Konohamaru looked up at the ninja in front of him, suddenly jumped back a step, and shouted, "Bastard, who are you to speak to me like that? You should know that my Big Brother is Namikaze Naruto!"
A dangerous gleam appeared in Kankuro's eyes. He sneered. "Naruto? I've never heard of anyone by that name. Since you've offended me, prepare to pay the price."
Watching Kankuro approach with clenched fists, Konohamaru showed none of the panic one might have expected. He looked at him strangely and asked, "Are you sure you want to lay a hand on me? Here in Konoha?"
Konoha's younger generation had two major princeling factions. The first went without saying: the Fourth Hokage's only son, and the greatest princeling of them all, Naruto. Whether in influence or strength, he stood first among his peers.
And aside from Naruto, there was naturally Konohamaru. As the Third Hokage's grandson, he was unquestionably part of the princeling faction. Clinging tightly to Naruto's coattails, he threw his weight around in the village and "looked down upon" everyone his age.
"What's going on?" A voice suddenly rang out, followed immediately by the appearance of a figure.
Konohamaru's eyes lit up, and he shouted, "Boss Naruto, it was them! They were going to beat me up! And they look unfamiliar—they must be outsiders. They could very well be spies from another village! Hurry up and arrest them, then send them to the Anbu for interrogation!"
Naruto gave Konohamaru a helpless look and curled his lip. The boy looked exactly like some petty bully throwing his weight around, and he was remarkably skilled at slapping labels onto people. Who knew who had taught him that?
"Get out of the way." Naruto gave a soft snort and pushed Konohamaru aside before turning to face