"Finally free."
Sen hummed a little tune as he walked through the streets of Konoha with a spring in his step.
Without those damned Chunin Ninja Exams to worry about, even the air seemed sweeter.
The sun was shining today, perfect for a blissful afternoon nap in his private forest outside the village, which he had personally remodeled.
However.
He had clearly underestimated the trouble-magnet effect of "protagonist plot armor."
Just as he was nearing the village entrance.
A piercing commotion came from a clearing not far ahead.
"Let him go, you bastard!"
That was Naruto's unmistakably loud voice.
Sen stopped, his brow creasing slightly.
He craned his head to look.
Several Genin in strange outfits, wearing Sunagakure Forehead Protectors, were blocking the road.
One of them was a boy with purple face paint and something wrapped like a mummy strapped to his back.
With outrageous arrogance, he had seized Konohamaru's collar in one hand and hoisted him into the air.
"You Konoha brats have no manners at all."
Kankuro sneered, his eyes full of mockery as he watched Konohamaru struggle desperately in midair.
"You bumped into me, and you think one apology means you can leave?"
"Let go of me, you ugly freak!" Konohamaru's face flushed red as he shouted abuse.
Naruto happened to be passing by. The sight of his little sidekick being bullied instantly sent him into a rage.
"Put Konohamaru down!"
He roared and charged straight at Kankuro, swinging his fist like a little raging bull.
"Hmph. You're out of your league."
Kankuro did not even spare Naruto a proper glance.
He merely twitched his fingers.
Bang!
Naruto felt as though he had slammed into an invisible iron wall. Pain shot through his chest, and he went flying backward before crashing heavily to the ground.
"Chakra