It was the middle of the Chūnin Exams in the Forest of Death, and the tension was palpable. Teams were spending five grueling days inside the forest, fighting to secure both the Heaven and Earth scrolls and make it to the tower in the center.

In a small clearing, Sasuke and Naruto lay unconscious in the grass. Sasuke's body was marked with the sinister curse seal from Orochimaru, his face twisted in pain even in his unconscious state. Naruto, having used up much of his energy, was knocked out beside him. Left alone, Sakura stood in front of them, trembling but determined, as the Sound ninja trio — Zaku, Dosu, and Kin — approached. Orochimaru had sent them to eliminate Sasuke and his team.

Kin sneered as she grabbed a fistful of Sakura's long pink hair, yanking her to the ground. "Is this all you've got? Pathetic." Kin mocked, her voice dripping with malice. Sakura’s heart pounded in her chest, fear gnawing at her insides, but something snapped within her. She had to protect them.

With a sharp inhale, Sakura took her kunai and cut through her hair, freeing herself from Kin's grasp. Her pink hair fell to the ground in clumps, now much shorter. Kin looked stunned for a moment, but Sakura didn't waste any time.

As Zaku rushed toward her, Sakura leapt forward, biting down on his arm, holding on with all her strength. Zaku growled in frustration, smashing his fist into her head repeatedly. "Get off!" He shouted, pain mixing with anger. Tears welled up in Sakura’s eyes, her face bruised, but she refused to let go, desperation fueling her as she tried to protect her teammates.