The sun shone brightly overhead.
I was on a business trip, and not long after I arrived at my destination, someone crashed into me at full speed, not even glancing at the road ahead.
It hurt.
But the worst part? That person didn't even apologize.
Of course, why would he? His grandfather is the Hokage.
Konohamaru – the End of Konoha?
Ha! The identity of the Fourth Hokage's son is a well-kept secret, yet the grandson of the Third Hokage practically has it stamped on his forehead.
Naruto cast a glance at Konohamaru, who was currently being lifted off the ground by Kankuro.
This time, things would play out differently.
Instead of backing down, Kankuro sneered and began hurling insults, his words laced with arrogance and disdain.
Some might say he went too far.
But come on—Konohamaru is the grandson of the Hokage.
And me? I'm the son of the Kazekage.
Buzz——
Naruto hadn't expected it, but a single glance from him was enough to make Kankuro hesitate, his raised fist frozen in midair.
"Hey… what's with that look?"
"Damn it! Why does he feel even scarier than Gaara?"
Temari, clearly displeased, intervened.
"Enough, Kankuro. Don't cause trouble, and don't forget why we're here."
Kankuro's gaze narrowed. Hmph. No one is scarier than Gaara.
"This brat hurt me and won't apologize," he muttered. "I should teach him a lesson. Maybe his elders will thank me."
Rustle, rustle——
Before Kankuro could follow through, the gravel on the ground shifted subtly.
He stilled.
Snort!
Gaara's silent warning was clear. Frustrated, Kankuro released Konohamaru, letting him fall unceremoniously to the ground.
Then, he turned to Naruto, his eyes full of irritation.
Behind me, Meng Huang trembled and hid behind Sakura.
"Konohamaru…" Udon called softly, uncertain whether to intervene or not.
Kankuro scowled at Naruto. "Your eyes are seriously annoying."
Naruto blinked. ???
I'm just a bystander here! He had been planning to let Konohamaru take a few hits and see how the Hokage reacted.
Temari, meanwhile, studied Naruto carefully.
Dongdong——
"Hmm… he's quite handsome. And blond, too…"
For some reason, her cheeks flushed slightly.
As for a certain pink-haired girl? Naturally, she was ignored.
Achoo!
Back in the Uchiha district, Erzuzhi—Sasuke—suddenly sneezed while tidying up his copy of Icha Icha Paradise.
Frowning, he stuffed his hands into his pockets and muttered, "Something's off."
Meanwhile, Naruto spread his hands.
"I didn't even do anything."
"Hmph, Naruto! Beat that brat up!"
Kurama's voice rumbled inside Naruto's mind.
Why?
"I can sense Shukaku's presence!"
You mean Gaara? He's just standing behind that tree. You knew that, right?
"Just hit him!"
Well…
"I've given you my body, and you won't even grant me this small request?"
Huh???
"Don't play dumb. My real body is inside you, and my chakra is drained every day. That's basically the same as giving you my body!"
Behind the tree, Shukaku's grating voice echoed in Gaara's mind.
Hey, brat.
See that blond kid?
Beat him up. Maybe then I'll let you sleep tonight.
Gaara frowned slightly. No… you can't use that word.
Kankuro, still itching for a fight, scoffed. "Hmph, no reason. I just don't like you."
He reached for his puppet, ready to strike at any moment.
But the unease inside him only grew. That oppressive sensation…
It was worse than facing Gaara.
Gaara is the strongest. No one should feel scarier than him… right?
Naruto, who had originally planned to ignore everything, changed his stance.
If Kurama ran to Kushina in his current state and started talking…
That would be a problem.
"I'm not interested in you."
Casually, Naruto pried Sakura off his arm.
It was Kurama's first request, after all.
And Gaara? He had thick skin—he'd be fine after a beating.
Brother Ying: So cool!
"Naruto-kun~"
The pink-haired girl melted at Naruto's indifference, hearts practically floating in her eyes.
Even little Meng Huang turned pink.
Wait… Udon, why are you blushing?!
"Uzumaki… Naruto?"
