Naruto and Karin moved cautiously through the dense forest, keeping their senses alert for any signs of danger or Naruto's teammates. The eerie sounds of creatures lurking in the shadows put them on edge as they navigated the unfamiliar terrain.
"Man, where could Sasuke and Sakura be?" Naruto grumbled, scanning the trees for any trace of his friends. "I hope they're okay after that creepy snake guy attacked us."
Karin walked beside him, her red hair a vibrant contrast to the muted greens and browns of the forest. "Your teammates sound strong. I'm sure they're fine," she reassured him, though her voice held a hint of uncertainty.
As they rounded a large tree, three figures suddenly dropped down in front of them, blocking their path. Naruto tensed, immediately recognizing their sand village headbands. The leader, a tall boy with spiky brown hair, stepped forward with a predatory grin.
"Well, well. What do we have here?" he sneered, eyeing Naruto and Karin. "Hand over your scrolls and we might let you go in one piece."
Naruto clenched his fists, ready for a fight. "We don't have any scrolls for you jerks!"
The sand ninja's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Is that so? Then I guess we'll just have to take something else instead." His gaze lingered on Karin, who shrank back slightly.
"W-wait," Karin said, her voice trembling slightly as she reached into her pouch. "I... I have a scroll. You can take it." She held out an earth scroll, her hand shaking.
The sand ninja snatched it from her grasp, examining it with a satisfied smirk. "Not bad. But I think we'll be taking a little more than just this." He leered at Karin, making his intentions clear.
Naruto stepped protectively in front of her. "Back off, creep! You got your scroll, now leave us alone!"
The sand ninja's teammates chuckled darkly. "Looks like the little leaf brat wants to play hero," one of them taunted.
Their leader waved dismissively at Naruto. "Run along, kid. The girl stays with us. We're going to have some fun."
Karin placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "It's okay, Naruto," she said softly, though fear shone in her eyes. "Just go. I'll... I'll be fine."
Naruto's blue eyes blazed with anger as he shrugged off her hand. "No way in hell am I leaving you with these bastards!" He glared defiantly at the sand ninja. "You guys make me sick. The only way you're laying a hand on Karin is over my dead body!"
A warm flush spread across Karin's cheeks at Naruto's words. Her heart raced, touched by his determination to protect her despite barely knowing her.
The sand ninja exchanged amused glances before bursting into laughter. "That can certainly be arranged," their leader sneered, cracking his knuckles menacingly. "If you're so eager to die, we'll be happy to oblige!"
Without warning, the three sand ninja charged forward. Naruto quickly formed a hand sign, creating several shadow clones to even the odds. The clones rushed to meet the attackers head-on while Naruto stayed back to guard Karin.
The forest echoed with the sounds of battle as Naruto's clones traded blows with the sand ninja. Though outnumbered, the sand genin proved to be skilled fighters. One by one, Naruto's clones were dispelled in puffs of smoke.
Naruto gritted his teeth, frustrated by how easily his clones were being defeated. He knew he needed to step up his game if he was going to protect Karin.
"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" he shouted, summoning dozens more clones. The sand ninja found themselves suddenly surrounded by a small army of orange-clad Narutos.
"What the hell?" one of them exclaimed, eyes wide with shock. "How can a genin create so many solid clones?"
Their leader scowled. "It doesn't matter how many there are. We'll take them all down!"
The battle intensified as Naruto and his clones pressed their advantage. Though the sand ninja fought fiercely, they were gradually overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Naruto landed several solid hits, slowly wearing them down.
Karin watched in awe as Naruto held his own against the older genin. His determination and unwavering resolve to protect her stirred something within her. She found herself captivated by his strength and spirit.
As the fight dragged on, the sand ninja grew increasingly desperate. Their leader, battered and bruised, locked eyes with Karin. A cruel smirk twisted his features as he formed hand signs for a jutsu.
"Earth Style: Stone Spikes!" he shouted, slamming his palms on the ground. Sharp stone protrusions erupted from the earth, racing towards Karin at alarming speed.
Naruto's eyes widened in horror. "Karin! Look out!"
