Chapter 34 : Clash of pride
Sasuke turned her head at his voice, her lips curling into a slight, defiant smirk. "Hmph. You'll see."
Seeing her competitive glare aimed at Naruto, Kakashi shook his head with an amused sigh and clapped his hands to get their attention. "I have an announcement. Today marks the beginning of Konoha's Chunin Exams. I called you here to ask your decision: do you wish to participate?"
"Of course I'm participating!" Sasuke declared immediately, having clearly expected this. She shot another challenging look at Naruto, as if daring him to refuse.
Naruto nodded simply. "I'll participate as well."
"And you, Sakura?" Kakashi asked, turning to her.
Sakura hesitated for a moment. Seeing both of her teammates so determined, she nodded, though a flicker of uncertainty remained in her eyes.
On the way to the Chunin Exam registration hall, ninjas from various lands streamed past them. As the trio walked—Sakura looking around with open curiosity, Sasuke maintaining her cool detachment, and Naruto lost in thought—Naruto pondered the looming threat of the Konoha Crush. His original plan had been to follow the general course of events, but ever since acquiring the Curse Mark and tasting that corrupted Sage power, a rebellious urge to shatter the entire script had taken root. Perhaps it was the battle-hungry blood in his veins stirring.
His musings were cut short by an arrogant voice up ahead.
"You little brat! Do you realize you bumped into me? Get on your knees and apologize!"
A familiar, youthful voice protested loudly. "Let me go! My grandpa is the Hokage! You'll be in big trouble if you hurt me!" It was Konohamaru.
"Oh? The Hokage?" Kankuro looked at the boy in mock surprise. The Hokage's grandson? So what?
"A runt like you, the Hokage's grandson? Hah! You dare lie to me? I'll teach you some manners!"
"Hey! Stop that!" Sakura rushed forward immediately, shoving Kankuro back and snatching Konohamaru from his grip. She glared at the sand-nin. "Who do you think you are? Bullying a child is just pathetic!"
"Hah! We're shinobi from Sunagakure. And who are you to get in my way?" Kankuro had barely budged, now facing a Konoha kunoichi with a determined glint in her eye.
"You! You're too arrogant! This is Konoha! I won't let you bully people here!" Sakura shouted, her anger rising.
By then, Naruto and Sasuke had arrived. Seeing the rescued Konohamaru, Naruto pulled the boy behind him protectively. "You okay, Konohamaru?"
"I'm fine, Naruto-nii-chan! This guy looked down on me! Teach him a lesson!" Konohamaru puffed out his chest, confidence returning now that Naruto was here. Their meeting hadn't happened as in the original tale, but in recent weeks, Konohamaru had stumbled upon Naruto sparring with his grandfather, the Hokage. The sight of a genin holding his own against the Sandaime had left the boy awestruck, and he'd promptly declared Naruto his idol and "big brother."
Naruto gave a small, wry laugh. His eyes shifted to the tense standoff between Sakura and Kankuro. Knowing Sakura was outmatched, he stepped forward, placing himself between them. He addressed Kankuro with calm authority. "If you want a fight, I'll oblige. But don't aim at the girls."
Sakura's breath hitched. A warm, protected feeling washed over her as she stared at Naruto's back, momentarily stunned.
"Tch. Another self-important brat," Kankuro sneered, irritated by Naruto's tone. He decided to teach this cocky Konoha kid a lesson.
His fingers twitched almost imperceptibly. A thin strand of chakra thread shot from his fingertip, aimed precisely at Naruto's knee.
Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly. He shifted his foot a bare inch, his upper body not moving at all, and the attack whistled harmlessly past. A faint, unimpressed smile touched his lips. "So, Suna ninjas are just sneak attackers, huh?"
"You—!" Kankuro flushed with anger at having his attack so casually dodged. He glared at Naruto, then began unstrapping the large, mummy-like bundle from his back, slamming it onto the ground. "Looks like I'll have to show you some real power!"
