The grand spectacle of the Joint Chūnin Exams has arrived.
These carefully selected genin will now battle to represent their villages.
The Kazekage of Sunagakure has personally come to oversee the event.
He seems to be a ninja who excels at staying hidden.
Completely wrapped up, only his eyes show, and he doesn't emanate any chakra. From this distance, even Naruto couldn't feel his presence.
The Kazekage is optimistic about Sunagakure's performance and didn't hold back from mocking Hiruzen Sarutobi when they met.
Ironically, the noble spectators from various countries are treating this as a mere gambling game, having already placed heavy bets on the genin they favor.
The first fight is between Shikamaru Nara and Temari.
Though it ends with Shikamaru's forfeit, it doesn't diminish the quality of the duel.
Their tactical exchanges are quite splendid.
They push their not-so-prominent skills to the limit in this back-and-forth match.
Konoha may have lost, but they still hold their pride.
A smart ninja is a treasured gem, and one as bright as Shikamaru is indeed rare.
The second bout is the most anticipated battle: Gaara versus Naruto Uzumaki.
Standing in the arena,
Naruto listens to the resounding cheers and surveys the scene.
In charge of maintaining order is the Konoha Police Force.
Yet within the grounds, a few ANBU are on high alert, though their numbers are limited.
Both Kakashi Hatake and Rock Lee's teacher, Might Guy, wear grave expressions.
The proctor for the third match, if memory serves, should have been the sickly "Gekkō Hayate," but instead, it is "Shiranui Genma." Moreover, there's no trace of "Gekkō Hayate's" chakra in the entire grounds.
Did something happen?
The reaction prompted by Konoha was one of significant caution.
"Your aura is quite delectable." Gaara spoke, as chakra surged and the sand from his gourd began to cascade. "I've long wanted to make a move against you, but never found the opportunity."
"Mother will surely love the taste of your blood."
Naruto was taken aback.
Was this... communicating with sand?
He focused intently.
Within the flowing sand, there was a faint, resolute, but very peculiar chakra presence.
It didn't belong to a "Tailed Beast," nor to Gaara.
Communicating with the sand seemed to be a painful process for Gaara.
He covered his face, breathing raggedly.
Only after a while did he manage to calm down, lifting his head to face Naruto. "Come on."
Naruto did not draw his blade.
He moved forward in a flash, as the sand streams tried to catch up to his speed.
But they couldn't—
The sand was several beats slower than his instantaneous step.
Naruto struck forward with a punch.
Gaara could barely defend, as the sand armor protecting his body was gradually worn down by Naruto's relentless attacks.
From the spectators' stand:
"Naruto is indeed very strong." Might Guy observed the golden figure weaving through the flying sand with awe, "What took Lee such effort, he does so effortlessly."
"And more so,"
"He hasn't even unleashed his full power yet."
Kakashi nodded.
Naruto hadn't even unsheathed his sword, nor had he employed any of those strange techniques.
"Naruto isn't someone who underestimates his opponents," Sakura Haruno frowned, puzzled.
"He's probing," Kakashi whispered, "It seems Naruto has sensed something and is trying to confirm it."
Sakura looked up at Kakashi, hoping for a clearer explanation.
"I don't know what he's probing either," Kakashi shook his head, "His sensory abilities far surpass ours."
After several exchanges of blows, Naruto paused, observing the panting Gaara.
It really was as he thought.
"What's with the chakra in your sand?" he asked curiously.
He had never seen such a technique.
The sand that reacted to attacks and instantly protected Gaara wasn't manipulated by him directly; it was powered by the faint presence of chakra he had sensed.
Yet, the owner of this chakra was not present.
"You're strong," Gaara grinned menacingly, "to have sensed this chakra."
"Since you're curious, I'll let you see properly."
His hands formed seals as the sand gathered around him, surging like waves.
Naruto interrupted him, "That's not the power of a Tailed Beast."
Gaara hesitated.
Naruto continued, "We are, in a way, the same. I also have a Tailed Beast inside me."
"I know what Tailed Beast chakra looks like."
"The sand protecting you doesn't contain any Tailed Beast chakra."
"It's a small but gentle chakra."
"Do you not even know yourself?"
Gaara was momentarily lost in thought.