Without hesitation, he threw himself in front of her. The stone spikes slammed into his body, drawing a pained cry from his lips as they tore through flesh and muscle. Naruto collapsed to his knees, blood seeping from multiple wounds.
"Naruto!" Karin cried out, rushing to his side. Tears welled in her eyes as she saw the extent of his injuries. "Why... why did you do that?"
Naruto gave her a weak grin, despite the pain etched on his face. "I told you... I wouldn't let them hurt you..."
The sand ninja leader laughed cruelly. "How noble. But it looks like your little hero is done for, girl. Now it's your turn."
As the sand ninja advanced, something within Naruto snapped. A primal rage unlike anything he'd felt before surged through him. Red, malevolent chakra began to swirl around his body, his wounds closing at an accelerated rate.
Karin gasped, sensing the massive spike in Naruto's chakra. The oppressive aura emanating from him sent chills down her spine.
Naruto slowly rose to his feet, his eyes now a deep crimson with slitted pupils. Sharp claws extended from his fingertips as he fixed the sand ninja with a predatory glare. A low, inhuman growl rumbled in his throat.
The sand genin took an involuntary step back, their earlier bravado evaporating in the face of Naruto's transformation. "W-what the hell are you?" their leader stammered.
Naruto didn't respond. In a burst of speed that left afterimages, he closed the distance between them. His clawed hand lashed out, catching the sand ninja across the chest and sending him flying into a tree with bone-crushing force.
The other two sand genin tried to retaliate, but Naruto was moving too fast for them to track. He darted between them, landing devastating blows that left them battered and broken on the forest floor.
In a matter of seconds, it was over. The sand ninja lay unconscious, thoroughly defeated by Naruto's overwhelming power. As quickly as it had appeared, the red chakra receded, leaving Naruto swaying on his feet.
"Naruto!" Karin called out in concern, rushing to steady him as he stumbled. "Are you okay?"
Naruto blinked, his eyes returning to their normal blue. He looked around in confusion at the aftermath of the battle. "Yeah... I think so. What happened?"
Karin bit her lip, unsure how to explain the terrifying power she'd witnessed. "You... you beat them. But you're still hurt. Here, let me help you."
She rolled up her sleeve, revealing bite marks covering her arm. "Bite me," she instructed. "My chakra has special healing properties. It will close your wounds."
Naruto's eyes widened. "What? No way! I can't bite you!"
Karin shook her head stubbornly. "Don't argue. You're injured because of me. Please, just do it."
After some more protesting, Naruto reluctantly agreed. He gently bit down on Karin's arm, immediately feeling a rush of warm, soothing chakra flow into him. His remaining wounds closed rapidly, leaving him feeling refreshed and energized.
"Wow!" Naruto exclaimed as he pulled away. "That's amazing, Karin! Your ability is so cool!"
Karin blushed deeply at his praise, averting her eyes shyly. "I-it's nothing special..."
"Are you kidding? It's awesome!" Naruto grinned widely. "You're really incredible, you know that?"
As Karin stammered out a flustered response, a soft voice spoke from the shadows of the forest. "I must agree. That was quite an impressive display from both of you."
Naruto whirled around, instantly on guard. His eyes narrowed as he spotted a familiar figure perched gracefully on a nearby tree branch.
"Yuki?" he called out, a hint of sullenness in his tone. "What do you want?"
Haku smiled demurely, amused by Naruto's reaction. "Now, now. Is that any way to greet an old friend?"
"Friend? You lied to me!" Naruto pouted, crossing his arms. "You're a guy!"
Haku's musical laughter echoed through the clearing. "I never claimed to be female. You simply assumed."
Two more figures emerged from the forest - Suigetsu and Hotaru, Haku's teammates. Suigetsu grinned, revealing sharp, pointed teeth. "You should be more on guard, kid. We're all competitors in this exam, after all."
Naruto tensed, moving protectively in front of Karin once more. "Yeah? You here to try and take our scrolls too?"
Haku shook his head, still smiling. "No need. We've already acquired three additional scrolls beyond what we require."
"We've been eliminating the competition," Hotaru explained. "Thinning out the herd before the third round, you could say."
