There was something off about Sasuke. Naruto might not have been the most observant of ninja out there, but something like this was just too obvious. After fighting that snake freak, Sasuke had been in constant pain, clutching at his neck, and Naruto wasn't even sure when he'd gotten there, but something was wrong—all kinds of wrong.

The second stage proctors were asking if everyone felt safe to continue. Naruto couldn't even say he felt strong enough to continue; there was something strange going on in his chakra ever since that freak hit him in the stomach.

"Sasuke, are you sure you can keep going? I'm going to forfeit for you... After what he did, I don't think you can keep going." Sakura's voice trembled, anguish lacing each word. It made Naruto's gut twist. The pieces were all falling into place, but something felt like it was still missing.

"Sakura, you better not! I can keep going. I will never forgive you. I must get stronger to kill that man," Sasuke spat out, voice low and seething with anger.

Before Naruto could process what had just been said, Kabuto's voice broke through from a few rows down. "I forfeit. My chakra levels are too low to continue."

His team was visibly upset with him for taking this route, but the proctor quickly recognized Kabuto's forfeit and sent him and his team away.

Could Kabuto really have been so heartless? Naruto wondered. Was he willing to take away his teammates' chance for promotion just to save himself? All he had to do was stay in the prelims and forfeit later, but instead... Naruto felt a pang of frustration. Kabuto's selfishness made him think about his own team.

Everything they'd been through so far—the battles, the injuries, the pain—Naruto had never been one to wallow in misfortune, but now, looking at Sasuke, and feeling his own chakra off since waking up from the fight with that snake chick, Naruto wondered if they could even continue. Could his team go on like this? He wasn't sure he could keep fighting in this state, either.

Sakura had taken care of them both when they were unconscious, staying up for countless hours, doing everything she could. She fought those Sound Genin, exhausted and still pushing herself. Sasuke was clearly suffering, yet every time he reached for his neck, his hands trembled, and he refused to admit how much pain he was in.

The proctor spoke up again, his voice cool and indifferent, a senbon between his teeth. "Would anyone else like to forfeit the exams?"

Naruto felt a sudden wave of unease ripple through him. His chakra flared up again, buzzing beneath his skin, like it was trying to escape him. He could feel it—his body trembling in response to the pressure, torn between two directions. His dream, his vow to become Hokage... everything he worked for was at stake. But something else weighed heavily in his chest—the people he cared about.

For as long as Naruto could remember, he'd wanted to win the village's recognition. The Hokage was the strongest, the person everyone adored. He wanted that for himself. But now, as the pain in his chest flared and his chakra rushed through him, a different thought gnawed at him—Haku's words. He thought of the way Haku had chosen to die to protect his master. "Real strength comes from being able to protect your precious people," Haku had said.

Naruto closed his eyes, clenching his fists, his heart thundering in his chest. Was being Hokage just about being the strongest? Was it about winning the title and the respect? No… His mind flared with the memory of Haku's words. It's about protecting those who are important to you. It's about their lives. Sasuke, Sakura… I can't let them suffer because of pride.

Another painful wave of chakra rippled through his body, making his head spin. But this time, it wasn't from anger or frustration. It was a realization—he couldn't let this go on. Sasuke was too bullheaded to admit when he couldn't go on, and Sakura... Sakura would follow whatever Sasuke wanted. She wouldn't stand up to him.

But Naruto was his first friend—he couldn't let Sasuke suffer because of his own pride.

"I… I can't do it," Naruto barely managed to get the words out, his throat tight with emotion. He opened his mouth to speak again, but his body felt frozen.

Say it! Please, let them hear you!

He tried again, but his words seemed stuck, heavy in his chest.

Sakura turned back to look at him, eyes wide, tears brimming. She didn't speak at first, and there was something in her expression that Naruto couldn't quite place. Normally, she would be angry, upset with him for making a choice like this, for trying to forfeit the match and lose his chance at becoming Hokage. But now, there was something... different.

Sakura's lip quivered as she fought the tears, her eyes locking with his. Her expression was a mix of understanding and uncertainty. She didn't say anything, but Naruto saw it clearly: She heard him, and she understood.

As Naruto tried to make himself heard, the proctor's indifferent voice sliced through the air once again. "Very well, the preliminaries will now begin!"

Naruto's heart sank like a stone in his chest. He was too late. The words, the decision—everything he'd tried to do, all of it had been swallowed up by the moment. His chance to protect his team was gone.

He'd waited too long.