Gaara screamed in internal pain and conflict. "I want to fight Naruto . . . .No he is a friend. He helped us before. I can't fight him. . . . .I was going to eventually. . . . .but only after I truly changed when we were both the kages of our villages," Gaara yelled to himself aloud. Orochimaru was enjoying the show. Naruto and Sakura were just worried about Gaara losing. But Gaara suddenly stopped moving when he said the last sentence. "Naruto, do you accept a challenge from me?" he asked. Orochimaru's smile grew.

Though he was doing his best to fight it, the words escaped Naruto, "What sort of challenge?" he asked.

"It has become my desire to become the Kazekage of my village. When I am that and you are Hokage, will you accept my challenge for a rematch?" Gaara asked, sounding strained.

"Of course," Naruto said, smiling. He moved to shake Gaara's massive hand when something shot from no where and grabbed Sakura. In a second she was at Orochimaru's side. He was laughing.

"How sweet," he said, "The two demon boys are playing nice, even like this." He liked Sakura's cheek.

"Let her go Orochimaru!" Naruto yelled.

"Stay calm Naruto," Gaara said.

"I'll release her, I promise, once one of you defeats the other," Orochimaru said. Naruto was now the one shaking. He swore to protect Sakura with his life, but also swore to fight Gaara only after they were both Kages. He never liked breaking promises.

"What do I do?" Naruto thought.

Elsewhere, Tsunade and Jiraiya were racing to the training field. "You're assistant is slow Tsunade," Jiraiya said.

"I know," Tsunade said, "Come on Shizune!" Shizune was breathing heavily.

"Sorry," she said pushing herself harder.

Will these heroes make it in time?