Naruto's brow furrowed in confusion. "Then why are you here?"
Haku's expression turned thoughtful. "I wanted the chance to face you in the third round, Naruto-kun. I believe we have some things in common, you and I."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Naruto asked warily.
Haku merely smiled enigmatically. "You'll understand in time. For now, we wish you luck in the remainder of the exam. I look forward to our next encounter."
With that, the mist team melted back into the shadows of the forest, leaving Naruto and Karin alone once more.
Naruto scratched his head, thoroughly confused by the strange encounter. "Man, that Haku guy is weird," he muttered.
Karin giggled softly. "Maybe, but he seemed impressed by you. We should probably get moving though. We still need to find your teammates."
"Oh, right!" Naruto exclaimed, suddenly remembering their original goal. He quickly retrieved the scroll from the unconscious sand ninja before turning back to Karin with a determined grin. "Let's go find Sasuke and Sakura!"
As they set off deeper into the forest, Karin couldn't help but steal glances at the energetic blonde beside her. His unwavering determination and willingness to protect her had left a lasting impression. She found herself hoping their paths would cross again after the exam, even as a small voice in her head warned her not to get too attached.
For now, though, she was content to follow Naruto's lead as they continued their search through the dangerous Forest of Death.
----------------------------------------
Kabuto adjusted his glasses as he surveyed the battered Sound genin before him. They were in rough shape, clearly having encountered formidable opposition. His lips curved into a small, knowing smile as he approached.
The Sound ninja tensed, immediately on guard despite their injuries. Dosu raised his gauntleted arm, preparing to unleash a sound attack. "Stay back," he warned, his visible eye narrowing suspiciously.
Zaku winced as he struggled to his feet, palms facing Kabuto threateningly. "Yeah, don't think we're easy prey just 'cause we're a little banged up!"
Kin readied her senbon, bells jingling softly as she moved into a defensive stance. The other three Sound nin also prepared for a potential fight, though their movements were sluggish from exhaustion and pain.
Kabuto raised his hands in a placating gesture, his smile never wavering. "Now, now. Is that any way to treat an ally?"
Dosu's eye widened in recognition. "You're that Leaf genin from before the first exam. The one with the info cards."
"Indeed," Kabuto replied smoothly. "But I'm much more than that. Like you, I serve Lord Orochimaru."
The Sound ninja exchanged wary glances, not lowering their guard just yet.
"Prove it," the bandaged girl from the second Sound team demanded, her voice harsh.
Kabuto's smile widened as he slowly reached into his pouch. The Sound nin tensed further, but he merely withdrew a small scroll marked with Orochimaru's personal seal. "I believe this should suffice as proof of my allegiance."
Dosu cautiously approached, examining the scroll closely before nodding to his teammates. "It's genuine."
The atmosphere in the clearing relaxed somewhat, though a current of wariness still ran through the group.
"So, what does Lord Orochimaru want with us?" Zaku asked, lowering his arms but remaining alert.
Kabuto's hands began to glow with healing chakra. "First, allow me to tend to your injuries. Lord Orochimaru sent me to ensure you're in fighting shape for the remainder of the exam."
The Sound ninja exchanged surprised looks before grudgingly allowing Kabuto to approach. As he moved from one to another, expertly healing their various wounds, he continued speaking.
"I must say, I'm impressed you managed to push Team 7 so far," Kabuto remarked casually. "They're quite the formidable group, aren't they?"
Dosu grunted in agreement. "The Uchiha didn't even fight. It was just the girl, and she still gave us more trouble than expected."
Kabuto nodded thoughtfully as he finished healing Kin's bruised ribs. "Yes, Sakura Haruno. She's become quite interesting since undergoing those... modifications."
The bandaged girl from the second Sound team scowled. "She's an abomination," she spat venomously not noticing the glare the bandaged girl gave her.
Kabuto raised an eyebrow at the intensity of her reaction but didn't comment further. Instead, he moved on to healing the rest of the group.
As he worked, Zaku spoke up again. "So, what's the deal? Why'd Lord Orochimaru send you to patch us up? Not that I'm complaining, but..."
