The Perfect Jinchuriki

My Own Destiny

In the dim, haunting shadows of the Forest of Death, Orochimaru staggered to his feet, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. His sinister smile faltered as he watched Sakura drag the unconscious bodies of Sasuke and Naruto away from the battlefield."That brat... that was some... power," Orochimaru muttered, struggling to stand upright, his gaze fixed on Naruto's retreating form. "Looks like... I'm done for now," he admitted with a faint chuckle, coughing again. "Damn that Kyuubi... Maybe the Leaf... still has a future..."His ominous words faded into the mist as he sank back into the shadows, letting Team 7 escape, but not without leaving a promise that his influence would continue to haunt them.---Sakura rushed through the dense forest, her breaths heavy as she carried Sasuke on her back and dragged Naruto along, his arms slung over her shoulder. "Oh, Sasuke... I hope you're alright," she murmured, glancing back at Naruto. "And Naruto... I never knew you were that strong," she whispered, a touch of awe in her voice as she recalled his fierce battle against Orochimaru.Once she found a sheltered area beneath a cluster of trees, she laid Sasuke and Naruto down carefully. Her hands trembled as she began tending to their wounds with whatever supplies she had, dabbing a wet cloth over Sasuke's forehead. She was exhausted, but fear drove her to keep working.Suddenly, Sasuke's body began to tremble, his face contorting in pain as he let out a strangled scream. "Nooo!" he cried, his body thrashing violently as the dark mark on his neck pulsed and spread, twisting into cursed black markings that crawled over his skin.Sakura jolted awake from a brief moment of rest, fear flashing in her eyes. She pressed her hand gently against his forehead, feeling the heat radiating from his fevered skin. "He's burning up... I have to cool him down," she mumbled, grabbing her canteen and dampening a cloth to place on his forehead. "Please... please be alright, Sasuke," she murmured, tears glistening in her eyes.Suddenly, a rustle sounded nearby. Sakura stiffened, her instincts sharpening as she stepped into the open, kunai in hand. "Who's there?" she called, her voice laced with anxiety.A small squirrel darted out from the bushes, its tiny paws scuttling toward her. Without hesitation, Sakura threw her kunai in front of it, forcing it to change direction. She noticed the explosive tags strapped to its back just in time."Damn that Leaf shinobi!" a voice muttered from the shadows. "Looks like she saw through our trap.""No," a second voice countered, "she threw the kunai to stop the squirrel from stepping on her trap."As the squirrel scampered away, three figures emerged from the bushes, each wearing dark attire marked with the red insignia of the Sound Village. Leading them was Zaku, a member of the Sound Trio, infamous for his ability to manipulate powerful sound waves."Well, well," Zaku taunted, smirking as he looked Sakura up and down. "Not bad, little lady. But that won't stop us from taking Sasuke back to Orochimaru."Sakura's heart raced as she positioned herself in front of her injured teammates. She tightened her grip on her kunai, eyes blazing with a fierce determination. "You won't lay a finger on Sasuke," she said firmly, her voice steady despite the tremor of fear that pulsed within her. "I won't let Orochimaru take him again. You'll have to go through me first!"Zaku's expression twisted with amusement as he laughed, the sound harsh and mocking. "You really think you can stop us on your own? That's rich! You're just a weak little girl, completely out of your league."Sakura clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she fought to suppress the fear gnawing at her. She may not have the raw strength or powerful techniques that Naruto and Sasuke wielded, but she refused to let her friends down. She could feel her chakra stirring, the result of the control techniques Naruto had taught her, and she let it ground her, steadying her stance."Underestimate me at your own peril," Sakura replied, her voice cold and unwavering. "I may not be as strong as them, but I won't let anyone harm the people I care about."Zaku narrowed his eyes, the smirk never leaving his face. He raised his arm, aiming it at her. "Alright then, let's see what you're made of!" He stretched his arm forward, releasing a shockwave of sound with his Decapitating Airwaves Jutsu.Sakura leapt back, dodging the brunt of the blast, but the force knocked her to the ground, her shoulder hitting hard against a rock. She gasped, pain flaring, but quickly scrambled to her feet, her gaze never wavering as she faced Zaku and his team."That's enough playing around," Zaku sneered, signaling his