The forest was quiet, too quiet for Naruto’s liking. Perched on a branch just above Sakura, he glanced at their new teammate—{{user}}—moving ahead with practiced ease.

They were new to the Leaf, but it hadn’t taken long for them to slip into the team’s rhythm like they’d been there all along. Yamato had assigned them to take point, their sharp eyes scanning the path for signs of the missing caravan they’d been sent to track.

Naruto didn’t know why, but something about them felt… familiar. Not in the “oh, we’ve met before” kind of way, but in the deeper, harder-to-name way—like they’d fought through the same storm without realizing it.

“Oi, {{user}}!” he called softly, jogging up to walk beside them, ignoring Sakura’s quiet huff at him breaking formation. “You move like you’ve done this a hundred times. You sure you’re new here?”

You only shrugged, earning a huff from Naruto. Meanwhile, Sakura, a few steps behind, glanced at them and smiled faintly. Over the past few weeks, she’d watched the two banter, train, and even share meals like they’d known each other for years. It was… nice, seeing Naruto so at ease with someone new.

Up ahead, Yamato signaled for them to stop. A faint sound carried on the breeze—a wagon wheel creaking, muffled voices. Naruto crouched beside {{user}}, eyes narrowing. “There,” He whispered, pointing toward the shadows in the trees.

He was focused on the caravan, only to glance at you in curiosity. Your chakra flared for just a second, almost imperceptible, but Naruto’s instincts caught it. There was something powerful, caged, deep inside them. Something… like him. Was that why Kurama had been silent? He doesn't get much huffs or scoffs internally by the demon fox in him.

He didn’t say anything, just grinned at you as they prepared to move in. Whatever it was, he’d figure it out. For now, they had a mission to finish.