The soft glow of dawn crept into Sakura's room, casting a gentle, golden light across her walls. She yawned, rubbing her eyes as she sat up and stretched, feeling the quiet peace of early morning settle over her. On the nightstand beside her bed lay her well-worn diary, its cover decorated with little stickers she'd added over the years. Reaching for it, she flipped to a fresh page, her lips curving into a faint smile as she took a calming breath.
Dear Diary,
Today's my first day with Team 7. I hope Kakashi-sensei won't be late, but I'm going to get there early. Maybe this will be the day I finally get a chance to impress Sasuke-kun…
Sakura's pen hesitated for a moment, her thoughts wandering unbidden to Naruto.
I wonder… was he always like this? she wrote slowly. He's different somehow—quieter, almost distant. He hasn't even tried asking me out once lately…
Her brow furrowed slightly. As much as she'd always brushed off his ridiculous attempts, there was a small, reluctant part of her that had come to expect them. His constant, goofy persistence had been an odd sort of constant in her life—something she could rely on, even if it was annoying.
But now… Now it just feels strange, she continued. Like he's someone else entirely, and that loud, silly Naruto I used to know is gone.
She frowned, tapping the pen against the edge of the page, trying to unravel the knot of confusion in her chest. Somewhere in the back of her mind, a sharp, familiar thought surfaced: Why do you even care, Sakura? It's Naruto. You've spent years wishing he'd leave you alone.
It wasn't a separate voice—not really. It was her, just the sharper, clearer part of herself that often broke through when she doubted. A part she sometimes called Inner Sakura, though she knew it wasn't someone else. It was her, cutting through her own thoughts with blunt logic.
With a quiet sigh, Sakura closed the diary and set it carefully back on her nightstand. She swung her legs off the bed and stood, stretching again as the sounds of the waking village filtered in through her window.
After brushing her pink hair with care and slipping into her usual outfit, Sakura bounded downstairs. The familiar scent of breakfast greeted her, along with the low murmur of her parents' voices drifting from the kitchen.
Her father, Kizashi Haruno, was hunched over the kitchen table, animatedly explaining something as he gestured to a scroll. His dull pink hair stood up in wild spikes, and his booming laugh filled the room. Sakura caught snatches of the conversation—something about "inventory shipments" and "supplier delays."
Her mother, Mebuki, was the opposite of Kizashi's energy. Focused and no-nonsense, she stood by the counter, chopping vegetables with quick, efficient movements. Despite the contrast between her parents, Sakura loved these mornings.
"Morning, Mom! Morning, Dad!"
"There's my girl! Heading out for shinobi business early, huh? Hoping to catch a certain someone's eye, maybe?"
Sakura's cheeks flushed immediately. "D-Dad, it's not like that!"
Keep your nose out of it, Dad! her sharper self grumbled internally, though Sakura kept her face as neutral as possible.
"Ah, young love. Reminds me of when your mom and I started dating."
Without missing a beat in her chopping, Mebuki added, "Just remember, Sakura, the more you focus on yourself, the more others will take notice. Being early and disciplined is good, but don't let it all be for someone else."
Sakura nodded, even as frustration prickled at her edges. Her mother's words were always so pointed, as if Sakura weren't enough just being herself. Every suggestion, every "encouragement" felt like a push toward something tougher, something stronger.
Doesn't she get it? Sakura thought. I don't want to be a warrior princess. I just want to be… me. And maybe catch Sasuke-kun's attention while I'm at it. Is that so hard to understand?
But deep down, Sakura knew her mother wasn't being critical for the sake of it. It was her way of trying to prepare Sakura for the dangers of the shinobi world. Maybe Mebuki didn't have the words to say, I'm scared for you, so she said, Train harder. Maybe that was her version of love.
Still, it was exasperating. Like the time her mother had secretly mixed weight gainer powder into her rice to bulk her up. Sakura had nearly choked on it before spitting it out, declaring dramatically that she was never eating again.
Sakura sighed at the memory, finishing her light breakfast. She grabbed her ninja pouch from the counter, ready to head out.
"Have a good day, sweetheart!"
"Stay focused!" Mebuki added sharply, her eyes flicking briefly to Sakura's ninja pouch as if scanning it for flaws.
Sakura stepped outside, her frustration melting away as the crisp morning air hit her face. The world felt alive—the bustle of merchants setting up their stalls in the market, the warm sunlight filtering through the trees, and the distant hum of the village beginning its day.
All right, Sakura, she thought, steeling herself as she made her way toward Training Ground 7.
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The soft hum of the morning still lingered in Sakura's mind as she stood at Training Ground 7, waiting for everyone to arrive. The early sunlight bathed the clearing in golden warmth, and she took a deep breath, savoring the quiet.
Do some training—that'll impress Sasuke-kun, she thought, rolling her shoulders and stretching her arms.
Sakura stepped into a basic stance, her mind already running through the forms they had practiced at the academy. She began with simple punches, her movements sharp and precise, gradually flowing into the defensive blocks and sweeps she'd been working to perfect.
Her body moved on autopilot, muscle memory guiding her as her thoughts wandered. He'll see how serious I am. Maybe he'll even comment on how much stronger I've gotten! She imagined Sasuke standing nearby, his arms crossed as he watched her with faint approval.
But the daydream faltered when her form wavered on a kick, and she stumbled slightly. She straightened immediately, her face heating in embarrassment, even though no one was watching yet.
Focus, Sakura! her sharper self chided. What's the point of training if you're just going to daydream the whole time?
Suddenly, the swirl of leaves and a faint flicker of movement broke her focus. She froze mid-punch, turning just in time to see Sasuke step into the clearing, his dark eyes focused on the scroll in his hands.
Her heart leapt, and she instinctively straightened her back, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her face. Flashing her brightest smile, she greeted him in her most cheerful voice. "Hello there, Sasuke-kun!"
Sasuke glanced up for the briefest moment, his expression unreadable, before returning his attention to the scroll.
He never did that in the academy.
She bit her lip, suppressing the silly grin that threatened to spread across her face. For a moment, her confidence soared. But then, like a cold gust of wind, doubt crept in.
Am I… sweaty?
Her smile faltered, and her fingers twitched as she brushed at her hair.
"Be cool, Sakura. Be cool," she muttered under her breath, her nerves building. The thought of Sasuke noticing something embarrassing about her was unbearable.
Before she could stop herself, she made a quick, decisive choice. "I'll be right back!" she announced, spinning on her heel and sprinting away from the training ground.
Sasuke barely glanced up as she ran off, his gaze flicking briefly in her direction before settling back on his scroll. He let out a faint sigh.
At least it's quiet now, he thought, the corners of his mouth twitching ever so slightly.
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An hour later, Sakura sat a few feet away from Naruto, staring blankly ahead as her mind replayed the utterly humiliating episode with Naruto and Kakashi. She clenched her fists, a blush creeping up her face as her inner self chimed in, unimpressed.
