The early morning light filtered through the tall trees surrounding the training grounds, casting long shadows over the grass. Sasuke stood in silence, his eyes closed, his mind focused. The subtle hum of his chakra rippled through the air as he meditated, feeling the energy within him flow in perfect harmony.
Ever since returning from the Realm of Time, he had grown stronger—much stronger. The years of training had honed his abilities, and now, with the power of the Void Energy flowing through him, he was on a different level. But something else had changed too—something deeper. The Curse Mark, once a symbol of his connection to Orochimaru's dark influence, had fully merged with his soul. It no longer controlled him. Instead, it had become part of his power, purified and refined into something he could call upon at will.
He could feel it now, simmering beneath the surface like a well of untapped energy. But it wasn't the wild, uncontrollable force it once was. It was his. And for the first time in years, Sasuke felt a sense of peace.
As he opened his eyes, the familiar crackling of lightning danced across his fingertips. He raised his hand, feeling the energy pulse through him, more controlled and powerful than ever before. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned the Chidori, the lightning infused with the faint ripples of Void Energy, distorting the air around it. The Void had added a new dimension to his techniques, amplifying them in ways he hadn't fully explored yet.
"Sasuke!"
The call broke through his concentration, and he turned to see Sakura approaching, her face glowing with excitement. She had also changed over the years—they both had. She was stronger, more confident, and the bond they had formed during their time in the Realm of Time had grown into something unspoken but powerful.
"Training alone again?" she asked, her tone light but knowing.
Sasuke smirked. "I need to keep pushing. There's more to master."
Sakura came to stand beside him, looking out over the quiet training grounds. "You know, you've changed a lot since we came back. You're… calmer. More focused."
Sasuke didn't respond immediately. He thought about her words, recognizing the truth in them. The old anger, the vengeance that had once driven him, had faded. It was still there, but it no longer controlled him. His purpose had shifted.
"It's the Curse Mark," he said finally. "It's different now. I can control it fully."
Sakura's eyes widened slightly. "You mean… it's still there?"
Sasuke nodded, turning to face her. "Yes, but it's purified. It's a part of me now, but it doesn't control me. I've fused it with my own energy—my own power."
Sakura smiled, clearly relieved. "That's good. I was worried that it might still be affecting you."
Sasuke's smirk returned. "It only affects me in ways I want it to now."
Sakura's expression softened as she studied him. She had always known Sasuke to be strong, but there was something different in the way he carried himself now. He wasn't just powerful—he was in control. And that was what made him dangerous, not just to their enemies but to anyone who underestimated him.
Before she could say more, they both felt it—a faint, almost imperceptible shift in the air. Their eyes locked, both recognizing the subtle signature of void energy nearby.
Naruto appeared from the treeline, grinning widely as he approached. "Yo! You two aren't gonna leave me out, are you?"
Sasuke shook his head slightly, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You're always late, Naruto."
Naruto laughed, scratching the back of his head. "Hey, I was working on a new jutsu! You won't believe what I've come up with!"
Sakura crossed her arms, her curiosity piqued. "Another Rasengan variation?"
Naruto winked. "Not just any variation—this one's got some serious Void Energy in it. I've been training with Anon, and he's been helping me mix my chakra with void techniques. It's crazy!"
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Void Rasengan?"
Naruto nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! But that's not all. I'm working on something bigger—just wait."
Sakura laughed softly. "Well, let's see it, then."
Naruto grinned, stepping forward and raising his hand. Instantly, a swirling ball of energy formed in his palm, the familiar shape of the Rasengan but with dark tendrils of void energy coiling around it. The air shimmered, and the ground beneath his feet seemed to shift as the void energy distorted the space around him.
But this was no ordinary Rasengan.
As Naruto focused, the void energy began to pulse, growing stronger with each passing second. The power was chaotic but controlled, a testament to how far Naruto had come in mastering the void's influence.
"This," Naruto said proudly, "is the Void Rasengan Barrage."
With a shout, Naruto launched the Rasengan into the air, and before it even made contact with the ground, it split into dozens of smaller Rasengans, each one infused with void energy. The barrage of attacks struck the training ground, the impact creating small distortions in the air as the void energy disrupted the natural flow of chakra.
Sasuke's eyes widened slightly in approval, and even Sakura couldn't hide her amazement.
"Impressive," Sasuke admitted, his voice betraying the smallest hint of admiration.
Naruto beamed. "Told you! But I'm still working on it. There's more I can do with the void energy."
Sakura stepped forward, her voice filled with determination. "Well, you're not the only one who's been working on something new. Sasuke and I have developed a combo technique that's… let's just say, devastating."
Sasuke turned to her, his Sharingan flickering to life. "We've spent a lot of time synchronizing our attacks. It's not something I thought I'd need, but after our time in the Realm of Time… it's clear that working together makes us stronger."
Naruto grinned, his excitement bubbling over. "Alright, show me!"
Sasuke and Sakura exchanged a glance, and without a word, they moved in perfect unison. Sakura surged forward, her chakra-enhanced strength causing the ground beneath her to crack with every step. As she leapt into the air, Sasuke appeared beside her, his lightning-infused Chidori crackling with void energy.
"Delayed Impact Fist!" Sakura shouted as she brought her fist down with immense force. But just as her punch made contact with the ground, the impact didn't occur immediately. Instead, a ripple of time energy delayed the explosion of power.
At that exact moment, Sasuke struck with his Temporal Void Chidori, his attack blending with the energy of Sakura's punch. The combination of time and void energy created a chain reaction, amplifying the force of their attacks. The delayed explosion erupted in a massive shockwave, the ground beneath them shattering into pieces.
Naruto watched in awe as the dust settled, his grin widening. "That… was incredible!"
Sasuke nodded, his breathing steady despite the power they had just unleashed. "It's a technique we've been perfecting for a while now. Time and void energy work well together, but it requires absolute synchronization."
Sakura smiled, her chest heaving slightly from the exertion. "We're still working on it, but we've gotten a lot stronger because of it."
Naruto clenched his fists, his excitement growing. "Then let's keep getting stronger together. There's no limit to what we can do!"
Sasuke looked at Naruto, and for a brief moment, a rare smile crossed his face. "Agreed."
As they stood together in the aftermath of their training, the bond between them had never felt stronger. The years of training, of fighting, of pushing each other to the limit had brought them closer than ever before. They weren't just teammates—they were a family.
But even as they stood there, feeling the weight of their newfound power, a sense of urgency lingered in the air. The world beyond the Leaf Village was changing, and they knew that their training had prepared them for something far greater than just protecting their home.
As they prepared to return to the village, Ryusei's words echoed in their minds: "We're standing on the edge of something big. And when it comes, we'll be ready."