The overcast sky hung low over Team 7 as they trekked up the snow-covered mountains toward the Land of Iron. The snowfall had turned heavier, the wind biting through their layers of clothing, making each step through the thick blanket of snow harder. Naruto led the way, his sharp senses keenly aware of the terrain and the atmosphere. He knew that the mountain pass they were approaching was notorious for bandits.

Behind him, Ashi, Hikari, and Kazaya trudged through the snow. The team was feeling the strain of the relentless cold, but their determination kept them moving. Ashi, normally brimming with energy, was quieter than usual, her focus on keeping pace and maintaining her footing in the thick snow. Yuna trotted beside her, her paws sinking into the snow with each step.

Hikari walked near Naruto, her eyes constantly scanning the terrain. She was alert, thinking ahead as always, aware of the possibility of danger. Kazaya brought up the rear, his hand occasionally resting on the hilt of his ninjato, always prepared for any potential threat.

Naruto, sensing the growing exhaustion in his team, decided to give them a break. "We'll stop soon," he called over his shoulder, his voice clear but calm. "There's a clearing up ahead. We need to rest before we move into the steeper part of the pass."

Ashi perked up slightly at the mention of a break, a small grin breaking through the tiredness on her face. "Finally! I thought we were going to walk forever in this snow."

Yuna barked softly, as if agreeing with her.

Hikari, who had been studying the map in her head, glanced up at Naruto. "We're almost at the pass, right? After that, it should be a shorter journey to the Land of Iron's capital."

Naruto nodded. "That's right, but the higher we go, the more dangerous it gets. This is a notorious spot for bandit ambushes."

Kazaya, his eyes never leaving the cliffs above them, added, "This kind of terrain gives them a serious advantage. The snow dampens sound, and they have the high ground."

Naruto agreed. "Exactly. But we'll be ready for them. Stay alert, and remember what we've trained for. This is your mission. I'll support you, but I want to see how you handle things."

The team nodded, taking his words to heart. They continued for a few more minutes before Naruto led them into a small clearing, shielded by towering pine trees. The snow had accumulated in thick layers, but the shelter from the wind made it an ideal spot for a brief rest.

"Let's take ten minutes," Naruto said, settling down against one of the trees. "Eat, hydrate, and catch your breath."

The genin sat down, grateful for the break. Ashi flopped onto the snow, pulling out some food for herself and Yuna. "This snow is crazy! I've never seen so much of it in my life."

Yuna, wagging her tail slightly, curled up next to Ashi, appreciating the warmth and the moment of rest.

Hikari, meanwhile, reviewed the route again in her mind, ever the strategist. "Once we get through the pass, we'll be closer to the Land of Iron's capital. But I have a feeling this won't be as easy as it looks."

Naruto, leaning against a tree, gave her a small smile. "You're right to be cautious. We need to stay sharp."

Kazaya, who had been quietly watching the cliffs, broke his silence. "If they attack, they'll do it soon. We're in the perfect spot for an ambush."

Naruto nodded, his expression serious. "Exactly. Everyone, get ready. If they show up, we stick to the plan. Ashi, Yuna—you two create the opening. Hikari, provide ranged support. Kazaya, defend and counter. I'll step in if things get out of hand, but I want you to handle this."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Naruto felt the disturbance he had been expecting. From above, shadows moved along the cliffs. In an instant, a barrage of kunai and crude weapons came raining down from the ledges above.

"Ambush!" Hikari shouted, already moving into a defensive stance.

The team scattered, instinctively moving into position. Naruto remained calm, stepping back slightly to observe. He could easily dispatch the bandits on his own, but this was his team's moment to grow. They needed to learn how to face real threats, and he was confident in their abilities.

Kazaya was the first to react, his ninjato flashing as he deflected a series of kunai aimed at him. His movements were fluid and precise, cutting through the projectiles with ease. "There are at least six of them," he said, his voice level despite the danger.

Ashi growled, dropping low beside Yuna. "Come on, Yuna, let's show them what we've got!"

Naruto gave a nod of approval. "Ashi, go! Hikari, cover Kazaya—flush them out!"

Hikari leapt into action, hurling kunai toward the bandits' position with pinpoint accuracy. The projectiles forced the bandits to shift, breaking their formation and giving Kazaya the space he needed to advance.

Ashi and Yuna charged forward, darting between the trees. Yuna lunged at the first bandit who revealed himself, knocking him to the ground with a powerful bite. Ashi followed up with a swift punch, sending another bandit sprawling into the snow.

Hikari provided cover from the rear, her kunai keeping the bandits on the defensive. "They're retreating! Keep up the pressure!" she called out, her eyes scanning for any additional threats.

Kazaya, meanwhile, was engaged with one of the larger bandits—a man wielding a heavy club. The man's attacks were slow but powerful, each swing sending tremors through the snow. Kazaya dodged nimbly, his ninjato flashing in the low light as he parried the strikes.

