The Hokage's office was more crowded than usual, with Teams 7, 8, 10, and Gai all crammed inside. The air was thick with anticipation as the genin and their sensei prepared to give their debriefing on the mission to Wave Country.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat behind his desk, his weathered face impassive as he listened to the reports. Kakashi and Asuma took turns recounting the events, with occasional interjections from the other jounin and genin to fill in details.

As the tale unfolded, the Hokage's expression grew increasingly grave. The appearance of Mei Terumi and her forces, the discovery of the temple infused with natural energy, and the subsequent battle with the Mist rebels were all far beyond the scope of what should have been a simple C-rank mission.

When they finished, silence fell over the room. The Hokage took a long draw from his pipe, the smoke curling lazily in the air as he considered his response.

"I see," he said finally, his voice measured. "You've all been through quite an ordeal. First and foremost, I want to commend you all for your decisive action in the face of unexpected and overwhelming odds."

The genin straightened at the praise, pride evident on their faces.

"The new Great Warren under construction in Wave will indeed be a strategic resource for Konoha going forward," the Hokage continued. "Your actions have secured us a valuable ally in the Rabbit Clan, and potentially changed the balance of power in the region."

He paused, a wry smile touching his lips. "Though I suspect Enma is going to be annoying me about this for months."

Asuma chuckled at that, knowing all too well how tetchy the Monkey King could be.

The Hokage's expression grew serious once more. "Given the nature of the mission and its far-reaching implications, this will go down as an S-rank mission in your records, though it will remain classified for the time being."

A ripple of excitement went through the genin at this news. An S-rank mission this early in their careers was practically unheard of.

"Haruno Sakura," the Hokage said, his gaze settling on the pink-haired kunoichi. "I'd like to give you special distinction for your role in this mission. Your quick thinking and resourcefulness in summoning Caerbannog and Queen Joousa were instrumental in securing the temple location."

Sakura blushed at the praise, her rabbit ears twitching slightly. "Thank you, Hokage-sama," she said, bowing deeply.

"You've all earned a well-deserved rest," the Hokage said, addressing the group once more. "Take some time to recover and process what you've been through. We'll discuss any further implications of this mission at a later date."

The teams began to file out of the office, chattering excitedly among themselves. Team 7 lingered, being the last to leave.

As they turned to go, Naruto suddenly spoke up. "Uh, Hokage-jiji? I have a request."

The Third raised an eyebrow, curious. "Oh? What is it, Naruto?"

Naruto fidgeted for a moment, uncharacteristically nervous. Then, he straightened his shoulders and looked the Hokage in the eye. "I want to help you with your paperwork!"

The room fell silent, everyone staring at Naruto in shock. Even Kakashi's visible eye widened in surprise.

The Hokage's pipe nearly fell from his slack jaw. Of all the things he had expected Naruto to say, this wasn't even on the list. "I... what?" he managed, completely blindsided.

Naruto nodded, his expression determined. "I want to help with the paperwork. I've been thinking about it a lot, especially after this mission."

The Hokage leaned forward, intrigued despite himself. "And why, may I ask, do you want to do that?"

"Well," Naruto began, his words coming faster now, "I've always said I want to be Hokage, right? But this mission made me realize there's a lot more to it than just being the strongest ninja in the village. Asuma-sensei showed me some of the political stuff when we went to meet the Daimyo, and it got me thinking."

He took a deep breath, then continued. "I want everyone to acknowledge me as Hokage someday, but I want them to acknowledge me as a good one. That means I need to learn how to do all parts of the job, even the boring stuff like paperwork."

The Hokage sat back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I see," he said slowly. "And you think helping me with my paperwork will teach you these things?"

Naruto nodded eagerly. "Yeah! I figure if I start learning now, I'll be way ahead when it's time for me to take the hat, ya know?"

The Hokage chuckled, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Well, Naruto, I have to say I'm impressed. You've given this a lot of thought."

He stroked his beard, considering the request. Then, with a mischievous glint in his eye, he said, "You know, I'm half tempted to name you my successor right here and now, just for volunteering to do paperwork."

Naruto's eyes widened comically. "R-really?" he stammered, a mix of excitement and terror on his face.

The Hokage laughed outright at that. "Perhaps not quite yet," he said, amused. "But I appreciate your initiative, Naruto. If you're serious about this, I think we can arrange for you to help out a few hours a week. It would certainly be educational for you."

Naruto's face lit up with a bright grin. "Thanks, Jiji! I won't let you down, believe it!"

Sasuke and Sakura exchanged glances, both surprised and impressed by their teammate's maturity and the Hokage's willingness to accommodate him.

"Well then," the Hokage said, "why don't you come by tomorrow afternoon? We can start with some of the simpler forms and work our way up from there."

Naruto nodded enthusiastically. "You got it! I'll be here!"

As Team 7 finally left the office, the Hokage leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. Perhaps there was more to Naruto than met the eye. He would have to keep a close watch on the boy's progress.

Outside the Hokage's office, Naruto was practically bouncing with excitement. "Can you believe it?" he exclaimed to his teammates. "I'm gonna be learning real Hokage stuff!"

