"Arrogance can get you killed??
Hmph, then I'd like to see how you'll kill me..."
Seeing Sasuke's attitude was even more arrogant than his own, Kankuro's eyes glinted menacingly as he snorted and growled.
He casually flung Konohamaru, who had accidentally bumped into him, away... With a slight twitch of his fingers, an almost invisible chakra thread shot out, speeding towards Sasuke...
"Idiot..."
Sasuke, observing keenly, snorted coldly, and a burst of chakra from his feet instantly destroyed the chakra thread.
His eyes instantly turned crimson, and his right hand, which was in his pocket, quickly completed a one-handed hand seal.
At the same time,
Naruto immediately caught his junior, Konohamaru, and glared indignantly at Kankuro, preparing to strike.
'Genjutsu: Demonic Illusion—Hell Viewing Technique...'
The moment Kankuro met Sasuke's gaze, the genjutsu was instantly activated through the Sharingan.
This genjutsu was a D-rank genjutsu that allowed one to see their deepest fears.
Immediately, Kankuro, who had just been so aggressive and arrogant, his pupils constricted... as if he had seen something incredibly terrifying, his whole body trembled, and his breathing became heavy.
His legs became weak, almost unable to stand...
"Kankuro..."
Temari, seeing the bad turn of events, her beautiful eyes narrowed, and she slapped his shoulder, interrupting the flow of chakra.
"Hiss... Genjutsu? When did he form the hand seals?!"
Kankuro, having come to his senses, his face changed drastically, and he immediately avoided Sasuke's gaze, taking a sharp breath.
Just now, he had actually fallen into the opponent's genjutsu with just a glance.
It was terrifying... This made Naruto, who was ready to teach him a lesson, look bored, his gaze filled with disdain.
"Since you're already here, there's no need to hide..."
Sasuke, on the other hand, didn't answer, but instead shifted his gaze to the nearby tree and said coldly.
His crimson double tomoe Sharingan reflected in his pupils, exuding an air of coolness...
"Sasuke-kun is so handsome..."
Seeing his divine appearance, Sakura immediately clasped her hands to her face, her heart blooming with joy.
"Sasuke-elder brother is so cool..."
Konohamaru and his two followers beside him almost simultaneously exclaimed, their eyes sparkling with stars...
Even Temari on the opposite side showed a glimmer of surprise, a faint blush rising on her cheeks...
"Someone? Where is someone??
Sasuke, what are you talking about again..."
Naruto, seeing Sasuke stealing the spotlight, looked around in confusion and called out.
The next moment,
"Kankuro, you're a disgrace to the village..."
Under the dumbfounded expressions of Naruto and Sakura, a stream of sand rapidly appeared beside Kankuro and solidified.
It transformed into a red-haired, dark-eyed youth carrying a gourd, who reprimanded him with an indifferent expression.
"I, Gaara... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."
Seeing the newcomer, Kankuro, remembering the terrifying scene from the genjutsu, instinctively stammered an apology.
"Useless, do you want to continue embarrassing yourself..."
Gaara frowned and interrupted coldly, turning his head stiffly with a blank expression.
"Your name... I'm very interested in you!"
His gaze shifted, and Gaara stared at Sasuke with a blank expression, asking.
A hint of bloodlust and desire flickered in his unperturbed eyes...
"How rude, shouldn't you introduce yourself before asking for someone's name?"
Looking at the darkened Gaara, Sasuke's mouth curved into a smile, and he couldn't help but tease.
If he missed this chance now, there would be no opportunity after Naruto's talk-no-jutsu!
"Sabaku no Gaara..."
Gaara looked deeply at Sasuke, pondered for a moment, and then spoke his name.
"Hmm, I know!
However, I don't want to tell you my name yet... Naruto, Sakura, let's go..."
Under the astonished expressions of Kankuro and Temari, Sasuke shrugged and smiled lazily.
He turned and walked away without hesitation... This sudden change left Gaara a bit bewildered too.
"Huh?
They're leaving already?
He hasn't even asked for my name yet? Sasuke..."
A bewildered Naruto called out loudly, then turned his head to look at Gaara.
"Exactly, I haven't asked them what their purpose is in coming to Konoha?"
Sakura also reacted, saying seriously, her gaze wary as she looked at Gaara and his companions.
"Don't you know about something that concerns your own interests?
Here, this is our pass.
We're here in Konoha to participate in the joint Chunin Exams..."
Temari, seeing Sakura's skepticism, took out her pass and said, her gaze, however, lingered on Sasuke's retreating figure.
This handsome guy is quite interesting...
"Chunin Exams??
Sasuke-kun, wait for me..."
Sakura's heart tightened when she saw Temari's gaze, and she immediately turned and ran towards Sasuke.
"Um, my name is Uzumaki Naruto... You, the painted face, and the one called Gaara, right? I'll remember you guys!"
Naruto quickly added, then hurried to catch up with Konohamaru and his two followers.
Kankuro's face darkened at these words, and he gritted his teeth.
Painted face??
That brat...
"Those Sharingan! Sasuke!!
Uchiha Sasuke, huh? An interesting prey..."
Staring at Sasuke's retreating figure, Gaara muttered to himself with a chilling expression, as if he had seen something delicious.
This sent a chill down Kankuro's spine, who was about to erupt, and he suppressed his actions, not daring to move...
Hokage's Office
"This is this year's top student, Uchiha Sasuke... Not a bad kid!!"
Watching the confrontation in the crystal ball, Asuma exhaled a puff of smoke, full of praise.
To be able to hold his own against the Sand Village and preserve Konoha's dignity, he truly lived up to his reputation as a genius...
"That boy..."
Kakashi, beside him, looked at Gaara's figure thoughtfully, but the curve of his lips indicated his great satisfaction.
"Alright, let's begin the recommendation meeting..."
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, his expression solemn, dispelled the ninjutsu, causing Kakashi and the other elite jonin to take two steps back simultaneously.
"Ahem... So, now we officially begin the Chunin Exam recommendations.
Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai.
Formally speaking, genin teams who have completed more than 8 D-rank missions can participate in the Chunin Exam.
However, according to Konoha's custom, it's generally more appropriate to complete twice that number of missions.
Have you made your decision?"
Looking at Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was grave as he spoke in a deep voice.
Although he already knew their intentions, the necessary formalities still had to be observed...
Kakashi stepped forward without hesitation.
Hadn't all his efforts these past days been for this very moment...
"Lord Hokage... Team 7, led by Kakashi.
Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura.
These three individuals.
In the name of Hatake Kakashi, I recommend them to participate in this joint Chunin Selection Exam..."
Kakashi formed the Hand Seal of Reconciliation with one hand, his expression solemn and his voice resonant.
"Lord Hokage... Team 10, led by Asuma.
Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino, Akimichi Choji.
These three individuals.
In the name of Sarutobi Asuma, I recommend them to participate in the Chunin Exam..."
Asuma followed closely, stepping forward, his eyes also solemn and his demeanor serious.
"Lord Hokage... Team 8, led by Kurenai.
Inuzuka Kiba, Hyuga Hinata, Aburame Shino.
These three individuals.
In the name of Yuhi Kurenai, I recommend them to participate in the joint Chunin Exam..."
After Kakashi and Asuma recommended their teams, Yuhi Kurenai also spoke up, not to be outdone.
In an instant,
The situation of three newly promoted genin teams collectively participating in the Chunin Exams caused everyone present to change their expressions...
This was the first time in five consecutive years that graduating genin were participating in the Chunin Exams.
And it was three teams at once!!