The bandit, enraged by Kazaya's skill, let out a roar and swung the club with all his might. Kazaya sidestepped the attack, but in the heat of the moment, he countered with more force than he intended. His ninjato cut deep into the bandit's chest, and the man let out a guttural cry before collapsing into the snow, unmoving.

Kazaya froze, his eyes widening as he realized what had just happened. Blood stained the snow, and the lifeless body of the bandit lay at his feet.

The fight continued around him, but for Kazaya, everything seemed to stop. His grip on his ninjato tightened, his heart pounding in his chest. He hadn't meant to kill the man—it had been a reflex, an instinct. But now the bandit was dead, and Kazaya could feel the weight of the action settle heavily on his shoulders.

"Kazaya!" Naruto's voice cut through the chaos, pulling him back to the present. He saw Ashi and Hikari glance over, their expressions reflecting shock and unease as they processed what had just happened.

"K-Kazaya…" Hikari's voice was barely above a whisper.

Ashi, normally the most fearless of the group, looked shaken. "Did he…?"

Naruto stepped forward, placing a hand on Kazaya's shoulder, grounding him in the moment. "Kazaya, look at me," he said gently but firmly. When Kazaya's eyes met his, Naruto's expression was soft but serious. "This is part of being a shinobi. Sometimes things happen that we don't intend."

Kazaya stared at the blood on the snow, his mind racing. "I didn't mean to…"

"I know," Naruto said, his tone comforting but filled with experience. "But you have to understand that this is part of the job. Taking a life is never easy, and it's never something we enjoy. But in combat, it's a reality we face. This is why we train—to protect ourselves and those we care about."

Hikari and Ashi approached slowly, their eyes wide with a mix of fear and uncertainty.

Naruto turned to address the whole team. "This is a hard lesson, but it's one every shinobi has to learn. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, people die. This isn't something we do for glory. We do this to protect ourselves. Remember that."

Kazaya looked down at the fallen bandit again, the weight of Naruto's words settling over him. His breathing steadied as he nodded slowly, though the reality of what had just happened still lingered in his mind.

Ashi looked down at the body, her fists clenching as she tried to process everything. "I didn't think… this is what it's like out here."

Naruto gave her a solemn nod. "It's not like the training grounds. This is what being a shinobi is. The decisions we make in the field carry real consequences. It's never easy, but it's part of the life we chose."

Hikari, always the most analytical of the group, looked conflicted, her mind working to reconcile the idea of training with the harsh reality they now faced. "But we weren't supposed to kill them… They're just bandits."

Naruto sighed softly. "Bandits, shinobi—it doesn't matter. In battle, people will make choices that force us into difficult situations. Kazaya didn't mean for it to happen, but it did. And we learn from it."

The tension hung in the air for a moment longer before Naruto gestured for them to move back. The bandit's lifeless body lay as a stark reminder of what had just transpired. Naruto kept his tone even, offering the team some space to process, but he knew they couldn't linger in their emotions for too long. There were still more threats to face, and they were still on a mission.

"Let's finish this," Naruto said firmly. "Stay focused. We still have a job to do."

Kazaya, though still rattled by what had happened, nodded, gripping the handle of his ninjato tightly. He wiped the blood from his blade on the snow, his movements slow and deliberate, as if grounding himself in the simple action. Naruto gave him a small nod of approval, letting Kazaya know that it was okay to feel shaken, but he still had to press on.

"Right," Kazaya muttered, his voice quiet but steady.

Ashi, who had been watching with a mix of horror and determination, gritted her teeth. "Let's show the rest of these bandits they made a huge mistake."

Naruto smiled softly, proud of how his team was handling the situation despite the weight they now carried. "Ashi, you and Yuna create another opening. Hikari, keep up the support from behind. Kazaya, keep doing what you've been doing, but don't let this mess with your head. Focus."

Kazaya gave a curt nod, tightening his grip on his ninjato. The initial shock of what had happened was still there, but he buried it deep, resolving to handle it later.

The bandits, realizing they were outmatched, were starting to retreat, but Naruto wasn't about to let them get away so easily. He watched his team closely, ready to intervene if things got out of control. He could tell that their spirits were still rattled, but they were pushing forward, channeling their emotions into the fight.

Ashi and Yuna leaped into action, darting through the snow like a well-rehearsed pair. Yuna's speed and ferocity were unmatched, as she lunged at one of the remaining bandits, knocking him off his feet. Ashi followed up with a well-timed punch, sending the bandit tumbling down into the snow.

"Take that!" Ashi shouted, her voice filled with raw energy. It was clear that the earlier death weighed on her, but she was determined to push through.

Hikari, from her vantage point, continued to rain down kunai, each one strategically aimed to cut off the bandits' escape routes. She didn't speak much, her focus entirely on controlling the battlefield. Even though her mind was reeling from what had happened, she knew they couldn't afford to lose focus now.

Naruto watched the scene unfold, proud but cautious. His clones worked to flank the bandits, cutting off any retreat. He had to make sure this mission didn't escalate further—his team had been through enough already. But these bandits needed to understand who they were dealing with.