Sakura shook her head, a fond smile on her face. "Only you would get excited about paperwork, Naruto."

"It's not just paperwork, Sakura-chan!" Naruto insisted. "It's important Hokage business!"

Sasuke snorted. "Hn. Just don't fall asleep on the job, dobe."

"As if!" Naruto retorted. "I'll be the best paperwork helper the old man's ever had, believe it!"

Kakashi eye-smiled at his students' banter. "Maa, maa, why don't we all go get some ramen to celebrate our successful mission?" he suggested.

"Yeah!" Naruto cheered, pumping his fist in the air. "Ramen!"

As they made their way to Ichiraku's, Sakura found herself lost in thought. So much had changed in such a short time. The mission to Wave had pushed them all to their limits and beyond. And now, here was Naruto, voluntarily taking on extra work to pursue his dream.

She glanced at Sasuke, walking silently beside her. He had awakened his Sharingan during the battle, a major milestone for an Uchiha. How would that change things going forward?

And then there was herself. Sakura absently touched one of her rabbit ears, still not entirely used to their presence even after over a year with them. The changes to her body were becoming more pronounced, and she wondered how much further they would go. Would she ever look fully human again? Did she care?

But more than the physical changes, she felt different on the inside. More confident, more determined. She had held her own against jounin-level opponents, even if only for a short time. She had summoned Caerbannog and played a crucial role in securing the temple for Konoha and the Rabbit Clan.

"Sakura-chan?" Naruto's voice broke through her reverie. "You okay? You're being really quiet."

Sakura blinked, realizing they had arrived at Ichiraku's. "Oh, sorry," she said, shaking her head to clear it. "Just thinking about everything that's happened."

Naruto nodded sagely. "Yeah, it's been pretty crazy, huh? But we made it through together!"

"Team 7," Sasuke said quietly, surprising them both. When they looked at him, he shrugged. "Like you said before, Sakura. We're stronger together."

Sakura felt a warmth bloom in her chest at his words. "Right," she agreed, smiling at both her teammates. "Team 7."

As they settled in for their meal, Sakura couldn't help but feel optimistic about the future. They had faced incredible challenges and come out stronger for it. Whatever came next, she knew they would face it as a team.

Teuchi greeted them warmly as they took their seats at the ramen stand. "Well, if it isn't my favorite customers! I heard you just got back from a big mission. How about a round on the house to welcome you home?"

"Really?" Naruto's eyes lit up. "Thanks, old man! You're the best!"

As Teuchi bustled about preparing their ramen, Ayame leaned over the counter, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, how was the mission? Did you fight any bad guys?"

Naruto opened his mouth, clearly ready to launch into a dramatic retelling, but Kakashi cut him off smoothly. "Maa, you know we can't discuss mission details, Ayame-chan. But I can say these three performed admirably."

Ayame pouted for a moment, then brightened. "Well, I'm just glad you're all back safe and sound. We were worried when we heard it was taking longer than expected."

"Nothing Team 7 couldn't handle," Naruto boasted, puffing out his chest.

Sasuke rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of a smirk on his face. "Hn. For once, the dobe's right."

"Hey!" Naruto protested. "What do you mean, 'for once'?"

As the boys began to bicker, Sakura caught Kakashi's eye. The jounin gave her a subtle nod, acknowledging her role in their success. Sakura felt a surge of pride at the recognition.

Teuchi returned with their ramen, setting steaming bowls in front of each of them. "Eat up!" he encouraged. "You must be starving after your long journey."

They dug in with gusto, the familiar taste of Ichiraku's ramen a comforting reminder that they were home. For a while, conversation lulled as they focused on their meal.

As they were finishing up, Iruka entered the stand, his eyes widening in surprise when he saw them. "Ah, Naruto! Sakura, Sasuke! I heard you were back. How did the mission go?"

Naruto swallowed his last mouthful of noodles and grinned. "It was awesome, Iruka-sensei! We kicked butt!"

Iruka chuckled, ruffling Naruto's hair affectionately. "I'm glad to hear it. You've all grown so much since leaving the academy."

His gaze lingered on Sakura's rabbit features for a moment, curiosity evident in his expression. Sakura braced herself for questions, but Iruka simply smiled warmly at her. "I'm proud of all of you," he said sincerely.

Sakura felt a rush of gratitude towards her former teacher. His easy acceptance meant more to her than she could express.

As they left Ichiraku's, the sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in vibrant oranges and pinks. Kakashi stretched lazily. "Well, I'd better go start on that mission report. You three get some rest. We'll meet for training the day after tomorrow."

With a wave and a puff of smoke, their sensei vanished.

"Show-off," Naruto muttered, but he was grinning. "Hey, want to hang out for a bit? We could go to the training grounds, maybe spar a little?"

Sasuke shook his head. "Not tonight. I need to meditate on my Sharingan."

Naruto's face fell slightly, but he nodded in understanding. "What about you, Sakura-chan?"

