Konoha: I, Naruto, will eat the Forest-Forest Fruit!

"Kakashi!"

Jiraiya was furious.

Kakashi sneered.

"All I can say is, Jiraiya, you're like someone who lights a lamp in the toilet!"

Jiraiya still wanted to speak.

Then a voice came.

"I already told you not to stop me!"

"Don't I know what he's like?"

boom--

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiraiya flew out like a cannonball.

click-

Several of his ribs were broken.

"Lady Tsunade, please wait a moment!"

"Wait my ass!"

"Dare to lay a finger on my precious disciple?"

"I'll beat you so badly you can't take care of yourself!"

"Kushina, tie him up and bring him back!"

"yes!"

Diamond Lockdown.

The Vajra Chains bound Jiraiya in the ruins and brought him before Tsunade.

Jiraiya stared wide-eyed at the three people who had suddenly appeared in front of him.

"Minato...Kushina..."

"And...Tsunade?"

"you?"

His response was Tsunade's fist.

Yongdai shook her head helplessly and stopped trying to stop him, instead looking at Kakashi.

"Minato-sensei...actually, I also..."

"Kakashi, your situations are different."

......

On the other side, Naruto took out his shriveled little frog.

Temari was also holding a hairpin in her hand.

"Ahem... I'll send something even better next time."

If I remember correctly, my mom should have a lot of good stuff.

But now... it's awkward.

But just then, a red figure pounced over.

Looking down, he saw that the person in his arms was Karin, who had left with Eitai and Kushina last night.

"Master of the house~!"

Not far away, a woman with long red hair, whose appearance was somewhat similar to Xiang Lin, walked over.

Upon approaching Naruto, he respectfully greeted him softly:

"Greetings, Master of the Clan."

???

You're shouting like that...

Naruto gripped the little frog tightly, and I felt a little embarrassed.

I happened to be standing in front of a girl's jewelry store.

Also, the Uzumaki clan... they all seem to have verbal tics.

"A mere fox demon... what right does she have..."

Before the shop owner could finish speaking, Gaara appeared in front of Tsunade, his eyes filled with undisguised savagery.

"I don't want it anymore!"

Temari threw the hairpin back and quickly pulled Gaara away.

"Don't act impulsively."

Gaara will still listen to his sister.

Naruto sighed.

"Xianglin, you should take your mother home first. She shouldn't move around too much right now; she needs to rest and recuperate for a while."

As he spoke, Naruto looked at Karin's mother.

"Master, my name is Uzumaki Mina."

"Um... Mina, you should go back with Karin first. Your condition is still very bad."

Then, Naruto reached out and put his hand on her shoulder.

Amidst Mina's horrified gaze, she continuously received nourishment brimming with life force.

"Master... I understand. Karin, let's go back to see Lady Kushina and Lord Minato first."

"Naruto-nii-san, I'll head back now."

The atmosphere was clearly a bit off, so Karin couldn't linger too long by Naruto's side.

Naruto waved his hand and then turned to look at the shop owner.

The cold gaze made the shop owner take a few steps back.

How could Naruto not afford a few cheap things?

When it comes to money and such things, Nine-Tails might argue with him.

But it will never be like how it treated Kushina and Minato, where it was so stingy that it was almost impossible to give them anything.

"Kojiro, this shop... I don't want to see it still operating in Konoha."

"Also, we've investigated the assets controlled by those ninja clans. Go back and have everyone prepare to start harvesting from the edges."

Not far away was Kojiro, a ninja who had just been promoted to Special Jonin.

After hearing Naruto's voice in his mind, he quickly bowed to Naruto and then nodded emphatically.

The shop owner had no idea what his fate would be.

He watched Naruto's departing figure and sneered.

Clearly, these are villagers who were able to remain after several rounds of screening.

One by one won't work. Only by uprooting them all at once will they realize that their world has collapsed, they can't even save themselves, and it will be too late for regrets.

