In some of Konoha's secluded alleys, squads of ANBU moved soundlessly through the shadows. They specialized in inspecting dark corners that were easily overlooked, carrying out thorough searches with practiced efficiency.
Meanwhile, the civilians and ordinary ninja on the streets remained completely unaware of the ANBU's movements in the shadows. Konoha's marketplace was no different from any other day, just as lively as it had been yesterday.
Some chatted and laughed, some shopped; some idled their days away, while others held dreams in their hearts. Some drifted through life, while others looked toward the future with beautiful hopes.
Civilians discussed the necessities of daily life, while ninja talked about the upcoming Chunin Exams.
These smiling people were peace; the ANBU were the swords that guarded it.
"Location Three discovered."
From the shadows, an ANBU reported over the radio. Behind his animal mask, his eyes fixed on a... nearly imperceptible summoning jutsu formation etched into the dark corner.
"Record the location. Leave one person to watch it. Don't act rashly."
"Yes."
The ANBU handling communications made a hand gesture. Most of the ANBU immediately dispersed with whooshes, leaving only one behind to quietly conceal himself in the darkness and meticulously watch the summoning formation in the corner.
The building where the first stage of the Chunin Exams was being held.
Kankuro, carrying Crow Puppet on his back and purple paint across his face, walked down the corridor with an unfriendly expression. His older sister Temari was beside him, while behind him followed the younger brother he feared most... Gaara.
At the corner, bang—a girl rushed around the turn and accidentally collided with Kankuro.
Tch... This is why I hate brats...
With murderous intent in his eyes, Kankuro grabbed the short-haired girl's right hand and said coldly, "Watch where you're going. Are you looking to die, little Konoha girl...?"
Temari frowned. "Kankuro, don't cause trouble."
"S-sorry..." Startled, the short-haired girl was somewhat frightened by Kankuro's vicious expression. She looked up and apologized.
At that moment, Kankuro noticed the girl's eyes. They were a peculiar pure white... Konoha's Byakugan? With his family background, he instantly recognized it as the Kekkei Genkai of Konoha's Hyuga clan.
Kankuro had just been about to teach this little Byakugan girl a lesson when another hand suddenly grabbed the wrist of the hand holding hers.
It was a powerful hand.
Kankuro felt a slight pang of pain and instinctively released the girl's hand. Turning his gaze, he saw that a blond brat had appeared at some point and calmly restrained his wrist.
"You should at least show some restraint when you're in someone else's village," Naruto said blandly.
"Hmph..." Kankuro was extremely displeased. Another ridiculously arrogant brat... He forcefully shook off Naruto's hand and reached behind his back to unwrap Crow Puppet's bandages.
Smack!
A small stone flew over and struck Kankuro's hand.
"A Sunagakure ninja... What, it looks like you want to unwrap the puppet on your back?" Sasuke walked over from the other side. Temari let out a surprised inward gasp. So handsome...
"Stop embarrassing yourself, Kankuro..."
A cold, emotionless voice came from behind Kankuro and Temari. Naruto and Sasuke both looked over to see Gaara, with dark red hair and a gourd on his back, slowly walking out.
"This person... is terrifying..." Hinata sensed Gaara's danger. Every part of him seemed to radiate a cold, bloody aura.
"Hinata, don't be afraid. I'll protect you." Naruto stepped in front of Hinata and comforted her.
Naruto's figure was so dependable, so reassuring... Hinata thought, warmth filling her heart.
So I can't let Naruto down either. The little girl silently encouraged herself. No matter how many difficulties this exam holds, I absolutely cannot give up. I absolutely cannot hold Naruto and Sasuke back!
"What are your names?" Gaara asked coldly. He could sense that these two people before him... were the kind he could truly enjoy killing.
His blood was beginning to boil.
Mother... don't rush... There will be more blood...
"Before asking someone else's name, shouldn't you give your own first?" Sasuke had no idea who Gaara was at this point. He only felt that this guy looked somewhat difficult to deal with.
But no matter how difficult he was, could he possibly be more troublesome than Naruto?
Sasuke didn't think so.
Gaara granted the prey's small request. In his indifferent voice, he replied, "Gaara of the Sand Waterfall."
"Sasuke Uchiha."
"Naruto Uzumaki, Konoha ninja."
Unlike Sasuke's confidence and eagerness to fight, Naruto felt a bit of a headache as he looked at Gaara...
In his memories, he had fought this One-Tailed Jinchuriki through a grueling battle. Even after exhausting himself, he had still needed to snap Gaara out of it. The value and persistence he showed toward his companions had ultimately moved Gaara, causing him to awaken to his mistakes...
But Naruto believed that, as he was now, defeating the current Gaara would never force him into such a bitter fight... Did that mean he could only let Gaara grow on his own? Then would he still become Kazekage?
As a fellow Jinchuriki, Naruto still hoped Gaara would find salvation.
But if he tried too deliberately, it would feel forced.
Only sincerity could earn the understanding of Tailed Beasts and Jinchuriki.
"I won't let you run wild! You remember that!" No matter what, there was nothing wrong with warning this lawless fellow first... Naruto stared at the expressionless Gaara with utter seriousness.
Is this guy dangerous...? Sasuke picked up on something from Naruto's words.
The genjutsu on the second floor had apparently already been exposed by someone. Naruto's group quickly reached the third floor and found the location of the first exam: Classroom 301.
Kakashi was waiting for the three outside the classroom door.
He didn't say anything like, "I'm glad you were able to reach this place through your own determination." Kakashi merely nodded in satisfaction, then said softly, "Remember, you are the strongest genin. Go in."
"Of course we are."
The three nodded and pushed open the door.
The examination room was noisy, but it fell silent for a moment when they entered. The Ino-Shika-Cho trio from Team 10 noticed Team 7, who had just arrived, and came over to greet them. "Yo, aren't these Sasuke and Naruto? So you entered too, after all."
Shikamaru smiled.
Sasuke's outstanding performance during the Land of Waves mission had left a deep impression on him. Sasuke was far stronger than Shikamaru had been at graduation. Then Naruto, who was on the same team as him... was even stronger? What two troublesome guys...
"Hi, Hinata!" Sakura spotted Hinata and greeted her warmly.
"Sakura... You came too." Seeing familiar people in a setting like this was still reassuring. Hinata smiled; she felt that Sakura had grown much stronger recently.
"How could I possibly not come?" Kiba, with Akamaru perched on his head, looked down at Naruto and Sasuke. "This time, I'll definitely defeat you two and prove who the strongest genin of this class really is!"
"Frankly, Kiba, that is unrealistic. If you must ask why, Naruto and Sasuke have always been first and second place." The masked Shino spoke in his usual style.
Speechless, Sasuke slightly shook his head and stopped looking at them.
At that moment, a voice came from behind them:
"You nine are the rookies who just left the Ninja Academy, right? You're making such a racket—it's annoying... Don't treat the Chunin Exams like a field trip."
They all turned around to see a Konoha ninja with grayish-white hair standing there. He wore a pair of round glasses and carried himself like a senior lecturing juniors.
Kabuto...
Naruto quietly watched him. This was the man who, in the "future," had provoked the Shinobi World War and used the Impure World Reincarnation technique to inflict countless losses upon the Shinobi Alliance.
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