The Kingdom of Clouds sprawled beneath a pre-dawn sky, its jagged peaks piercing the mist like silent sentinels. Naruto materialized atop the massive green-feathered bird with a buzz of Flying Thunder God, the cool air whipping at his cloak as he settled onto its head. His heart still thrummed from Hinata's tear-streaked face, her quiet trust anchoring him despite the distance he'd just crossed. He released the shadow clone left behind in Konoha, its natural energy surging back into him, reigniting Sage Mode's orange glow around his eyes. The mission pressed on—Jugo next, then Orochimaru—but a detour loomed, one tied to a brother he'd lost and found again.
Konan drifted closer, her paper wings rustling faintly, her voice heavy with sleep. "Junior Brother, you're back."
"Sorry," Naruto said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Personal stuff held me up."
Nagato's frail form stirred atop the launcher strapped to the bird's back, his Rinnegan glinting as he opened his eyes. "I sent the Six Paths below—spread them in a line, searching the terrain."
Naruto nodded, gratitude softening his tone. "Thanks, Senior Brother. I'll take it from here." Nagato murmured assent, recalling the Pains to perch along the bird's wings like silent guardians, then shut his eyes, conserving strength.
Naruto sank into a crouch, Sage Mode sharpening his senses as the bird soared over the cloud-draped valleys. The world unfolded beneath him—every rustle of leaves, every flicker of chakra a thread in the tapestry he scanned. Hours bled into the night, stars fading as a pale streak of dawn crept over the horizon. Then—a pulse, sharp and familiar, tugged at his awareness. Sasuke. His breath caught, a grin tugging at his lips. "Found him."
Nagato and Konan snapped to attention, eyes locking on him. "Southwest," Naruto said, closing his eyes to pinpoint the signal. Nagato's will stirred the bird, its massive wings banking toward the direction, cutting through the thinning mist with purpose.
Deep in a forest clearing, the Eagle Squad stirred beneath the first light of dawn. A small fire crackled, its embers casting a faint glow over the group. Suigetsu stretched, his joints popping as he yawned. "Gotta say, if I hadn't lit this last night, I'd be an ice block by now."
Jugo rose silently, rolling his broad shoulders, his calm presence a stark contrast to the bickering beside him. Karin glared at Suigetsu, her red hair glinting as she scoffed. "That's 'cause you're weak. Look at me—or Sasuke-kun. We're fine."
Suigetsu smirked, leaning back with mock laziness. "Oh, please—spare me the daily 'Sasuke-kun' serenade. It's exhausting."
Karin's fists clenched, her voice rising in indignation. "Baka-yaro! What's that supposed to mean in front of Sasuke-kun?!" She lunged, but Suigetsu darted behind Jugo, using the larger man as a shield.
Sasuke stood, his dark cloak rustling as he cut through the noise with a cold command. "Enough. Wash up, eat—we're heading to Thundercloud Gorge." His tone brooked no argument, his focus already shifting to the mission ahead.
Suigetsu peeked out, grinning. "Hear that, Karin? Your Sasuke-kun wants water—hop to it!"
Karin's glare could've melted steel, her fists twitching, but Sasuke's order held her. She grabbed Suigetsu's arm, dragging him toward the river. "Move it, you lazy water ninja! Sasuke-kun needs natural water, not your cheap jutsu."
Suigetsu groaned, stumbling after her. "Why me? I could just—"
"Natural water!" Karin snapped, smacking his head. "Get it right!" Their squabbling faded into the trees, a familiar rhythm of discord.
Jugo stepped to Sasuke's side, his voice low and measured. "Sasuke, are we really hunting Eight Tails?"
Sasuke's eyes flicked shut, his tone icy. "What, you doubt me?"
Jugo shook his head, steady as stone. "No—it's not that. Eight Tails isn't weak. If Kumogakure backs it up, we might not escape with just Eagle Squad."
Sasuke opened his eyes, the Sharingan's red glow flaring briefly before fading. "I'll end it fast. I'm not the kid with a basic Sharingan anymore. This beast will kneel to my eyes in minutes—trust me."
Jugo fell silent, his loyalty unwavering. Danger didn't faze him—he'd die for Sasuke without a second thought. But a flicker of unease lingered; Sasuke's confidence bordered on recklessness, and Jugo's purpose was to shield him from that edge. He said no more, stepping back as Sasuke resumed his meditation.
At the river, Karin barked orders at Suigetsu, who grumbled as he bent water from the stream with a lazy flick of his wrist. "More, idiot! Sasuke-kun's face deserves the best!" Suddenly, her head snapped up, glasses glinting as she tensed. "Wait—"
Suigetsu paused, frowning. "What now?"
"Chakra," she hissed, eyes darting skyward. "Strong—multiple sources. Heading this way."
"No way," Suigetsu said, incredulous. "We've been here one night—miles from Kumogakure. Who'd find us?"
Karin's voice sharpened, calm but urgent. "Not Cloud ninja—something else. Back to Sasuke, now!" They abandoned the water, racing through the underbrush.
Naruto's Sage Mode locked onto the Eagle Squad, their chakra signatures a constellation in his mind. Sasuke's stood out—steady, intense, a beacon of resolve he'd known since childhood. A knowing smile curved his lips, tinged with nostalgia and purpose. This was his first glimpse of Sasuke since rebirth, a reunion shadowed by the paths they'd diverged onto. "Senior Brother Nagato," he called, voice firm, "straight ahead—speed up!"
Nagato's raspy "Okay" echoed as the bird's wings beat harder, slicing through the dawn haze toward the forest below. The landscape blurred—rugged hills giving way to dense trees, the clearing drawing near.
In the camp, Sasuke's eyes snapped open, his head tilting skyward. A shadow loomed through the mist—a massive bird, its wings a thunderous whisper against the stillness. His Sharingan flared instinctively, crimson spinning as he rose, hand drifting to his blade. Jugo tensed beside him, sensing the shift, while Karin and Suigetsu burst back into the clearing, breathless.
"Sasuke-kun!" Karin panted, pointing upward. "Incoming—strong chakra!"
Sasuke's gaze narrowed, tracking the bird's descent. Naruto's voice carried faintly on the wind, a command to Nagato, and Sasuke's pulse quickened. A flicker of recognition stirred—impossible, yet undeniable. The past and present collided, poised on the edge of confrontation.
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