"Sigh... Oh well, more debts are never a bad thing."

Shaking his head, Naruto walked towards Gaara and Temari, who were waiting to the side.

He produced a gold and jade hairpin as if by magic.

"This one should look better, right?"

Temari paused for a moment, then asked cautiously, with a hint of surprise:

"Is this... for me?"

"Yes, this is more befitting of the daughter of the Wind Shadow."

Temari immediately smiled.

"Thank you, Naruto... It was really cool!"

After receiving the hairpin, she carefully put it away.

Naruto didn't know what to say.

...Four ponytails, it seems like there's no need for hairpins, right?

The three walked for a while.

Gaara suddenly said:

"You and I are the same kind. I saw hatred and curses in that person's eyes, so why can't I see hatred and anger in your eyes?"

Temari felt a chill run down her spine, and her gaze toward Naruto changed slightly.

"He's the same kind as Gaara... that can't be, right?"

Naruto laughed. "Would you feel hatred and anger towards a piece of trash who's about to die?"

This answer clearly surprised Gaara and Temari.

He will not die from this.

"Is death the most painful punishment?"

Gaara remained silent.

"But I didn't sense any emotional fluctuation in you... You and I are the same kind of people, so why you...?"

"Because I'm strong enough, and besides, Kurama is much better than Shukaku."

"As for temperament, my little fox is quite cute, but as for strength... well, to be honest, it is indeed a bit of a blow to the tailed beasts."

"Also...it seems only Shukaku knows ninjutsu...is it possible that the other tailed beasts don't need ninjutsu to enhance their attacks?"

ah--!!!

Shukaku, who originally didn't intend to pay any attention to his mortal enemy, the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, was now on the defensive.

Gaara narrowed his eyes slightly.

"One of these monsters is enough."

"Your existence makes me uneasy, I will kill you."

Gaara's killing intent erupted instantly.

"Heh, Shukaku, I think Naruto is right. Only the weak need ninjutsu, hmph!"

"Did I hear that right? That fox who thinks the more tails the stronger is, is actually on the same side as a Jinchūriki? That's hilarious!"

"That's true. A monster like you who doesn't even trust Jinchuriki is no match for us."

"What did you say?!"

However, the next moment, a red chakra claw gathered in front of Naruto's lower abdomen and grabbed Gaara.

But in an instant, Kurama's chakra hand disappeared again.

"you......"

"What do you mean, 'me'? Useless! I can do whatever I want now. Do you even know what my sealed space looks like?"

"You wouldn't understand even if I told you, you stinky cat from the sewers!"

Shukaku's defenses were completely breached.

The special connection between the tailed beasts told Shukaku that Kurama was telling the truth.

This is the fundamental reason why it broke through the defenses.

Gaara was stunned.

He had never seen the monster inside him suffer a defeat.

Temari was also the first to arrive between the two.

Naruto chuckled and said, "Then you guys go ahead and look around, I have something to do."

After saying that, he turned to leave.

"stop."

Gaara suddenly called out to him.

Naruto turned his head, still smiling.

However, his eyes were no longer so kind.

"Temari, the gift he gave you is quite valuable. Our Sunagakure is not the kind of village that only takes advantage of others."

I'm hungry.

Gaara's words startled Naruto.

Not to mention knowing his Temari.

However, to be fair, Konoha and Sunagakure are indeed places that produce many beautiful women and handsome men.

Don't let Chiyo's appearance fool you, she was a great beauty in her youth, so I'm giving her to you all.

They didn't refuse, and chose Choji's barbecue restaurant as the location.

During this time, Temari asked Naruto again if he had time that evening.

That's quite bold.

This person is different from Ino. Ino only dares to talk a big game, but is actually more timid than Hinata.

Gaara barely said a word during the meal.

Even at the moment of parting, he remained silent.

Naruto paused, looked at the two of them, and suddenly said:

"Your father, the Fourth Kazekage, is dead."

