The electric hum of the chakra lamps was the only constant sound in the Senju Fortress underground bunker.
Tsunade stood before the stone table with her arms crossed and the green Hokage jacket hanging over her shoulders.
"The Council approved the budget and the supplies are ready, but I want something to be very clear," Tsunade said. "We aren't going to Suna to sign papers and shake hands, we're going to remind them why their invasion was a stupid mistake."
Naruto stopped swinging his feet against the reinforced wooden crate.
"Understood, Granny," he replied. "We aren't asking for permission, we're making sure they don't think about looking at us wrong again."
"Exactly." Tsunade nodded. "Respect from the Sand isn't bought with gold, it's earned by showing Konoha has sharp fangs even after an invasion. If we show weakness at the border that alliance will die before it's born."
She swept her gaze over the group while Shizune reviewed a final medical inventory with quick hands, Sakura adjusted her black gloves with a sharp snap, and Hinata remained on high alert.
"Line up," Tsunade ordered. "This is the last safe chance we'll get before you step into the desert and I want a full status update. Naruto, get that notebook out because I don't want surprises out there."
Naruto jumped off the crate and dug into his back pocket until he pulled out the worn notebook along with the pencil that was already half its original size.
"At your command!" he exclaimed, flipping through the pages quickly until he found a blank sheet. "Who's the first brave soul?"
Sakura stepped forward.
"Me," she said with a cold fire in her green eyes. "I need to know exactly what I can do so I don't miscalculate my strength and cause errors."
Naruto nodded and adopted that strange professional seriousness from the system.
"Alright. Turn around, Sakura-chan."
Sakura turned and lifted the back of her red blouse without hesitation since the discomfort of the first few times had vanished before the pragmatic necessity of war.
Naruto bit his thumb, concentrated his chakra until his fingertip glowed slightly, and pressed it against the pale skin of her back.
"Here it comes, hold on."
A golden flash illuminated the gray walls of the bunker and cast long shadows.
In front of Naruto's eyes, the blue system window materialized in the air with the full summary of his teammate's power.
[STATUS UPDATE: SAKURA HARUNO] [LEVEL 2]
BASIC STATISTICS: STRENGTH: H-105 ➔ C-610 STAMINA: H-130 ➔ E-450 DEXTERITY: F-380 ➔ D-520 AGILITY: H-150 ➔ D-505 MAGIC: E-410 ➔ B-780
EVOLVED SKILLS:[Cherry Blossom Impact (Ōkashō)]: (Evolution of Chakra Enhancement). Perfect chakra control technique. Concentrates chakra into an infinitesimal point before impact and releases it all at once in milliseconds. Generates shockwaves capable of altering local geography without damaging the user.
NEW SKILL:[Cellular Intuition]: Passive/Active Skill. Allows the user to "see" and understand the biological structure and functional state of a target via sight or touch. Instant diagnosis of poisons, fractures, chakra flow, and cellular anomalies.
"Hey, Sakura-chan..." Naruto said, pausing a moment to read it right. "Your Strength went up to C-610, which is crazy, but look at your Magic sitting at B-780."
Sakura lowered her blouse, turned around, and looked at her own hands.
She flexed her fingers and the air around her fists distorted from the source of intense heat beneath her skin.
"B-780..." she repeated, closing her fist as she felt the chakra flow respond instantly across her knuckles. "No wonder I feel the chakra moving before I finish thinking the command."
"And the system gave you new gifts," Naruto said, pointing to the floating text. "Your super punch has an official name now: 'Cherry Blossom Impact'. Sounds pretty for something that smashes skulls, but there's another thing here called 'Cellular Intuition'."
"Cellular Intuition?" Sakura frowned. "What does that do?"
"It says it's a passive and active skill," Naruto read, narrowing his eyes. "It allows you to 'see' the biological structure and functional state of a target for an instant diagnosis."
"Prove it," Tsunade interrupted with a cutting voice. "It's useless if it's just text, so diagnose Naruto now and without touching him."
Sakura looked up at Naruto.
She narrowed her eyes, concentrated, and Naruto's image changed before her vision.
She no longer saw his clothes or his skin, she saw heat maps, energy flows, and the vibration of his tissues.
"It's weird..." Sakura murmured, taking a step toward him. "I don't need to put my hands on him because I see the calcification in your right humerus, Naruto. The bone tissue is more compact there where you broke the bone a while ago."
Naruto touched his arm instinctively and looked at her with a mix of amazement and comic fear.
"Hey, that's scary!" he exclaimed, backing up half a step. "You're stripping me with your eyes and seeing my bones!"
"Shut up and let me see," Sakura said, invading his personal space. "There is a micro-obstruction in the chakra flow of tenketsu number four of the deltoid and that's probably why you struggled to mold chakra yesterday, you have mild inflammation in the surrounding muscle tissue."
"Can you see all that from there?" Shizune asked, approaching impressed.
"It's a damage map," Sakura said, deactivating the vision with a satisfied smile. "I can see where to hit to heal or exactly where to hit to cause a chain organic failure."
