Naruto: Rebirth Of The Child Of Prophecy

Clap, Clap, Clap!

Shino stood to the side, clapping slowly and deliberately. Kiba, utterly bewildered, started clapping as well and turned to Shino mid-applause. "Uh… what are we doing?"

Shino adjusted his glasses, his expression unreadable as always. "Nothing. It just felt like this moment deserved some applause."

Kiba blinked but, after a moment, nodded in agreement. "Yeah… you know what? You're right." He clapped a bit harder, even adding a cheer under his breath.

Haruno Sakura watched the scene with a mixture of exasperation and confusion. However, her attention soon shifted back to Hinata and Naruto, her heart sinking slightly. As a girl, she couldn't help but feel a pang of envy toward Hinata. The shy girl had always admired Naruto from afar, and now… now it seemed her feelings had finally been reciprocated. They were in love.

But what about her?

Sakura clenched her fists as thoughts of Sasuke clouded her mind. Despite everything, her heart still ached for him. And yet, as she watched Naruto and Hinata's happiness, she couldn't help but feel a small, unspoken longing for something she couldn't quite define.

Yamato approached Kakashi, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Kakashi-senpai, looks like we might be attending a wedding banquet soon."

Kakashi sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Happy occasions are always welcome," he said with a resigned chuckle. "But really, Naruto has no sense of timing. Doesn't he realize there are more important things to focus on right now?"

Naruto, however, didn't linger in the moment for long. He released Hinata gently and turned to her with a soft smile. "Hinata, I'm sorry, but I have to leave for a few days."

Hinata looked up at him in surprise, her expression shifting to one of worry.

Naruto turned toward Kakashi, his tone firm. "Kakashi-sensei, I'll leave Sasuke to you for now. There's something I have to do, and it can't wait."

Kakashi frowned. "Naruto," he said, his voice serious, "where are you going? You know how important this mission is."

Naruto's gaze didn't waver. "I'm sorry, Kakashi-sensei. I can't explain everything right now, but I promise this is something I need to do."

Sakura stepped forward, her voice rising with concern. "Naruto! How can this be more important than finding Sasuke?"

Naruto hesitated, glancing at her. He understood her frustration, but she couldn't possibly know what he did. Sasuke wasn't in immediate danger—he was heading toward his fateful encounter with Itachi. That was something Naruto couldn't interfere with just yet.

"I'm sorry, Sakura," Naruto said finally. "But trust me, Sasuke will be fine for now."

Kakashi stepped closer, his tone more commanding. "Naruto, this isn't a request. As your team leader, I can't allow you to leave without explaining yourself."

With a subtle gesture, Kakashi signaled Yamato. Without hesitation, Yamato formed a seal, and the ground beneath Naruto shifted as wooden pillars shot up, forming a secure cage around him.

Yamato's Wood Release was designed to suppress not just chakra, but specifically the Nine-Tails' power. For good measure, he also added an extra layer of chakra suppression.

"Hinata!" Naruto called, his tone tinged with urgency. But before he could say more, Hinata stepped forward.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Hinata pleaded, her voice trembling. "Naruto-kun must have a reason for this. He wouldn't keep secrets from us without good cause!"

Kakashi's expression softened slightly, but he remained resolute. "Hinata, I understand, but we can't take that risk. Naruto is—"

Before Kakashi could finish, a sudden, powerful surge of energy radiated from within the wooden prison.

Naruto had been still for some time, his eyes closed in concentration. Now, his eyelids snapped open, revealing the distinct orange pigmentation of Sage Mode.

"I'm sorry, Kakashi-sensei," Naruto said calmly. "But I wasn't asking for permission."

With a single, powerful strike, Naruto shattered the wooden cage, sending shards of wood flying. The sheer force of his Sage Mode stunned everyone present.

Yamato staggered back, his expression one of disbelief. "Impossible! My Wood Release should suppress all of his chakra—both his own and the Nine-Tails'! How…?"

Kakashi's eyes widened as he took in the orange marks framing Naruto's face. Recognition dawned, and he muttered under his breath, "Sage Mode… When did Naruto…?"

Naruto turned to his stunned teammates, his expression apologetic but resolute. "I'm sorry, everyone. I'll explain everything when I come back."

Without another word, Naruto leapt into the trees and disappeared into the distance.

"Stop, Naruto!" Sakura shouted, starting to run after him, but Kakashi held her back.

"Let him go, Sakura," Kakashi said firmly. "Even if we tried, none of us could stop him now. His strength has surpassed everyone here. And… I believe he has his reasons."

Kakashi's mind raced as he pulled out a communication scroll and quickly wrote down everything that had transpired. Handing it to his ninja dog, he said, "Get this to Lady Tsunade immediately."

Meanwhile, the rest of the team resumed their pursuit of Sasuke, though the atmosphere felt heavier now. Hinata lingered for a moment, staring in the direction Naruto had gone. She clenched her fists and thought to herself, Naruto-kun… I'll wait for you to come back.

Far away in the forest, Naruto's enhanced senses picked up a familiar presence. His Sage Mode allowed him to detect even the smallest fluctuations in chakra, and he felt it—him.

Naruto landed silently on the ground, his eyes narrowing as he turned toward a bush. "Come out, Uchiha Itachi," he said, his voice steady and calm.

From the shadows, a pair of crimson Sharingan eyes opened, gleaming in the darkness. A soft rustling followed as Uchiha Itachi stepped out, his expression as unreadable as ever.

"So, I've been discovered," Itachi said, his tone as calm as ever.

Naruto stood his ground, his Sage Mode fully activated. "It ends here, Itachi," he said, determination burning in his eyes.