The silent, blonde girl beside him holding a giant fan finally spoke. "Kankuro. Don't be rash."
"Temari! Why shouldn't I teach this punk a lesson?" Kankuro snapped, turning to her.
Temari's voice was flat. "This is Konoha. Don't cause trouble. And if Gaara finds out, you'll regret it."
"Gaara…" At the name, a visible shudder ran through Kankuro. The memory of that particular terror instantly cooled his anger. But at that very moment, the subject of their fear materialized in front of the group.
Body Flicker Technique.
Naruto's eyes narrowed further, taking in the newcomer—a boy with reddish hair, pronounced dark circles under his eyes, and a massive gourd of sand strapped to his back. Gaara's cold, dead-eyed stare fixed on Naruto. "Your name. I am… interested in you."
Naruto shrugged. "Pass. I'm not interested in guys."
A soft pfft of laughter escaped from Sasuke behind him. The sheer absurdity of the reply cut through the heavy tension like a knife. Gaara's expression darkened visibly. Even Sasuke had to admit, Naruto had a weird way of defusing things.
This kid is… odd, Temari thought, though she quickly schooled her features, seeing Gaara's murderous aura begin to simmer.
Gaara continued to stare, his gaze trying to bore into Naruto's soul. Naruto ignored it, turning to his teammates. "Let's go. We'll be late."
"O-oh, right!" Sakura stammered, quickly falling in step with Naruto and Sasuke as they moved to leave. Just as he turned, however, Naruto called over his shoulder to Gaara. "The name's Uzumaki Naruto. Try to go easy on me in the exams, yeah?"
Gaara's expression shifted minutely. A moment later, he, Temari, and Kankuro also headed toward their destination.
"Uzumaki Naruto…" Temari murmured. "He seemed strong. He dodged Kankuro's thread without even looking."
"Tch, that was luck! Just wait until the exams," Kankuro grumbled, unconvinced.
"Do not underestimate him, Kankuro," Gaara's low, monotone voice cut in. "I could feel it. He is… strong."
Temari and Kankuro exchanged a sharp, surprised glance. If Gaara, a monster in his own right, acknowledged someone's strength, it was not to be taken lightly.
"That black-haired girl with him… she felt strong, too. Likely the last Uchiha survivor Konoha is so famous for," Temari mused. "It seems Konoha's genin are not to be trifled with."
"Hn. This is becoming more interesting," Gaara murmured, a faint, chilling glint in his eyes.
Arriving at the hall where the first exam would be held, Team 7 immediately drew stares the moment they entered. Due to Sasuke's fame as the last Uchiha, eyes—both admiring and assessing—tracked their progress. Naruto received his share of looks as well, a noticeable change from his former reputation, though it was nothing compared to the spotlight on Sasuke.
Soon after, following the minor illusion trap on the third floor being exposed, a certain green-clad genin made his dramatic entrance, just as in the original timeline. Rock Lee bounded over, immediately proclaiming his love for Sakura and asking her to go out with him.
Horrified and flustered by his overwhelming forwardness, Sakura yelped and ducked behind Naruto, using him as a human shield.
Pulled into the situation, Naruto could only offer Lee an apologetic smile. "I think we should all focus on the exam first. No time for distractions here."
"I agree!" Tenten, mortified by her teammate's antics, rushed over and grabbed Lee's arm. "Lee! What's gotten into you? Let's go!"
"Unhand me, Tenten!" Lee broke free and marched right up to Naruto. He glanced at Sakura, who was peeking out from behind Naruto's shoulder, then locked eyes with Naruto, his expression utterly serious. "I challenge you!"
"Huh?" Naruto was taken aback. This is new. Wasn't Lee supposed to challenge Sasuke? He didn't realize that by being the one Sakura instinctively sought protection behind, he had drawn Lee's competitive focus directly onto himself.
"I challenge you!" Lee repeated, his tone leaving no room for misunderstanding.