Maiden of war? Really? That's so cringe.
Sakura groaned inwardly.
Her thoughts spiraled as she began blaming Naruto for the whole ordeal. One moment, he was acting like the loud, obnoxious boy she'd known in the academy. Then the next, he was… different. Subtler, quieter. Like he was trying to be someone else.
Honestly, she couldn't tell if this was a new character he was playing or if that unpredictability was just who Naruto really was. Her inner voice, sharper and more skeptical, cut in.
Or maybe he just got mad in the academy, and this is still the same old Naruto.
Sakura sighed. That… actually makes sense. Fine, maybe Naruto is just Naruto. But still… where does he get this stuff?
Who cares? her inner self interjected bluntly.
Sakura nodded, shaking the thought away. She had better things to focus on than figuring out Naruto. Much better things. Like catching Sasuke-kun's attention.
Her thoughts drifted until Kakashi's voice cut through, pulling her back to the present.
"Today's our first real training day," Kakashi announced, standing lazily with his hands in his pockets. "Here's the plan: we'll go until noon, training each of you individually. After that, you'll get a two-hour rest before we meet some special people, and in the evening… our first mission."
Her breath caught, and her heart raced.
Our first mission!
Her mind immediately conjured a perfect image of the three of them—Team 7—standing tall and triumphant. Sasuke would be calm and heroic as ever, while she dazzled everyone with her cleverness and beauty. Naruto would… also be there. And then, as the sun set on their successful mission, Sasuke would finally look at her and confess his love.
Before her imagination could run further, Kakashi casually created three shadow clones, each one stepping forward and beckoning them to follow.
Sakura blinked, surprised. Wait… those are solid clones. She quickly realized what this meant. He's splitting himself up so he can teach us all individually. That's actually… kind of smart.
Her initial excitement dimmed as another thought crept in. Surely, he's going to personally train Sasuke, right? Maybe me too. After all, I have the best academic scores. That has to count for something.
But then her eyes followed the real Kakashi, and she froze in disbelief. He wandered over to a tree, stretched out under its shade, and laid down. With a casual yawn, he pulled out a familiar orange book and flipped it open.
Sakura's jaw dropped.
Are you kidding me?!
Her hand twitched, almost balling into a fist. She forced herself to take a deep breath, but her thoughts were already bubbling, sharp and unfiltered.
Shānnarō! Lazy bum! I'm standing here, ready to give it my all, and he's just lying there like it's nap time?! What kind of teacher does this?!
Her gaze then flicked to Sasuke. He didn't even bat an eye. His focus remained entirely on his scroll, as if this level of effort—or lack thereof—from Kakashi was exactly what he'd expected.
Of course Sasuke-kun doesn't care, Sakura thought, crossing her arms. He probably doesn't even need Kakashi-sensei's help. He's already so talented. Honestly, Sasuke could probably teach me something more useful than whatever this lazy old man has planned.
But even as she reassured herself, doubt gnawed at the edges of her confidence. What if my clone trainer doesn't actually push me? What if Sasuke's training is more intense, and he gets even further ahead?
The thought lit a fire inside her.
No. I won't let that happen. Lazy teacher or not, I'm going to give this everything I've got.
The Kakashi clone assigned to her waved her forward. "Let's go, Sakura."
Sakura felt a hand on her shoulder, and before she could process what was happening, the world around her twisted into a dizzying blur. Trees, leaves, and streaks of sunlight rushed past in a disorienting whirlwind, her stomach lurching violently with the motion.
The sudden stop hit her like a shockwave, and she stumbled forward, her legs shaky beneath her. Her vision spun, and she barely had time to steady herself before the nausea overwhelmed her. Leaning forward, she emptied her stomach, the sour taste of bile burning her throat. She coughed, spitting to clear the acidic tang from her mouth, her hands trembling as she tried to compose herself.
"W-What… was that?"
"That," Kakashi replied, "was the Shunshin no Jutsu. It's a high-speed travel technique. Hmm… now that I think about it, you're the only one on the team who doesn't know it."
"What? How?"
"Naruto learned it from Iruka, and Sasuke copied it from Naruto."
"Sasuke-kun is amazing."
Kakashi raised a brow at her. "And what about you?"
"What… what do you mean?"
Instead of answering, Kakashi handed her a folder with her name printed neatly on the front. Sakura hesitated, her fingers curling around the edge of the folder as if bracing herself for what she might find. With a deep breath, she opened it.
Her eyes scanned the page, her breath catching as the contents sank in. Line after line of evaluations stared back at her, harsh and unyielding. "F" in taijutsu. "F" in ninjutsu. Only her academic marks stood out, and even they felt hollow in this context.
Her hands trembled as she held the folder, her throat tightening with a painful lump she couldn't swallow.
"What… is this report?"
"It's my assessment of your current level as a ninja."
The words felt heavy, cutting into her pride.
"But… but I'm the top kunoichi in my class."
Kakashi's gaze was steady. "That may be the case, but tell me—what would happen if you fought Naruto or Sasuke right now? How long would you last? You saw what they were capable of during the bell test. What about you?"
The question hung in the air like a kunai aimed at her chest.
"I…" Sakura hesitated. She couldn't bring herself to say it out loud, but she knew. Sasuke was leagues ahead of her. And Naruto… she couldn't even imagine lasting against him for more than a few seconds.
"I am weak. Huh? Sensei."
Her inner voice, normally brash and quick to retort, stayed quiet this time, offering no snarky remark or sarcastic comeback.
"I see," Kakashi said, his tone softer now, though no less firm. "Acknowledging where you are is the first step to getting stronger, Sakura. It's okay to be weak right now, but staying that way isn't an option if you want to survive as a ninja."
His words stung, but there was a strange clarity in them.
"Yes, sensei."
Kakashi gave her an encouraging nod. "Good. Now, why not use that sharp mind of yours to figure out what you can do to improve, based on the report?"
His words gave her something to hold onto, a spark of direction amidst the sinking despair. She took a shaky breath, forcing herself to focus as she analyzed the report in her mind, picking through her glaring weaknesses and the faint glimmers of strengths.
"Sensei," she asked cautiously, "are there any areas where you rated me higher than Sasuke or Naruto?"
Kakashi's visible eye crinkled in approval. "Good question. Well, for starters, your chakra control is better than both of theirs. You also have a stronger academic foundation and an affinity for genjutsu according to your academy report."
She nodded slowly, though the answers felt bittersweet. Academics and chakra control… that's it? Those don't win fights.
Still, it's something. Build from there. You're not completely hopeless. Figure out how to turn what you're good at into something useful.
But the thought didn't anchor her—it only made her chest tighten further. This couldn't be it. She couldn't accept that the only things she was good at were chakra control and being book smart. Those were basic, foundational skills, not the kind of things that made a shinobi strong or respected. Not the kind of things that would make her stand out.
