Pressure on Sand Hidden!

The words fell, sounding like a thunderous strike of divine might.

"Hiss—" The scene was instantly enveloped in a terrifying, tangible killing intent, making everyone feel as though their very breath was being frozen by it.

"You... you..." Chiyo's pupils trembled violently, and she stood frozen in place, a lump forming in her throat that left her unable to speak.

In her eyes, the smile on the person before her had transformed into something more hideous and terrifying than any demon from hell!

"This is bad!" Kakashi snapped out of his daze, hurriedly reaching out to grip Naruto's shoulder tightly. "Naruto, don't be rash! This old woman just mistook you for someone else!"

Baki also rushed over in a panic, bowing low to apologize. "My apologies! Lord Naruto, Elder Chiyo is ignorant of the world and has offended you. Please, with your magnanimity, be forgiving!"

As Baki spoke, he kept casting anxious glances toward Ebizo.

"Hm?!" Ebizo seemed to realize the gravity of the situation and quickly spoke up. "Forgive us, young friend. My sister is advanced in years and has become a bit muddled..."

Yet, Naruto remained unmoved.

His blue eyes, filled with intense killing intent, pierced straight into the deepest reaches of Chiyo's heart!

[Killing intent intimidates Chiyo, Villain Points +73!]

"Ugh..." Chiyo let out a pained groan.

She truly could not comprehend how this seemingly ordinary brat before her could emit such terrifying killing intent and power!

Even during the brutal wars of the past, she had never encountered anyone possessing such extreme killing intent.

"Naruto, don't be rash!" Kakashi shook Naruto's shoulder anxiously, his voice trembling.

"Heh..." A cold sneer curled the corners of Naruto's mouth. He gave his right arm a sudden, violent shake and mocked, "Old hag, count yourself lucky that I haven't developed the intent to kill today!"

As the words fell, he whipped his right arm outward.

Whoosh—

Chiyo was sent flying through the air, slamming heavily into the wall of the operating room before collapsing powerlessly to the ground.

"Pfft..." A mouthful of crimson blood sprayed from her lips.

[Publicly humiliated and injured Chiyo, Villain Points +93!]

"Sister!" Seeing this, Ebizo's expression changed drastically, and he rushed over to support her.

Baki, however, wore a look of immense gratitude as he bowed deeply to Naruto. "Thank you for your magnanimity, Lord Naruto!"

It was no wonder he reacted this way; based on rough estimates from their intelligence reports, Baki secretly calculated that even if Sunagakure exhausted all its strength, they would likely only manage a pyrrhic victory against Naruto!

After all, their Kazekage had already been abducted by someone!

"Heh..." Naruto did not respond, merely letting out a disdainful sneer before sitting on a nearby bench.

Baki was overthinking things; Naruto had spared Chiyo's life only because he believed that in this turbulent ninja world, one still needed their own faction!

And since Gaara had shown such partiality toward the original Naruto, he was naturally the best candidate to recruit.

Therefore, he had spared Chiyo's life so that she might revive Gaara!

But in the eyes of others, it was not so.

Naruto really isn't like he was when he first returned to Konoha! Sakura thought to herself, before turning all her attention back to Kankuro.

Kakashi's eyes, meanwhile, shimmered with a glimmer of relief. Naruto, I will definitely help you return to the way you were!

Following that.

"Cough, cough..." Chiyo struggled to stand back up, her breathing weak, but her gaze remained fixed on Naruto with incomparable astonishment.

A boy of only fifteen or sixteen, yet capable of reaching such a realm!

Although it was only a brief clash, Chiyo had already sensed that Naruto was absolutely an existence that surpassed the average Kage-level.

She had originally thought that Gaara, serving as Kazekage at such a young age, was an unparalleled prodigy.

She had never expected there to be someone even more terrifying!

Whose subordinate is this, anyway?!

Oh right, he's from Konoha!

At the same time.

Chiyo's gaze refocused on Kakashi, and her body gave a sudden jolt. Realizing the anomaly, she said with a look of confusion.

"You... are not the White Fang."

"That's right, Elder, you mistook me for someone else..." Kakashi waved his hands hurriedly, an awkward smile on his face.

The scene fell into a deathly silence.

Then.

"Hahahahaha..." Chiyo suddenly threw her head back and laughed, her eyes slowly narrowing. "Oh my, once a person gets old, their eyesight really isn't what it used to be!"

