—— Bloom Again ——

"We have walked through the darkness of this world, that's why we are able to see even a silver of light."
-Gaara

———————————

The future - Konoha
108 days before Konoha's downfall

"Sakura, please calm down! You'll ruin your stitches."

"How can I calm down? My best friend is missing, Shizune. He's Naruto, how can I not be worry? He was the one who defeated Pein, Madara and Kaguya yet here he is missing. God damn Kakashi and his 'Never leave a man behind morals'! Screw you old man!" Sakura cursed out loud ignoring the pain that shot up through her abdomen.

"Sakura..."Shizune trailed off unsurely, "You know Naruto values friendship among all," Shizune reach for Sakura and Sakura relent to the older woman as she was pulled into a strong embrace.

"You know Naruto would never leave you with that man, Sakura."

"I know and that's why I'm mad. It's all my fault. Shizune, the things he said when I was with him was beyond any other psychopath I've met. I should have stopped him myself, but I didn't; I couldn't. "

"Naruto wouldn't want you to fault yourself. He—"Shizune paused, "That boy loves you, Sakura."

With that, Sakura's heart crumbles even more.

"You think I don't know that?"Sakura chokes out as tears roll down her cheeks

"For years he keeps on doting on me faithfully! Every insult I've ever hurled at him was taken as a motivation for him to get stronger, to improve, to be better for me. He was just a boy wanting to be loved. He was willing to sacrifice his dream of the Hokage seat for me, Shizune. " Sakura throws her hands up in frustration.

"That's what love does to someone."A voice suddenly interrupts as the door to Sakura's room opens and in walk a man. A man who is very familiar and limping oddly as he walks in.

"Sasuke-san! You shouldn't walk with your condition like that!" Shizune internally screams as she watches both admirable shinobi ruin their stitches but she knew the stitches was the last thing they had in their mind. Her loud warning did not deter the man at all.

"Sasuke... He's not dead, is he?" Sakura's soft voice pulled Shizune out of her monologue. Sasuke approached his teammate slowly and his remaining hand laid on Sakura's. His rinnegan onyx eyes gazed into her emerald ones. Over the years, out of everything, Sasuke's eyes had always been her very favourite trait about him. You could see emotions that weren't displayed openly by his face in his eyes. Sasuke is a man of few words. But it doesn't mean he doesn't feel. He doesn't say much about how he feels but Sakura knows it is killing him on the inside to know Naruto is out there suffering under the hands of the psychopath and he could not do much about it.

His big hand squeeze hers. She squeezes back and holds on to it as if it was her lifeline. In a way perhaps it was. In a way maybe to Sakura, he was the only one left.

"We'll find him, Sakura."

Shizune sigh and quietly left the pair by themselves. She felt the scene she just witnessed was intimate and private. Shizune remembers the blonde boy who would have taken no time to cheer both of his best friends.

But he wasn't here to do that, is he? Shizune thought bitterly

::
[Somewhere far from Konoba]

He wasn't meant to be alive right now.  Not without Kurama that is now forcefully extracted from him. But he is alive and he can't help but wonder what is this maniac planning?

"You're awake."

Naruto did not turn his head to acknowledge the man who was the main reason he's in chains.

"What do you want?"Naruto wince. His throat was dry after days of barely any water.

"Uzumaki Naruto. I've observed you for quite some time now and I've come to a conclusion. " The man in the shadows walk towards him and stopped a few feet away.

"Oh, yea? And what is that? "Naruto's chains rattle as he finally looks up and meets the eyes of his abductor. He may not have Kurama anymore but he didn't need him to look his captor in his eye. The will of fire in Naruto burns so very bright that it could easily rival the sun.

"You're weak without your tail beast. You are nothing without it. Just a mere powerless weak human."The man pause and chuckles before continuing, "It's funny. It was your rights to continue the legacy that was left behind for you as an Uzumaki. But you barely even touched the surface. Why is that?"

"Congrats, you've cracked the case. Should I give you a prize? "Naruto sarcastically replies and the laughter of the man before him echoes throughout the cell.