Sakura hesitated. Part of her wanted to go home and collapse into bed, but another part of her was reluctant to let this feeling of camaraderie fade. "Sure," she said finally. "But just for a little while, okay? I'm pretty tired."

"Yes!" Naruto pumped his fist in the air. "Race you to Training Ground 3!"

Before Sakura could protest, Naruto took off running. With a laugh, she chased after him, her enhanced speed letting her keep pace easily.

They arrived at the training ground slightly out of breath but grinning. The familiar surroundings felt both comforting and strange after their time away.

"So," Naruto said, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Wanna spar?"

Sakura considered for a moment, then shook her head. "Maybe another time. How about we just talk for a bit?"

Naruto blinked, surprised, but nodded. "Sure, Sakura-chan. What do you want to talk about?"

They settled down at the base of one of the large trees. For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, listening to the evening sounds of the village.

"Hey, Naruto," Sakura said finally. "I'm really impressed with what you said to the Hokage earlier. About wanting to learn all aspects of the job."

Naruto rubbed the back of his head, a faint blush on his cheeks. "Aw, thanks, Sakura-chan. I just figured, you know, if I'm gonna be Hokage someday, I should start learning now."

Sakura nodded. "It's smart. And it shows you're really serious about it."

"Of course I am!" Naruto insisted. "Being Hokage is my dream!"

"I know," Sakura said softly. "And I think... I think you'll make a great Hokage someday, Naruto."

Naruto's eyes widened, his mouth falling open in shock. "R-really? You mean that, Sakura-chan?"

Sakura smiled at him. "I do. You've got the determination and the heart for it. And now you're showing you've got the brains too."

Naruto's face lit up with a brilliant smile, his eyes suspiciously shiny. "Thanks, Sakura-chan. That... that means a lot, coming from you."

They lapsed into silence again, but it was a comfortable one. Sakura found herself reflecting on how much her relationship with Naruto had changed since their academy days. She used to find him annoying and loud, but now... now she saw the strength and kindness that had always been there, hidden beneath the brash exterior.

"Hey, Naruto?" she said suddenly. "I'm glad we're on the same team."

Naruto's smile softened. "Me too, Sakura-chan. You and Sasuke... you're like family to me now, you know?"

Sakura felt a lump form in her throat. "Yeah," she said softly. "I know exactly what you mean."

As the stars began to appear in the darkening sky, Sakura knew it was time to head home. But as she bid Naruto goodnight and made her way through the familiar streets of Konoha, she felt a sense of peace settle over her.

----------------------------------------

The week following their return from Wave Country passed in a blur of relaxation and light training for Team 7. After the intensity of their mission, it felt almost surreal to be back in the familiar rhythms of Konoha. Sakura found herself relishing the simple pleasures she'd taken for granted before - the comfort of her own bed, her mother's cooking, and the peaceful atmosphere of the village.

Their training sessions with Kakashi were noticeably less demanding than usual. The jonin seemed content to let them recover both physically and mentally from their ordeal. They focused mainly on chakra control exercises and light sparring, with Kakashi offering gentle corrections and praise.

It was during one of these training sessions that Sakura noticed something odd. As they were leaving the training grounds, a group of older genin passed by. One of them, a tall boy with spiky brown hair, caught her eye and smiled.

"Hey there," he said, falling into step beside her. "You're Sakura Haruno, right? I heard about what happened in Wave. Pretty impressive for a rookie team."

Sakura blinked, surprised by the attention. "Oh, um, thank you. We were just doing our job."

The boy's smile widened. "Still, it takes skill to handle a situation like that. Say, would you like to grab some dango sometime? I could show you a few techniques I've picked up."

Sakura felt her cheeks warm slightly. She glanced at Sasuke, who was walking ahead with Naruto, seemingly oblivious to the conversation. "That's very kind of you," she said, turning back to the older genin, "but I'm afraid I'll have to decline. I'm focusing on my training right now."

The boy looked disappointed but nodded. "I understand. Maybe another time, then."

As he rejoined his friends, Sakura couldn't help but feel a small thrill of satisfaction. It was nice to be recognized for her skills, even if she wasn't interested in pursuing anything romantic with anyone but Sasuke.

This wasn't an isolated incident, either. Over the next few days, Sakura found herself approached by several more genin, all a couple of years older than her. Each time, she politely declined their invitations, but she couldn't deny that the attention was flattering.

What bothered her, though, was Sasuke's apparent lack of reaction. He never seemed to notice when these interactions occurred, or if he did, he gave no sign of caring. Sakura tried to tell herself that it didn't matter, that Sasuke's focus on training and getting stronger was admirable, but a small part of her couldn't help wishing he'd show just a hint of jealousy.

It was during their next training session that things took an unexpected turn. They were practicing taijutsu, with Kakashi having them rotate sparring partners. When it was Sakura's turn to face Sasuke, she felt a familiar surge of determination. She knew she couldn't match him in raw strength, but her enhanced speed and agility from her rabbit transformation gave her an edge.

They exchanged a flurry of blows, neither gaining a clear advantage. Sakura ducked under a high kick from Sasuke, using her lower center of gravity to her advantage. She aimed a sweep at his legs, but he jumped over it, twisting in mid-air to land behind her.

