Chapter 4
2149 Words
The truck loomed closer, its massive frame filling the entire windshield. Time seemed to slow down as the inevitable crash approached.
“GET DOWN!” Sasuke shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Without hesitation, Naruto and Choji ducked their heads beneath the dashboard and backseat as Sasuke did the same.
CRRRRRRRAAASSHHH!
The car, still speeding, collided with the truck’s undercarriage. Sparks flew as the roof of the car was sheared clean off, metal screeching against metal. Shards of glass and debris exploded around them as the car miraculously slid under the truck, scraping through the narrow gap with barely an inch to spare.
The roof was gone. The windshield was gone. The car was left topless and battered.
The vehicle skidded to a shaky halt a few meters down the road, smoke rising from its mangled frame.
For a moment, everything was silent except for the sound of their heavy breathing.
“Thank God... thank God... thank God...” Choji whispered repeatedly from the backseat, his eyes wide and unfocused as if in a trance.
Naruto and Sasuke, still catching their breath, slowly turned to look at him.
Naruto blinked, confused. “Wait... so... you’re religious?”
Choji froze, realizing what he’d just said. “...No comment.”
Before Naruto could tease him further, the distant sound of sirens grew louder. Red and blue lights reflected off the surrounding buildings as multiple police cars sped into view, surrounding the scene. The trucks that had been chasing them screeched to a halt as officers poured out, aiming their weapons at the criminals.
“Freeze! Drop your weapons!” one officer shouted as the gunmen surrendered, realizing their escape was impossible.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Choji remained in their destroyed car as the scene filled with officers securing the area.
From the crowd of officers, a figure approached them, wearing a bulletproof vest with POLICE emblazoned across it. The man raised his gun, aiming it directly at Choji.
“Choji Akimichi,” the officer said firmly, “you’re under arrest.”
“Inspector Shikamaru!” Naruto grinned, giving him a thumbs-up. “Perfect timing, man!”
Choji, who had been desperately trying to survive all day, now looked at Shikamaru with pure relief. “Please! Arrest me, Inspector! Lock me up! Throw away the key! Just get me away from these two devils!” Choji cried, practically begging as tears streamed down his face.
Shikamaru sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “What a drag.”
---
Hours later...
The chaos had finally settled. Choji had been cuffed and escorted away in a police car. Ambulances arrived to collect the wounded—and the dead. The streets were swarmed with officers, investigators, and forensics teams working to clean up the aftermath of the chase.
Naruto and Sasuke sat atop the hood of their destroyed car, watching the scene unfold. The sky had turned a soft orange as the sun began to set.
Shikamaru, now free from his duties, walked over to them with his hands in his pockets. He shook his head, smirking. “Who knew there was actually a method to your madness?”
Naruto grinned proudly, pointing a thumb at himself. “Well, I’m the method, dattebayo!” Then, without missing a beat, he pointed at Sasuke. “And he’s the mad one!”
“Tch. Screw you, i***t,” Sasuke muttered, rolling his eyes.
Naruto burst out laughing, and even Shikamaru chuckled under his breath.
“Honestly,” Naruto said, stretching his arms above his head, “good thing I didn’t get a scratch. Imagine showing up to my wedding with a busted face! Hinata would kill me.”
As Naruto and Shikamaru continued to chat, Sasuke’s attention drifted. His sharp eyes caught something—or someone—standing just outside the perimeter of the crime scene.
A man in a dark hoodie, his face obscured by shadows, stood still, staring directly at Sasuke.
Sasuke’s eyes narrowed. The figure’s posture was too deliberate, too focused. It wasn’t just a bystander. This man was watching him.
For a moment, they locked eyes.
Then, just as quickly as he appeared, the man vanished behind a passing group of officers. When Sasuke scanned the area again, he was gone.
“...Sasuke?” Naruto called, snapping Sasuke out of his thoughts.
“Huh?” Sasuke blinked, still processing what he saw.
“I asked if I’m the lucky one,” Naruto said with a mock pout. “Shikamaru doesn’t believe I’m actually getting married soon!”
Sasuke chuckled softly, the image of the mysterious figure still lingering in his mind. “Yeah... you are the lucky one.”
Naruto grinned, wrapping an arm around Sasuke’s shoulder and shaking him playfully. “You’re damn right I am, dattebayo!”
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the city, Sasuke couldn’t help but wonder...
Who was that man?
---
Another normal day in Konoha. The afternoon sun casts a golden glow over the quiet neighborhood, its warmth slowly replacing the cool morning air. The village was alive with the usual hustle and bustle—children playing in the streets, shopkeepers arranging their displays, and the distant hum of everyday life filling the air.
At the front of a modest but well-kept home, in the car porch, Sasuke Uchiha was in the middle of his intense workout.
Shirtless, dressed only in dark jeans, he hung upside down from a mounted exercise bar, his powerful core flexing as he executed slow, controlled crunches. His muscles tensed and relaxed with each movement, the sculpted ridges of his six-pack glistening under a sheen of sweat. Droplets trickled down his toned abs, following the defined lines of his body before disappearing beneath the waistband of his jeans, which hung just low enough to hint at what lay beneath.
His damp black hair clung to his forehead, his breathing steady despite the grueling workout. Every motion was precise, controlled—almost hypnotic. The sun kissed his body, highlighting every dip and curve of muscle, making his already impressive physique look downright sinful.
The sight was nothing new, but it never failed to turn heads.
At that moment, Naruto Uzumaki walked out of the house, carrying a basket of freshly washed clothes. His orange T-shirt clung slightly to his damp skin, the result of doing laundry on a warm afternoon. He set the basket down near the clothesline when—
“Hai, Naruto-kun.”
