In the shadows of the Forest of Death, Konoha's Team 7 leaned against a giant tree, catching their breath after escaping three waves of pursuit by the examiners.
"Naruto, don't be so reckless next time." Sakura looked helplessly at Naruto, who had been injured yet again. Although his recovery was incredible, the blood he left scattered around made their trail far too easy to follow.
"Heh heh~" Naruto rubbed his head and grinned foolishly. Sakura's worried about me. She really does like me.
They had just snatched a Scoreboard from a group of Rain Ninja. Sakura was bandaging the cut on Naruto's arm while Sasuke gripped a kunai and scanned their surroundings warily. "Idiot! Stop chatting. Rest and recover your strength."
The fighting in the Forest of Death never stopped, and a faint scent of blood always lingered in the air.
"Are we safe for now?" Naruto gritted his teeth and tugged at his bandage. Dirt and ash still smeared his face, but he looked less panicked than when they had first entered the forest. "Those Rain Ninja and that old guy from Kusagakure could fight, but they're still no match for our Team 7!"
Sasuke said nothing, but his fingertips shifted against his kunai. Something felt wrong.
The looks in the Rain Ninja's eyes as they retreated had been too deliberate, as though they were intentionally drawing them into this part of the forest.
Seeing Sasuke lost in silent thought,
Sakura frowned too. She was about to speak when a faint rustling suddenly came from overhead.
"Watch out!" Sasuke sharply yanked Naruto aside, and all three of them dove away.
Three dark figures landed with a thud where they had just been standing, kicking up a cloud of dust.
It was the Sound Ninja trio. Kin cradled her Seven-Stringed