"My personal suggestion is that you try to get the position of the Fifth Kazekage."

"Furthermore, your Jonin instructor, Maki... do whatever he says. If you cooperate in this regard, Konoha and Sunagakure will remain allies after the plan is completed."

"You should know that the allies I'm talking about are not the kind that only take from us unilaterally."

After saying that, Naruto left.

Temari and Gaara stood there, stunned.

"Father...is he dead?"

Temari and Gaara exchanged a glance.

He then ignored the shocking but not saddening news.

"Naruto Uzumaki has no reason to lie to us."

After a long pause, Temari spoke slowly.

Gaara nodded slightly.

"The Fifth Kazekage... does he want me to try and win him over?"

"That's right. If that person dies, you are the most suitable candidate to be the Fifth Kazekage."

Seeing the trust in Temari's eyes, Gaara fell silent.

At that moment, Shukaku's voice echoed in my mind:

"oi~!"

"Kid, that kid doesn't seem to be lying."

"Judging from what that stinky fox said... that brat's strength has probably already surpassed yours."

"If you want to become the Kazekage... I can avoid causing you trouble, but I have one condition!"

Have you seen your older sister?

"In your human terms... she's fallen in love. Sending her there, getting information from the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki... I feel like that stinky fox is hiding a lot from me... Damn it, why did I let it pretend again!"

Gaara: "..."

He looked at his sister.

They noticed that Temari's gaze remained fixed on Naruto's back.

He reluctantly withdrew it only after Naruto had left.

"oi~!!"

"You brat!"

"I'm talking to you!"

"Did you hear me?!"

"Fine, fine... Don't even think about it tonight..."

Before Shukaku could finish speaking, Gaara replied in his mind:

"I heard you."

Inside the sealed space, Shukaku paused for a moment.

How long has it been...? This brat has finally responded to me.

"Hmph, now that you hear that, things will be much easier."

"To say yes or no is just a matter of one word!"

Gaara did not answer.

He glanced in the direction Naruto had left.

"Let's go, sister."

"Um."

"Um???"

Temari was stunned.

Watching Gaara's departing figure, her small mouth slightly agape.

Meanwhile, after Naruto left, he ran into the Third Hokage.

Naruto certainly wouldn't believe it was a coincidence.

"Naruto, you did a great job in the Chunin Exams."

Naruto remained expressionless.

"What's wrong? Did something upset you?"

The third generation still wore a kind smile on their face.

But upon closer inspection, one could see that his complexion was rather unpleasant.

However, it was caused by severe sleep deprivation.

Just then, a ninja ran over from not far away.

"Third Generation Leader, another batch of documents awaits your review!"

"Come back with me now!"

With that, he pulled the bear away.

Renkuang looked helpless; he had only just come out to steal a moment of peace!

After walking away, the ninja suddenly turned around, looked at Naruto, and his eyes were filled with an extremely ardent light.

"You are the only pillar of the village; without you, the village would hardly function!"

"So, please don't sneak out again next time!"

The ninja turned around and complained to the bear again.

Although he was happy to hear the other person's evaluation of him, Renxiong was already exhausted, both physically and mentally.

If this continues, I'm afraid I'll die in front of the Hokage's office sooner or later.

Naruto watched the other person walk away before his cold gaze slowly returned.

He no longer needs to act.

Many VIPs will be coming to Konoha in a month, and even if the Ninja Bear discovers something is wrong now, he won't have time to deal with it.

In fact, the ninja bear hadn't appeared in front of Naruto for a very, very long time.

I'm so busy every day that even my "live streaming gadget" is gathering dust.

......

night.

Temari let down her ponytail and, using the hairpin Naruto had given her, styled an unusual hairstyle.

She sat on a bench downstairs at the guesthouse, so nervous she could hear her own heartbeat.

Upstairs, Gaara kept watching his older sister.

