Chapter 207: Bullying Children
"Ugh... let... let go of me!"
On another street in Konoha Village, Sarutobi Konohamaru was firmly grabbed by his back collar like a little chick, lifted completely off the ground.
He struggled desperately, his small face flushed red from poor circulation and discomfort. Gripping him was a youth wearing black clothing with bizarre purple face paint.
"Tch, sure are lively, you little brat."
Kankuro clicked his tongue impatiently, his arm motionless, clearly not taking Konohamaru's struggles seriously.
"Let... let Konohamaru go! Didn't he already apologize? What more do you want?!"
Behind them, Udon and Moegi shouted nervously. Just moments ago, the three had been playing shinobi games on the street as usual when Konohamaru accidentally bumped into this foreign village shinobi while running. Konohamaru immediately bowed in apology, yet unexpectedly the other party remained so unforgiving.
"Honestly, you sure have free time." Behind Kankuro, a girl with four bundles of short blonde hair carrying a massive iron fan on her back—Temari—sighed helplessly. "Just don't delay the main business."
Originally just annoyed about being bumped and planning to teach a small lesson before letting it go, hearing his sister's words, Kankuro decided to properly frighten this impudent brat—at minimum give him a punch to remember before releasing him.
Just as he prepared to act, a calm voice came from ahead:
"Excuse me, what seems to be the problem? Could you put him down?"
Uzumaki Naruto, with Uchiha Satsuki close beside him, had arrived at the scene. Naruto's face wore his usual gentle smile, his gaze falling on Kankuro's hand gripping Konohamaru.
So Gaara is nearby?
"Brother Naruto!"
Udon and Moegi, like seeing their savior, immediately hid behind Naruto.
Kankuro sized up the suddenly appearing Naruto, noting the Konoha forehead protector. The other party looked even younger than himself—just a Konoha genin?
...And he actually had such a cute girl beside him? How irritating.
The thought of simply letting this go instantly evaporated. Kankuro changed his mind, deciding to use this opportunity to gauge Konoha genin's capabilities. He deliberately used an even icier tone.
"I really hate brats." As he spoke, he lifted Konohamaru higher, the collar tightening, making Konohamaru's breathing even more difficult, his small face beginning to purple.
"I really want to kill him right now."
Whoosh—
An extremely subtle sound of air being cut rang out.
In the next moment, Kankuro suddenly felt sharp stinging pain from his wrist, as if cut by an invisible blade! His expression changed drastically as he instinctively released his grip.
The freed Konohamaru fell to the ground, gasping for breath in great gulps, then scrambled behind Naruto with a tearful voice of complaint.
"Brother Naruto! This guy went too far! I only accidentally bumped him, and he actually wanted to kill me! I already apologized!"
Wind Release?!
Temari, who'd been watching with a spectator's mentality in back, immediately saw the trick. That invisible attack was absolutely precise application of Wind Release chakra!
But... she'd completely failed to see this blonde kid form hand seals! How did he do it?
"Sorry, but bullying children isn't proper shinobi behavior." Naruto's voice remained peaceful. "Konohamaru already apologized. If you're willing to let this go, I can provide compensation and treat the wound on your hand."
Kankuro glanced down at that subtle yet precise cut on his wrist, his heart chilling.
This guy's implying he could have killed me without me noticing just now?
"I hate self-righteous, pretentious brats like you most..."
Kankuro's anger mixed with the humiliation of being looked down upon surged up. He reached toward the tightly bandaged Crow puppet on his back, preparing to teach this ignorant Konoha genin a lesson.
However, his fingers had just touched the puppet's bandages.
"Don't move."
A cold voice rang out at his nape. Simultaneously, cold metal pressure clearly pressed against the artery on his neck's side.
All blood in Kankuro's body instantly froze. Cold sweat immediately seeped from his forehead, sliding down his paint-covered cheeks. He stood frozen, even unconsciously holding his breath.
Beside him, Temari's expression also changed dramatically. This Body Flicker Technique... she hadn't even seen how the opponent moved.
The Naruto who'd been standing ahead, his figure slowly dissipated like a phantom, while the real Naruto had already appeared behind Kankuro, the kunai in his hand steadily positioned at his vital point.
Kankuro had no doubt—any further dangerous movement and this kunai would unhesitatingly pierce his throat.
"If you want to fight, I suggest waiting until the Chunin Exam officially starts."
Naruto's voice carried warning beneath its calm. "Now, I advise you put away that toy behind you."
"Brother Naruto! That's amazing!"
Though not knowing what jutsu Naruto used, instantly subduing that arrogant guy, Konohamaru, Udon and Moegi immediately cheered excitedly.
Satsuki had originally felt displeased by Kankuro's arrogant attitude, but seeing this annoying fellow's current pale, sweat-drenched miserable state, she barely restrained her impulse to act.
If Naruto had been a moment slower, Kankuro would definitely have paid for that "pretentious brat" comment. Moreover, a foreign village shinobi dared act so brazenly in Konoha?
"Wait! Please stop!" Temari shouted anxiously. Seeing her brother's life controlled by another, her voice carried unprecedented tension. "This is our fault! We're willing to apologize! Please, don't hurt him!"
"Kankuro! Apologize quickly!"
"Ugh..."
Kankuro's heart filled with humiliation and terror. He never imagined this seemingly ordinary Konoha genin possessed such horrifying speed and strength.
Feeling that cold metal's death threat at his neck, he gritted his teeth, ultimately squeezing difficult words through clenched teeth.
"...I'm... I'm very sorry... I went too far."
The pressure at his nape suddenly vanished.
Kankuro, as if exhausted, gasped heavily, his body trembling slightly from adrenaline's fade. With some lingering fear and defiance, his gaze complicated as he looked toward that blonde figure who'd already withdrawn his kunai and calmly walked back beside the cheering Konohamaru squad and that black-haired girl.
However, Naruto suddenly turned his head, that icy sharpness on his face instantly melting, replaced by his usual gentle harmless expression.
"Sorry, my reaction was somewhat excessive. After all, protecting the village's children is my responsibility."
"However, allow me to add—venting inner pressure and dissatisfaction on those weaker than yourself isn't the style befitting the strong. Moreover, with your abilities, your targets should be on more worthy opponents, right?"
Immediately after, he made an action that surprised both Kankuro and Temari. He stepped forward, naturally extending his palm toward Kankuro.
"If you don't mind, let me heal this small wound for you. Consider it drawing a relatively peaceful ending to our rather unpleasant first meeting."
Finally, his gaze passed over Kankuro, settling on Temari beside him, showing a sunny smile.
"I very much look forward to witnessing you two... no, perhaps three people's true strength in the upcoming Chunin Exam."
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