Clearly, Karin had already developed something close to psychological trauma regarding that so-called "old man."
Even with Wangcai—a monstrous ally—at her side, her first instinct was not revenge, nor confrontation.
It was escape.
The deterrent power of that "old man" spoke for itself.
What was more surprising was that Wangcai showed no resistance at all. It gave a low, acknowledging rumble and obediently prepared to follow Karin's retreat.
On the other side, Sakura had already withdrawn her aura. Her face was pale, her breathing slightly uneven.
She watched Karin and Wangcai disappear into the distance.
She did not pursue.
Instead, she slowly unclenched her fists, a complicated look flashing through her eyes—almost as if she, too, felt a measure of relief.
Without wasting a moment, Sakura turned and began searching the devastated ruins for Naruto, Sasuke, and Neji.
The energy storm had been far too violent. The three had been flung who knew how far, buried under collapsed stone and debris.
It took considerable effort.
But eventually, she dug three "bloody corpses" out of the rubble.
Not long after, on a relatively intact rock ledge near the crater's edge, Naruto, Sasuke, and Neji sat wrapped in makeshift bandages.
The atmosphere was heavy.
Naruto kept his head lowered, golden bangs hanging lifelessly over his eyes. No one knew what thoughts churned behind them.
Sasuke leaned against the rock wall, his remaining right hand resting atop his raised knee. After a long silence, he finally spoke, voice dry.
"Sakura… it's been a long time."
He hesitated.
"I didn't expect… you to have become this strong."
Sakura lifted her gaze toward him. A complex emotion flickered in her emerald eyes—especially when they drifted to his empty sleeve.
Even taking off his clothes must be troublesome now…
Sasuke noticed her glance and fell silent. His lips moved slightly. He cast a brief look at Naruto—still hunched over—but ultimately said nothing.
The one who had severed his arm sat beside him now as a fellow patient.
The awkwardness was suffocating.
Then—
Naruto spoke.
"Sakura…"
His voice was hoarse, thick with congestion—and guilt.
"I'm sorry."
Three soft words.
Yet unbearably heavy.
Even beyond the projection, the entire shinobi world held its breath.
They knew why.
Years ago, Naruto had confided the secret of Sakura's "Divine Techniques" to Hiruzen Sarutobi. That trust had indirectly triggered Danzō's greed, led to the deaths of Sakura's parents, and ultimately pushed her to leave.
Sakura remained silent for a long while.
When she finally spoke, her voice was calm—almost too calm.
"That… wasn't your fault."
She paused, as if arranging her thoughts—or convincing herself.
"And besides…"
She turned to look at Naruto, whose shoulders trembled faintly.
Deep in her eyes, there was a trace of release—so subtle she might not even have recognized it herself.
"Haven't you already… taken revenge for me?"
Those words struck Naruto like silent thunder.
The brief reunion and heavy apology left the air even more complicated.
Time, choices, wounds—
They formed invisible walls between what had once been Team Seven.
After the greetings, only quiet healing and turbulent thoughts remained.
It was Neji—clear-minded despite his injuries—who finally broke the silence.
"Sakura…"
His voice was weak but steady.
"The Divine Knights you belong to… if they've existed for a long time…"
He paused, glancing at Naruto and Sasuke before meeting Sakura's eyes directly.
"Do they know… the true secrets of this world?"
"Secrets?" Sakura's brows drew together slightly.
Neji inhaled carefully, the motion making him pale further.
He did not retreat.
This question might concern the root of everything they had just experienced.
He recounted Naruto's earlier theory—the one that questioned chakra's origin, the system's foundation, even the world's truth.
As Neji spoke, Sakura's expression shifted from wary confusion to deep gravity.
Beyond the heavens, the shinobi world tensed once more.
Naruto's theory had been radical.
Dark.
World-shattering.
Some believed it.
Many doubted it.
But Sakura—
She belonged to the mysterious Divine Knights.
She wielded power beyond the chakra system.
She might know the truth.
All eyes fixed upon her.
Neji finished speaking.
Silence deepened.
Instead of immediately judging Naruto's theory, Sakura slowly turned her gaze toward him.
"Naruto," she asked evenly, "where did you learn these ideas? These… pieces of information?"
Naruto licked his cracked lips.
"They were recorded… on a stone."
He gestured roughly at its size.
"The writing… I couldn't read it. I'd never seen characters like that before."
He paused, eyes flickering strangely.
"But when I looked at it… I understood what it meant."
Sasuke and Neji exchanged uneasy glances.
Unreadable script.
Yet comprehensible meaning?
That defied common sense.
Sakura froze slightly at his description.
Then—
Understanding dawned.
She nodded slowly, as if confirming a long-held suspicion.
"It was a red stone," she said firmly.
"And completely indestructible… wasn't it?"
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