teammate Kin, a kunoichi with raven hair tied in two ponytails. Kin stepped forward, her eyes filled with malice as she locked onto Sakura.In a swift move, Kin dashed behind Sakura, her fingers tangling into Sakura's hair and yanking her backward. Sakura cried out, struggling against the painful grip. Kin sneered, pulling harder as she forced Sakura's head back."Look at you," Kin mocked, a smirk curling her lips. "So weak and helpless. Did you really think you could protect anyone? Pathetic."Sakura's breath hitched as Kin's words cut deep, touching on every insecurity that had haunted her since the Chunin Exams began. She had watched Naruto and Sasuke risk their lives, pushing themselves to the limit while she could do little more than stand by. The memories of her helplessness fueled a fire within her, and she felt her resolve solidify.With a determined gleam in her eyes, Sakura reached for her kunai. Her fingers brushed the cold metal as she made a silent vow to herself. *I will not be a liability anymore. I refuse to be the weak link.*In one swift motion, she raised the kunai to her hair, slashing through the strands that Kin held. Her long pink locks fell around her as she tore herself free from Kin's grip, breaking away and landing in a defensive stance.Kin blinked in surprise, her hand still holding a severed lock of Sakura's hair. "What... you cut your hair?"Sakura straightened, the remnants of her hair framing her face as she stared Kin down. "I won't let anyone stop me from protecting my friends," she declared, her voice filled with a fierce new resolve. "I'm done being the weak one."Kin's shock quickly turned to anger as she glared at Sakura. "You'll regret that!" she snapped, charging forward. Sakura's gaze remained steady as she dodged, sidestepping Kin's attack with newfound agility.As Kin stumbled, Sakura seized the opportunity, slamming her shoulder into Kin's side and forcing her back. Zaku scowled, stepping in to assist, but Sakura didn't waver. She took a defensive stance, her eyes locked onto both enemies as they advanced."You've got spirit," Zaku taunted, "but it won't save you."Sakura steadied her breathing, focusing on the chakra control techniques Naruto had shown her. She channeled what little chakra she had left into her fists, bracing herself for the attack."Bring it on," she challenged, the fire in her eyes unyielding.Zaku raised his arms, unleashing another blast of sound. Sakura leapt back, narrowly avoiding the shockwave, but the force sent her reeling. She staggered, her legs wobbling from the strain, but she clenched her teeth, refusing to back down.Kin lunged at her again, kunai poised to strike. Sakura dodged, countering with a swift kick that knocked the kunai out of Kin's hand. Zaku moved in, his fist swinging toward her, but Sakura ducked, her instincts sharpened as she evaded his attack.The Sound duo, frustrated by her resilience, exchanged a glance, and Zaku nodded at Kin. Together, they attacked in unison, overwhelming Sakura with a barrage of blows. She managed to block some, but the relentless onslaught took its toll, forcing her to the ground.Bruised and exhausted, Sakura struggled to rise, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. But just as Zaku prepared to land a finishing blow, a shuriken whizzed past, embedding itself in a nearby tree."What?" Zaku snarled, turning to face the new threat.Standing at the edge of the clearing were Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji, their expressions fierce as they stepped forward."Sakura, you're not alone in this," Shikamaru called, a hint of a smirk on his face. "We've got your back."Ino knelt beside Sakura, gently helping her to her feet. "Don't worry, Forehead," she said, a soft smile on her lips. "We won't let them touch Sasuke or Naruto."With her friends by her side, Sakura felt a surge of relief and strength. Together, they formed a protective barrier around Team 7, ready to defend their fallen comrades with everything they had.Zaku sneered, glancing at his teammates. "Fine. Looks like we'll have to take all of you down."Shikamaru's smirk widened. "You're welcome to try."As the Sound shinobi advanced, the battle intensified, each of Team 10 fighting with the resolve to protect their friends. Sakura, though battered and bruised, stood firm, her heart resolute as she fought alongside her comrades. She had cut her hair as a symbol of her determination, and she would fight to prove her strength, to show that she was no longer the weak, helpless girl they once knew.The Forest of Death echoed with the clash of kunai and the defiant cries of Team 10 and Sakura as they stood their ground, their bond strengthened by the fierce determination to protect their friends, no matter the cost.