"Brutal," Tsunade said with approval. "That will save you vital seconds in combat triage or allow you to incapacitate someone without killing them if you're in a good mood. Next."
Hinata stepped forward and knelt in front of Naruto with the calm of someone who has accepted their role in war.
She brushed back her dark hair and waited.
"Ready when you are, Naruto-kun."
Naruto repeated the process of blood, chakra, and contact.
The light burst forth again with a soft hue and an intensity that made the ears of everyone present ring.
[STATUS UPDATE: HINATA HYUGA] [LEVEL 2]
BASIC STATISTICS: STRENGTH: H-110 ➔ D-530 STAMINA: H-125 ➔ E-480 DEXTERITY: G-280 ➔ B-710 AGILITY: G-295 ➔ A-820 MAGIC: F-350 ➔ C-640
EVOLVED SKILLS:[Eight Trigrams: Palms Revolving Heaven (Perfect Kaiten)]: (Evolution of Lunar Barrier). Absolute spherical defense. Releases chakra from all pressure points simultaneously while spinning, repelling any physical or ninjutsu attack and returning damage to the attacker.
NEW SKILL:[Gentle Step: Twin Lion Fists]: Active Skill (Magic). Concentrates high-density chakra in the hands, molding it into the shape of lion heads. Drastically increases attack range and drains the opponent's chakra network upon contact, causing severe internal damage.
"Holy mother of ramen!" Naruto shouted, almost dropping the pencil. "Hinata, your Agility is A-820 and your Dexterity B-710! You are officially the fastest thing on this team and I think not even I could catch you."
Hinata stood up and activated the Byakugan without warning.
The veins around her eyes bulged with sharp definition as she turned her head to the left in a movement so fast it left an afterimage.
"I'm sorry," she said looking at her own hands. "The response time is immediate and the air currents feel solid; the world moves very slow."
"And you have new toys," Naruto said excitedly. "'Perfect Kaiten' sounds like absolute defense and you also have 'Twin Lion Fists'."
"Gentle Step..." Hinata whispered.
She adopted the Gentle Fist stance and cobalt blue chakra exploded around her hands.
Two majestic lion heads enveloped her fists with open jaws.
The pressure of the chakra was such that the air around her visibly vibrated with a low hum.
Karin adjusted her glasses with trembling fingers and took a step back.
"The amount of chakra in those hands is lethal," the redhead commented with wide eyes. "If that touches you it drains your circulatory system in seconds, she has two chakra beasts eating from her hands."
Hinata looked at the lions fascinated by her own power.
"I feel the reach," she said. "I can impact the chakra network without direct physical contact because the range has extended half a meter beyond my fingers."
"Enough to break a closed guard or pierce a ninjutsu defense," Tsunade declared. "Well done. Shizune, you're up, don't think you're getting out of this just because you're the oldest."
Shizune advanced with a serious face, took off her tactical jacket, and waited for Naruto to apply the seal.
[STATUS UPDATE: SHIZUNE KATO] [LEVEL 1]
BASIC STATISTICS: STRENGTH: H-185 ➔ D-550 STAMINA: G-210 ➔ D-590 DEXTERITY: F-355 ➔ A-880 AGILITY: G-290 ➔ B-750 MAGIC: F-398 ➔ S-910
EVOLVED SKILLS:[Poison Mist Dance]: (Evolution of Silent Assassination). Allows exhalation of a poisonous chakra mist controlled at will. Conceals the user and corrodes or paralyzes enemies in the area.
NEW SKILL:[Toxin Mastery]: Development Skill. Allows synthesis of new antidotes or poisons within the user's own body, mixing basic elements or chakra. Grants passive resistance to most poisons.
Naruto looked at the notebook and then at the Hokage's assistant with his mouth open.
"Wow..." Naruto said with a small voice. "Magic S-910 and Dexterity A-880... Shizune-neechan, your stats are monstrous and you're almost maxed out with that S."
Shizune adjusted her shirt collar blushing slightly.
"She is an elite Jōnin and my top apprentice for years," Tsunade said proudly, putting a hand on Shizune's shoulder. "Those numbers correspond to her experience."
"But look at the skills," Naruto said. "You have 'Toxin Mastery' and 'Poison Mist Dance'."
"Allow me to demonstrate," Shizune said.
She raised an index finger and a small drop of violet liquid formed at the tip glowing dangerously under the artificial light.
"Paralyzing neurotoxin type B," Shizune explained with clinical coldness. "Synthesized directly from my chakra without the need to mix herbs or carry vials, my own body generates the chemical composition based on my knowledge."
The drop changed color until it became pure, crystal-clear water.
"And now the antidote, I can change the molecular structure at will."
Sakura watched fascinated, leaning in almost touching the drop.
"Spontaneous generation of chemical agents..." she murmured. "That eliminates the need for external supplies and is an incredible advantage so you never run out of medical ammo."
"You are a walking laboratory, Shizune," Tsunade said. "Use it well and make sure you don't poison the tea by accident. Naruto, check yourself because you're the last one."