"No," she said. "That can't be everything. There has to be more."
"Oh? What do you mean, Sakura?"
Her throat felt tight, but she forced herself to push past it. "I… I didn't get to show you anything in the bell test. I know I didn't do much back then, but it doesn't mean I can't do anything." Her voice wavered slightly. "You said I have chakra control, right? Then test me again. Let me prove that I have more to offer. Just… give me another chance."
Kakashi threw a kunai at the ground, the blade landing with a soft thud. Sakura stared at it for a moment before a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
"Okay, sensei," she said. "What's the test?"
She looked up, ready for instructions—or maybe even a sparring match—but her breath hitched as she realized Kakashi was gone.
"Huh?!"
A cold voice from behind her made her freeze in place.
"S-Sakura…"
She turned slowly, her breath catching in her throat as her eyes fell on him—Sasuke.
Or rather, what was left of him.
Her knees almost buckled as the sight burned itself into her mind. His skin was pale and streaked with blood, deep cuts crisscrossing his body. One of his arms was completely gone, and his left eye was a hollow, bloody socket. His lifeless gaze bored into her, and dark blood trickled down his cheek in slow, gruesome streams.
Her breath hitched, and she staggered back, her hands flying to her mouth. Her mind screamed in protest, unable to process the horror in front of her.
This isn't real. This can't be real.
"Sasuke-kun…" she whispered, her voice trembling as her heart pounded against her ribs.
Her vision blurred, the nightmare consuming her entirely, and everything went dark.
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Sakura's eyes snapped open, her body jolting upright as a scream tore from her throat. She gasped for breath, her chest heaving as her frantic gaze darted around. The sunlight filtering through the trees was warm and real. The training ground came into focus—familiar and steadying.
And there he was. Sasuke. Whole, unharmed, standing just a few feet away, deep in thought.
The relief hit her like a tidal wave, and before she knew it, she was moving, closing the distance between them. Without thinking, she threw her arms around him, clinging to him with every ounce of strength she had. Her face pressed against his shoulder as the tears spilled freely, her body shaking.
"Sasuke-kun."
The sight of the last Uchiha in that genjutsu had shattered something deep inside her, and now, feeling the warmth of him—solid and alive—she couldn't bring herself to let go.
Sasuke stiffened, clearly caught off guard, but he didn't push her away. He stood awkwardly, his arms unmoving, his gaze shifting uncomfortably.
"Dobe, you hug like this," Naruto said, demonstrating an exaggerated motion.
Sasuke pushed Sakura away.
"Now that's the opposite of hugging," Naruto added with a pointed finger, as if lecturing the last Uchiha on basic human interaction.
Meanwhile, Sakura barely registered the exchange. Her mind felt distant, her body like it wasn't her own. She blinked once, twice, her eyes sliding over to Kakashi, who stood nearby, his attention buried in that stupid book.
"Sensei… what happened?"
Without even glancing up, Kakashi replied, "Genjutsu. I wanted to test how you'd react under an intense situation. Maybe even see if you can break out of it."
His tone was casual, indifferent, like this was just another lesson in a long line of many. But to Sakura, it wasn't. Her fists clenched at her sides as a horrible, sinking feeling settled in her chest.
She felt it all at once: the humiliation, the shame, the overwhelming sense of failure. Her mind raced as memories flashed before her—her insistence on proving herself, on questioning Kakashi's evaluation, on begging him for a second chance.
And this was what she'd done with it.
She swallowed hard, bile rising in her throat. She couldn't shake the crushing weight of it all.
"Sakura?" Kakashi's voice broke through her spiraling thoughts, quieter now, with an edge of concern.
Her eyes darted to him, but she couldn't meet his gaze for long. "I… I just need a minute," she murmured, her voice cracking slightly.
Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked toward the nearby lake, her feet heavy but determined. She needed space—away from Kakashi, from Sasuke, from Naruto. From the reality that she was the weakest link on this team.
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At the lake's edge, Sakura knelt, her hands trembling as she stared at her reflection in the water. The rippling surface blurred her face, but she could still see herself: the girl who'd thought she was so much more than this.
You're pathetic, Sakura thought bitterly. You had one chance to prove yourself, and what did you do? You panicked. You cried. You couldn't even tell it wasn't real.
Her nails dug into the dirt. She gritted her teeth, but it didn't stop the flood of thoughts from crashing over her.
You're the dead weight of Team 7. Sasuke doesn't need you. Naruto's lost interest in you. Even Kakashi-sensei probably regrets taking you on.
The words grew louder in her mind, each one driving deeper, relentless and cruel. They weren't coming from anyone else—just her. She didn't need an outside voice to remind her of her failures; she could do that all on her own.
Mom was right, she thought, the realization twisting in her stomach like a knife. I'm not strong enough to be a kunoichi. I should've trained harder. I should've listened to her instead of chasing after some boy who barely even looks at me.
She squeezed her eyes shut, but the tears spilled over anyway, hot and unforgiving as they streaked down her cheeks. Her fists clenched against her thighs, trembling as she tried to hold herself together, but the cracks were already there, and she felt them widening with every passing moment.
She hated herself in that moment—hated how right it all felt. Hated that she couldn't find anything, not even a single spark of hope, to cling to.
The soft crunch of footsteps behind her startled her, and she quickly wiped at her tears, though she knew it was pointless.
Kakashi sat down beside her, his presence quiet. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the gentle lapping of the lake the only sound between them.
"Am I…" she hesitated, her voice trembling. "Am I going to be sent back to the academy?"
"You're already a genin, Sakura. You're part of Team 7."
"But I don't have anything to offer," she whispered. "I'm the weakest one here. I don't have Sasuke's talent, or Naruto's… whatever bag of mysterious abilities and items. I don't even know why I'm here."
Kakashi didn't reply immediately. Instead, he leaned back slightly, gazing out at the water. "So what?"
"What?"
"So what if you're weak now?" Kakashi said. "Do you think the Sakura sitting here, right now, is the same Sakura you'll be in a week? A month? A year?"
"I… I don't know."
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"The answer is no," Kakashi said simply. "People change. They grow. Do you know I once had a teammate who was the weakest in our group? Barely scraped by in the academy. His chakra control was abysmal, his ninjutsu was atrocious, and his taijutsu was a mess. The only reason he even passed was because during the war Konoha hands out the title of genin if you can use chakra at all."
"What happened to him?"
Kakashi's visible eye softened. "He became one of the strongest people I've ever known."
Her breath hitched at that, a flicker of hope igniting in her chest despite herself.
"You see what I'm saying?" Kakashi asked, turning to look at her directly.
"I… I think so."
"I believe you can be an excellent kunoichi, Sakura," Kakashi said. "Don't doubt that. You've got the sharpest mind on this team, and I don't say that lightly. But you have to decide to put in the work. You can be all that, but it's up to you to get there."
