Dosu had not even had time to aim his Sound Wave Gloves at Sasuke before Sasuke sent him flying with a punch, smashing him through three trees.
Zaku tried to launch an Air Cutter counterattack, but Sasuke twisted his body at an angle like a snake's to evade the lingering shockwaves of the air blades. Then he slipped in from a blind spot and slashed through Zaku's forehead protector—and the tree trunk behind him—with a single Shuriken.
The third Otogakure Ninja tried to run, but Sasuke grabbed his ankle, dragged him back, and punched him straight into the ground.
After the battle, Sasuke searched through all the ninja tools and supplies on the three Otogakure Ninja. From the leader's chest, he found the Earth Scroll.
Then, expressionless, he walked past the three fallen Otogakure Ninja and stopped before Rock Lee, who Neji was shielding behind him. He tossed down a bottle of topical medicine he had taken from the Otogakure Ninja.
When Naruto found them, Sasuke was leaning against the roots of a large tree, clutching the Earth Scroll.
Sakura swayed as she stood guard beside Sasuke. Her lips were so cracked that they bled whenever she spoke.
When Sakura saw Naruto leap down from the forest, she froze for a moment, then felt the tension in her heart ease.
"Naruto, you're finally back!"
Then, as though a heavy burden had finally been lifted, she fell backward and passed out.
Sasuke reacted quickly, reaching out to support the back of Sakura's head before she could hit the rocks.
Naruto crouched down, checked Sakura's eyelids, then felt her pulse. Only after confirming that she had merely fallen asleep from extreme exhaustion and intense mental strain did he gently rest her beside Sasuke's knee.
Then he stood and faced Sasuke directly.