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"SAKURA-CHAAN! IT BIT ME!" A shrill voice shouted and Sakura looked up to see Naruto hopping around trying to shake off a lizard from his hand.

Indeed it did bite him, judging from the sharp pair of teeth sunk into his hand and the blood trickling down. Sighing, she put down the two stones she was using and got up to help her blond friend, since Sasuke wasn't even sparing him a glance, but she could clearly hear his mutterings of "Idiot".

"Naruto, stay still!" She said, slapping his arm, making him fall to the floor in pain. "Let me get it off you!"

She knelt down in front him. The blue eyed boy was pouting like a child whose candy had just been taking away but she ignored him, and held his bloodied hand in her own, then gently extracted the lizard from it. It tried to scurry away, but the Uchiha sitting a few feet away got it with a kunai.

"I knew it wanted revenge!" Naruto exclaimed. "Because we've been eating its family, you know? So obviously it's going to come back for us! But mostly for me, because I was so hungry and they tasted like chicken! I feel horrible Sakura-chyaaan! What will I do? Oh gosh, Kami-sama forgive me! I didn't mean it! But they were just sooo good an-"

But he was shut up by the butt of a kunai to the head, knocking him down. "Shut. Up. Dobe." Sasuke stated, clearly irritated.

Naruto couldn't reply because he was too busy seeing stars, but he was conscious enough to groan an angry reply. Sakura just laughed and pulled out a bandage from her pouch, wrapping it around the blond's already healed hand.

"Just for precautions," she mumbled to herself, not intending for anyone else to hear. But Sasuke and his sharp senses did, and he gave her a suspicious look, which she played off by shrugging.

He looked like he didn't want to drop it, but eventually looked away and carried on trying to light the fire with a mini Gokakyuu no jutsu. The dried grass immediately took fire, creating a comforting orange blaze in the setting sun. Since, despite the mishap with the reptile, Naruto had already gutted and cleaned the lizards the had hunted and skewered them, she picked up the ten dead reptiles (two for Sakura and Sasuke, six for their blond comrade) and handed them over to the Uchiha, who roughly stuck the sticks into the ground, grilling them over the fire.

"Sakura, we need water," Sasuke told her, and she nodded.

Over the course of the seven weeks they had been stranded in this exaggerated excuse for a training ground, the pink haired girl had at least managed to get used to doing some minor water jutsu to help them survive. It wasn't easy, and drained most of her chakra but she supposed it was good training. Her chakra coils had expanded greatly since she came into the training grounds. They all made their contributions to their survival and maybe, one could call this group training even. Sasuke gave the warmth and fire, Naruto gave them food and shelter, and she gave them water and first aid. The three had also decided to spar with each other, so that their skills wouldn't get rusty. Because of this, Naruto was finally able to keep up with she and Sasuke, much to the Uchiha's disgruntlement. Really, the seven weeks had been quite productive for them, and somewhere in the back of her mind, the pink haired girl was slightly grateful to their jōnin sensei. Maybe he wasn't crazy after all.

"Ne…Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked when they were sitting around the fire under the dark sky, nibbling on their food. Both the other two genin's attention was drawn to the suddenly gloomy blond and gave him an expectant look.

"Well, you know that we've all become quite close this past few weeks…" Naruto said shyly, not looking at anyone of them. Even through the orange glow of the fire, both could see his clearly burning cheeks. "So, I was thinking that maybe we could all get something to signal our bond as a team. Like Team 8, who all wear hoodies and look like their dressed to go up in the mountains or something."

He looked like he regretted it though, seeing the hurt look on the blond's face. He didn't apologize of course, since he was an Uchiha and all, so he just looked away. Sakura wasn't so quick to dismiss the blue eyed boy's idea, and rolled the idea around her head for a bit. It would be a good thing…after all. Team bonds were very important. But she couldn't get attached. She had promised to be loyal to no one but her Onee-chan.

…Oh who was she kidding? She'd been attached to these two idiots ever since she had met them two years ago and it was too late to cut those bonds. Maybe though, it could be used to her advantage. She wouldn't be Luna's pupil if she didn't know how to take advantage of certain situations. They could both make her stronger, and in return she could try and "help" Sasuke gain his dream of killing Itachi and Naruto's dream of being Hokage. It was a win-win situation, really.