Kabuto's glasses glinted in the dappled sunlight filtering through the forest canopy. "Lord Orochimaru still wishes to see more of Team 7's abilities. If you encounter them again during the exam, you're to go all out. Show them no mercy."
The Sound ninja nodded in understanding, a mix of excitement and trepidation evident on their faces.
"But what about passing the exam?" Kin asked, worry creeping into her voice. "We lost our scroll in the fight."
Kabuto's smile turned sly as he reached into his pouch once more. "As it happens, I managed to... acquire a few extra scrolls before the exam began." He pulled out two scrolls - one Heaven, one Earth - and tossed them to Dosu. "Consider it a gift from Lord Orochimaru. Your team's continued participation is essential to his plans."
Dosu caught the scrolls, his visible eye widening in surprise. "Thank you," he said, a hint of reverence in his tone. "Please convey our gratitude to Lord Orochimaru for his benevolence."
Kabuto nodded, then turned to the second Sound team. "I have scrolls for you as well," he said, producing another pair and handing them over. "Lord Orochimaru values all of his servants."
The bandaged girl accepted the scrolls with a deep bow. "We won't fail him," she promised fervently.
As Kabuto finished healing the last of their injuries, the Sound ninja gathered their belongings, preparing to set off for the tower at the center of the Forest of Death.
"Remember," Kabuto called out as they prepared to leave, "if you face Team 7 again, hold nothing back. Lord Orochimaru wishes to see the full extent of their capabilities."
"Of course," Dosu replied, his teammates nodding in agreement. "We won't disappoint him this time."
With that, the two Sound teams leapt into the trees, quickly disappearing from sight as they made their way towards the tower.
Kabuto watched them go, his expression unreadable. Once he was certain they were out of earshot, he allowed himself a small chuckle. "Well, that takes care of that," he murmured to himself. "Now, let's see what other interesting developments this exam has in store."
He adjusted his glasses once more before melting into the shadows of the forest, his true purpose in the exam still hidden from all but his master.
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As Kabuto made his way through the dense foliage, his mind raced with the possibilities that lay ahead. Lord Orochimaru's plans were intricate, with many moving parts, and Kabuto took pride in being one of the few entrusted with the full scope of his master's ambitions.
He reflected on the Sound ninja he had just encountered. They were useful pawns, to be sure, but ultimately expendable in the grand scheme of things. Their devotion to Orochimaru was admirable, if misguided. They had no idea of the true depths of his master's machinations.
Kabuto's thoughts turned to Team 7, the true focus of Orochimaru's interest in this exam. Sasuke Uchiha was the primary target, of course. The last loyal wielder of the Sharingan, with potential that rivaled or perhaps even surpassed that of his ill-fated clan. Orochimaru had long coveted those eyes, and now they were finally within his grasp.
But the other two members of the team had proven unexpectedly intriguing as well. Naruto Uzumaki, the Kyuubi jinchuriki, was showing signs of accessing the demon fox's chakra far earlier than anticipated. And Sakura Haruno... her modifications were truly fascinating. Kabuto made a mental note to gather more data on the process that had transformed her. Such information could prove invaluable for future experiments.
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As Naruto and Karin continued their search, an uneasy silence settled between them. The encounter with the Sand ninja and subsequent healing had left them both shaken, though for different reasons.
Naruto, never one to tolerate silence for long, broke the tension. "So, Karin... what's it like in Kusagakure? I've never been there."
Karin's expression darkened slightly. "It's... not great," she admitted. "The village itself is beautiful, all lush greenery and hidden paths. But the people..." She trailed off, shaking her head.
"What about the people?" Naruto pressed, his brow furrowing in concern.
Karin sighed. "They treat me like a tool. Because of my healing abilities, I'm constantly being used. Ninja come back from missions injured, and I'm expected to heal them, no matter how exhausted I am or how much it hurts me."
Naruto's eyes widened in shock. "That's terrible! Don't they care about your well-being at all?"
"Not really," Karin replied bitterly. "I'm just a resource to them. The fact that I'm an outsider, not originally from Kusa, doesn't help either."
