The newly formed Team 7 assembled before the gates of the Hidden Leaf Village.
Naruto rubbed his fists together, unable to hide his impatience. "We're finally setting out! This time, we're definitely bringing Sasuke back!"
Sakura wore an expression of both concern and determination as she checked her bulging medical pack. "Yeah! But Naruto, you have to stay calm. Don't do anything reckless."
Sai still wore his standard smile. "According to intelligence analysis, Sasuke Uchiha's strength has grown rapidly since he defected from the Hidden Leaf Village, and his temperament has changed drastically. Direct conflict is not the best course of action. Contact and assessment should take priority."
Kakashi yawned, holding Make-Out Paradise in his hand as he said lazily, "All right, all right. You remember the mission priorities, right? Let's go, let's go."
Ling Yue stood to one side, with Pikachu—awake now but still somewhat listless—perched on her shoulder.
The little fellow had recovered well after eating the weakened Senzu Bean, though its charge did not seem to be fully restored yet. Only the occasional tiny spark crackled from it.
"Pikachu, how are you feeling?" Ling Yue stroked its head.
"Pika..." Pikachu nuzzled against her fingers.
[ Ding! Daily mission "Sword Meditation" completed. Reward issued: 100 dimensional points. ]
[ Current dimensional points: 5950. ]
The system notification improved her mood somewhat.
Over the past few days, she had kept up her daily sword meditation. Although that tsundere sword spirit never had anything nice to say, her mental strength and perception of Senbonzakura had indeed improved slightly.
The five of them left the Hidden Leaf Village and headed toward the Land of Grass.
Along the way, Naruto remained as noisy as ever, constantly asking Kakashi about possible intelligence on Sasuke and imagining how he would knock him out and