"I don't think that's such a bad idea Naruto," she told him, flinging her bones away and dusting her hands on her severely ripped up tights, which now only covered a few parts of her legs.

Naruto looked up, a bright grin on his face, which was so infectious that even she had to join in, and Sasuke was left to stare at his two beaming teammates wondering why he just had to get saddled with one idiot and a softy.

"Alright! In your face, teme! See? Sakura-chan is on my side now!" Naruto exclaimed, sticking his tongue out at Sasuke, to which the Uchiha responded to by casually cleaning his nails with a very sharp kunai. The cerulean eyed boy got the message and immediately retracted the muscle.

"But what'll we do?" Sakura asked, changing the subject.

Naruto stopped to think, and surprisingly, so did Sasuke. They remained in silence for a while, each with a pensive look on their face thinking of something cool.

"Why don't we wear earrings?" Naruto suggested, and both Sakura and Sasuke shook his head.

"That's Team 10's thing," Sakura drawled on, rolling her eyes. "Ino-pig came bragging to me about the studs her teacher gave her yesterday." The two boys on her team gave her a weird look before silently agreeing with each other on something she had no clue about.

"Hn", Sasuke grunted. "Then why don't we just change and coordinate our outfits?"

Hmm...It wasn't a bad idea though; it was practical and could also be stylish. Also, it wouldn't be a hassle if it was just clothes. And looking at everyone's ripped up clothes; they all clearly needed a change of attire. Especially Naruto, whose bright orange jumpsuit and black t-shirt had been reduced to a flimsy pair of shorts and a midriff cut.

"That could work…teme." Naruto agreed, but never forgetting the insult. And Sakura nodded in agreement, making Sasuke bear a very smug smirk on his face.

"Hn," the Uchiha stated. "Well then, when we're released next week, we'll go find some."

"Yeah! And our colors will be red, black and orange! And maybe some silver…for Kakashi-sensei." Naruto added at the end.

"I am not wearing orange, dobe." Sasuke declared resolutely.

"Ah, come on Sasuke," Sakura said to him, trying to pacify the Uchiha "It won't be a lot, just to represent Naruto. The outfit will be mostly black anyway."

Naruto also nodded enthusiastically, until finally, the onyx eyed boy agreed.

"YES!" Naruto shouted happily, fist pumping energetically. "Team 7 will be legendary! And we'll go on missions and kick ass and save the world! Yeah baby!"

And neither Sakura nor Sasuke had the heart to stop his mini-celebration.

Underground, a silver haired jōnin smiled softly. It seemed they had finally learned the lesson he was trying to teach them. Teamwork was very important, and it was crucial that they learned it before going on any serious meetings. Stranding them in the dry kraal was to teach them how to work together and survive…and maybe a little for his own amusement. But the point was it was training, and he was also proud to say that they had also become a little stronger during their time here. So all in all, it was a very beneficial training ground.

He, on the other hand, had spent the past seven weeks training like the devil himself was coming for him. Since the years during the war, well it was safe to say that his once great and feared skills had become more than a little…rusty as much as he despised to admit it. Before when he was strong enough to take on the Hokage himself and at least be able to gravely injure the man, now all it would take was a serious spar with Gai to take him down. Luckily, during their little competitions he had never let that happen…oh the humiliation of being beaten by someone who wore a bright green jumpsuit that hugged way too well.

But he had a team now, and even though he didn't really want them, he was still going to protect them with his life. And how the hell was he going to do that if some random missing-nin could take him down? The day he met them, he went to his friend's grave and swore that he wouldn't let anything happen to the irritating morons because if something did happen, well, there would be a suicidal jōnin for the Hokage to deal with.

Anyway, he was…proud of his team, if that was the word. They had managed to survive this long, proving that they weren't completely useless and only had one more week to go. After that, well, it was missions from there on out. And he sure as hell wasn't going to let them get only D-rank missions.

Over his dead body.

Cleaning up crap and chasing homicidal maniacs, also known as Tora the cat, wasn't exactly his idea of a good time. But then again, maybe a few to torture his ugly little ducklings with would be a bit fun…Yes, quite fun actually.