Konohamaru, staring at Naruto's approaching figure, felt tears well up in his eyes.
He came to save me!
"That's more like it~"
"Ugh, don't get your snot and tears on my pants."
Naruto shoved him aside in disgust.
Kankuro twitched. "Hah. You've got guts talking to me like that."
Naruto shrugged. "I just hate arrogant idiots."
Whoosh——
The bandages on Kankuro's puppet, Karasu, unraveled in an instant.
Temari's eyes widened.
Didn't he just say he wasn't interested in Kankuro?
Then why is he walking over here?!
If she hadn't saved that brat, she would be the only target left.
Wait… is he interested in me?
No! She had to refuse!
…Then again, if he was willing to come back to Suna after the exam…
Unfortunately for her, Naruto didn't spare her a glance.
He walked right past them, stopping beside a large tree.
Kankuro seethed. "How dare you ignore me?!"
A gentleman could be insulted—but not humiliated!
Temari sighed, lowering her fan. It seems I won't win your heart…
Kankuro moved to attack.
But before he could, a flat, emotionless voice rang out from behind the tree.
"Stop, Kankuro."
Naruto turned slightly.
Behind him, Sakura's pupils contracted. That oppressive chakra…
It was worse than Zabuza's.
Whoosh——
A red-haired boy stepped forward, sand gourd on his back, dark circles shadowing his eyes.
No eyebrows. A kanji for love carved into his forehead.
Non-mainstream?
Gaara's impassive gaze settled on Kankuro.
"You're embarrassing our village."
"Losing yourself to anger is the ugliest thing of all."
"Do you even remember why we're here?"
Then, his gaze shifted to Naruto.
"…I apologize."
Naruto hesitated.
He knew Gaara didn't actually mean it.
Still, a guy like this… was it right to hit someone who was being polite?
But he wasn't smiling, so maybe…
A light punch? A gentle kick?
Sakura seized the moment, clinging to Naruto's arm.
"You're from the Wind Country… Sunagakure, the Fire Country's ally?"
She narrowed her eyes.
"This is about the Chunin Exams, isn't it?"
Allies?
The three turned to look at Sakura.
This so-called ally is a joke.
Because Konoha is stronger than the Sand Village, the Sand Village must obey and act like subordinates.
I can't even take on any missions.
This alliance isn't mutually beneficial at all.
Interrupted by Sakura, Naruto couldn't act directly.
He wished Kankuro had just made his move.
Really... the quality needs to be lowered.
"Let's go."
Gaara spoke expressionlessly and turned away.
Kankuro clicked his tongue in annoyance but reluctantly put the Crow puppet away.
Temari folded her iron fan, casting a long glance at Naruto.
Nine-Tails: "Hmph, I'm angry!"
Shukaku: "Hmph, don't even think about sleeping tonight!"
Gaara paused. This was the first time Shukaku was so fixated on something.
Moreover, he could feel a terrifying aura from Naruto.
"Oi~!"
"I'm very interested in you... What's your name?"
Gaara turned back, his gaze piercing.
"Uzumaki Naruto."
Naruto answered with a faint smile.
Unexpectedly, Gaara nodded and turned away again.
Naruto rolled his eyes. "Oi, what's your name? It's rude not to introduce yourself after asking someone else's!"
Sakura frowned. "Gaara of the Sand."
"Me?"
Temari turned slightly but kept her eyes on Naruto.
"Not interested!"
Sakura huffed and quickly pulled Naruto away.
"No, I'll tell Aunt Kushina when we get back. Naruto needs to start wearing a forehead protector to cover his face!"
Naruto sighed inwardly.
"Or would you rather take revenge yourself?"
Kurama snorted arrogantly.
"Didn't the plan say Shukaku was an important part of it?"
"When Shukaku comes out, we'll show up just to laugh at him!"
'Now that it's exposed, it won't be fun anymore.'
'Alright, alright… I get it.'
Naruto sighed like a sulky child.
He raised his hand and flicked his fingers lightly.
—Bang—
In the distance, Gaara, who had maintained his cold and ruthless demeanor, suddenly staggered, nearly falling.
