Chapter Text
Naruto Uzumaki shoved the last of his things into his bag, his movements stiff and mechanical. Anyone who knew him would see it right away—he wasn’t himself. His usual energy, his fire, was gone.
I have to do this, he told himself, but even in his own head, the words felt hollow. No matter how many times he tried to justify it, the pit in his stomach only grew heavier. He had played this moment over and over in his mind, retracing his steps, questioning if this was really the only way forward. But deep down, he already knew—there was no turning back now.
-Flashback-
The ground shook as a massive snake lunged straight for Sasuke.
“Sasuke, why do you have to be so difficult?” Orochimaru’s voice dripped with amusement, but there was an edge of impatience in it. The way he moved, slithering closer, made it clear—he was done playing games.
“Sasuke, do something!” Sakura’s voice cracked with fear, her fists clenched at her sides. But her body refused to move. She was frozen, trapped by the sheer terror of what was happening in front of her.
Sasuke turned his head slightly, catching a glimpse of her. The fear in her eyes was the same fear gripping his own heart. It was suffocating, paralyzing.
He couldn’t move. He couldn’t think.
It felt like hours had passed in the span of mere seconds, his body weighed down by a crushing sense of helplessness.
If I let this fear control me now... how will I ever be strong enough to kill Itachi?
Without hesitation, Sasuke tightened his grip on his kunai and drove it into his own thigh. Pain ripped through him, snapping him back to reality. His vision sharpened. His heartbeat steadied.
Orochimaru took a step back, watching him with intrigue. Sasuke exhaled, his breath shaky but determined. That was when he felt it—his Sharingan had changed.
The two tomoe in both his eyes spun with new intensity.
Orochimaru’s grin widened. “Oh? Now this is interesting…”
Sasuke could feel the power coursing through him. His fear hadn’t disappeared—but now, it was fuel.
“Bring it!” Sasuke shouted, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. His stance was firm, eyes locked onto his opponent.
Orochimaru smirked, his serpentine eyes gleaming with amusement. “Oh? How entertaining.” Without warning, he lunged.
Shff!
Sasuke’s hand shot to his holster, yanking out a kunai in one swift motion. But he wasn’t going to wait—he was going to strike first.
He pumped chakra into his legs and kicked off the ground, flipping backward into the air. The wind rushed past his ears as he formed the seals, inhaling deeply.
“Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!”
FWOOSH!
A massive sphere of flames erupted from his mouth, roaring toward Orochimaru. The heat rippled through the air, but the Sannin twisted his body at the last second, slipping past the fireball as if he had melted through the space itself.
BOOM!
The fireball exploded behind him, sending embers flying, but Sasuke was already on the move.
Before Orochimaru could land, Sasuke met him mid-air.
CLANG!
Their weapons clashed in a deadly spark of steel, the force of the impact sending a shockwave through the air.
CLANG! CLANG!
Kunai met kunai in rapid succession as Sasuke and Orochimaru exchanged blows in mid-air, their strikes a blur.
Orochimaru chuckled, his voice eerily calm despite the flurry of attacks. “Ah, yes… show me more, Sasuke.”
Sasuke gritted his teeth, his Sharingan spinning wildly.
Not good enough.
With a fierce growl, he twisted his body, aiming a powerful kick at Orochimaru’s side.
WHAM!
The strike connected, but Orochimaru barely budged, his grin never fading.
“I think I’ll play with you a little longer,” he mused, his voice as smooth as silk.
Sasuke’s grip tightened on his kunai. He didn’t care if Orochimaru was toying with him. He was going to prove himself—right here, right now.
Orochimaru jumped back and bit into his finger as he summoned a massive snake that charged at Sasuke
“ Well play times’ over’ Orochimaru Yelled out, the snake came at Sasuke who again was paralyzed in fear and his sharigan deactivated
getting a paralyzed Sasuke.
"Naruto?" Sasuke asked. Naruto then looked at Sasuke revealing that his hair was wilder than usual, his whisker marks were darker and bolder, and his once cerulean blue eyes were now blood red with slits for pupils.
