Obito tilted his head, studying Rasa's half-erased corpse with mild interest—especially that final, frozen look that begged for answers and received absolutely nothing. He nodded in quiet satisfaction.
"Mm. Overcooked," he commented. "But the presentation is nice."
Pakura exhaled slowly, a breath that was quite like a laugh.
The oppressive heat around her finally began to fade. The sand under their feet, once white-hot, cooled to a dull red, then brown again.
Obito studied her for a moment longer.
Then he stepped forward, his sandals pressing lightly into the sand beside her.
"Well," he said casually, as if they hadn't just erased a Kazekage from existence. "We should go."
Pakura raised an eyebrow faintly.
"…That's it?"
Obito shrugged.
"What? Did you want to stand here and reflect dramatically while the sun sets behind you?"
"…That would be appropriate," she said dryly.
Obito crouched beside Rasa's remains.
He reached out casually, grabbed Rasa by the hair, and lifted his head up with one hand.
Pakura was silent for a long moment.
Then a slow, humorless smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"…You really don't do anything halfway, do you?"
"I'm a thorough man," Obito said modestly. "Terrible personality, excellent work ethic."
He gave Rasa's head a light shake, like testing the weight.
"Anyway," he continued, standing back up and casually tossing the head up once before catching it again, "this solves one problem."
Pakura nodded slightly, the reality of her revenge finally settling in. The tightness that had lived in her chest for years loosened.
"I want," she said softly, "a Sunagakure where no one is thrown away like I was. Where 'hero' isn't just a pretty word they write on someone's grave to feel better about themselves."
"There you go... that's the right kind of selfish." Obito had to admit, Pakura really looked just now.
A faint, dry amusement flickered in Pakura's eyes.
"Coming from you, that's almost a compliment."
"It is."
"I don't hand those out often. You should treasure it."
"And don't worry—not just Sunagakure. Once I'm done with this world, it won't be the same place anymore…"
"…"
"…Why does that sound so suspicious," Pakura muttered, playfully narrowing her eyes as she side-eyed him.
Obito's Sharingan turned, Kamui beginning to spiral open beside them as the space in front of them twisted.
"Trust me~" he said in an unnaturally sweet tone, completely at odds with his usual deep voice. "How could I ever lie?"
A shiver ran down her spine at the way he said it.
"…"
"I believe whatever you say," Pakura admitted quietly. "So please… don't ever do that. Ever."
Obito's eyes curved in faint amusement as the vortex widened, pulling them both in.
And with that, the desert swallowed the silence back down as they vanished.
--
When it unfolded again, the world was cold.
They stepped out of Kamui into a cavernous chamber lit by pale, bluish light.
Rows of glass tanks lined one side of the room, some filled with clear fluid and suspended things that were better not identified at a glance.
Scrolls, medical instruments, and metal operating tables occupied the other side in organized manner.
The air smelled faintly of disinfectant, ink… and something like formaldehyde.
Pakura's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…A lab," she muttered.
"Homey, isn't it?" Obito said.
A familiar, slow chuckle slid through the chamber.
"My, my… you really are fond of dramatic entrances," a smooth voice drawled. "I had assumed you'd at least use the door like a civilized guest, my lord."
From behind a row of tanks, [] emerged—white lab coat over his usual mesh shirt and pants, sleeves pushed up, gloves still on. His golden eyes were half-lidded, the snake-like slits faintly amused. A clipboard dangled casually from one hand.
He looked… relaxed, when he saw Obito, his smile widened a fraction.
"You're back sooner than anticipated," Orochimaru said. "I take it the… negotiation with Sunagakure's leader went well?"
Obito tilted his head.
Without answering, he reached into Kamui space, grabbed, and casually pulled Rasa's head out by the hair.
The lifeless face of the Fourth Kazekage stared dully ahead, eyes frozen in that last mixture of shock and unwillingness.
Orochimaru stopped mid-step.
His smile widened.
"Well, well," he murmured, lips curling. "You've brought a souvenir."
Pakura watched in silence on the side.
"Fourth Kazekage Rasa," Orochimaru mused, abandoning the clipboard on a nearby table without looking.
He stepped closer, head tilting as he inspected the face.
He reached out with his fingers and, with clinical delicacy, cupped Rasa's chin and turned the head slightly to the side—examining bone structure, skin, and the way the eyes had glazed over.
