"Get down, Sakura! Sasuke, at two o'clock!"
Naruto landed on a thick branch that creaked under his weight. He kept his breathing rhythmic and controlled as he watched the moisture of the Forest of Death dissipate the smoke from his last paper bomb trap.
"I've got them!" Sakura rolled across the root-covered ground, pushing herself up with one hand. "Three wild chakra signatures moving in an arc. They're hunting us."
Sasuke landed beside Naruto and sheathed his kunai. His fingers trembled slightly after the movement.
"My left side is still reacting slowly," Sasuke muttered, gritting his teeth. "Eighty percent strength isn't enough in a place like this. It hurts every time I jump."
"Grandma was clear, Sasuke," Naruto said, looking at him out of the corner of his eye with a warning expression. "If you force your chakra flow now, you'll suffer serious internal damage before the test ends. You have to hold back."
"Tsunade-sama isn't exaggerating, Sasuke-kun," Sakura added, stepping between them. "I'll handle area defense and Naruto will take the frontal assault. We have to prioritize our survival over your pride."
Sasuke let out a short huff, looking toward the dark foliage where something snapped a branch with a dry crack. "I'm not questioning her medical judgment. It just bothers me to depend on you. I'm not used to being the team's burden."
"You aren't a burden," Naruto replied while signaling for silence with his hand. "Look at that. Down there."
Between the massive roots of a tree, three giant tigers emerged from the shadows. Their eyes were yellow and acid saliva dripped from their maws, making the ground smoke. They made no noise as they walked, despite their large size.
"They're Beasts," Sakura whispered, pulling a scroll from her medical kit. "They're hungry. Naruto, use two clones to create a noise distraction to the east. I'll lead them toward the trap corridor I left near the creek."
"Got it," Naruto said. Two clouds of smoke appeared beside him. "You two, make some noise! Make them think we're hurt!"
The clones jumped away yelling and clashing their headbands together. The beasts roared, making the air vibrate, and lunged after the clones into the thick brush.
Sasuke watched the scene, impressed by how fluidly Naruto and Sakura communicated. It seemed that during the time he spent unconscious in the hospital, they had made considerable progress in their coordination.
"You two work well together," Sasuke commented, activating his Sharingan. The red glow lit up his face. "It's clear you've practiced how to cover each other."
"We had to learn to survive alone while you were in the hospital," Sakura responded, giving his shoulder a quick pat. "But we're glad to have you back. Get ready. The beasts will realize it's a trick soon."
"Here they come back!" Naruto yelled.
The tigers had eliminated the clones and returned with fury. One of them leaped toward the branch where they stood, covering the distance in an instant.
"Impact Wall!" Sakura punched the branch with her chakra-loaded fist before the tiger could land.
The shockwave diverted the beast and split the solid wood, sending splinters flying in every direction. The tiger hit the ground but recovered immediately.
"Sasuke, now! Use fire so they don't flank us!" Naruto shouted as he dropped to the ground and unsheathed one of his short blades.
Sasuke took a deep breath and formed the signs.
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu"
The flames filled the space between the trees, creating a heat barrier that forced the tigers to retreat toward the creek.
"They fell for it!" Sakura activated a steel wire hidden under the water. "Naruto, the final blow!"
"On it!" Naruto appeared over the largest beast with a punch imbued with chakra. He aimed exactly at the pressure point Sakura had pointed out earlier. "It's over!"
The impact sent the tiger into the mud, knocking it unconscious. The other two beasts retreated into the depths of the forest. Naruto landed softly and wiped the mud from his cheek.
"No complications. Just teamwork," Naruto said, offering a hand to Sasuke to help him down.
"Your tactical ability is better than I remembered, Naruto," Sasuke admitted, taking his hand. "You knew the beasts would attack the noisiest target first."
"Sakura explained it to me earlier," Naruto said, nodding toward her. "She notices those details. I just apply the force where it's needed."
"Don't be modest, Naruto," Sakura said, crossing her arms. "You adapt the plans in seconds. But don't let your guard down. This forest is still dangerous."
The team moved toward a cleared area.
"We need to rest for ten minutes," Sakura ordered, sitting on a root and opening her medical kit. "Sasuke-kun, give me your left arm. I need to check your chakra pathways."
Sasuke sat in front of her. "Do you think something is following us?"
"Everything is stalking us here, Sasuke," Naruto responded, leaning his back against a trunk. "From the insects to the trees. This place wears down your mind. Sakura, how much water is left?"
"Two canteens," she said as she passed her hands glowing with green chakra over Sasuke's arm. "We need to reach the main creek so we don't get dehydrated. And Naruto, don't drink stagnant water."
"I only did it once," he complained.
"And you almost died from parasites," Sakura reminded him. "Sasuke-kun, you have inflammation in the pathways. If you push yourself too hard, you'll lose mobility in your arm for a week."
Sasuke clenched his fist tightly. "It's frustrating. I feel like I'm going slower than the rest of you. Watching Naruto lead while I only give support is annoying."
"I spent years watching your backs," Sakura said with sincerity. "Now it's my turn to make sure you two are okay."
Naruto watched them in silence.
"Do you feel that?"
"Feel what?" Sasuke asked, reaching for his shurikens.
"The air temperature dropped," Naruto said.
Sakura activated her perception. "Something big is moving under us. Jump!"
The ground exploded. A giant snake with black scales emerged from the subsoil. It was as wide as a small house and had red eyes that showed aggressive intelligence.
"It's a summoning snake!" Sakura yelled. "It came to hunt us. Naruto, pincer formation!"
"Got it! Sasuke, stay up high and look for blind spots!"
The snake knocked down three trees with a side swipe. Naruto created ten clones that attacked the creature's body, but their weapons bounced off the scales.
"Its skin is too tough!" a clone yelled before being dissipated by the beast's tail.
"We have to hit it with concentrated force!" Sakura yelled, leaping toward the snake's back.
She charged her fist with chakra. The snake began to thrash to throw her off.
"You won't!" Sasuke threw steel wires reinforced with fire chakra. The wires bound the snake's neck. "Now, Sakura!"
Sakura landed her hit behind the creature's head. The dull explosion of energy sent a shockwave down the beast's spine. The snake roared and collapsed against the ground.
Naruto appeared in front of the snake's head, propelled by his clones.
"Uzumaki... Barrage!"
He launched a series of kicks against the creature's snout, pinning it to the ground while Sakura struck the base of the skull. The snake released a cloud of purple gas.
"Back up! It's poison!" Sakura shouted.
The team leaped away. The snake used the smoke to burrow back into the ground and escape.
"It got away," Sasuke said, wiping a cut on his forehead.
"It won't be back. I think I broke its skull," Sakura said.
Naruto sat down, laughing. "That was incredible! Sakura-chan, you almost took its head off. And Sasuke, those wires were key."
"It was a useful maneuver," Sasuke admitted with a tone of pride.
"Let's move," Sakura said. "The blood and the fire will attract others. Naruto, don't let your guard down."
"Let's take it easy," Naruto said, helping Sasuke. "We still have to find a scroll."
The team headed into the thicket. Naruto felt through the Leader Link that Hinata and Ino were also doing well in their respective zones.
Everything will be fine, Naruto thought. We are the strongest family and I won't leave anyone behind.
The sun was setting, staining the forest orange.
"Hey, Sakura-chan!" Naruto yelled. "Do you think they have ramen at the tower?"
"Focus on the path!" she responded, laughing.
Sasuke just shook his head and picked up the pace. Team 7 was complete again.
*******
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