The Broken Illusion

Sitting on the cold floor, Naruto stared at his trembling hands, numb from exhaustion. He couldn't accept that Danzō's words might be true.

"Sakura… betrayed me?"

Danzō's voice still echoed in his mind like a distant thunderclap.

Even if it were true… why would she do something like this? he wondered, unable to comprehend. Everything they had been through the laughter, the hardships, their moments of closeness was it all a lie? No. That was insane. It couldn't be true.

"Is the old man trying to brainwash me?" He recalled the rumors surrounding this mysterious figure.

According to those unfortunate enough to have dealt with him, Danzō was a master manipulator. He would do anything to achieve his goals—even using illusions or lies to break a person's spirit. But then… what did he want? Was he not afraid of consequences, or was he not acting alone?

This is a trap… it has to be a trap, Naruto finally concluded. I have to find a way out of here…

He closed his eyes, trying to push past the pain in his body. Then suddenly, a spark of hope ignited within him—a familiar warmth. His chakra.

It's back! he celebrated internally.

Without hesitation, he directed it through his arms. Strength surged through his muscles. The next thing he did was attempt to break free from the cursed chains. With a sharp metallic snap, they shattered under his pressure. Naruto sprang to his feet, rubbing his sore wrists.

Maybe it was because he had been sitting since he woke up, but the room suddenly felt much smaller and more oppressive than before.

He cautiously approached the door and placed his hand on the handle. It creaked open.

"…What the—? Did the old man forget to lock it?" he thought, stepping forward.

The corridor stretched ahead, winding into the darkness, faintly illuminated by flickering lights.

The walls, covered in cracks and damp stains, seemed to absorb the light, adding to the eerie depth of the passage. Dim, flickering bulbs hung from squeaky wires, casting a sickly yellow glow, their shadows twisting unnaturally along the cold stone floor.

With every step, a dull echo resonated, as if the darkness itself whispered in Naruto's ears. Who would have thought a place like this existed inside the lively village?

The air was thick with dust and a musty stench, pressing down on him like an invisible weight, as though the corridor itself sought to consume anyone who dared enter.

Suddenly, a raspy voice shattered the silence.

"You're still trying to escape, young Uzumaki. I remember telling you that wasn't possible."

Naruto spun around.

Danzō stood there as if he had emerged from the shadows, his cold, calculating gaze fixed on him.

Instinctively, Naruto dropped into a fighting stance. His body was still weak, but he wasn't about to be captured again.

Danzō raised an eyebrow before speaking in an eerily calm tone.

"I see. Since you insist, follow me if you want to know how you ended up here."

He turned and began walking at a slow, deliberate pace.

Naruto hesitated. Was this another trap? Most likely. But he needed answers. He had to understand why he was here—and whether he could escape.

He followed Danzō down the corridor to a small room on the left, hidden behind an old, worn-out door. As it creaked open, a familiar figure came into view. Naruto's heart clenched.

Sakura was there.

She sat on a dark green couch in the center of the small, dimly lit room, barely larger than his cell. Her expression was neutral, almost bored. But she didn't seem surprised to see him.

Naruto took a hesitant step forward, uncertainty written all over his face.

"Sakura… what are you doing here…?"

She frowned before cutting him off coldly.

"You really are an idiot. I see you still don't understand… fool."

Naruto's heart skipped a beat. Why was she speaking like that? And what did she mean? A storm of emotions clashed within him.

"Understand what…? What are you talking about…?" he asked, his voice slightly trembling.

Sakura stared at him for a moment before sighing, as if losing patience.

"Look at you, Naruto. You're still the same loud brat, incapable of taking anything seriously. You want to be Hokage, yet you act like a fool half the time. You don't understand how serious life really is." She paused, studying him as if peering into his soul. "Did you really think I'd fall in love with a… loser like you? Don't tell me you actually believed such nonsense."

Her tone was laced with contempt. Naruto felt his breath hitch.

"But what about everything we've been through?" Naruto tried to argue. "This is because of Danzō, right? Yeah… he forced you?"

"Pfft…" She chuckled mockingly. "You're so naïve… but I'm not complaining. After all, it's because of your naivety that manipulating you was so easy."

Every word felt like a blade piercing Naruto's heart. He tried to respond, but his voice caught in his throat.

Sakura continued, ruthless and unwavering:

"You think making me laugh or chasing after me would change anything? Naruto, we live in a world where weakness costs lives. I want to be with someone who understands that—someone who can truly give me stability. Someone like Sasuke. And you… you're just a waste of my time."

Sasuke's name struck Naruto like a bolt of lightning. A sharp, almost physical pain tore through his chest. His fists clenched, and he lowered his head, trying to hide the burning in his eyes.

"And… don't even think about what happened at your place. That was a mistake… a terrible mistake." She finally turned her gaze toward Danzō.

"I've done my part. I trust you'll keep your end of the deal."

Danzō simply nodded. With a motion of his hand, two men dressed in black emerged from the shadows.

Naruto remained frozen. His mind refused to accept what he had just heard. Was she under Danzō's control? Had he used some underhanded technique on her? But she sounded so… genuine. Too genuine for it to be mere manipulation. A flood of unanswered questions swirled in Naruto's mind as he struggled to make sense of the scene before him.

"You see now where your foolishness has led you, young Uzumaki?" Danzō said before turning away.

"What—?!"

Before he could react, the men seized him. He struggled, but his body was still too weak.

"No… this can't be… Sakura… why…?"

But she didn't respond. She simply turned away, ignoring his despair.

A slow-burning rage bubbled within Naruto. A pain far deeper than any physical wound…

Then, everything went black.