"You okay, scaredy cat?" Naruto asked, quoting Sasuke's very same question that he asked during Team 7's first C-rank turned A-rank mission.
"?!" Sasuke watched in shock as Naruto easily pushed the snake back before jumping atop it's head and stabbing it's head with his claw-like nails and raking it down it's back as he ran at Orochimaru. As he neared Orochimaru, Naruto jumped off the snake. The snake summoner looked on with intrigue.
Orochimaru leaped back onto a thick tree branch, biting into his finger before slamming his palm against the bark.
BOOM!
A cloud of smoke exploded from the summoning jutsu, and from it, a massive snake coiled around the tree trunk. Its golden eyes gleamed with hunger before it shot forward, weaving through the branches with terrifying speed.
“Playtime’s over!” Orochimaru called out, his voice laced with amusement.
Sasuke's breath hitched. His body refused to move.
His Sharingan flickered—then vanished entirely.
His fingers twitched against the rough bark of the branch beneath him, but his legs wouldn’t respond. It was happening again. That same paralyzing fear. The same helplessness.
The snake was almost on him.
“Naruto?”
The word barely escaped Sasuke’s lips as a blur of motion landed in front of him.
Naruto stood there, but something was off. His stance was low, predatory. His normally bright blonde hair was even wilder than usual, strands sticking out like jagged spikes. But it was his eyes—those weren’t Naruto’s eyes.
They were deep, blood-red, slit like a beast’s. His whisker marks were darker, bolder, as if something inside him was surfacing.
Naruto turned his head slightly, smirking.
“You okay, scaredy cat?”
Sasuke’s stomach dropped. The words hit him like a punch to the gut. It was the same thing he had said to Naruto back during their first real mission, when he was the one standing tall.
The snake lunged.
Naruto moved.
THWACK!
With a single swipe of his arm, he sent the massive serpent crashing into the trunk of a nearby tree. The whole branch trembled under the force.
Sasuke watched, stunned, as Naruto leapt onto the snake’s head. His fingers—now clawed—dug deep into its thick scales.
SHRRIP!
With terrifying ease, he raked his claws down the snake’s back, tearing through flesh as he sprinted along its spine. The creature screeched, thrashing violently, snapping thick branches as it writhed in pain.
As he neared Orochimaru, Naruto pushed off the snake’s back and launched himself forward.
Orochimaru stood on a high branch, watching with gleaming eyes, completely unbothered.
“Oh?” he mused, a grin creeping onto his face. “Now this is interesting.”
Naruto didn’t slow down.
Sasuke could only watch.
Naruto has grown powerful… even stronger than Sasuke. And with the Nine-Tailed Fox inside him, his potential is limitless.
Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed as he observed the boy mid-air, descending upon him like a beast locked onto its prey. At the last second, the Sannin twisted his body and leapt back, letting Naruto crash into the thick tree branch below.
CRACK!
Splinters flew as Naruto’s impact sent shockwaves through the bark. He quickly recovered, snapping his head up to glare at Orochimaru, who now stood casually on another branch, a crooked grin stretching across his pale face.
"But still…" Orochimaru mused, tilting his head. Betting on Naruto is a gamble I can’t afford just yet. And time is not on my side.
Then, an idea struck him.
Sasuke will be my vessel… but Naruto? He will be my backup. If he ends up surpassing Sasuke, all the better.
With that, Orochimaru made his move, leaping backward into the trees.
“HOLD STILL, YOU SNAKE BASTARD!” Naruto roared, his blood-red eyes blazing with fury.
Orochimaru chuckled, his sinister laughter echoing through the forest. "Heheheh… Well done, Naruto. You passed with flying colors."
Naruto’s expression faltered. “Passed?” he echoed, confusion flickering across his face.
Orochimaru’s grin widened. “Fufu… You’ll understand soon enough.”
Then, in a blur of movement, his neck stretched unnaturally long, lunging toward Sasuke like a striking viper.
Before Naruto could react—
CHOMP!
