Rasengan, a Destined Fateful Entanglement

"Oh-ho...

I've decided!!

Sasuke, you will be the rival I pursue all my life to defeat.

Sob, sob, sob...

This is the surging passion Teacher Kai spoke of. I've found my resolve..."

Suddenly, Rock Lee beside them leaped to his feet, bursting with youthful passion.

This slightly unhinged, choked-up declaration made Ino-Shika-Cho and Sasuke and Sakura's mouths twitch...

He had clearly been lying miserably on the ground just moments ago. How had he suddenly become so full of life?!

"Come out..."

Just as Sasuke was about to respond, his expression abruptly changed as he looked toward a certain spot.

"Oh my~

I've been discovered...

But I'm not an enemy, Sasuke..."

A crisp, capable teasing voice rang out from atop a tree trunk.

With a swoosh...

Tenten leaped down from the tree and landed beside Rock Lee.

She looked at Sasuke with eyes full of brilliance, undisguised admiration and wariness in her gaze...

This cool underclassman was definitely a powerful opponent!!

"You two??"

Shikamaru's expression froze when he heard that, and he immediately followed Sasuke's unmoving gaze.

Then his pupils contracted as he spotted Neji Hyuga standing motionless on a tree branch...

"Sasuke Uchiha...

I admit that you do have the right to be proud, and that you are qualified to be my opponent.

I hope we get the chance to compete someday..."

After pondering for a moment, Neji met Sasuke's eyes and spoke coldly, his expression indifferent.

Whether because of Sasuke's strength, the fact that they were from the same village, or Rock Lee, he could not possibly go after Sasuke's group to seize their Scroll.

This was also the pride of a Hyuga genius!

"I'm looking forward to it..."

Sasuke smiled back without refusing. Only through interaction would there be a chance to trigger a mission.

It wasn't as if he had gone out of his way to approach him. The Byakugan was within reach...

"And me, me too...

Neji, Sasuke, you're both opponents I'm going to defeat!"

Feeling ignored, Rock Lee immediately shouted with fiery enthusiasm, making Sasuke glance at him again.

Rock Lee equals Eight Inner Gates. This could work...

But when Sasuke thought of Kakashi and Guy's endless competitions, he could not help but feel a slight headache.

Would passionate Rock Lee turn out like that too...

"Then we'll be going first, everyone..."

Tenten could no longer endure Rock Lee's blazing enthusiasm. After calling out, she immediately turned and left with him.

"Shikamaru, Ino, Choji, you should leave too!

Once Naruto wakes up and we find a Scroll, we'll meet you at the tower."

Seeing Guy's Team leave, Sasuke turned around and sent the others away.

They still did not know what was going on with Naruto, so he could not keep dragging Ino-Shika-Cho along here...

Most importantly, Ino and Sakura were far too noisy together!

"All right...

With your strength, protecting Naruto and Sakura won't be a problem.

Six people together make too large a target. It really isn't good for a team's movements!"

Ino furrowed her delicate brows, wanting to refuse, but Shikamaru, who feared trouble, spoke first and agreed.

With Sasuke's strength, there was no need to worry at all. Their staying would merely be icing on the cake.

Rather than that, since they had gathered their Scrolls, they might as well head straight to the tower and rest early...

"Yeah...

We don't know how long Naruto will remain unconscious. We can't delay your exam."

Sakura's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly echoed him. She had no desire to let Ino remain here.

That girl would definitely try to steal Sasuke away while she was taking care of Naruto...

"Sakura, you..."

"Let's go, Ino..."

Electric sparks flashed in Ino's eyes as she was about to explode, but Shikamaru simply turned around and urged her on.

Choji nodded at Sasuke and Sakura before immediately following after him.

With both her teammates gone, Ino suddenly felt powerless...

"Sakura, don't you dare do anything excessive while we're gone!!"

After leaving behind those unwilling words, Ino gave Sasuke one last reluctant look before turning and chasing after them.

"Sakura, let's leave this place first..."

Seeing that everyone had left, Sasuke immediately turned and walked toward Naruto as he made arrangements.

This place was no longer suitable for hiding. They had to relocate...

"Yes, Sasuke-kun..."

Seeing Sasuke lift Naruto as though preparing to leave, Sakura narrowed her eyes and immediately followed.

Under Sasuke's lead, the two quickly moved two kilometers away...

They found a concealed, suitable tree hollow to stay in temporarily.

The night passed without incident.

The next day.

After taking turns resting through the night, Sasuke and Sakura had mostly recovered...

Only Naruto remained unconscious, showing no sign of waking up!

That made Sasuke secretly worried...

"Ninja Art: Multiple Shadow Clone Technique..."

As daylight fully broke, Sasuke walked out of the tree hollow, formed Hand Seals, and activated his ninjutsu.

With a bang, three Shadow Clones appeared out of thin air...

It was not that Sasuke could not create more clones, but doing so would spread out his Chakra and weaken both the clones and his main body.

There was simply no need...

"Sakura, stay here with my Shadow Clones and take care of Naruto.

I'll go look for food and see if I can find an opportunity to seize a Scroll.

That way, once Naruto wakes up, we can head directly to the tower..."

Under Sakura's puzzled gaze, Sasuke's eyes flickered as he spoke seriously.

"Leave Naruto to me...

Sasuke-kun, be careful too. Don't push yourself!"

Sakura agreed decisively, without any objection.

Last night, they could still make do with rations and dried fruit. Today, they could only rely on hunting...

"Mm..."

Sasuke nodded and signaled for one of the Shadow Clones to follow him.

After they left, the remaining two Shadow Clones began guarding the area, one openly and one in secret...

Meanwhile, Sasuke's main body, accompanied by a Shadow Clone, quickly moved several hundred meters away before stopping.

"Now is the time to test this technique..."

Muttering to the Shadow Clone, Sasuke extended his right hand and rapidly condensed Chakra.

At the same time, his eyes turned scarlet as he activated his Two-Tomoe Sharingan...

"Here it comes..."

The Shadow Clone immediately stepped forward, continuously using both hands to help Sasuke maintain the flow of Chakra in his right hand.

That was right. Sasuke was going to take the shortcut to developing the Rasengan!

Now that he had obtained the Shadow Clone Technique, how could he not make use of it...

As long as he completed the Rasengan, he could personally experience its casting details and accelerate the development of a one-handed Rasengan.

Under Sasuke's tense attention, the final stage, which had already been just one step away, broke through smoothly...

In less than a single breath, a blue Chakra sphere appeared in his right palm.

Shadow Clone Rasengan—success!!

"Roar..."

Just as Sasuke was thrilled, a deep beastly roar suddenly sounded beside him.

"Help!"

Immediately afterward, a terrified cry echoed through the nearby forest.

The Tomoe in Sasuke's eyes spun rapidly. With his powerful perception, he vaguely saw a massive Black Bear chasing something...

The petite figure crying out had a head of vivid, eye-catching red hair that appeared and vanished among the trees...

"That's Karin...

I didn't expect to run into her like this!!

A fateful entanglement indeed..."

Looking at that lovely figure, Sasuke sighed softly and burst forward with Chakra beneath his feet.

The Shadow Clone beside him vanished into White Smoke with a bang...