Meh, maybe a few wouldn't be too bad…

Wait, was this a dream? Could she really feel the warm wind tickle her hair? The soft grass under her flushed body. Could she really hear the birds chirping happily? It must have been a drea-

SPALSH!

"AHH!" A shrill voice screamed, and she too immediately jackknifed into a sitting position, spluttering and coughing along with her black haired teammate.

"Wake up, my little ducklings!" A very cheerful voice said from above them. "What a beautiful day it is! Always best to start bright and early, you know? And you three really needed that with the way you smelt."

Sakura roughly swiped her wet pink hair from her forehead and looked up, with a glare that could make even most men cower. Too bad Kakashi wasn't part of that category.

"What the hell, Kakashi-sensei?!" Naruto shouted, jumping to his feet all up in the older man's face and shaking his fist angrily. Kakashi just gave him a look which clearly said "Get out of my personal space. NOW."

Even a knucklehead like Naruto got the message and he reluctantly moved away, mostly for his self-preservation.

Looking to her right, she saw that her Uchiha companion wasn't even looking at them, instead just wallowing in his own pit of silent fury.

'Cool and composed,' she thought she heard him mutter over and over again.

"Anyway, today is the day we start missions," he told them all, ignoring their shocked faces. "But first, I can't have you all looking like you went through a meat grinder. What will the people think? And, I'm also really tired of those stupid clothes you guys call outfits so," He paused, digging into his pocket and pulling out a HUGE clump of money before tossing it into the most trusted student's lap, which was obviously Sakura's. "Here's some money, and we're all going to go shopping. I need a new mask myself, so I'll be accompanying you."

"W-Will you be paying for us?" Naruto asked surprised.

"Tch. I don't need anyone to pay for me." Sasuke said pridefully.

Sakura didn't either, considering the fact that as unexpected as it was, or not-so unexpected, her sister had left her a damn large sum in the bank. But it would be rude to decline the gift, and she had been taught better.

"Sasuke…think of it as a gift, okay? 'Cause you can be sure as hell that I won't be paying for anything of yours ever again. This is a once in a lifetime chance…going once…go twice…-"

"We'll take it!" Naruto shouted before he could finish, making Kakashi's eye crinkle in what they assumed be a smile and he nodded.

"Good, shall we go then?" He asked, not even waiting for a response before turning around and walking away, and to the genin's disgruntlement, the epitome of swag.

Yes, their teacher was just infuriating.

Walking down the streets of Konoha was an experience to say the least though, and people couldn't stop staring at the three drenched and dirty genin all wearing rags that only covered the bare essentials. They were self-conscious about it, but their teacher didn't seem fazed about, calmly walking with his nose buried in his book, expertly dodging passerbys and the occasional animal.

Eventually, much to the genin's relief, their sensei stopped in front of a shop which he deemed suitable and entered, the trio following immediately, eager to get away from prying eyes.

"Get whatever you want. Sakura, just don't let them get anything stupid." He said before heading into a completely different section of the store, quickly disappearing from sight.

"Alright then, you guys remember what we said. What's our color palette?" The only female of the team asked, turning to the two boys expectantly, testing to see if they actually did remember.

"Orange!" Naruto immediately called out enthusiastically.

"Black," Sasuke said, clearly just as enthusiastic, but keeping it hidden much better.

"Wrong. Black, orange, red and silver." Sakura instructed firmly, making the blond pout and Sasuke smirk. "We need to get something that includes all of this. I'm not saying matching outfits or anything, just ones that accentuate each other. And the outfit will have to be mostly black, Naruto." She then looked each of them in the eye to further her point before dividing the money equally.

"He gave us four hundred and fifty ryo," she told them, ignoring Naruto's shocked gasp and Sasuke's raised eyebrow, then she calmly handed the other two their one-fifty.

"We'll start with Naruto. Come, Sasuke."

Naruto had to admit that the outfit Sakura had to choose for him wasn't so bad. The black shinobi pants with orange trimming at the bottom and a matching black vest-like tail coat which only reached slightly under his waist with the orange t-shirt under made him look cool, even if he would have rather made the whole thing orange had he had the chance. But Sakura, being the type of girl she was, wouldn't let him, and instead she had promised to sew the orange swirl onto the back as soon as she got the chance; also let him get the plain orange fingerless gloves adorning his hands. His sandals had also changed, to mid-calve plain black one's with orange laces, similar to Sakura's previous ones.