Sakura exhaled shakily, wiping at her face again. "Thanks, sensei. I think I just… I just need some time to sort it all out. It's not every day your entire idea of yourself gets shattered."
"That's true," Kakashi said with a smile. "But shattering is the first step to rebuilding something stronger."
Meanwhile, Naruto was pacing nearby, his face twisted in worry.
"Sasuke, you're a monster," he finally declared, jabbing an accusing finger at the Uchiha.
"What are you talking about?"
"Look at what you did!" Naruto flailed his arms for emphasis. "If only you had hugged her back! A hug, teme! How hard is that?!"
Sasuke frowned, his expression unreadable. "Whatever," he muttered and turned to walk away.
But before he could take another step, Naruto lunged forward, grabbing the back of Sasuke's shirt like a desperate man clinging to hope.
"Oh, no you don't!" Naruto shouted. "You're going to hug her. Right now."
"What?" Sasuke whipped his head around, glaring at Naruto. "No. Let go of me, dobe."
"Go hug her, you emotionally stunted iceberg! This might be the only chance you ever get for a woman's touch!"
Sasuke's eye twitched, his patience officially gone. "I said, let go!"
What happened next was something neither of them would forget anytime soon.
There was a loud, tearing sound as Sasuke yanked himself free. Naruto stumbled back, holding a large piece of black fabric in his hands, blinking in confusion.
The air grew heavy as Sasuke slowly realized what had just happened. His once pristine black shirt was now a tattered mess, with most of the front ripped clean off, exposing his pale chest to the world.
Naruto stared at the scrap of cloth in his hand, then at Sasuke's exposed chest, then back at the cloth.
"Er… oops?" Naruto offered weakly, a nervous laugh bubbling up as he slowly took a step back.
For a moment, there was silence. And then it happened.
"DOOOOOOOBE!"
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Kakashi paused, his single eye lazily sweeping over his team of fresh-faced genin. Despite their outward calm, each one seemed to be carrying their own brand of chaos. Sakura was deep in thought. Sasuke, on the other hand, looked like he'd been forced into something profoundly humiliating. His expression was one of barely-contained disdain, all because he was wearing the strange tattered cloth robes that Naruto had handed him earlier.
Naruto had insisted they were his "pyromancer clothes," a statement that confused everyone, including Kakashi.
Pyromancer clothes? Kakashi mused, watching Sasuke tug at the frayed fabric with a scowl. Were these related to how Naruto trained his fire jutsu? Or maybe… it's something else entirely.
The thought tugged at him, poking at the mystery that was Naruto Uzumaki. But he shook it off for now and addressed his team.
"Remember what I told you," Kakashi said, his voice slicing through the silence. "At noon, we're going to meet another team."
Sakura's face tightened slightly at the announcement. A flicker of worry crossed her features, and Kakashi didn't miss the way she bit her lip. Please don't let it be Ino's team, she thought, anxiety bubbling in her chest. The last thing she needed was for Ino to see her flustered and out of sorts—especially with Sasuke here.
"Why?"
"Well," Kakashi began, "I thought it'd be good for you three to learn from your senpais what being a genin really entails. Just a simple social gathering."
He left out his real intention: fostering a little healthy competition between Team 7 and Team 3. He hoped that rivalry would help them grow closer as a team instead of constantly being at odds with each other.
Kakashi pulled a pocket watch from his vest, flipping it open and eyeing the time. His gaze shifted back to his students as he started a countdown in his usual unhurried manner.
"Ten… nine… eight…"
Sakura exchanged a quick, bewildered glance with Naruto, who mirrored her confusion.
Sasuke discreetly tugged at the collar of the robe and caught a faint whiff. Instantly, his face twisted in barely-contained disgust. Of course, the dobe never washes his clothes, he thought bitterly. He made a mental note to throw the robe into the nearest fire pit the moment Kakashi stopped paying attention. Honestly, if Kakashi hadn't insisted he wear this ridiculous thing, he'd have incinerated it on the spot when Naruto first offered it to him.
As Kakashi reached "one," a loud, booming voice shattered the calm.
"Kakashi! My fire of youth has allowed me to be here on time!"
The voice was proud and impossibly loud, almost echoing through the clearing. Team 7 turned in unison, their eyes widening as they took in the man who had seemingly materialized behind Kakashi.
He stood tall, radiating confidence and energy. His fair skin and strong jawline were accentuated by a… unique sense of fashion. A green jumpsuit clung to his muscular frame like a second skin, orange-striped leg warmers covering his calves. His flak jacket was fashionably unzipped, and his gleaming red forehead protector was tied like a belt around his waist. But the real standout features were his impossibly shiny bowl cut and the thickest, boldest eyebrows Team 7 had ever seen.
"Is this… some kind of genjutsu?"
Sasuke didn't even glance at Naruto. "I've been trying to break out of this genjutsu ever since you handed me these ridiculous clothes."
"Shut up! Those are quality pyromancer robes!" Naruto shot back. "If you ask nicely, I'll even give you the matching hood and pants."
"If I ask nicely, can I set them on fire?"
"Fuck you, Sasuke."
As if on cue, another figure appeared beside the man, standing ramrod straight with military precision. The boy looked like a miniature version of the older man—the same polished bowl cut, the same bushy eyebrows, and the exact same green jumpsuit. The only noticeable differences were the boy's wide, round eyes with prominent lower lashes and the bandages wrapped tightly around his forearms.
"Guy-sensei!" the boy exclaimed loudly. "I'm sorry, but I was a second late!"
The older man let out a thunderous laugh, slapping the boy on the back so hard it made Team 7 flinch. "A second late, Lee? HAHAHA! Then give me a hundred sit-ups as punishment!"
"YES, GUY-SENSEI! THANK YOU, GUY-SENSEI!" the boy—Lee—shouted before dropping to the ground. He began his sit-ups immediately, his form perfect and precise, each count executed with an intensity that left Team 7 speechless.
"Are we… supposed to do that too?"
Sakura shook her head, wide-eyed, unable to form a coherent response to Naruto.
"Weirdos, am I right?" a confident, teasing voice cut through the tension, making Team 7 turn their heads toward the new arrival.
A girl with dark hair tied into two buns and sharp, observant gray eyes stood casually off to the side, a kunai balancing effortlessly on her fingertip. She had an easy confidence about her, a smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth. Her outfit was practical yet stylish—a sleeveless pink qipao-style blouse with red trimmings and yellow buttons, paired with dark green pants. A pouch strapped to her thigh swayed slightly as she shifted her weight.
She gave them an appraising look before throwing the kunai into the air and catching it with practiced ease.
"Am I right, Neji?"
"This is a waste of time," came a calm, almost dismissive voice from above.
A boy stepped out of the shadow of the branches, moving with a quiet grace. He had pale skin and long, dark hair that framed his sharp features, tied into a loose ponytail that flowed behind him. His white, featureless eyes, tinted faintly lavender in the sunlight, settled on Team 7 with a detached, almost bored expression.
