The Consequences of Harming a Companion

Rock Lee was left immobile by Dosu's attacks, and Sakura had cut off her own long hair to save someone.

"What do we do... We can't beat them at all..."

Sakura had sunk into utter despair, even starting to doubt whether she was fit to be a ninja.

"Jimo... Where are you..."

Tears mixed with blood dripped down Sakura's cheek.

Bam!

A dark figure crashed down from the sky, slamming heavily into the ground. As the dust cleared, Dosu was embedded in the earth, unconscious.

"What... did you do to my comrades!"

A killing intent, almost tangible, enveloped the area.

Jimo's eyes were bloodshot, his aura surging, making his clothes rustle in the wind.

"Who did this..."

Jimo looked at the wounds on Sakura's body.

"I asked... who did this..."

The Ino-Shika-Cho Team, watching from the shadows and waiting for an opening, felt a chill run down their spines.

"That guy... is Jimo?"

"Scary bastard..."

Shikamaru and Choji rarely looked this serious.

"Air Cutter!"

Zaku recovered from his paralysis, and the Air Cutters from both hands shot out, hitting Jimo square on.

"With that little skill... you're just a bug stirring up dust." Jimo suddenly appeared behind Zaku, and as he turned, reached out and grabbed his neck.

"The wounds on Sakura... you did that, didn't you?" Jimo's hand tightened slightly.

"Don't worry, you won't die. I'll make you pay back every bit of pain you inflicted on my comrades!"

Crack! Jimo dislocated Zaku's jaw.

"This exam says it's over when one side gives up... or dies, right? Don't look at me like that... I love the fear in your eyes!"

Then, Jimo channeled chakra into his hand and, one by one, dislocated and reversed Zaku's major joints.

With his jaw dislocated, Zaku could only mumble and sway like a limp invertebrate.

"Is... is this really Jimo... Why does he seem so unfamiliar..."

Sakura trembled as she looked at the person who was the complete opposite of the cheerful Jimo she knew.

Jimo's technique for dislocating joints was extremely professional, leaving no external injuries.

After the torture, Zaku was thrown to the ground like a dead dog, discarded like trash, his condition unknown.

Kin, standing nearby, was already frozen in fear.

"I usually... don't hit women... especially pretty ones..." Jimo gave Kin a very "gentle" smile.

But in Kin's eyes, that smile was more terrifying than a demon from hell.

"Enough..."

Anko suddenly appeared behind Jimo, locking his arm.

"She's already thrown the scroll to Sakura..."

Only then did Jimo regain his composure.

"Take your comrades and get lost!"

When Jimo said this, the air itself felt cold.

Dosu staggered as he and Kin carried Zaku away to find another target.

Jimo walked over to Sasuke. The first stage of the Curse Mark had already activated, black flame-like patterns covering half of Sasuke's face.

Jimo took out two Senzu Beans, feeding one to Sasuke and one to Naruto.

As for Sakura, he'd wait until they were gone. Senzu Beans—if exposed, some of the village's dirty elements wouldn't be able to sit still.

"Jimo... Are you okay?" Sakura noticed something was off about him. Though his killing intent had lessened, that unsettling feeling still lingered.

"I'm fine... Take these. If any Leaf comrades outside need them, give them some. I need to cool off."

Jimo tossed all the scrolls he'd taken to Sakura, keeping one pair as a safety net for Team 7.

After wandering through the forest for a while, he happened upon Hinata and her team, who had been discovered by Gaara.

Fine sand swirled around the three of them, carrying a bloody scent.

"Tch... Guess you're out of luck..."

Jimo gathered chakra in one hand and blasted a Shockwave straight into Gaara's face.

A while later...

"We're saved..." Kiba Inuzuka panted, sitting on the ground.

Beside him, Hinata and Shino also breathed a little easier.

"See? When you're feeling irritable, a good fight is the best way to let off steam!" Jimo was back to his usual cheerful self.

"Eat up, eat up! The fish I grilled are pretty good." Jimo gnawed on a grilled fish himself, then handed two to the bruised Kankuro and the unharmed Temari.

"Th... thanks."

Kankuro looked at Gaara, who had passed out behind him, his mind full of shock.

That kid's move called "Baby's Sleep Quality Fist" had actually knocked Gaara unconscious.

He felt this was probably the first time since Gaara became a jinchuriki that he and Temari had felt this relaxed.

"You're really... terrifying..." Kiba said. "I saw that redhead take out three Rain Ninja in an instant..."

"If Jimo hadn't arrived in time..." Hinata trailed off, faltering.

"We really do have to thank you Konoha Ninja this time... In that situation just now, even the two of us would have been caught in the blast..."

Jimo had taken a long detour before finally meeting up with Naruto and the others at the Central Tower, randomly taking out a few ninjas along the way who just looked annoying.

But he hadn't expected Kabuto Yakushi and Sasuke to still run into each other.

There were 22 people left in the arena. Next would likely be one-on-one battles. Jimo looked at the group eagerly, and everyone—including the disguised Orochimaru—sensed a hint of danger.

But after Moonlight Hayate finished explaining the rules, Kabuto withdrew from the match. That left 21 people.

"Ahem... I have an announcement!" the Third Hokage cleared his throat and said. "Given Jimo's outstanding performance and the strength he displayed in previous missions, on Kakashi's recommendation, Jimo is hereby promoted directly to chunin! He need not participate in the remaining exams!"

"Great... if he was still in, why would we even bother competing? Might as well go home and sleep..." Kiba sighed in relief. He still remembered the scene of Jimo knocking Gaara out with one punch.

"Good, good... I won't have to fight Jimo..." Rock Lee also patted his chest and sighed.

"Lee, come on. Is he really that strong? Stronger than Neji?" Tenten asked.

"I'm afraid that's exactly the case... Everyone present witnessed it. Those Sound Ninja over there didn't stand a chance against him! The momentum and power Jimo showed when he attacked were a complete one-sided crush!" Lee said, still shaken. The chilling, almost suffocating scene kept flashing through his mind, along with the intense killing intent Jimo had radiated.

Jimo, however, wore a calm expression. With a flicker of movement, he leaped lightly onto the platform like a ghost, effortlessly taking the combat vest that symbolized chunin status.

His movements were fluid and smooth, without a hint of hesitation, drawing everyone's admiration.

"Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke! Do your best! After this stage, we'll go eat together!"