"This time, we're only here as spectators. We'll watch the Chūnin Exams quietly. Nothing else concerns Kirigakure, understood?"
"Of course, that's how it should be."
Naruto had already left.
In the Kirigakure lodging area, Terumi Mei sat for a long while before finally breaking the silence, her tone calm but firm as she set the rule for their entire delegation.
The Watermelon Mountain Pufferfish Jōnin nodded quickly, fully agreeing.
The pressure Uzumaki Naruto gave off was unreal — crushing, suffocating, and absolute.
He had called it a "reception," but both Terumi and the pufferfish could see the truth clearly: it was a warning in disguise. Naruto's every word and gesture was an unmistakable display of dominance — a reminder that any reckless move in Konoha would be their last.
"If I didn't know his age," Terumi said softly, frowning, "I might've thought Uzumaki Naruto was that man from the Red Sun Society — Kira."
The pufferfish fell silent. The comparison made too much sense.
That same unshakable confidence.
That same effortless authority that looked down on the entire world.
If it weren't for the simple fact that Naruto had only been a child during the Red Sun Society's rise, even he might have believed they were the same person.
He shuddered slightly. Back in the day, even when he'd faced the terrifying Might Guy — the man who opened the Eight Gates and wiped out the Seven Ninja Swordsmen — it hadn't felt like this.
Might Guy had been powerful, yes… but he hadn't crushed hope itself.
Naruto did.
That difference was terrifying.
Time passed.
The Iwagakure delegation arrived next, led by Loess — the Tsuchikage's son — and the grim, powerful Jōnin Wenya.
Among the Genin, the team led by Tsuchikage Onoki's granddaughter, Kurotsuchi, stood out. She, along with Heishu, Dong Qianzhen, and Gu, made up Iwagakure's ace team.
Kakashi was the one assigned to receive them — and to his dismay, Naruto didn't show up to make his usual dramatic entrance.
Soon after, the final major village arrived — Cloud.
The delegation from Kumogakure was large, their presence heavy and intimidating. Each Genin carried the same sharp-edged energy — proud, cold, and unyielding.
They stepped into Konoha's gates with their heads high, many wearing looks that bordered on hostility.
Sarutobi Asuma himself came to greet them.
Leading the Cloud group were two elite Jōnin — the blond, sharp-eyed Xi, Fourth Raikage's right-hand man, and the stunning Samui, whose calm, icy poise hid lethal skill.
As Asuma led them toward the Cloud lodgings, he made polite conversation with Xi.
But the Genin trailing behind? They were less composed.
"This is Konoha? Hmph. Doesn't look that impressive. It's just… crowded," said Turui, a red-haired girl with too much energy for her own good.
"Turui," Omoi muttered nervously, "keep your voice down! What if someone hears you? You want a Leaf ninja to sneak up and cut you down in your sleep?"
"You worry too much," Turui said with a wave. "We've got Lord Xi and Lady Samui here. Who'd dare attack us?"
Omoi sighed. "You never know… what if we bump into some monster? You'll run your mouth, and we'll end up fighting someone way out of our league. You'll regret it then."
"Please," Turui scoffed. "My sword's faster than lightning. If anyone gets cut down, it won't be me."
A third Genin, Azyui, grinned. "She's not wrong. Relax, Omoi."
Omoi just muttered under his breath, "Yeah, sure. Until we hit an iron plate…"
He didn't realize how right he was.
After settling in, Xi and Samui went to the Hokage Building to deliver Raikage's letter, leaving the younger Genin to their own devices.
Within an hour, the trio — Turui, Omoi, and Azyui — slipped out to "explore" Konoha.
Turui was in high spirits, bouncing down the streets like a child.
Then she stopped suddenly, pointing ahead.
"Hey, look. Those two — they're about our age, right? Must be Konoha Genin."
Omoi followed her gaze.
Across the street, a boy and a girl walked hand-in-hand through the market, smiling at each other. They looked close — almost too close.
Turui scowled. "Ugh, seriously? All lovey-dovey at their age? Let's teach them a lesson. I'm getting mad just looking at them."
"Wait, what— Turui!" Omoi groaned, but she was already marching over.
"Hey, you two!" Turui called out, hands on her hips. "Let's spar. You, blond boy — and you, white-eyed girl. Let's see what Konoha's so proud of."
The girl blinked in surprise. "Oh, um… we're not really—"
"Come on! Don't tell me Konoha's all talk. I said it's just a friendly exchange." Turui grinned, already drawing her sword.
The white-eyed girl tried to explain, but the blond boy just chuckled, resting a hand on her shoulder.
"It's fine. A little sparring never hurts," he said kindly. "Follow me — we'll find an open space."
He led them to a nearby training ground.
As they walked, Omoi frowned, whispering, "Why do I feel like I've seen that guy somewhere before…"
He couldn't place it.
At the training ground, Turui stepped forward eagerly, sword gleaming.
"Yun-Style: Flash Slash!"
Her blade blurred, cutting through the air in brilliant arcs. She moved like lightning — but the white-eyed girl, Hinata, dodged every strike with perfect precision, her movements calm and fluid.
Each miss only made Turui angrier.
Omoi's brow furrowed. "Uh oh. That's not good."
He could tell immediately — Hinata wasn't even fighting seriously. She was toying with Turui.
"Why aren't you attacking?" Turui demanded. "Scared?"
Hinata smiled softly. "I don't need to. You'll understand soon enough."
Her eyes — pure white and unblinking — glowed faintly.
Omoi's stomach dropped. "Oh, great. Hyūga clan. She's a Hyūga. We're dead."
Trying to divert attention, he jabbed Azyui in the ribs. "Hey, go fight the blond one instead. He looks weaker."
"Me?" the boy said, laughing. "No way. I'm way too weak for that. If you want a challenge, take my partner."
Before anyone could respond, an Anbu suddenly landed beside the blond.
"Lord Uzumaki," the masked ninja said respectfully, "Hokage-sama requests your presence at the tower. Urgent matter."
The blond's playful demeanor vanished. His eyes sharpened instantly.
"Understood." He turned to Hinata. "Hinata, keep them company for a bit. I've got work to do."
"Got it, Naruto-kun," she said with a warm smile.
"Nice meeting you guys," Naruto added casually to the Cloud trio — then vanished in a flicker of motion.
The three stood frozen.
"L-Lord Uzumaki…? Naruto-kun…?" Omoi stammered, his face turning white. "Uzumaki Naruto?! The Jōnin who fought the Raikage to a draw?! That was him?!"
His mind reeled.
Turui's sword slipped from her hand and clattered to the ground.
Azyui's grin faded into horror.
Omoi groaned, slapping his forehead. "Oh, perfect. Just perfect. I told you—sooner or later we'd run our mouths and hit an iron plate!"
Meanwhile, Hinata smiled faintly, Byakugan glowing.
"Shall we continue?" she asked sweetly.
And for the first time in their lives, the three Cloud Genin knew what true fear felt like.
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