Sakura spun around, her fist already moving towards Sasuke's face. He caught her wrist, but the momentum carried them both backwards. They tumbled to the ground, Sakura landing on top of Sasuke with a soft "oof."

For a moment, they stared at each other, both slightly out of breath. Sakura became acutely aware of how close they were, her face mere inches from Sasuke's. His dark eyes seemed to bore into hers, and she felt her heart rate spike.

The moment was broken by Naruto's loud voice. "Whoa, nice move, Sakura-chan!"

Sakura quickly scrambled off Sasuke, her face burning. As she stood up, she heard a tearing sound and looked down in dismay. Her dress had caught on something during the fall and now sported a large rip along the side.

"Oh no," she groaned, trying futilely to hold the tear closed.

Sasuke got to his feet, brushing dirt off his clothes. He glanced at Sakura's dress and frowned. "Sorry about that," he said. "I can replace it for you."

Sakura shook her head, still embarrassed by their close encounter. "It's okay, really. It was getting a bit small anyway. I've been growing a lot lately."

Sasuke was quiet for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought. Then he said, "I know a tailor that does good reinforced work, almost exclusively for clan ninja. I could take you there for a fitting, if you'd like."

Sakura's eyes widened in surprise. This was the most interest Sasuke had shown in anything related to her appearance. "R-really?" she stammered. "That would be great, Sasuke-kun. Thank you."

Sasuke nodded, his expression unreadable. "We can go after training, if that works for you."

Sakura agreed eagerly, her mind already racing with possibilities. Was this Sasuke's way of showing he cared? Or was he just being a good teammate?

The rest of the training session passed in a blur for Sakura. She found it hard to concentrate, her thoughts constantly drifting to the upcoming outing with Sasuke. When Kakashi finally dismissed them, she hurried home to change into something more presentable, her torn dress forgotten.

As they walked through the village towards the tailor's shop, Sakura couldn't help stealing glances at Sasuke. He seemed as composed as ever, his hands in his pockets as he navigated the crowded streets with ease.

They were passing by a row of shops when a familiar voice caught Sakura's attention. She turned to see Ino dragging a flustered-looking Lee from store to store, chattering excitedly about different outfits.

"Come on, Lee!" Ino was saying. "You can't wear that green jumpsuit all the time. Let's find you something that really shows off your muscles!"

Lee's face was bright red, but he allowed himself to be pulled along, a mixture of bewilderment and happiness on his face.

Sakura giggled at the sight. "Looks like Ino's found a new project," she said to Sasuke.

Sasuke glanced at the pair and shrugged. "As long as she's not bothering me anymore," he muttered.

Sakura felt a twinge of satisfaction at his words. It was petty, she knew, but she couldn't help feeling glad that Sasuke seemed annoyed by Ino's previous attention.

They arrived at the tailor's shop a few minutes later. It was a small, unassuming building, but Sakura could sense the quality as soon as they stepped inside. The air was filled with the scent of fine fabrics and leather, and the walls were lined with examples of exquisitely crafted ninja gear.

An elderly woman greeted them from behind the counter. Her eyes were sharp as she looked Sakura up and down, taking in her unique features. "Ah, young Uchiha-san," she said, nodding to Sasuke. "And who is this lovely young lady?"

"This is my teammate, Sakura Haruno," Sasuke said. "She needs some new clothes. Combat-ready, but suitable for everyday wear as well."

The tailor's eyebrows rose slightly at Sasuke's words, but she quickly schooled her expression into professional neutrality. "Of course," she said. "Come this way, Haruno-san. We'll take your measurements and discuss what you're looking for."

The next hour was a whirlwind of fabric swatches, design discussions, and fittings. Sakura found herself overwhelmed by the options available, but the tailor's expert guidance helped her navigate the choices. Sasuke remained mostly silent, occasionally offering a nod of approval or a brief comment.

As they were wrapping up, the tailor turned to Sasuke. "And will this be going on the Uchiha account, as usual?"

Sasuke nodded. "Yes. Make sure it's all high quality. Sakura needs to be properly equipped."

Sakura started to protest, but Sasuke cut her off with a look. "Consider it a team expense," he said quietly. "We can't have you handicapped by subpar gear."

Warmth bloomed in Sakura's chest at his words. Even if he was framing it as a practical concern, the fact that he cared enough to do this meant more to her than she could express.

The tailor promised to have the order completed within a few days, and they left the shop. As they walked back towards the residential district, Sakura found herself stealing glances at Sasuke again. She wanted to thank him properly, but wasn't sure how to express her gratitude without making him uncomfortable.

In the end, she settled for a simple, heartfelt, "Thank you, Sasuke-kun. This means a lot to me."

Sasuke looked at her for a moment, then gave a small nod. "You're welcome," he said. "Just make sure you put it to good use in our training."

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

Sakura grinned. "Oh, I will," she promised. "You'd better watch out, Sasuke-kun. I might just surpass you one of these days."

