The back of Kankuro's neck went numb.
The feeling of having his life in someone else's hands was impossible to suppress.
Temari's gaze darted back and forth between Gaara and Kankuro, and her expression changed.
How was this guy so ridiculously strong?
Kankuro had been subdued before he even had time to release Crow?
"You idiot, Kankuro."
A flat, emotionless voice drifted over from the wall. Kankuro and Temari both stiffened.
"All you do is embarrass the village outside."
Everyone looked up toward the voice and found that someone had appeared atop the wall without anyone noticing. It was Gaara.
"Oh? My little brother-in-law is here too."
Naruto grinned and waved.
Gaara expressionlessly turned his gaze toward Naruto.
"Are you here to take the exam?"
"More or less."
Kankuro loosened his grip and released Konohamaru, then stammered an explanation to Gaara.
"Listen, Gaara, that brat ran into me first..."
Naruto chuckled from the side.
"I can vouch for that. That kid really was being a jerk, so beating him up was absolutely the right call. No objections from me."
Gaara ignored Naruto's nonsense completely and barked at Kankuro.
"Shut up! Do you even know what we came here for?"
Naruto muttered inwardly, You probably don't even know yourselves. You were basically thrown here as nuclear warheads.
"I'll kill you."
Gaara narrowed his eyes.
Kankuro began trembling all over in fright.
"I understand! I was wrong! I'm really sorry!"
Temari hurriedly gestured from the side as well, making it clear that Kankuro had not meant it.
Like he was following a preset program, Gaara turned to Naruto and said,
"Sorry."
Naruto watched Konohamaru disappear into the distance and shook his head regretfully.
"No need to apologize to me. You should've beaten him up a few more times instead."
A row of