The shinobi world was merciless. For the weak, it was a storm without shelter. But for the strong—it was freedom itself. Wind meeting wind, rain answering rain.
"Well, this isn't so bad," Naruto said, flashing that trademark grin of his. "Don't forget—we're from Konoha, the strongest Hidden Village in the world. Anyone dumb enough to mess with us is basically asking for trouble. Guess that's the perk of having a big-name village watching your back."
Sasuke and Sakura didn't look entirely convinced. Their expressions were stiff, uneasy. Naruto sighed and leaned forward, his tone shifting.
"Come on, you two. Don't you want to become strong? To stand on top of this world?" His eyes hardened. "If not, maybe you shouldn't be shinobi. Because once you step on this path, there's no turning back."
Sasuke's hesitation vanished in an instant. His dark eyes flared. "Who said I'm backing down? I'll reach the top—no matter what it takes. I still have a goal I haven't achieved."
That pride—Uchiha pride—wasn't something easily extinguished. Even if he was the last of his clan, he would carry that name to the summit.
"I—I'm not backing down either," Sakura blurted out. Her voice trembled at first, but she straightened her back. "I want to be a strong kunoichi… like Lady Tsunade."
Naruto smirked. "Heh. So that's it, huh? The people of Team Seven—all chasing the top. Let's make it official, then."
He extended his hand toward them. "This is our promise—the promise of Team Seven."
Sasuke looked at Naruto for a moment before taking the offered hand. Sakura followed, cheeks flushed. Their hands met in the middle, three threads tied by fate and stubbornness.
The Promise of Team Seven. Even Naruto didn't realize his words would echo in their hearts for so long. Maybe he really did have a knack for talking people into doing impossible things.
From the sidelines, Kakashi watched them quietly, his single visible eye softening. He didn't speak for a while, lost in his own thoughts.
The son of the man he'd admired most—Minato's legacy, Naruto Uzumaki. The last survivor of his fallen friend's clan—Sasuke Uchiha.And the sharp, diligent student who reminded him of what quiet potential looked like—Sakura Haruno.
"Very good," Kakashi finally said, walking toward them. "I'm glad to see such determination. As your teacher, nothing makes me prouder."
He placed his hands on Naruto's and Sasuke's shoulders, a rare show of warmth.
"Kakashi-sensei…" Sakura's voice was soft, almost embarrassed. The courage that burned so brightly moments ago flickered in her tone now.
Kakashi chuckled. "Believe in yourself, Sakura. I've thought you were talented since day one. With hard work, you can definitely achieve the kind of strength Lady Tsunade is known for."
Sasuke gave a faint smile. "Didn't Naruto say it already? It's our promise. You can't give up now, Sakura."
Her heart skipped a beat. "Sasuke-kun…" she whispered, trying to hide the smile tugging at her lips.
Naruto clapped his hands once. "They're right, Sakura. You've got something special—something me and Sasuke don't."
That made everyone pause, even Kakashi.
Naruto grinned. "Your chakra control. You're way ahead of us there. Even someone like Hinata—with her Byakugan—can't match your precision. That kind of control? It's rare, not just in Konoha, but in the whole shinobi world."
The words hit Sakura like sunlight breaking through clouds.
Kakashi nodded thoughtfully. "He's right. Chakra control is the foundation of everything—especially medical ninjutsu. There aren't many with that kind of natural aptitude."
He smiled beneath his mask, faint but genuine. "Seems like Team Seven's got more potential than I thought."
Naruto laughed, scratching the back of his head. "Guess I'm a better motivator than I realized."
For that one moment—standing beneath the clear sky, their hearts beating as one—Team Seven felt unstoppable. And the world, cruel as it was, felt just a little smaller before them.