A ghost of a smile flickered across Sasuke's face. "We'll see," he said, but there was no mockery in his tone, only a hint of challenge that made Sakura's heart soar.

Two days later, Sakura was in her room, poring over a scroll on advanced chakra control techniques, when she heard her mother call from downstairs. There was an odd note in her voice that made Sakura's ears perk up.

"Sakura! Could you come down here, please? There's... a delivery for you."

Curious, Sakura bounded down the stairs, her enhanced agility allowing her to take them three at a time without losing her balance. She found her mother standing at the open front door, a bewildered expression on her face.

Two burly men in porter's uniforms stood outside, surrounded by a small mountain of boxes and garment bags. "Delivery for Sakura Haruno," one of them said, consulting a clipboard.

Sakura blinked in confusion. "I... I didn't order anything," she said.

The porter shrugged. "We're just delivering, miss. It's all paid for. From the Shikō no ninja shitateya."

Suddenly, it clicked. The fitting with Sasuke, the tailor's promise to complete the order quickly... but surely this was too much? Sakura had expected maybe two or three outfits, not what looked like an entire wardrobe.

"Oh," she said faintly. "Yes, that's... that's for me."

Her mother stepped aside, allowing the porters to bring everything inside. They efficiently stacked the boxes and hung the garment bags, then departed with a polite bow, leaving Sakura and her mother staring at the small mountain of deliveries.

"Sakura," her mother said slowly, "how much did you spend on all this? These look like very high-quality clothes."

Sakura swallowed hard. "I... I didn't spend anything, Mom. Sasuke said he was replacing the dress he tore during training. I didn't realize he meant... all this."

She reached for one of the garment bags, unzipping it to reveal a beautiful red qipao-style dress, similar to her usual style but made of a much finer material. As she turned it over, her breath caught in her throat. There, proudly emblazoned on the back, was the Uchiha clan fan.

A small gasp escaped her lips as the implications hit her. The people hitting on her, Sasuke's apparent indifference, and now this extravagant gift... had it affected him more than she'd realized?

Her mother's voice broke through her thoughts. "Sakura," she said, her tone serious. "Sasuke isn't... pushing you to do anything, is he? You're both still very young, and-"

"No!" Sakura exclaimed, her face burning. "No, Mom, it's not like that at all. We haven't even... we haven't even kissed yet." The last part came out a bit sullen, despite her best efforts.

Her mother looked skeptical. "Are you sure? This is a very expensive gift, Sakura. In some circles, it could be seen as... well, as pushing for something."

Sakura shook her head vigorously. "I'm sure, Mom. Sasuke-kun isn't like that. He probably just wanted to make sure I had proper equipment for missions and training. You know how focused he is on getting stronger."

Her mother didn't look entirely convinced, but she nodded slowly. "Alright. If you're sure. But Sakura, if anything changes, or if you ever feel uncomfortable, you can always talk to me. You know that, right?"

"I know, Mom," Sakura said, giving her a quick hug. "Thank you."

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Over a month had passed since Team 7's eventful mission to Wave Country. The team had settled into a routine of training and missions, though thankfully nothing as exciting as their first C-rank had occurred. Sakura was grateful for the relative peace. She hadn't been able to meet with the rabbits as they preparing a migration to their new home.

One sunny afternoon, as they finished up a D-rank mission involving weeding an elderly woman's garden, Kakashi suddenly straightened up, his visible eye narrowing.

"I need to go speak with the Hokage," he announced abruptly.

Naruto perked up. "Oh! I can do the paperwork, Kakashi-sensei!"

Kakashi shook his head. "Not this time, Naruto. This is... something else."

As their sensei vanished in a swirl of leaves, the three genin exchanged puzzled glances.

"What do you think that was about?" Sakura wondered, her long ears twitching slightly.

Sasuke shrugged. "Probably jonin business. Nothing for us to worry about."

Naruto pouted a bit, clearly disappointed at missing an opportunity to work on his "Hokage training." Sakura, noticing his expression, decided to change the subject.

"So, Naruto, how's it going with the Hokage? Are you enjoying your time helping out?"

Naruto's face scrunched up. "It's so boring! And the old man will only let me use two shadow clones."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Shadow clones? For paperwork?"

"Yeah!" Naruto nodded enthusiastically. "See, the old man explained that he sometimes uses shadow clones to do paperwork, but he can get things mixed up if he uses too many. But I don't have that problem! The old man tested it really thoroughly."

Sakura's ears perked up with interest. "That's fascinating, Naruto. So you can retain the memories from multiple clones without getting confused?"

Naruto grinned. "Yep! I think the old man's just jealous, so he limits me to two clones. But it's still way faster than doing it all myself."

As they continued walking, Sakura's ears suddenly twitched. She turned her head slightly, then leaned in close to her teammates.

"Don't look now," she whispered, "but we're being followed."

Sasuke tensed slightly, his hand inching towards his kunai pouch, but Naruto just grinned.

"Is it a square rock with eyeholes?" he asked in a low voice.

Sakura blinked in surprise. "Yes, actually. How did you know?"

Naruto's grin widened. "I've got an idea. Follow my lead."

