Forged Beyond

The mission had taken a full week to complete.

A day to reach the village and begin the surgery.

Two sleepless nights spent bent over the operating table, hands steady even as exhaustion clawed at her bones.

By the fourth day, they were finally given a soft, cozy room to rest in—a luxury after hours of standing, working, and concentrating.

On the fifth, they tended to more patients, ensuring their recovery before their departure.

The sixth was spent packing, collecting their materials, and receiving the payment they had earned. Sakura's own money. It was the first time she had been paid for her skills, and despite everything, she felt a quiet sense of pride.

Then came the seventh day.

Shizune left for Konoha.

And Sakura—Sakura finally returned.

The moment she stepped inside the hideout, she knew something was wrong.

The air was heavy—too heavy.

It was quiet, but not in the usual way. This was suffocating.

Her heartbeat picked up as she made her way down the dimly lit hall, gripping the strap of her bag tightly. Every step felt like she was walking toward something she wasn't ready to face.

As she entered the common room, her breath hitched.

Tsunade stood frozen, one hand covering her mouth, tears spilling freely down her face.

Orochimaru stood with his arms folded, his gaze empty—staring at nothing, at everything. Unreadable.

Kabuto, usually composed, looked utterly shaken.

Sasuke was nowhere to be seen.

And in the middle of the room, sitting still on the floor, was a small green toad.

Her eyes locked onto it.

Something was carved into its back.

Her stomach twisted violently.

No...

She turned to Tsunade, her voice barely above a whisper. "...What's going on?"

She already knew the answer. She just didn't want to believe it.

Tsunade nodded. Just one small nod.

And that was all it took.

Sakura's bag slipped from her fingers, crashing to the ground with the weight of everything she was carrying—not just the supplies, but the exhaustion, the fear, the desperate hope that she was wrong.

She didn't care.

Didn't stop.

Didn't think.

She ran.

She sprinted down the hall, her vision blurring—not sure if it was from the speed or the burning behind her eyes.

Naruto.

She had to see him.

Sakura's breath came in short, panicked gasps as she sprinted down the dimly lit corridor. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, a frantic drumbeat against the silence that threatened to consume her.

Then, she saw him.

Sasuke.

He was standing outside Naruto's door, fists clenched, pounding against the wood with force. Desperation lined his usually impassive face, his voice raw with urgency.