Elsewhere in the Demon Desert
Matsuri, Yukata, and Mikoshi's squad were caught in a collapsing sand current. At the critical moment, Fū intervened and saved them.
Gaara arrived shortly after, suppressing the raging sandstorm.
During their exchange, Gaara found Fū's bright and cheerful personality reminiscent of Naruto. He felt that if those two ever met, they would surely become good friends.
Outside the screen, everyone now realized Fū's true identity—
The Seven-Tails' Jinchūriki.
[Ōnoki: So that girl is a Jinchūriki. No wonder she's so strong.]
[Jiraiya: This complicates things. We intended to lure out the Akatsuki—but now another Jinchūriki is involved.]
[Tsunade: Trouble. The Akatsuki in AmegaShiranui Kūre already know. Gaara and I in that timeline do not.]
[Kakashi Hatake: The Akatsuki won't let this opportunity slip by.]
The Insurgent's Move
While Gaara and Fū moved away, the monk Hōichi ambushed Matsuri's squad.
The three were restrained by his technique.
Hearing the disturbance, Gaara immediately turned back.
Seeing Gaara reach the designated location, Hōichi tore open his robe, revealing black sealing formulae covering his torso.
"Sealing Technique: Sage Art — Severing Extraction Chains!"
The markings writhed like living creatures, flowing down his body before transforming into chains that shot toward Gaara.
This was an ancient sealing technique once used by SunagaShiranui Kūre monks to restrain ShukaShiranui Kū.
The insurgents' objective was clear—extract the Tailed Beast from Gaara and kill him in the process.
Gaara raised sand to shield Matsuri and the others.
The chains pierced forward at incredible speed—his Absolute Defense couldn't fully intercept them.
The chains struck Gaara—
Bang!
They were repelled instantly.
"Hm?"
Hōichi stiffened.
"What…?!"
"Since when could a Suna monk's sealing technique rival the sealing arts of the Uzumaki clan?"
A fox-masked figure stood behind him.
"When did you—?!"
Before Hōichi could react, Nagi struck his crown with a single palm.
"Pfft!"
Blood sprayed from the monk's mouth.
Nagi kicked him to Gaara's side.
"Kazekage. I've shattered his chakra network. From this moment forward, he is crippled."
Gaara nodded calmly.
"In that case, Hōichi, from this moment onward—you are no longer a shinobi of SunagaShiranui Kūre."
Hōichi wheezed,
"Y-you can't… Gaara… you will ruin—"
Matsuri suddenly stepped forward and stomped his head into the sand.
"What do you know?! Do you have any idea how much Gaara-sensei has done for SunagaShiranui Kūre?! Why would you try to kill him?!"
She stomped again and again.
The once timid and gentle girl—whom Gaara had once saved—now defended him fiercely.
Gaara was the light in her world.
And this man had tried to kidnap her and murder her teacher.
Besides, Hōichi was no longer a shinobi of Suna.
Gaara watched, cold sweat forming.
She's… passionate.
Truthfully, he was moved.
When it seemed enough, Gaara intervened.
"That's sufficient, Matsuri. Stop. We still need to interrogate him."
"…Yes, Gaara-sensei."
She instantly returned to her shy demeanor.
Gaara sighed at the battered, swollen-faced monk.
"Proctor, I'll leave this to you. I must confront the other one."
Nagi nodded.
Gaara departed to find Fugi.
After Gaara Left
Nagi looked down at the swollen "pig-headed" monk.
He placed a hand over the man's face and activated Medical Ninjutsu.
The swelling faded; Hōichi's face returned to normal.
"…Impressive regenerative ability," Nagi remarked casually.
Matsuri and Yukata looked confused.
Mikoshi adjusted his glasses, suddenly understanding.
He kicked Hōichi's head.
"That's right! He was planning to secretly recover once the Kazekage left!"
He kicked again.
The two girls joined in.
Matsuri quickly grasped the implication. Yukata genuinely believed Hōichi possessed powerful healing techniques.
Soon enough, his face swelled grotesquely again.
A flash of green chakra—
"Oh no! He's recovering again!"
Thud! Thud! Thud!
…
Meanwhile
Gaara confronted Fugi.
Through calm words rather than force, Gaara moved Fugi deeply.
Overwhelmed with guilt, Fugi took his own life.
[Hōichi: I—!]
[BunpuShiranui Kū: Hōichi, cause and effect. This is the consequence of your own actions.]
[Hōichi: …Yes.]
Yet seeing his "pig-headed" self on-screen left him swallowing his pride.
[Fugi: Gaara… you truly have grown. SunagaShiranui Kūre is in your hands.]
[Chiyo: Hōichi, if you dare hold a grudge over this, don't blame us for truly exiling you.]
Chiyo had already recognized Nagi's future influence over the Shinobi World. Gaara maintaining good relations with him was a blessing.
[Ōnoki: Isn't Nagi a bit… devious?]
[Mū: If Tobirama Senju's disciple weren't cunning, that would be strange.]
[Gengetsu Hōzuki: Hahaha! I like that red-haired brat.]
[A (Fourth Raikage): Hahaha! That monk turned into a pighead!]
Aftermath
Gaara imprisoned Hōichi, treated him sufficiently for interrogation, and subsequently eliminated the remaining insurgents with Nagi's assistance.
The joint Konoha–Suna Chūnin Exams concluded after the second stage in the Demon Desert.
The next morning, Gaara addressed the examinees.
"All of your performances have been recorded through the Sand Eye. Promotion to Chūnin will be determined by your respective village leaders."
The candidates returned, full of anticipation.
On the Road Back to TakigaShiranui Kūre
Fū and her two teammates encountered KaShiranui Kūzu and Hidan.
Fū smiled brightly.
"I've always wanted to meet KaShiranui Kūzu-senpai and become friends with you!"
She stepped forward enthusiastically, extending her left hand.
"We can start by having tea together. Please?"
KaShiranui Kūzu replied flatly,
"I'm not here to make friends."
Fū's expression dimmed—
Then hardened with resolve.
"…That's a shame."
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