The moment Kanon prepared to strike, Sasuke's voice cut through the air, halting her.
"Kanon! Back down!"
At the sound of his voice, Kanon's Mangekyō Sharingan instantly contracted, reverting to its three-tomoe state.
"Nii-chan?!" Kanon turned around in surprise, but she froze. Sasuke was radiating a bizarre aura; a purple chakra pulsed around him, leaking a constant, thick waves of killing intent.
"What's happening to you?!" Kanon stared at the strange markings spreading across his body, her confusion quickly turning into deep concern.
"I told you to back down!" Sasuke barked at her.
Kanon had no choice but to comply; she still respected her brother's authority immensely. She stepped back behind him and moved to the side of Sakura and Naruto, beginning to treat their wounds.
Meanwhile, Zaku Abumi struggled to his feet, gritting his teeth against the agony. The Chidori had pierced his lung, but it wasn't enough to kill him instantly. He looked at Sasuke's transformed state and scoffed, thinking it was just some cheap trick.
"Zaku, can you fire one more air cannon?" Dosu asked.
"Barely... once."
Zaku painfully raised his hands and unleashed a blast toward Sasuke. The force of the discharge sent Zaku reeling back several steps.
But Sasuke, empowered by the Cursed Seal, moved with blistering speed. He snatched up Naruto, Kanon, and Sakura, clearing the radius of the air cannon in a blur.
Before anyone could blink, he delivered a backhand that sent Zaku tumbling. But he wasn't finished. His hands blurred through signs as he exhaled a barrage of flames.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
As the heavily injured Zaku prepared to fire a final, desperate air cannon through the pain, Sasuke flickered behind him. He seized Zaku's arms from behind and braced his feet against the boy's back.
"You seem quite proud of these hands of yours."
"My sister might have put a hole in your lung, but this... this might hurt a little more!"
Zaku turned his head weakly, screaming at Sasuke, "Stop it!"
A sickening crack of bone echoed through the clearing, a sound so visceral it made everyone's skin crawl. Sasuke, however, wore a look of twisted euphoria.
"Let me play with you a little longer!" Sasuke said calmly, turning his gaze toward Dosu.
Watching this version of Sasuke, Sakura finally broke. She screamed for him to stop and sprinted toward him.
"Hey, Sakura! Your wounds aren't healed yet!" Kanon's Mystical Palm Technique was interrupted, and she watched in shock as Sakura threw herself at Sasuke, wrapping her arms around him in a desperate embrace.
In that instant, the dark markings of the Cursed Seal slowly receded from Sasuke's skin.
Seeing the power fade, Dosu finally pieced it together. Orochimaru had sent them to assassinate Sasuke, but the primary goal had been to test the power of the Cursed Seal he had bestowed upon the boy.
Knowing they were outmatched, Dosu reached for his Earth Scroll and tossed it toward Kanon, who was standing the farthest away.
"You siblings are strong. As we are now, we cannot defeat you."
"Take this as compensation. Please, let us leave."
"We have something we must confirm. In exchange, let us make a promise."
"If we encounter you siblings again during this exam, we will not hide, and we will not run."
With that, Dosu gathered the unconscious Zaku and Kin and vanished from the area.
What happened to my brother? Kanon rushed to Sasuke's side to check his condition. Aside from the mysterious Cursed Seal on his neck, he seemed physically intact.
"Nii-chan, are you okay?!"
"I... I'm fine."
As the tension broke, members of the other teams began to emerge from the brush to help. Neji Hyuga stood off to the side, his gaze fixed solely on Kanon Uchiha.
That jutsu earlier was incredible. I'm not even sure my Rotation could have blocked it.
She might actually be stronger than me...
To think the Uchiha prodigy was this capable. And Sasuke as well... Neji mused to himself.
In the midst of the chaos, only Naruto, whom Kanon had been carrying, remained fast asleep. He was talking in his sleep, mumbling about protecting Kanon and Sakura while simultaneously insulting Sasuke.
"What should we do with this guy? Kick him awake?" Shikamaru asked Kanon.
"No need. Let him sleep." Kanon's lips curved into a soft smile. Though the battle had been perilous, everyone in Team 7 had made it out alive.
Sasuke looked down at his trembling hands, still trying to process the terrifying surge of power he had just felt.
Eventually, Naruto was knocked awake by Shikamaru. After all, being carried by a girl a year younger than him was a bit embarrassing.
"Where am I...?" Naruto blinked, realizing he was on Kanon's back.
"Kanon?! You're back!" Naruto immediately checked her back and saw her jacket had been burned away, leaving only the mesh armor.
"What happened to you?" Naruto asked, worried.
"Instead of worrying about me, you should look at your favorite, Sakura. She gave up a lot more," Kanon said, turning around while still supporting him.
Seeing Sakura's long hair had been cut short, Naruto scrambled off Kanon's back and ran over to her.
"Sakura! Your hair..."
Kanon watched him run off and sighed, putting her hands on her hips. Hey, I'm pretty too, you know! She puffed out her cheeks in mock annoyance at Naruto's singular focus on Sakura.
Shikamaru walked over and patted her shoulder. "That Naruto guy really is a drag."
"You can say that again," Kanon laughed, walking over to join the rest of Team 7.
The battlefield was gradually cleared. Rock Lee, who had also regained consciousness, felt awkward and ashamed for failing to protect Sakura. Naruto, true to form, immediately started teasing him.
"Well, if it isn't bushy-brows!"
He was promptly sent flying by a punch from Sakura.
"Don't you talk to Lee like that!" Sakura roared. Lee had, after all, risked his life for them.
As Naruto tumbled dozens of meters away, Kanon hurried after him. "Are you okay, Naruto?!"
Sakura turned back to Lee and bowed her head. "Lee, thank you..."
"Because of you, I was able to wake up. I feel like I've become a little bit stronger."
Lee was moved to tears. "Sakura... it seems I still have a lot of training to do." He then looked at Sasuke, who stood nearby with his hands in his pockets.
"Sasuke, you truly are an Uchiha. To be able to repel those Sound ninja... you possess great power. Whereas I was utterly defeated."
Sasuke froze. Lee was defeated? Then what was with those Sound ninja... are they really that strong? The question lingered in his mind.
"Sakura, the lotus of Konoha will bloom once more."
"Huh?" Sakura looked at Lee, confused.
"The next time we meet, I vow that I will be a much stronger man."
Lee raised his voice, shouting toward Kanon, who was currently helping Naruto's swelling go down. "Kanon! I'm talking to you too!"
"I heard you!" Kanon yelled back, shaking her head with a smile.