Naruto: Bonds Unbroken

The Forest of Death was beginning to wear on them. The battles, the tension, the ever-present threat of Orochimaru's influence—it all weighed on Team 7. But there was no time to dwell on fear. The Chunin Exams weren't over yet.

Sasuke rubbed his neck absently, feeling the cursed mark still lingering beneath his skin. It hadn't acted up since the last battle, but the memory of its power remained.

Naruto, walking beside him, kept sneaking glances at Sasuke's face. "If that mark does anything weird again, you better tell us."

Sasuke smirked but didn't reply.

Sakura, frowning, spoke up. "Naruto's right, Sasuke. We saw what happened last time. That seal isn't normal."

"I know," Sasuke admitted. "But I can control it."

Sakura wasn't convinced. Neither was Naruto. But before they could argue, they heard voices up ahead.

Sasuke's Sharingan activated instantly. Another team was nearby.

A Dangerous Opponent

They moved cautiously, keeping to the shadows. Then, through the dense foliage, they spotted them—Team Dosu wasn't alone anymore.

Standing before them was another figure, one that made even Sasuke tense.

Gaara.

The red-haired Suna shinobi stood still, his gourd on his back, his cold gaze locked on the Sound ninja. Dosu, Zaku, and Kin were frozen, clearly realizing the danger they were in.

"I don't like weaklings," Gaara murmured, raising his hand. "So, I'll get rid of you."

The air turned heavy. Sand began to rise.

Naruto clenched his fists. He had never seen Gaara fight up close, but he had heard the rumors—rumors that made even seasoned shinobi wary.

Zaku gritted his teeth. "Don't mess with us! We're Orochimaru's chosen—"

The sand struck before he could finish.

In an instant, Zaku's arms were crushed.

His screams echoed through the trees as the sand squeezed tighter.

Naruto paled. This guy is insane…

Sakura gasped, covering her mouth.

Sasuke, however, was already moving.

He threw a kunai straight at Gaara.

It never reached. Sand intercepted it effortlessly.

Gaara's eyes snapped to Sasuke. For a moment, he looked intrigued.

"You're strong," Gaara noted. "But you should stay out of this."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Not happening."

Naruto stepped forward. "Yeah! You can't just go around crushing people like that!"

Gaara tilted his head. "Why not?"

His hand clenched.

The sand around Zaku moved again.

An Unexpected Clash

Naruto acted without thinking. He charged forward, Rasengan forming in his palm.

Gaara's sand shot toward him, but Naruto was faster. In a flash, he was behind Gaara, aiming straight for his back.

Gaara turned at the last second, a wall of sand rising to block the attack.

BOOM!

The impact sent a shockwave through the forest. Gaara slid back slightly, eyes widening.

"Interesting…" he muttered. "You're different from the others."

Sasuke appeared beside Naruto, Chidori crackling in his palm.

"If you want a fight," Sasuke said, "we'll give you one."

Gaara's lips curled into something resembling a smile.

"Good," he whispered. "Show me… show me that you can make me feel alive."

The Breaking Point

Before the battle could begin, Temari and Kankuro arrived.

"Gaara! Enough!" Temari called, stepping in front of him. "We don't have time for this!"

Kankuro grabbed Gaara's shoulder. "We have the scroll. Let's just get to the tower."

For a moment, it seemed like Gaara wouldn't listen. His gaze lingered on Sasuke and Naruto, his fingers twitching as if debating whether to strike.

Then, slowly, he withdrew.

"…Fine."

Without another word, Gaara turned and walked away, his sand slithering back into his gourd. Temari and Kankuro followed, both looking relieved.

As they vanished into the trees, Team 7 exhaled.

"That was way too close," Sakura muttered.

Naruto clenched his fists. "That guy… he's not normal."

Sasuke didn't say anything. But deep inside, he felt it too.

A storm was coming.

And Gaara was only the beginning.

In the Distance…

Hidden in the branches, Kabuto watched the entire scene unfold.

Pushing up his glasses, he smiled to himself.

"This exam is getting interesting."