Stopping his little bout of self-appreciation, he looked at Sasuke and begrudgingly admitted that the Uchiha also looked pretty awesome.

He was wearing black shorts with dark blue trimming at the bottom and a plain black t-shirt under a high colored, short sleeved black jacket, which also looked like a shorter version of a tail coat. Unlike Naruto's, though, the trimming was orange. Sakura, bless her soul, had also promised to sew the Uchiha clan symbol onto it. He had changed his accessories, wearing plain blue fingerless gloves and mid-calve sandals like Naruto's, but with blue laces.

Yes, he looked cool. And he knew it too, judging by the not-so subtle smirk he was sporting.

And lastly, was Sakura, who just looked hot (the blond couldn't stop blushing every time he looked at her). She was wearing a mid-sleeve length tail coat which, like both her teammates, reached slightly under her behind with red trimming and a red tank top underneath it with long black tights that had one red line going down the side of her legs. Her sandals were black like her comrades' but instead with red laces. She flexed her red fingerless clad gloves, and admired herself in the mirror, and much to her joy, her tights, which extended inside her shoes just made it seem like her legs were endless.

And the item that tied them all together, which also represented their sensei, were the two silver mini-kunai used for different things. Sakura was using them as hair decorations, Naruto was using them as a vest closer and Sasuke had put one on each of his gloves at the wrist. They had yet to give Kakashi his own pair. But they were should he would like them.

All in all, they looked damn good.

"Well don't you all look….less ugly," Kakashi said, poofing into Sakura's apartment, where they had all decided to clean up since it was the closest to the store. "I'm glad I entrusted Sakura with such an important mission."

Startled, all three jumped, not expecting their sensei to make such a sudden appearance. How did he even know where they were anyway?

"Hehe, thanks Kaka-sensei." Naruto said, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. The jōnin looked a bit taken aback by the nickname but he recovered swiftly.

"Anyway, let's head on over to the Hokage's office, shall we? I'm sure you guys are excited for your first mission, no?" He asked, already turning around. The three genin looked at each other before nodding, prompting Sakura to move forward.

"Ano, Kaka-sensei…Well, we have something to give to you." Sakura said, making the jonin turn around and raise his eyebrow expectantly.

"Yes, what is it, UD number two?" He asked, momentarily flooring Sakura for a moment.

"Huh?" Naruto intelligently asked. Even Sasuke looked lost.

"Well, I can't always be saying 'Ugly duckling', so UD will just have to do for now. Anyway, what is it?" He asked the shocked girl.

'Ugly duckling?' The pink haired girl thought in horror.

"Here," she said angrily, stuffing the two kunai charms into his hand. They were tied together by a black string but he could detach them if needed.

They watched shyly as he took his time examining the two silver charms, turning them around in the sun making them produce bright rays.

"Hmm, pure silver huh? Not bad." He told them smiling brightly, before clipping them onto his belt where everyone could see.

And it was at that moment that Team 7 really became a team.

"So, what are you all waiting for?" He asked them, then turning around a walking away, the three genin quickly following.

Thirty minutes later, they were standing in the Hokage's office in awkward silence, watching the old but very fierce man smoke his pipe like he had all the time in the world.

'Tch, one would think he'd move faster since he already has one foot in the grave.' Thought Sasuke irritably.

The only sounds in the room were the puffs of released air at regular intervals and the annoying tapping of pen hitting paper by the two chūnin doing paperwork. Team 7 was only too aware of the strong gaze their Kage was giving them over his pipe, and they were feeling self-conscious. Of course though, their teacher was only too comfortable reading his book and leaning against the wall lazily, not feeling the tense atmosphere at all.

Finally, Hiruzen put down his smoking equipment noiselessly, making everyone minus Kakashi stare in envy at his grace, and leaned forward, his two folded hands blocking his nose from view.

"My…Team 7, how you have changed," the old man drawled, his brown gaze shifting towards the jōnin in question, who didn't even look up from his book. "Has it really only been two months? It feels like a century. And it seems you have gotten stronger, judging by your chakra. It makes me wonder what training Kakashi has put you through."

