Sensing Naruto's gaze, Orochimaru turned around and looked over.
After seeing Naruto, Shisui, and the others—who were hiding their identities—Orochimaru frowned subconsciously. Then he shifted his gaze away and walked toward the hotel with his subordinate Sound ninja.
He wasn't surprised that Uzushio Village had sent people to participate in the Chūnin Exams.
However, the fact that Uchiha Shisui was leading the team as a jōnin made things… suspicious. It was enough to make anyone question Uzushio Village's intentions, and it might very well interfere with his plans.
Seemingly sensing something, Kimimaro, who stood beside him, asked in a low voice,
"Orochimaru-sama, those ninja are watching you. Do you want me to eliminate them?"
Orochimaru glanced at his "adopted son," then shook his head.
"Remember their faces. Do not provoke the ninja from Uzushio Village. They are people even I would rather not offend."
Kimimaro's expression shifted to shock.
Even Orochimaru-sama didn't dare provoke them? What kind of monsters were they?
Not long ago, he and Orochimaru had worked together to assassinate the Fourth Kazekage—the leader of one of the Five Great Nations' hidden villages.
Yet now…
Orochimaru didn't bother explaining further. Instead, he turned his gaze toward the Hokage Building.
After so many years, even that fool Jiraiya had become Hokage.
As his former close friend—and now a rogue ninja—how could he not prepare a "gift" for Konoha?
Still, the presence of Uzushio's ninja had introduced too many variables into his plan.
...
After revisiting familiar sights, Naruto brought Shisui and the others to Ichiraku Ramen and ordered four bowls.
The recipe was the same.
The taste was the same.
But the once energetic Teuchi had grown old, and Ayame had become a graceful young woman.
As Naruto ate, memories of the past surfaced one after another.
Teuchi suddenly leaned out and looked at Naruto with curiosity.
"Your voice sounds familiar. Have we met before?"
Naruto shook his head.
"No, this is my first time coming to Konoha for the Chūnin Exams."
Teuchi scratched his head.
"Maybe I'm mistaken… but the way you ordered feels really familiar. Like you've lived in Konoha before. And that young man leading your team also seems familiar."
Shisui ignored him, but Naruto replied with a smile,
"Maybe we lived here in a past life. Fate works in mysterious ways."
"Haha, maybe you're right," Teuchi said, retreating back inside to continue working.
After finishing their ramen, Karin leaned in and whispered,
"Menma-sama, you seem really familiar with this place… like you've lived here for a long time."
Naruto paused, then smiled.
"So you figured it out? I do have some connection to Konoha. This is where I grew up… and where my past is buried."
Karin stuck out her tongue and didn't press further.
Naruto's past was probably similar to hers.
The difference was—Naruto had escaped Konoha through his own strength.
She had been saved by him.
Shisui remained silent. He had long guessed Naruto's identity, but chose to forget it.
Knowing too much was never a good thing.
After all, ninja were meant to keep secrets.
After leaving the ramen shop, Shisui glanced toward the Uchiha district, a trace of nostalgia flickering in his eyes.
Naruto noticed and took the lead in heading that direction.
The Uchiha clan area was close to the village outskirts—maybe they would run into Sasuke or some other interesting figures.
However, not long after, Naruto spotted a group of rookie genin gathered in a remote alley, clearly on the verge of a fight.
The situation was simple.
Several ninja from Kirigakure had accidentally provoked Gaara, Kankurō, and Temari from Sunagakure. A conflict was about to break out.
"They're from Kirigakure!"
The usually quiet Haku stepped forward, intending to intervene. After all, Kirigakure was technically an ally of Uzushio Village.
Naruto raised a hand and stopped him, choosing instead to watch quietly.
Just as Temari and Kankurō were worrying that Gaara might lose control and start killing, Sasuke suddenly appeared atop a tree.
A kunai flew out, interrupting Gaara's attack.
Sasuke spoke coldly,
"Starting a fight in Konoha… are you looking down on the Uchiha?"
His sudden entrance drew everyone's attention.
Gaara didn't hesitate—he attacked immediately.
After a few exchanges, Gaara realized Sasuke wasn't easy to deal with. He snorted coldly.
"Not bad. I hope we meet in the Chūnin Exams."
Sasuke landed lightly, his expression full of disdain.
"You'll regret facing me. And someone as insignificant as you isn't even worth remembering."
Hearing that, Gaara—who had been about to leave—turned back.
Just like that, the fight resumed.
Sand surged through the air as Gaara attacked, while Sasuke drew his blade and activated his Sharingan.
Naruto chuckled and glanced at Shisui.
"Shisui, were all Uchiha this arrogant when they were young? Didn't anyone beat you up for it?"
Shisui rubbed his forehead and quickly defended,
"Not all Uchiha are like this… Sasuke is just… a special case."
Naruto smiled but said nothing.
He knew Sasuke too well.
Back then, Sasuke had been beaten up by him plenty of times—otherwise, he wouldn't have grown strong enough to fight Gaara now.
Still, defeating a jinchūriki was no easy task.
Even Kakashi, Sasuke's teacher, didn't have the strength to handle a fully rampaging jinchūriki.
Teenagers were always impulsive—turning small conflicts into full-blown battles.
As the fight escalated, the street—once flat—was soon riddled with craters. More and more ninja began gathering.
Team 7.
Team 8.
Team 10.
Seeing more Konoha ninja arrive, Temari and Kankurō grew uneasy.
Gaara might be their village's infamous "monster," but Konoha's ninja were no pushovers either.
If things escalated further, it could affect the upcoming Chūnin Exams.
After all, gathering intelligence was crucial in ninja battles—and fighting outside the exam risked exposing too much.
Unfortunately, neither of them had the ability to stop Gaara and Sasuke.
Watching the situation spiral, Naruto sensed the presence of nearby ninja and spoke calmly,
"Karin, Haku—go stop them. Let them see what Uzushio Village is capable of."
Before he even finished speaking—
Karin and Haku had already disappeared.
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