Konoha: The Honored One

Sasuke's face twitched as he staggered to his feet. His left arm hung limp, bent at an unnatural angle, and his body was riddled with bruises and scratches. Blood trickled from his mouth as his anger boiled over.

"Damn it." His voice was low, trembling with frustration. How could I lose to Naruto? That idiot is all smiles and ramen dreams. I'm supposed to be the avenger here! I grind day and night for power, and I still lose?

Naruto, holding his own bloodied arm, took a deep breath and locked eyes with Sasuke.

"Huha... Sasuke, you lost fair and square. So, apologize to Sakura."

Sasuke's glare turned cold as he glanced at Sakura. He clenched his jaw, the weight of his promise to Gojo pressing on him. "Sakura," he began, his voice taut, "it was my fault earlier."

Sakura's jaw dropped. She looked from Sasuke to Naruto, tears welling up—not from the apology, but from the severity of their injuries.

"Gojo-sensei, please! They're seriously hurt. You have to treat them!" she pleaded desperately.

Gojo shrugged, unfazed. "They're alive, aren't they? If I heal them every time they scrape a knee, how are you supposed to improve? Isn't learning medical ninjutsu your thing?"

"But I—"

"Kid, go fix them up," Gojo interrupted, smirking at her.

Sakura's face flushed with frustration. "I can't! Their injuries are way too serious!"

"Hmm... well, if you wait too long, Sasuke might... you know, die," Gojo added nonchalantly, leaning against a tree.

Panicked, Sakura scrambled to treat them, though her efforts barely stabilized their wounds. It was clear she lacked the skill to handle injuries of this magnitude.

After a few moments of watching her struggle, Gojo sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. I'll step in. Watch closely; you might learn something."

He strode toward the two boys, raising his glowing, chakra-laden hands. Pressing them gently against their wounds, he spoke casually, "Healing isn't just about dumping chakra into someone. You've got to nudge the cells, wake them up, make them regenerate properly. Like baking bread—except faster and bloodier."

Within moments, Naruto and Sasuke's injuries began to vanish.

Sakura's eyes widened. "That's incredible! I couldn't even..."

Gojo waved her off, a teasing grin on his face. "Don't get too impressed. It's all in the finesse, Sakura. You'll get there."

Naruto, however, had other things on his mind. "Sasuke! You lost! That means you have to do what I say!" His grin stretched wide as he rubbed his hands together.

Sasuke scowled. "What do you want?"

Gojo leaned in, his tone conspiratorial. "How about... turning into that cute girl you transformed into last time? Serve him tea or something. Real classy."

Naruto's eyes sparkled. "Oh, that's perfect! Sasuke, do it!"

Sasuke's entire body stiffened. "Not. A. Chance." Hands shoved into his pockets, he stalked off without another word.

"Aw, come on, Sasuke! It's not that bad!" Naruto called after him, but Sasuke was already gone.

Sakura turned on Gojo, her face as red as her ribbon. "Gojo-sensei, we're still kids! Could you please not make things worse?"

Gojo chuckled. "Acknowledging that you're kids means you're already on the path to adulthood.I'm proud of you, Sakura."

Later, at the Hokage's Office

Temari leaned casually against the wall, her gaze locked on Gojo. Meanwhile, Tsunade sat behind her desk, arms crossed and looking unimpressed.

"So," Tsunade said, her tone sharp, "why do my genins look like they've been through a blender?"

Naruto opened his mouth to respond, only for Gojo to flick him in the forehead.

"Eh, just some 'team bonding,'" Gojo said with a yawn.

The rest of Team Seven exchanged exhausted glances.

"Gojo-sensei, you—" Naruto began furiously, but Gojo's hand snapped out, sending him flying across the room.

"I don't need commentary, Fox Boy."

Tsunade pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering something under her breath. "Anyway, we have bigger issues. Gaara's been taken by the Akatsuki."

The room fell silent.

"Sunagakure has requested our help," she continued. "Gaara is their Kazekage and a Jinchūriki. If we don't act, things could spiral out of control."

Gojo raised an eyebrow. "And why's that my problem?"

"Because We're paying you ten million ryo," Temari interjected, setting down a suitcase stuffed with cash.

Gojo's demeanor shifted instantly. "Why didn't you lead with that, Miss Iron Fan?" He patted her head, much to her irritation. "Consider it done!"

"Unbelievable," Tsunade muttered as Gojo sauntered out, whistling. "The man is impossible."

Naruto grumbled, "He's only in it for the money..."

Sakura sighed. "At least Gaara's got a chance now."

Temari, still fuming, whispered to herself, "Is this really the best Konoha has to offer?"