Countless grains of iron sand tore through the air.
Naruto's piercing blue eyes narrowed, and with a powerful push of his feet, he leapt to stand protectively in front of the two women.
"Lightning Style: Chidori Current," he murmured, his voice calm yet charged with power.
It was as if a thousand birds sang in unison.
A sharp, electrifying hum resonated as countless threads of lightning coursed over Naruto's skin, crackling with energy.
With a single thought, the light around him flared intensely.
The delicate strands of lightning thickened into streams the size of thumbs, glowing with a lethal radiance.
In an instant, the iron sand raining down from above evaporated into nothingness.
"Come out, you coward hiding in the shadows," Naruto growled, his voice icy as his gaze locked onto a darkened corner.
Moments later—
Tap. Tap. Tap.
A sequence of footsteps echoed in the tense silence.
"Oh my, aren't you supposed to be one of the great nations' shinobi? Such insults seem beneath your status," a sultry voice chimed as a young woman with striking orange hair and a commanding aura stepped out from the shadows.
She wore a Sunagakure(Sand Village) forehead protector, her demeanor exuding confidence and allure. Behind her were two young men—one with indifferent red eyes and fiery hair, the other dark-haired, his expression cold as ice.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Pakura," the orange-haired woman said, brushing a strand of her hair back and inadvertently highlighting her impressive figure. "The red-haired one is Sasori, and the other is Saro."
Kushina, standing behind Naruto, raised an eyebrow and muttered dryly, "What on earth do you eat to grow like that?"
Pakura smirked but didn't respond.
Naruto, however, sneered, his tone dripping with disdain. "Sunagakure shinobi, huh? Resorting to cowardly ambushes—it's no wonder your nation's reputation is crumbling."
He shrugged exaggeratedly. "Or is that all Sunagakure shinobi are good for? Pathetic."
"You bastard! What did you say?" The dark-haired Saro immediately stepped forward, fury lighting up his face.
"Calm down, Saro," Pakura said, raising an arm to stop him. Her voice was sharp, her tone commanding. "Don't let him get under your skin. Remember who you are."
Naruto's mocking smile widened. "Oh, I see. Not only do you sneak around in the shadows, but apparently you're deaf, too. Poor, poor Land of Wind. Even your Third Kazekage would be ashamed."
"You—!"
Saro couldn't take it anymore, his teeth grinding audibly as he began to advance.
Pakura sighed softly, releasing her hold on him. "Fine. Do as you wish."
Her words were casual, but her thoughts weren't. Their mission was to test the strength of Konoha's new generation of shinobi. If Saro lost his temper, so be it.
"Naruto, be careful," Kushina called out, her usual cheer evident despite the tension.
Mikoto, more reserved, clutched her hands nervously. "Please, don't take unnecessary risks," she said quietly.
"Hah! Big words for a brat," Saro spat, his confidence returning. "I'll deal with you first, then those two women behind you!"
Naruto's eyes darkened, his voice dropping to an arctic chill. "Say that again."
Saro sneered. "I sa—"
Bang!
Before the second word left his lips, Naruto vanished. A thunderous noise filled the air, followed by the sickening sound of flesh meeting steel.
Naruto reappeared in front of Sharo, a Flying Thunder God kunai in hand. Its sharp edge pressed against Saro's throat, drawing a thin line of blood.
"What... what just happened?" Pakura and Sasori exchanged shocked glances, their composure momentarily cracking.
"He… he bypassed the iron sand defense?" Saro stammered, sweat dripping down his back. The cold metal against his neck sent waves of terror through his body.
Naruto's emotionless blue eyes stared straight into his soul. "I told you. Say it. Again."
Sharo didn't dare move. He knew one wrong step would be his last.
The standoff hung heavy in the air until a sudden burst of white smoke interrupted the scene.
From within the smoke emerged a tall, imposing figure clad in a sand-colored vest and wearing a long white hat.
"Teacher Masan," Pakura whispered, relief flooding her dark eyes. This man was an elite Jonin—surely he could defuse the situation.
Masan stepped forward calmly, his voice measured. "Please, let him go. This was all a misunderstanding. My students were out of line."
Naruto turned his gaze to the newcomer, his expression unreadable. "So, it's the classic 'send the teacher when the kids mess up' routine?"
Masan's tone hardened slightly. "I ask you to stand down, out of respect."
"And if I refuse?" Naruto's smile was sharp, his grip on the kunai unwavering.
Masan's patience thinned. "Then you leave me no choice. Arrogance comes at a cost, boy."
Naruto chuckled softly, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Oh? I'm curious to see the price."
With a flick of his wrist, he sent four Flying Thunder God kunai flying in four directions, embedding them at key points around the battlefield.
Intricate seals spread outward, covering the ground like a web.
"Flying Thunder God Barrier—activate!"
The air grew heavy with chakra, the seals glowing ominously. The street was now Naruto's domain.
The standoff intensified as both sides prepared for the clash that was bound to come.
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