"Why bother socializing? None of them are at our level."
"What'd you say, you smug—"
"Ah, Team 3 has arrived!" Guy's booming voice interrupted, his tone brimming with enthusiasm. "What do you think of my youthful team introduction, Kakashi?"
"Hmm? Did you say something, Guy?"
Guy's expression fell, his fist tightening dramatically as he muttered, "Curse you, Kakashi! Always pretending not to notice my brilliance!"
"Rival?" Sasuke's voice broke the moment, his brows furrowing as he glanced between Guy and Kakashi.
In a blur of green, Guy suddenly appeared behind Team 7.
Guy caught Naruto's reaction with a small, pleased smile. Interesting… He tracked my movement. And that strange armor of his… Guy's sharp eyes focused on their feet, his keen gaze assessing the weight distribution with meticulous precision. I wonder how it would respond to the Gentle Fist. Kakashi, my eternal rival, it seems you've gathered quite the youthful team.
"Yes!" Guy declared with theatrical pride, striking a pose that caused the sunlight to gleam dramatically off his forehead protector. "We are eternal rivals!"
Team 7 looked on in disbelief.
"In fact, my record against Kakashi is fifty wins to forty-nine losses! That's right—I am stronger than your sensei!"
Naruto's jaw dropped, and he let out a loud, incredulous, "What?! No way!" He spun toward Kakashi, waving his arms wildly. "Sensei, tell me this isn't true! Tell me you're stronger than… than Bushy Brows Senior over here!"
"Oh, yeah, sure. I only lost last time because I needed to buy the new Icha Icha release."
As soon as the words left Kakashi's mouth, Guy's face lit up, and he was in Kakashi's personal space, his eyes blazing with intensity. "So, that's how it is, Kakashi! You're saying you weren't giving it your all? Then let's settle it right here and now—a rematch! One thousand laps around Hokage Mountain!"
Kakashi sighed, his expression unchanging. "Guy, I'm busy."
"Busy?!" Guy repeated, aghast. "What could be more important than rekindling the flames of our rivalry?"
"Reading."
"Team 3! Socialize with Team 7 while I go secure my youthful victory!"
Before anyone could protest, Guy kicked up a cloud of dust and vanished in a blur of green, leaving the two teams standing awkwardly in his wake.
Kakashi let out another tired sigh, already walking away with his book in hand. "Yeah, socialize," he said over his shoulder, his tone completely indifferent.
"Wait, Sensei, where are you going?!"
Kakashi gave a half-hearted wave. "To find a quiet place to read. Don't cause too much trouble."
And with that, he was gone, leaving the two teams standing together in awkward silence.
Naruto turned to Sasuke and Sakura, looking completely bewildered. "What just happened?"
Sakura, still processing everything, could only shrug.
Tenten, however, grinned, breaking the silence. "Don't worry. You get used to it."
"I don't know if I want to get used to it."
Tenten giggled, her laughter ringing out clearly, and Naruto's face lit up with pride. It wasn't every day a girl laughed at his jokes, let alone an older female.
Neji, however, was less than amused. His pale eyes flicked over Sasuke's tattered robes, a faint sneer curling at the edges of his mouth. "Is this how the last of the Uchiha carries himself?"
Sasuke's Sharingan activated with a faint red glow, his expression calm but cold. "Maybe you'd like to test why this robe has so many marks of fire."
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. Sasuke defending the clothes he gave him? Maybe Sasuke wasn't so bad after all—
"Hey, Naruto," Sasuke interrupted, tugging at the collar of the robe as if noticing something unpleasant. "Wash this with fire after we're done here."
"I take back every nice thing I ever thought about you!"
"I'll survive."
"This is a waste of time. I'm going back to training," Neji muttered coldly, turning to walk away. "You coming, Tenten?"
But Tenten didn't respond. Her eyes were locked onto Naruto, or more specifically, the armor he was wearing. She tilted her head, studying it intently—the craftsmanship, the weight, the metal plating—and the faintest hint of fascination crept into her expression.
Sakura noticed the look, her brow furrowing. "Is she… drooling?"
Neji noticed as well. "Fate plays strange tricks," he muttered. "Granting valuable things to the unworthy." With that cryptic remark, he turned and walked off, leaving the rest of them thoroughly confused.
Meanwhile, Rock Lee was still on the ground, hammering out sit-ups as if his life depended on it.
"Forty-seven! Forty-eight! Forty-nine!"
Tenten shook her head, clearly exasperated by her teammates, and then turned her full attention back to Team 7. "Well, on behalf of Team 3, I'm Tenten," she said. "The guy down there doing sit-ups is Rock Lee, and the one who just stormed off in a huff? That's Neji Hyuga."
Then, with a deliberate step forward, her gaze settled on Naruto. Her smirk deepened, and her tone shifted to something lighter, teasing, almost flirtatious. "And who are you, handsome?"
"Uh… I'm, uh… Naruto Uzumaki!"
"Naruto Uzumaki," Tenten repeated, her voice velvety, as if she were savoring the name. She took another step closer, her movements deliberate, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she looked him up and down.
Sakura and Sasuke's jaws dropped.
Tenten's hand reached out, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of the armor Naruto wore. Her touch lingered as her eyes locked onto his. "This armor of yours… it's incredible."
Naruto swallowed hard, his face burning brighter. "Uh… thanks?"
"I'd do anything to get my hands on something like this," Tenten added, leaning in closer, her fingers gliding along the plating with the confidence of someone who knew exactly how flustered she was making him.
Naruto's heart was pounding so loudly he was sure everyone could hear it. He took a tiny step back, but Tenten only followed, her smile turning playful.
She tilted her head, looking up at him through her lashes as she leaned just a breath away from his ear. "So… what do you say? Would you share it with me?"
Naruto was utterly overwhelmed, his brain short-circuiting as every word seemed to echo louder than the last. For a moment, it looked like he might combust on the spot.
"I-I—uh—" he stammered, his voice cracking as he stumbled back another step, his hands flying up to cover the armor protectively. "T-this armor is special to me!" he blurted out. "I can't just… I mean, no offense, but I can't just—uh—give it away!"
Tenten leaned back, laughing softly, clearly enjoying his reaction. "Relax, Naruto," she said, raising her hands in mock surrender. "I was only teasing."
Naruto's shoulders sagged with relief, but his face was still bright red as he mumbled, "Oh… right. Teasing. Cool. Ha-ha…"
Sasuke and Sakura were still staring, both completely caught off guard by the entire exchange.
"What… just happened?"
"A miracle," Sasuke responded to Sakura.
Naruto, desperate to escape the situation, quickly retreated to the side of the clearing, pulling out the Uzumaki clan book and burying his face in it, refusing to look at anyone.
Tenten watched him go, her smirk softening into something almost fond. "Cute."
"Do you need to see a doctor?"
"Why?"