The sand protecting him... not containing Tailed Beast chakra?
The gentle power.
He remained rigid, maintaining the seal gesture, but his chakra couldn't continue to flow, causing the sand to scatter at his feet.
At that moment, A fierce chakra disturbance emerged high in the sky.
Naruto immediately turned his head to look.
He spotted the source with a glance.
It was Kabuto Yakushi, the man who voluntarily abandoned the Genin Exams, claiming to be utterly unremarkable.
He wore a mask, hidden beneath a black cloak, dressed identically to other ANBU operatives.
Feathers fell like rain.
A wave of drowsiness washed over him.
"This is genjutsu!"
A large-scale illusion technique targeting everyone in the arena.
Naruto formed a seal, and his chakra rippled, dispelling it.
However, The sudden spread of this technique caused most people to succumb to sleepiness; only a few Jōnin and alert ANBU could react in time and stay awake.
Among the Genin, Only Sakura Haruno, Sasuke, the pretending-to-faint Shikamaru, and the nearly unnoticed Shino Aburame remained conscious.
Sand Ninja jumped into the arena.
Three figures.
They were Gaara's teammates and a Sand Ninja wearing a dark vest, his head wrapped in white cloth, half his face also covered, serving as their Jōnin instructor.
"What are you Sand Ninja planning?" Naruto fixed his gaze on the four before him.
The Sand Jōnin tilted his head and instructed, "Gaara, continue with the plan."
"We'll provide cover."
Gaara lifted his head, eyes fixed on the back of the Jōnin, before glancing at Naruto.
Chakra surged once more.
The sand roiled and gathered, forming into a massive sphere, encasing him within.
"The original order between Konoha and Sunagakure should undergo some changes." It was only then that the Sunagakure Jōnin responded to Naruto, his gaze partially fixed on the viewing platform. "You have garnered quite a bit of attention from Lord Kazekage. His orders to us were to engage you after Gaara unleashes that power."
As planned, the Oto Village ninja held off the remaining conscious Jōnin from Konoha.
"Kazekage?"
Naruto turned his head, looking towards the chaotic lookout tower.
"Are you sure it's the Kazekage's orders, and not Orochimaru's?"
The Sunagakure Jōnin paused, confused.
Naruto turned back, meeting his eyes directly, "The Kazekage just attacked Grandpa Third, and the chakra unleashed felt exactly like Orochimaru's."
The Sunagakure Jōnin gritted his teeth, forming seals with his hands, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Do you think you can disrupt us with nonsense?"
"Move!"
Temari brandished her fan, as tall as she was, while Kankuro jerked his hand, sending two puppets flying.
Naruto's gaze settled calmly on the four of them, his hand resting on his sheath.
"Four against me."
"Orochimaru indeed considers me important."
"But do you really believe you can stop me?"
The Sunagakure Jōnin swallowed nervously, glancing at the sand sphere behind him.
Both are 'Jinchūriki', and their ages are similar.
But the aura emanating from this kid in front of him was something entirely different.
The tension in the air was palpable, a buzz of anticipation sweeping through the hidden corners of the ninja world.
From the shadows, the enigmatic figures of ANBU operatives moved silently, their presence felt but unseen, each awaiting the decisive moment to strike or retreat.
It was a time for patience—a virtue taught to and expected of every learned ninja.
Meanwhile, in Konohagakure, Anko Mitarashi walked with a sense of urgency, her eyes sharp and senses alert, feeling the subtle shifts of the energy around her, as if nature itself was holding its breath.
She could almost hear the whispers of the Council of Elders—Homura and Koharu—debating the best course of action, their voices barely audible over the rustle of leaves.
Elsewhere, the power struggle within Sunagakure had reached a boiling point, just as Gaara, with intense concentration, had begun to draw upon the vast reserves of his inner strength.
His intent was clear—to prove his superiority, to challenge the constraints placed upon him by the world and destiny's cruel hand.
Hidden within his sphere of swirling sand, a fierce determination gleamed in his eyes, as he silently challenged the turbulent fate that surrounded him.
Off to the side, Naruto and his team stood ready, prepared for whatever might come their way.
The urgency of the situation was not lost on them, each member of the squad driven by a singular purpose—to protect their village and comrades at any cost.
(End of Chapter)