Chapter 44: The Weight of Authority
The real truth was that just because Rock Lee had saved Konohamaru didn't mean Konoha was in the right.
After hearing Naruto's words, Konohamaru seemed to feel that he had been wronged. He averted his eyes and said in a flustered voice:
"So what? He was blocking my way."
"Besides, I'm the Third Hokage's grandson, and you yelled at me. You're just a genin. What right do you have to yell at me?"
Konohamaru stared at Naruto confidently and shouted.
Hearing Konohamaru's yelling, Neji and Rock Lee frowned. They didn't seem interested in Konohamaru's reaction or his words.
Konohamaru was using the Third Hokage's name to pressure Naruto, trying to make Naruto back down.
But Naruto wasn't intimidated.
After hearing Konohamaru's words, Naruto smiled indifferently. His blue eyes flashed with a hint of coldness, and he said lightly:
"A genin doesn't have the right? You're just a weak person who borrows other people's authority but has no strength of your own. All you can do is wait for others to rescue you. In this world, strength is what matters most. I can say whatever I want."
"Sasuke, see him off."
After speaking, Naruto didn't want to talk to Konohamaru anymore. He didn't even want to waste any more time on him.
Konohamaru stomped his foot in anger.
Sasuke nodded when he heard this. He looked at Konohamaru coldly, ready to teach him a lesson and drive him away.
Seeing Sasuke and Naruto's indifferent attitude, little Sakura wanted to play peacemaker. She smiled awkwardly and tried to convince them:
"Naruto, Sasuke, why are you so angry? He's just a child. He doesn't know any better. I'll talk to him…"
But as soon as little Sakura finished speaking, Naruto shot her an indifferent glance and said mercilessly:
"The hostility he directed at me doesn't become any less just because of his age. Sakura, what you choose to do is your own business. Go ahead."
After saying that, Naruto stopped talking to little Sakura.
Little Sakura froze for a moment, a little surprised and a little guilty, as if she was starting to regret getting involved in this matter.
Sasuke didn't stop because of little Sakura's words. Instead, he snorted coldly. Just as he was about to step forward, suddenly, a green figure flashed past.
Rock Lee suddenly appeared in front of Konohamaru, blocking Sasuke's path. He shouted righteously:
"His words were indeed inappropriate. But my teacher taught me that the strong should always help the weak and stand on the side of those who need protection."
"Let me take his place as your opponent."
Seeing Rock Lee standing in front of him and hearing his words, Sasuke frowned.
But Sasuke didn't intend to stop. Instead, he took a few more steps forward.
Neji and Tenten saw their teammate make a move. They shook their heads helplessly at the scene.
Neji stepped forward and said:
"Lee, that's not what Mighty Guy meant. Helping the weak depends on the situation. Let's not interfere in this matter."
Lee looked at Neji with some confusion, as if he didn't quite understand what Neji was saying.
Just as Sasuke and Lee were about to fight, a smooth, smiling voice suddenly rang out:
"Hey, what are you kids doing?"
The voice came, and a figure suddenly appeared in a tree, waving his hand, his eye crinkled in a smile as he looked at Naruto, Sasuke, and the others.
That figure, with silver hair and his left eye covered by his forehead protector, was Kakashi—the one who had left on a mission some time ago.
The Chunin Exam was about to begin, and Kakashi had returned at just this moment.
Seeing Kakashi appear, little Sakura couldn't help but shout in surprise:
"Kakashi-sensei! You're back!"
Kakashi smiled and nodded to little Sakura, saying:
"Sakura, Sasuke, Naruto. Long time no see."
Naruto nodded lightly. It had truly been a long time. Kakashi had been out on his mission for over a month.
Kakashi glanced around and quickly understood what was happening here.
Then Kakashi squinted his eyes and said to Konohamaru:
"Konohamaru, I saw what happened here. You were indeed being rude."
"Also, Naruto's qualifications as a ninja were determined by me. You don't have the authority to take that away. Even if the Third Hokage found out, he wouldn't let you cause trouble like this."
Hearing Kakashi's words, Konohamaru flinched.
He clearly knew who Kakashi was.
And he also seemed a little scared of him.
It was no surprise. He, the Third Hokage's grandson, could act arrogant in front of ordinary ninja and genin. But in front of a Jōnin, he still felt fear.
After all, Jōnin were the pillars of the village. If he offended a Jōnin, his grandfather the Third Hokage wouldn't let him run wild. He would be reprimanded.
Especially when he heard Kakashi's warning, Konohamaru nodded quickly. He knew how terrible it could be when Kakashi got angry.
And it seemed he had truly upset Kakashi with his behavior.
Naruto and the others had become ninja because Kakashi personally recognized and approved them.
Being a ninja was a serious matter. It wasn't something that he, as the Third Hokage's grandson, could just play around with.
After being warned by Kakashi, Konohamaru nodded hastily. And seeing that Sasuke and Naruto were still going to teach him a lesson, with Kakashi not stopping them, Konohamaru grew scared and ran away in a panic.
Seeing Konohamaru leave, Kakashi turned his gaze back to Naruto and the others. Seeing all three of them standing there, he squinted his eyes and smiled again:
"Since the three of you are here, don't hang around here. Come with me. I have something to tell you."
After speaking, Kakashi jumped down, ready to lead Naruto and the others away.
Seeing Kakashi, Sasuke snorted. He seemed dissatisfied that he hadn't been allowed to teach Konohamaru a lesson.
Naruto didn't care. He didn't have time to bother with a child. Besides, soon enough, his plan would truly begin.
Seeing this, Kakashi smiled and said:
"Alright. I've already taught him a lesson for you. I'm sure the Third Hokage will deal with him when he finds out."
"Hmph."
"I didn't expect Kakashi-sensei to be so protective of us. I'm really envious." Little Sakura also said with a smile.
Kakashi smiled, glanced at Naruto, and said:
"After all, you're my precious students. You're the first group of kids I've recognized and have high hopes for. I can't let you be treated unfairly."
Kakashi said this with a smile.
Naruto felt a little relieved seeing that Kakashi had stood up for him, regardless of Konohamaru's status as the Hokage's grandson.