"You were just…" Sakura leaned in, lowering her voice to a whisper. "Flirting with Naruto."
Tenten blinked, then laughed lightly. "Oh, that? That was just my way of relaxing him."
"Relaxing him? For what?"
"For his armor," Sasuke cut in.
Sakura gave an awkward laugh, trying to defuse the tension. "Uh… senpai, maybe don't try that again. Naruto's really… protective of that armor." She hesitated, recalling what Naruto had done to Kiba for making fun of it. "It's… important to him."
"Play stupid games, win stupid prizes," Sasuke warned, his gaze shifting to Tenten with mild disdain.
Tenten smirked, unbothered by the icy reception. "I think you two might have the wrong idea. I wasn't trying to steal anything. I was just making Naruto feel comfortable so I could find out where he got such awesome armor. You can't exactly buy something like that at your local smithy."
Sasuke and Sakura exchanged a look, their expressions suddenly shifting as realization dawned.
"Wait," Tenten continued. "Did you actually think I was trying to seduce Naruto and then steal his armor?"
Sakura's nervous laugh was all the confirmation Tenten needed, and she burst into laughter. Sakura joined in hesitantly, trying to play off her embarrassment.
"I wouldn't underestimate him if I were you," Sasuke said bluntly, cutting through the levity. "Naruto's master had it commissioned from somewhere."
Tenten's curiosity flared, but Sasuke offered no further explanation, too busy tugging at the collar of the itchy robe Naruto had given him. With a quiet sigh, she realized she wasn't going to get more out of him.
"Boys," Tenten said with a wry smile, extending a hand toward Sakura.
Sakura chuckled, taking her hand with a nod. "You can say that again."
The brief camaraderie between the two girls was interrupted by a loud, triumphant shout from across the field.
"Ninety-eight! Ninety-nine! One hundred!" Rock Lee's voice boomed as he leapt to his feet, striking a dramatic pose. His green jumpsuit practically shimmered in the sunlight as he looked around, his eyes immediately locking onto Sakura.
"Sakura Haruno!" Lee announced grandly, striking a gallant pose. "Your beauty blooms like a thousand cherry blossoms in spring! Would you do me the honor of joining me for tea? Or perhaps a moonlit stroll under the stars?"
"Oh, uh…"
Tenten slapped a hand to her forehead, letting out a long sigh. "Lee… we just got here."
Sakura managed a polite smile, though her awkwardness was obvious. "That's… really nice of you, Lee, but I'm not really looking to, um, date anyone right now."
Lee's face fell briefly, but his recovery was as quick as it was dramatic. His eyes shone with determination as he gave her a firm thumbs-up, his grin returning full force. "I understand, Sakura! My flames of youth shall continue to burn brightly for you regardless!"
He threw her an exaggerated wink, so intense it looked like he was trying to ignite a spark through sheer willpower.
"Uh… thanks, Lee," she mumbled, shooting a quick look at Tenten, who gave her a sympathetic shrug.
Lee walked up to Sasuke, who had just taken off the itchy pyromancer robe and unceremoniously tossed it at Naruto's face.
"Will you fight me… Sasuke Uchiha?"
Naruto pulled the robe off his head, glaring at Sasuke before glancing at Lee.
"Armor—"
"No." Sasuke cut Naruto off, locking eyes with Lee. "I'll handle this."
Without another word, Sasuke stepped into the center of the training ground.
Meanwhile, Tenten sighed loudly. "I don't think this is the 'socialization' your handsome sensei had in mind."
"Does he…" Sakura hesitated, glancing at Lee, who was now bouncing lightly on his toes, his fists clenched in readiness. "Does he always ask girls out like that?"
"Pretty much." Tenten shrugged. "Lee's got a good heart, but subtlety isn't exactly in his vocabulary. He'll ask any girl he thinks is cute out for tea. If you gave him five minutes, he'd probably write you a love letter in perfect calligraphy and deliver it by hand with flowers."
Sakura couldn't help but laugh, though she quickly bit her lip when Lee sent her a quick, encouraging thumbs-up. "What is it with this team and asking people out?" she muttered under her breath, before snorting at an idea that popped into her head. "Just imagine if Neji asked Sasuke out…"
Tenten froze, her wide eyes blinking once before she burst into loud, unrestrained laughter. Clapping her hands, she doubled over, tears forming in her eyes. "Oh, please, that would be priceless! Neji? Asking someone out? That guy thinks emotions are a liability!"
Sakura chuckled. "He'd probably write a dissertation about why romance is pointless before even considering it."
As their laughter filled the clearing, Lee and Sasuke squared off in the center of the training ground. Sakura leaned closer to Tenten, lowering her voice. "So… who do you think is going to win?"
"You'll be surprised."
----------------------------------------
Lee shifted into his stance, one arm extended forward, palm open, while the other rested at his lower back. His feet slid slightly apart, his weight evenly balanced. He began to sway ever so slightly, like a leaf in the wind, his movements fluid and light.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. With a burst of speed, he dashed forward, closing the gap in seconds. He swung a punch aimed straight at Lee's face.
Lee moved like a blur. He spun low, his back leg whipping around in a wide arc—Leaf Whirlwind! The kick came so fast that the air seemed to hum with its force.
Sasuke barely had time to react. He crossed his arms in a hasty block, but the sheer speed and power of Lee's kick broke through his guard, the impact slamming into his ribs. Sasuke's body lifted off the ground, twisting midair before he hit the dirt, skidding several feet back.
Naruto winced. "That looked like it hurt."
Sasuke kipped up with a burst of energy, his body flipping gracefully as he landed back on his feet in one smooth motion. His Sharingan burned brightly, the tomoe spinning as his jaw clenched in frustration.
"This time it will be different," Sasuke growled, brushing the dirt off his sleeve. "With the Sharingan, I am invincible!"
Lee didn't say a word. He simply smiled, his posture light and almost carefree as he adjusted his stance. In a split second, his body flickered—one moment he was standing in front of Sasuke, the next he was gone.
Sasuke's Sharingan tracked the movement too late. He felt it before he saw it—a sharp impact under his chin. Lee's upward kick connected cleanly, his foot snapping Sasuke's head back with precision.
The force of the kick sent Sasuke soaring into the air, his body twisting helplessly as he flew upward. Lee was already moving, vanishing again in a blur of speed. Before Sasuke could regain his balance midair, Lee appeared above him, his leg coming down in a punishing axe kick aimed at Sasuke's chest.
Sasuke managed to twist at the last second, narrowly avoiding the full force of the kick, but the shockwave sent him hurtling toward the ground.
Naruto darted forward, his arms outstretched just in time to catch Sasuke's limp body before it could crash into the dirt. He stumbled slightly from the weight but managed to stay upright, staring at Sasuke, who was completely knocked out.
"Wow, teme," Naruto said, glancing down at the unconscious boy in his arms. "If you'd worn my armor, you might've survived long enough to actually fight back."
