Naruto Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze had departed in succession.
Right now, Naruto Uzumaki was walking through Konoha's streets on his way home.
Minato hadn't taught Naruto the Flying Thunder God Technique yet.
Because the technique involved elements of Sealing Arts, and Naruto had absolutely no foundation in sealing, he needed to start from scratch.
Now Naruto had already placed his palm print on the Contract Scroll at Mount Myoboku, while Minato was teaching him both the Rasengan and Summoning Jutsu.
As Naruto walked through a quiet alley,
Kankuro from Sunagakure was grabbing Konohamaru Sarutobi's scarf—the grandson of Hiruzen—while Konohamaru's two companions, Udon Ise and Moegi Kazamatsuri, were seated on the ground, looking at Kankuro with fearful expressions.
Sakura Haruno was here too. She tried to step forward and help Konohamaru out, but Kankuro shoved her to the ground.
Lifted off the ground by his scarf and choking from the pressure, Konohamaru gasped for breath, his face twisted in pain as he choked out, "Let… let me go!"
However, Kankuro tightened his grip even further, making it nearly impossible for Konohamaru to breathe.
"I really hate punks like you thinking they're hot stuff! I'd love to take you apart piece by piece!"
Temari sighed. "Hey, Kankuro, cut it out."
Kankuro pretended not to hear.
Naruto stepped right in front of Kankuro. Seeing Naruto arrive, Sakura felt relief spread across her face and shouted, "Naruto!"
Naruto stared expressionlessly at Kankuro. "Get out of my way."
Kankuro scoffed. "Looks like another arrogant brat showed up!"
Kankuro threw a punch straight toward Naruto's face.
Naruto raised his palm and caught the incoming fist.
Trying to pull back, Kankuro found his wrist gripped tightly in Naruto's rough hand and couldn't move.
Humiliated, Kankuro turned bright red with shame. He released Konohamaru and swung his other fist toward Naruto's face.
Naruto swiftly extended his leg, tripping Kankuro. Then he drove a knee hard into Kankuro's gut.
"Cough!"
The force sent Kankuro coughing up blood. Then Naruto punched him straight in the face, sending several teeth flying.
Straightening up again, Naruto planted his foot firmly on Kankuro's face, glaring down at him. "Are all ninja from Sunagakure pieces of trash like you? No wonder you keep getting outplayed by Konoha every time. You're pathetic."
Naruto moved so suddenly and quickly that before anyone could react—not even Temari and Sakura—Kankuro was already under his boot.
Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi stared at Naruto like he was a hero: "So cool!"
Sakura exhaled in relief. Thank goodness Naruto came. Though things might actually get more complicated now.
Temari had already taken out her giant war fan and frowned. "Hey! Let go of Kankuro!"
Naruto pressed his foot harder onto Kankuro's face while replying, "Let him go? Truthfully, I quite fancy destroying him myself."
"Kankuro grabbed his Puppet: Corpse Crow as Naruto Uzumaki's foot pressed down on his head, fury blazing in his eyes.
"You really want to start a fight here? That wouldn't be wise."
Sasuke Uchiha stood with hands in pockets, appearing behind Temari.
"Sasuke!"
Sakura Haruno cried out "Sasuke!" with far more excitement than she had shouted "Naruto!" before.
Temari found herself in a tight spot—this Naruto was already tough enough, having just slammed Kankuro straight to the ground, and now another opponent showed up.
"Kankuro! Temari! Put your weapons away—you're making yourselves look ridiculous!"
From above them, Gaara's cold voice commanded Kankuro and Temari, "Put your weapons away."
As soon as Gaara appeared, Nine-Tails warned Naruto, "Kid, he's also a jinchuriki—and that damn raccoon dog, no less."
Naruto narrowed his eyes at Gaara. Another jinchuriki?
Seeing Gaara arrive, Temari and Kankuro immediately broke into cold sweat, their expressions filled with fear.
Sasuke also looked grimly at Gaara. Just from his aura alone, he could sense this wasn't an ordinary opponent.
Gaara, who regarded Kankuro with contempt, turned his focus to Naruto. Anyone who could defeat Kankuro so easily must be truly formidable.
Using his Sand Body Flicker technique, Gaara appeared in front of Temari, facing Naruto as he spoke, "Would you mind returning my companion at your feet?"
"Sure thing."
Without hesitation, Naruto kicked Kankuro toward Gaara's feet.
Watching everything unfold, Sakura bit her lip nervously. Would things really not blow up into a fight?
Wiping dust off his clothes, Kankuro got up from the ground and quietly took his place behind Gaara.
"Oh-ho-ho~ What a lively little party we've stumbled into!"
Seven figures appeared at the alley entrance, walking toward them.
Seeing these seven individuals, Naruto's eyes flickered slightly.
Though Uzumaki Sōnagi tried to disguise himself, Naruto recognized Kimimaro Kaguya and others—after all, they'd introduced themselves back at the Land of Waves.
When Sasuke saw Sōnagi and company, his brow furrowed slightly too.
Those Sound forehead protectors… reminded him of the nine masked ninjas from Otogakure they'd met back in the Land of Waves.
According to Sasuke's earlier speculation, one of the two adults among those original nine masked ninja might have been Chinya.
Could these seven actually be the same seven of similar height from those original nine masked ninjas?
But Sasuke only gave it a fleeting thought. None of this really concerned him now. He had been training under Kakashi, and each day he could clearly feel his strength growing.
And if his guess proved correct—that Kakashi had some connection to these people—then while receiving Kakashi's instruction, he certainly wouldn't say anything about it.
Playing it cool, Naruto pretended not to recognize Sōnagi and his group. Glancing briefly at them, he turned his cold gaze toward Gaara's trio. "I suppose you're here for the Chunin Exams? Then behave yourselves—don't cause trouble in Konoha!"
"You guys' Squad Leader can't control you, but we wouldn't mind stepping in to discipline you a bit!
This isn't your Sunagakure Village, this is Konoha. If you're going to act shamelessly, then we won't bother showing you any respect either."
Behind Gaara, Kankuro's face flushed red and purple with rage and humiliation.
Uzumaki Sōnagi clapped sarcastically, "You actually spoke quite well. Hey, blond-haired kid, you seem pretty strong too. What's your name anyway?"
Naruto Uzumaki's eye twitched slightly. Wasn't he actually older than Uzumaki Sōnagi by a month or two?
Naruto Uzumaki looked at Uzumaki Sōnagi and said, "Naruto Uzumaki!"
Uzumaki Sōnagi introduced himself with a smiling face, "My name is Rokumei. Judging from your appearance, you're also a Konoha Genin. I hope to see you in the Chunin Exams."
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