Three days later, Unison Park buzzed with activity, the air thick with the sound of screeching tires and the smell of burnt rubber. Team 7 had set up their little observation station just off the track, where Naruto was behind the wheel of Ino's Porsche, attempting to drift through the tight corners of the course. Unfortunately, it wasn't going well.

Inside the car, Naruto was wrestling with the steering wheel like it was a wild animal. His knuckles were white from the grip as the car fought back against his attempts to slide it gracefully through the turn. Sasuke's voice came through the headset, sounding calm but a bit unsure.

"Alright, Naruto, you need to approach the next hairpin at an angle, let off the throttle a little earlier this time."

Naruto grunted, eyes fixed on the upcoming turn. "Right, right. Angle… throttle… whatever the hell that means!"

He approached the next corner, jerking the steering wheel to the side. The car attempted to slide, but instead, it understeered badly, plowing through several traffic cones that lined the track.

"Shit!" Naruto cursed, barely managing to regain control as the car bounced through the obstacle.

"WATCH MY CAR!" Ino's voice blared angrily through the headset, causing Naruto to wince. "You better not scratch it, you idiot!"

"Sorry, sorry!" Naruto apologized quickly, fumbling to get the car lined up for the next turn. "I swear, I got it this time!"

Meanwhile, at the side of the track, Ino and Sasuke stood watching the live video feed from Naruto's dashcam. The shaky, erratic movements of the camera mirrored Naruto's clumsy driving, each bump sending the view tilting off-center.

Ino crossed her arms, grumbling. "I still can't believe we let Naruto drive for the next event. My Porsche, no less. We should've just let me do it!"

Sasuke sighed, his eyes still on the screen. "You're the reason we're in this mess in the first place, Ino."

"I know I screwed up!" Ino muttered, kicking a stray pebble on the ground. "But it's starting to feel like no one on this team even appreciates my talent anymore. I'm not a toddler—stop leaving me out of everything!"

Sasuke finally looked over at her, his expression softening. "I know you're good, Ino."

Ino's ears perked up at that, and she blinked in surprise. "Wait, really? You think I'm good?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes but smirked, reaching out to poke her forehead lightly. "You're talented, but all that talent doesn't mean shit if you don't keep a stable head on your shoulders."

Ino blushed, her hand instinctively rising to touch where Sasuke poked her. "So… you actually think I'm talented?"

Sasuke gave a small chuckle, shaking his head. "Obviously. You're a great driver. I'll brush off your last screw-up as a one-off thing. But," he added, his tone more serious, "you need to learn how to work as part of a team. It's not just about you."

Ino leaned a bit closer to him, her voice lowering. "Maybe you could teach me how to coordinate better then."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, amused. "You do realize I'm not your only teammate, right?"

Ino tilted her head, batting her eyelashes slightly. "Yeah, but you're my best teammate."

Sasuke let out a laugh, shaking his head again. "You're impossible."

As they shared a laugh, Sakura approached the observation setup, ticking something off on her notepad. She glanced up just in time to see Ino leaning into Sasuke, the two of them grinning at each other. Her steps faltered for a second, her eyes narrowing slightly before she shook her head and cleared her throat loudly.

"Okay, team," she said, walking up and pretending she hadn't noticed anything. "We need to assess the data from Naruto's run."

Sasuke and Ino immediately straightened up, their laughter dying down as they turned to face her. Sasuke cleared his throat, looking back at the screen. "Yeah, uh, we've been assessing it. The Porsche's not set up for this kind of course—it's struggling with the drift. We'll need to tune it specifically for this event."

Sakura nodded, crossing her arms. "And the Chevelle?"

Sasuke winced. "It's even worse. We'll need some upgrades for sure. Rear sway bars, new tires—things like that. I made a list." He handed her a small slip of paper.

Sakura took the list, her eyes scanning over it. "New tires… rear sway bars…" she murmured to herself before sighing. "I have no idea what any of this means, but I trust you."

Sasuke scratched the back of his head, fighting back a silly smile. "Shisui and I will handle it. Don't worry, we've got this."

Sakura smiled warmly at him. "I know you will."

Ino, who had been watching the exchange with narrowed eyes, jumped in, her tone a little sharper than before. "We should probably check on Naruto before he totals my car."

As if on cue, the sound of screeching tires cut through the air, followed by a loud thud. All three of them turned to see Ino's Porsche spinning out wildly on the track, smoke rising from the tires as it skidded to a stop.

Naruto's voice crackled through the laptop's speakers. "Uhh… guys? I think I need a break."

Sasuke sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as Ino groaned in frustration. Sakura just stood there, her hand covering her face as the chaos unfolded before them.

"Well," Sasuke muttered, "at least he didn't crash this time."

Ino shook her head. "Yet."

The three of them shared a resigned glance, knowing this was going to be a long day.

The garage was filled with the steady clanking of metal tools and the smell of motor oil, as Sasuke leaned over the front of Ino's Porsche. His hands worked with quiet precision, trying to unbolt the engine so they could lift it with the overhead crane. A work lamp illuminated the sleek car, casting long shadows across the room. Beside him, Sakura stood, watching intently, trying to make sense of the mechanical maze under the hood.

