Team 7's New Division of Roles

At the East Training Ground Hidden Leaf, the setting sun cast long shadows on the ground.

Kakashi stood in front of three wooden stakes, hands in his pockets, squinting at Sasuke and Sakura.

"From today onwards, Team 7 will no longer be a team that Naruto can defeat alone."

Sasuke frowned, and Sakura looked up.

Kakashi took out two scrolls and tossed them to Sasuke: "You're in charge of reconnaissance, raids, and—" He paused, "Monitoring that thing on the back of your neck."

Sasuke shuddered.

"Write a battle debriefing after each operation."

Kakashi added a sentence.

"Do I have to write it after I finish typing?"

Sasuke's face darkened.

Kakashi laughed, "Right. You're smart, don't just use it to get stuck on trivial details."

Sakura raised her hand. "What about me?"

Kakashi handed over another scroll. "Learn first aid from Shizune."

Sakura's face darkened. "I can fight too."

Kakashi didn't reply, but simply gestured with his chin toward the edge of the training field.

Shizune walked over carrying a Ninja Dog with a broken front leg and placed it in front of Sakura: "It's much harder to save its life than to say 'I can too.'"

Sakura gritted her teeth and squatted down, placing her hands on the Ninja Dog's legs, as green Chakra slowly emerged.

For the first time, the Chakra dissipated.

The second time, the Ninja Dog howled in pain.

The third time, my fingers trembled so much that the handprint wouldn't even form properly.

Sakura's forehead was sweating, and her breathing became increasingly erratic.

"Don't rush."

Shizune pressed down on her wrist. "Chakra control isn't about brute force, it's about patience."

Sakura took a deep breath and regrouped her Chakra.

This time, the green light stabilized, and the Ninja Dog's breathing gradually calmed down.

"Good."

Shizune released her grip. "But this is just the most basic hemostasis. Real Medical Ninjutsu involves so much more that you'll want to cry."

Sakura wiped her sweat and remained silent.

Naruto walked over from the other end of the training ground, holding the newly drawn sealing diagram in his hand.

He glanced at the green light on Sakura's hand and said, "Don't focus on how tough others can be. First, make yourself indispensable to others."

He left after saying that.

Sakura stood there stunned for a moment, then tossed a stray hair from her forehead and said, "Fine, then I'll be the irreplaceable one."

Outside the training ground, Sasuke suddenly felt a sharp pain in the back of his neck.

He clutched his neck, cold sweat instantly breaking out.

Kakashi rushed over immediately. "What happened?"

"The back of my neck... feels hot."

Sasuke gritted his teeth and made no attempt to hide anything.

Kakashi lifted his collar and saw the faint black line slowly wriggling.

"Snake Seal."

Kakashi's face darkened. "Something Orochimaru left behind."

"I know."

Sasuke, panting, said, "During the Forest of Death, Naruto interrupted his Cursed Seal transplant, but before leaving, he still managed to shoot a wisp of Chakra into him."

Why didn't you say so sooner?

"Because there's been no response."

Sasuke looked up, his eyes calm. "Until just now, it suddenly moved."

Kakashi was silent for a few seconds, then turned and called to Naruto, "Naruto, come here."

Naruto walked over, glanced at the back of Sasuke's neck, and raised an eyebrow. "How long have you had a fever?"

"At the beginning."

Sasuke said.

Naruto reached out and pressed his hand against the back of his neck, his golden Chakra seeping in.

Sasuke's body stiffened, then he felt the chill being forcibly suppressed by something.

"The Yang Release Mark is still there."

Naruto released his grip. "The Snake Seal tried to move, but it was blocked by my mark."

Sasuke touched the back of his neck; the stinging sensation had disappeared, replaced by a warm feeling.

"Thanks, brother."

"You're welcome."

Naruto looked at him and said, "Remember, if you experience any unusual symptoms, speak up immediately. Don't be like those idiots who hold it in until something serious happens."

Sasuke nodded.

Kakashi leaned against a tree, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "Orochimaru's move was insidious enough. The Snake Seal remains inside your body, ready to be activated at any time. If it weren't for Naruto's mark, you might already be under his control."

"So what do we do next?"

Sakura walked over, but Shizune had already taken the Ninja Dog away.

Naruto, hands in his pockets, said, "Let him jump out on his own."

"Wait?"

Sasuke frowned.

Yes, wait.

Naruto said calmly, "Someone like Orochimaru won't be satisfied with just one Snake Seal. He'll definitely come back, and he'll bring more things."

He glanced in the direction outside the training field, a smirk playing on his lips. "Perfect, I'd like to see what new tricks he has up his sleeve."

Kakashi sighed, "You're so protective of your own that even your enemies have to scheme against you."

"Nonsense."

Naruto turned and walked out of the training ground. "No one is allowed to touch my people."

Evening, at the Uzumaki Estate.

He stood in the courtyard Tenten carrying blueprints, directing the craftsmen to erect the last wall.

"Is the seal on the gate engraved with runes?"

"It's engraved, a three-layer filter structure, adjusted according to your requirements."

"Where are the ventilation openings for the underground chamber?"

"It's already been connected, leading directly to the area directly beneath the main building."

Tenten nodded in satisfaction, put away the blueprints, and said, "Then there's only one last thing left."

She turned and looked at the flagpole that had just been erected in the center of the yard.

At the top of the flagpole, a deep blue flag fluttered in the wind.

The golden Uzumaki Crest gleamed coldly in the setting sun.

Bai stood under the flagpole, looking up at the flag, his eyes a little red.

"Naruto said that this symbol must be seen by the entire Shinobi World."

Tenten walked up to her and patted her shoulder. "Yes, it will. In three days, Raikage will help him achieve it."

Bai lowered his head and clenched the scroll in his hand.

That was the old Sealing Jutsu structure of the Uzumaki Clan. She studied it for a whole afternoon and finally understood half of it.

I will defend this place.

She whispered, "Whoever dares to touch it, I'll bite them to death first."

Tenten laughed, "Then you'd better train faster, otherwise when Naruto comes back, you won't even have a chance to make a move."

Bai smiled and turned to walk into the house.

Outside the courtyard, Karin squatted in the corner, holding the yellowed scroll of Sealing Jutsu in her hands.

Her fingers traced the scroll, over and over again.

"The Uzumaki Clan..." she murmured, "I am also a member of the Uzumaki Clan."

She looked up at the Uzumaki Crest on the flagpole.

Tears slid down her cheeks and landed on the scroll.

Hokage Tower, office.

Tsunade sat behind her desk, looking at the intelligence scroll in front of her, her brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

Kakashi stood to the side. "The Hidden Cloud Village caravan entered the village today, Samui went straight to the Uzumaki Estate."

What did she say?

"A challenge. Three days from now, at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning."

Tsunade rubbed her temples. "Naruto agreed?"

"Um."

The office was silent for a few seconds.

Tsunade up and gazed out the window.

The setting sun bathed Hokage Rock in a golden-red hue.

In the distance, towards the old residential area to the east of the village, a brand-new flag is fluttering in the wind.

"The situation in Hidden Leaf has changed."

She whispered, "And he lifted it himself."

Kakashi didn't say anything, he just stared at the flag.

The golden Uzumaki Crest gleamed coldly in the moonlight.

Like a sleeping giant, it opened its eyes.