"You see Naruto, "The man spat out, "I've certainly have cracked the case as you put it. I have a way to solve that problem. It includes you and your little hm, what do you call them—oh wait, friends. "

As if hearing a trigger word, Naruto moves. His hand flails around in chains trying to reach out across the room ignoring the pain that shoots up his wrist as the chain tightens the more he struggles.

"Little Sakura-chan did leave me something very special when she left poor me. Wanna know what that is? "

"You sick bastard!"

"And now I have you. The only last piece I need is now The Uchiha and my plan would be invincible."

"You monster! I hope you rot in hell. "

"You see Naruto, that's where you are wrong with me. Monsters are created, but I'm born with it. I'm the devil, the demon who will soon rule the world with his invincible son. I don't need to rot in hell, because I will unleash hell to the world. "

It was silent for a few moments before Naruto came to a realisation.

"You are taking our DNA for your son."

"With your kyubi, The Uchiha's Sharingan and Rinnegan and little Sakura-chan's amazing chakra control DNA trait albeit will need some proper training, I'll be able to create the most invincible person and he'll be my son. The one who will continue my legacy. " The man laughs stopped when he saw Naruto's eyes flashed red.

The man approaches the blond and manhandles the blond's face roughly. "The only reason you're still alive, Uzumaki Naruto, is to witness the destruction that you are unable to prevent. The inevitable destruction of your people."

Naruto growls in anger.

"The worst part is, you won't be there to save them, "

The man turns and shot Naruto one last look of amusement that would send chills down Naruto's spine if he was a lesser man before walking away from the cell.

"Sasuke, Sakura, please stay safe. "

::

Present

"Hey Sakura-chan, how did you meet Neji again?"Naruto whispers loudly.

The fire nearby crackled as the genins gather around the campfire Gai had made earlier. Their sensei had gone up to a nearby lake and was caught up in another competition to catch fish as Lee occasionally throws words of encouragement to both of them.

Sakura turns to the blond beside her.
"Well, let's just say it was fate that brought us together,"Sakura replied smiling because she knows that there are more pairs of ears that were listening to her conversation.

From behind Sakura, Uchiha Sasuke's eyebrows twitch in annoyance. He eyed the Hyuga boy.

"Sakura-chan, he seems very hostile. Kakashi-sensei told me he's hormonal because he's going through pub—pobe—pube—puberty!" Naruto loudly exclaimed and Sakura was more than ready to tell him off for that. But, someone else decided to take the opportunity instead.

"If you have troubles with me, I expect you to say it to my face rather than gossiping, blondie." Neji Hyuuga's pale white pupilless eyes stare directly at Naruto's blue ones.

"Ah! See Sakura-chan, I told you he's a creep!" Naruto accuses Neji once more ignoring the fact that Neji is in front of him

"Naruto! You're being rude. A future Hokage must treat all his pupils equally. Every citizen or shinobi is like his family. Now, would you like if Sandaime-sama were to insult you? " Sakura throws a disappointed look in Naruto's direction

"But Sandaime-sama wouldn't —"

"If he did Naruto, would you like it? " Sakura interrupts the boy

"No, I've been despised enough." Sakura's frown deepens.

"Let's not inflict those same feelings on Neji-san too okay? "Sakura pat the blond's back in encouragement and Naruto knew what he had to do. He turns towards the pupilless boy.

"Neji, I shouldn't have said what I said. I—sorry." Naruto finally mumbles out. Behind Sakura, Sasuke's eyes slightly widen.

Neji stares at the boy for what seems like a minute before turning his attention to Sakura and then he walks away into the mist within the forests. Shocked by his rude gesture, Naruto sputters out in rage.

"Sorry for that, Sakura, Naruto. He doesn't communicate well." Tenten offers her apologies on behalf of Neji as her eyes dart back to the boy. "We tried talking to him, but it doesn't always go well either."

Sakura abruptly stood, ignoring the curious looks from Naruto. It was the time to set out a bait that will be bringing lots of fishes back home in the future. "I'll go and get some fresh air," She took a few steps towards the same direction Neji headed only to be stopped when a familiar voice spoke up.

"Fresh air when you're literally surrounded by nature that is filled with fresh air? Seems suspicious. "

Sasuke stood against a tree branch, eyebrows furrowed and hands crossed.

