As soon as Konohamaru shouted, Sasuke, who had been on the verge of losing it, froze mid-step.
Naruto noticed Sasuke's eyes turning red from anger, his face twisted in fury, with veins bulging on his forehead.
"Let go, Kankurō," came a cold voice. "You're embarrassing the village."
Kankurō reluctantly released the kid he was holding, and Konohamaru quickly scurried to hide behind Sasuke.
Sasuke shot a glare at the red-haired boy.
What did he mean by that?
Is he taking a jab at me?
"Thanks, Mr. Thin Ice," Konohamaru said innocently, clinging to Sasuke's clothes.
Sasuke glanced at Konohamaru, then back at Gaara, unsure whether he should take out his anger on the kid or the redhead first.
He was fuming.
"Sasuke, that's enough," Kakashi said, stepping in just in time to defuse the situation.
If he hadn't, the enraged Uchiha might have seriously considered killing everyone in sight and defecting from the village on the spot.
Kankurō kept his eyes on Sasuke. That quick move from earlier—he hadn't even seen it coming.
This guy... is no joke.
Gaara cast a cold glance at Sasuke, then at Naruto, his face impassive.
"Let's go."
Kankurō and Temari followed behind him as they brushed past Team 7.
Before leaving, Gaara left them with a chilling message.
"Konoha's... Mr. Thin Ice. See you at the Chūnin Exams."
"What the hell?!"
Zzzt—
Hearing the nickname again, Sasuke's rage hit its peak. Lightning chakra flickered around him, and he pulled the Xuan Heavy Ruler from his back.
Screw everything—he didn't care about being a rogue ninja anymore. He was going to wipe these sand ninjas off the face of the earth!
"Calm down, idiot!" Naruto yelled, quickly tackling Sasuke to the ground. Kakashi rushed to help hold him down.
Don't be fooled—just because they teased Sasuke regularly didn't mean they underestimated him. Sasuke's strength had grown significantly, and Kakashi was genuinely worried he might kill the Sand Siblings in a fit of rage.
Naruto had a sneaking suspicion that if Gaara didn't go full-tailed beast mode, Sasuke's Three Thousand Thunder Movement would be too fast for him. And if that happened, Shukaku would probably be unleashed.
As for the dark-eyed Kankurō... well, Sasuke could likely take him down in seconds. And Temari? She wouldn't fare much better.
"Let go of me! I'm going to kill them!!" Sasuke roared, thrashing under Naruto and Kakashi's grip as the Sand Siblings disappeared into the distance.
"Hey, aren't you that blonde from Konoha?" Konohamaru suddenly exclaimed, his eyes lighting up as he recognized Naruto. The kid began circling him excitedly, practically radiating admiration.
Naruto blinked, confused.
What's up with this kid? Calling me 'blonde' to my face?
Hardly anyone in Konoha would dare call him that...
This little brat... He has to go.
Both Naruto and Sasuke turned to glare at Konohamaru, their eyes filled with dangerous intent.
Just as they were deciding how best to deal with him, Konohamaru unexpectedly dropped to his knees and slid toward Naruto, clinging to his leg.
"Big bro Naruto!" he cried, his eyes wide with adoration. "I'm your biggest fan!"
"If only Grandpa didn't stop me from hanging out with you... I would've—would've—waaah!!"
The kid started bawling, clutching Naruto's leg even tighter.
"Please let me hang out with you! I want to become as strong as you!"
"I'll make everyone in the village respect me!"
Naruto and Sasuke, who had been ready to rough him up, were left speechless by Konohamaru's impassioned speech.
Naruto, in particular, had mixed feelings as he looked down at the sobbing boy clinging to him.
Honestly, just a second ago, he was planning to deal with the brat. But hearing the kid's heartfelt admiration...
His mood softened.
At least... this kid had good taste!
Much better than the rest of the village...
In an instant, Naruto felt a newfound affection for the little rascal.
"Konohamaru-sama, get away from that guy!" A voice called out. "The Third Hokage specifically forbade you from hanging around him!"
It was Ebisu, Konohamaru's tutor, who hurried over, frantically dabbing his forehead with a handkerchief.
The Third had given him strict orders: under no circumstances was Konohamaru allowed to hang out with Naruto.
The village already had its hands full with one Uzumaki Naruto. If a second one popped up...
Even if the Hokage swallowed all the blood pressure pills in the world, it wouldn't be enough.
Naruto glared at the spectacled jonin in front of him.
Excuse me?
What's this middle-aged dork trying to say?
Is he not afraid I'll come after him at night with a sack and a stick?
Not letting Konohamaru hang out with him?
Well, now I'm definitely going to!
Always one to rebel against authority, Naruto ignored the annoying jonin, gently lifting Konohamaru to his feet.
"Good. I like your spirit."
"You're the Third Hokage's grandson, right? Konohamaru?"
"Mhm!" Konohamaru nodded eagerly, tears still clinging to his eyes as he stared up at Naruto, his hero.
He had heard plenty of stories about Uzumaki Naruto from around the village.
At just six years old, Naruto had jumped off the Hokage Rock and walked away without a scratch. Then, he single-handedly broke through Konoha's defenses, tearing down barriers and creating chaos!
It was legendary!
Whenever people in the village talked about Naruto, there was a hint of awe in their eyes.
Even his grandfather, the Hokage, always seemed to get a headache whenever he heard Naruto's name!
How could he not look up to him?
Though, in Konohamaru's eyes, "Mr. Thin Ice" next to Naruto didn't quite measure up.
Feeling Sasuke's gaze, Konohamaru scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin.
"Alright, Konohamaru," Naruto said, patting the kid's head. "I've got to check out the exam venue right now. Head to the woods east of the village and wait for me."
"You know where that is, right?"
"Of course!" Konohamaru wiped his nose with a sniffle. "Big bro, I'll be waiting for you there!"
"Konohamaru-sama, wait—" Ebisu called after him, but Konohamaru had already taken off, running toward the training grounds. Every few steps, he turned back to wave at Naruto.
Kakashi raised a hand as if to say something, then thought better of it and lowered it again.
Noticing his sensei's hesitation, Naruto asked, "What is it, Kakashi-sensei? You got something to say?"
"Uh... nothing. The exam is in Room 301. You guys can head there on your own."
"I've just remembered there's something I need to take care of."
With that, Kakashi stuffed his hands in his pockets and started walking away, glancing in the direction Konohamaru had run off in. As he went, he sighed deeply and thought to himself...
Third Hokage-sama... I really tried, but I just couldn't stop Naruto.
This whole thing has nothing to do with me. I'm sorry...
Sometimes, it was just better to walk away.
Hopefully, Naruto wouldn't lead Konohamaru too far astray...
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