Chapter:18

As the man in the doorway introduced himself as the leader of Team 7, Naruto squinted at his attire. His outfit, resembling Shino's but darker, included gloves and a mask that covered most of his face.

Naruto tilted his head and asked, "Are you really our team leader?"

Sakura groaned at the question. Without missing a beat, she marched over, raised her fist, and knocked Naruto on the head.

"Idiot! Of course, he's the team leader! How else would he know we're in Team 7? Use your brain for once!" she scolded, clearly still annoyed from earlier.

Then, in a cruel twist, she added, "Honestly, you're such a troublesome orphan. No one taught you manners or how to behave. You're just... annoying!"

Naruto winced, clutching his head where Sakura had hit him. He forced a sheepish smile, brushing off her harsh words, though deep down, they stung.

Sasuke, who had been sitting silently, suddenly stood and fixed Sakura with a cold glare. His voice was like ice.

"No one chooses to be an orphan. No one asks to grow up without parents, without guidance," he began, his gaze intensifying.

"You don't know what it's like to sit alone at home, with no one to tell you right from wrong. And yet you mock Naruto for something he can't control?"

Sasuke's final words struck like a kunai: "You make me sick."

Sakura froze, the weight of Sasuke's words rendering her speechless. She stood there, eyes wide and mouth slightly open, as if someone had just slapped her.

Naruto, meanwhile, was stunned. Sasuke, his usual rival, had just stood up for him. His heart swelled with gratitude, though he quickly turned his head to avoid Sasuke's gaze.

"Am I actually starting to like Sasuke?" Naruto thought before quickly shaking his head. "No, no, no! Snap out of it, Naruto!"

The man, who had introduced himself as Aburame Torune, finally stepped forward. "I'm your team leader," he said flatly. "Now stop wasting time and follow me."

His tone left no room for argument, and without waiting for a response, he turned and walked toward the door.

Sasuke was the first to follow, his sharp instincts sensing something off but choosing to stay silent for now. Naruto, still preoccupied with his earlier thoughts, hurried to catch up, pulling the still-dazed Sakura along with him.

But as they walked through the streets of Konoha, the path began to feel strange. They passed several training grounds that would have been ideal for a team meeting or practice, yet Torune didn't stop at any of them. Instead, he led them toward the Forest of Death.

The surroundings grew quieter, the streets narrower. Eventually, they reached the outskirts of the ominous forest.

"Naruto, be careful," Ichiro's voice echoed in Naruto's mind. "This isn't normal. He's leading you into danger. Don't go any further."

Naruto stopped in his tracks, his heart racing.

"What's wrong, Naruto?" Torune asked, his tone cold as he turned back.

Naruto took a step back, his eyes narrowing. "Why are we heading into the Forest of Death? What kind of training requires us to go there?"

Sakura frowned, clearly annoyed by Naruto's sudden hesitation. "What are you doing, Naruto? Stop acting weird! He said we're almost there. Just follow him!"

Naruto didn't reply, but Sasuke stepped forward, his voice calm yet firm.

"Naruto's right," Sasuke said, his sharp eyes fixed on Torune. "This doesn't make sense. Why take us here on our first day? Why ignore all the training grounds we passed? Something's not right."

Sakura glanced between them, confused. "What are you talking about? He's our teacher! Why would he—"

"You lack observation skills," Sasuke cut her off bluntly. "That's why you don't see it."

Torune, seeing his cover blown, sighed heavily. His posture shifted, his body language exuding menace.

"So you figured it out," he said, his tone colder than before. "No matter. You're just a group of children."

Before anyone could react, Torune dashed forward. His speed was incredible, faster than any of them could follow.

---

A Sudden Attack

Torune's first target was Sasuke. With a single, powerful kick, he sent Sasuke flying into a tree. The impact knocked the wind out of him, and he crumpled to the ground, clutching his stomach.

"Ugh... damn it," Sasuke groaned, struggling to stand.

Next, Torune turned to Sakura. With one swift strike to her forehead, she collapsed unconscious.

Naruto stood frozen, his eyes darting between his fallen teammates. His fists clenched, and his body trembled with rage.

"You... you hurt them!" Naruto yelled, his voice cracking with emotion.

Torune smirked. "And now it's your turn, Jinchūriki."

Naruto's anger boiled over. "I won't forgive you!"

He formed a hand seal. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

In an instant, dozens of Naruto clones appeared, surrounding Torune.

End of the Chapter.

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