Night fell, and a white mist began to drift through the pitch-black forest. Green lights flickered in the darkness from time to time. As night arrived, wild beasts emerged.
*Splat!*
A boar with tusks was killed by Naruto and Kiba working together. After a few whimpers, it fell to the ground.
"Yeah! We have dinner for tonight!"
"It's all thanks to my nose!"
Inuzuka Kiba struck a pose he thought was cool, but Naruto completely ignored him and dragged the boar back.
"Annoying Naruto, just you wait!"
Back at their temporary camp, Shikamaru had already set up a bonfire, and Sasuke was still unconscious, leaning against a tree.
"Shikamaru, is Sasuke still not awake?"
"Not yet. You guys actually brought back a wild boar!"
Shikamaru expressed some surprise. Although this boar was relatively small, it was still quite strong, and one could be sent flying several meters away if not careful.
"Don't forget, I'm an expert when it comes to animals!" Inuzuka Kiba jumped out again, claiming all the credit.
"But your clan studies dogs, right? Have you started dabbling in pigs now?"
Shikamaru shuddered at the thought of encountering pig-like summoning beasts everywhere on the battlefield in the future.
What a pig of a teammate!
"Ah... we have some experience! Hahaha!" Inuzuka Kiba scratched his head and laughed.
Naruto checked on Sasuke and then asked Shikamaru, "What about Choji? Isn't he back yet?"
He and Kiba had gone to find food, Choji was responsible for water, and Shikamaru stayed behind to guard Sasuke and set up the temporary camp.
Shikamaru frowned and said, "He should have been back by now even if he didn't find anything."
"Could something have happened?"
"Should we all go look for him?"
Shikamaru was about to nod when he saw Choji running back as if escaping, his face filled with terror.
"Quick! Run! There are wolves!"
"What!"
Before he could finish speaking, pairs of green eyes appeared in the surrounding woods. Wolves the size of calves gradually revealed themselves in the light of the bonfire.
Their ferocious jaws, lined with sharp teeth, dripped with foul-smelling saliva. At this moment, Naruto and the others were like delicious food.
Naruto quickly slung Sasuke onto his back and said to Inuzuka Kiba, "Hey, aren't you the expert? What should we do in this situation?"
Inuzuka Kiba was already trembling, his teeth chattering, "Although wolves are canines, I haven't learned how to train ninja dogs yet!"
Shikamaru's expression turned serious. "Quick, grab your torches and drive them away, or we might not get a good night's sleep."
It wasn't just about not getting a good night's sleep; becoming someone's meal was also a possibility.
If it were just a dozen wolves, it would be manageable, but this...
Shikamaru watched as more and more wolves emerged, cold sweat dripping down his forehead. Had they stumbled into a wolf's den?
*Awoooooooooo!*
*Awoooooooooo!*
"Run! They're calling for reinforcements!" Shikamaru knew they couldn't stay here for long, or the wolf pack would only grow larger.
"How unsportsmanlike, calling for backup!"
Naruto couldn't help but grumble, but perhaps the wolves here were unusually intelligent. As if they understood Naruto's words, they let out a howl and charged forward.
*Whoosh...*
Facing the charging wolf pack, Naruto and the others could only use their torches to scare them away, but this wouldn't last long.
As time passed, the torchlight began to fade.
"Let's break through together!"
Running separately now would be no different from suicide. If they stayed together, perhaps there would be a glimmer of hope.
Perhaps fate was on their side, as Sasuke, who had been unconscious, slowly woke up. But the next moment, he cursed loudly.
"Are you trying to get me killed!"
"Sasuke, you're awake!" Seeing Sasuke awake, Naruto grinned. It was good that his friend was safe.
Sasuke moved his wrists. He wasn't afraid of one wolf, and if he couldn't fight a pack, he could run. But this dense wolf pack... Naruto, you idiot, always giving him such difficult problems!
*Awooooo!*
Some of the wolves, unable to control their hunger, charged at Naruto and the others, braving the blinding firelight. Their sharp claws aimed straight for their throats.
*Bang!*
*"Awoooooooooo x﹏x."*
A wolf was sent flying with a howl. Although they weren't even genin yet, they were still stronger than mere wolves.
But a dense pack of wolves was another matter; they could be worn down to death.
The attack of this single wolf seemed to be a signal, and more and more wild wolves ferociously pounced at them.
In an instant, all of them sustained injuries.
"Chidori!"
At this moment, a dazzling lightning flash flickered among the wolves. The lightning, like fiery serpents, weaved through the pack, clearing an open space in the blink of an eye.
"Are you kids alright?"
Kakashi, with his white hair, landed before them. After a brief observation, he breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, he hadn't arrived too late.
"It's Uncle White Hair!"
Naruto seemed to recognize Kakashi and shouted excitedly.
Kakashi: "..."
"We're saved!" Shikamaru and the others wiped the sweat from their brows.
Although he really wanted to correct Naruto's address for him, he decided to deal with the wolves first.
Kakashi drew the short sword from his back, channeling lightning chakra into it. The eyes beneath his mask sharpened.
*Whoosh...*
Another burst of lightning flashed through the dark woods, followed by a pungent smell of burning filling the air.
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Naruto and the others covered their noses and mouths, coughing incessantly. The surroundings were filled with charred wild wolves, emitting a foul odor.
"Let's leave this place and find somewhere to stay for the night. I'll take you back to the village tomorrow."
Kakashi glanced at the sky. It was a bit far from Konoha Village. Even if he could go back, the children's stamina wouldn't hold out.
"By the way, have you seen Shimura Yasutomi?"
Everyone: "..."
Naruto scratched his head and said, "It seems... he came with us just now..."
Kakashi looked at them for a while and let out a deep sigh. Why did he have to work today!
...
Kakashi and the others searched for a while before finding Shimura Yasutomi, who had fainted from hunger, in a gully.
It was already close to midnight, and the temperature in the forest plummeted. Kakashi had no choice but to find a cave for Naruto and the others to spend the night.
The cave was nothing special, except perhaps for its unusually large entrance.
Kakashi sat by the entrance to keep watch, while the children slept in the inner part of the cave.
The cave was deep, and Kakashi didn't explore it further, as they would return to the village first thing in the morning.
In the middle of the night, a little blond boy, seemingly needing to urinate, groggily got up to find a toilet and staggered towards the back of the cave.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, Naruto only knew that the deeper he went, the warmer it became, and his urge to urinate lessened.
Gradually, a fluffy tail appeared in Naruto's vision. Naruto thought he was dreaming and ran over to hug the tail. A warmth flowed from his heart.
Sleepiness also overwhelmed him, and he completely released his pressure, hugging the tail and falling asleep.
Not long after, a certain creature felt its tail was a little wet. It turned its glowing, lantern-sized demonic eyes.
"You brat! What did you do to me!"