> "This is Uzumaki Naruto!"
> "I knew Naruto would come!"
> "Ahhhh!!! He hasn't even been gone for that long, and he already looks more handsome!"
> "Could that giant eagle have been summoned by Naruto?"
> "Why do I feel like he's gotten way stronger?"
> "I heard Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, came back to Konoha just to train him!"
> "Seriously?! That explains it. Jiraiya-sama is a legend—how could we ever earn his favor?"
> "..."
Jiraiya stood silently among the crowd at the Chūnin Exam arena. He listened to the murmurs of the nearby ninjas with a helpless smile.
> "Flying Thunder God... That's a jutsu even I can't master!"
He sighed deeply, still unable to understand how Naruto had managed to learn Minato's signature technique.
> "Even if I wanted to teach him, I wouldn't have had the ability."
Jiraiya guessed that Minato must have left behind some secret scrolls for Naruto. That would explain the Rasengan and now, the Flying Thunder God technique. Still, it was a good thing—it gave Naruto another way to survive dangerous situations.
On the battlefield, Shiranui Genma stared at Naruto with curiosity and admiration. He didn't say a word.
After all, he too had once tried to inherit the Flying Thunder God technique. Unfortunately, despite his efforts, he lacked the talent to truly master it.
> "In that case, I officially declare the match... begins now!"
As Genma finished his announcement, he took one final glance at Naruto.
> "They really do look alike..."
Minato's son stood tall before him, ready to fight. Genma couldn't help but smile. He was genuinely looking forward to this battle.
> "The Sand Village has gone too far in recent years..."
> "Let's show them the true strength of Konoha's shinobi!"
As Genma stepped away from the battlefield, all eyes turned to the two combatants—Naruto and Gaara.
Gaara's gaze locked onto Naruto, filled with murderous intent. It wasn't just his own killing intent either. Deep within him, One Tail—Shukaku—was also roaring with fury.
Part of the hatred came naturally. Shukaku and the Nine Tails were enemies. But there was more to it.
Naruto made Gaara feel... small. That fear, that feeling of being outmatched, filled Gaara with a hatred he couldn't suppress.
He couldn't accept that someone more monstrous than him might exist in this world.
---
In the Observation Room...
Hatake Kakashi: "The Naruto from that parallel world... His battle is about to begin!"
Orochimaru: "Heh, yes. I'm really looking forward to it. I wonder how he plans to destroy Konoha!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "Orochimaru, your evil ambitions will never come to pass! Yes, Naruto may have some conflict with the village, but don't forget—he's still a Konoha ninja at heart. I believe he will choose the light, for the village's sake!"
Orochimaru: "You don't get it. You're just hiding behind your ideals. Just like a certain Uchiha..."
Uchiha Itachi: "..."
Itachi stared coldly at the screen.
That Naruto... he was about to complete the task he had set for himself.
Itachi clenched his fists.
Once, he too stood at a crossroads—between Uchiha and Konoha.
Back then, he chose to believe in the Third Hokage.
And so, he set foot on a path of no return.
But now... after witnessing so many tragedies in the ninja world, after seeing the Naruto of this parallel world so unwavering in his vengeance against Konoha...
Itachi couldn't help but wonder.
> "Was there really no other way back then?"
---
Back on the battlefield...
> "Hey, you seem mad? Is it because of that raccoon cat? The big fox told me you two don't get along!"
> "Naruto…!!!"
Gaara's expression twisted. He knew exactly what Naruto meant—he was talking about the One Tail, Shukaku, sealed within him.
Being mocked like that, Shukaku could no longer stay silent. It wasn't about Gaara anymore—it was about pride. The pride of a Tailed Beast.
> "Damn Nine Tails... how dare you call me a raccoon cat!"
Shukaku seethed with rage. It even considered lending its power to Gaara—just for the chance to strike back at Naruto and the Nine Tails.
Internal grudges could wait. For now, the enemy was standing before them.
As the dense chakra of One Tail began to swirl around Gaara, Naruto smirked.
> "As expected, the One Tail and its Jinchūriki are just a couple of hot-headed idiots."
Originally, Naruto wanted to provoke them into losing control. But to his surprise, it took barely any effort—they were already snapping.
> "This mission is going to be easier than I thought."
---
Elsewhere...
Kankuro: "Wait... was Naruto actually planning to make Gaara lose control during the Chūnin Exams?"
Hatake Kakashi: "Now that you mention it, it sure looks like it!"
Choji: "But if the tailed beasts go berserk in the village... that'd be a disaster!"
Shikamaru: "Both Naruto and Gaara are Jinchūriki. I'm sure the Third Hokage would've prepared for something like this, right?"
Shikaku: "That's my son. Sharp as ever. Yes, the Third Hokage must've had Anbu units in place, just in case."
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "..."
Shimura Danzo: "Tch... if that old man had really thought it through, he wouldn't have died at Orochimaru's hands. Holding onto power at his age—what a disgrace."
Danzo scoffed.
Once, he had hoped that with Sarutobi Hiruzen's death, the Hokage seat would be his.
But no one ever even considered naming him Hokage.
Only then did he understand—becoming Hokage wasn't about skill or sacrifice.
It was about recognition.
Recognition from the daimyos—the noble lords of the land.
And someone like Danzo, who lacked noble blood, could only rely on... special means.
Then, a thought struck him.
That powerful Sharingan eye he once seized...
Perhaps it was time to use it.
If he wanted to become Hokage, illusion might be the only path forward.
---
Back in the arena...
The black screen displayed Gaara trembling with excitement as the battle began.
> "Big fox... are all Tailed Beast Jinchūriki this messed up?"
Naruto grimaced. Honestly, Gaara made his skin crawl.
> "Anyone who can get along with a weakling like One Tail clearly isn't normal."
The Nine Tails yawned lazily, keeping a close watch on One Tail's chakra fluctuations.
> "Tch. For once, I agree with you," Naruto muttered.
> "Of course you do! I am—"
Before the Nine Tails could finish, it sensed movement.
> "Naruto! He's coming!"
> "Yeah, I noticed."
Naruto remained calm, already anticipating Gaara's attack.
A giant arm made of sand shot toward him.
Reacting quickly, Naruto pushed off with his feet, leaping backward and evading the strike.
As he landed, a sly smile crossed his lips. A special kunai appeared in his hand—glowing faintly.
He threw it directly at Gaara.
> "Hmph," Gaara scoffed. "You think a kunai can break through my defense?"
The sand automatically responded, forming a thick wall in front of him.
But just as the kunai touched the sand—
A golden flash erupted!
Before anyone could react, Naruto had teleported in front of Gaara using the Flying Thunder God technique.
> "Wh-What?!"
Gaara's eyes widened in shock. How did Naruto—who had been standing far outside his range—suddenly appear right in front of him?
Naruto casually walked around the sand shield. His palm was already extended, chakra swirling violently within it.
> "Rasengan!"
---
To be continued…