In Sunagakure's largest inn, Konoha's dispatched 'Exam Delegation' had settled in.
Led by Minato, there were 21 squads, totaling 63 people.
Most of these 63 were graduates from Setsuna's year or the year before.
Besides the teams close to Setsuna, there were many familiar faces, such as: Ebisu, Shiranui Genma, Mizuki, Yamashiro Aoba, Namiashi Raido and the others.
For teams like Obito's, since Kakashi was already a Chunin, they had to ask Morino Ibiki to join instead.
"The customs and culture of Sunagakure are really quite different from our Konoha."
"The official exam starts the day after tomorrow. Should we go out and explore first?"
"Perfect timing to gather intelligence on the other villages and prepare for the exam."
Hearing the lively discussions in the courtyard, Minato knew it would be hard to restrain these eager hearts. He instructed everyone that they could tour Sunagakure, but they should try to avoid causing trouble.
…
Walking on Sunagakure's main street, Obito looked around curiously. Suddenly feeling an itch to talk, he habitually turned his head, only to meet Ibiki's stern gaze. He couldn't help but sigh.
"I felt like something was missing. Turns out there's no one to argue with."
Rin laughed upon hearing this. "I envy you and Kakashi, you have such a good relationship."
"Where exactly is my relationship with that bastard good? Look, Ibiki is also a stoic guy, but he doesn't retort to me like Kakashi does," Obito retorted loudly, familiarly slinging an arm over Ibiki's shoulder.
"I'm just not used to talking to idiots yet," Ibiki said coldly.
Obito was deeply hurt, looking at Ibiki in disbelief, his expression one of betrayal.
Seeing Obito about to argue again, Rin quickly pointed at a red-haired boy not far away. "Obito, look! Doesn't that big brother's hair look very similar to Kushina-nee's?"
Obito's attention was indeed diverted. He looked in the direction Rin pointed and exclaimed, "This is the first time I've seen someone with red hair like Kushina-nee's! Could they be relatives?"
Nagato originally didn't want too much contact with others to avoid exposing that he wasn't actually from Iwagakure. But the goggle-wearing boy's words intrigued him greatly. 'Did I really still have relatives?'
Yahiko noticed his unusual reaction and smiled. "How about we go say hello?"
Nagato was tempted but worried about jeopardizing the mission. "Is that alright?"
"Don't worry, it's just a brief exchange," Yahiko said, then took the initiative to approach them. "Excuse me, I overheard your conversation. Do you know my teammate?"
"Sorry, we were rude," Rin apologized repeatedly. "It's just that your friend's hair color is very similar to an older sister of ours."
Yahiko asked further, "I see your forehead protectors, you're Ninja from Konoha, right? Has that older sister of yours lived in Konoha Village since she was young?"
Obito thought hard. "I think I heard Kushina-nee mention before that she moved from somewhere else when she was little, but I don't really remember where."
Nagato couldn't resist and walked over. "The person you mentioned... is she really that similar to me?"
"Well, it's really just the hair color," Obito said. "Although this might sound rude, you look kinda sickly, while Kushina-nee is full of energy, just like..." Obito was struggling to find an example when his eyes suddenly lit up, and he pointed ahead. "Just like that big sister over there!"
Everyone looked in the direction Obito pointed and surprisingly found another red-haired Kunoichi.
Obito marveled, "How strange. I've never seen anyone with the same hair color as Kushina-nee before, but today I've met two."
Being stared at by so many people, the red-haired Kunoichi seemed flustered and scared, lowering her head.
Her companion glared fiercely. "What are you looking at? I'll dig your eyes out!"
Rin quickly apologized, "Sorry, we didn't mean to."
The person sneered, "An apology is enough? You scared my companion. This matter isn't so easily settled."
Obito, who initially wanted to apologize, became displeased when he saw the other party scolding Rin. "We weren't even looking at you! What's it to you? Your companion hasn't even said anything yet."
"Hah? She didn't say anything?" The person directly grabbed the Kunoichi's hair, a cruel smile on his face. "Come on, tell them you're very upset, and they need to compensate us for our losses."
Seeing him treat his own companion like this, everyone's expressions changed.
Nagato's gaze was icy cold, his eyes behind the bandage seeming to look at a dead man.
"What are you doing? She's your companion!" Obito was furious. It was the first time he had seen such a scumbag who treated his own companion so brutally.
"Companion? She's just a slave under our protection," the ninja sneered. "If our Kusagakure hadn't taken her in, she would have been tortured and killed by bandits long ago. If you pity her, then you should definitely pay up."
Hearing him be so blunt, Obito finally understood, staring in astonishment. "Are you... blackmailing us?"
"Heh, you Konoha's Ninjas are so wealthy, of course you wouldn't understand the desperation for money that us Ninja from smaller villages feel," The Kusagakure's Ninja threatened, "This is Sunagakure. If this escalates, I don't care, but it might not look too good for Konoha's reputation, right?"
Obito was shocked, 'Who are the great village's Ninja here, anyway?'
'Isn't it usually the strong bullying the weak? How can the weak bully the strong?'
"Hmph, who do you think I am? I'm the dead-last! I'm used to being criticized. Threats like this mean nothing to me," Obito laughed triumphantly. As long as he had no morals, no one could use moral persuasion to defeat him.
Hearing this, the Kusagakure's Ninja on the other side was speechless, 'Is that something to be proud of?'
His cold gaze swept over Rin and Ibiki. "You're all here for the Chunin Exams, right? If you get injured here, what you'll lose will be more than just money. Now, quickly hand over all the money you have."
"I'll hand over your mother's head!" Obito couldn't help but curse, punching the other party in the face.
"You little brat, you dare throw the first punch?" The Kusagakure's Ninja's face twisted, and he prepared to form hand seals.
"Let me show you the power of a Taijutsu specialist!" Obito rushed forward with a combo, sending the opponent floating.
Having been 'influenced' by Setsuna, his Taijutsu far surpassed his level in the original timeline.
After a thorough beating, Obito stepped on his opponent, feeling refreshed and invigorated.
"Haha, with skills like that, you dare to learn how to blackmail people?" Obito laughed triumphantly, stepping on the other.
Meanwhile, in a corner observing from a distance was a three-person squad.
"Baki-san, should we intervene now? Defeating a Konoha's Ninja and saving the Kusagakure's Ninja can not only display our strength but also show our care for smaller villages."
"Wait a bit longer," Baki was very calm, "Defeating one ordinary Konoha's Ninja doesn't mean much."
"But isn't the fight already over?"
Baki said solemnly, "Judging by the composure of the last person among those three Kusagakure's Ninjas, they probably have other methods up their sleeve."