Naruto's fists clenched at his sides. "That's not right! You're a person, not some... some medical jutsu to be used up and thrown away!"
Karin smiled softly at his outrage on her behalf. "It's nice of you to say that. But what about you? What's life like in Konoha?"
Naruto's anger deflated slightly, replaced by a hint of sadness. "Well, it's... complicated," he began. "The village itself is amazing! There's always something going on, and the people can be really great. But..."
"But?" Karin prompted gently.
Naruto scratched the back of his head, looking uncomfortable. "A lot of the villagers... they don't like me very much. They avoid me, or glare at me, or whisper about me when they think I can't hear."
Karin's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? But why? You seem so nice and friendly."
Naruto shrugged. "I don't know. It's been that way for as long as I can remember. But it's okay! I've got my friends and my team, and I'm going to be Hokage someday. Then everyone will have to acknowledge me!"
Karin studied him for a moment, noting the determination in his eyes. An idea began to form in her mind. "You know," she said carefully, "we don't have to go back to our villages. We could leave together, start our own village even. I've heard stories about Uzushiogakure, the village our clan came from. We could rebuild it!"
Naruto's eyes widened at the suggestion, but he shook his head firmly. "I can't do that. Konoha is my home, even if some people there don't like me. I've got precious people there that I need to protect. And I'm going to be Hokage, believe it!"
Karin felt a pang of disappointment, but she couldn't help but admire his loyalty. "I see," she said softly. "Well, maybe I could stay at Konoha instead..."
Naruto's face lit up. "That would be awesome! I'm sure Gramps - I mean, the Hokage - would let you stay. And you could meet all my friends!"
Karin's heart fluttered at his enthusiasm. She decided to probe a little further. "Speaking of friends... do you have a girlfriend, Naruto?"
Naruto's cheeks reddened slightly. "Well, kinda? There's this girl, Hinata. She's really amazing!"
Karin felt a twinge of jealousy, but she kept her expression neutral. "Oh? Tell me about her."
Naruto's eyes took on a dreamy quality. "Hinata's so kind and gentle, but she's also really strong. She's got this awesome bloodline limit called the Byakugan that lets her see through things and really far away. And she's always believed in me, even when no one else did."
As Naruto continued to gush about Hinata, Karin's jealousy grew. She began to formulate plans in her mind, ways she might be able to win Naruto's affections for herself. But she knew she had to be subtle about it.
"She sounds nice," Karin said, interrupting Naruto's monologue. "What kind of things do you like to do together?"
Naruto thought for a moment. "Well, we train together sometimes. And we eat ramen at Ichiraku's - that's the best ramen stand in the whole world!"
Karin filed that information away. "Ramen, huh? What's your favorite kind?"
"Miso chashu pork, definitely!" Naruto exclaimed. "Though really, all ramen is good ramen."
Karin nodded, mentally taking notes. "What about other foods? Do you like spicy things?"
Naruto made a face. "Not really. I mean, I'll eat them, but I prefer things that aren't too spicy."
"I see," Karin said. "What about your favorite color?"
"Orange!" Naruto declared without hesitation. "It's the best color ever!"
Karin couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. "It certainly suits you," she said, gesturing to his orange jumpsuit.
As they continued to make their way through the forest, Karin kept up a steady stream of questions, carefully probing Naruto's likes and dislikes. She learned that he enjoyed pulling pranks, that he had a fondness for plants (particularly those that were easy to take care of), and that he dreamed of having a big family someday.
Naruto, for his part, seemed oblivious to the true nature of Karin's inquiries. He answered her questions happily, glad to have someone showing such interest in him.
"You know, Karin," Naruto said after a while, "it's really nice talking to you like this. I feel like we've got a real connection, you know?"
Karin's heart soared at his words. "I feel the same way, Naruto," she said softly.
Naruto grinned. "It must be because we're family! I've never had any relatives before. It's kind of cool!"
Karin's smile brightened at the word 'family', "Yeah, family," she echoed, obviously thinking about it in a different context.
