what?" She pinched her arm through her sleeve, squinting slightly as if to make sure she wasn't imagining things. "This isn't a dream, right? You—you actually want to talk to me?"

"Yes," Ino said, her heart thundering in her chest. "I just want to talk."

"Well, I'm on a tight schedule," she said, her tone turning snippy. "Some of us actually work hard, unlike a certain someone who spends all day arranging flowers."

"I'm serious, Sakura!"

"Okay… fine," Sakura said finally. "Let's just walk and talk. But if I'm late for training, I'm blaming you."

Ino nodded quickly, relieved that Sakura hadn't shut her down completely.

They started walking side by side down the dirt path, the awkwardness between them almost palpable. Ino felt like her words were caught in her throat, her mind racing to figure out how to start.

"So… what do you want to talk about?"

Ino hesitated, looking down at the ground as they walked. "I wanted to say… I'm sorry."

Sakura stopped abruptly. "Sorry? For what?"

"For everything," Ino said, her voice soft but steady. She met Sakura's eyes, her own filled with regret. "For the way I treated you. For the things I said. For… letting Sasuke come between us."

"Wait, Sasuke? Are you saying this is about him?"

"It's not just about him," Ino clarified quickly. "But he was the reason everything fell apart between us. I mean… we used to be like sisters, and then suddenly we were rivals. And for what? For him? A boy who barely even notices us?"

"You were the one who declared us rivals, Ino. I didn't ask for that."

"I know," Ino admitted. "I thought it was the right thing to do at the time. I thought it would make me stronger, more focused. But all it did was push you away."

Sakura looked at her for a long moment, her gaze searching. "Why now? Why are you saying this now?"

"Because… I've been thinking a lot lately," Ino said. "About who I am, about the kind of person I want to be. And I realized that chasing after Sasuke and holding onto this stupid rivalry with you… it's not what I want anymore."

"And what do you want?"

"I want us to be friends again."

"You know… it really hurt, Ino," Sakura said quietly. "When you called me weak. When you treated me like I was nothing compared to you."

"I know," Ino said. "And I was wrong. You've grown so much, Sakura. You've worked so hard, and you've become so strong. I'm… I'm proud of you."

Sakura's eyes widened, and for a moment, she looked completely thrown off. She opened her mouth to respond but closed it again, her emotions flickering across her face like a storm.

They walked in silence for a few moments before Sakura spoke again. "Do you really mean it?"

"Every word," Ino said. "I miss you, Sakura. I miss the way things used to be."

Sakura slowed her steps, her face softening as the tension between them began to ease. "I miss you too," she admitted quietly, almost like it was a secret she didn't want to say out loud.

"So… do you think we can try again? You know, start over?"

Sakura looked at her for a long moment before finally nodding. "Yeah. I think I'd like that."

Ino didn't think twice—she stepped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around Sakura. It wasn't the kind of polite, awkward hug you'd give someone out of obligation; this was real. She squeezed her, holding onto the moment like she was afraid it might disappear.

Sakura stiffened at first, caught off guard, but then slowly melted into the embrace, her arms circling Ino's back. The tension that had lingered between them for years seemed to dissolve in that moment.

When they finally pulled apart, Sakura cleared her throat and raised an eyebrow, trying to mask the hint of emotion in her voice. "So, what's in the bag?"

"Oh, these?" Ino smiled, handing it over. "Some new clothes I picked out for you. You know, as an apology gift. I figured it'd be a good start."

"You bought me clothes?"

"Yeah," Ino said, crossing her arms smugly. "I am Konoha's resident fashionista, after all. You can thank me later."

"I should get you something too."

Ino shook her head. "No, you don't have to. This isn't about that."

"Come on, Ino," Sakura said. "If you're going to give me a gift, I should give you one too. Besides…" She looked down at the ground briefly before meeting Ino's gaze. "It's not like I wasn't part of the problem. I... I said a lot of things I shouldn't have, too."

Before she could respond, Sakura's eyes lit up with an idea. Without another word, she turned on her heel and bolted down the road, her chakra-enhanced speed carrying her far out of sight in seconds.

"What the—Sakura?!"

Before the blonde could even wonder where Sakura had gone, the pink-haired kunoichi was back, holding a delicate daffodil in her hand. Its small white petals glistened faintly with dew, the morning light catching them just right.