Sasuke’s eyes widened in pure agony as Orochimaru’s fangs sank into his neck.
A searing, unbearable pain tore through him.
Sasuke’s body tensed, then collapsed onto the branch. His vision swam. His breathing turned shallow.
Naruto’s heart pounded in his chest as he watched his teammate drop. His fists clenched. His nails dug into his palms.
“Orochimaru…” His voice was low, trembling with rage.
Orochimaru simply licked his lips, his eerie grin never fading.
“The real test begins now.”
I was going to place the Five-Pronged Seal on him… but perhaps I’ll leave it for now, Orochimaru mused, eyes flickering between Sasuke’s unconscious form and Naruto, who was still radiating raw fury.
He had considered suppressing the Nine-Tails’ chakra, ensuring Naruto wouldn't be a threat—yet something held him back. Perhaps curiosity. Perhaps the thrill of watching how far the boy could go.
Orochimaru’s lips curled into a smirk.
“I suggest you and your team pass this exam, Naruto,” he said smoothly. “Because one way or another, you and Sasuke will belong to me. And I’ll make sure of it.”
Before Naruto could lunge, Orochimaru’s body began to dissolve into the tree, his serpentine form sinking into the bark as though he were never there at all.
“GET BACK HERE!” Naruto snarled, slamming his fist into the spot where Orochimaru had vanished. The branch cracked under the impact, but it was useless. He was gone.
A sharp groan pulled Naruto’s attention away.
“Sasuke!” Sakura gasped, dropping to her knees beside his motionless body. She shook his shoulders frantically, panic lacing her voice. “Sasuke! Wake up!”
Naruto landed beside her, his breath still heavy with anger, but his expression softened when he saw Sasuke’s face twisted in pain. His skin was burning up, dark markings beginning to spread from his neck.
“What the hell did that bastard do to him?” Naruto muttered, clenching his fists.
Sakura turned to Naruto, eyes wide with fear. “Naruto, we need to get him somewhere safe!”
Naruto hesitated. The burning rage inside him hadn’t faded, the urge to chase after Orochimaru still clawing at him. But looking at Sakura—her trembling hands gripping Sasuke’s vest, her desperate expression—he forced himself to focus.
He let out a slow breath, his red eyes flickering before returning to blue.
“Tch… Fine.” He bent down, hoisting Sasuke onto his back. “Let’s go.”
Sakura nodded quickly, wiping the tears forming at the corners of her eyes. She ran ahead, clearing the way through the dense branches while Naruto followed, his grip firm on Sasuke.
As they moved, Sakura glanced over her shoulder at Naruto.
“…Thank you.”
Naruto blinked, caught off guard by her sudden words. He gave her a small, lopsided grin despite the tension in his body.
“Yeah, yeah, don’t get all sappy on me, Sakura-chan.”
But as they disappeared into the forest, Naruto’s grip on Sasuke tightened.
I swear… I won’t let that snake freak take him.
Three Hours Later
Naruto panted as he finally came to a stop, adjusting Sasuke’s weight on his back. His arms ached, and his clothes were damp with sweat, but he refused to let up. He glanced around, scanning the dense forest.
“This should be a good place,” he muttered.
They had found a small clearing near the base of a thick tree, its roots curling around a natural hollow that offered some shelter. The air was still, save for the occasional rustling of leaves in the canopy above.
Naruto gently lowered Sasuke onto the ground, wincing at how pale he looked. The black markings from Orochimaru’s bite had spread slightly, pulsing ominously.
Sakura knelt beside Sasuke immediately, brushing his damp hair back. “Sasuke… he’s burning up,” she whispered, voice tight with worry.
Naruto sat down with a heavy sigh, running a hand through his messy hair. His body still buzzed with lingering energy from the Nine-Tails’ chakra, but exhaustion was catching up to him fast.
He glanced at Sakura. “How’s he doing?”
Sakura bit her lip. “I— I don’t know. He’s not waking up, and his breathing is getting weaker.” She clenched her fists, frustration evident on her face. “I don’t know what to do, Naruto.”