As they walked, Karin's mind raced with possibilities. She knew she couldn't compete with this Hinata girl directly - not when Naruto clearly held her in such high regard. But maybe, if she played her cards right, she could show Naruto that she understood him in a way no one else could. That they had a connection that went beyond mere friendship or even family ties.
"Hey, Naruto," she said suddenly, "what do you think about fate? Do you believe some things are just meant to be?"
Naruto scrunched up his face in thought. "I don't know," he said slowly. "I mean, I believe we make our own destiny. That's why I'm going to be Hokage, no matter what anyone else says!"
Karin nodded. "But don't you think it's kind of... fated that we met here? Two Uzumaki, finding each other in this huge forest?"
Naruto considered this. "I guess that is pretty crazy," he admitted. "Maybe there is something to it after all."
Karin smiled, pleased that she had planted the seed of the idea in his mind. "I think so," she said. "I think we were meant to find each other, Naruto."
Naruto's keen eyes scanned the forest, searching for any sign of his teammates. Suddenly, a flash of green caught his attention. He squinted, then broke into a wide grin.
"Lee! Hey, Bushy Brows!" Naruto called out, waving his arms enthusiastically.
Rock Lee's head snapped towards the sound, his thick eyebrows rising in surprise. "Naruto-kun! What a youthful surprise to encounter you here!"
As Lee bounded over, Tenten and Neji emerged from the foliage, their expressions guarded. Tenten's eyes narrowed as she spotted Karin standing beside Naruto.
"Naruto," Tenten said cautiously, "who's your friend?"
Naruto blinked, then remembered Karin. "Oh! This is Karin. She's an Uzumaki, like me! Can you believe it? I actually have family!"
Neji's pale eyes scrutinized Karin. "An Uzumaki? I thought they were all but extinct."
Karin shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. "We are... rare," she admitted. "I'm from Kusagakure."
"But what happened to Sasuke and Sakura?" Lee asked, looking around as if expecting them to pop out from behind a tree.
Naruto's face fell. "We got separated," he explained. "This creepy Kusa nin attacked us. Except it wasn't really a Kusa nin. It was Orochimaru!"
The members of Team Gai gasped in unison.
"Orochimaru?" Tenten repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. "The Sannin? What's he doing in the Chunin Exams?"
Naruto shook his head. "I don't know. He seemed really interested in Sasuke, though. And he was crazy strong! We couldn't even touch him."
Neji's brow furrowed. "This is troubling news. We should report this to the proctors immediately."
"We've already got our scrolls," Lee added. "We were planning to pick off a few more teams, but with this information..."
Tenten nodded. "We should head for the tower right away. It's the safest place in the forest, and if your teammates are okay, that's probably where they'll be heading too."
"Good idea," Naruto agreed. "Let's go!"
As they set off towards the center of the Forest of Death, Naruto found himself falling into step beside Neji. The memory of their earlier conversation about the Hyuga clan bubbled up in his mind.
"Hey, Neji," Naruto began, "I've been thinking about what you said before. About Hinata and your dad."
Neji's jaw clenched. "This isn't the time for such discussions, Naruto."
But Naruto pressed on, undeterred. "I just don't get it. How can you blame Hinata for something that happened when she was just a little kid?"
Karin, who had been walking close to Naruto, perked up her ears at the mention of Hinata's name.
Tenten, overhearing the conversation, chimed in. "You know, I've been wondering about that too, Neji. You never really explained the whole story."
Neji sighed, realizing he wasn't going to escape this conversation. "Fine. If you must know, it was the night of Hinata-sama's third birthday. A Kumo ninja, supposedly there to sign a peace treaty, attempted to kidnap her for her Byakugan. Hiashi-sama, her father, killed the intruder to protect her."
"But that sounds like he did the right thing," Naruto interjected.
Neji's eyes flashed with anger. "Kumo denied any knowledge of the kidnapping attempt. They demanded Hiashi-sama's body as compensation for their 'ambassador's' death. To avoid war, the Leaf agreed."
"That's horrible," Karin murmured, her eyes wide.
"But instead of Hiashi-sama," Neji continued, his voice tight with emotion, "my father, his twin brother, was sent in his place. He died for the main branch, all because Hinata-sama was too weak to defend herself."
