Naruto: Bonds Unbroken

The battered trio of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura pressed deeper into the Forest of Death, their bodies aching but their resolve unshaken. The oppressive canopy above allowed only fragments of sunlight through, casting dappled shadows on their worn faces.

Sakura kept her eyes on Sasuke, worry tightening her chest as she saw the faint markings from the Curse Seal lingering on his skin. "Sasuke… how are you holding up?"

Sasuke wiped blood from his mouth, his Sharingan dim but still active. "I've had worse. Don't worry about me."

But Naruto wasn't buying it. "Tch. Stop acting tough. That creepy mark knocked you out cold, and you nearly lost it back there."

Sasuke's eyes flashed, but his voice stayed even. "And what about you, charging through Zaku's attack like a maniac? You could've been killed."

Naruto shot back, "So what!? I'm not about to let you fight alone!"

Sakura, her voice sharp with emotion, stepped between them. "Both of you—enough! We're a team. We protect each other."

The tension lingered for a heartbeat longer before breaking, replaced by a shared exhaustion.

The Serpent's Shadow

High above, a familiar voice slithered from the shadows.

"My, my… such passion from you all."

They froze. The air grew cold with dread as Orochimaru emerged from the trees, his yellow eyes glinting with amusement.

"You performed admirably against my little test. But Sasuke-kun…" His gaze latched onto the Uchiha. "That power I granted you—it's only a taste. Imagine what you could become with my guidance."

Sasuke's fists clenched, his body instinctively tensing at the serpent's words. "I don't need your power."

But Orochimaru's grin only widened. "Oh, but you will. Sooner or later, you'll come to me. The desire for strength burns too deeply within you."

Naruto's Defiance

"Shut up!" Naruto's voice boomed, his chakra flaring. His eyes flashed with flickers of crimson. "You don't know anything about Sasuke!"

In a blur, he formed a shadow clone and lunged forward—

But Orochimaru's speed was inhuman. His hand shot out, snatching Naruto by the throat.

"So protective…" he mused, lifting the struggling boy effortlessly. "You are powerful, but… impulsive."

The Sharingan Awakens Further

"Let him go!"

A burning heat surged through Sasuke's body, and his Sharingan shifted—two tomoe fully forming in both eyes. The world around him slowed to a crawl. Orochimaru's grip, his smirk—everything was crystal clear.

"You want me?" Sasuke's voice dropped into a dangerous growl. "Then fight me!"

Lightning sparked—Chidori flashed to life, the air humming with lethal energy.

The Clash: Orochimaru vs. Team 7

Sasuke struck, his Chidori piercing through Orochimaru's side—only for the body to melt into mud. A clone.

The real Orochimaru emerged behind him, fingers weaving a jutsu. "Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

Vicious serpents erupted, fangs bared—

But a cry rang out—"Rasengan!"

Naruto, newly freed from Orochimaru's grasp, slammed a blue spiral sphere into the snake barrage, scattering them with a thunderous crack.

Sakura's Stand

As Orochimaru's eyes flicked toward her vulnerable teammates, Sakura made her move—

With precise kunai throws and a chakra-enhanced leap, she intercepted his path. "Not this time!"

Orochimaru's hand shot forward—

But Sakura wasn't aiming for him—she targeted the trees above, causing a massive branch to crash down between them, forcing Orochimaru back.

The Serpent's Departure

Orochimaru's amused chuckle echoed. "You've all grown since we met… But your strength will bloom in time."

His slit-pupiled gaze lingered on Sasuke. "We will meet again, Sasuke-kun. And when you're ready for true power…"

His body melted into the ground, his final words a whisper—

"…Come find me."

Aftermath: The Vow

Silence returned, but the weight of the battle remained.

Sasuke, his breath labored, touched the mark on his neck, his expression clouded. "He won't stop coming for me…"

Naruto, his voice firm, replied, "Then we'll stop him together."

Sakura nodded, her eyes blazing. "You're not facing this alone, Sasuke."

Sasuke's gaze softened. He felt it—the bond that kept him from the edge. "Yeah… Together."

In the Shadows… Another Pair of Eyes

From the canopy, a figure in black watched through silver-rimmed glasses—Kabuto Yakushi, his expression unreadable.

"They survived even that… How interesting," he murmured before vanishing into the trees.