Naruto frowned, watching her closely. He wasn’t used to seeing her like this—so unsure, so shaken.
“…He’s tough,” Naruto said, trying to reassure her. “Sasuke’s not gonna go down that easy.”
Sakura looked up at him, her green eyes searching his face. “But what if—”
“He’ll be fine,” Naruto said firmly. “We’ll make sure of it.”
Sakura stared at him for a moment before nodding. She wiped her eyes quickly and turned back to Sasuke, determination creeping back into her expression.
Naruto stretched out his sore arms, leaning back against the tree. His eyes flickered toward the darkening sky.
Orochimaru… whatever you did to Sasuke, I’ll make you pay for it.
Sakura stood up, glancing over at Naruto with a determined look in her eyes.
“Naruto, could you watch Sasuke for me?” she asked, her voice steady but tinged with concern. “I’m going to set up some traps around the clearing. We can’t afford to be caught off guard again.”
Naruto nodded without hesitation, sitting up straighter. “Yeah, I got it,” he said, his tone firm. “You can count on me.”
Sakura gave him a grateful smile before turning to head off into the trees. Her footsteps were quick but light as she moved, disappearing into the underbrush.
Naruto watched her go for a moment, then glanced down at Sasuke, who was still unconscious and burning with fever. He could feel the weight of the responsibility pressing on him—Sasuke’s life was in his hands now.
“Hang in there, teme,” he muttered, a determined glint in his eyes.
-Flashback End-
Naruto stared at the photo of Team 7 in his hands, the memories swirling around him like a storm. The faces of his friends—Sasuke, Sakura—frozen in time, smiling like everything was okay. Like nothing was wrong.
His thumb brushed over the photo absentmindedly.
He had always told himself that his mission—his goal—was to protect his friends, that he was doing this for them. But deep down, the truth was different.
He was leaving them.
He was going to Orochimaru.
It wasn’t about protecting them anymore. It wasn’t about Team 7.
It was about something else—something selfish.
He was running. Running away from the pain of seeing Sasuke slip further away, running from the weight of being the one who couldn't stop it. Naruto hated the thought, but it gnawed at him.
Maybe this was his way of coping. If he could just convince himself it was for the greater good, for Sasuke’s sake, maybe he could live with the guilt. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt as much.
But I know the truth...
Naruto’s hand tightened around the photo, a sharp pain shooting through his chest. He knew it was a lie. He was lying to himself.
There was more to it than just Sasuke.
He was leaving the village because there was still something he didn’t know. Something about himself. About his parents. About why the Nine-Tails had been sealed inside him. What was the real reason? What was the true cost of that decision?
The Akatsuki... They were part of it. But so was the truth about his past. He couldn’t keep running from it. He had to know. And if he had to burn every bridge to find the answers, then so be it.
“Damn it,” he muttered under his breath, his eyes burning with frustration. He tossed the photo back into his bag, turning away from it.
I’ll fix this... I’ll fix everything… I have to.
Lastly, Naruto undid his headband before placing it in his shuriken pouch and placed the picture of Team 7 in his backpack. He then put his backpack on before opening his window and jumping out.
-Meanwhile-
Sakura was walking home, the cool night air brushing against her face. But something about tonight felt different, as though the world was holding its breath. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen.
When she looked up, her heart stopped. There, walking toward her, was Naruto Uzumaki. He was carrying his backpack, and to her surprise, he wasn’t wearing his headband, which was unusual. Sakura had never seen him without it before.
Naruto walked past her, his gaze never meeting hers, and Sakura snapped out of her thoughts.
"What are you doing out this late, Naruto?" she asked, concern creeping into her voice. But Naruto didn’t answer, his steps continuing without slowing.
"Naruto?" she repeated, her worry growing.
"Go home, Sakura. It's none of your business," Naruto replied flatly, not breaking his stride.
Sakura blinked, taken aback by the coldness in his voice. She quickly recovered, her concern turning into frustration. "What do you mean it's not my business? You're my teammate and friend, remember? Of course it’s my business!"