In the corner, Naruto sat with Ino, the two of them hunched over a map of the drift circuit, clearly out of their depth. Naruto tapped the map with a finger, scratching his head.

"Okay, so... we start here, right?" he asked, his finger tracing a jagged line. "And then we... uhh... somehow don't crash?"

Ino sighed, leaning back in her seat with a bored expression. "Naruto, we've been over this a hundred times. It's not that complicated. You drift through the corners, avoid slamming into the guardrails, and—oh, I don't know—maybe try not to embarrass yourself?"

Naruto shot her a glare. "Oh, good! The backup driver finally decided to give her expert input."

Ino shrugged, flipping her hair over her shoulder, unbothered by the jab. "Just saying, you've been practicing for days and still haven't gotten the hang of it."

Naruto's eyes narrowed. "At least I'm trying! It's not like you're volunteering to step up and take the wheel."

"Wouldn't have to if you didn't drive like a grandma on sleeping pills," Ino retorted.

"Alright, you two," Sasuke called from under the hood, his voice muffled as he reached for another bolt. "Let's save the bickering for later. We still need to focus."

Sakura, biting her lip, looked down at the set of shiny new accessories they'd bought for the car. She frowned in confusion. "Sasuke, can you explain how all this stuff is supposed to help? I mean, it's all fancy and expensive, but I don't really get it."

Sasuke grunted as he finally unbolted the engine, straightening up and wiping his hands on a rag. "The upgrades will give us better handling and power in the turns. But," he added, glancing over at Naruto, "it still depends on the driver. Even with a perfectly tuned car, if the driver doesn't know what they're doing, it won't matter."

Ino snorted, crossing her arms. "Well, if that's the case, we're screwed."

Naruto, huddled over the circuit map with Ino, immediately caught the shade. He straightened up, tossing the map aside. "Yeah, well, maybe if the backup driver," he emphasized, "was more interested in driving and less in flirting, I wouldn't have to work so hard!"

Ino leaned back, completely unfazed. "Flirting? Please, Naruto. I'm just making sure someone appreciates the skills I bring to this team. If you ever had any skills, you'd know what I mean."

"Why you—"

"Ino does have a point," Shisui cut in from the corner, his tone teasing but sharp as he adjusted his goggles. He glanced at Naruto with a smirk. "The car's good, but you still need to figure out the whole 'not crashing' thing."

Naruto threw his hands up in the air. "Thanks, Shisui! Real helpful!"

Sasuke, shaking his head, gave a half-smile. "Sakura, can you grab the toolbox for me? It's over in the corner."

"Sure!" Sakura perked up and rushed over to retrieve it. When she returned, Sasuke took it from her hands, his fingers briefly brushing hers. He gave her a small, genuine smile. "Thanks, Sakura. You've been a big help."

Sakura's cheeks flushed pink as she smiled back. "Oh, I'm just doing what I can… I mean, I have no idea what you're doing, but—"

Sasuke chuckled, opening the toolbox. "You don't have to. You're doing just fine regardless."

Sakura smiled shyly, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm just doing what I can, even though I have no idea what you're doing." She chuckled, glancing at the scattered parts around them. "I'm not exactly a mechanic."

Sasuke grinned. "Well, I wouldn't be able to do my job without you."

Sakura's cheeks tinted a light pink. She let out a soft laugh, trying to mask her blush as she looked away. "You're too kind, Sasuke."

From his corner of the garage, Shisui made a gagging sound. "Am I the only one hearing this? Seriously, you two need a reality check. We're on a clock here, people."

Sakura rolled her eyes but quickly refocused on her laptop screen not far away. "I'm running some tests on the data from Naruto's run. I think we can improve his times if—"

"Improve my times?" Naruto scoffed. "I've already got this in the bag!"

Ino snickered, brushing her hair back. "Yeah, the wrong bag, moron. We've been over this a million times. You're not braking early enough into the turns."

Naruto was about to retort when Ino's phone buzzed. She glanced at it, then stood up, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "Well, as much as I love this little pow-wow, my ride's here. Time for me to bounce."

Shisui wiped his hands on a rag, tossing it aside. "Don't worry, princess, we'll take good care of your car."

Ino grinned, tossing a flirty look toward Sasuke. "It's not like I could ask for a safer pair of hands to leave my baby in." She winked.

Sakura, still working at her laptop, caught the exchange out of the corner of her eye and quietly rolled her eyes. Here we go again, she thought.

Shisui noticed too, smirking to himself. A little nudge wouldn't hurt, he thought.

"Hey, Ino," Shisui suddenly called out, "why don't you give Naruto a ride home? It's getting late, and I'm sure Hinata wouldn't mind the company."

Naruto's face immediately scrunched up. "Wait—what? No, I'm good. I can—"

But before Naruto could finish, Shisui had already ushered him toward the door, whispering through clenched teeth, "Help a brother out, man. Give Sasuke and Sakura some space."

