Flower in the Mirror, Moon on the Water: When We Meet Again, We'll Still Be Comrades (Third update)

"Fang Over Fang!!"

"Konoha Whirlwind!"

"Intentional Blast Fist!"

Sakura's punch was the last straw that broke the camel's back.

The Earth Release barrier finally buckled under the three consecutive strikes and shattered with a crash.

"Impossible!!"

Seeing his barrier broken, Jirobo swiftly put some distance between them.

When he saw that only the fat man had stayed behind, Shikamaru immediately analyzed the situation. "The other three must have already fled ahead. We can't let him hold us all up here."

Neji added, "But whoever stays behind could very well die."

At that, everyone turned to Naruto.

"Naruto, you decide. We'll follow your lead."

Naruto wasted no time. After briefly weighing things up, he looked at Shikamaru, Neji, and Kiba. "You three go after them first. Leave markers along the way. I'll catch up soon."

The three looked at Rock Lee and Sakura, who would be staying behind.

"Take care."

With that, all three vanished in a flash before Jirobo's stunned eyes.

"You think you can leave?!"

"Earth Release!"

But before Jirobo could unleash his Earth Release ninjutsu to stop Shikamaru and the others from leaving-

Rock Lee came at him with a Leaf Great Whirlwind. Forced to defend himself, Jirobo's ninjutsu was interrupted, leaving him no choice but to fend off Rock Lee for now.

Watching the three race off in pursuit, Jirobo's expression darkened.

Rock Lee flashed back to Naruto's side. "Naruto-kun, why don't you leave this to me and Older Brother Sakura?"

"Naruto, Sasuke... please bring Sasuke back."

Faced with Naruto's imminent departure, Sakura finally shed tears of frustration.

"You have to bring Sasuke back. The bond our Team 7 worked so hard to forge..."

Seeing Sakura like this, Naruto stepped forward and patted her shoulder. "Rock Lee is a wonderful girl, Brother Sakura. Remember to cherish the