The two had just entered the room.
Temari immediately jumped back, distancing herself from Itsuki, her eyes fixed on him with a look of caution. She said, "Who are you? What's your purpose?"
"Don't be ridiculous!"
Itsuki waved his hand dismissively. "You're the daughter of the Kazekage. How could you not know who I am?"
Does Sunagakure have spies in the Leaf Village?
It wouldn't be possible otherwise!
And of course, they would all be the trusted subordinates of the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.
Because of Pakura!
So, even though Itsuki's appearance had changed over the past two years, the higher-ups of Sunagakure would definitely recognize him.
Although Temari wasn't part of the upper ranks, she knew more than enough.
"You're joking, right?"
Itsuki smiled, "Do you really not know who I am?"
Temari fell silent, her eyes looking at him strangely. "Uchiha… Itsuki?"
"The Shadow of the Leaf?"
Itsuki smiled but didn't say anything.
He didn't deny it, which was as good as confirming it.
"Phew…"
Temari let out a long breath and murmured, "This is truly unexpected. I can't believe it's really you. And you even dared to show up in Konoha."
"Aren't you afraid?"
"Would fear help?"
Temari replied helplessly, "The gap between us is too big. No matter how I resist, it's meaningless."
"Very smart!"
Itsuki smiled again and stepped forward. "However, you got one thing wrong. Your resistance wouldn't be meaningless. In fact, it would make what comes next much more interesting."
Temari was taken aback, and her cheeks turned bright red as she glared at Itsuki.
She wasn't just any ordinary girl.
As the Kazekage's daughter, she had been around many nobles, including daimyo.
So, the things Itsuki said might confuse someone like Sakura or Hinata...
But Temari?
Not only did she understand...
She understood a lot!
Those nobles lived lives more colorful than anyone could imagine.
They had experienced all kinds of wild things.
Bang!
Suddenly, Itsuki slammed his hand on the wall behind Temari, trapping her.
"Little girl, are you ready? If you're ready, let's start. I've been waiting for this."
"You… you dare?"
Temari gritted her teeth and said, "Just try touching me, see what happens."
"It wouldn't be a problem even if I tried."
Itsuki tilted his head, looking at her. "But if you behave and cooperate, I'll consider working with you in Sunagakure's plans."
"Think of it as an exchange."
"What?"
Temari was stunned.
"Don't understand?"
Itsuki chuckled, "You guys from Sunagakure have mobilized so many shinobi. I can tell you have another agenda. If you don't agree, I'll just have to find a way to sabotage it."
"Trust me, I'm quite good at causing destruction."
"I'm the kind of person who's better at ruining things than making them work."
Temari: "…"
Was he complimenting himself or threatening her?
"Why are you zoning out again?"
Itsuki looked at her with a smile, "Now, tell me your answer, little girl."
Temari gritted her teeth. "You're so despicable! You're a Kage-level ninja, the leader of the Leaf Village. How can you act like this?"
"I can't help it. You're just too beautiful!"
Itsuki shrugged helplessly. "You're the Kazekage's daughter, and I'm the leader of the Leaf Village, your family's enemy. Normally, we could never be together. So, this is the only way."
Temari was dumbfounded.
As much as she didn't want to admit it...
But!
Hearing Itsuki's words, a small part of her felt happy.
So, it's because I'm too attractive.
Uchiha Itsuki…
What kind of person was he?
He founded a shinobi village!
The village he created, the Village Hidden in Flames, stood alongside the Five Great Nations' shinobi villages, becoming the sixth great shinobi village in the world.
He was also a powerful figure who could stand shoulder to shoulder with, or even surpass, the leaders of those villages.
And now, this man, through threats, wanted to be with her.
Somehow...
It didn't seem impossible to accept.
When she thought about it...
Uchiha Itsuki!
High status!
Strong power!
Handsome!
Great physique!
He was almost perfect!
Wait, what?
The more she thought about it, rejecting him would be a huge loss.
But if she didn't reject him, something didn't feel quite right either.
Temari's expression kept shifting.
Sometimes shy...
Sometimes angry...
"I won't give you too much time to think."
Itsuki leaned in and blew lightly in her ear before moving closer to kiss her.
"Temari, you wouldn't want Sunagakure's plans to be ruined because of you, would you?"
...
The Chunin Exams arrived as scheduled!
Not much had changed.
Naruto's team now had Sai instead of Sasuke.
Itsuki's team consisted of Sasuke, Niji, and Sanji.
Konan didn't come.
She had planned to, but after arriving in the Village Hidden in Flames, she was pulled aside by Kurenai, and the two, along with other women, went off on a sightseeing trip.
As for Itsuki?
Sorry, they knew him too well. It was better to stay apart for a while.
It would make things better for everyone in the long run.
Nothing else had changed much.
Three days after Itsuki's arrival in Konoha, Sasuke finally showed up.
"Seriously, Itsuki, what are you trying to do?"
Sasuke frowned. "You're the leader of the Leaf Village, participating in the Chunin Exams? Isn't that a bit much?"
"Don't think about Naruto!"
Itsuki glanced at Sasuke.
Sasuke looked away, "Why would I think about him?"
"Then you should go back!"
"No way!"
Sasuke quickly responded, "I must stay here to protect you. Your safety is now linked to the future of the Village Hidden in Flames."
"Well, thank you very much."
Itsuki rolled his eyes. "Let's go."
"Where to?"
"To the first exam."
"Today?" Sasuke's voice changed in surprise.
If he hadn't been so eager to see Naruto, he probably wouldn't have arrived until two days later.
Wouldn't that mean he'd have missed the test?
"You're overthinking it," Itsuki shook his head. "Worst case, I'll send Yonji in."
Yonji...
You really are something!
When Sasuke and Itsuki arrived at the exam venue, they were greeted by a sight:
A guy with a bowl cut had just kicked Naruto flying.
Rock Lee!
"What the—!"
Itsuki was taken aback, surprised.
This scene… wasn't Lee supposed to kick Sasuke? Why was Naruto the one getting hit?
"Naruto!"
Sasuke shouted, leaping into the air and catching Naruto as he tumbled mid-flight.
"Naruto, are you okay?"
"Sasuke…"
Naruto, with tears in his eyes, looked at Sasuke.
The moment he saw him, all his pain faded away.
He felt like he was completely revived.
"Bastard!"
Sasuke turned to look at the bowl-cut boy, gritting his teeth, "You…"
"Are asking for death!"
Itsuki answered for Sasuke.
Sasuke looked at Itsuki, speechless. "Brother, it's just a sparring match. Why are you talking about life and death?"
Itsuki responded seriously, "For many people, even something as minor as digging up your family's grave is justified. If you resist, that's the problem. They'll act like it's the end of the world."
(End of chapter)