Having said that, Chiyo bowed to Naruto and spoke:

"Young friend, I truly apologize. My old eyes are dim, and I accidentally bumped into you. I hope you will not blame this old woman who is already with one foot in the grave..."

A long while passed, and seeing that Naruto offered no response.

Chiyo had no choice but to tactfully step aside.

The others followed suit; no one dared to remain seated in front of Naruto.

Such was the iron law of the ninja world: strength is respected, and the powerful are kings!

"Hm?!" Seeing this, Naruto's brows furrowed instantly, like two bolts of blue lightning flashing across the crowd. "Why aren't you sitting? If people from the neighboring village see this, they'll think I'm bullying the elderly!"

"Ah, we'll sit, we'll sit right away." The people of Sunagakure scrambled to respond.

Kakashi witnessed this scene and was momentarily speechless, though he could only silently console himself in his heart.

At least Naruto wasn't killing people at the drop of a hat...

Meanwhile, Sakura had diagnosed Kankuro's condition and prepared to begin surgery.

A short while later.

Under Sakura's miraculous healing hands, Kankuro slowly regained consciousness.

The group immediately moved to the bedside, and after a round of pleasantries.

"So, what is the situation regarding the pursuit of Akatsuki?" Kakashi asked first.

Hearing this, Baki's expression turned grave, and he said in a low voice, "At first, Kankuro pursued them alone, and then he ended up like this. Afterward, we dispatched a squad, but there has been no news, and even one of Sunagakure's officers has vanished into thin air..."

Listening to Baki's account, Kakashi's expression grew increasingly heavy, and he spoke up immediately.

"Then please take me to the location where Kankuro fought. Don't let my appearance fool you; I am an expert at tracking. Perhaps I can..."

However, before Kakashi could finish his sentence.

"There is no need for that..." Kankuro interrupted Kakashi, looking incredibly weak, while asking the Sunagakure ninja beside him.

"My puppets should have been recovered, right? Please bring them over."

"Yes." The Sunagakure ninja nearby responded hurriedly.

Soon, Kankuro's shattered sand puppets were brought over.

Kankuro spoke again, "There were two people on the other side. We can track them based on Gaara's scent, and even if the enemies split up, I have a way..."

With that, he had someone pick up a thick puppet needle, which still had a fragment of black cloth attached to it.

Kankuro removed the fragment and said in a low voice.

"This is a piece of the black cloak I obtained from Sasori when we fought. We should be able to track him using this."

"As expected of a Sunagakure ninja!" Kakashi couldn't help but praise him, taking the fragment.

He then slammed his hands together in a seal and struck the ground.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

The next moment.

"Poof—" A violent cloud of smoke exploded on the scene, and the Eight Ninja Dogs appeared.

"The Eight Ninja Dogs, reporting for duty!" Pakkun barked, his voice ringing out loudly.

Afterward.

Pakkun caught a familiar scent, his dog eyes widening as he stared in that direction, his jaw dropping in shock: "Is that you, Naruto? You've changed so much. If not for this unique scent, I'm afraid I wouldn't have recognized you."

"Long time no see, Pakkun! You look like you've got a lot more meat on your bones." Naruto held his head high and laughed.

"..." Pakkun felt a chill run through his canine body.

"Alright..." Kakashi quickly interrupted, then handed the black cloth fragment to the pack of dogs. "Now, please help us track the enemy based on the scent on this clothing."

Upon hearing this, the dogs began to sniff frantically.

Then.

"Whoosh—" The figures of the Eight Ninja Dogs flashed, instantly vanishing from the spot as they tracked the scent.

Seeing this, Kakashi announced to the crowd, "Rest assured! We will find them soon!"

"I cannot thank you enough for this great kindness!" Baki expressed his gratitude repeatedly.

At this moment.

Naruto stood up, stretched his limbs, and muttered to himself.

"Since I've finally come to Sunagakure, I might as well look around! See if I can find something to 'harvest'."

With those words, Naruto walked out on his own.

"What?!" The people of Sunagakure were struck as if by lightning, standing frozen like wooden chickens, their pupils trembling violently.

Without a moment's hesitation, Baki, Kakashi, and the others rushed out after him.

Are you kidding me!

If no one watched Naruto, and some fool in Sunagakure went and annoyed him...

Sunagakure Village would likely be razed to the ground!