Naruto: Zanka No Tachi

Halfway through the three-day survival test of the Chunin Exams' second round, Team Naruto was leisurely strolling through the Death Forest.

"Aren't there any stronger opponents? Is Naruto-sama already invincible?" Naruto asked, juggling three scrolls.

Their strength made them formidable opponents. Aside from Yakumo Kurama and her unparalleled genjutsu, few genin teams could match them.

"There are strong opponents. We haven't met the other major villages' teams yet; we can't be careless," Sasuke said, hands in his pockets, a smirk playing on his lips. Despite his words, he was clearly confident.

Yota stopped, made a hand seal, and frowned.

"What? Did you find an enemy?" Sasuke asked. Yota was in charge of reconnaissance. His wind-based kekkei genkai allowed wide-area detection of chakra fluctuations.

Yota nodded, "Yes, a battle is occurring. The chakra feels familiar—it's Kiba's team. They're facing a strong enemy."

Naruto, excited, stopped juggling the scrolls. "Which direction? Let's help them!"

Yota pointed; Naruto shouted and charged off. Sasuke and Yota followed.

In the indicated direction, Kiba, Hinata, and Shino faced three Sunagakure ninjas: Gaara, Temari, and Kankurō. Nine other genin from various smaller villages lay dead, covered in sand and blood—clearly Gaara's handiwork.

Gaara, eyes bloodshot, looked at Hinata and the others with a bloodthirsty gleam. He was enjoying the killing and wanted to kill everything in sight.

"Gaara, we have the scrolls; don't cause more trouble," Temari said.

"Yeah, Gaara, let's go to the assembly point," Kankurō added.

Gaara ignored them, angrily telling them to shut up.

Yusuke and Minato, watching on a monitor, saw this. A camera was nearby.

"This boy's killing intent is too strong. This twisted personality isn't suitable for a ninja,"

Minato frowned. While ruthless in battle, he was kind and hated senseless killing. He worried about Hinata, Kiba, and Shino.

Gaara's eyes flashed; he sent a massive amount of sand towards them. They had almost no room to dodge.

"Rotation!"

"Fang Passing Fang!"

Hinata and Kiba used their techniques to defend. Hinata's Rotation repelled some sand, but more came. Kiba's Fang Passing Fang turned him into a whirlwind, attempting to break through. Gaara anticipated this; he used chakra from his gourd to reinforce the sand, foiling Kiba's plan.

As the sand threatened to engulf them, Hinata, Kiba, and Shino looked terrified and desperate.

Then, a sudden gust of wind and rain struck Gaara's sand. The sand stopped, unable to advance. Hinata, Kiba, and Shino escaped, relieved.

"The sky was clear; where did that storm come from?"

Everyone, drenched, wondered the same thing.

"Kiba, Shino, Hinata, don't worry! Your genius savior is here!"

Naruto jumped out, Sasuke and Yota behind him.

Kiba retorted, while Hinata blushed.

"That shorty," Kankurō said, recognizing Naruto. Temari and Kankurō also recognized Sasuke and Yota.

"That storm was his teammate with brown hair. He's Yota; he has a weather-controlling kekkei genkai,"

Temari said gravely. These genin weren't easy opponents; this encounter wouldn't end easily.

"Their blood is valuable," Gaara said, laughing maniacally. His eyes were bloodshot; he clutched his head, seemingly excited and pained.

Temari knew he was having an episode. An outburst here would cause chaos.

"Kankurō!"

Temari shouted. Kankurō understood; he used a strong bandage to restrain Gaara, then carried him away. Temari used her fan to create a gust of wind towards Naruto and then followed.

Naruto looked disappointed and smug. He wanted to show off, but his opponents fled.

Minato breathed a sigh of relief; when Naruto arrived, he knew the team was safe.

"Sunagakure's team could have fought Naruto's team. That disturbed boy is strong, yet they retreated," Minato mused.

Yusuke knew the reason. Temari and Kankurō feared Gaara losing control and causing chaos. But this raised Yusuke's suspicions.

"No Otogakure ninjas appeared; Sunagakure wouldn't attack Konoha."

"But why bring the unstable Gaara? Is it just for a good ranking?"

Yusuke decided to have the Military Police and Anbu monitor Sunagakure, just in case.

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