Naruto blinked in realization, sighing. "Damn it, Shisui."

Ino shrugged, already halfway out the door. "Fine by me. C'mon, Naruto. Hinata won't bite… much."

Naruto reluctantly followed, muttering curses under his breath.

Just as they were stepping out, they bumped into Hinata, who was walking into the garage. She smiled softly at Ino. "Hey."

"Oh, perfect timing!" Ino chirped. "Naruto's gonna tag along. Hope you don't mind."

Hinata's eyes flickered toward Naruto, her posture stiffening a bit. "Of course, that's… fine."

Naruto awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah… fine."

The garage door had barely swung shut behind them when the sound of another door opening echoed through the room.

Itachi stepped into the garage from the kitchen, wearing nothing but a bathrobe and his usual calm expression. "Hey, Sasuke. You got a screwdriver?"

This guy.... Sasuke groaned. "What do you want, Itachi?"

Itachi raised an eyebrow. "Just a screwdriver, really." He looked around the room and finally spotted Sakura standing a few feet away, staring at him like a deer caught in headlights. "I didn't know you had company."

Sakura's mouth opened, but no words came out. Her eyes were locked on Itachi, completely transfixed. She just stood there, lips slightly parted, as if the mere presence of the older Uchiha brother had short-circuited her brain.

Sasuke, still mid-wrenching, glanced over, puzzled. "Sakura? You good?"

Sakura didn't respond. She didn't even blink.

Itachi noticed her stare and gave a small, polite nod. "Evening, Sakura Haruno."

Her lips moved, but again, nothing came out.

Shisui snorted, unable to resist the opportunity. "I don't think she can hear you, bro."

Sasuke rolled his eyes, returning to his work. "Oh, for fuck's sake..."

Sakura meanwhile, was almost panicking. Her head was spinning, her mind scrambling to make sense of her situation as she became consumed in the moment.

There he is, she thought, the man who can make oxygen seem optional. Itachi Uchiha. His presence alone feels like it's pressing down on me, like gravity just got ten times stronger. My knees—they're definitely weaker. Am I breathing? I think I forgot how to. How is he so perfect? His aura… suffocating, yes, but in the best way possible. I'm being crushed by his sheer perfection. I can feel it crawling up my spine, taking over every ounce of my body. I think I'm dying? And somehow… I don't mind.

"Itachi don't you have something to like, screw or anything?" Sasuke asked, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. Meanwhile Sakura was in her own world.

My hand—why is my hand moving? It's heading to my chest, like it's trying to keep my heart from exploding out of my ribcage. My breath? It's short, fast. What's happening? My heart is sprinting, like it's doing laps for the Konoha track team, and I'm about to pass out—

"Sakura?"

His voice...

Itachi's voice, it slices through my paralysis like a knife and—

Her thoughts were interrupted by Itachi reaching out to place a hand on her shoulder, concern etched on his features. Sakura failed to suppress her gasp, her heart rate accelerating to dangerous levels.

His hand—is on my shoulder. Is this real? Am I dreaming? Did I pass out and ascend to some heavenly dimension where Itachi Uchiha is touching me?

"Sakura, are you okay?" Itachi asked, but Sakura still didn't respond.

His voice is like silk. All my worries have...evaporated. Just like that. The suffocating aura? Gone. Now all I feel is warmth. Safety. Comfort .

Sakura managed a weak nod, stuttering out the first thing she could think of. "I-I'm just tired… yeah, just really… tired."

Sasuke, who's been watching the whole time, cursed internally. With a thin-lipped smile, he shoved a screwdriver into Itachi's hand a little too forcefully.

"Here," Sasuke said, his voice calm but the tension palpable. "You got what you needed. You can leave now."

Itachi's eyes flickered from the screwdriver to Sasuke's outstretched arm. He frowned slightly, then turned to Sakura again, concern still etched on his flawless face. He stepped forward—just a bit—but Sasuke's arm shot up between him and Sakura. "She's fine," Sasuke declared, defensive frustration lacing his voice.

Sakura struggled to speak, but she was still in shock. I should say something, but my mouth isn't working. My brain isn't working—did he really just touch my shoulder?

Meanwhile, Naruto turned to Hinata, clearly eager to leave. "Hey, Hinata, can we—"

But his words caught in his throat as he noticed Hinata, staring at Itachi, her eyes wide with awe. She breathed out softly, barely audible: "Utterly… immaculate."

Naruto did a double take. "What?"

Itachi, finally done with the screwdriver, gave a small nod of appreciation and turned to leave. "Well, I'll be going then."

But before he could, something snaps in Sakura. Gathering courage, she blurts out, "Wait!"

Everyone stopped. Itachi looked back, eyebrow raised.

"Can I… um," she stammered, suddenly unsure of how to phrase her words without sounding insane. "Give you my number?"

Itachi's lips curled into the smallest smirk, one that sends another wave of heat rushing to her face. He reaches into his pocket, pulls out his phone, and with a few taps, held it up to Sakura.