When Naruto didn’t respond, Sakura’s anger softened, replaced by something else—fear.
"Why do you have your backpack?" she asked, her voice shaky now.
Naruto remained silent, his back turned, and it only took a moment for Sakura to realize what was happening. The weight of the truth hit her like a ton of bricks.
"W-where are you going, Naruto?" she asked, her voice faltering as tears welled up in her eyes.
"..." Naruto didn't answer.
"ANSWER ME, YOU IDIOT!" Sakura yelled, swinging her fist at him. But before her punch could connect, Naruto stopped her, catching her fist effortlessly.
"I'm done... being your punching bag, Sakura," Naruto said, his voice emotionless as he still refused to face her.
Sakura’s resolve crumbled. Tears slid down her cheeks as she asked the question she feared. "W-why are y-you leaving?"
"Why do you care?" Naruto shot back, his tone sharp. "Wouldn't it be easier for you to win Sasuke's heart if I weren’t here?"
The words struck like a blow to her chest, but she quickly shook her head. "But we're all on the same team! You can't just leave! I don’t want you to leave!" she confessed, her voice cracking.
Naruto finally turned to face her, his eyes serious. "Didn’t you say, when we did introductions with Kakashi-sensei, that you hated me?" Naruto asked, his gaze cold. "Why should you care?"
Sakura’s eyes widened. She remembered that day—how she had foolishly spoken those words. "But I didn’t know you that well back then! I’ve regretted saying that since that day!" she pleaded.
Naruto let go of her fist, turning away again, his back to her.
"There’s nothing left for me in a village where everyone hates me for... something I had no control over," Naruto murmured, his voice quiet but heavy with pain.
He began to walk away, but Sakura couldn’t just let him go. She reached out, grabbing his hand desperately.
"What about your dream to become Hokage? Are you just going to give up on that?" she asked, her tears flowing freely now.
Naruto stopped, looking over his shoulder at her. "How can I be Hokage of a village that will hate me no matter what?" he asked, his voice filled with bitter resignation.
Sakura’s grip loosened, the weight of his words sinking in. Naruto removed his hand from hers and turned away once more.
"Goodbye, Sakura," he said again, his tone final.
"No!" she cried out. "Take me with you!"
Naruto froze, his posture stiff. "You don’t mean that," he said softly, his voice laced with doubt.
"YES I DO!" she blurted out, her voice shaking with emotion. "If you won’t listen to me and stay, then I’ll go with you!"
Naruto turned his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "You’ve got a mom and dad who love you. Do you really think you could abandon them?" he asked, his voice low and serious.
Sakura opened her mouth to respond but found herself at a loss for words. Her grip on his hand loosened, her heart torn.
"Goodbye, Sakura," Naruto said again, his voice distant as he began to walk away.
"If you leave, I’ll scream!" Sakura threatened, her voice raw with emotion.
Suddenly, Naruto vanished in a blur, leaving Sakura wide-eyed and in disbelief.
"Sakura... thank you," Naruto’s voice came from behind her. He tapped her lightly on the back of her neck, and in an instant, she collapsed into unconsciousness.
Sakura’s body fell forward, but Naruto was there, catching her gently before she hit the ground. His eyes were filled with sorrow, his heart aching as he looked down at her pale face. A single tear slipped down his cheek as he whispered softly, "I'm sorry... I never wanted to hurt you."
Lifting her gently into his arms, Naruto’s heart pounded, each beat a reminder of everything he was leaving behind. The weight of his decision felt heavy, but his resolve was clear. He moved swiftly and silently, his eyes fixed on his destination—Sakura’s house.
When he reached the balcony, he paused for a brief moment, scanning the area to ensure no one was watching. Then, with the grace of a shadow, he jumped up onto the balcony, careful not to make a sound. The window to her room was slightly ajar, and he slipped inside, still cradling her in his arms.
His movements were soft, almost reverent, as he laid her down on the bed, taking care to ensure she was comfortable. Naruto’s gaze lingered on her, his heart aching as he watched the way her hair framed her peaceful face, the gentle rise and fall of her chest with each breath.
