Consecutive Defeats

At Sunagakure's temporary residence.

"I heard someone's challenging Konoha's ninja again. Let's go see!"

"Where?"

"Apparently, they're blocking the entrance to Konoha Hospital. Come on—if we're late, we'll miss all the fun!"

Hearing the commotion from the fellow Sand ninja in the courtyard, Gaara raised an eyebrow inside the building.

Temari smiled. "I didn't expect Konoha to be in such a sorry state. Someone's actually blocking the entrance and challenging them. You don't see that every day!"

Kankuro suggested, "Why don't we go take a look, too?"

Temari glanced at Gaara.

After a moment's hesitation, Gaara said, "All right. Let's go see."

As the group left Sunagakure's temporary residence, they ran into a group from Iwagakure who were heading out as well. At their head was Iwagakure's Kurotsuchi.

Kurotsuchi glanced at Gaara and the others. "You're going to watch the commotion too?"

Temari nodded. "Yeah."

Kurotsuchi waved them over. "Then let's go together!"

And so Gaara's group joined Kurotsuchi and the Iwagakure ninja, hurrying together toward Konoha Hospital.

On the way, Temari casually remarked, "I used to think Konoha's geniuses were really strong. But this time, they've made a huge blunder. Two Grass ninja have them cornered outside the hospital. One minute they're being discharged, the next they're headed back in for treatment. What a disgrace!"

Kurotsuchi said, "Konoha's geniuses haven't even taken the field yet, apart from Sasuke Uchiha!"

Kankuro laughed. "Then why haven't they stepped up? Could they be scared because even Sasuke Uchiha was defeated?"

Kurotsuchi was annoyed. "What do you know? Konoha's real genius is Shinji Uchiha!"

Gaara asked, "The Uchiha who killed Raiga Kurosuki of the Akatsuki?"

"Yeah!" Kurotsuchi nodded. "So just wait and see. Konoha isn't as simple as you think!"

Before long, the group arrived outside Konoha Hospital.

But the place was already