He moves forward

[Sasuke`s POV]

I was asleep, I was resting. My mind was being entertained by a sweet dream, it was unaware and at peace, but then it was not.

Clarity struck and my mind became fully aware: aware that I was asleep, aware where I slept and who I was sleeping with.

It was as if there was a universal clock inside me, waking me up exactly when I needed and even though I was asleep, I had a rough estimation of how long I slept.

My body quickly discarded itself from sleeping, my slow and rhythmic breath turned a little stronger and faster. The frequent beating of my heart picked up pace as my body temperature slowly increased.

It was amazing how well informed I was on anything that was happening in my body, controlled or not.

I opened my eyelids and I was assaulted by the light. The visions were blurry only for a brief moment before I was able to get a clear picture of the world and it was beautiful.

Or should I say 'she' was beautiful.

The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was the face of Karin. Her peaceful expression made me unconsciously soften my breaths - terrified that I might destroy her peace.

Lustrous strands of her hair was glued to her face by sweat and her lips were pouty and swollen. She did not wear her glasses and I was able to truly behold the shape and delicate features of her face without obstruction.

It was a fact that the eye would beg to be closed again when you wake up - demanding more sleep - but her sight countered that urge, convincing me to keep my eyes open at least for an hour or two.

I observed the small smile that seems to be permanently stitched onto her face for a long time before I was able to motivate myself to move.

I pushed myself off the bed and carefully made my way out of it. Without making a sound, I put on my clothes and the equipment that I had prepared last night.

After I was done, I silently walked near my bed again and looked down on the girl sprawling on the white sheets. The blanket innocently covered the sacred parts of her body - which was big and small at the right places, making her form feel edible to me.

I was certain that I did not take more than a minute to change and I was sure to silence my movements but here she was, wide awake and faking sleep.

It would have slipped past most people but I knew she was awake; from the pattern of her breathing and her posture which had slightly shifted and now looks rigid - as if she was intentionally staying in that specific pose.

I did not know why she was acting as if she`s asleep, but I was not curious enough to ask and reveal her.

I stood silently for a while before I bent down slowly, making sure not to alarm her. Then I planted a soft kiss on her head. 

"I will see you again." I said, choosing not to say goodbye to give her hope, yet not adding 'soon' to not let her have too high expectations.

Then I was gone, instantly. 

I felt myself entering a dimensional void and exiting it. But I was at a different location, meaning the point where I entered and leave the dimension was different.

That was basically how the' Flying Thunder God' works.

Between the different dimensions present in this world, like the Kaguya dimension and the Kamui dimension etc. there is a space between them.

A dimensional void where there is no matter therefore should not exist, but did exist.

This dimensional void ran parallel to the whole universe, therefore connects everything.

So the technique allows me to enter this dimension and travel through nothing instantaneously and leave the dimension right at the place I marked.

Meaning this dimensional void acts as a wormhole.

Yes, the Flying Thunder God works on the principles of Wormholes, who would've guessed.

One moment I was in the cabin, kissing Karin`s head and in that same moment I was here, on the borders of the Country of Fire. 

The place I found myself in was on top of a mountain with sparse vegetation, it was dark and damp, I could see the rising sun in the horizon - still not in its full golden glory but a warmer orange.

A chilling breeze blew faintly, fluttering my hair and the cloth of my left arm. I looked at it, confirming that the cloth was indeed not filled with an arm as it was supposed to - which enable it to flutter and wave to the tune of the breeze.

It`s really about time now, to get a new arm and a possible power up.

"Hashirama cells" I said, chewing the word in my mouth. My mind worked on possibilities and calculating the probability.

With those thoughts dancing in mind I was gone with the wind, my next destination being....

Home.

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[3rd POV]

It took no more than a few hours for Sasuke to reach the village hidden in the leaf. Though it was called a village it was more like a city, where more than 100,000 people live.

The village - as the name suggests - resides deep within a forest and the village sat at the base of a huge mountain known as the Hokage Rock. The land was fertile and forest resources were abundant - making it suitable for people to not only survive but thrive.

The village was surrounded by huge walls that protected them from all sides. The only way to get into the village was through the main gate which was always guarded.

[IMG]

Sasuke arrived at the village through his hawk summon Garuda, he rode over the walls of Konoha and headed towards the Hokage's office.

HIs summon hovered in the sky above the Hokage office and Sasuke looked down at the village from the sky with unknown emotions in his eyes.

"Shinra Tensei." He said ominously.

.

...

.

"Haha, it was sad but also really cool when Pain did that." He said to himself, thinking about how Pain flatten the village with one attack. 

He pondered about the amount of chakra that should be needed to pull off an attack like that and found himself coming up with better ways to destroy the village - something that required less chakra and was more efficient.

'What am I thinking?' He shook off those useless thoughts and lightly tap on his summon. "Thank you Garuda, you can go now."

With a puff of white smoke the giant hawk disappeared, leaving him to fall from the sky. He shifted his body and directly dived towards the red building with the kanji 'FIRE' written on it.

When he was about to crash on the building his speed slowed down and gently floated towards the roof.

'Earth Release : Lightened Boulder jutsu'.

