Then he scratched his head with one hand behind his back and cheerfully said to Gaara, "I'm Naruto Uzumaki. I'm gonna become the Hokage."
"Boring," Gaara turned his back on them. His voice wasn't loud but pierced into everyone's ears. "So *you're* Shiki Uzumaki. Although I don't understand your motives, our fight definitely interests me. The same goes for you, Sasuke Uchiha."
"Tch!" Naruto shouted. "I'll definitely defeat you!"
Shiki patted Naruto's shoulder, stopping him from charging forward right away.
That's just how Naruto was—determined to prove his existence even if ignored by the entire world.
During their more than five years in Konoha, Shiki had lived with Naruto for three or four of those years. Though later he moved into Sena Hoshino's house, at least their friendship remained unchanged—and Shiki actually felt that very clearly.
The relationship between himself and Naruto was similar to that of Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha—one filled with mentorship and friendship, and both carrying the bloodline of the Uzumaki clan.
If Shiki ever decided to do something right, Naruto would surely support him without hesitation.
Like dispelling darkness.
But Shiki never treated people around him as tools; he truly hoped Naruto would earn recognition from others.
Shiki slowly walked forward, saying, "Since you don't believe me, let time be the test then."
"You've already talked too much nonsense," Gaara said coldly, showing no sign of listening. "Talk any further, and I might really kill you."
Shiki shrugged and stood beside Temari, smiling while extending his hand. "Hello, I'm Shiki Uzumaki."
Temari widened her eyes in disbelief.
Does this guy have a problem with his brain?
Gaara hated pointless talk, and now he'd already begun getting annoyed.
When he gets annoyed… "he really will kill someone."
Temari hesitated greatly. She had seen many people recklessly angering Gaara before.
Yet every single one who dared act that way ended up dead.
Those arrogant self-proclaimed geniuses who flaunted themselves in front of Gaara—all died.
Even though this red-haired boy might truly be considered a genius in Konoha,
in front of Gaara, he was merely another victim waiting to be mercilessly slaughtered, because Gaara was beyond ordinary geniuses.
He was a monster.
Even Temari, as his older sister, couldn't help but reach such a conclusion.
She gave him a meaningful glance, trying to silently urge him to run. If he delayed longer, perhaps not only he but also countless others here could suffer the consequences.
Although they came bearing a mission this time,
did an enraged Gaara even care about 'missions' anyway?
Temari even doubted whether there was anything at all in this world that Gaara truly cared about.
Yet at this moment, the red-haired boy looked like a fool, still smiling happily at her, apparently failing to understand the meaning in her gaze.
Dammit!
Do you think I was flirting?!
But the next moment, instead of stepping back, Shiki just grabbed her hand.
"Please treat me kindly from now on."
Temari felt helpless. She tried to pull her hand back, but his grip was noticeably stronger than hers.
She had no choice but to reply, "My name's Temari."
What she hadn't expected was that once she finished speaking, Shiki immediately released her hand and reached toward Kankurō instead.
Temari could still feel the lingering warmth on her hand and couldn't help but feel a slight sense of loss. So Uzumaki Shiki had truly just been politely shaking hands.
Though she held no particular feelings for Uzumaki Shiki, this did make her question her own charm.
Her gaze drifted downward and happened to catch sight of Gaara's face. The monster-like stare made her shiver involuntarily.
Quickly turning to look at Uzumaki Shiki again, she found him still smiling innocently, politely, and gently—like a lamb—extending his hand toward Kankurō.
Meanwhile, beads of sweat continuously dripped from Kankurō's forehead, and his body trembled in fear.
Chapter 114: Friend
It was summer, the season when lush green leaves still clung to the trees.
Yet anyone could easily sense the eerily cold atmosphere surrounding Shiki, seemingly chilling enough to make one tremble.
"That man called Gaara, would he really kill someone?" At this moment, Sakura spoke with a soft, frail tone.
It was totally different from her usual headstrong behavior around Naruto. She wasn't yet the true kunoichi capable of standing on her own; she was still the annoying Sakura—the young girl who didn't know how to cherish those around her who were willing to sacrifice for her.
"He must be bluffing, right? I mean, we're in another village. They can't seriously be this arrogant?" Konohamaru scoffed, clearly not believing Gaara would actually attack.
But everyone could feel the intense tension surrounding Gaara.
There was only one person who seemed completely oblivious, cheerfully greeting his new friends like nothing was going on.
"I've already said it before," Gaara growled with wide eyes, his sand instantly surging violently, "those who waste my time must die."
Yet somehow, he still maintained a sliver of restraint—not just because they were here on official business in Konoha, but also because against an opponent like Uzumaki Shiki, he genuinely wished to savor the fight later on.
That didn't mean, however, that Gaara would tolerate everything Uzumaki Shiki did. If this red-haired kid continued being foolish right now, Gaara wouldn't mind crushing this little "bug."
"Hey," Sasuke stared at Gaara, his eyes burning with battle-lust, "if you keep breaking the rules in someone else's village, I won't mind giving you a little lesson."
"Sasuke is so cool!" Sakura squealed as soon as she heard Sasuke's words.
Truthfully, she barely even noticed herself saying it at this point. It was more about feeling safer after shouting out loud.
Almost as if Sasuke was protecting her.
"A small lesson? Interesting." Though Gaara appeared to calm down upon hearing these words, the swirling sands circling him told an entirely different story.
Temari inwardly recoiled. Are these people seriously that dumb? Who do they think they are, threatening Gaara!?
Just what kind of person is Gaara anyway?
He's someone who won't leave you even the slightest room to resist.
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