No Sense of Anticipation

Hinata was startled by Naruto's reaction. "Naruto-kun?"

"Huh?" Naruto came to his senses and realized this wasn't a matchmaking event, but the Chunin Exams. He explained,

"Oh, I mean, this Gaara is very strong, and he's also very cold-blooded. Ino could be in danger if she fights him."

Hinata nervously stood up as well, watching Gaara eagerly enter the arena. He really did look fierce. "Then what should we do?"

"Hopefully, Ino can just surrender right away. Or the examiner should be able to save her." Naruto wasn't worried that Ino's life was in danger. With so many examiners present, they probably wouldn't just watch the Yamanaka Clan's young lady get killed.

And if all else failed, his old man was still here. No matter how fast Gaara was, he couldn't be faster than the Yellow Flash's Body Flicker Technique.

Asuma seemed to know something of the situation. He went over and spoke to Ino for a few moments before finally nodding, and Ino entered the arena to prepare for the match.

Ino's thoughts were simple. Sakura had managed to fight Sasuke for a while. If she surrendered right away, wouldn't that mean Sakura had beaten her? The young girl's competitive spirit made her decide to give it a try.

Besides, she didn't think some mere genin from Sunagakure Village could possibly be stronger than Sasuke. She also had no idea how much Sasuke had held back when fighting Sakura.

"Preliminary Match Five, begin!"

The moment Hayate finished speaking, Ino immediately formed the hand signs for the Yamanaka Clan's Secret Technique. After taking aim—

Ninja Art: Mind Body Switch Technique!

Ino's body collapsed to the ground.

The technique worked surprisingly smoothly. Gaara did not move at all, allowing Ino's ninjutsu to hit him.

Then Gaara's body gave a slight shudder, and his expression began to twist into something ferocious.

Three seconds later, Ino let out a scream, sat bolt upright, and scrambled backward as though she had seen something terrifying.

She stared wide-eyed at Gaara. "A m-monster!"

Gaara came to his senses. He clutched his head and cried out in pain for a while before raising his head and growling viciously at Ino, "Kill you... Kill you..."

With a wave of Gaara's hand, the stopper on the huge gourd strapped to his back popped out and fell to the ground. Sand poured out and flew straight toward Ino, who was still sitting on the ground.

"I-I surrender!" Fortunately, Ino managed to shakily cry out those words. Hayate immediately stepped in front of her and scattered Gaara's sand.

But Gaara refused to let it go. His expression grew even more distorted as he continued manipulating the sand, intending to attack Hayate as well.

Seeing this, Baki, the jonin leading the Sunagakure team, hurried down to stop Gaara. Their plan was not yet fully prepared; they couldn't let Gaara lose control here.

Temari also hurriedly jumped down, grabbed Gaara, and anxiously tried to calm him.

Kankuro's expression shifted, and he followed after them.

Asuma used the Body Flicker Technique to appear beside Hayate, staring warily at Baki as though ready to draw Flying Swallow at any moment.

Baki hurriedly explained, "Don't misunderstand. Gaara only occasionally has trouble controlling his killing intent. If I'm not mistaken, the little girl used the Yamanaka Clan's mental Secret Technique, right? It may have provoked Gaara, so..."

Gaara covered his forehead with one hand. His emotions gradually settled, and his cold expression returned. He followed Temari back to the stands.

Sakura hurriedly jumped down and ran to Ino's side. Green Light glowed from her hands as she thoroughly examined Ino from head to toe. Only after finding nothing wrong did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Ino was still hugging her arms and trembling all over. She looked thoroughly frightened.

Sakura waited until Ino had recovered a little before helping her to her feet.

These two usually looked like romantic rivals, like fake plastic sisters, but when something actually happened, they cared about each other more than anyone.

Sakura asked worriedly, "Ino, what exactly did you see? How did it scare you this badly?"

"A monster..."

"Ino." Asuma interrupted her. "You can't tell anyone about what you saw today."

"Huh?" Although Sakura was curious, Asuma had already said so, and she didn't ask further.

"Yes." Ino gritted her teeth and, supported by Sakura, slowly made her way back upstairs step by step.

Watching Ino tremble uncontrollably, Naruto wondered if she had seen Shukaku.

Impressive, Ino. You almost set off Sunagakure Village's mushroom bomb.

"Big Fox, is Shukaku scarier than you?" Naruto didn't think his own fox was frightening enough to scare someone speechless.

"Him?" Nine Tails said disdainfully. Trash with only one tail.

"Then why was Ino so scared?"

Nine Tails glanced at him and said irritably, "Do you think everyone is as thick-skinned as you, brat? You dared to spout nonsense and jump around in front of this old man when you were only three or four.

That little girl's reaction is how human children should react the first time they see a Tailed Beast."

"Emmmm... I guess that makes sense." Naruto realized he had been making assumptions.

Mostly because his Fox Spirit was greedy, sleepy, loved listening to stories, and enjoyed watching the excitement, Naruto had nearly forgotten that Tailed Beasts were among the strongest forces in this world.

This was also the first time he had truly realized how intimidating Tailed Beasts were to ordinary people.

When Sakura helped Ino back up, Naruto gave up the sofa so Ino could rest.

A date was a date, but that didn't mean he could ignore someone who needed help, especially someone he knew.

"Thank you." Ino weakly thanked him and sat down.

Hinata and Sakura sat on either side of Ino, talking with her to ease her emotions. Shikamaru and Choji also came over to ask about Ino's condition.

Sasuke looked left and right. Now that all of you had left, I can go sit beside Naruto, right?

"What's with that guy carrying the gourd?" Sasuke could tell Gaara was strong, but he didn't know how he had scared Ino so badly.

"I'll explain later." Once my brother beats him up, you'll understand what's going on.

"That guy isn't an ordinary ninja." Shino's voice suddenly came from nearby.

Naruto and Sasuke both turned their heads. "When did you get here?!"

A bug rested on Shino's fingertip. He did not answer Naruto's question; he was already used to being ignored. "The bugs are afraid of him."

Kiba had come over too, soothing Akamaru.

"Whimper..." Akamaru hid in Kiba's arms, trembling in fear.

Naruto gently patted Akamaru's head, feeling sorry for him. He had watched Akamaru grow from the size of a palm to larger than Kiba's head, and had always treated Akamaru like his own dog. They had a deep bond.

Just you wait, Shukaku. Naruto looked toward Gaara. You scared my dog like this. I'm not letting this slide!

"The winner is Gaara. The matches will continue."

Hayate's voice came belatedly.

The screen displayed the lineup for the Next Match:

Zaku Abumi vs. Shigure

Naruto glanced at the screen. Who are these two nobodies? Extras?

No sense of anticipation.