Wait… I already gave him my number?

Sakura stared, blinking at his phone in disbelief. Then, slowly, she glanced down at her hands—where she's suddenly holding a pen and a note. When did I even get these?

Sakura swallowed, trying to say something—anything—but instead, all that came out was a weak, defeated nod. She meekly retreated to her laptop like a soldier who just lost the battle of a lifetime.

Sasuke, standing rigid beside her, was practically vibrating with rage. His jaw clenched so tightly he was surprised he didn't break a tooth. But he managed to keep it together, his voice ice-cold and just a bit passive-aggressive. "Alright, Itachi. Thanks for stopping by. I'll show you out."

Without another word, Sasuke practically dragged Itachi to the door, slamming it behind him a bit too forcefully.

Naruto, witnessing the entire ordeal, took the opportunity to snap Hinata out of her trance. "Uh… Hinata? Earth to Hinata?"

Hinata blinked, finally breaking free from Itachi's spell. "Oh! R-right. I was going to… give you a ride home."

Naruto scratched his head, still a bit confused by everything that just happened. "Yeah, let's uh, let's get going."

As they left, the garage felt oddly quiet. It was just Sakura, Sasuke, and Shisui left.

Shisui, who had been watching the whole circus unfold with an amused smirk, leaned back against the wall, hands behind his head. He glanced at Sasuke, then at Sakura, then back to Sasuke.

"Well," Shisui said, eyes twinkling with mischief, "that went well, don't you think, Sasuke?"

Sasuke growled something incomprehensible under his breath, glaring at the spot where Itachi had been standing.

Shisui chuckled. "Don't worry, Sasuke. There's still plenty of night left for you to… you know."

Sakura curiously looked up from her laptop, face still burning. Sasuke gave Shisui a murderous look, but his cousin could see the faintest hint of a blush creeping onto his cheeks.

Shisui shrugged. "Just saying, bro."

Sasuke's hand clenched into a fist. He turned back to the car engine, muttering under his breath, "Shut up and hand me the wrench."

The BMW purred softly as it cruised down the winding mountain road that evening, leaving the luxurious neighborhood behind. The streetlights flickered through the trees as the car glided downhill, the road twisting like a lazy snake. Naruto leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, staring out the window.

Then he chuckled, a low, amused sound that broke the comfortable silence.

Hinata glanced at him, her soft lavender eyes curious. "What's so funny?" she asked, her voice gentle as always.

Naruto hesitated for a moment, debating if he should say it. He didn't want to sound like an idiot, but the thought kept nagging at him. Finally, he gave in. "It's just… this road. It reminded me of the drifting event I gotta do for the tournament."

Hinata's lips curled into a small smile. "You're going to kill it," she said confidently, eyes back on the road.

Naruto waved off her compliment, shaking his head. "Nah, not really." He rubbed the back of his neck, groaning a little. "Truth is… I kinda suck at drifting."

Hinata's eyes widened slightly, surprised. "Really?" She hadn't expected that. In her mind, Naruto was a pretty good driver.

Naruto sighed, looking out the window again. "Yeah, really. I don't know what it is. I can't get the timing right or something. And it's not like I can just not do it. The team's counting on me to pull a good score so we can move on to the final event, but…" He trailed off, clearly frustrated.

Hinata softened at his words, her heart warming with empathy. She could feel the weight of the pressure he was under, and it hurt to hear him sound so dejected.

Realizing he was venting a little too much, Naruto backtracked. "Sorry, Hinata. Didn't mean to dump all my problems on you. I know you probably don't wanna hear about this stuff."

Hinata immediately shook her head, cutting him off before he could apologize further. "No, it's okay," she said quickly. "Really. I can tell it's important to you. And I… I understand." Her voice was soft, but her sincerity was clear.

Naruto looked at her, a little surprised. "You do?"

Hinata nodded, her hands tightening on the steering wheel just slightly. "You shouldn't stop pushing yourself to get better. I know it's hard, but… if you believe in yourself, you can do it. I believe in you."

There was a beat of silence as Naruto took in her words. Her belief in him was like a warm, comforting blanket, and for a moment, the pressure didn't feel quite so suffocating. He smiled at her, his usual playful grin returning. "Thanks, Hinata. You've always had a big heart."

The air between them turned quiet again, but this time it was awkward. Naruto stared out of the corner of his eye, watching Hinata as she focused on the road. She looked so calm, so sure of herself. He couldn't help but wonder if maybe… just maybe he could ask her for a favor.

His mind started racing. Could she vouch for me with Hiashi? Maybe if—No, no, that's dumb. I can't just ask her to bail me out. They weren't even that close anymore. It would come off as weird, wouldn't it?

Just as Naruto was about to mentally scold himself for even considering it, Hinata spoke up, her voice so low he almost didn't catch it. "What if I… helped you?"

Naruto blinked, confused. "Huh? What did you say?"