Sakura's jaw hung open, disbelief etched across her face.
Sasuke lost.
Her mind scrambled to process it, but no matter how many ways she replayed the fight, the conclusion was the same. Sasuke, the top student of their class, had been knocked out cold.
"Of course there are bigger fish out there," Tenten said casually, snapping Sakura out of her daze.
"Yeah," Sakura murmured, her head nodding absently. Today felt like a rude awakening, a slap of reality she hadn't expected.
"So…" Tenten's voice shifted, pulling Sakura from her spiraling thoughts. "What's it like being on a team with Sasuke Uchiha? All I've heard is that he's a genius, and judging by his form just now…" She glanced at Sasuke, still propped against a tree where Naruto had dumped him. "…I can see why people say that."
"Yeah, he's… well, he's Sasuke. Top of the class, good at pretty much everything, and totally out of everyone's league. He's intense, though. Always pushing himself harder than anyone else, like he's got something to prove."
"Sounds like Neji," Tenten said with a knowing nod. "He's got the Byakugan, so he has this insane perception advantage no one else can match. And it's not just that—he has techniques that only someone from his clan could even dream of learning. It feels almost unfair sometimes." Her gaze softened slightly. "But… I guess that's why he's my benchmark. He's always ahead, and I've been playing catch-up since the day we met."
"I know exactly what you mean! No matter how much I study or how hard I train, Sasuke's always ten steps ahead. It's like I'm running a race I'll never win."
Tenten let out a short laugh, but her eyes wandered. Her focus shifted to Naruto, or more specifically, the massive Zweihander strapped to his back. Her eyes widened slightly, captivated by the craftsmanship of the blade—the sheer size of it, the intricate details.
It's like looking into a mirror.
The older girl chuckled at the thought and shook her head, tearing her gaze away from the blade. "You know, it's kind of funny…"
"What's funny?"
"The similarities between our teams," Tenten explained, her smile turning thoughtful. "Both teams have the top student and top kunoichi from the graduating class. And then…" She smirked, glancing at Naruto. "The so-called 'dead-last,' who's somehow turned out to be one of the most surprising and capable members of the group."
Sakura blinked, her surprise obvious. "Wait… you mean Lee was…?"
"Yup." Tenten nodded, her smirk widening. "Lee was the one who couldn't perform a single jutsu—not even the Clone Technique. He couldn't do ninjutsu, couldn't do genjutsu, and he bombed academically. But…" Her gaze softened as it flicked to Lee. "He trained harder than anyone else I've ever met. And now? He's the only person who can challenge Neji."
Sakura stared, her disbelief clear. "That's… unbelievable." She looked down, her voice dropping to a quiet murmur. "At least you're strong, Tenten-senpai… I'm just… weak."
Tenten frowned and nudged her gently. "Hey, don't sell yourself short. You were the top kunoichi in your class, weren't you?"
Sakura's shoulders slumped, and her smile faded into something small and bitter. "Does that even matter when I'm practically the weakest link on my team? I mean, I can't even keep up with Sasuke or Naruto. It feels like… like I'm always going to be left behind."
Tenten tilted her head, studying Sakura thoughtfully for a moment. "Why do you have to keep up with them?"
Sakura blinked, startled by the question. "What do you mean?"
"Well… isn't that what being on a team is about?" Sakura asked hesitantly, her voice trailing off. "I thought we were supposed to all be equal…"
Tenten crouched down, brushing a hand across the dirt and drawing three interlocking circles. She looked up, motioning for Sakura to follow her gaze. "Think of a team like a machine. Each team member is a cog in that machine. What do you think happens if all these cogs are spinning at different speeds or if they're all just trying to outdo each other?"
"The machine… breaks?"
"Not exactly," Tenten said, meeting her eyes. "The machine might still work, but it won't last. All those cogs, competing and pushing against each other, will wear themselves down until they stop spinning altogether." She sighed. "Our team went through that. I spent so much time trying to keep up with Neji's natural talent and Lee's insane drive that I didn't stop to think about what I could contribute. I just kept trying to match their strengths. And you know what happened?"
"What?"
"We were a mess. We completely failed the Chunin Exams last year."
Sakura blinked in surprise. "You… failed?"
"Yep," Tenten said with a shrug. "And honestly, it was embarrassing. We were so out of sync that we almost got split up as a team after that. Things only changed because we stopped thinking of it as a competition and started figuring out how we could work together. Instead of trying to outdo Neji's precision or Lee's stamina, I focused on what they didn't have. I figured out how I could fill in the gaps, and that's when things started clicking. I stopped trying to be the cog that spun the fastest and became the one that kept the whole machine running."
Sakura stared at her, processing the words in silence. She thought about her own team—how she'd spent so much time worrying about how far ahead Sasuke and Naruto were. It had never occurred to her to look at things differently.
So… I don't have to be like them?
Tenten shook her head firmly, a kind smile on her face. "Not at all. You don't have to keep up with them. You have to be you. There's nothing wrong with being weaker than your teammates if it pushes you to find your own strengths. But if you waste all your time trying to be something you're not, you'll never figure out what makes you stand out."
Sakura's gaze dropped to the dirt, her fingers lightly tracing the circles Tenten had drawn.
"You're stronger than you give yourself credit for. You were the top kunoichi, right? There must have been something you excelled at in the academy."
Sakura hesitated for a moment, thinking back. "Well… I've always been good at chakra control. And I have a really good memory. I could memorize things almost instantly."
"Chakra control and a great memory? That's impressive. There are so many things you could do with skills like that—medical ninjutsu, genjutsu, barrier ninjutsu… You've got a lot of options."
Sakura blinked, a little overwhelmed by the possibilities. "What would you recommend?"
"That depends. What are you most confident in?"
"Well…" Sakura paused, remembering her shaky attempt at Kakashi's genjutsu test. "I'm not totally confident in my chakra control… but I am confident in my ability to study and memorize things."
Tenten nodded, her smile widening. "Then I'd suggest Barrier Ninjutsu. It takes a strong memory and chakra control—most people don't have the skill for it. But if you put in the work, you might be naturally suited for it."
"Barrier Ninjutsu? I've… never even heard about that before."
"See?" Tenten grinned. "You already have a unique edge. It's all about finding the right way to use it. And hey, if you ever want to spar, work on taijutsu, or even try kenjutsu, let me know. Us kunoichi have to stick together, right?"
"Thank you, Tenten-senpai."
----------------------------------------
Naruto turned to Rock Lee, a grin spreading across his face as he declared, "Rock Lee, you've defeated my teammate. I must avenge him!"
Lee's face lit up with pure excitement, his teeth flashing in a bright smile as he struck a dramatic pose. "Yosh! Come at me, Naruto-kun! Let us test the flames of our youth!"
