Chapter 44: Gathering Storms
Kamikawa Hiraoka leaned close behind Temari, his voice a soft whisper near her ear. "It's wrong of you to be so cold to me."
His teasing tone sent a fresh wave of heat to Temari's face, her blush deepening despite her best efforts to appear stern.
Before the tension could escalate further, Uchiha Sasuke and Gaara broke apart from their brief skirmish, having tested each other without a clear victor.
A cold, flat voice cut through the standoff. "Let's go. Our purpose here is the Chunin Exams."
Hearing Gaara's command, Kankuro and Temari immediately fell back to his side without question. As he turned to leave, Gaara cast a final, solemn look over his shoulder, his eerie smile directed squarely at Kamikawa Hiraoka and Uchiha Sasuke. Then, the three Sand siblings vanished from sight.
"What do you think of them, Hiraoka?" Uchiha Sasuke asked, his gaze fixed on the spot where Gaara had disappeared. The brief exchange had made it clear that the gourd-carrying ninja was formidable.
Hiraoka gave a casual shrug, his voice calm and measured. "The strongest one is definitely the guy with the gourd."
Sasuke nodded in silent agreement, the same assessment forming in his own mind.
"It seems this Chunin Exam will be more interesting than I anticipated," Sasuke murmured, a sharp, eager light igniting in his eyes. For an avenger like him, any opportunity to test and sharpen his strength was a necessary step forward.
…
On a high rooftop, Kakashi observed the scene below, his single visible eye lingering on Kamikawa Hiraoka before his body vanished in a flicker.
He reappeared instantly beside Hiraoka and the others.
"Kakashi-sensei! Don't just pop up like that, it's scary!" Uzumaki Naruto yelped, jumping in surprise.
Kakashi ignored the outburst, his attention on the three genin. He pulled three slips of paper from his vest. "For you."
They took the offered papers, their eyes widening in recognition.
"Chunin Exam... recommendation forms!" they said in near-unison.
"Correct," Kakashi confirmed with a light chuckle. "With these, you are eligible to participate. If you've all decided to enter, take these to the registration site tomorrow." Having delivered his message, he disappeared as quickly as he had arrived, leaving only a faint swirl of leaves.
…
In a dimly lit room within Konoha, Gaara sat perfectly still, his chilling gaze fixed on Kankuro and Temari. "The plan cannot fail," he stated, his voice devoid of warmth. A palpable killing intent seeped into the air, making his siblings tense. "Do you understand?"
They both nodded quickly, a shiver running down their spines.
…
Deep within a mountain canyon, a man with long, black hair, golden-slit eyes, and blue magatama earrings stood over a lifeless body. His voice was a hoarse rasp.
"Kimimaro," he addressed the pale, white-haired young man beside him. "With the Fourth Kazekage dead, our path is clear. Let's go."
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru," Kimimaro replied, his tone filled with unwavering reverence.
The two figures departed the canyon, leaving behind the cold, still corpse of the Sand Village's leader, a silent testament to the treachery now set in motion.
…
Back at his home in Konoha, Kamikawa Hiraoka stared thoughtfully at the recommendation form in his hand. His reverie was broken when the door opened, revealing Hinata and Ino, each holding their own identical slips of paper.
"Hiraoka-kun, our whole team is taking the Chunin Exams!" Yamanaka Ino announced cheerfully. "What about you?"
"Of course I'm participating," Hiraoka replied, a warm smile gracing his lips as he gently took their hands. "If my two lovely ladies are going, how could your future husband stay behind?" His lighthearted tone belied his true resolve; he would be there to ensure their safety amidst the coming chaos.
And, of course, the presence of that Sand kunoichi, Temari, presented an opportunity he had no intention of letting slip away.
…
The next morning, Ino and Hinata returned to their respective teams. This left Kamikawa Hiraoka to set out with the two other young men from Team 7. He couldn't help but feel a pang of dissatisfaction at his team's lack of female companionship. Watching Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto bicker constantly, he mused that they acted like an old married couple from his past life. It was a dynamic he had to endure.
The trio arrived at a registration building thronged with ninja from various lands. Exchanging a nod, they moved to enter.
"Hey! This isn't a place for snot-nosed brats like you!" a Konoha chunin barked, shoving a young kunoichi who was trying to get past him.
Hiraoka's eyes narrowed, focusing on the girl who had been pushed. A slow smile spread across his face. "It's her," he murmured, licking his lips in anticipation.
Uchiha Sasuke, observing Hiraoka's suddenly predatory expression, could only sigh inwardly.
Before Sasuke could comment, Hiraoka waved a hand dismissively. "I'm talking about matters of the heart, Sasuke. It's a complex subject you wouldn't understand yet."
The look on Sasuke's face was one of pure exasperation. The urge to punch Hiraoka was strong, but the memory of his superior strength was a potent deterrent. He simply clenched his fists in frustration.
"And who are you calling 'Sasuke'? I am—" Sasuke began sternly.
But Hiraoka cut him off with a grin. "I said what I said. The nickname fits you perfectly. I know you better than you think."
In truth, Hiraoka had other, less flattering nicknames in mind for the Uchiha's perpetually aloof demeanor, but he decided 'Sasuke' was demeaning enough for now.
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Crazy how Sakura and Saskue's first kiss is Naruto.
Throw your anger on me. Throw stones at me