Hinata hesitated for a second, her bangs falling slightly into her face, hiding her expression. She took a deep breath before repeating herself, her voice a little firmer this time. "I said… I could teach you. To drift."

Naruto blinked again, staring at her as if she had just suggested they get married. "Wait… you?"

Hinata didn't look at him, her hands gripping the steering wheel a little tighter. "Yes. I want to help you."

For a long moment, Naruto didn't say anything. He was in disbelief. Then he chuckled, shaking his head. "I mean… I appreciate the offer, but come on, I don't wanna bother you with my problems. You've got better things to do, right?"

But Hinata didn't respond. Instead, she pressed her foot down on the gas pedal, and the BMW surged forward.

Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. "Uh… Hinata? What are you doing?"

She didn't answer, her focus now entirely on the road ahead. The car was speeding up, the engine growling louder as they approached a sharp hairpin turn up ahead.

Naruto's heart started pounding. "Hinata! Slow down! We're gonna—"

But before he could finish his sentence, Hinata momentarily lifted her foot off the gas and yanked the steering wheel sharply to the left. The car's back end swung out, tires screeching against the asphalt as she expertly pulled the E-brake and executed a perfect drift through the tight corner.

Naruto's jaw dropped. His eyes were wide, his knuckles white as he gripped the door handle. "WHAT THE—"

Before he could even process what just happened, Hinata smoothly transitioned into the next turn, drifting flawlessly again. The BMW glided through the curves with a grace that Naruto could only dream of achieving.

By the time they reached the bottom of the hill, Naruto's mouth was still hanging open. He turned to her, his voice a mix of awe and disbelief. "What… just happened?"

Hinata's face was pink, her eyes focused straight ahead as she drove much more calmly now. She swallowed, then meekly replied, "I want to help."

Naruto sat there, staring at her in stunned silence. The girl who used to faint whenever he even looked in her direction in middle school had just drifted down a mountain road like she was in Fast and Furious.

Maybe… just maybe… he had been seriously underestimating Hinata Hyuuga.

The atmosphere at the drift event was electric. The air was thick with excitement, the scent of burnt rubber and engine oil mingling with the upbeat music that pounded through the speakers. A white Mazda RX7 screeched around a corner, its tires kicking up a cloud of smoke as the announcer's voice boomed over the PA system, hyping up the crowd. Advertisement banners from dozens of sponsors fluttered in the wind, along with bright balloons and blimps, adding a festive edge to the competitive event.

Spectators roared as the RX7 flawlessly executed a high-speed drift, weaving through the track's tight turns. The sound of revving engines and squealing tires was a constant backdrop as teams prepped for their turn in their respective booths. Brightly colored cars dotted the pit area, surrounded by fans and journalists snapping photos and chatting up the drivers.

Each booth had its own fanbase, crowds of people snapping pictures and taking videos of the vibrantly colored cars parked in front of them. Team 7's booth was no exception. In front of it, Ino's Porsche 911 Carrera GTS stood as a spectacle in itself, surrounded by fans and camera crews who couldn't get enough of its new facelift. The sleek, bright yellow paint glistened in the sun. The massive rear spoiler and lowered stance only added to its allure. A floral vinyl of purple and red flowers decorated its sides, contrasting sharply with the bold '7' logo on the front panels. Hiashi's 'Hyuuga Enterprises' emblem took up the entire rear windshield, marking their sole sponsorship.

Ino was standing just beside the car, mid-interview with a journalist who'd been going around collecting thoughts from the drivers. "It's a beautiful machine, really," Ino gushed, gesturing at the Porsche. "But it's not just about looks—she can perform."

Meanwhile, Naruto stood with Shisui in the corner of their booth, eyeing his own car—the Chevelle that, while no slouch, wasn't as decked out as some of the other cars around. He crossed his arms and nodded toward the row of other cars. "You notice how almost every other car out there has more than one sponsor?"

Shisui didn't even look up from the clipboard in his hand as he made some final notes. "Doesn't matter. Hiashi's sponsorship is more than enough. That man's name carries weight. Besides," he added with a grin, "if we win, we'll be swimming in sponsors."

Naruto nodded, but his stomach still churned. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Inside the booth, Sakura and Sasuke were watching the live broadcast of the event on a laptop, eyes glued to the screen as the Mazda finished its run. Another laptop lay open beside them, displaying the engine data from Ino's Porsche dyno runs. Sakura leaned in, double-checking the readouts.

"We managed to squeeze out another 45 horsepower from Ino's engine. Should help Naruto out a bit, but we'll see," Sakura muttered to herself.

Sasuke, leaning back in his chair, arms crossed, merely raised an eyebrow. "Let's just hope it's enough for him to handle those turns. Last thing we need is Naruto flying off the track."

Sakura shot him a glance. "He's been putting in extra hours, he'll be fine."

Sasuke shrugged, smirking. "If you say so."

As the Mazda's run ended, Ino returned to the booth, looking flushed with excitement. She practically bounced over to them. "Okay, you guys, we're up next! How are we feeling?" she asked, flashing a bright smile at Naruto.

