Days passed quietly in Konohagakure, and soon the atmosphere of the village began to change. Shinobi from different nations were arriving, and the streets were filled with unfamiliar faces. The Chūnin Exams were about to begin.
Ren found himself unusually curious about how things would unfold.
With Tsunade in the village and Danzo Shimura already captured, many variables had changed. Ren wondered if Orochimaru and the Sand Village would still dare to attack Konoha.
"Let's see how things play out," Ren muttered to himself as he walked through the street.
As he turned a corner, he noticed a small commotion ahead. Two unfamiliar shinobi stood in front of Naruto Uzumaki and Konohamaru Sarutobi.
One of them, Kankuro, looked furious.
"Don't you have eyes?" Kankuro snapped angrily.
Konohamaru puffed up defensively. "Hey! That was just a mistake!"
Naruto nodded in agreement beside him. "Yeah! No need to be so dramatic about it."
Kankuro clenched his fists and glared down at them.
"You little brats," he growled. "You spilled all over my clothes and say it's just a mistake?"
Beside him, Temari sighed impatiently.
"Kankuro, forget it. We have other things to do," she said, though her eyes still showed irritation at the boys' attitude.
Konohamaru crossed his arms proudly. "Hey, it was a mistake. Can't you just forget it?"
He puffed out his chest dramatically.
"Do you know who I am?"
Temari's eyebrow twitched slightly.
She had tried to avoid a conflict, but this brat clearly misunderstood her patience.
"You think we care, you little shit?" Temari snapped.
Before things could escalate further, a voice spoke from above.
"Hey… what's going on here?"
Everyone looked up to see Sasuke Uchiha standing casually on a tree branch in his usual cool pose.
Temari and Kankuro's eyes immediately focused on the fan symbol on his back.
"That symbol…" Kankuro muttered.
Temari narrowed her eyes slightly. "An Uchiha?"
Sasuke smirked confidently. "Yes. I'm Uchiha Sasuke."
Suddenly, Sasuke froze.
From the branch behind him, a chilling killing intent appeared without warning.
Sasuke hadn't sensed anyone approaching.
"You look strong," a quiet voice said.
Hanging upside down from the branch behind Sasuke was Gaara, balancing effortlessly with chakra control.
"Mother will be happy if I kill you."
Sasuke's eyes widened slightly before he quickly jumped down beside Naruto.
Gaara's cold gaze slowly swept across Naruto and Konohamaru before shifting back to his siblings.
"Forget them," Gaara said calmly. "Let's go."
Temari and Kankuro nodded and began to leave.
But Konohamaru shouted after them.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?"
He pointed dramatically at the ground.
"This is my village! My grandfather is the Hokage!"
Temari and Kankuro stopped and shot him an irritated glance.
Just as they were about to respond—
THUD.
Ren suddenly appeared beside Konohamaru and slammed his fist directly onto the boy's head.
"Owww!" Konohamaru cried while clutching his head.
Ren glared down at him.
"You little brat," he said angrily. "Still as arrogant as ever."
He pointed toward the Sand siblings.
"First you spill their clothes and don't apologize."
Then he flicked Konohamaru's forehead.
"Then you rant about being the Hokage's grandson?"
Ren's voice turned colder.
"And when the hell did this village become yours?"
Naruto scratched his head awkwardly.
"Ren… he's just a kid," Naruto protested.
Ren shot him a sharp glance.
"You think that gives him permission to do whatever he wants?"
Naruto quickly shut up.
Ren looked back at Konohamaru.
"And you—what are you doing standing there? Apologize to them. Now."
Konohamaru quickly bowed his head.
"Ye-yes, big brother Ren! I'm sorry for everything!"
Ren nodded in approval.
"That's better."
At that moment, Gaara's eyes locked onto Ren.
For the first time, interest appeared in his cold gaze.
"You are strong," Gaara said slowly.
His voice carried an unsettling curiosity.
"Stronger than everyone here."
He tilted his head slightly.
"What is your name?"
Ren met his gaze calmly.
"Ren."
He placed a hand casually on his hip.
"Senju Ren."
Temari and Kankuro's eyes widened instantly.
"The Senju?" Kankuro whispered.
Temari looked shocked. "He's Tsunade Senju's brother."
"And the boy who completed several B and A-rank missions already," Kankuro added quietly.
Ren waved casually.
"Yep. That's me."
He smiled lightly.
"And welcome to Konoha for the Chūnin Exams."
Temari nodded politely this time.
"At least someone here has proper manners," she muttered.
Kankuro folded his arms but gave a small nod as well.
Ren glanced down at Konohamaru.
"And sorry about that kid," he added.
"Not everyone here is like him."
After saying that, Ren turned and began walking away.
Behind him, Sasuke suddenly jumped down and followed.
"Ren," Sasuke called.
Ren glanced back.
"What?"
Sasuke's eyes burned with determination.
"Fight me."
Ren groaned quietly.
"Seriously?"
Sasuke crossed his arms. "Right now."
Ren waved his hand dismissively.
"Let's fight during the Chūnin Exams, Sasuke."
He began walking faster.
"Bye."
Before Sasuke could reply, Ren suddenly disappeared in a blur of speed.
Sasuke clenched his fists in frustration.
"Tch… he ran."
Naruto blinked in confusion.
"Man… Ren really doesn't like fighting unless he has to."
Meanwhile, somewhere ahead on the street, Ren stretched his arms lazily.
"I just wanted to enjoy my free time," he muttered.
"Why does everyone always want to fight?"