Tension flared instantly between the two sides. No one spoke to ease the atmosphere, for both knew that a single misstep could ignite conflict at any moment.
Thanks to Shen's Sharingan, every move of the four enemies was laid bare before him. Confident in his speed under Lightning Nature Chakra Mode, he believed he could subdue them the moment they moved.
Meanwhile, Nayou recalled the precise locations of their vital pressure points. Like Shen, she carried the same confidence — although she couldn't fully activate an Elemental Chakra Mode, she could briefly elevate her body to match their speed.
The Suna squad captain felt a deepening bitterness as he was pinned under those piercing crimson and white-lensed gazes. Wanting desperately to defuse the tension, he finally gathered his courage: "Please, everyone from Konoha, let us ease the tension. Gaiki is only cautious because many unknown ninjas have appeared in the Land of Wind recently. Let's not jump to conclusions."
"Captain! What more is there to say? The moment they prepared for battle after just a little suspicion, I knew I was right — their intentions for coming to the Land of Wind are definitely impure!"
"Crash!"
Gaiki's words ignited the tension, instantly snapping Team One into battle stance.
Shen's entire body radiated lightning chakra, strands of white electricity crackling around him.
Nayou, her hands forming pale blue lion heads, glared coldly at the opposing side.
Nawaki's right hand revealed dark markings; his usual smirk was gone.
Orochimaru, however, remained outwardly unchanged — his dangerous gaze the only hint of his readiness to strike.
Internally, the Suna captain seethed. The negotiation had unraveled badly. Observing how the four opponents displayed strong presence without launching attacks convinced him they weren't spies.
If they were real spies, would they simply stand there when exposed? Even fake ones would try to eliminate witnesses.
"We truly have no ill intentions toward your country. But isn't your approach from Sunagakure just a bit too aggressive?"
As soon as Shen spoke, he questioned the Suna captain, whose impatient tone once again edged both parties closer to the brink of battle.
Being stared down by that pair of crimson eyes made the Suna captain deeply uneasy, though he certainly didn't want to fight over a misunderstanding.
Therefore, he tried reasoning gently: "Young man, on Gaiki's behalf, I apologize to our esteemed Konoha guests..."
"Captain, why are you apologizing? I refuse to believe these three kids could defeat us!" Before he finished speaking, Gaiki interrupted angrily.
Then, seemingly feeling no wrongdoing whatsoever, Gaiki rushed straight toward Shen who had previously spoken rudely.
"So this is how Sunagakure treats its guests?"
A cold voice sounded, then Gaiki saw Shen — who had been standing directly before him — vanish into thin air. Looking around suspiciously, Gaiki suddenly felt intense pain erupt in his abdomen.
[Uchiha Taijutsu Style: Burying in Sand!]
"Simple and straightforward technique names later, Gaiki was completely engulfed in sand, leaving only his head exposed. Before he could react, a pitch-black short blade was already pressed against his neck.
The Suna squad captain sensed impending disaster. Seeing that the opponent hadn't gone for a killing blow yet, he was about to speak when he was interrupted again.
"Captain! Don't worry about my life or death! You must capture these people immediately!"
[Soft Fist Technique: Purple Lightning Twin Lion Step!]
Yin Seal Release!
Nayou and Nawaki launched their attacks instantly, while Orochimaru watched with great interest the first battle of his students.
"Everyone, can we all just stop for a second?" The Suna squad captain felt extremely bitter inside as he saw two of his men incapacitated within an instant.
One of his subordinates lay on the ground unable to move, while the other was sent flying into the sand. His entire team was wiped out in an instant, sending a shiver down his spine.
"Well then, as long as this guy keeps his words reasonable," Shen withdrew the blade from his wrist when he saw Gaiki wasn't going to keep shouting.
Still, he didn't think the other party shut up simply out of fear.
"This guy is somewhat interesting," he seemed to have formed a certain suspicion internally.
The Suna squad captain watched helplessly as, once the words were spoken, all his men were released completely. He was utterly confused now.
"That child's words seem to carry more weight than those Jonin. Sharingan, speed rivaling The Third Raikage, and that strange weapon—when did the Uchiha produce someone like this? And that kid radiating massive chakra with superhuman strength should be from the Senju Clan. Also, that Hyuga girl with similarly incredible speed... What kind of people has this brat Gaiki offended?"
At this moment, he wanted nothing more than to drag that talkative bastard and beat him within an inch of his life. A peaceful negotiation turned into a fight like this—it would've been fine if they could win, but getting completely defeated in an instant, how was he supposed to proceed?
"Everyone from Konoha, this truly was just a misunderstanding. After today's incident, I'm sure you've developed unfavorable impressions toward Sunagakure. However, I, Gerissen, guarantee on behalf of Suna that we will absolutely not retaliate against any of you."
Shen's expression softened slightly upon hearing the man's assurance. "So you're Gerissen. I believe you—I accept your apology on behalf of our squad. But I hope to see sincerity from your Suna side."
Gerissen naturally couldn't offer no gesture of goodwill. "Please all come with me to Sunagakure village as guests. We are deeply sorry for what happened today."
Orochimaru hesitated slightly upon receiving the invitation again, but when he noticed Shen's eye signal, he realized it might actually be a good opportunity.
He immediately accepted the invitation. "I am Orochimaru, Leader of Konoha's Team One. On behalf of all members of our squad, I agree to this invitation."
Seeing Orochimaru's acceptance, Shen became inwardly excited. Originally wondering how to discuss railway construction with Suna, many new plans suddenly emerged in his mind, giving him hope for peace. Immediately, he reached out and pulled Gaiki, still buried in the sand, out.
"You're pretty fast too! Just now, I hadn't even reacted before getting buried myself!"
Gaiki chuckled and slapped Shen's shoulder after helping him up from the dirt. He no longer showed even a trace of his earlier clumsy, headstrong demeanor.
"Your acting skills are pretty good too, hiding your true self even from your captain!"
Shen had initially wondered why Gaiki had acted so aggressively, but this one sentence confirmed his suspicions.
Gaiki had been testing their motives for coming to the Land of Wind by pretending to be a clumsy idiot. After taking all of them down earlier, he immediately became meek and obedient. Who in their right mind could actually be that naïve?
They're chunin now—they're past the point of throwing punches over every little argument.
(Nawaki: It feels like the entire world's against me!)
"Hehe, I honestly didn't expect you guys to be so strong. I thought it would be a much closer match."
"What?! So you were faking it all this time?!" Gerissen exploded, rushing up like a gust of wind and yanking Gaiki by the collar.
"Now wait—"
"Crash! Crack! Boom! Snap! Thud!"
The four members of Team One barely had time to speak before witnessing this brutal scene unfold. It would haunt three of them as one of the most terrifying memories of their childhood.
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