Naruto cracked his knuckles, trying to hide the nervousness creeping up on him. "I'm feeling... ready. I think." He shot a glance at Sakura, who gave him a reassuring nod.

"You'll do great," Sakura said, walking up next to him. "Just keep calm and try to show off for the judges. They love style points, so if you can finish strong, we'll be set for the next event."

Naruto grimaced slightly but nodded. "No pressure, right?"

A race official suddenly appeared at the entrance of their booth, clipboard in hand. "Team 7, you're up. Start warming up your car."

Naruto took a deep breath. "Alright, let's do this." He walked toward Ino's Porsche and slid into the driver's seat, gripping the wheel as if his life depended on it. As he started the engine, a low rumble filled the booth, and the car began to roll slowly toward the track's starting line. Sakura jogged alongside him, leaning down to give instructions through the open window.

"Remember, Naruto, take those turns wide if you need to, and try to keep the back end swinging. Show off a bit for the crowd and the judges. And don't forget—finish strong."

Naruto chuckled nervously. "Yeah, yeah, I'll try not to wreck it, alright?"

As they approached the starting line, Naruto revved the engine, trying to shake off the nerves building in his chest. Ahead of him, a red, vibrantly decorated Nissan Silvia S15 was finishing its run, the sound of screeching tires filling the air as it peeled off into the final corner.

Meanwhile Sakura had jogged back to the booth, taking her place next to Sasuke and Shisui as they gathered around the screen to watch Naruto's run.

"He's got this, right?" Ino asked, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

Sasuke shrugged. "He's been practicing."

"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence," Ino said, rolling her eyes.

"Looks like the Polar Bearz just locked in a 7, 8, and another 7 from the judges. A solid run," the announcer's voice boomed over the speakers. "Next up, we've got Team 7, running a Porsche 911 Carrera GTS with some absolutely stunning vinyl work. You've gotta love those floral decals!"

At hearing this, Ino beamed proudly at the compliment. She turned to Sasuke, nudging him. "Did you hear that? They love my vinyls!"

Sasuke gave her a small smile. "It's pretty," he admitted, though his eyes were already back on the screen, watching the leaderboard shift with each new score.

At the starting line, Naruto was feeling the pressure. He could hear the crowd, the cheers getting louder as his name was called over the speakers. His heart was pounding, but he closed his eyes for a moment, thinking back to his training with Hinata, the hours spent on that winding mountain road, her calm voice guiding him through each drift.

"Focus on having fun," she'd said.

He opened his eyes, exhaling slowly. Right. Fun.

The coordinator raised the flag, signaling for Naruto to rev the engine. The roar of the Porsche filled his ears, and he could feel the vibrations beneath him. This was it.

Sakura's voice came through the headset, clear but with an edge of urgency. "You good?"

"Yeah, yeah," Naruto replied, exhaling deeply. "I'm good."

"Remember, Naruto," Sakura continued, her tone softening slightly, "You've put in the work. Now show them what you've got. Good luck, Naruto. No room for error here."

Naruto's grip tightened on the wheel as the flag dropped.

The crowd roared louder as the announcer's voice boomed one final time.

Team 7 had one shot. And it was all on Naruto.

The roar of the engine filled the air as Naruto peeled off from the start line, the Porsche's tires screeching against the asphalt. The sound of the announcer's voice echoed through the track, excitement evident as he called out Team 7's run.

"And here goes Naruto Uzumaki in Team 7's Porsche 911! Look at that takeoff!"

Naruto's grip tightened on the steering wheel as the car surged forward down the straight. His eyes flicked to the speedometer, watching the needle climb. The initial stretch was easy—he knew he had to gain enough speed here to handle the turns that lay ahead.

"You're picking up good speed, Naruto," Sakura's voice came through his headset. "But get ready for the first turn. It's a 90-degree left."

"Got it," Naruto replied, his voice steady despite the tension.

The first turn loomed ahead. Without hesitating, Naruto adjusted the wheel, letting the car glide into a slight drift. As the turn approached, he twisted the wheel sharply, forcing the car into a full slide. The tires screamed against the track, smoke billowing up behind him as the Porsche's rear end swung wide.

Naruto kept the wheel steady, eyes sharp as he held the car in control through the corner. The crowd erupted in cheers, and the announcer's voice rang out, full of approval.

"A strong start for Team 7! Look at that drift!"

"Nice, Naruto," Sakura's voice came through again. "Stay sharp. Plenty more ahead."

Naruto glanced at the dashboard, noting his speed—he was hitting around 60 km/h and climbing. Decent. The next turn was already approaching. He took a breath, focusing as he set up for the next drift. With practiced precision, he swung the car into another wide slide, tires screeching as the Porsche glided smoothly through the curve.

The pungent smell of burning rubber filled the cockpit, and Naruto tightened his grip on the wheel, fighting to keep control. The adrenaline pulsed through him, but he stayed focused. This was it. He needed a flawless run.

In the booth, Team 7 watched intently. Sasuke leaned in, eyes glued to the screen displaying Naruto's progress.