He led them around a corner, then motioned for them to stop and wait. A few moments later, they heard the scraping sound of something heavy being dragged across the ground. As the noise got closer, Naruto held up three fingers, then two, then one...

"Gotcha!" he yelled, as Team 7 whirled around to face their pursuers.

With a puff of smoke, the "rock" disappeared, revealing four children sprawled on the ground. Sakura recognized Konohamaru, the Hokage's grandson and Inari, but the other two were unfamiliar to her.

"Aww, man!" Konohamaru complained, sitting up and rubbing his head. "How'd you see through our disguise, boss?"

Naruto crossed his arms, trying to look stern but unable to hide his amusement. "By the time I was your age, my stealth skills were way better than that. Have you guys not been practicing enough?"

Konohamaru jumped to his feet, indignation clear on his face. "But stealth practice is so boring! We want to learn cool jutsu and stuff!"

As Naruto and Konohamaru began to bicker, the other children picked themselves up. A girl with bright orange hair tied up in two large pigtails approached Sakura, her eyes wide with admiration.

"Wow, you're really Sakura Haruno?" she asked excitedly. "I'm Moegi! I've heard so much about you. Is it true that you have a special contract with the rabbits?"

Sakura smiled, a bit taken aback by the girl's enthusiasm. "It's nice to meet you, Moegi. And yes, I do have a contract with the rabbits."

Moegi's eyes somehow grew even wider. "That's so cool! I heard they're offering contracts at the academy now. Do you think I could sign one too?"

"Well," Sakura said thoughtfully, "it depends on your chakra control and affinity. But if you work hard, I'm sure you'll have a good chance."

Moegi nodded eagerly, then glanced around before leaning in closer to Sakura. "Um, Sakura-san," she said in a stage whisper, "can I ask you something? How do I... boost my sex appeal?"

Sakura nearly choked, her face turning as pink as her hair. "W-what?" she sputtered.

Moegi looked at her earnestly. "You know, to be a better kunoichi! I heard that's really important."

It was clear from the girl's expression that she didn't fully understand what she was asking. Sakura took a deep breath, trying to compose herself.

"Moegi," she said gently, "being a good kunoichi is about much more than... um, appeal. It's about skill, intelligence, and dedication. Focus on those things, and the rest will come naturally as you get older."

While Sakura was dealing with Moegi's unexpected question, Sasuke had turned his attention to the fourth member of the group, a boy with spiky black hair who was hanging back a bit from the others.

"Inari," Sasuke said, nodding in greeting. "How are you finding the academy?"

Inari straightened up, clearly pleased that Sasuke had addressed him. "It's challenging," he admitted. "I have a lot to catch up on. But I'm working hard, and my teachers say I'm making good progress."

Sasuke nodded approvingly. "Good. Keep at it. And... thank you for the opportunity."

Inari looked confused. "Opportunity? But you're the one who gave me the chance to come here, Sasuke-san."

A ghost of a smile flickered across Sasuke's face. "Perhaps. But you're giving me the opportunity to help rebuild something important. Don't waste it."

As Inari nodded solemnly, Naruto's voice rose above the general chatter.

"Alright, you guys," he said to the younger children, "if you really want to improve your ninja skills, how about we give you a little test?"

Konohamaru's eyes lit up. "A test? What kind of test, boss?"

Naruto grinned mischievously. "A stealth and evasion exercise. You four against the three of us. If you can avoid being caught for... let's say an hour, we'll teach you a cool jutsu."

"Really?" Udon, the boy with glasses who had been quiet until now, perked up.

"But if we catch you," Sasuke added, catching on to Naruto's plan, "you have to do extra stealth practice every day for a week."

The four academy students huddled together, whispering furiously. After a moment, Konohamaru turned back to Team 7.

"You're on!" he declared. "But you have to give us a five-minute head start."

Sakura nodded. "That's fair. And we'll restrict ourselves to the training grounds, to keep things manageable."

As the younger children scampered off, giggling with excitement, Sasuke turned to his teammates.

"This should be interesting," he said. "Shall we make it a competition among ourselves as well? Whoever catches the most wins?"

Naruto's grin widened. "Oh, you're going down, Sasuke! I know all of Konohamaru's tricks."

Sakura's ears twitched in anticipation. "Don't count me out, boys. These ears aren't just for show, you know."

As they waited for the five minutes to pass, Sakura found herself smiling. It was nice to have a bit of lighthearted fun after the intensity of their recent missions. And who knew? Maybe they'd all learn something from this impromptu training exercise.

The moment the agreed-upon time was up, Team 7 split up, each heading in a different direction to cover more ground. Sakura bounded through the trees, her enhanced senses alert for any sign of their quarry.

A faint rustle to her left caught her attention. She paused, ears swiveling to pinpoint the sound. There - a flash of orange hair peeking out from behind a bush. Moegi, trying to sneak a look at her pursuers.

Sakura grinned. This was going to be fun.

She circled around, moving silently through the underbrush. Just as she was about to pounce, a twig snapped under her foot. Moegi's head whipped around, eyes wide with alarm.