"I know it's not much, but... to new beginnings."

"You remembered..."

"Of course I remembered," Sakura said, her smile growing. "You were the one who taught me the meanings behind flowers, remember?"

For a moment, they just stood there, smiling at each other like they were kids again, back before everything got so complicated.

"Thanks, Forehead," Ino said softly.

"Don't mention it, Pig," Sakura replied, grinning.

They both chuckled, the tension between them finally gone.

Sakura then peeked into the bag and pulled out the outfit Ino had chosen for her. Her eyebrows shot up when she saw the short red top with its circular design on the chest, the sleeveless cut, and the way it clearly exposed the midriff. Beneath it was a black skirt with a red trim and a small apron-like cloth attached to the front, paired with some stylish open-toe sandals.

"You've got to be kidding me," she said. "This is totally your style, Ino, not mine."

"Oh, come on, Sakura. You've been hiding that figure of yours for years. It's time to show a little skin. Trust me, you'll look amazing in it."

Sakura flushed, trying to glare at her but failing miserably. "You think Sasuke would…?" She trailed off, biting her lip as her blush deepened.

"Oh, he'll definitely notice," Ino said, wiggling her eyebrows mischievously.

"Y-you really are over Sasuke, aren't you?"

"I guess," Ino replied with a confident shrug. "But you're not, so I'll be rooting for you."

Sakura blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in Ino's tone. "Thanks," she said quietly.

"No matter what happens, I've got your back. Okay?"

Sakura smiled, and before she could stop herself, she hugged Ino again.

When they pulled apart, Ino tilted her head curiously. "So, where are you off to this early anyway?"

"Crap! I forgot the time! I can't be late to Barrier Corps HQ!"

Ino's eyebrows shot up. "Barrier Corps? You're training there?"

"Yeah," Sakura said. "I've been learning barrier ninjutsu. It's really intense, but it's worth it."

"Oh, I know that place! Most of the Yamanaka clan works there. My dad says once I make chunin, I'll probably start training there too."

Sakura froze mid-step, her jaw dropping. "Wait, what? Why didn't you tell me that sooner?!"

"Well, you never asked."

Sakura shook her head, already turning to run. "Come on, if you're going to the Barrier Corps eventually, I guess I can bring you along for a sneak peek. Just don't slow me down, okay?"

"Seriously? Yay!"

Thankfully, Sakura had made it on time to the Barrier Corps HQ, and to her relief, Iwashi-sensei hadn't said a word about Ino tagging along. He had merely raised an eyebrow at her presence but let it slide. The routine followed as usual, and Ino had stayed mostly quiet—well, at least for the first hour.

By now, though, Ino was thoroughly bored out of her mind. She'd sat through hours of tedious lectures about barrier construction, seal calligraphy, and chakra theory. Meanwhile, Sakura was as strict and focused as ever, hanging on Iwashi's every word like her life depended on it.

By lunchtime, Iwashi had been putting Sakura through her paces. She stood in front of him, holding a kunai with the Core Seal carefully drawn onto the handle. Iwashi inspected it with a critical eye, then infused it with his chakra. The seal glowed softly, its intricate lines flaring to life.

"Good," he said with a curt nod, his voice gruff but approving. "You've taken the first step. From now on, you'll be remaking the barrier seals alongside me. It'll refine your calligraphy with practical experience, and I'll review your work afterward. Any mistakes, and you'll do it again."

"Yes, sensei," Sakura said firmly, giving him a respectful nod.

"Now, for your next assignment," Iwashi continued. "You'll start filling these core seals during your free time. You need to get used to channeling your chakra into them consistently. Later, you'll learn how to use them to create full barriers."

"Understood," Sakura replied.

"Any questions?"

Before Sakura could answer, Ino asked, "Yeah, why does she have to fill these seals in her free time? Can't she just do it during missions or something? Seems like a waste of downtime."

Iwashi's sharp gaze snapped to Ino, his lips pressing into a thin line. "The reason," he said evenly, though his tone carried a hint of irritation, "is that barriers require an immense amount of chakra to construct. Unless you're a Kage-level shinobi, you can't just create them out of raw chakra in the middle of a fight. That's why the seals are necessary—they store chakra ahead of time, so it's ready when you need it."

"Okay, makes sense. Still seems like a lot of work, though."

