The one who threw that punch was none other than Naruto.
Under the dual guidance of Minato and Hoshiyomi, Naruto was no longer the clumsy idiot he had been in the original story. His taijutsu skills were now far from weak—he could even slightly overpower Sasuke from the original timeline.
Bang!
After sending Kankurō flying with a single punch, Naruto caught Konohamaru. Only after confirming that Konohamaru wasn't hurt did he turn back and glare angrily at Kankurō.
"You were just bumped into once—don't you think you're going too far?"
Kankurō had been punched straight into the air and slid a long distance along the ground before finally coming to a stop.
"Bastard!"
Struggling to his feet, Kankurō wiped the corner of his mouth. When he saw the smear of blood on his fingers, his anger surged.
He suddenly spread his hands in the air, about to use chakra threads to teach that blond brat who had hit him a lesson.
But before he could make a move, a cold kunai was already pressed against his neck.
"If you want to stay alive, behave yourself. Konoha isn't a place where you can run wild."
When did this happen?!
Not only was Kankurō shocked, but even Temari, who had been watching from the side, was startled. She hadn't caught the opponent's movements at all.
Feeling the icy touch of the kunai on his neck, Kankurō put on a frightened expression. Yet secretly, he still tried to manipulate chakra threads, intending to have the puppet behind him strike the person at his back.
Sasuke, standing behind Kankurō, naturally noticed the small movement. Just as he was about to teach Kankurō an unforgettable lesson, a cold voice suddenly rang out:
"That's enough, Kankurō. Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough already?"
Seeing the red-haired figure standing on the treetop ahead, Kankurō—who had been about to try something reckless—shuddered involuntarily. He quickly lowered his head and said weakly to Sasuke and Naruto:
"S-sorry."
Sasuke glanced warily at Gaara on the treetop. After hesitating for a moment, he finally shoved Kankurō aside and said coldly to Gaara:
"Keep your companions in check."
Then he turned to Naruto and the others.
"Don't just stand there. Let's go."
Just as Naruto and Sasuke were about to leave with Konohamaru and the others, the person behind them spoke again, his voice trembling slightly:
"Wait. What are your names?"
"Uzumaki Naruto."
"Uchiha Sasuke."
"My name is Gaara. I look forward to meeting you in the upcoming Chūnin Exams."
Only after Naruto and the others had left did Kankurō speak up, dissatisfied and confused:
"Gaara, since when do you interfere in this kind of thing?"
Gaara glanced at him coldly.
"Are you questioning me?"
Sweat instantly poured down Kankurō's back. He quickly shut his mouth, while Temari tugged on him, signaling him not to court death.
Seeing their reactions, Gaara snorted and said:
"My sand tells me those two are dangerous. Konoha… is a truly interesting place."
......
Not long after their encounter with Gaara and the others, the three members of Team Seven were handed three Chūnin Exam registration forms by Kakashi.
Naruto and Sasuke didn't hesitate at all and immediately pressed their handprints onto the forms. Sakura, however, looked somewhat conflicted. But seeing how decisively the two of them acted, she let out a long sigh and followed suit.
It wasn't just the three of them—other rookie shinobi were also pressing their handprints onto the registration forms, some without hesitation, others after a moment of doubt.
Inside the Hokage's office, the jōnin instructors were lining up to submit their students' registration forms. At the same time, Hoshiyomi entered, carrying the registration forms for Kimimaro, Haku, and Shin.
Seeing Hoshiyomi come in, Minato nodded to the jōnin instructors in the office and said:
"Very good. During the preparation period ahead, everyone must be as attentive as possible. This exam is a special case."
The jōnin instructors nodded in response and then took their leave.
After everyone else had departed, Hoshiyomi walked over and sat down across from Minato's desk. As he handed over the registration forms, he asked:
"How are the preparations coming along?"
Minato smiled.
"Almost everything is ready. I've secretly recalled all ANBU and put them on twenty-four-hour alert. The village's sealing techniques have also been reinforced by the Uzumaki elders. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that everything is in place."
Hearing this, Hoshiyomi nodded in satisfaction.
"The proctors for all three stages of the exam have been officially finalized, and the surveillance facilities designed by Orochimaru have already been installed at each exam site.
"With Kimimaro and the others inside the venues, there's nothing to worry about. Since all preparations are complete, we can relax and calmly await the Chūnin Exams.
"Honestly, even I'm looking forward to this special Chūnin Exam."
As he spoke, Hoshiyomi subconsciously touched the Mikazuki Munechika at his waist. Black Zetsu had better not be plotting something behind the scenes—otherwise, my plan would come to an early end.
...
At the inn specially prepared by Konoha for visiting genin, Baki came face to face with Yugito Nii of Kumogakure.
Baki looked Yugito over from head to toe, eyeing her well-proportioned figure.
"Kumogakure only sent you as a representative?"
Seeing the contempt in Baki's expression, Yugito snorted coldly. With a flick of her index finger and thumb, a faint bluish chakra flame lit up at the tip of her finger.
"Just me. Is that a problem?"
Baki's expression changed the moment he saw the chakra flame. He hurriedly apologized:
"My apologies—I was arrogant. Seeing Kumogakure's Two-Tails jinchūriki here in person puts my mind at ease. Lady Two-Tails Jinchūriki, I wish us a smooth cooperation ahead."
Yugito glanced at the hand Baki extended, snorted again, but still lightly grasped his fingertips.
"Everything that needs to be discussed has already been discussed between Lord A and your Kazekage. Our job is simply to follow orders. I hope you understand that.
"This is Konoha's territory. As representatives of our respective villages, it's not appropriate for us to meet for too long. I'll be leaving now. Unless something unexpected happens, don't come looking for me again."
With that, Yugito left the room, leaving Baki alone inside, his expression shifting back and forth.
After pondering for a long while, Baki's expression finally eased somewhat. Looking in the direction Yugito had departed, he muttered:
"She's hard to deal with, but at least she doesn't have any strange ideas. She's right—we just need to follow orders. Hopefully, this time we can carry things out smoothly and without incident."
And so, amid the preparations and expectations of all sides, the final days before the Chūnin Exams quietly slipped by.
The highly anticipated Chūnin Exams officially began today!