"Ugh... Let... Let go of me!"
On another street in Konoha Village, Konohamaru Sarutobi was firmly grabbed by the collar with one hand, lifted off the ground like a small chick.
He struggled fiercely, his small face flushed red from congestion and discomfort. The one holding him was a young man dressed in black, with eerie purple paint on his face.
"Tch, you're really energetic, you little brat."
Kankuro clicked his tongue impatiently, his arm unmoving, clearly not bothered by Konohamaru's struggles.
"Let... let go of Konohamaru! Didn't he already apologize? What else do you want?!"
Behind them, Ise Udon and Moegi shouted nervously. Just now, the three of them were playing Ninja games on the street as usual, and Konohamaru accidentally bumped into this Ninja from another Village while running. Konohamaru immediately lowered his head and apologized, but he didn't expect the other party to be so unrelenting.
"Honestly, you really have too much time on your hands." Behind Kankuro, a young woman with four strands of short golden hair and a giant iron fan on her back—Temari—sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Just don't delay the important business."
Kankuro, who had initially only been annoyed by the bump and planned to just teach him a small lesson, decided to properly scare this ignorant brat after hearing his sister's words. He at least had to give him a punch to taste before letting him go.
Just as he was about to make his move, a calm voice came from in front:
"Excuse me, what's going on? Can you please put him down?"
Uzumaki Naruto, and Uchiha Satsuki closely following him, had arrived at the scene. Naruto wore his usual gentle smile, his gaze falling on Kankuro's hand gripping Konohamaru.
It seems Gaara is nearby?
"Naruto Big Brother!"
Ise Udon and Moegi looked like they had seen their savior, immediately hiding behind Naruto.
Kankuro sized up the suddenly appearing Naruto, noticing the Konoha headband on his forehead. The other party seemed even younger than him, just a Konoha Genin?
...And he's actually with such a cute girl? How annoying.
The thought of letting go instantly vanished, and Kankuro changed his mind, planning to take the opportunity to gauge the strength of this Konoha Genin. He deliberately spoke in an even colder tone.
"I absolutely hate brats." Saying this, he lifted Konohamaru higher in his hand, tightening the collar, making Konohamaru's breathing more difficult, and his small face began to turn purple.
"I really want to kill him right now."
"Pfft—"
An extremely subtle sound, like air being sliced, came.
The next moment, Kankuro suddenly felt a sharp, piercing pain in his wrist, as if an invisible sharp blade had cut him! His face changed drastically, and he instinctively let go of his hand.
Konohamaru, regaining his freedom, fell to the ground, gasping for air, then scrambled to hide behind Naruto, accusing him with a sobbing voice.
"Naruto Big Brother! This guy is too much! I just accidentally bumped into him, and he actually wanted to kill me! I already apologized!"
Wind Release?!
Temari, who had been watching with an amused attitude from behind, immediately noticed something amiss. That invisible attack was definitely a precise application of Wind Release Chakra!
But... she didn't see this blonde boy form any hand signs! How did he do it?
"I apologize, but bullying children is not the behavior of a Ninja." Naruto's voice remained calm. "Konohamaru has already apologized. If you are willing to stop now, I can offer compensation and help heal the wound on your hand."
Kankuro lowered his head and glanced at the subtle yet precise cut on his wrist, his heart chilling.
Does this guy mean that he was fully capable of killing me just now without me noticing?
"What I hate most is arrogant, pretentious brats like you..."
Kankuro's anger, mixed with the humiliation of being underestimated, surged. He reached for the Crow puppet tightly wrapped in bandages on his back, ready to show this ignorant Konoha Genin a lesson.
However, his fingers had just touched the puppet's bandages.
"Don't move."
A cold voice sounded at the back of his neck. At the same time, the cold metallic touch pressed clearly against the artery on the side of his neck.
Kankuro's blood instantly froze, and cold sweat immediately seeped from his temples, sliding down his painted cheeks. He froze in place, unconsciously holding his breath.
Temari's face also changed drastically; this Body Flicker Jutsu... she didn't even see how the other party moved.
The Naruto who had been standing in front slowly dissipated like an illusion, while the real Naruto had already appeared behind Kankuro, his kunai steadily held against his vital spot.
Kankuro had no doubt that if he made any further dangerous moves, this kunai would unhesitatingly pierce his throat.
"If you want to fight, I suggest you wait until the Chunin Exams officially begin."
Naruto's voice was calm with a hint of warning, "Now, I advise you to put away the toy behind you."
"Naruto Big Brother! So cool!"
Although they didn't know what Ninjutsu Naruto had used, he had instantly subdued that arrogant guy. Konohamaru, Ise Udon, and Moegi immediately cheered excitedly.
Satsuki, who had been displeased by Kankuro's arrogant attitude, only slightly reined in her intention to act when she saw the hateful guy's pale face and profusely sweating, pathetic appearance.
If Naruto had been a step late just now, Kankuro would definitely have paid the price for that phrase 'pretentious brat.' Moreover, how dare a Ninja from another Village be so audacious in Konoha?
"Wait! Please stop!" Temari shouted anxiously, her voice filled with unprecedented tension as she saw her brother's life in someone else's hands. "We are in the wrong about this! We are willing to apologize! Please, I beg you, don't hurt him!
"Kankuro! Apologize quickly!"
"Ugh..."
Kankuro was filled with humiliation and lingering fear. He never expected this seemingly ordinary Konoha Genin to possess such terrifying speed and strength.
Feeling the death threat from the cold metal against his neck, he gritted his teeth, finally squeezing out difficult words from between them.
"...I, I'm very sorry... I went too far."
The pressure on his neck suddenly disappeared.
Kankuro gasped for breath as if exhausted, his body trembling slightly from the receding adrenaline. With a mix of lingering shock and defiance, he looked with complex eyes at the blonde figure who had already put away his steps and calmly walked back to the cheering Konohamaru squad and the black-haired girl.
However, Naruto suddenly turned his head, the cold sharpness on his face instantly melting away, replaced by his usual gentle and harmless expression.
"I apologize, my reaction was a bit too intense. After all, protecting the children in the Village is my responsibility."
"However, allow me to add one more thing: venting your inner pressure and dissatisfaction on those weaker than yourself is not the conduct of a strong person. Moreover, with your abilities, your target should be on more worthy opponents, shouldn't it?"
Following that, he made a move that surprised both Kankuro and Temari. He took a step forward, naturally extending his hand to Kankuro.
"If you don't mind, let me heal this small injury for you. Let's consider it a peaceful end to our somewhat unpleasant first meeting."
Finally, his gaze passed over Kankuro and landed on Temari, revealing a sunny smile.
"I look forward to witnessing the true strength of you two... no, perhaps three, in the upcoming Chunin Exams."
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