As expected, things haven't changed.
Kankuro shook his head.
He really did jump out to provoke them.
[That provocative voice rang out.]
[Several people stopped their conversation.]
[Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly.]
[Kiba also immediately shifted his anger towards Kankuro.]
["Woof!!!"]
[Akamaru barked, his fur standing on end.]
[He was afraid of Gaara, not this guy carrying a puppet.]
[As soon as they met, the atmosphere became tense.]
["You should be glad you didn't run into our team, and that you didn't make a move on Team Eight, otherwise it's unknown if you'd even see tomorrow's sun," Sasuke sneered.]
["Back off, you're not qualified to lecture us."]
["Even if we were to fight, you wouldn't be qualified. It would be more like it if that guy carrying the sand gourd came out."]
["Heh... you're looking for death!" The mocking smile on Kankuro's face disappeared.]
[His gaze locked onto Sasuke's eyes.]
["You have no idea how strong Gaara really is... so strong it's suffocating!"]
["Hmph, if you don't believe me, ask that guy covered in dog hair and smelling of dogs. When he ran into Gaara, he probably nearly wet himself, didn't he?"]
["Damn it!" Kiba growled, and Akamaru roared too. One person and one dog were of one mind, ready to strike immediately.]
["Kiba." Naruto smiled faintly and reached out, pressing down on Kiba's shoulder.]
[Shino also spoke slowly, "To lose your reason just because of a few words from others, Kiba."]
[Kiba: "..."]
["They're here too~!" Sakura's eyes lit up.]
[As for Kankuro... she took one look and had no interest in looking again.]
["Darling~"]
[Soon, a familiar voice came.]
[Then a wave of feminine fragrance wafted over.]
[Feeling the touch from behind.]
[Naruto turned around somewhat helplessly and rubbed Ino's little head.]
["Shikamaru is going to tell you to watch your image in a moment."]
[Ino, like a little kitten, kept burrowing into Naruto's arms.]
["What does it matter~"]
["It does!" Shikamaru rested his head on his hands.]
[Hearing Ino say that, he couldn't help but roll his eyes.]
["If Uncle Inoichi saw this... what a drag."]
["But Aunt Rino won't be like that. Aunt Rino really likes Naruto-kun." Choji walked up to them while eating potato chips.]
["Ino, Ino!"]
[Sakura called out to Ino several times. Ino looked towards the sound and finally saw that prominent figure.]
["Huh?"]
["Who is this?"]
[Just as she finished speaking.]
[Team Guy arrived late.]
[Kankuro: "..."]
[Damn it!]
[Ignored again?!]
[Just as he was about to speak to get attention.]
[At this moment, as if by prior agreement.]
[Another team had collected both the Heaven Scroll and the earth scroll, passed the second exam, and entered the Central Tower.]
["Hehe~ It's as lively as ever."]
["You Konoha Genin are making noise again."]
["Are you planning to hold a strategy meeting?"]
["Who are you going to deal with? You don't mind if we join in, do you?" ]
["After all, we're just Ninjas from a small village... we shouldn't be the ones you're targeting, right?"]
[The sarcastic voice made everyone present frown.]
[Even Kankuro frowned, looking at the entrance of the Central Tower with an unfriendly gaze.]
[The newcomers were the three who had made a move during the first exam.]
[Genin from the Sound Village.]
["Filthy rats, always doing things sneakily."]
[Kankuro snorted coldly.]
[Dosu's single exposed eye narrowed slightly.]
[Fine, he hadn't planned on teaming up with the Hidden Sand Village to deal with these Konoha Genin anyway.]
[The three of them were enough.]
[If there was a chance, he would also kill the three from the Hidden Sand Village while he was at it.]
["Hehe."]
["So, you're pretty brave, huh?"]
[Zaku Abumi gave a contemptuous smile.]
[Hands in his pockets, head slightly lowered, he looked at Kankuro with slanted eyes.]
["Just passing through this Forest of Death, this second exam is no fun at all."]
["Why don't we have a go at each other?"]
["Since we've already signed the death waiver forms, let's not waste them~"]
["Oh?" Kankuro drew out the sound.]
[He reached back and put down the Crow puppet from his back.]
["Rats of your level... hmph, your proud sound wave attacks are useless against me."]
[Clack clack clack—]
[As he spoke.]
[The bandage-wrapped Crow puppet made a series of crisp wood-clashing sounds.]
[Mixed with the sound of metal clashing.]
["Useless against you? Hehe, I can make countless mistakes, but you?"]
[Dosu hunched his back, his hands hanging naturally to the ground.]
["Kankuro, come back."]
[Just then.]
[Gaara's voice came from the lounge.]
[Kankuro's brow furrowed slightly.]
[But he still silently put the Crow puppet back on his back.]
[No matter how much the Sound Ninja Trio mocked him, he didn't stop.]
[Seeing Kankuro leave without looking back.]
[Dosu shook his head in disappointment.]
[Then he looked at Sasuke.]
[Sasuke didn't give him a second look.]
[That look in his eyes seemed to say that killing him would only dirty his hands.]
[Dosu gave a sinister smile.]
["There will be plenty of opportunities later. Let's go."]
[With that, the three went to another lounge.]
[The Rookie 9 naturally left directly.]
[They needed to wait until the time for the second exam ended before they could leave.]
[But Naruto and the others certainly wouldn't wait here like fools.]
[The Anbu Ninja sent here wouldn't stop them either.]
[However, as they were leaving, Naruto noticed someone in a lounge in the corner.]
['Is it her?']
["You guys go ahead."]
[After telling The Rookie 9, Naruto turned and walked towards the lounge in the corner.]
[Their eyes met.]
[Hydrangea's pupils shrank suddenly.]
["I... I've already voluntarily given up my qualification for the exam!"]
[The corners of Naruto's mouth lifted slightly, wearing his signature gentle smile.]
[Trying to make himself look friendly.]
["I'm not here to look for trouble."]
[Hearing this, Hydrangea was stunned.]
[Not here to look for trouble... then what are you here for?]
["I heard you're the disciple of the Angel of the Hidden Rain Village?"]
[How did he know?]
[Could it be Oboro and Mihoshi... ]
[Hydrangea's heart skipped a beat.]
[This exam was meant to draw blood.]
[This handsome blond boy appeared before her... then, the fate of Oboro and Mihoshi... wasn't hard to guess.]
[Phew—]
[Hydrangea took a deep breath, trying to adjust her emotions.]
["Yes."]
[Naruto didn't enter the lounge, nor did he make any move.]
[It was clear that at this moment, Hydrangea's nerves were taut, and if he made even the slightest move, the girl would probably snap.]
["Can I ask a favor of you?"]
["What is it?"]
["I want to learn about the current Hidden Rain Village."]