"Eep!" the younger girl squeaked, then took off running.

Sakura gave chase, her longer legs easily keeping pace with Moegi. But just as she was about to grab her, a smoke bomb went off, filling the air with thick, purple smoke.

Coughing, Sakura waved her hand in front of her face. When the smoke cleared, Moegi was gone.

"Not bad," Sakura murmured, impressed despite herself. These kids were cleverer than she'd given them credit for.

Meanwhile, Sasuke was stalking through a denser part of the forest, his dark eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. A flicker of movement caught his attention - someone darting between trees up ahead.

He moved swiftly, closing in on his target. As he rounded a large oak, he came face to face with... Naruto?

"Hey!" Naruto exclaimed. "I almost had him!"

Sasuke frowned. "Had who?"

"Konohamaru! He went this way, I'm sure of it."

Just then, a muffled giggle came from above them. Both boys looked up to see Konohamaru perched on a branch, grinning down at them.

"Nice try, boss!" he called, then scampered away through the treetops.

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a glance, then took off after him. But Konohamaru was surprisingly agile, leaping from branch to branch with the ease of a much more experienced ninja.

As they gave chase, Sasuke couldn't help but be a little impressed. The kid had potential, that was for sure.

On the other side of the training ground, Naruto (the real one this time) was having less luck. He'd thought he'd had Udon cornered, but the bespectacled boy had surprised him by using a clever substitution jutsu with a log.

"Man," Naruto grumbled, scratching his head. "When did these kids get so good?"

A rustle in the bushes nearby caught his attention. Grinning, Naruto crept towards the sound. This time, he'd catch them for sure!

He leapt forward, arms outstretched... and found himself face-to-face with a very startled rabbit.

"Oops," Naruto said sheepishly as the rabbit bounded away. "Sorry, little guy!"

As the hour wore on, Team 7 found themselves increasingly frustrated. The academy students were proving to be surprisingly elusive, using every trick in the book (and a few that weren't) to avoid capture.

Finally, with just five minutes left on the clock, Sakura's sensitive ears picked up the sound of whispered arguing. She signaled to Sasuke and Naruto, who had regrouped with her, and the three of them converged on the source of the noise.

They found all four children huddled behind a large rock, bickering in hushed tones.

"I told you we should have split up!" Konohamaru was saying.

"But we lasted longer together," Moegi argued back.

"Shh!" Udon hissed. "They'll hear us!"

"Too late," Sasuke said dryly, causing all four kids to jump in surprise.

Konohamaru's eyes widened in panic as he realized they'd been caught. "Scatter!" he yelled, turning to run. The other three academy students followed suit, darting off in different directions.

In his haste to escape, Konohamaru wasn't watching where he was going. He ran headlong into someone walking down the street, bouncing off the person's legs and landing hard on his backside.

"Ow!" Konohamaru yelped, rubbing his sore bottom. He looked up to see who he'd run into and froze.

The figure looming over him was dressed entirely in black, with a large object wrapped in bandages strapped to his back. Purple face paint adorned his features in an intricate design, and a Suna forehead protector gleamed on his brow.

Before Konohamaru could scramble to his feet, the stranger reached down and grabbed him by the front of his shirt, lifting him off the ground.

"Hey, watch where you're going, you little brat!" the Suna nin snarled, shaking Konohamaru slightly.

"Kankuro, knock it off," a female voice called out. A blonde kunoichi with a large fan on her back approached, her own Suna forehead protector worn around her neck. She looked exasperated. "We don't want to cause trouble."

Kankuro scowled. "This kid needs to learn some manners, Temari."

By this time, Team 7 had caught up to the scene. Naruto's face darkened as he saw Konohamaru dangling from the stranger's grip.

"Hey!" Naruto shouted. "Put Konohamaru down!"

Kankuro turned his head to glare at Naruto. "Not until I teach this brat a lesson," he growled.

Sasuke and Sakura moved to flank Naruto, their stances shifting subtly into combat readiness. The tension in the air was palpable, both sides sizing each other up.

Just as it seemed the situation might escalate further, a senbon made of ice whistled through the air, striking Kankuro's hand with pinpoint accuracy. The Suna nin's hand spasmed, his grip on Konohamaru loosening involuntarily. The young boy dropped to the ground and quickly scurried behind Naruto.

All eyes turned to the source of the unexpected attack. A figure wearing a Mist headband approached, flanked by two others. The newcomer's features were delicate, almost feminine, with long dark hair framing their face.

"We are all guests of Konoha right now," the Mist nin said, their voice soft but firm. "It would be unwise to cause trouble by harassing the Hokage's grandson."

Kankuro's eyes widened slightly at this information, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face.

To the Mist nin's right stood a boy with white hair and pointed teeth, casually sipping from a cup. A pair of taiji swords were strapped to his back. He grinned, revealing more sharp teeth. "Aw, when do we get to the cutting?" he asked, sounding almost eager.

The girl on the Mist nin's left, with dark blonde hair, shot him a disapproving look. "Suigetsu, we shouldn't be cutting people outside of the exam," she chided.