He landed gracefully and quickly made his way inside the Hokage's office through the window.

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[3rd POV]

The sixth Hokage, Hatake Kakashi was checking some reports on a recent mission, reading the details of what happened during the mission and the injuries the ninjas had suffered.

He appeared focused on the paper but the slight change in the air stole his attention. He was alarmed, the person moved so fast and swiftly that he did not notice it until he was already in front of him.

Without a change in expression, he looked up and found a person in front of his table.

The man wore a dark cloak which hide most of his body and under it he wore a dark blue tunic and black pants. He could also see a sword strapped to the right side of his body.

His hair was spiky but there was also a bang that covered almost half of his face - including his left eye. His body posture alone was enough for anyone strong to be wary - wary of the fact that he was likely stronger than them.

[IMG]

"Sasuke." He quickly addressed with a nod, a greeting and a signal to the ANBU hiding in the shadows that everything was okay.

"Lord Hokage." 

"You don`t have to address me so formally." Kakashi said with a wave of his hand and a close eyed smile.

Sasuke nodded "I am here to report my return."

"It is good to have you back but I assume you will leave again after you do whatever you needed here ."

Sasuke gave a silent nod. Kakashi then shifted his eyes from Sasuke.

"Could you call Sakura please." Kakashi asked and one of the four ANBU and he immediately flickered away to do as ordered.

Kakashi then turned to Sasuke and they engaged in a short conversation in which they talk about why he was back and the current situation of Konoha.

Sasuke also told him some information about criminal activities in the Fire Country which he got from his idle chat from Karin and others.

Then, the door suddenly slammed opened, revealing a girl with soft pink hair and bright green eyes "Sasuke!!"

She approached him and excitedly stood by his side, "You are already back." she smiled. Then her eyes widen and she turned towards Kakashi and inclined her head with a blush, "Good morning Lord Hokage."

Kakashi nodded at her with with a warm smile, "Sakura, could you please inform Lady Tsunade that Sasuke is here and would like to do the operation." 

"Of course." She said, and then Kakashi told her to do the operation on him as soon as possible.

After that Kakashi dismissed them and both Sasuke and Sakura left the office and began their walk through the village.

Sakura was not felling awkward or whatsoever as Sasuke did and due to that they were able to engage in some pleasant conversation.

They walked around the village and after a while they arrive at the hospital, revealing that Sakura was not just walking around aimlessly and was instead leading him to the hospital.

They entered and had a talk with Tsunade and with that, they concluded the operation would start tomorrow and Sasuke was to stay in the Hospital for that.

....

The operation was held the next day and it took almost the whole day to safely transplant Hashirama cells into his body to grow a new arm.

The operation went smoothly but Tsunade suggested at least three days to get use to the arm before leaving again.

Three days of free time he used to take rest and overall just hang around the village, meeting up with Naruto and even getting a ramen with him.

He used this time to enjoy and take a breather for a moment after 1 month of secluded training. But he was not staying idle either, he was doing some training and experiments using his new arm.

He also got to know Sakura  better and they even went on some kind of date on the last day - which they used to collect weapons and other ninja stuff for Sasuke, basically shopping.

Sakura was delighted at how her relationship with Sasuke was progressing and she finally had some form of hope for the future.

Sasuke was also liking the girl more and more, indulging and allowing himself to selfishly enjoy her advances and affection.

But soon it was time for Sasuke to leave the village again. 

Early in the morning, where the sky haven`t meet the sun and when darkness still persist. Sasuke bid farewell to the village hidden in the leaf.

Sakura watched him as he leave, she was sad and teary but she was also filled with a sense of satisfaction and hope due to their recent interactions.

She wished he would love her back, she would do anything to earn his love. And seeing how things are going it does not seem impossible.

She knew she was far from perfect. She knew she was selfish and her love can be annoying but she wanted to honest.

And she believed that if she stayed true to herself, things might play out for her. She will try her best.

But for now all she could do was watch as he leave - like he always did - and wonder how much it would take her to finally make him stay.

She would've given him everything she has to make him stay if that was enough but she knew that was not enough.

But for now she was content and happy to know...

That he will return.

[IMG]

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He blitz through the darkness and made his way outside the border of Konoha. After leaping from tree to tree he jumped down on the ground and took a meaningless rest.

He connected the palm of his hand with the trunk of a tree for support. His mind was in a state of serene madness, it was preparing itself for war yet it refused to let go of its peaceful state.

He looked towards his hand that was resting on the tree. The bare trunk was now covered in vines - vines that was not there before.

"Wood Release." He muttered as he took back his hand.

At the previous place of his palm, there was a marking. If a master fuinjutsu were to look at it they would be able to make out some meaning such as 'anchor' 'gate' 'summon' etc.

'The Flying Thunder God'

He was getting stronger and he will continue to get stronger until he reached his full potential.

He looked up at the brightening sky, the sun was finally rising in the horizon. It shyly peeked out from between the mountains with a reddish hue.

He began moving again, he could not afford to stop now.

He will move forward, that is the only way to go.

He moved towards the sun, towards light. towards the East, towards...

The Ryuchi Cave.

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