'Tch,' the Hokage thought smirking in amusement, 'disrespectful brat like always.' Because no one else could get away with that type of behavior if not Kakashi. Not even his own son. Because, if Kakashi really wanted to stage a coup, he damn well could.

Really, Kakashi was a shoe in for his next successor if he had to choose them.

"Anyone, I already know why you have come," the Kage said, reaching under his desk and throwing the scroll at the silver haired jōnin, who caught it without even looking up from his novel. "And I sure know that it is not for some D-rank mission. Personally, I believe that you can all handle something harder, considering who your teacher is. So I have the perfect mission for you all. It's a simple C-rank mission, only an escort of a civilian bridge builder back to his town, The Land of Waves. It can't take more than a month since you all have to travel at civilian pace and I'm sure you won't have to face anything more than bandits on the road so that should be enough to satisfy you, no?"

They all watched as Kakashi sighed and doggy ear the page he was reading before tucking his beloved safely in his breast pocket and opening the scroll, quickly perusing the contents before closing it and looking at the Professor with a raised eyebrow, asking a question only the Hokage could hear. Momentarily they both looked serious but their emotions were shoved away before anyone even noticed a thing.

"Not to worry Kakashi. I know what you've been doing recently, you can handle it. Actually, we must have a little meeting at the training grounds when you get back. I must have a little chat with you." The Kage said innocently, smiling easily. Kakashi knew that 'chat' meant spar but he wasn't at liberty to say it out loud. Instead, he just smiled under his mask, his eye creasing like usual and scratched his neck.

"Maa…I suppose so. When we get back…Anyway where's the client?" He asked, changing the subject to something safer, aware of the curious gazes of his three students. Clearly they hadn't understood the conversation, which was a good thing.

Though, he was a tad bit surprised when the Hokage had told him that he knew what he was doing. He thought his secret training sessions were well…secret. But then again, you can't really hide anything from Sarutobi Hiruzen. At least now he could put his newly polished skills to use again. He was happy that he was being sent out of the village under the cover of a simple escort mission. Actually, his real mission was to dispose of Momochi Zabuza and collect the bounty. The Hokage didn't actually didn't want the money, it was just that the old man was tired of a bunch of his shinobi being killed by the bloodthirsty swordsman. Kakashi could just keep the money, and there would also be another famous criminal added under his name in the bingo book.

That would make fifty-four S-rank shinobi if he counted correctly.

The Third Fire Shadow knew that their client was lying about the rank of the mission, obviously. The wise old man had just decided to use the mission to his advantage. Because really, how could any shinobi worth his salt not know about the political and economic situation in Wave at the moment? Gato's shipping company was controlling their whole island and it would only make sense if he got rid of his biggest threat immediately. And the bridge builder was that threat. And with a little research the Hokage had found out who was tasked with the job of taking him out. Zabuza was a hindrance to the village of Konoha, either killing or maiming their shinobi regularly so what better time to get rid of him? Send out a genin squad with a competent teacher, call it a C-rank and deal with the criminal once and for all. And in the end, when they had 'found' out about the false rank, get the mission pay for an A-rank! It was like hitting two birds with one stone!

Once again, Kakashi was reminded how truly great their Kage was.

"Bring in the client." The Hokage called out and one chunin immediately rushed to do his bidding. Not even five minutes later, the big oak soundproof doors opened slowly, making the three genin lean forward to get a slightly better view, prompting Sarutobi to chuckle whist relighting his trusty pipe.

"Tch. These three brats are supposed to protect me? They don't look like anything, hic, special to me. I demand a refund." A middle aged man said as soon as he walked into the room and took in the scene. The three brats in question fumed angrily, Naruto almost tackling their client even. Luckily, the words Kakashi had told him the first day they had met had actually made a difference.

"Especially the short one, hic¸ he looks like he could be knocked down with a pinky." The old man said, clearly drunk.

"Haha! Who's the short one?" Naruto asked, an amused smile on his face…which slowly melted off when he realized that Sasuke and Sakura were at least two inches taller than him respectively.

Looks like the joke's on him.

"WHAT?! WHO'RE YOU CALLING SHORT OLD MAN?!" Naruto shouted angrily, pouncing at their customer. Luckily, Kakashi caught him by the collar before he would do something drastic.