Naruto turned, his face lighting up instantly at the familiar soft voice. “Hinata! Hey!” He grinned, setting the basket down as he walked over to meet her.
Standing at the gate was Hinata Hyuga, his fiancée. She wore a light blue sundress that swayed slightly in the breeze, her long dark hair framing her delicate features. She smiled shyly at him, her lavender eyes filled with warmth. The gentle breeze played with the hem of her dress, teasing just enough to make Naruto gulp.
“You’re early today,” Naruto said, happy to see her, walking toward her.
Hinata clasped her hands together, cheeks faintly pink. “Well… I knew you just got back from a mission, so I thought I’d come see you.”
Naruto’s grin widened. “Awww, aren’t you sweet? Do you miss me that much, fiancée?” he teased, winking.
Hinata giggled softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
Before she could respond, a voice called out to them from a short distance away.
“Hinata! Naruto!”
Naruto turned and waved. “Sakura-chan!”
Sakura Haruno, Konoha’s renowned doctor, walked toward them, carrying a small bag of what looked like groceries. Her pink hair bounced slightly as she moved with her usual confident stride.
She was dressed in a form-fitting lilac blouse, slightly loose around her chest but hugging her curves just right, and a matching high-waisted skirt that stopped just above her knees. The fabric accentuated the smoothness of her legs, the way her hips swayed with each step.
“Sasuke! Sakura is here! Stop obsessing over your damn body already!” Naruto shouted toward the porch.
Sasuke, mid-crunch, paused. His dark eyes shifted toward the familiar voice.
And, at that moment, the most beautiful woman Sasuke had ever laid eyes on.
His gaze locked onto her.
Sakura...
Doctor Sakura Haruno. One of Konoha’s top medical professionals, known for both her sharp intellect and unyielding spirit. She was more than just an accomplished doctor—she was family. A best friend.
And… the woman he had secretly loved for years.
They had known each other since childhood, growing up together in Konoha’s orphanage. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura—an inseparable trio, bound by shared memories and an unbreakable bond.
But there was something different about Sakura.
Sasuke had always loved her. He knew that. Maybe she knew too—but he had never confirmed it. Never spoken the words she longed to hear.
Sasuke didn’t allow himself to.
His world was dangerous. Chaotic. Filled with shadows and violence.
He didn’t deserve her.
So he had spent years pushing her away, hiding his emotions behind cold indifference. And yet, no matter how much distance he tried to create, she was always there.
And now, there she was again, standing in his driveway.
She looked up, her green eyes locking onto his half-naked, sweat-drenched body.
Her pulse quickened.
Her mouth felt dry.
A warmth coiled low in her stomach, spreading through her body like wildfire.
It wasn’t just the sight of him—it was everything. The way his body moved. The sheen of sweat on his skin. The way his jeans sat just a little too low on his hips, teasing her imagination.
Damn it.
She knew this feeling too well. The heat between her legs. The aching need she had suppressed for years.
She had never been with anyone else. Never kissed anyone else. Never let anyone touch her.
Because deep down, she only wanted him.
And the worst part?
He knew.
Sasuke smirked ever so slightly before resuming his workout, deliberately dragging out each motion—his abs flexing, sweat dripping, muscles tightening.
Smutty bastard.
She wasn’t stupid. She knew he had feelings for her. She knew he cared.
But it was never enough.
Because he never said it. He never said he wanted her.
And so, as always, she buried her feelings, forcing a quick smile before turning to Naruto and Hinata.
Sakura raised an eyebrow. “You? Dry clothes? Naruto, you can barely fold a shirt properly.”
“Hey! I’m an elite police officer in Konoha! If I can catch criminals, why can’t I dry my own clothes?” Naruto huffed.
Sakura sighed. “Because you’re an i***t, Naruto. Give me that.” She grabbed the laundry basket from him.
Naruto groaned. “Come on, Sakura-chan! You help us too much, dattebayo!”
“I don’t mind helping Sakura-chan,” Hinata said sweetly, stepping beside Sakura. “I brought lunch, too.”
Naruto turned to her with a look of pure adoration. “Awwww, my fiancée is so sweet!” Without thinking, he leaned in and planted a quick kiss on her cheek.
Hinata’s body froze.
Her face turned scarlet, her fingers twitching as if she might faint on the spot.
Sakura rolled her eyes. “Naruto! Stop doing that! You’re gonna make her faint again!”
Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “Sorry, Hinata. Sorry.”
Hinata, still red, covered her face with her hands. “I-it’s okay…”
As Sakura and Hinata busied themselves hanging the clothes, Naruto turned back to the porch.
“Sasuke! Get down here and help me wash my car.”
Sasuke exhaled sharply, unhooking his legs from the exercise bar and landing gracefully on his feet. Naruto tossed him a rag and a sponge.
“And stop flexing your naked body, dattebayo! It’s annoying,” Naruto added, scowling at him.
Sasuke smirked, wiping sweat off his face with the rag. “Jealous?”
Naruto scowled harder. “No!”
“Alright, Mr. Uzumaki,” Sasuke said with dry sarcasm, rolling his eyes. “As you command.”
As Sasuke walked toward the car, he stole a quick glance at Sakura, who was now focused on hanging up Naruto’s clothes with Hinata.
She was still trying to avoid looking at him.
But he didn’t miss the way her fingers trembled slightly as she clipped a shirt onto the clothesline.
He knew that reaction all too well.
And it took every ounce of self-control to keep himself from smirking in satisfaction.
She still wanted him.
And despite everything, despite all the walls he had built, despite all the distance he had tried to put between them—
Sasuke knew, deep down, he wanted her too. Badly.
But some things… weren’t meant to be.
So, as always, he stayed silent.
- Writer
