Gaara and His Siblings, the Nine Newcomers Enter the Exams

"Acting arrogant can get you killed?? Hmph, then I'd like to see how you plan to kill me..."

Seeing Sasuke act even more arrogantly than himself, Kankuro glared fiercely and snorted coldly.

With a casual flick, he sent Konohamaru, who had accidentally bumped into him, flying...

His fingers twitched slightly, and an almost invisible Chakra Thread shot toward Sasuke at high speed...

"Idiot..."

Sasuke, who had noticed every detail, snorted coldly. Chakra erupted beneath his feet, instantly destroying the Chakra Thread.

His eyes turned crimson in an instant, and the right hand in his pocket completed One-Handed Hand Seals in the blink of an eye.

At the same time,

Naruto immediately caught Konohamaru, glaring furiously at Kankuro as he prepared to make a move.

Genjutsu: Hell Viewing Technique...

The moment Kankuro met Sasuke's gaze, the Genjutsu activated instantly through the Sharingan.

This was a D-rank Genjutsu that made people see the deepest fears in their hearts.

At once, Kankuro, who had just been domineering and arrogant, had his pupils contract...

As though he had seen something terrifying, his entire body trembled and his breathing grew heavy.

His weakened legs nearly failed to support him...

"Kankuro..."

Seeing that things were going wrong, Temari's eyes sharpened. She raised a hand and slapped his shoulder, interrupting his Chakra flow.

"Gasp... Genjutsu? When did he form Hand Seals!!"

Coming back to his senses, Kankuro's expression changed drastically. He immediately avoided Sasuke's gaze and sucked in a cold breath.

Just now, he had fallen under the other party's Genjutsu with a single glance.

It was simply terrifying...

Naruto, who had been about to teach him a lesson, looked thoroughly bored, his gaze full of disdain.

"Since you're already here, stop hiding..."

Sasuke did not answer. Instead, his gaze shifted toward a nearby tree as he spoke coolly.

His crimson Two-Tomoe Sharingan reflected in his pupils, looking utterly imposing...

"Sasuke-kun is so handsome..."

Seeing that godlike face, Sakura immediately clasped her cheeks, her heart blossoming with joy.

"Brother Sasuke is insanely cool..."

Konohamaru and his two lackeys cried out in near unison, stars practically shining from their eyes...

Even Temari across from them had a strange gleam in her eyes, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks...

"There's someone? Where?? Sasuke, what nonsense are you spouting now..."

Seeing Sasuke steal the spotlight, Naruto looked around in confusion and shouted.

The next moment,

"Kankuro, you've disgraced the village enough..."

Before Naruto and Sakura's stunned eyes, a stream of sand rapidly appeared beside Kankuro and condensed into shape.

The Red-haired Boy with Black Eye Circles, carrying a gourd on his back, rebuked him with an indifferent expression.

"G-Gaara... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."

Seeing who it was, Kankuro recalled the terrifying image from the Genjutsu and instinctively trembled as he apologized.

"Trash. Are you going to keep making a fool of yourself..."

Gaara frowned and cut him off coldly, turning his head stiffly without expression.

"Your name... I'm very interested in you!"

Gaara's gaze shifted as he stared expressionlessly at Sasuke and asked.

A trace of bloodlust and desire flickered in his calm, unruffled eyes...

"That's rude. Shouldn't you introduce yourself before asking someone's name?"

Looking at Darkened Gaara, Sasuke raised the corner of his mouth and teased him with a slip of the tongue.

If he missed this chance, there would be no opportunity after Naruto talked him down!

"Gaara of the Sand..."

After staring deeply at Sasuke, Gaara pondered for a moment before taking the initiative to answer.

"Mm, I got it! But I don't feel like telling you my name yet... Naruto, Sakura, let's go..."

Under Kankuro and Temari's astonished gazes, Sasuke shrugged and said lazily with a smile.

Then he turned around and left without hesitation...

This sudden turn of events left even Gaara somewhat bewildered.

"Huh? We're leaving already? He hasn't even asked my name yet? Sasuke..."

Naruto shouted blankly, then turned his head toward Gaara.

"Exactly! I haven't even asked why they came to Konoha!"

Sakura also came to her senses and said seriously, watching Gaara and his siblings warily.

"You don't even know something that concerns your own interests? Here, this is our pass. We came to Konoha to participate in the Joint Chunin Exams..."

Seeing Sakura's suspicion, Temari took out their pass. However, her gaze remained fixed on Sasuke's retreating back.

That handsome guy was kind of interesting...

"Chunin Exams?? Sasuke-kun, wait for me..."

Seeing Temari's gaze, Sakura's heart tightened. She immediately turned and ran after Sasuke.

"Um, my name is Naruto Uzumaki... Painted Face Ghost and that guy called Gaara, right? I'll remember you!"

Naruto quickly added from the side, then hurried after them with Konohamaru and the other two.

Kankuro's face darkened at those words, and he gritted his teeth.

Painted Face Ghost?? That little brat...

"That Sharingan! Sasuke!! Sasuke Uchiha? An interesting prey..."

Watching Sasuke's departing figure, Gaara revealed a chilling expression, like someone who had spotted a delicious meal, and muttered to himself.

It sent a chill through Kankuro, who had been about to erupt. He suppressed his movements and did not dare make another move...

Hokage's Office

"So this is this year's Top Student, Sasuke Uchiha... Not bad, kid!!"

Watching the clash within the Crystal Ball, Asuma exhaled a ring of smoke and praised him without restraint.

Being able to stand his ground before Sunagakure and preserve Konoha's dignity, he truly deserved the title of genius...

"That boy..."

Kakashi, beside him, looked thoughtfully at Gaara's figure. However, the curve of his lips showed that he was very satisfied.

"Alright, the recommendation meeting begins now..."

Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression turned stern as he dispelled the Ninjutsu, prompting Kakashi and the other elite Jonin to take two steps back at the same time.

"Cough, cough... Then, we will now begin the official Chunin Exams recommendations. Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai. In principle, Genin teams that have completed more than eight D-rank Missions may participate in the Chunin selection. However, according to Konoha's custom, it is best to have completed at least twice that number of missions. Have you made your decisions?"

Looking at the three of them, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with a grave expression.

Although he already knew the answer, the necessary formalities still had to be observed...

Kakashi stepped forward without hesitation.

Hadn't he been working so hard these past few days precisely for this moment...

"Lord Hokage... Team 7, led by Kakashi. Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno. These three. In the name of Kakashi Hatake, I recommend them for this Joint Chunin Exams selection..."

Kakashi formed the Reconciliation Seal with one hand, his expression solemn and his voice firm.

"Lord Hokage... Team 10, led by Asuma. Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, Choji Akimichi. These three. In the name of Hiruzen Asuma, I recommend them for the Chunin Exams..."

Asuma stepped forward right after him, his eyes equally solemn and his demeanor grave.

"Lord Hokage... Team 8, led by Kurenai. Kiba Inuzuka, Hinata Hyuga, Shino Aburame. These three. In the name of Kurenai Yuhi, I recommend them for the Joint Chunin Exams..."

After Kakashi and Asuma recommended their teams, Kurenai Yuhi refused to be left behind and voiced her recommendation as well.

In an instant, everyone present changed expression at the sight of three newly graduated Genin teams entering the Chunin Exams together...

This was the first time in five consecutive years that newly graduated Genin had entered the Chunin Exams.

And three teams had appeared at once!!