Temari and Kankuro stood at the edge of the deep pit, their calves cramping.
What did they see?
Gaara becomes ruthless and even fearful of the Sunagakure's higher-ups when he goes berserk.
She actually got slapped several times and cried?!
This scene is even more horrifying and unbelievable than seeing Shukaku destroy the village!
The two exchanged a glance, both seeing deep fear and a hint of... relief in each other's eyes.
Thankfully, that devilish man didn't lay a hand on them.
If even One-Tail Shukaku is treated like a child, then the two older siblings probably wouldn't even be worthy of being fed.
"Quick... quick, go see Gaara!"
Temari swallowed hard, forcing her trembling legs to resist, and carefully moved towards the bottom of the pit.
Kankuro quickly followed.
When they saw Gaara's face, swollen like a pig's head yet strangely calm, they both breathed a sigh of relief.
Although he was badly beaten, at least the bloodthirsty Asura seemed to be temporarily "physically sealed."
In a hidden tree hollow, dozens of kilometers away from the rocky area.
The members of Team 7 Konoha are hiding inside, conserving their energy.
Compared to the bloodshed and chaos outside, this place was exceptionally quiet.
Sakura hugged her knees nervously, listening intently to any sounds outside.
This was the first time she had truly faced such a brutal survival challenge; the giant snakes and strange enemies she had encountered before had already pushed her to the brink of mental collapse.
Naruto, on the other hand, paced back and forth in the tree hole like a hyperactive child.
He held a tree branch in his hand, gesturing wildly in the air while excitedly muttering to himself.
Wow, did you guys just see that?
Naruto waved his arms excitedly, as if he had transformed into that tall man.
"That wind was so strong! It must have been Kenya- san who made it!"
"That guy was so cool! That punch shattered the door with a bang!"
"I've made up my mind. After the exam, I'm going to make that old man take me on as his apprentice and teach me that amazing move that sends doors flying!"
Naruto became more and more excited as he spoke, his eyes sparkling.
Ever since Kenya "saved" me on the street and gave me a big senbei (rice cracker)...
Kenya's status in Naruto's heart is now approaching that of the Third Hokage.
That unreasonable Yamato and domineering nature is exactly the protective shield that Naruto has always dreamed of.
"Shut up, you loser."
A cold, somewhat impatient voice came from deep within the tree hollow.
Sasuke Uchiha leaned against a tree trunk, arms crossed over his chest.
A complex emotion flickered in those deep black eyes.
There was anger, there was resentment, but more than anything, there was a suppressed desire.
In fact, Sasuke's mind was constantly replaying the scene of Kenya instantly killing those three Chunin on the street.
That kind of pure, unadulterated aesthetic of violence, devoid of any frills.
It was like a thorn, deeply embedded in his proud heart.
Is that power really just brute force?
Why can't even my Sharingan see the trajectory of the opponent's punch?
That kind of speed and power is definitely beyond what ordinary Taijutsu can achieve!
But how could he, a genius of the Uchiha Clan, admit that he was inferior to a barbarian who didn't even have a Forehead Protector?
"He's just a crude Taijutsu fighter, what's there to admire?"
Sasuke snorted coldly, trying to use words to cover up his inner turmoil.
"Ninjas are called ninjas because we have mastered the secrets of Chakra and the Ninjutsu that can alter terrain and destroy enemies!"
Sasuke slightly raised his chin, his eyes sharpening.
"Those who only know how to use their fists to hit people are barbarians."
"A pretentious guy like him will be no match for a true master, for Ninjutsu that can't be broken with fists."
"The only outcome is death."
Sakura nodded in agreement with Sasuke's words.
"Yeah, Naruto, stop being so jumpy."
" Sasuke-kun is right, Ninjutsu is the most powerful! And Sasuke-kun's Fire Style is so amazing, we're sure to get first place in this exam!"
Sakura gazed at Sasuke with eyes full of admiration, completely ignoring Naruto's presence.
In her eyes, if Sasuke-kun is right, then the whole world is wrong.
"But... this uncle can even break down the front door..."
Naruto muttered something under his breath, somewhat unconvinced. He had personally witnessed Kenya's terrifying power.
"That was just a coincidence that we encountered a poor-quality barrier."
Sasuke interrupted Naruto without hesitation.
He clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white from the force.
"I Sasuke Uchiha, am the one who bears the mission of restoring the glory of my clan!"
"I will definitely shine in this Chunin Ninja Exams and show everyone the true power of the Uchiha Clan!"
"I don't need any of those unorthodox methods of instruction, nor do I need those crude Taijutsu!"
Sasuke's eyes burned with fierce fighting spirit.
He wanted to prove that his prized Kekkei Genkai and Ninjutsu were absolutely no match for that kind of unreasonable brute force!
He wanted to let the man who dared to pat him on the head and shove him into the sand know.
What defines a true genius?
Only in this way can he gain his brother's approval and have the power to take revenge!
However.
Sasuke's over-the-top, arrogant, and confident declaration.
It didn't cause much of an echo inside the tree hole.
because.
Outside the tree hollow, the previously faint sound of the wind suddenly became mournful.
"Call--"
A cold wind carrying a strong, fishy stench suddenly rushed into the tree hole.
The torchlight flickered and became uncertain.
The surrounding temperature seemed to drop to freezing point in that instant.
A chilling sense of crisis, like a venomous snake, tightly coiled around the hearts of the three members of Team 7.
It's the feeling of being targeted by a top predator.
It was cold, damp, and filled with a desperate, murderous intent.
Sasuke's pupils contracted sharply, and he instinctively drew his Kunai, holding it in front of his chest.
"Who's outside?!"
Sasuke shouted sharply, activating his Sharingan at the same time.
Two Tomoe spun rapidly in his blood-red eyes, trying to capture the enemy in the darkness.
Even with the Sharingan, a chill ran down his spine when he saw the eerie sight outside the tree hole.
A sudden gust of wind blew outside the tree hollow, and a venomous snake with Orochimaru's face was staring intently at Sasuke's neck.