"Jealous aren't you?"Sakura chuckles, "Don't worry, Sasuke-kun, you'll always have my attention. " She smiles cheekily and winks at him and it didn't take long for his cheeks to flush a light pink.
Teasing Sasuke till he blushes for the day? Check!

She turns and continues on the same path Neji took. It wasn't long to find him.

"You're here. " He was the one who spoke up first surprisingly.

"Of course I am, what type of friend would I be if I'm not here?" Sakura provides him with a sincere smile

For a moment, Neji would like to believe her. Neji has never had a friend. But, what's the used of a friend if in the end he is fated to leave them one day? "Friend, huh?"

"Yes, we are friends are we not? We've conversed at least more than once and we've spared." Sakura shrugs and observes the boy before her

But Neji was a stubborn boy. His pupilless eyes widen as his byakugan is activated. He would not be coerced easily like this.

"You don't —" Neji move and avoid the incoming kunai that hits the tree branch he was against

"—know you? This seems a little familiar,dont you think? You're Neji Hyuga, cousin to Hinata Hyuga, nephew of Hiashi who was born a few minutes earlier than his own father in which that fact itself had cost him more pain than one could imagine. A family with a horrifying history in tow. "Sakura paused. It was very quiet except for the few crickets around them.

"What do I not know, Neji? I did not become the best kunoichi in my year for nothing."Sakura dusts the dirt away from her hands

Neji stood, stunned that a girl from a civilian clan was showing signs that she understands him. Was this a part of her plan to make him weak? Or was this the salvation that was waiting for Neji?

Was this— is Sakura the salvation he needs? Neji couldn't stop his mind from wondering. He is confused and he does not understand. "You don't understand! I'm fated to be a black sheep. My death is in the hands of my—"

"—own family. The main branch. For Hinata. I get it. " Sakura interrupts, her green eyes narrowed. She moves to sit against a tree branch.

"So you do understand. " Neji blankly states, his byakugan finally deactivates.

"Neji, being bitter about your predicament doesn't help your situation. Pushing your cousin to express all your hatred on the main branch is unfair to her. "

"It has always been my fate to be a puppet to the main branch. It is also Lady Hinata's fate to be weak, Hiashi-sama does not push her enough. It was why I push her to her limits." Neji calmly states. Neji had a point.

Sakura smiles. "No, Neji-kun. What I'm trying to say is if you want to change to happen, you have to be a player to win the game. "

Neji's pupilless eyes widen. "What do you mean?"

"How good is your knowledge of your clan politics?"

::

Meanwhile

"Y-you! What are you doing here?"

"Me? What about yourself?! You left for 10 years and suddenly decides to show up?"

"I have my reason!"

"I have my reason too!"

"Um, Tsunade-sama, who is this man?"

Tsunade sigh as she crosses her arm, "Shizune this is my perverted teammate, Jiraiya."

"Jiraiya, this is Shizune. If you dare to even lay your filthy eyes on her, you wouldn't even live to see tomorrow." Tsunade warns and Jiraiya swears that the chills that were sent down his spine weren't because he was scared of Tsunade but because of the cold night. Tsunade begs to differ.

Jiraiya clears his throat, "Duly noted. Tsunade, I've received a tip from an informant. It's about an organisation called Akatsuki."

"And what does this A-kat-su-ki do? Good things I hope?" Tsunade sarcastically questions knowing already the outcome of this discussion. She is going to need sake to get through this night.

::

Their journey to Suna would take around 3 days minimum but with the distraction and delays that happen within her teammates, Sakura wonders if she could even reach Suna.
After her talk with Neji, they both walk back to their campsite ignoring the looks their sensei was sending them. Sakura was glad that Neji had agreed to her plan. It was going to be the start of a revolution among other revolution she was going to start.

But it was then the air starts to thicken up and Sakura knew something was wrong. Kakashi and Gai immediately notice it too judging by the looks they send each other. Gai sends a look to his genins and they tense up. Neji activates his byakugan, Lee getting into a stance while Tenten gets her kunai ready.