Naruto frowned. "But she was just three years old! How could she have defended herself against a grown ninja?"
"Naruto's right," Tenten added. "It's not fair to blame Hinata for that."
"And honestly," Naruto said, his voice taking on an uncharacteristically serious tone, "I think the old man - I mean, the Third Hokage - made a mistake there too."
The other genin turned to look at him in surprise. Even Neji's eyebrows rose slightly.
"What do you mean?" Lee asked.
Naruto scratched his head, trying to put his thoughts into words. "Well, I've been learning a lot about what it means to be Hokage lately. And I get that sometimes you have to make hard choices. But giving in to Kumo's demands like that... it just seems wrong."
"You dare criticize the Hokage's decision?" Neji scoffed.
"Yeah, I do," Naruto said firmly. "The old man isn't perfect. He's done a lot of good for the village, but he's made mistakes too. That's why I'm going to surpass him someday. I'll become a Hokage so strong that other nations won't be able to push us around like that!"
Karin watched Naruto with admiration, her cheeks flushing slightly. Tenten smirked, impressed by his determination.
"Well, I hope you make it, Naruto," Tenten said. "It'd be nice to have a Hokage who understands what it's like to be a genin."
Lee pumped his fist in the air. "Yosh! Naruto-kun's youthful spirit burns brightly! I too shall redouble my efforts to become a splendid ninja!"
Neji remained silent, but his expression had softened slightly. He seemed to be mulling over Naruto's words.
As they neared the tower, Neji suddenly held up a hand, signaling the group to stop. His Byakugan activated, veins bulging around his eyes.
"What is it?" Tenten asked, her hand moving to her weapon pouch.
"Two people," Neji reported. "About fifty meters ahead. One of them appears to be injured."
Naruto's heart leaped. "Can you tell who they are?"
Neji squinted, focusing his enhanced vision. "It's... your teammates. Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura."
"Sasuke! Sakura-chan!" Naruto shouted, breaking into a run before anyone could stop him.
The others followed close behind, with Karin bringing up the rear. As they burst into a small clearing, they found Sakura supporting a pale and sweating Sasuke.
"Naruto!" Sakura exclaimed, relief evident in her voice. "You're okay!"
Naruto skidded to a halt in front of them, his eyes wide with concern. "What happened? Is Sasuke alright?"
Sasuke grunted, trying to stand straighter. "I'm fine, dobe. Just a little... worn out."
Sakura shot him a worried glance. "Orochimaru did something to him. Some kind of seal on his neck. He's been feverish ever since."
"Orochimaru?" Tenten gasped. "So it's true!"
"We need to get him to the tower," Neji said firmly. "There should be medical ninja there who can help."
Naruto nodded, then remembered his new companion. "Oh! Sasuke, Sakura-chan, this is Karin. She's an Uzumaki, like me!"
Sakura's eyes widened as she took in the red-haired girl. "Really? That's amazing, Naruto!"
Karin stepped forward, her eyes darting between Sakura and Sasuke. For a moment, she wondered if Sakura might be another rival for Naruto's affections. But then she noticed the Uchiha fan emblazoned on Sakura's dress, and the way she stood protectively close to Sasuke. Her shoulders relaxed slightly.
"It's nice to meet you," Karin said, offering a small smile. "I'm glad Naruto was able to find his teammates."
"Do you have your scrolls?" Lee asked.
Sakura nodded. "We managed to hold onto ours, but we still need an Earth scroll."
"No problem!" Naruto grinned, pulling out the scroll he'd acquired. "I've got one right here!"
"Then we should head inside immediately," Neji said. "We can catch up once we're safe."
The group made their way to the tower's entrance. As they approached the doors, Naruto couldn't help but feel a surge of relief. They'd made it through the forest, despite everything Orochimaru had thrown at them.
But as he glanced at Sasuke's pained expression and the worried look in Sakura's eyes, he knew their troubles were far from over. Whatever Orochimaru had done to Sasuke, whatever his plans were, Naruto was determined to face them head-on.
With a deep breath, he pushed open the doors, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in the next stage of the Chunin Exams.