Outside Takigakure's waterfall, Sakura sat on the lake's edge, legs dangling in the water.
The icy chill made her emerald eyes squint; pink hair danced in the breeze.
Ten minutes ago, Kakashi got a ninja hawk message—emergency jonin meeting, head back to the village now.
Naruto and Sasuke were on Shibuki's second chore: picking up trash in the lake.
"Ugh, we started with a perfectly good C-rank—how'd it end up as garbage duty again?!"
Naruto stabbed a snack wrapper with his hook, tossing it into the net bag.
"It's training. And you're standing in the water again!"
Sasuke, cool as ever, walked on the surface and flicked a soda can into the bag, side-eyeing Naruto.
"Whoops—"
Naruto's eyes bulged. He scrambled to gather chakra and step up—
SPLASH. Down he went.
"Dang it, this is hard! "
Soaked, he popped up and shook his head like a dog.
"Whatever. We've got time—lunch break!"
"No eating here!"
Shibuki, done paying them, started shooing the team away.
"Huh? You little—"
Naruto rolled up his sleeves, but Sasuke grabbed his shoulder.
"No point. He doesn't want us knowing the village entrance."
"Hmph. Fine. Who cares about this dump anyway!"
Puffed up, Naruto stomped onto the shore, waving dramatically.
BOOM!!!!
A massive explosion ripped through the air. A group burst out from behind the waterfall curtain.
As the spray cleared, both sides locked eyes—and froze.
The waterfall's roar faded. Time itself seemed to stop.
Sasuke's body shook. Teeth clenched.
Crimson Sharingan flared.
Through gritted teeth: "Uchiha… Itachi!"
The young man in front wore a hooded cloak, the Uchiha fan stitched on the back. High collar hid half his face; a slashed forehead protector obscured the rest.
"Long time no see, Sasuke."
Cold voice, distant—yet to Sasuke, it was a demon's whisper.
"You… disgrace to the clan. I'll fix that mistake today!"
Pure killing intent roared from the boy.
He yanked a Fuma shuriken from his back, charged across the water, and hurled it spinning.
SHINK!
—Fuma Shuriken: Shadow Windmill!
The black disc split mid-air, screeching toward the rogue Uchiha.
"That all…?"
Left: Uchiha Tetsubi drew a greatsword.
"…you got…?"
Right: Uchiha Inabi pulled a longsword.
"…for the new Uchiha head?!" x2
Both swung. Flame-charged blades sliced the shuriken like butter. Red-hot metal hissed into the lake.
"You bastards…"
Sasuke burned hotter—but before he could speak, two three-tomoe Sharingan users were on him.
Haki screamed warning. He barely dodged Tetsubi's punch.
Blind spot—Inabi's kick slammed into his gut.
BAM!
Sasuke flew backward—right into Sakura, who'd just stood up from the water.
Sakura: "…"
"Damn it—damn it—DAMN IT!"
She set him down. He clenched his fists, rage eating his brain.
Kid, they're jonin. They didn't even use a jutsu on you. They're toying with you, and you're still mad?
Sakura sighed internally, pinning Sasuke tighter so he wouldn't charge again and get wrecked.
"So. Uchiha. What's your business in Takigakure?"
She locked eyes with Itachi in the center.
"Someone posted a bounty at the underground exchange—specifically hired Uchiha to hunt the Seven-Tails."
Itachi answered cleanly, glancing sideways at Naruto.
"Hey, Itachi—should we really tell her?"
Tetsubi and Inabi, prepping gear, turned stiffly.
"No issue. Konoha has no obligation to protect Takigakure, correct?"
Itachi raised his right hand toward Sakura.
"True."
Sakura sat cross-legged—on top of Sasuke—deep in thought.
"Wait! Konoha and Takigakure are allies! As village leader, I formally request aid!"
Shibuki panicked when Sakura actually considered walking away.
He had to frame it as a mission to keep them.
Silence fell.
A fragile balance. Every eye on the pink-haired girl.
"Let's settle this the old-fashioned way—a long-overdue spar."
"Naruto, Sasuke—help the 'leader' evacuate the village."
"Once I'm done with the Uchiha, I'll negotiate—price."
Her eyes snapped open.
Tyrant's Haki exploded.
Shockwaves rippled through the forest, slamming into the Uchiha squad.
Naruto dragged a reluctant Sasuke and frantic Shibuki toward the waterfall.
"Beat us? Big talk."
Tetsubi and Inabi flared chakra, ready to fight.
Next instant—black clothes stained red.
Sakura walked expressionlessly between them.
Eyes rolled back. Weapons clattered. Bodies hit the dirt.
"TETSUBI! INABI!"
The Uchiha side roared, fury blazing.
They unsealed scrolls, drew tools, and charged.
Sakura strolled like she was window-shopping.
Observation Haki locked every threat. Her soft body slipped through attack gaps like smoke.
"Anyone without resolve—step aside. Don't get in my way."
Conqueror's Haki surged again.
The charge stuttered.
A tidal wave of will erupted from the tiny girl—THUNDERCRASH.
Dozens of Uchiha dropped, unconscious, swaying to the ground.
But through the ocean of pressure…
One iron spirit fought the current.
Step by step, he walked straight to Sakura.
"Haha—knew it!"
Her eyes lit up like she'd unwrapped the world's best gift.
Wills clashed. Passion burned. Battle lust flooded her veins.
"Still as bloodthirsty as ever, huh, Sakura?"
Itachi sighed. Crimson chakra flared.
Left eye: Amaterasu.
Right eye: Tsukuyomi.
Two Mangekyo fused—divine power awakened.
Skeleton. Flesh. Armor. Weapons…
Four years later, Sakura faced that heart-pounding phantom again.
This time—complete. Stronger.
Her Haki screamed the instant it appeared.
"Come on, senpai—rare chance. Let's kill each other!"