"You can't attack the client Naruto. We're supposed to protect him." The masked man said tiredly. Naruto struggled for a while, shouting profanities but eventually calmed down, when he realized that Kakashi wasn't going to let him down. Eventually, he just pouted and crossed his arms, hanging limply from his teacher's hand.

Once said teacher was assured that he wouldn't attack their client, he slowly put down the blond and turned back to the Hokage.

"So when do we leave?" He asked, shoving his hands in his pockets and bending one knee lazily. The chunin in the room looked at the jonin in awe.

'He's so cool!' The first one thought, staring in admiration at the silver haired man, who really was the epitome of Swag at the moment…Or all the time.

"I would've rather you left today but it's getting late and we can't have Tazuna here getting tired now can we? It's best you all get some rest tonight and then you'll head out at eight tomorrow." The Hokage said, tipping his hat forward, casting a shadow over his eyes and leaning back in his chair, letting out ring shaped tufts of smoke.

How he did that, the three genin would never know.

"I'm not that old, unlike some people." Tazuna said, taking an angry swig at his Sake bottle.

Sarutobi ignored the jeer and instead pasted on a bright smile, which literally screamed "Fake!" to Kakashi.

"I understand that. Why, you are still only at your prime. But it's best to be in top form always." The Hokage stated, clearly putting a stop to the topic.

"Don't be late Kakashi. Dismissed!" The Hokage ordered and they all did as told, leaving without another word.

As soon as the doors were closed, Kakashi rounded on them, surprising them all.

"You heard what the Hokage said. Eight am. Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, pack for two months, weapons only. One spare change of clothes is permitted. Exploding tags, storage seals, kunai, shuriken and the like. If you paid attention in class, you'd know what to bring." There he was again, serious, harsh Kakashi. The one they had first met, and honestly, they had forgotten what he was like. They nodded mutely, storing the information in their minds for later use. Tazuna just watched in horror as their teacher literally told them to bring weapons of mass destruction! Why, they were only children! They should even know how to handle a knife properly! These people were absolutely crazy!

Thank goodness his little Inari wouldn't grow up to be a killer!

"Tazuna-san. I expect you to only bring the bare necessities as well. We can't have you lagging behind or holding us back now can we?" The coal eyed man asked in such a coldly pleasant voice that it sent shivers down everyone's spines.

"N-no, sir." The bridge builder stammered, afraid that maybe this man was batshit crazy enough to actually kill him.

"Great! Don't be late everyone!" The masked man called out cheerfully before disappearing in a puff of smoke, leaving the four people staring after him, still scared.

Slowly but surely, Tazuna was left alone, still terrified for his life and shaking like a leaf!

'Maybe I should have gone to Mist.' He thought to himself when he finally regained his wits.

"Let's play a love game, a love game!"-Lady Gaga

YES PEOPLE! We shall play a love game! I've been thinking if this story should have pairings. And even if they should, I cant't decide between whom. The pairings would only be Luna/Someone and Sakura/Someone as those are out two fav gals!

Anyway, sadly, the one person we can't pair Sakura with is Kimimaro...As he's kinda like, her brother...Just sayin'

So, in you reviews, you can all put forth your suggestions and I shall think them over UNbiasedly. Is that a word? Lol, yeah. If it isn't, well this bitch just made it one suckers!

Talking about reviews...Only two people reviewed! Meaning only two said "PUMPKIN"(Thanks by the way Onxy and Johnny!) Not even three chapters ago did I do a rant about reviews!

If you don't want to review about my story then can you at least review about why you DON'T review? I honestly want to know...

Are you all excited for the Wave arc?! I know I'm not! Yeah! All those fight scenes, I fear I will just disappoint you guys...Ugh!

Anyway, I kinda updated early so you should all be happy bout that...

OH! Team 7 were still in Konoha! But because making a survival camp in Training Ground 44 is just too cliche'(insert french accent there) I decided to make my own training ground! I didn't include what they did but one day, when you all least expect it, I will make a filler chapter, about what happened. Just be patient!

Yeah...Thanks Ashley, great work like always!

EVERYONE MUST REVIEW! PLEASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! PWEASE.

Lots of love,

Bluetopianprincess^o^

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