Then, with his thumb, he lightly stroked along the cheekbone.
There was something almost sensual about the motion—at least visually—especially with the faint, excited gleam in Orochimaru's eyes. Obito knew it was probably just because the plan was coming together, but still…
It was incredibly creepy.
Pakura's eye twitched.
"…Does he have to do that?"
Obito stared for a second, eyes narrowing ever so slightly.
"Pedomaru," he said flatly. "Stop feeling him up. At least pretend you have some shame while we're still in the room."
Orochimaru blinked, as if genuinely surprised.
"Ah," he said lightly, withdrawing his hand. "My apologies. Merely a professional habit, nothing else really."
He clasped his hands together instead, expression returning to that polite, serpentine smile.
"Still...this is quite the gift. You've saved me a great deal of inconvenience."
Obito nodded once, then turned away, his cloak shifting as he walked toward the exit.
"I'll take my leave," he said over his shoulder. "There are other matters at hand. Don't disappoint me, Pedomaru."
Space twisted around him and Pakura as Kamui spiraled open, in the next instant, both of them vanished from the lab.
"I'll make sure the performance in Konoha is… convincing," Orochimaru said with a light chuckle, golden eyes gleaming as he looked down at Rasa's head.
--
In Konoha Village.
The Chunin Exams were still in full swing.
The Snow Hidden team had no idea that their "easygoing" leader had already killed one village's Kage without lifting a finger… and was quietly planning the death of another.
After Kimimaro's match, the schedule rolled on.
The next matchup was Hinata versus Kankurō.
The moment Kankurō got a good look at the blindfolded girl from the Snow Hidden Village, his expression stiffened. He clicked his tongue, weighed his odds for all of two seconds, then raised his hand.
"I forfeit."
Hayate Gekko barely finished confirming it before the crowd erupted in confused murmurs.
Hinata stood there for a heartbeat, a little frozen.
"…Ah."
She bowed politely, then turned and walked back up toward the stands. Her back was a little straighter than usual, but her shoulders were just a bit tense, and the tips of her ears were faintly red under her hair.
Being advanced because your opponent ran away before the fight even started… was not exactly something she knew how to feel proud of.
Haku's match came later and that one was a feast for the eyes.
The whistle blew.
The match ended almost immediately.
A single Ice Release ninjutsu bloomed across the arena—elegant and terrifyingly fast. By the time most of the spectators processed what they were seeing, Haku's opponent was already frozen in place, entirely out of the fight.
The arena fell quiet for a heartbeat, and then the uneasy whispers started to spread.
It became clear to everyone watching that Kimimaro wasn't the only problem on that team.
Up in the stands, one person in particular was nearly vibrating.
Sasuke's eyes stayed locked on the arena, Sharingan itching to spin.
Kimimaro… Haku… and that blindfolded girl too, he thought, pulse quickening. Good. If they're that strong…
He clenched his fist.
…then fighting them with everything I've got might actually be worth it.
Only by clashing with the strong—truly strong... could he hope to climb any higher. And for the first time in a long while, Sasuke felt that familiar, dangerous excitement stir in his chest.
Up in the same section of the stands, someone else was having a very different kind of reaction.
"…Whoa."
Naruto leaned so far over the railing that Sakura had to grab the back of his jacket.
"Hey, idiot, you're gonna fall," she snapped.
Naruto barely heard her.
His eyes were glued to the arena, to the elegant figure of Haku standing calmly in front of the shattered ice. Even at this distance, there was something graceful about the way 'she' held herself—like the fight hadn't even been worth getting serious over.
Naruto felt his cheeks heat up.
Why is she—why is she so pretty again?!
It was just like before.
That first time in the ramen shop, that soft voice, those gentle eyes, the way his heart had lurched for absolutely no good reason...
"Oi, Naruto," Sakura said suspiciously, eyeing his red face. "Why do you look like that? You're not… crushing on the enemy again, are you?"
"N-No!" Naruto yelped, jerking back so hard he almost headbutted her. "I'm just— I was just— y'know, thinking about battle tactics and stuff! That's all!"
Sakura stared at him, unimpressed.
"Uh-huh. Sure. You, thinking."
"WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!"
Down in the arena, Haku glanced up toward the stands for a brief second, as if feeling someone's gaze. Naruto's heart did a weird little jump when their eyes almost met.
