Challenging Kankuro and Temari

After finally completing their B-Rank Mission, Team 7 returned to Konoha, only to start another round of tedious D-rank Missions the very next day.

Pulling weeds, clearing trash, walking dogs—did anyone even see them as people?

Naruto, though, was delighted. His Shadow Clones handled those D-rank Missions while he himself was already roaming other corners of the Shinobi World.

To grow stronger quickly and earn points through the Heart of Slaughter, he began taking Bounty Missions from the Black Market. Before that, he had sold Zabuza's head for a hefty reward.

The Mind's Eye of the Kagura, combined with the two Divine Powers he had just obtained, made him a deadly assassin. Together, they gave him enough power to kill Jonin above his rank.

The greatest use of the Myriad Transformations Divine Power was not that it let him take on someone else's appearance like the Transformation Technique, or that it kept him from reverting to his original form when attacked.

It was that the ability concealed the Nine-Tails Chakra within him, preventing even powerful sensory Ninja from detecting anything unusual.

Otherwise, no matter what form he took, others would know he was Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. If word got back to Konoha, he would be finished.

And so a legend began spreading across the Shinobi World: that of a powerful bounty-hunting Ninja, a Red-Haired Masked Woman suspected to be a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan.

When the Third Hokage received the report, he thought of the mastermind behind the two bombings in the village and dispatched Anbu Ninja to find her. But each time, Naruto used the Mind's Eye of the Kagura to sense them coming and avoided them from afar.

To travel faster, Naruto had no choice but to upgrade Deidara's Explosion Release Kekkei Genkai. That allowed him to make a bird out of Explosive Clay and fly through the sky at high speed.

After all, his points were steadily piling up as he assassinated other Ninja. This was an investment that would pay off.

His Personal Status Panel now looked like this:

Host: Naruto Uzumaki (Sunglasses Man)

Age: 12

Strength: Elite Chunin

Chakra attributes: Yang, Wind, Water, Earth (granted by Sage Body)

Special title: [Heart of Slaughter]

Points: 1,000

Divine Powers:

Myriad Transformations

Immortal-Binding Rope

Bloodlines:

Uzumaki Clan Sage Body (Level 4, God-Tier Bloodline)

Deidara's Explosion Release Kekkei Genkai (Level 2)

Skills:

Uzumaki Clan Sage Body innate skills (mastered): Huge Chakra Amount, Adamantine Sealing Chains, Mind's Eye of the Kagura, Physical Healing, Fuinjutsu Talent

Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, Transformation Technique, Clone Technique, Substitution Technique, exceptional Chakra control, Flying Thunder God Technique...

C-Rank Wind Release Ninjutsu, C-Rank Earth Release Ninjutsu, C-Rank Water Release Ninjutsu

Items:

...

In just two weeks, Naruto's footprints and Flying Thunder God Marks had spread across country after country. Who knew how many places now bore traces of his visit?

One day, after Naruto's Shadow Clone finished a dog-walking mission with Sasuke and Sakura as usual, he challenged Sasuke again.

He wanted to complete that Long-Term Mission as soon as possible, claim the Mysterious Reward, and keep growing stronger.

He could sense more and more Ninja from other villages entering Konoha. The Chunin Ninja Exams were about to begin.

He might run into the terrifying Orochimaru then. He had to keep improving until he could at least protect himself and avoid being crushed.

"Sasuke, let's have another match. You've gotten stronger after all this training, haven't you?" Naruto's Shadow Clone asked.

"Hmph. Don't think learning one B-rank Wind Release Ninjutsu makes you impressive. Kakashi taught me Lightning Release: Chidori and the Body Flicker Technique!"

Sasuke shot Naruto a sidelong glance and snorted.

Naruto looked at him in surprise. "When did you learn the Body Flicker Technique? I never saw you practice it in the Land of Waves."

"Kakashi taught me the day after we got back," Sasuke said smugly. "Maybe he thinks I'm more talented than you."

Damn it! Naruto's Shadow Clone cursed inwardly. Kakashi really did favor Sasuke.

Just then, two oddly dressed young Ninja approached. Hearing Naruto and Sasuke's conversation, one of them said with disdain:

"Heh. Konoha really has fallen. Is learning a mere Body Flicker Technique enough to make its Ninja think they're strong?"

Naruto's Shadow Clone and Sasuke looked up at the pair coming toward them. Sure enough, they were Kankuro and Temari.

Both were fairly strong for their age, probably already at Chunin level. Naruto figured they had come to the Chunin Ninja Exams only to team up with Gaara for the Konoha Crush Plan.

But Naruto's Shadow Clone would not let them insult him to his face. Being pushed around by people from Konoha was bad enough. Did any random pair think they could do it too?

And Sasuke, proud as ever, tolerated it even less. He glared at them.

"Haha, perfect timing, Sasuke. We'll each pick one. Whoever takes down their opponent first wins our fifth match."

Naruto's Shadow Clone grinned at Sasuke, treating the two newcomers as though beating them would be effortless. He had already turned them into part of their contest.

"Hmph. Fine by me!" Sasuke gave Kankuro a cold smile. "I'll take him. I'm not used to fighting women."

"Haha, you make it sound like I'm always picking on women," Naruto said with a laugh. "I only picked on your girl, didn't I?"

Sasuke drew a Kunai and focused on Kankuro. The second remark barely registered. "What did you say?"

"Ha, nothing." Naruto shook his head.

Sakura caught up from behind. "What are you two trying to do?"

Then she looked at Kankuro and Temari in confusion. "You're Ninja from another village. What are you doing in Konoha?"

"Haha, you really are clueless. Don't you know the Chunin Ninja Exams are coming up? Don't tell me you aren't even qualified to enter. If that's the case, what gives you the nerve to challenge us?" Kankuro mocked.

"Konoha's Ninja are getting more arrogant by the day," Temari said disdainfully.

"Enough talk. Do Sunagakure Ninja only know how to run their mouths? Careful, or you'll fill them with sand." Naruto's Shadow Clone cut off the exchange. "Come on. Let's go to the Training Ground."