Proctor Genma cuts through her train of thought as he announces, "everyone but Kankurō and Shino head up to the viewing gallery."
Before Temari steps away or anyone takes more than one step to leave, Kankurō whispers to her, "waiting for Gaara's match is going to take too long. He needs to be on the field by the target time."
"I know," she whispered back all the while observing Naruto in his new, dashing, and respectable look; he even seemed taller to her. Despite hearing her brother, she had the greatest urge to ask Naruto about his outfit. She's seen pictures of all four Hokages but couldn't accept the clear evidence that Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Naruto are related since information like that couldn't be hidden so easily. More eager to solve this mystery, Temari tells her brother, "we have time. Just finish him quickly-"
"Examiner," Kankurō called, raising his hand. "I forfeit."
In an instant, Temari is fiercely upset. Even if it was a prudent move toward their father's ultimate objective, Temari couldn't help but mentally curse, 'fucking Kankurō!' Even inflating her chest with a deep breath doesn't calm her glare.
Confused by his sister's reaction, Kankurō draws his brows together curiously as he answers the proctor, "I'm sure."
The other Chūnin hopefuls observe Kankurō's unexpected withdrawal with puzzlement. The ones reexamining their chances at reaching the final match are Sasuke, Neji, Kiba, and Shino. Naruto and Temari know none of this truly matters, Hinata is simply pleased her teammate is advancing, and Shikamaru is only interested in the calm breeze keeping him cool and the few fluffy clouds drifting in the big blue sky above. Of all of them, Gaara is the only one who never stopped walking to the gallery. Kankurō has never been anything more than a meat-sack to the homicidal red-head, but in that one moment, he didn't feel his usual urge to kill him. Even still, Gaara is all the more eager to validate his existence in excessive blood and death. It's been too long and he's shaking in anticipation of killing someone soon.
"Whatever," Genma's amplified voice grumbles louder than the boos of the crowd. In his mundane way, Genma announces to all through the speakers, "Shino, you advance. Go up with the others. Temari, Shikamaru, you stay." Hinata skips over to her teammate and congratulates him while Kiba whines about how lucky he is.
Neji, Shikamaru, and Team Kurenai walk toward the viewing gallery as a smiling Naruto calls out, "good luck, Temari-chan, Shikamaru!" Naruto then follows the others to the gallery.
Watching her chance to learn any secrets from Naruto slip away, an annoyed Temari harshly whispers to Kankurō, "you didn't have to do that!"
"It's fine," Kankurō waves aside her concern. "None of this is going to matter after today." Eying their father before looking around for Baki, the face-painted Sand-nin reiterates, "conserve your chakra and finish him off quickly."
Kankurō rushes to Gaara's side before noting how transfixed he is on Naruto. Though his vicious little brother appears to be in control, Kankurō can tell it won't last. 'He's going to detonate soon,' Kankurō estimates, observing Naruto walking beside his teammate with his hands clasped behind his head.
"Yo, Sasuke, it's been a while," Naruto greets. Wearing a black one-piece with white bandages around his forearms and shins, and a black belt wrapped around his left arm, Sasuke looks at Naruto dispassionately, as if noticing a fly buzzing annoyingly around him. Without a response, Naruto goes on to say, "I bet you've gotten strong too. I guess Team 7's been pretty busy, huh? Anyway, I wanted you to know I haven't forgotten." A silent and annoyed Sasuke glances at the blond, like the buzzing is entering his ear. "I said I'd help you out, and after today, I'll have more time to do that."
"I don't need nor want your help, Dobe," Sasuke retorts. Walking ahead and stuffing his hands in his pockets, he continues, "you're nothing but a nuisance holding me back so stay out of my way or I will break you."
"What the hell," Naruto hotly returns. Turning around and walking backward to have eye-to-eye contact with the self-proclaimed avenger, Naruto explains, "I'm not in your way. If you weren't such a stubborn ass, you'd see I'm actually trying to be a friend!"
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