Kankuro was fiddling with the puppets on the side.

After half an hour.

Temari's burning cheeks cooled down.

My heart rate has returned to normal.

Upstairs, Gaara's eyes turned somewhat cold.

Kankuro, exhausted from fiddling with the puppets, lay down on the bed and fell asleep without any regard for his image.

An hour later.

Temari glanced at the bustling street in the distance.

She lowered her head, not wanting anyone to see her face.

Upstairs, Gaara frowned deeply.

Fifteen minutes later, Temari suddenly stood up.

Gaara squinted his eyes, waved his hand, and threw the sleeping Kankuro out.

Gaara was about to turn back, trying not to let Temari notice that he had been watching.

But then they noticed a figure walking towards them.

I promise you.

Shukaku: "???"

Kid, are you sick in the head?

......

Neither Eiryu nor Kushina returned for the remainder of the time.

Tsunade returned in a huff the next day.

Without saying a word, he grabbed Naruto and took him to the kitchen.

Finally, they called back the three women, including Yuhiko, to drink with them.

Without saying what happened, she just had the girls keep her company while she drank alone.

After finishing his drink, he took over Naruto's bed...

Naruto suddenly understood why his mother had that kind of personality.

A month has passed just like that.

What's meant to happen will happen...

Nagata and Kushina also returned before the third exam.

Both of them looked rather grim.

The plans are all in place.

The only thing that didn't succeed was the ritual concerning the mask of death.

Naruto reassured them that he would try it himself after the plan was finalized, and repeatedly assured them that there would be no danger.

"Really... I wonder where Kurama has gone. He doesn't even care about his own yin half."

"Where has Tsunade gone too?"

"Did you know?"

Kurenai and Aoko quickly shook their heads.

"Shizune isn't here either... Oh well, Tsunade-neechan still knows how to be gentle."

"Naruto, did you see the clothes your mother knitted for you?"

Naruto blinked. "Are there any for me?"

He thought only girls had that.

"Honestly, I thought you already knew. It's been sitting under the cupboard for so long. Let me wash it for you first. Wear Mom's lovingly made outfit to the competition tomorrow."

As Kushina got up to go to Naruto's room, Kurenai and Anko immediately stood up and nervously pulled her back to sit down.

"Sister~" x2

"Naruto's been up to his old tricks again. A girl from Sunagakure came to our house the other day!"

"What?!"

"Naruto... when... did you get me pregnant?"

Everyone: "???"

......

The next day.

"Hey buddy, you can't slack off today!"

"Okay, okay, open the door!"

creak-

After the two gatekeepers of Konoha opened the gates of Konoha.

Before long, daimyo and ninja leaders from various countries filed in.

Some were riding in magnificent and luxurious sedan chairs.

Some also walked with a group of ninjas.

They wore all sorts of clothes, but without exception, their attire alone set them apart from ordinary people.

To show how much importance they attach to this competition.

Ninja Bear got up very early in the morning.

Despite having dark circles under his eyes, he personally greeted distinguished guests from all over the country in front of the examination hall.

Before long, the stands above the competition venue were filled with VIPs.

"Sister, aren't you coming to the game with Dad and me?"

"No, I have plans with Ino and the others~"

Hinata bent down and patted Hanabi's little head.

"Then my sister and I will go together! Let Dad go see it by himself!"

After saying that, he grabbed Hinata and rushed out of the Hyuga gate.

Ino and Sakura had been waiting outside the door for a while.

"They're out."

"Then let's go grab a good spot too."

"Mmm, you look very handsome today, darling~"

"what?"

"Hinata, who is this little kid?"

"I'm Hanabi~ She's my older sister~"

......

The sun rises.

The doors to the spectator stands for the third exam have opened.

Countless ninjas and civilians poured in.

After glancing around, Genma Shiranui pursed his lips and changed the direction of the toothpick.

"Have you all remembered your order of appearance?"