"You're the reason I keep going," he whispered, his voice raw with emotion. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. His fingers lingered there for a moment, his touch trembling, as if he were afraid to let go of the brief connection they still shared.
He closed his eyes for a moment, fighting back the swell of emotion threatening to overtake him. When he opened them again, he bent down slowly, his breath catching in his throat as he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, holding it there for a second longer than he intended.
"I wish I could stay with you," Naruto murmured, his voice cracking slightly. He kissed her cheek, the soft pressure of his lips lingering just long enough to feel the warmth of her skin. "But this is the only way... for both of us."
His heart twisted painfully, but he knew this was the path he had to walk. As he straightened, he glanced at Sakura one last time. Her peaceful face gave him a momentary sense of peace, but it was fleeting.
With a deep, silent breath, Naruto turned away, his movements slow and careful. He hesitated for one last moment at the door, then stepped into the night, leaving as quietly as he had arrived, the weight of his decision settling over him like a storm.
Later -
The Sound Four stood at Lone Pine Hill, the wind howling through the trees. The air felt heavy with anticipation, as if something significant was about to happen. They were waiting for Orochimaru's "chosen one," the one who would fulfill their master’s plans. But the hours were dragging on, and their patience was wearing thin.
"When is that bastard gonna get here?" Tayuya muttered angrily, crossing her arms and tapping her foot impatiently.
"Calm down, Tayuya. He will be here soon," Sakon/Ukon said, trying to keep the volatile redhead calm. He shot a warning glance at her, but she wasn’t having any of it.
Just then, a figure appeared out of the mist, walking toward them with a confident stride—Naruto. His expression was unreadable, and his eyes were filled with determination, but there was something else there too—something darker, like a man ready to embrace whatever came next.
The Sound Four immediately tensed, their senses on high alert. They were all skilled ninjas, trained to fight the best, but when it came to Orochimaru’s business, things could go sideways in a split second.
Naruto, however, remained unphased. "Relax, it's just me," he said nonchalantly, raising his hands as if trying to defuse the tension.
The Sound Four lowered their guard slightly, though Tayuya still shot him a glare. "You little fucker!" she snapped. "You should know better than to sneak up on people as strong as us! We coulda killed you within a second!"
Naruto just scoffed, brushing off her anger with a smirk. "As if," he muttered, rolling his eyes as he took a step closer.
Sakon/Ukon exchanged a glance with the others before turning back to Naruto. "We need to move quickly," Sakon/Ukon said, his voice more serious now. "Orochimaru is waiting."
Naruto gave him a nod, ready to follow. But before he could take another step, Sakon/Ukon held up a hand.
"First, take this," Sakon/Ukon instructed, pulling out a small black pill and handing it to Naruto. It looked harmless enough, but Naruto could feel a sense of unease stir within him as he looked at the pill.
Naruto didn’t hesitate. He was already in too deep to back out now, and there was no turning back. Without a word, he swallowed the pill.
It took only seconds before the effect hit him. His body began to feel heavy, as if he were sinking into the ground. His vision blurred, and the world around him seemed to distort. The pill was designed to put him into a death-like state, a powerful illusion that would make him seem like he was dead—an effective tool for Orochimaru's plans.
Naruto's knees buckled, and with a final, silent gasp, he collapsed to the ground.
The Sound Four stared down at him for a moment, making sure the effect had taken hold. Then, Jirobo stepped forward, his large frame towering over Naruto's unconscious form.
"C'mon, let's get him in the urn and get him to Lord Orochimaru," Jirobo said, his voice low but filled with a sense of finality.
The Sound Four quickly went to work, lifting Naruto’s limp body and placing him into a specially prepared urn. Once he was secure, they turned and began to make their way back toward Orochimaru’s hideout. They moved quickly, knowing that the longer they delayed, the greater the risk that someone might intervene.
Naruto’s fate seemed sealed—but deep down, he was still alive, trapped in the haze of the pill’s effects. The journey to Orochimaru was far from over, and the battle for his future was just beginning.