He quickly ducked his head, ears burning.
…It's fine, he told himself, clutching the railing a little tighter. Doesn't matter if it's a girl more beautiful than Sakura-chan. I'll just… beat her in the finals. That's all.
Even he wasn't sure if he was more flustered or motivated.
But one thing was certain:
Between the Snow team's monsters, Sasuke's itching battle spirit, and Naruto's very confused crush situation…
The Chunin Exams were only going to get more chaotic from here.
--
Hayate coughed lightly, shuffling his notes as the scoreboard flickered to the next pair.
"Next match… Inuzuka Kiba versus Uzumaki Naruto."
"Finally!" Naruto yelled, practically launching himself over the railing. He almost ate floor on the landing, recovered with a skid, and bolted toward the arena.
"Don't trip on the stairs, moron!" Sakura shouted after him.
He almost did.
Kiba smirked as he hopped down from the opposite side with Akamaru on his head.
"Tch. Figures I'd have to waste my time on you," he said, jamming his hands into his pockets. "Guess everyone needs a warm-up match."
Naruto jabbed a thumb at himself, eyes blazing.
"Say that again when you're picking your teeth out of the ground, dog-boy!"
Akamaru barked loudly, hackles up.
Up in the Konoha stands, Kurenai let out a small sigh.
"This is going to be loud,"
Hayate raised his hand.
"Begin."
Kiba moved first.
He dropped to all fours, chakra flaring as he launched himself forward in a blur.
"You're dead, Naruto!" he shouted. "Fang Over Fang!"
"Ah—already?!" Naruto yelped, eyes widening as Kiba and Akamaru spun into twin drills and tore across the arena, turning stone into powder.
The watching genin flinched as the double Fang Over Fang tore a vicious path straight through where Naruto had been standing—
"Too slow!"
A puff of smoke exploded.
The "Naruto" they hit shattered into white mist.
"A clone?!" Kiba snapped, skidding to a halt as dust swirled.
Up on the railing, Sakura blinked.
"…Since when is he using his head?" she muttered.
Down below, Kiba sniffed hard, nose twitching.
"Tch. Don't think you can hide from me," he growled, spinning around. "Your smell is—"
"Right behind you, teme!"
Kiba barely started to turn.
Naruto came down from above like a yellow comet, having launched himself off the arena wall. His heel smashed into Kiba's back with a flying kick that sent boy and dog tumbling.
Kiba crashed, rolled, and popped up with a snarl, teeth bared.
"You little—!"
Naruto landed in a crouch, grinning wide.
"Hehehe! What's wrong, Kiba? I thought this was your 'warm-up'?"
Akamaru barked angrily, fur puffed up.
Kiba wiped the corner of his mouth and spat.
"Fine. You asked for it."
"Akamaru! Let's go all out!"
A smoke bomb hit the ground.
When it cleared, two Kibas stood there, both feral, both snarling.
"Be honored, Naruto!" they shouted in perfect unison. "You're gonna get taken out by our combo! Fang Over Fang!"
They both spun again, twin drills roaring across the arena, gouging deep scars into the stone as they barreled straight toward him from two angles.
Naruto stayed right where he was, a cocky grin spreading across his face.
Mom said… "If you're going to show off, pick a good time."
The Chunin Exams arena. Packed stands. Sasuke watching. The Snow team watching. Old man Hokage watching and... Haku watching.
Yeah. This counted.
Naruto slammed his hands together.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
With a boom of chakra, the arena filled with smoke.
The spinning, drilling forms of Kiba and "Kiba" punched right through the cloud—
—and smashed straight into a wall of Narutos.
"H-HEY—?!"
"WHAT THE—?!"
Clones caught them mid-spin, shoulders and arms bracing with grunts and yells. The momentum shoved them back, boots dragging twin trenches in the stone.
"UGHHH—! THEY SMELL LIKE WET DOG!!" one clone gagged.
"WHY AM I THE ONE SAYING THAT, I'M YOU!!" another shouted back.
Akamaru yelped, Kiba snarled, trying to break through—but there were too many clones, grabbing, piling, dog-piling.
"H-Hey! Get off! GET OFF! This isn't a wrestling match—!!"
Naruto's real body stood just a little ways back, watching the mess of orange and feral spinning.
He exhaled, gaze turning serious.
"Alright..."
"Time to end this."
He extended his right hand outward.
