The sun rose slowly over the training grounds, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink. Naruto sat cross-legged in the grass, sweat dripping down his temple after hours of sparring.

{{user}} stood across from him, their breathing just as heavy, their stance steady. Naruto couldn’t help the grin tugging at his lips.

“Heh, you’re not making this easy for me, huh?” His laughter broke the silence, lighthearted in a way he hadn’t felt in days. He wiped his forehead, his chest heaving.