Tenten, known for her enthusiasm, was already moving forward with curiosity in her eyes.
"God… my sister's habit of getting involved in everything—when will she change?" someone muttered.
"Hmph, this brat wasn't watching where he was going and bumped into me. What's wrong with teaching him a lesson?"
Kankuro held Konohamaru by the collar, sneering as he faced the approaching Konoha shinobi.
"I hate kids like you! So cocky at such a young age… I'd really love to crush you right here!"
"I'll deal with this kid first, and then I'll take care of the rest of you!"
As he spoke, Kankuro's fist was already descending toward Konohamaru's face.
"Stop!"
In a flash, Naruto rushed forward, spreading his arms to shield Konohamaru. Closing his eyes, he braced himself for the impact.
"What a hassle…"
From a distance, Kazuki sighed. He had no interest in petty scuffles, but these were ninja from the Sand Village, brazenly causing trouble in Konoha. And now, they were even threatening Naruto.
He couldn't just stand by.
With a casual flick, Kazuki kicked a small stone off the ground. The pebble shot forward with precision, striking Kankuro's wrist just as he swung.
"Ah—!" Kankuro winced as a sharp pain shot through his arm. His fingers twitched involuntarily, momentarily losing strength.
Naruto seized the opening, quickly yanking Konohamaru free and pulling him to safety.
Kankuro, stunned, stared at the small stone before turning his glare toward Kazuki. "Was that you?"
Kazuki nodded calmly.
"Wow! So Konoha has guys this good-looking?" Temari murmured in surprise.
Kankuro, still gripping his wrist, scowled. "Who the hell are you?"
"Tch. Another annoying brat…"
"Naruto! Big Brother Kazuki! Sister Tenten!" Konohamaru called out in relief.
Kazuki's expression remained cold. "This is Konoha. If you're outsiders here, you follow our rules. You don't just do whatever you want. If you're looking for trouble, I could always have the guards take you in for questioning. And if you push your luck, well… I wouldn't count on you making it to the Chunin Exams."
His tone carried an unmistakable warning.
Kazuki regarded Konoha much like one would their alma mater—flawed as it might be, it wasn't something for outsiders to disrespect. The village's corruption and darkness? That was an internal matter. As long as he was here, no one would challenge Konoha's authority unchecked.
"What?! You little—" Kankuro clenched his teeth, lowering the large, bandaged bundle from his back.
"Hey, Kankuro! Are you seriously going to use Karasu here? You know he will get angry!" Temari warned.
Her concern wasn't whether Kankuro's puppet could win—but whether a certain someone would be displeased.
Ignoring her, Kankuro's gaze remained fixed on Kazuki.
"A puppet user, huh? Do you really think those cheap tricks of yours can threaten me?" Kazuki remarked dismissively.
"Why you—!" Enraged, Kankuro reached for the bandages around his puppet.
"Stop, Kankuro!"
A cold voice rang out.
Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke stiffened in surprise.
At such a close distance, they didn't even notice when that person appeared.
Kazuki, on the other hand, turned his gaze to the red-haired boy perched on a tree branch nearby.
It finally appeared...
Shukaku.
Kazuki watched with interest as Gaara hung upside down from the tree trunk, the massive gourd strapped to his back. There was a rare glint of curiosity and battle intent in his eyes. However, it wasn't directed at Gaara himself—it was for the One-Tailed Beast, Shukaku, sealed within him.
Now, which was stronger—his own power or that of Ichibi no Shukaku?
Just as Kazuki pondered this, a sudden notification echoed in his mind:
[Ding! Quest Released: Collect the Chakra of the One-Tailed Shukaku.
Quest Reward: Windwing Forging Blueprint.]
Collecting Shukaku's chakra wouldn't be as simple as how he had done it with Naruto. Given his current relationship with Gaara, a peaceful exchange was impossible. He would have to strip the chakra from Shukaku during battle.
But there was no rush.
A clash with the One-Tail was inevitable—just not now.
"Idiot."
Gaara's voice was cold as he rebuked Kankuro.
"You're an embarrassment to our village… Do you even understand why we're here?"
Gaara's pupils shifted slightly as his gaze swept over Sasuke before locking onto Kazuki.
Kankuro's expression changed drastically. Cold sweat formed on his forehead as he quickly tried to explain:
"Listen, Gaara, they were the ones who started—"
"Shut up, or I'll kill you first."
Gaara's tone didn't waver, yet the sheer indifference in his voice made Kankuro freeze. His face went pale, and he obediently shut his mouth.
"What just happened was our mistake. I apologize."
Despite his words, Gaara didn't even glance at Kankuro. His attention remained solely on Kazuki, treating everyone else as if they were invisible.
"I am Gaara of the Sand. Now, can you tell me your name?"
Gaara leaped down from the tree and approached Kazuki. His introduction was straightforward, a rare display of respect.
Kazuki had no reason to conceal his identity.
"Kazuki."
"I'll remember that." Gaara's eyes flickered with interest. "I look forward to seeing you in the Chunin Exams. I hope you don't disappoint me."
"You will see me during the Chunin Exams," Kazuki replied casually, hands in his pockets. "But you may not get the chance to fight me."
Gaara's brow furrowed slightly.
"Because," Kazuki continued, "I'm not a participant in this Chunin Exam."
He smiled faintly.
"I'm your examiner."
Gaara and the Sand siblings froze.
"You're lying," Kankuro blurted out. "You're the same age as us—there's no way you're a Jounin."
"If you don't believe me, you'll see for yourself when the exam begins." Kazuki's tone remained relaxed.
The air around them grew tense, each person reacting differently to the revelation.
Tenten: Heehee, my brother is the best!
Naruto: As expected of Big Bro Kazuki! I'll become a ninja like him someday!
Sakura: He's already a Jounin like Kakashi-sensei? That's incredible… I still like Sasuke-kun the most, but I have to admit, Kazuki is stronger. No wonder Ino fell for him…
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