At first it was just a flicker—a twisting pulse of energy, then a tight, roaring spiral. Wind whipped around him as a sphere of pure, churning chakra formed in his palm, squealing and snarling against itself.
"R–Rasengan…?!" Kakashi muttered from the stands, his visible eye widening.
He wasn't shocked that Naruto could use it—that much he already knew.
What stunned him was where Naruto had decided to use it.
Against Kiba?
For a split second, a cold thought flashed through his mind.
If that hits clean… he's going to kill the kid.
Jōnin across the railing stiffened, eyes narrowing.
Down below, the Shadow Clone wrestling match was getting desperate.
"HEY, ORIGINAL ME!" one clone yelled, struggling to hold Kiba in place as the boy thrashed. "HURRY UP! HE'S BITING— OW, HE BIT ME—!!"
"STOP BITING, YOU FREAK!" another clone yelled.
"AKAMARU, DON'T LICK ME THERE—!!" (PS: Ayo?)
Kiba managed to wrench himself half-free, eyes wild.
"What the hell is that?!" he shouted, panic finally edging into his voice. "Naruto, what is that?!"
Naruto grinned ferociously, teeth fully bared as he yelled back and blurred forward.
"This...?"
"This is something I learned so I don't lose to guys like you!"
The clones yanked Kiba fully upright and opened a gap just enough for Naruto to drive his palm forward.
"RASENGAN!!"
The spinning sphere slammed into Kiba's gut.
For a moment, there was only the sound.
A horrible, grinding roar, like a storm being forced into one point.
Then the explosion of force hit.
Kiba's eyes rolled back as the Rasengan drilled into him, then launched him like a ragdoll. He flew backwards, spinning end over end before crashing into the arena wall hard enough to crack the stone.
Akamaru went tumbling away with a yelp, skidding to a stop in a dazed heap.
Smoke and dust billowed.
The clones all popped in a series of rapid poof-poof-poofs.
Silence.
Naruto stood there, arm still outstretched, chest rising and falling a little heavier now, but eyes burning bright.
"…Whoa," someone in the stands whispered.
Kurenai sighed helplessly at Kiba's misfortune.
My team really is having it rough this time, huh…
When her thoughts wandered to Airi, her gaze unfocused for a moment, a faintly distant look appearing in her eyes.
Ino gaped as her eyes widened.
"W-What the hell was that?!" she shrieked. "Since when can Naruto do that kind of thing?!"
Sakura stared down at the cracked wall, at Kiba's limp form embedded in it.
"…I-I don't know," she said slowly. "I've seen him use that before, but using it on Kiba in a test? He really doesn't understand the meaning of holding back…"
Down below, Hayate stared for a second, processing the sheer level of overkill, then hurried over to check Kiba's pulse as med-nin rushed in.
He raised his hand weakly.
"I-Inuzuka Kiba is… unable to continue," he announced, voice cracking a little. "Winner: Uzumaki Naruto."
Naruto's grin split his face.
He pumped his fist in the air.
"YEAH!! Did you see that?!" he yelled, spinning around to face the stands, his eyes uncounicously drifting towards the snow hidden team. "How's that, huh?! I'm amazing, right?!"
Sasuke looked completely unimpressed, tearing his gaze away from the cracked wall.
"…Tch. Show-off," he muttered. "Using something like that on Kiba…"
He leaned back slightly, arms folding.
He's improved… but it's still not enough.
As far as Sasuke was concerned, Naruto had just managed to crawl one step closer to the starting line—nothing more.
Up with the Snow team, Karin whistled low.
"That blond loudmouth's got some tricks when he actually tries," Karin said, elbowing Haku lightly. "Look how happy he is… he's definitely trying to impress someone."
Haku smiled faintly.
"Yes, he's… interesting."
Kimimaro simply watched, expression calm, saying nothing.
As Naruto bounced excitedly around the arena, waving both arms like a maniac, Neji stood there with a blank expression, as if he'd just been handed a reality check he had absolutely no interest in accepting. The strength of this new batch of genin was far beyond what he'd expected.
And just like that—amid excitement, quiet planning, and a few badly shaken prides—the preliminary matches of the Chunin Exams came to an end.
What none of the genin knew yet… was that they were about to be given a one-month break before the Final Tournament.
One month to train.
One month to plot.
One month to get stronger...
…or be left behind.
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