Team 7 was a little different. While they had been taught to always expect the enemy, they lack experience. It was their first real fight and mission out of the village after all. Sakura quickly forms a chakra scalpel. Her chakra scalpel might not be as sharp as her future one but sometimes a blunt object can deliver more pain than a sharp object.

The air thickens up even more and the killing intent leaks out. It was confirmed. They are being targetted. The enemy-nins did not waste their time waiting any further. They strike.

2 masked nins approach Maito Gai, but they were no match for his taijutsu. Neji, Lee and Tenten had no problem working with each other as they took turns incapacitating their new problem.

3 of the masked enemy nins quickly targetted Kakashi. They took turns trying to deliver a blow to him but it was to no avail. Almost nothing could pass by Kakashi's lone swirling red eyes. Kakashi spared a glance towards his genin team as he expertly dodges the incoming blow. He watches as Sakura and Sasuke (mostly Sakura— and only Sasuke when Sakura slap him out of his trance) work together to beat one of the masked nins and frown when he caught Naruto frozen. Horrified.

Another masked nin tried to sneak up on Naruto but Naruto was frozen. Kakashi's eyes widen. His Sharingan swirl.

Kakashi's hands quickly ran the hand sign for a water jutsu, hoping it could reach the enemy nin behind Naruto in time. Meanwhile, the masked nin that was previously fighting Kakashi stood once more. He wasted no time in using Kakashi's lack of attention to his advantage. Almost reaching the final ram sign, Kakashi was kicked in the ribs and flew away across the forest floor from the impact.

As soon as Kakashi's body hit the floor, his eyes scanned around to find a bright orange jumper. When he did, Kakashi could see the masked nin behind the boy had raised his kunai and was ready to stab him.  Kakashi closes his eye. Had he failed again to protect his teammates? He did not have any time to think as a fireball jutsu was shoot towards him and two feet came flying right after.

"Naruto!" Sakura was screaming the blond's name but it was as if Naruto was in his own world.

Sasuke turns to check on the dead-last and his eyes widen in horror. It was like a replay of that day all over again. Naruto was in a similar position he was in. But the night sky wasn't red this time and the attacker wasn't him. Sasuke was slowly fueling in rage. How dare that man distract him from his fight? He takes his kunai and cuts his attacker's carotid artery within seconds and quickly kick him away to let him bled out to death. Turning back, he ran forward hoping to reach his teammate in time.

The blond could only stare in horror as the masked nin that was about to stab him was thrown across the field by one annoyed Neji Hyuga.

"Uzumaki!" He barked, "If you truly want my forgiveness, you better live through this."

And just like that, the trance Naruto was in broke. Naruto shot him an appreciative nod.

"I am Uzumaki Naruto,dattebayo! I will not let anyone hurt my precious people. That is my ninja way!"

From the side, Uchiha Sasuke saw this and smirked. Finally, he thought.

-To be continued-
So yes, Sasuke is still a traumatized boy who is still suffering from his older brother's torture. But he is handling it better now. He is a lil jealous of Neji but Sakura is always there to remind him that he is always gonna have her attention.

And yes Sakura is gonna throw a revolution for the Hyuga clan, she hopes it would work, but it all comes down to Neji who is going to execute everything. And if it doesn't, Sakura will be there to support him. And who knows, maybe Lady Hinata would help him up?

Jiraiya and Tsunade met up and important talks are gonna happen.

Neji is an ass sometimes, but sometimes he can be sweet not in his words but in his action. He felt guilty he didn't accept Naruto's apologize earlier but of course, he's not gonna say that out loud so he makes sure the Uzumaki brat is alive long enough to say sorry once more and this time Neji might consider accepting it.

Kakashi is also a lil traumatised. That poor guy has gone for therapy but sometimes a relapse happened anyway. He hides it well, but like he said, underneath the underneath right?

Anyway, that psychopath is basically like any other villain trying to take over the world albeit a lil differently. Thoughts on his character?

Anything I could improve with?

Thanks so much for your support! I came back from a hiatus and boom this book now has 40.1k reads!! Nani?! I'm blown away by the amount of support. I love reading yall's comments so keep telling me what you all think!