Naruto closed the notebook, concentrated on his interior, and called up the interface.
[HOST STATUS: NARUTO UZUMAKI] [LEVEL 2]
FEATURED STATISTICS: STRENGTH: B-760 STAMINA: S-950 MAGIC: A-850 AGILITY: C-680 DEXTERITY: E-420
EVOLVED SKILLS:[Rasengan: Mastery (One Hand)]: Instant formation in any hand without the need for clones. Perfect stability.
NEW SKILL:[Uzumaki Chains: Bind]: Active Skill (Magic/Bloodline). Partial unlock of the Adamantine Chains. Allows manifestation of a short chain from the back or hand to restrain enemies, objects, or the user, or strike with blunt force.
"Stamina S-950 and Magic A-850," Naruto read aloud scratching his head. "I'm still a chakra tank with legs because my stamina is absurd."
"And dexterity?" Sakura asked with a raised eyebrow and a mocking smile. "Still in negative numbers?"
"E-420!" Naruto defended himself. "Hey, it's much better than before! I'm not that clumsy anymore! And I have a new skill called 'Uzumaki Chains: Bind', it says it's the basic version."
Karin took a step closer with her red eyes fixed on him.
"Can you manifest it?" Karin asked softly. "I want to see them."
"I'll try."
Naruto closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and sought that feeling of weight in his chakra, that metallic solidity he had felt through Karin when they linked their energies.
He concentrated on his lower back visualizing the golden steel.
Clink.
A golden chain surged from his back with a real metallic sound; it wasn't long, barely five feet, but it moved with speed and struck the stone floor breaking the rock easily to stay there tense and vibrating.
Karin approached slowly, reached out, and touched the golden metal made of chakra running her fingers along the links.
"It's solid," Karin whispered. "Chakra condensed into physical form, identical to the description in the clan records and it feels very strong, it's incredible."
Naruto smiled looking at the chain over his shoulder.
"I can only bring out one and for now it only works to fix me to the ground or hit something close, but it's a start."
"Enough to surprise a confident enemy who thinks they can knock you down," Tsunade said. "Retract it, you have a mission to complete and the sun is already high, I don't want you arriving late to your own departure."
An hour later, the midday sun beat down on the gates of Konoha.
The full squad was gathered. Naruto, Sakura, Hinata, Shizune, and Karin joined the support group that was already prepared.
Tenten was finishing adjusting the straps of a massive backpack that looked like it weighed more than she did. Beside her, Kiba was checking the guards on Akamaru's legs, and Shino was counting insect jars on his belt.
"You're late," said Tenten, tossing a storage scroll to Shikamaru. "Here, you carry Group A's emergency rations. I'm carrying the heavy weaponry and tents."
"Why do I have to carry the extra food?" complained Shikamaru, catching the scroll.
"Because I'm carrying three hundred kunai, two hundred explosive tags, and enough water so Kiba doesn't die of thirst in two hours," Tenten retorted, patting her own load with satisfaction. "Besides, I'm the only one who knows how to organize the inventory so it doesn't explode in the heat."
"Don't complain, Shikamaru," said Kiba, standing up and cracking his neck. "Akamaru and I are going to track the whole way. We need to travel light for the vanguard. Right, boy?"
Woof! barked Akamaru, ready to run.
"My kikaichū have already scouted the initial perimeter," added Shino with his usual stoic tone. "We are ready to depart on command."
"Wait, missing the most important thing," said Naruto.
He pulled a wooden box covered in complex, softly humming seals from his backpack.
Shizune arched an eyebrow.
"Is that... sensitive medical equipment?"
"It's high-level diplomacy," Naruto corrected, hugging the box. "Fresh ingredients from Ichiraku. Handmade noodles, naruto, and concentrated broth. All under a stasis seal Tenten helped me configure last night."
Kiba let out a loud laugh.
"You're carrying ramen through the desert? Seriously, Naruto?"
Karin looked at the box and then at Naruto, shaking her head, though a small smile escaped her.
"Typical..." she murmured.
"I gave Temari my word," said Naruto, and his voice lost all trace of a joke. He looked at his teammates seriously. "A ninja keeps his promise. Even if it's about noodles."
Tsunade, flanked by two ANBU, watched the group from the shadow of the gate's arch.
"Go," ordered the Hokage. "You have a job to do. Naruto, Karin, Shizune... keep the team in one piece."
"Yes, ma'am!" they responded in unison.
"What a drag," sighed Shikamaru, starting to walk first. "Let's go before the sun gets worse."
Tenten adjusted her backpack and followed Shikamaru.
"Don't stray too far! If we need smoke bombs, I have them!" she yelled.
Kiba and Akamaru shot out toward the front, kicking up dust, followed by a silent Shino.
Naruto adjusted his ninja headband, looked at Hinata and Sakura, who nodded ready for action, and then at Karin, who waited a little further back.
"Let's go, team!" yelled Naruto, running toward the horizon.
They had a desert to cross and a promise to keep.
***
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