"It is," Iwashi replied, his tone clipped. "Which is why Sakura will need to prepare it if she wants to be of any use in the field."

"I understand, sensei. I'll do my best."

Iwashi's expression softened ever so slightly. "Good. Now, I need to cut lunch short. I have to file paperwork explaining why an unauthorized genin"—he gave Ino a pointed look—"was inside the Barrier Corps HQ this morning."

"I'm sorry, sensei. It won't happen again."

Iwashi waved her off. "Don't be sorry. Be better."

Ino huffed as she watched Iwashi leave. "Geez, your teacher really needs to chill out."

Sakura chuckled lightly, pulling out her lunch. "Don't worry, he's actually really nice once you get to know him. He's just… intense about the rules."

"Yeah, no kidding," Ino muttered, shaking her head. She opened her own lunch and took a bite before glancing at Sakura.

"So, what got you thinking about Sasuke?"

Ino paused mid-bite, her chopsticks hovering above her food. She sighed and set them down, her gaze drifting to the horizon. "You're not going to let this go, are you?"

"Not a chance," Sakura said with a small smirk. "Spill it."

"Fine. It was Naruto, of all people."

"Naruto?" Sakura blinked. "What did he say?"

"He asked me why I liked Sasuke," Ino said, fiddling with the hem of her skirt. "And I couldn't answer him. Not really. I mean, I thought I had all these reasons—he's strong, he's cool, he's… well, Sasuke. But when I tried to put it into words, nothing felt right."

"Huh. I guess I've never really thought about it like that."

"You should," Ino said. "I mean, it's not like I'm saying you shouldn't like him, but… maybe it's worth thinking about why. What is it about him that makes us feel this way? Is it him, or is it just the idea of him?"

Sakura frowned slightly, her gaze dropping to her lap.

"I don't know. I've always admired him, you know? He's so driven, so talented. And I do know him, Ino. He's been through so much, and it's not just what people say about him—I've seen it for myself. Sasuke's changing. I can tell," Sakura said, her voice filled with quiet conviction.

Ino frowned, crossing her arms. Naruto's words floated back to her: Sasuke isn't doing anything.

"Don't tell me all Sasuke needed to stop being a jerk was a decent night's sleep."

Sakura blinked before bursting into laughter, covering her mouth. "No! It's not like that!"

"Well, you never know," Ino said. "Maybe he just needed a bedtime story and some warm milk."

Sakura shook her head, still giggling, as Ino said, "But seriously, if you think he's changing, that's good. Just make sure you're not the only one putting in the effort, okay?"

"Yeah. You're right. Thanks, Ino."

For a moment, they sat in silence again, the only sound the rustle of the wind.

"So, how's Naruto doing with your team? I heard he's training with Asuma-sensei now."

"Naruto's still Naruto. But," Ino said, her tone shifting slightly, "he's also… more. I don't know how to explain it."

"What do you mean?"

Ino hesitated, searching for the right words. "I used to think he was so simple, you know? Like, everything he felt was just out there for everyone to see. He's always been so open—about his dreams, his emotions, everything. But now… I don't think he's as simple as I thought."

Sakura leaned forward for the juicy detail. "Continue."

"He's like this river. On the surface, it looks so straightforward—just water flowing in one direction. But if you look closer, there are all these currents underneath, moving in ways you can't see right away. That's Naruto. He's strong, unstoppable, but there's so much more going on beneath the surface."

Sakura blinked, surprised by the depth of Ino's words. "Wow. That's… not how I expected you to describe him."

Ino nodded, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.

Sakura's lips curved into a sly smile. "Huh. Sounds like someone might have a crush."

Ino whipped her head around, her face flaming. "What?! No way!"

"Oh, come on," Sakura teased, leaning closer. "You just called him unstoppable, strong, and impressive. That's basically a love confession."

"It is not!" Ino protested, her voice rising. "I'm just saying I respect him, okay? Don't read into it!"

Sakura laughed, leaning back with a smug grin. "Alright, alright. Whatever you say, Ino. But I'm keeping an eye on you."

"You're impossible, you know that?"

"Takes one to know one."

The two friends laughed as Ino gazed out into the distance. Her eyes softened, lost in thought.

I wonder what Naruto is doing.