"He's good," Sasuke muttered, but there was a hint of worry in his tone. "But good might not be enough."

Sakura exhaled, trying to remain calm as she kept an eye on the data streaming from the car's performance. "He just has to hold it together."

Naruto's voice crackled through the headset. "I'm doing my best," he said, grunting as he shifted gears and slid into another left turn, seamlessly transitioning into the next. The crowd's cheers grew louder as the Porsche danced across the track, its rear tires sending up more smoke with each perfect drift.

The announcer's voice was full of energy. "Naruto Uzumaki is pulling off a solid run! Look at those transitions, folks!"

Naruto bit his lip, keeping his eyes focused. His mind wandered briefly to the countless hours of practice he'd put in on the winding mountain roads with Hinata. She had a way of making it look so easy, her heavy BMW gliding through the curves like it was made for them.

"Just have fun," Hinata had told him back then, her soft voice full of encouragement. "Remember, it's not about speed—drifting is about showing off. Style over formula."

Naruto smirked, remembering those words. *Style over formula*. His heart was pounding, but a sense of calm washed over him. He could feel the eyes of the crowd on him, the weight of their expectations.

"Sakura," he called out into the mic, a sudden burst of confidence surging through him. "I'm going to take some risks."

"What?" Sakura's voice shot back, alarmed. "What do you mean 'risks'?"

Naruto grinned, feeling a thrill pulse through him. "I'm gonna show off. It's the only way we're winning this."

"You're insane!" Sakura protested, but Naruto could hear the tension in her voice. "Just stick to the plan!"

Before Naruto could respond, Ino's voice cut in. "Naruto! Don't you dare mess up my car! I swear if you—"

"Can't make any promises, Ino," Naruto chuckled, his grip tightening as the next turn approached. He ignored her furious response, his focus sharpening. He had to do this.

The next turn was coming up fast—a sharp corner that could make or break the run. But instead of following the usual drift procedure, Naruto cranked the wheel early, throwing the car into a drift along the very edge of the track, the rear tires nearly skimming the edge of the asphalt.

The Porsche slid sideways, tires screaming as it maintained its sideways trajectory, barely keeping its grip. The crowd went wild, and the announcer's voice was almost disbelieving.

"Whoa! Naruto is really pushing it now! That's some daring driving from Team 7!"

In the booth, Sasuke's eyes widened. "He's chaining the drifts together."

Sakura leaned forward, her hands balled into fists. "Come on, Naruto..."

Back on the track, Naruto continued to link his drifts together, sliding the Porsche through one turn after another with precision, the rear bumper coming dangerously close to the barriers. He pushed the car harder, the crowd roaring with each risky maneuver.

The announcer's voice was almost breathless. "This is incredible! Naruto Uzumaki is putting on a show for the judges!"

In the driver's seat, Naruto could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins. His hands moved instinctively, the car responding to his every command as he chained the drifts, sliding through each turn with style. He felt like he was floating on air, the tension giving way to pure exhilaration.

"Sakura," he called out, his breath heavy. "I'm gonna try one more thing."

"Naruto, no!" Sakura's voice was sharp with panic. "Don't do anything stupid!"

But Naruto didn't hear her. He gunned the engine, the Porsche surging forward as the final stretch of the track came into view—a tricky S-curve with mild bends.

With a deep breath, Naruto twisted the steering wheel and yanked the emergency brake, sending the car into a wild spin. The Porsche whipped around on its axis, turning a full 120 degrees as it slid toward the first curve, its rear nearly scraping the barrier.

In the booth, Ino let out a string of curses. "He's going to wreck it!"

But Naruto kept his focus. The car slid through the curve with expert precision, narrowly avoiding the barrier. His knuckles whitened as he fought to keep the Porsche under control.

The second curve approached fast. With another twist of the wheel, Naruto forced the car into a full 360-degree spin, the tires screeching as the Porsche drifted through the curve, miraculously staying on track.

The crowd exploded with cheers as the car sailed across the finish line, a cloud of smoke trailing in its wake. Naruto's heart was pounding, his chest heaving as the Porsche came to a stop.

The announcer's voice was full of excitement. "What an incredible run by Naruto Uzumaki! Team 7 has certainly made their mark!"

Naruto slumped back in his seat, a grin spreading across his face as the cheers of the crowd washed over him.

He had done it.

Team 7's booth was alive with chatter and laughter as the day's race came to a close. The roar of the crowd had faded, replaced by the hum of conversation and the occasional burst of music from nearby speakers. Journalists snapped photos while fans flocked around the various teams, hoping for autographs or just a chance to chat. Over in one corner of the lot, a couple of racers were putting on a show for the crowd, doing burnouts and doughnuts, sending plumes of smoke into the evening air.

In the booth, Sasuke, Sakura, Shisui, Naruto, and Ino were sitting around an open cooler in the middle, each with a cold can of beer in hand. The celebration was well-deserved—Naruto had just pulled off an incredible run, the judges awarding him a near-perfect score: 10, 9, and 10. He'd set a new track record, and with that, Team 7 had climbed to 6 points, putting them in 3rd place overall. They were right behind Matador at 10 points and Polar Bearz at 7.