Naruto smirked, sliding his helmet down over his head with a satisfying click. He reached back, grabbing his Zweihander and swinging it into a wide, sweeping arc as he charged at Lee. The massive blade sliced through the air with an audible whoosh, but Lee leapt into the air, twisting his body mid-spin as he came down with a powerful kick aimed at Naruto's shoulder.
GONG!
The sound reverberated across the training ground as Lee's kick connected with Naruto's armor. Lee landed a few feet away, flicking his foot as he eyed Naruto's armor with wide-eyed amazement.
"Never…" Lee murmured, flexing his toes. "Never have I encountered armor that could take the force of my weights without even a dent!"
Naruto hummed, shifting his stance. The Zweihander was too slow against Lee's incredible speed, so with a thought, he switched it out for his hand axe. The smaller weapon gleamed as he spun it in his hand, testing its balance. It wasn't as powerful, but it was faster—and Lee demanded speed.
"Naruto-kun! Show me your resolve!"
Naruto didn't hesitate. He darted forward, the hand axe swinging in a tight arc toward Lee's ribs. Lee ducked under it with inches to spare, pivoting into a lightning-fast palm strike aimed at Naruto's chest. Naruto twisted, blocking the strike with his forearm before retaliating with a sharp upward slash.
The axe's edge whistled past Lee's cheek as he flipped backward, his feet barely touching the ground before he launched himself back toward Naruto. His fist shot forward, but Naruto sidestepped it, spinning into a backhand swing of his axe.
Lee blocked the strike with his forearm, the force sliding him back a few inches as his feet dug into the dirt. He retaliated with a whirlwind of kicks, each one faster than the last.
The fight turned into a flurry of movement, the clang of metal against bone echoing across the training ground.
Lee darted in low, spinning into a sweeping kick aimed at Naruto's legs. Naruto jumped, the axe slicing downward midair. Lee flipped backward, dodging by a hair's breadth as the blade embedded itself into the ground where he'd just been.
Naruto landed and smirked. "You're quick, but…"
He suddenly feinted with the axe, shifting his weight as he unequipped it mid-swing. Before Lee could react, Naruto's fist shot forward in a straight jab. He poured his strength into it, his chakra enhancing the force of the blow.
CRACK!
Lee was flung backward, skidding across the dirt before coming to a stop. His arm dangled at an odd angle, and as he glanced down at it, a wide grin spread across his face. "Naruto-kun! You dislocated my shoulder!"
Before Naruto could respond, Lee grabbed his shoulder and, in one swift motion, popped it back into place with a loud pop. He rotated his arm with ease, the grin never leaving his face.
"I am going to take this seriously now!"
Suddenly, Lee vanished.
Naruto's eyes widened as he turned, searching for him. A kick landed against his back, but when he spun to retaliate, no one was there. Another kick struck his side, followed by one to his leg. Each blow came from a different angle, faster than Naruto could follow.
Well, Way of Focality easily tracked the boy's movements; it was just that Naruto's body wasn't able to respond quickly enough.
He reached back and re-equipped his Zweihander, raising the massive blade in both hands. He stood still, waiting.
Lee reappeared in front of him, his leg drawn back for another high-speed kick. But this time, Naruto was ready.
With a mighty swing, Naruto brought the Zweihander down in a downward arc.
A loud bang echoed across the training ground as a blur of green and silver clashed in midair. When the dust settled, Guy-sensei was standing between Naruto and Lee, his hand gripping Naruto's Zweihander mid-swing and catching Lee's kick with his other hand. His expression was stern, more serious than either Sakura or Tenten had ever seen before.
"Lee!" Guy barked. "This isn't socializing!"
Everyone sweatdropped.
"Sensei!" Lee cried. "A spar can be argued to be the most youthful form of socializing!"
"Uh… is it?" Naruto mumbled, scratching the back of his helmet.
Sakura and Tenten sighed. "Only on this team…"
"No excuses!" Guy's eyes blazed with fiery intensity as he glared down at his student. "If you are truly dedicated to the path of youth, you must accept the consequences of your failures! Now, give me one thousand laps around the forest!"
Lee's jaw dropped slightly, but he didn't argue. "Yosh!" He took off into the trees, his figure quickly disappearing into the distance.
Naruto lowered his sword, his excitement deflating as he watched Lee vanish. "Aww… I wanted to keep going," he muttered, clearly disappointed.
Guy turned to him, shaking his head. "Patience, Naruto-kun! Battles of youth must also teach us restraint!"
Behind them, Kakashi gave Guy a look. "Quite the speech, Guy. Really inspiring. Maybe you should also learn restraint."
"Do not mock the flames of my youth, Kakashi!"
Kakashi didn't bother replying, simply flipping a page in his book.
As the dust settled, Sakura found herself turning to Tenten, a question bubbling up in her chest before she could stop it. "Tenten-senpai… what's your dream?"
Tenten's face softened at the question, her gaze drifting into the distance. "My dream?" she repeated, her voice thoughtful. "I want to be a legendary kunoichi. Someone young girls can look up to, someone they can admire. Like Tsunade." Her tone grew steadier. "She's strong, brilliant, beautiful—everything a kunoichi can aspire to be. I want to be like that someday."
Sakura felt her chest tighten. Tenten's words were so confident, so full of purpose. It made Sakura feel… small. Tenten had a vision, a goal so much bigger than herself. Meanwhile, Sakura couldn't even picture her future beyond her infatuation with Sasuke.
"Th-that's a beautiful dream, Tenten-senpai."
"What about you, Sakura? What's your dream?"
Sakura froze, the question making her heart sink. She didn't know what to say. She felt… embarrassed. What could she admit? That her only dream revolved around a boy who barely acknowledged her?
"I… I don't know," she finally said, her voice quiet, almost ashamed.
"Are you ashamed of your dreams, Sakura?"
Sakura's head snapped up, her cheeks flushing. "N-no! It's just… I don't really have anything important," she admitted. "Not like you."
Tenten chuckled softly. "You know," she began, "my dream wasn't always so… noble. When I was younger, I thought my dream was to get Neji to notice me."
"You… you did?"
"Yup." Tenten gave a small, self-deprecating laugh. "Back then, I thought that if he noticed me, if he acknowledged me, then I'd feel like I mattered—like I was achieving something."
"What… what changed?"
Tenten's expression turned thoughtful, her gaze drifting again. "One day, I realized I didn't want to live my life in someone else's shadow. I didn't want my worth to depend on whether or not someone else saw me. I wanted to stand on my own, to have something that was mine. So, I let that go. I found a new dream—a bigger one. One that made me excited to wake up every day."
Sakura felt a pang in her chest. "But… what if I don't have anything like that?" she asked softly, her voice full of frustration. "What if I'm just… empty?"
Tenten reached out, placing a steady hand on Sakura's shoulder. "Dreams aren't always waiting for you, Sakura. Sometimes, you have to go out and find them."
"You think I'll find it by trying Barrier Ninjutsu?" Sakura asked hesitantly.
"You'll have to start somewhere, right?"