A forest just outside Konoha Village.
Yoruha led the group deep into the woods. His friends followed behind, their faces full of confusion and unease. The tense atmosphere made none of them dare speak too loudly.
"Um... Yoruha, didn't you say you were treating us to dinner? So... why are we out here?" Kiba asked, scratching his head.
"Yeah... my sister always tells me not to wander into the outer forests," Sakura added nervously. "There are wild beasts out here!"
"Yoruha-kun... maybe we should just go back," Ino muttered hesitantly.
"I agree," Hinata chimed in with a small nod.
Hearing their complaints behind him, Yoruha finally stopped and turned around. He gave them a calm and reassuring smile.
"Relax. The delivery guy will be here soon. If you go back now, you'll miss out on something amazing."
"Delivery guy?" The four Genin looked completely confused.
Just then—BOOM!A loud crash echoed from somewhere ahead, accompanied by rising smoke and dust. Trees toppled and shook violently.
Something massive was clearly heading their way.
And sure enough—
A giant white bear, over three meters tall, emerged from the foliage in front of them.
Its massive body rippled with power, and it bared its snow-white fangs in a wicked grin. A deep growl rumbled from its chest, its sharp teeth glinting like icy daggers.
It was obvious.
To this bear, chakra-rich human children were no different from high-quality nourishment.
"Mist grass! RUN!" Naruto shouted instinctively, spinning on his heel to bolt.
But before he could move, Aburame Shino grabbed his arm and pulled him back. Adjusting his glasses with eerie calm, Shino said quietly,"Don't. We can't outrun something like that. Not in this terrain. Our only option is to work together and take it down."
Despite the panic tightening in their chests, Shino's composed demeanor gave the group a strange surge of confidence.
Even Kiba and Sakura, who were clearly on edge, nodded in agreement. Naruto clenched his fists and got ready to release his chakra.
But Yoruha and Choji?
They didn't seem to be taking things quite as seriously.
Especially Akimichi Choji.
His lips were trembling—not from fear, but from anticipation. His eyes sparkled with hunger as he stared at the white bear, and he was already wiping the drool that dripped from the corner of his mouth.
Seeing this—
The white bear was furious.
How dare these puny humans not fear me?I'm the king of this forest!And you... you little glutton... are drooling?! At me?!
ROARRRR!
With a thunderous roar, the white bear raised one of its massive paws and swiped fiercely toward the group.
But just as its paw was about to land on Yoruha—
It stopped.
Mid-swing.
The bear froze, eyes wide, its face suddenly filled with human-like confusion.
Why... isn't this one scared?
Yoruha stood completely still, expression steady, staring the beast down with unshaken focus.
What kind of child doesn't tremble before a beast like me? the bear seemed to wonder.
And then—
SLURP.
Choji's saliva, now in full drip mode, fell freely from his mouth. He didn't even bother wiping it this time. His eyes were locked on the bear like it was a fresh, grilled roast.
The white bear's expression contorted into sheer rage.
WHAT is going on here?!Are they... ogling me like a slab of meat?!
ROOOOOAAAARRRR!
The bear exploded with fury, kicked the ground with its hind legs, and reared up to its full height. It slammed its two front paws—each the size of a millstone—together with a sound like cracking thunder.
The earth trembled.
The display was meant to deliver a message loud and clear:I am the master of this forest! Fear me!
Faced with such a terrifying beast, even Shino—who moments ago was full of resolve—felt his courage shatter.
"This... is impossible," he murmured, backing up. "There's no way we can beat something like this..."
It looked like this would be their last day.
But at that moment—
Yoruha stepped forward.
He stared the bear down and said in a firm voice:
"Hey, don't go slapping those bear paws around like that. Hinata and Ino really like those front legs. Try not to bruise the meat."