On the third day of the Chūnin Exams, Kurotsuchi's team was on the hunt for a new hiding spot and much-needed supplies. However, after two days of struggle, their stockpile was running low, and their search had yielded nothing so far.
"Wait, there's fighting ahead," Karin suddenly stopped, her gaze snapping toward the northern direction.
"How many people?" Kurotsuchi asked.
"Two teams—six people in total," Karin replied, her tone filled with disbelief. "Their chakra levels are all high, on par with ours."
"So they're strong. Interesting," Kurotsuchi mused.
"Let's check it out," Suigetsu said with a grin, adjusting the massive blade on his back. "We're ahead of schedule anyway. Sniping a few strong teams and eliminating some competition wouldn't hurt, right?" His excitement betrayed his love for combat, but his reasoning was sound.
Kurotsuchi nodded. "Stick close to me. I'll use Earth Release to sneak us in quietly."
Meanwhile, the two clashing teams were none other than Temari, Kankurō, and Gaara versus Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee.
"Rotation!" Neji called out as he deflected the combined assault from Temari and Kankurō.
Compared to their opponents, Neji's team was struggling. Rock Lee, even after removing his weights, was only at the level of an average Chūnin. Tenten, unfortunately, had fared worse—after her family went bankrupt, she could no longer afford ninja tools, rendering her a liability in battle.
On the other hand, the Suna trio were far from ordinary. All three were elite Chūnin-level shinobi, with Kankurō's three puppets giving him strength rivaling a Jōnin. It was no surprise that they were dominating the fight.
Neji frowned, his Byakugan catching something interesting: another team lurking in the shadows, clearly waiting for the perfect moment to swoop in and claim the spoils.
An idea formed in his mind.
"We surrender!" Neji suddenly declared, tossing out three map scrolls. With the Byakugan's unique advantage, he had ensured the scrolls were useless decoys.
"What?!" Kankurō's eyes widened. "You think surrendering will save you?" His voice dripped with venom, his puppets ready to strike again.
"Kankurō, stop," Gaara interjected. His tone was calm, but his eyes carried a quiet intensity.
"How can you say that, Gaara? These Konoha shinobi are complicit in everything that's happened to Sunagakure!" Kankurō's voice broke into a furious shout. Temari's gaze was equally fierce, her fan already poised to attack.
The mention of Danzo's name made Neji's expression tighten. He was no stranger to the depths of that man's schemes. If Danzo had wronged the Hyūga Clan, he could only imagine the horrors inflicted upon Sunagakure.
Neji gestured subtly to his teammates. "Lee, protect Tenten. We'll retreat when we find an opening."
"I'll stay behind and cover your escape!" Lee stepped forward, determination blazing in his eyes as he began unwinding the bandages around his fists.
"No, Lee, don't—"
Before their argument could escalate, Gaara stepped between his siblings and the Konoha trio. Bowing deeply, he said, "Please, stop this. Temari. Kankurō." His voice softened as he looked at them.
Their eyes widened at the rare vulnerability in his voice.
"This hatred has to end," Gaara pleaded. "Danzo will answer for his crimes, but don't let it consume you. I beg you, let them go."
After a tense silence, Kankurō clicked his tongue, recalling his puppets.
"Fine. Get out of here before I change my mind."
Neji didn't waste the opportunity.
"Move!" he ordered, and the three quickly fled. As they vanished into the forest, Neji couldn't help but glance back.
That boy... Gaara, was it? His actions felt strangely earnest. Was this mercy a stroke of luck? No. Everything was just a piece of the larger game.
Neji shook off the thought. "We're not sticking around to play the fisherman. Let's keep moving."
Once the Konoha team was gone, Kankurō bent down to retrieve the scrolls.
"Three scrolls. Not bad."
Temari crossed her arms. "This is pointless if you're really planning on leaving Suna for Amegakure. Why bother collecting these?"
"Backup plans," Kankurō said nonchalantly. "If the defection doesn't work out, these will give us leverage when Sunagakure negotiates for territory."
As they discussed, a new voice cut through the tension.
"Looks like you've had some fun already," Kurotsuchi stepped into view, followed closely by her teammates.
Kankurō frowned. "You again?"
"I'm here for you," Kurotsuchi smirked, pointing directly at him. "Let's settle the score from last time."
"Tch," Kankurō muttered. "So this is about that thing with Deidara. Seriously? I already got scolded for it!"
"Not good enough," Kurotsuchi said, cracking her knuckles.
Suigetsu perked up. "Need some help? I've been itching for a fight."
"No," Kurotsuchi snapped, glaring at him. "This one's mine."
With a sigh, Suigetsu slouched against a tree. "Fine, fine. Just don't take forever."
"Careful," Kankurō smirked, manipulating his puppet with deft chakra strings. "Crow doesn't play fair."
"We'll see about that!" Kurotsuchi grinned. "Earth Release!"
The ground beneath Kankurō split open, forcing him to leap into the air. Crow's mouth opened, firing a hail of poisoned needles.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!" A rocky barrier rose to intercept the attack, but it was promptly sliced apart by Crow's concealed blades.
As Kankurō moved in for the kill, Kurotsuchi's Earth Clone crumbled under the assault. The real Kurotsuchi emerged from the shadows, delivering a punch that sent Kankurō sprawling.
"Ow..." Kankurō groaned, sprawled on the ground. "Alright, I give up. You're scary, you know that?"
"You're making me sound unreasonable," Kurotsuchi pouted, hands on her hips.
"Maybe because you are," Suigetsu muttered under his breath.
"Suigetsu!" Kurotsuchi barked, silencing him with a glare.
Before their banter could continue, Karin gasped, drawing everyone's attention.
"Someone's coming," she whispered, her voice urgent. "Their chakra... it's Jōnin level. Get ready!"
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
Fanfic is finished on Patreon (241 chapters in total.)
Patreon(.)com/Jixo (for only $4.50, read this entire fanfic)