Sakura and Naruto both stared at the Mist nin who had intervened, recognition dawning on their faces. Naruto's jaw dropped slightly.

"Yuki?" he blurted out, remembering the pretty courtesan he'd met at the Wave Daimyo's palace.

At the same time, Sakura exclaimed, "Haku?"

The Mist nin – Haku – smiled at them. "It's nice to see you both again, under better circumstances this time."

Sakura's brow furrowed in confusion. "But... how did you get into Konoha? You're a missing nin!"

Haku shook his head, still smiling. "I was never officially a missing nin, as I had never been part of a ninja village before. Zabuza-san was my sole teacher." His expression softened slightly at the mention of his master. "The Fifth Mizukage has since instated me as a genin of Hidden Mist."

The blonde girl stepped forward, offering a polite bow. "I'm Hotaru," she introduced herself. "We're here to compete in the Chunin exams."

Naruto's eyes widened. "Chunin exams? Here in Konoha?"

Haku nodded. "Indeed. I'm sure you remember Mei Terumi-sama, of course?"

Sakura and Naruto exchanged glances, both recalling the formidable woman who had caused them so much trouble in Wave. Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of her name.

"How could we forget?" Sakura muttered.

Kankuro's face twisted with annoyance as he realized he was being ignored. His hand moved to the bandaged bundle on his back, fingers twitching in anticipation.

"Hey, don't forget about me!" he snarled. "I'm not done with you brats yet!"

Just as he was about to unwrap the bundle, a cold voice cut through the air like a knife.

"Kankuro. Stop it."

Everyone's heads whipped around to see a boy with blood-red hair standing upside down on a tree branch. His arms were crossed over his chest, and a large gourd was strapped to his back. Dark rings encircled his pale green eyes, which were fixed on Kankuro with a look of utter disdain.

Kankuro's face drained of color. "G-Gaara!" he stammered. "I was just—"

"Shut up," Gaara interrupted, his voice devoid of emotion. "Or I'll kill you."

Kankuro's mouth snapped shut, his earlier bravado evaporating in an instant. Temari, too, looked suddenly nervous, her eyes darting between Gaara and the ground.

Gaara disappeared in a swirl of sand, reappearing on the ground between his teammates. "We're leaving," he stated flatly.

As the Suna team turned to go, Sasuke stepped forward. "Wait," he called out. "Who are you?"

Gaara paused, turning his head slightly to regard Sasuke with cold eyes. "I am Gaara of the Desert," he said. But instead of engaging further with Sasuke, his gaze shifted to Haku. "And you? Who are you?"

Haku met Gaara's stare evenly, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Haku of the Yuki clan," he replied with a slight bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Gaara-san. But I'm afraid we must be going as well."

As Haku turned to leave with his teammates, Kankuro muttered under his breath, "Man, that was one ice-cold chick."

Without missing a beat, Haku called over his shoulder, "I'm a boy, actually."

The reaction was immediate. Sakura and Naruto's jaws dropped in unison, their eyes widening to comical proportions. Kankuro made a choking sound, his face a picture of disbelief.

Even Sasuke looked mildly surprised, his eyebrows rising slightly. Temari, for her part, seemed more amused than shocked, a small smirk tugging at her lips.

Gaara, however, remained utterly impassive. Without another word, he turned and began walking away. After a moment of stunned silence, Kankuro and Temari hurried after him.

As the three groups dispersed, Naruto turned to his teammates, excitement shining in his blue eyes. "Hey, hey!" he exclaimed. "Do you think we'll get to enter the Chunin exams too?"

Sakura frowned thoughtfully, her rabbit ears twitching slightly. "I don't know, Naruto," she said. "We're pretty fresh genin. It's not very likely they'd enter us so soon."

"Aw, come on!" Naruto whined. "We're totally ready! We've been on an S-rank mission already!"

"That was more of a fluke than anything," Sakura pointed out. "Besides, did you see how strong Haku is? And that Gaara guy... he gives me the creeps. I'm not sure I want to be in an exam with powerhouses like them."

As Team 7 continued their discussion, they were unaware of the six figures watching them from nearby rooftops and alleyways. Each wore clothing in shades of grey and black, perfectly camouflaged against the shadows.

Two girls with long black hair stood side by side, one looking slightly older than the other. Their dark eyes scanned the area continuously, taking in every detail.

Beside them was a figure completely wrapped in bandages, only a pair of black, pupilless eyes visible. The bandaged figure remained perfectly still, almost blending into the background.

Two boys with slate-colored hair crouched nearby. One had strange holes in his palms, while the other had what looked like a pair of shears clipped to his belt. They exchanged meaningful glances as they observed the scene below.

The final member of their group, a boy with most of his face covered except for one eye, spoke in a low voice. "We need to keep a close eye on the Uchiha and the rabbit girl," he murmured. "But be wary of the ice user and that spook from the sand. They could be trouble."

The others nodded silently, their eyes never leaving the genin below.

As Team 7 began to move away, still deep in conversation about the upcoming exams, the six figures melted back into the shadows, vanishing as if they had never been there at all.