Sasuke clapped Naruto on the back, smirking. "You did good out there, dumbass," he said.

Naruto tried to play it off, giving a mock-casual shrug. "Yeah, well, couldn't have done it without you guys."

Sakura, sitting next to him, raised an eyebrow, a grin playing on her lips. "Since when are you the modest type, Naruto? Thought that was beneath you."

Naruto burst out laughing. "Oi, don't get used to it! I'm just saying, it wasn't just me out there. It was Sakura's guiding voice, Sasuke and Shisui putting the car together, and Ino letting me drive her precious Porsche. All of us made this happen."

Shisui raised his can of beer, a wide smile on his face. "A toast to us, then! Team 7—best damn team on the circuit!"

Everyone clinked their cans together, cheering loudly.

Just as they were settling back into their seats, Shikamaru strolled into the booth, hands casually stuffed in his pockets. He was accompanied by a large, stocky guy with a kind face, carrying what looked like a bag of snacks. Naruto immediately recognized him as Akimichi Choji, Shikamaru's teammate.

"Hello," Shikamaru greeted, with his usual laid-back tone. "Just came to say congrats on that run. Damn impressive."

Sakura rolled her eyes, her smile fading. "What do you want, Shikamaru? Didn't think you were the type to drop by without a reason."

Shikamaru chuckled, shaking his head. "No hidden agenda, promise. Just came to give you guys some credit where it's due." He turned to Naruto, giving him a nod of acknowledgment. "Naruto, that drift work was something else. Didn't know you had it in you."

Naruto grinned, scratching the back of his head. "Heh, thanks, man. I was just trying not to screw up."

"Well, you didn't," Shikamaru said, a small smirk playing on his lips. "You actually surprised me. I thought Ino was gonna be behind the wheel today. Figured she'd be the better driver."

Ino, who'd been sipping her beer, nearly choked on it. "Wait, what? Why the hell would you think that?" she demanded, shooting him a sharp look.

Shikamaru shrugged. "For one, it was your car out there. Just assumed you'd be driving it. You always struck me as the type to be good at this."

Ino huffed, crossing her arms. "I'm not that great at drifting, alright? Naruto's been better in training, so we let him drive."

Sasuke chimed in, glancing at Ino with a smug look. "Yeah, Naruto's got more promise when it comes to this stuff. Seemed like the smarter choice."

Ino stiffened slightly at Sasuke's words, clearly caught off guard, but she quickly composed herself. Shikamaru, ever the observant one, didn't miss the reaction and grinned to himself. He'd always enjoyed pushing people's buttons.

"Well, either way," Shikamaru said, smoothly changing the topic, "I'm looking forward to facing off with you guys in the next round. Hopefully, we'll both be heading to the next stage of the tournament." He shot a glance at Ino, the corners of his mouth curling into a warm smile. "And hey, Ino, I'd like to see a rematch between us. You gave me a real run for my money in the last race. I wanna see what you're really capable of."

Ino's face turned a light shade of pink, and she stuttered slightly, "Y-yeah, maybe… we'll see what happens."

As Shikamaru and Choji waved goodbye and left the booth, Ino remained standing, looking slightly flustered.

Sakura, noticing Ino's reaction, smirked. "Well, well, well. Looks like someone got some validation they weren't expecting."

Ino spun around, scowling. "Oh, shut up, forehead! I just… didn't think he'd say that, that's all."

Naruto and Sasuke both snorted with laughter, but before Ino could throw her beer can at them, Sakura stood up and called for everyone's attention. "Alright, listen up, assholes. We did great today, no doubt, but we've got to start thinking about the next stage. Matador is going to be a pain in the ass again, so we need to figure out how we're going to take them down."

The group nodded in agreement, the competitive fire already igniting in their eyes.

Shisui raised his hand, still holding his beer. "Sakura's right, but for now, can we just enjoy this win? I mean, we're third on the damn leaderboard! That's worth celebrating."

Naruto grinned, holding up his can. "Hell yeah! Today wasn't easy, so let's enjoy it while we can."

Ino, still slightly pink in the cheeks, suddenly jumped up with excitement. "Group selfie time!" she declared, pulling a selfie stick out of her purse.

Everyone groaned, but none of them resisted. They all gathered around, grinning as Ino held the stick out in front of them. "Alright, say 'We're freakin' awesome!'" she yelled.

"We're freakin' awesome!" they chorused, laughing as the phone snapped a picture of them mid-celebration.

As they finished, Naruto's thoughts drifted back to his training with Hinata. He could still picture her calmly guiding him through the mountain roads, her advice echoing in his head as he took on the turns today. She'd helped him more than she probably realized, and he knew he needed to thank her for that.

Smiling to himself, Naruto cracked open another beer, ready to soak in the moment with his team. The next race could wait—today, they were champions.