As the remaining bandits saw their comrades fall, they started to panic. One of them, a scraggly-looking man with a scar running down his cheek, glanced between Naruto and his team, his eyes widening as he finally recognized their leader.

"Wait a minute…" the bandit stammered, his voice shaky. "Th-that's him! That's Naruto Uzumaki—the hero from the Fourth Shinobi War!"

The realization spread through the remaining bandits like wildfire. Those who had thought they stood a chance now looked terrified, their faces going pale as they pieced together just who they were up against. They had heard the stories—about Naruto's battles with the Akatsuki, his role in defeating Kaguya, and the respect he commanded across the shinobi world. They were fighting against a legend.

The bandit with the scar dropped his weapon, his hands trembling. "W-we didn't know! We didn't know it was him!"

Naruto stepped forward, his expression calm but authoritative. "It's too late for that now," he said, his voice cutting through the wind. "You chose to attack travelers, and now you're going to answer for it."

The remaining bandits, shaken and completely out of their depth, quickly dropped their weapons and surrendered. Ashi and Kazaya moved in to bind them, while Hikari kept watch from a distance.

Naruto looked down at the bandits, his gaze firm. "You're lucky you're up against my students today. They'll learn from this, and you'll live to face justice."

The bandits didn't resist, knowing that they had no chance of escape. They had picked the wrong targets and paid the price.

xxx

As the team bound the remaining bandits, Naruto turned to his students. He could see the weight of the battle still lingering in their eyes, especially in Kazaya's. The reality of being a shinobi had hit them hard, and Naruto knew they needed a moment to process what had just happened.

Once the bandits were secured, Naruto gathered the team. "You all did well," he said, his voice filled with both pride and understanding. "But I know what happened out there wasn't easy."

Kazaya remained quiet, his eyes downcast as he stood near the bound bandits. Ashi, still filled with adrenaline, wiped her brow, trying to shake off the unease she felt. Hikari, ever the strategist, looked thoughtful, though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes.

"This is the reality of being a shinobi," Naruto continued, his tone calm but firm. "It's not just about training and missions. There will be times when things happen that you don't expect—things you don't want to happen. You'll face life and death, and no matter how much you prepare, it's never easy."

Kazaya looked up at Naruto, his voice quiet but steady. "I didn't mean to kill him. It just… happened."

Naruto nodded. "I know, Kazaya. And that's part of the job, too. Sometimes, we make decisions in the heat of battle, and they have real consequences. That's what separates training from the real world. What happened was unfortunate, but it's something you'll have to learn to live with."

Ashi clenched her fists, clearly uncomfortable with what had just unfolded. "But… it wasn't supposed to be like this. They were just bandits."

Naruto sighed softly, his gaze sweeping over the group. "Bandits, shinobi, whoever it is—you have to remember that in battle, you have to protect yourself and your comrades first. I've seen a lot of loss in my time, and I've been in situations where there was no good outcome. But that's the life we lead as shinobi."

He turned toward Kazaya specifically. "What you did was defend yourself. Don't carry the guilt longer than you need to. Learn from it, honor it, but don't let it break you."

Kazaya's grip on his ninjato tightened, but he nodded, taking a deep breath. He understood what Naruto was saying, but it didn't make the reality any less heavy. Still, he respected Naruto's words, knowing that his sensei had seen far worse in his time.

Naruto placed a reassuring hand on Kazaya's shoulder. "You're strong, Kazaya. You'll be fine. And the fact that it affects you shows that you've got a good heart. Never lose that."

Ashi, finally relaxing a little, took a deep breath, still shaken but more resolved. "We'll get through this. We have to, right?"

Hikari, though quiet, looked up at Naruto, her eyes filled with understanding. "It's hard, but we'll grow from this. That's why you wanted us to handle it."

Naruto nodded, smiling softly at his team. "Exactly. You're all stronger than you realize, and you're going to get even stronger. But never forget—being a shinobi isn't about the glory. It's about protecting those who can't protect themselves. And sometimes, that means making hard choices."

The team stood in silence for a few moments, letting Naruto's words sink in. The snow continued to fall around them, but the world seemed quieter now, more reflective. Team 7 had faced their first real challenge, and though they had emerged victorious, they had learned the hard truth of what it meant to be a shinobi.

Naruto looked at his students, pride swelling in his chest despite the somber mood. "We'll take these bandits to the Land of Iron and turn them over to the authorities. After that, we'll debrief and get some rest. You've earned it."

The team nodded, their spirits a little heavier but their resolve stronger. They had grown in a way they hadn't expected today, and though the lessons were hard, they were necessary.

As they set off again, Naruto kept a close watch on his students, knowing that this was just the beginning of their journey. There would be more battles ahead, more difficult choices to make. But with each step, Team 7 was becoming stronger, and Naruto would be there to guide them every step of the way.

A/N: It took me a bit trying to figure out how to write this scene. I wasn't trying to go too crazy, but make it impactful for Team 7. Thanks for reading!