The tree roots that had appeared beneath him vanished instantly.
There was no malice, no chakra presence, no warning—leaving Gaara defenseless even against his mother's sand.
Temari and Kankuro's eyes widened.
They had no idea what had just happened.
"Hahaha~ Shukaku's definitely losing it right now!"
"Damn that stupid fox! That must've been him! Ahhh—!!!"
"You little brat! You embarrassed me!"
Naruto listened to Kurama's hearty laughter and shook his head.
He glanced into the distance—a blue figure had just disappeared.
"So, they're all here?"
The three Sound Nin hiding nearby frowned.
What was that?
Did someone just make a move?
Zaku sneered. "The target isn't here. What we need to worry about are Sandstorm Gaara and Uzumaki Naruto."
Dosu hunched forward. "Let's move. We still need to find Uchiha Sasuke."
After Naruto, Gaara, and the others left, the Sound Ninja trio emerged.
A few steps later, all three of them collapsed at the same time.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage Building…
Someone was growing anxious.
"Please, wait a moment!"
The Third Hokage sighed before regaining his dignified expression.
"Iruka, do you have concerns?"
"Hokage-sama! Please allow me to speak!"
Iruka took a deep breath. "Forgive me, but the nine Genin who just received recommendations… I taught them all at the Academy!"
"They may be talented, but it's too soon for them to take the exam!"
Kurenai, Kakashi, and Asuma turned their heads.
As a teacher, Iruka was just looking out for his students.
But… was he seriously about to challenge three Jonin?
Kakashi, at least, was composed. He had seen enough in his lifetime.
"When I was twelve, I became a Chūnin. That's six years younger than them."
"They're not like you!" Iruka shot back. "Do you want to crush them?!"
Even Kurenai narrowed her eyes at that.
"Don't interfere!" Kakashi said flatly. "They are no longer your students."
"They're our subordinates now."
The Third Hokage exhaled a puff of smoke.
Iruka fell silent, understanding his place in the hierarchy.
Sarutobi glanced at him before taking the signed recommendation letters from the three Jonin.
It had been his idea to let the newcomers participate this time.
If Konoha wanted to showcase its strength, this was the perfect opportunity.
With Naruto among them, he felt assured.
Besides, with rising ninjas in the spotlight, the Chūnin Exams would bring in more commissions.
As for the Sand Village?
They were just another tool to use.
Without competition, how could clients see Konoha's superiority?
If they wanted to stay allies, they had to be useful.
Lunchtime.
The Twelve Rookie Genin all received their Chūnin Exam applications.
"Alright! This time, I'm going to defeat you fair and square, Neji!" Lee declared.
"Hmph, last place." Neji scoffed.
"And you, Sasuke!"
"Hmph, not interested."
Lee wasn't discouraged.
Seeing everyone's determination, Minato squeezed Kushina's hand.
"It's starting soon. Our research is almost complete."
"Yeah, Minato. We'll handle the Reaper Death Seal in the next few days."
"That way, you can be revived first, and Kurama will be whole again."
Kushina nestled against Minato's chest.
"This time, our family won't be separated, okay?"
Minato smiled gently, like a small sun.
But at that moment, his radiance felt overwhelming.
Shikamaru rested his chin on his hand. "What a drag…"
"I'm full. I'll go train now."
"Shino, that's all you're eating today?"
"A few servings of insect food keep me full."
That afternoon, Kushina and Nagato departed.
Yuhi Kurenai and Anko Mitarashi finally loosened up.
Naruto struggled out of their grip. "The Chūnin Exams are about to start. Don't mess around during the second test."
"That depends on your performance~"
The Next Day.
Team 7 arrived at the exam hall.
Just as they reached the second floor—
Bang!
A muffled sound.
A group of people had gathered in front of Room 301.
In the crowd, a green-clad boy lay on the ground, bruised and battered, his rear sticking up in the air.
Tenten and Neji frowned, standing protectively in front of Lee, who was clearly playing the fool.
The Chūnin Exams had begun.