The ambush came at dusk.
Explosive tags shattered the forest, kunai raining like steel hail. Naruto moved instantly, chakra flaring, clones scattering.
"Sakura—behind you!"
She ducked, smashed an attacker into the ground with bone-crushing force.
They fought like a single organism—Naruto shielding her, Sakura healing him mid-battle without breaking stride.
Then it happened.
A black blade pierced through Naruto's side.
Time stopped.
"NARUTO!"
He staggered, coughing blood.
Something inside Sakura snapped.
Her chakra erupted, violent and blazing.
She caught Naruto as he fell, then turned—eyes glowing, face calm in the most terrifying way.
"You touched him," she said softly.
The enemy didn't even have time to scream.
When the last body hit the ground, Sakura knelt, hands shaking as she healed Naruto desperately.
"Stay with me," she whispered. "Please."
Naruto weakly lifted a hand to her cheek.
"I'm here," he murmured. "I always come back."
Tears spilled down her face.
"I can't lose you," she sobbed. "I love—"
She stopped.
Naruto's eyes widened.
"…Sakura?"
She froze, realizing what she'd almost said.
The world held its breath