Pakura?

[Ding!]

[System Prompt: New environment detected—Sunagakure City]

[Triggering environmental adaptation mission: Desert Trial]

[Mission Details: Survive in Sunagakure City for three days and complete the following challenges:

1. Drink local water without getting diarrhea (Clean and hygienic!)

2. Adapt to the diurnal temperature variation (Current thermoregulation: struggling)

3. Engage in "friendly" exchanges with at least three Sunagakure ninja (0/3)

4. Do not die of heatstroke (In progress)]

[Mission Reward: Unlock the "Desert Survivor" title (All attributes slightly increased in desert environments)]

[Failure Penalty: Triple debuff of heatstroke + diarrhea + social anxiety, lasting until the event ends]

Qingyu stared at the mission, wanting to cry but having no tears.

System, how can you be this cheap!

Is that last point, "do not die of heatstroke," actually serious!

Just then, a knock came at the door; it was Temari.

"Three o'clock this afternoon, gather at the Chunin Meeting Hall," she said in a businesslike tone. "The Kazekage wishes to see you all."

The Kazekage?! Finally showing his face?

Qingyu and Sasuke exchanged a glance, both seeing vigilance in the other's eyes.

"Understood," Sasuke nodded.

After Temari left, Qingyu immediately began to prepare.

He checked his ninja tool pouch, confirmed his Communication Talisman, and stuffed the special ointment given by Elder Setsuna into his pocket. What if the Kazekage poisoned them? One must always be on guard!

"There is no need to be so nervous," Izuna said in his mind. "The Kazekage is, after all, the leader of a village; he would not make a move against you in plain sight."

"But it is hard to say what might happen in the shadows," Tobirama added. "Maintaining vigilance is the correct choice."

At three o'clock in the afternoon, everyone arrived at the meeting hall on time.

The meeting hall was located on the top floor of the castle, offering a wide view that overlooked the entire Sunagakure City.

Qingyu was in no mood to admire the scenery; his attention was entirely fixed on the person at the head of the conference table.

The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.

He wore the Kazekage robe and hat, his expression stern, his aura imposing.

But Qingyu couldn't help but feel... something was strange.

Whose mascot suit is this? Are you here to beg for a title!

"Heh, welcome, everyone from Konoha," the Kazekage began, his voice low. "I am Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage."

Kakashi bowed: "The Hokage asked me to convey his greetings to you."

The standard pleasantries.

The Kazekage briefly introduced the arrangements for the joint event: starting tomorrow, it would last for seven days and include tactical drills, live combat, and desert survival training.

"To promote exchange, we will break you up and form mixed teams with Sunagakure ninja," the Kazekage said. "The list has already been drafted and will be announced shortly."

Mixed teams? Qingyu's heart tightened.

Does this mean they have to operate alongside Sunagakure people? What if their teammates are spies? What if they get sabotaged?

In his past life, he had truly been broken by the torture of 1v9 "fair" matches.

Qingyu: Teammates, are you even human?!

Teammates: The opponents are too strong, they are invincible!

"Additionally," the Kazekage paused, "there will be a point system during the event. Teams and individuals with outstanding performance will receive extra rewards, including special ninjutsu scrolls from Sunagakure."

Naruto's eyes lit up: "Ninjutsu scrolls!"

Sasuke scoffed: "Loser, do you think you can actually get one?"

Seeing them about to argue again, Kakashi quickly held them both down.

After the meeting concluded, the list was posted.

Qingyu was assigned to the Third Squad, and his teammates were: Temari (Sunagakure), and... a Sunagakure genin he had never seen before, named "Pakura."

Wait, Pakura?

The genius with the "Scorch Release" Kekkei Genkai from the original story?

Wasn't she long dead? What is going on with this timeline?

Sasuke's teammates were Gaara and Kankuro.

Good grief, what a group of death! Take care, Sasuke!

Neji and Naruto were teamed up with two other Sunagakure genin.

"This grouping..." Qingyu whispered to Kakashi, "isn't it a bit... deliberate?"

Kakashi nodded. "It's obvious. Sunagakure is testing us while observing at the same time. You all be careful."

Back in his room, Qingyu began to study his two teammates.

Temari: Known, a master of Wind Release, strong-willed, and hostile toward Konoha.

Pakura: Unknown, but in the original story, she was an elite jonin with the Scorch Release kekkei genkai. How did she become a genin in this world? The age doesn't match up either, does it?

"There's a problem," Tobirama analyzed in his mind. "This Pakura's chakra fluctuations... they're very strong, far exceeding the level of a genin."

Disguise? Qingyu felt a tightening in his chest.

"High probability," Tobirama said. "Sunagakure may have sent an expert to disguise themselves as a genin to infiltrate the event, for reasons unknown."

Qingyu felt his headache worsen.

This wasn't a joint activity; it was a game of Werewolf! And they had to play it in the middle of the desert!

Dinner was served in the communal cafeteria.

Sunagakure's food... was quite unique.

The staple was some kind of rock-hard flatbread, accompanied by pickles and dried meat, and the soup was a clear, odd-tasting wild vegetable broth.

Sunagakure: This is life in the Great Sunagakure, dig in!

Naruto took a bite of the flatbread, his expression twisting. "Ugh! This, this is even worse than a Military Ration Pill!"

Neji used his Byakugan to inspect the food. "Non-toxic, but low nutritional value."

Sasuke ate silently, his expression unchanging.

Qingyu suspected the Uchiha had some kind of special training for their sense of taste, to be able to eat this kind of food without batting an eye!

Qingyu bit the bullet and ate a few mouthfuls, feeling like he was chewing on sand.

He decided he would just rely on Military Ration Pills from now on.

After dinner was free time.

Qingyu wandered around the castle, attempting to complete the system's "Friendly Exchange" mission.

First target: A Sunagakure chunin standing guard in the hallway.

"Hello, I am Uchiha Qingyu from Konoha." Qingyu greeted him politely.

The other party glanced at him, nodded, and said nothing.

Exchange failed.

Second target: The cafeteria lady.

"Today's soup... was very special."

The lady rolled her eyes. "Take it or leave it."

Exchange failed ×2.

Third target: A Sunagakure genin practicing shuriken in the training ground.

Qingyu walked over. "Hello, I practice shuriken too. Could we exchange some pointers?"

The other party stopped and looked him over. "Uchiha?"

"Yeah."

"I've heard your Uchiha shurikenjutsu is amazing." The other party became interested. "Want to compare?"

Qingyu's eyes lit up. "Sure!"

The two stood on opposite sides and threw their shuriken simultaneously.

Qingyu used the "Twin Swallow Rotation," causing the two shuriken to collide in mid-air and change trajectory, both hitting the bullseye.

The other party's eyes widened. "Whoa! That move is cool! How did you do that?"

"Wrist angle and chakra control," Qingyu explained. "Want to try?"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

[Ding!]

[Mission progress updated: Friendly exchange with Sunagakure ninja (1/3)]

Qingyu breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, one down!

He taught the other party some basic techniques, and in return, the other party shared some unique Sunagakure throwing methods.

Although they didn't compare to Uchiha Style, they were very practical in a desert environment.

"My name is Satetsu," the other party introduced himself. "We're in the same training ground tomorrow, so please look after me!"

Qingyu nodded with a smile.

It seemed not everyone in Sunagakure was an enemy after all.

On the way back to his room, Qingyu suddenly felt like someone was watching him.

He whipped his head around and saw a figure flash past at the end of the hallway—was that Pakura?