Within the dense forests on the northeast border of the Land of Fire,
Shiranui Genma, Might Guy, and Yamashiro Aoba were swiftly leaping through the treetops.
"Guy! Slow down! Let's take a break!" Genma, exhausted, couldn't help but call out to Guy ahead.
"Youth is all about burning energy! How can I stop here!" Guy said enthusiastically.
"I'll go on ahead to help Kakashi and the others! You two rest here for a bit."
With that, Guy surged forward at an even greater speed, leaving Genma and Aoba in grudging admiration.
Even after travelling so far, his stamina was still incredible.
As shinobi of the same generation, they could see Guy's strength increasing at an astonishing rate.
When Guy first entered the Ninja Academy, he was just an ordinary kid skilled only in taijutsu. Compared to them back then, he was significantly behind.
But as they grew, Might Guy gradually showed everyone the meaning of perseverance, how diligence can overcome shortcomings, and how sheer effort can seemingly challenge fate.
In terms of true strength, they feared Guy had already far surpassed them.
After all, Guy constantly measured himself against their generation's genius, Hatake Kakashi!
...
[Scene change: The view returns to the Valley of the End.]
[Sasuke gripped Naruto's neck with his right hand, hoisting him up before savagely punching him in the stomach. Bang! Naruto's body flew back tens of meters like a ragdoll, crashing into the deep water below.]
[Feeling the immense power behind his punch, Sasuke felt a surge of dark ecstasy. The curse mark's power was incredible. If he could fully unleash it... could he finally kill Itachi Uchiha?]
[Across the water, Naruto dragged himself out and charged at Sasuke again, fist raised. "Sasuke wake up!" he yelled. But Sasuke easily dodged the attack and kicked Naruto back underwater.]
["I've already woken up," Sasuke retorted, looking down proudly. "Woken up from the stupid dream of living peacefully with you idiots every day. That's why I left the village. That's why I seek power! There's no future in those dreams. My only future is revenge!"]
[Instantly, Sasuke threw several shuriken trailing wires. With a sharp tug, he bound Naruto tightly against a large rock.]
["Sasuke, you're really trying to kill me!"]
["Like I said, I have no future with you," Sasuke stated coldly. His hands blurred through seals. "Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu !"]
[Instantly, a torrent of fire shaped like a dragon erupted towards the bound Naruto, radiating intense heat.]
Seeing this unfold, Sasuke using shuriken and lethal fire jutsu on his own comrade, his numb expression showing clear killing intent towards Naruto...
This sight made Sakura feel faint. Was this Sasuke, intent on killing Naruto, truly the same person? The same teammate she'd gone on missions with, protected Tazuna with, argued about killing Zabuza with, chased lost cats with?
"Sasuke... this can't be happening!"
Beside her, Hinata had covered her eyes, tears already streaming down her face.
Seeing Naruto beaten, bloodied, thrown into the water, and now facing death by Sasuke's hand, her heart ached as if pierced by a blade.
For the first time, she truly hated her own weakness. If only she were stronger, maybe she could have helped Naruto.
"Naruto-kun... please don't die."
Ino whispered, "Sasuke... you've really changed."
Iruka watched in horror, "Naruto!"
While some worried for Naruto, others despised him.
Konoha Villagers:
"Good riddance if Sasuke kills that demon fox brat!"
"He causes nothing but trouble for the village! He deserves it!"
"It's must be because of Naruto that Sasuke defected!"
"If it weren't for that demon fox, my son would still be alive! Damn him!"
Just as everyone wondered if Naruto could survive, the scene shifted.
[Back in the Valley--]
[Sasuke stared blankly at the flames where Naruto had been, a sense of grim relief washing over him. He turned to leave, but suddenly, Naruto burst from the inferno, punching Sasuke hard across the cheek.]
["SASUKE!!!" Naruto roared, swinging another punch.]
[But Naruto was taken aback by Sasuke's reaction. He seemed completely unfazed by the blows.]
[One punch, two, three... Sasuke simply stood there, neither fighting back nor speaking.]
["What's wrong with you?! Why won't you fight back?!" Naruto demanded.]
["Is that all you've got?" Sasuke finally spoke, his voice dripping with disdain.]
[ Naruto paused, confused. "What?" ]
["Too weak!"]
[Anger flared in Naruto. "Don't underestimate me!"]
[Sasuke effortlessly blocked Naruto's next punch, then kicked him off the cliff edge. He followed instantly, delivering a brutal series of kicks that drove Naruto deep into the ground below.]
[At that moment, Naruto finally understood. Words wouldn't work. Only by defeating Sasuke in combat could he possibly bring him back to the village.]
[He struggled to his feet, looking at Sasuke with new determination. "Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"]
[A smirk touched Sasuke's lips as he looked down arrogantly. "That boring trick again? Fine. I'll show you the true power of the Sharingan!"]
///////////////////////
[T/N] :
Question: Didn't Aoba already defect from the village after stealing Second Hokage' Sword of the Thunder God ?
Answer: No, during Sasuke's defection, Yashimaro Aoba was not yet a "nukenin" (missing-nin). He was still a member of Konoha and was involved in announcing Tsunade's appointment as Fifth Hokage. Aoba's actions, like alerting Sasuke about Itachi's return, occurred before Sasuke's defection.
Before Sasuke's defection, Aoba, along with Genma, was tasked with announcing Tsunade's inauguration as Fifth Hokage. He also inadvertently informed Sasuke about Itachi's return, causing Sasuke to rush out of the room.
Source of knowledge: Narutopedia