----------------------------------------

The roar of the waterfall echoed in Naruto's ears as he stood at its base, surrounded by his shadow clones. Water cascaded over him, crashing down like thunder, but Naruto was too focused to care. For hours, he'd been trying to cut through the relentless flow with wind chakra, but something wasn't clicking.

He stood still, letting the water batter his shoulders as he concentrated. I've been thinking about this wrong, he thought. I'm treating it too much like the leaf exercise—small, precise, controlled. But this isn't about finesse. It's about power. Momentum.

Naruto closed his eyes, inhaling deeply as he dismissed the clones. He raised his palm, gathering wind chakra into it. The energy swirled wildly at first, but he focused, shaping it into something sharper, more forceful. He waited for the right moment, his instincts guiding him.

Now!

With a sharp motion, he pushed the wind chakra forward, releasing it in a single, powerful burst. The air ripped through the waterfall, splitting the torrent cleanly in two. For the first time, Naruto could see the rocks behind the wall of water, gleaming wet and smooth in the sunlight.

"Yes! I did it!"

Naruto thrust his fists into the air, a triumphant grin spreading across his face as pure excitement bubbled up inside him. Without a second thought, he sprinted to the edge of the pool and leapt into the air, tucking his knees to his chest before plunging into the churning water below with an exhilarating splash.

The cold of the plunge pool hit him like a shock, but it only added to the thrill. He laughed underwater, bubbles escaping his mouth as he floated in the currents beneath the waterfall. The water was murky and dark from the constant turbulence, with sunlight barely piercing through the frothing surface.

Kicking lazily, Naruto stayed submerged, relishing his success and the cool embrace of the water. But as he turned his body to look around, something caught his eye—a faint, shimmering light flickering deep below.

Naruto stilled, his breath catching in his throat. The light was faint, barely distinguishable against the swirling shadows of the pool. It wasn't the sunlight reflecting off rocks or bubbles. This was something else.

His instincts kicked in. That's gotta be something important, he thought. No way I'm leaving it down there.

Naruto pushed himself toward the surface, gasping for air as his head broke through the frothy water. He inhaled deeply, steeling himself for what he was about to do.

"All right," he muttered to himself. "Let's see what you are."

Filling his lungs with as much air as he could, Naruto dove again, aiming straight for the faint glow far below. The cold pressed against him, and the further he went, the stronger the currents became, dragging at his body and threatening to push him back.

The glow grew clearer as he descended, but it was still faint, like trying to see a lantern through a thick mist. Naruto squinted against the darkness, angling his body to propel himself forward. The pressure in his ears built as the water grew colder, but he pressed on, his eyes locked on the faint light.

His lungs began to burn, but he ignored it, focusing on the task at hand. The glow flickered again, and now he could make out its source—a small object, no larger than his palm, wedged between two jagged rocks at the very bottom of the pool. It radiated the strange light, pulsing faintly like it was alive.

What is that? Naruto wondered, his mind racing even as his chest screamed for oxygen.

He stretched his hand forward, straining against the currents, but the force of the water was relentless. His body was being pushed upward, and his vision blurred from lack of air.

Come on, come on…

Desperate, Naruto activated the pyromancy flame in his free hand, forming a fireball. The heat fizzled instantly in the icy water, but the burst of energy was enough to propel him downward. His fingers brushed against the glowing object, the light intensifying at his touch.

Naruto's heart pounded as his hand closed around it. The moment he made contact, a surge of warmth spread through him, despite the freezing water. His HUD flashed in the corner of his vision:

[ You have picked up a Soul Drop. ]

Before he could react, the glow intensified, bathing the bottom of the pool in a soft golden light. The flickering light illuminated the dark, turbulent waters around him, and for a brief moment, everything seemed to pause.

But what made him freeze completely was the figure trapped beneath the rocks.

A mummified corpse lay crumpled between the jagged boulders, its body twisted as though it had been caught in its final struggle.

Naruto's breath caught in his throat, the water pressing in on him from all sides. The body, though decayed, was unmistakably human. Its presence felt heavy, oppressive, as if the very air—or water—around it was saturated with sorrow and regret.

The HUD updated again, breaking his frozen thoughts:

[ Soul of Shisui Uchiha acquired. ]

[ You have picked up the following: ]

[ Broken ANBU Armor ]

[ Broken ANBU Mask ]

[ Broken ANBU Leggings ]

[ Taijutsu Scroll - Fist of the Flickering Peregrine ]