"Wow, the Uchiha Clan really lives up to its name—such precise coordination."
"Was Naruto's clone used as a distraction so he could throw shuriken attached to threads?"
"I thought their teamwork would be a mess, but it seems I underestimated them."
High above the forest, Minato Namikaze watched his son's team move in perfect sync, a proud smile spreading across his face.
That was the essence of a shinobi squad—mutual support and seamless cooperation, just like Naruto and Sasuke were showing now.
Kazuyama Gekkō, seeing Minato's obvious excitement, looked faintly exasperated.
After so many years, he'd grown used to working alone. No, ever since he'd arrived in this world, he'd always fought by himself.
Teamwork? Coordination? None of that applied to him.
His techniques, his talent, his mindset—they required no one else. He only needed to trust himself.
"Hey, Kazuyama, you should try working in a team sometimes," Minato said, his tone half-admonishing. "Even with your strength, teamwork can make up for weaknesses."
"Even I wish I had compatible teammates."
Minato's expression grew serious as he turned to him.
But Kazuyama only replied with a calm, cryptic line.
"Teammates? I already have them. The most suitable ones for me."
"So I don't need any others."
Minato blinked, confused.
Minato Namikaze: ????? He has teammates???
Chōmei: Hey, little yellow-haired guy, what do you think!?
...
"You're the ones who should give up!"
"Surrounded by flames—if you don't want to burn alive, surrender now!"
Sasuke gripped dozens of blazing threads in his hands, his Fire Release dominating the battlefield.
The trapped Amegakure shinobi couldn't even control their umbrellas anymore.
The searing heat was enough to make their skin blister.
"Damn it!"
"When did he set these threads?!"
The flames around the Rain Captain burned the fiercest, licking up his clothes as smoke began to rise.
The tables had completely turned. Now the Amegakure trio were cornered—if they didn't surrender, they might not survive.
"Captain, what do we do?"
"Should we give up?"
His two subordinates looked to him for the final call.
It was only the first day—they could still recover later.
The Rain Captain clenched his teeth, then spat his answer.
"Fine! We surrender! Here's our scroll!"
He hurled a scroll marked with the word "Heaven" through the wall of fire.
Sasuke caught it with ease.
"Perfect match. Thanks, Amegakure trio."
Satisfied with their cooperation, he didn't extinguish the flames.
"Naruto, Sakura—time to go."
"These flames will last about five more minutes. You'll be fine until then."
"Let's move."
Under the furious glares of the Rain ninja, the trio withdrew.
Their combined strength was impressive for genin—but in this world, danger didn't always come from enemies.
Take, for example, the three figures Kazuyama and Minato were watching next.
"Wait—Kazuyama, are you sure this is their idea? You didn't tell them to do this?"
"They're already pulling moves like this on the first day?"
"Or is it because they're your kids!?"
Minato's words made Kazuyama burst into laughter.
Because the "three" in question were none other than Michihito Gekkō's team.
At that moment, just as Naruto's squad reached the riverbank to rest, they found themselves surrounded—blocked by Michihito and his companions.
No wonder Minato was speechless.
"I didn't tell them anything," Kazuyama said, still grinning. "Don't forget—we only got back two days before the exam, and I've been busy since then."
"My kids are just too smart."
"These days, being cautious isn't as useful as waiting for prey to come to you, ha ha!"
"Though I wonder why they're targeting Naruto's team. Maybe it's because of Karin's sensory ability?"
Sensory ability?
Minato turned his gaze toward the red-haired girl in Michihito's team.
An Uzumaki?
"She can use the Mind's Eye of the Kagura?"
"Her talent's that high?"
The Mind's Eye of the Kagura—an Uzumaki-exclusive sensory technique.
Because of their clan's innate perception, they could detect chakra across vast distances. By closing their eyes and opening their "inner sight," they could sense chakra within tens of kilometers.
If chakra consumption wasn't an issue, Karin could probably monitor nearly the entire Forest of Death.
"It's just the Mind's Eye of the Kagura," Kazuyama said casually. "Nothing special."
But the corners of his mouth twitched upward, struggling to hide his amusement.
He could clearly see the gleam of interest in Minato's eyes.
If Karin weren't from Takigakure, Minato would no doubt try to recruit her to Konoha.
A sensor ninja like that would be a prized asset anywhere.
While the two continued their light banter, things below had taken a turn.
"Hey! Michihito! Senko! You guys are too much!"
"Were you seriously waiting for us?!"
Naruto was completely immobilized, encased head to toe in a glimmering pink crystal.
Sakura Haruno and Sasuke Uchiha were trapped the same way—caught by Senko Gekkō's Crystal Release.
"Oh dear, Naruto, sorry about that," Senko said, her tone teasing. "Karin's sensors picked you up right after your last fight. We figured instead of testing our luck, we'd just grab you directly."
"If you're gonna complain, blame my brother. It was his idea."
She happily shoved the blame onto Michihito Gekkō.
He didn't deny it—in fact, he was already holding two scrolls, one Heaven and one Earth.
"Hey, Fairy, that's no way to talk about your brother."
"Anyway, since we've got what we came for, let's move. This forest is too damp—nothing like the comfort of the Land of Snow."
"Oh, and Naruto—don't say I bullied you. This is our scroll. Take it. It'll save you some effort."
Michihito tossed an Earth scroll over, then turned and walked off toward the central tower without looking back.
Senko stuck her tongue out playfully.
"You'll be free in five minutes. Bye-bye~"
"Karin, let's go!"
The Crystal Release bindings were too strong for Naruto and the others to break.
All they could do was glare as Michihito's team walked away.
Naruto's voice roared through the trees.
"Hey! Hey! Michihito! Senko! Get back here!"
"That was our scroll!"
"Hey!!"