Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

"Naruto, why are you overthinking? Strength is what matters most."

Kiba said, trying to advise him.

Hearing this, Naruto was speechless.

At this moment, Kiba clearly had the mentality of a child and didn't understand the deeper layers of relationships between men and women.

'No wonder Kiba always came off as a little immature in the original work. Sigh...'

"Forget it, there are so many girls, why am I even asking you?"

Naruto shook his head helplessly, pulling Kiba to the side and walked to the front of Team 8 alone.

"You're Naruto from Team 7, right? Did Kakashi come back?"

Kurenai asked first.

"Yeah, we just got back today. Hey, Kurenai-sensei, does Team 8 still have open spots?" Naruto asked with a mischievous grin.

"Why are you asking that?" Kurenai was puzzled.

Naruto grinned wider, "With someone as beautiful as you and the cute Hinata in your team, who wouldn't want to join? Going on missions with you guys, it'd be so cool."

"Your little mouth is pretty sweet."

Kurenai covered her mouth and chuckled, "I'd actually love it if you were in our team. Having a handsome guy like you on our side would be much better than taking Kiba and Shino on missions."

"Haha!"

Naruto's mood instantly lifted.

On the other hand, Kiba and Shino both hung their heads, looking like defeated roosters.

"By the way, Hinata, how do you think I compare to Sasuke?" Naruto turned to Hinata.

Hinata's face turned a deep shade of red, and she shyly lowered her head, nervously fiddling with her fingers, looking incredibly cute.

"N-Naruto-kun, you're the most handsome."

Her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, and after saying that, she quickly turned and ran off.

Looking at her reaction, Naruto couldn't help but smile, 'As expected, compared to Sakura, Hinata is far more adorable.'

However, before he could chase after her, Hinata suddenly bumped into something and fell.

"That hurts! Watch where you're going!"

A scolding came from in front of Hinata.

Hinata immediately scrambled up and apologized, "I'm sorry, I wasn't looking. Are you okay?"

The other party sneered, "Well, you're a polite girl, but a mistake is a mistake. Apologizing doesn't change anything!"

As he spoke, he reached out to grab Hinata by the collar.

"Stop! You'll get in trouble!"

The woman standing next to the man warned.

"Trouble? You think I care about that?" The man scoffed and was about to pull Hinata.

Naruto was quick to react and closed the distance between them in an instant, his eyes locked on the two figures.

The man who Hinata had collided with was wearing a black bodysuit, and there was a fully bandaged puppet strapped to his back, with purple markings on his face.

The woman with him wore a white mesh outfit and carried a large fan on her back. Her blonde hair was styled into four playful braids, giving her a cute appearance.

Judging from the forehead protectors they are wearing, they are undoubtedly Shinobi from Sunagakure.

They were none other than Kankuro and Temari!

Seeing them here was no coincidence. Naruto quickly deduced that the Chunin Exams were about to begin.

He had lost so much time in the Land of Waves that it had caused him to return just in time for the Chunin Exams. He didn't mind this at all, as it meant he could take part. However, his focus right now was on Hinata.

"Hinata, are you okay?"

Coming in front of Hinata, Naruto asked with concern.

"I'm okay, Naruto-kun." Hinata shook her head, her face filled with nervousness.

"Good to hear. Just go back to Kurenai-sensei and the others first. I've got this. Don't worry."

As he said that, Naruto positioned himself protectively in front of Hinata.

Before Hinata could say anything else, Kankuro said coldly, "Humph, so this is what Konoha's Genin are like? Before those annoying people show up, I'll have some fun with you!"

"You jerk! How dare you bully Hinata!" Kiba growled, charging forward.

Kankuro smiled coldly and his fingers moved slightly.

At the next moment, Kiba felt something coil around his leg, causing him to stumble and land in a rather undignified heap on the ground.

"What was that just now?"

Kiba's expression changed. After all, the unknown is often the scariest thing.

"Huh? It turns out that Konoha's Genin is so weak."

Kankuro sneered.

Kiba scrambled to his feet and roared, "I don't care who you are! If you disrespect anyone from Team 8, you're going to regret it!"

"You're really getting on my nerves!"

Kankuro showed a malicious smile and clenched his fists, saying, "I hate bratty kids like you. Acting all high and mighty, even though you're younger than me… makes me want to crush you!"

"Oh, I don't care." Temari shook her head helplessly.

She knew exactly what Kankuro meant. The brat he wanted to destroy was not just Kiba, but also Gaara!

"I'll deal with this little girl, and then I'll deal with you!"

Kankuro sneered, reaching once more for Hinata.

Bang!

With a loud crash, Kankuro was sent flying several meters back, smashing into a large tree and leaving a noticeable dent in the trunk.

"Cough cough!"

Kankuro couldn't help but cough violently, and blood spurted out of his mouth.

"What's wrong with you, brat?" Kankuro glared ahead, squinting through the pain.

The one who had attacked him was none other than Naruto!

"Who gave you permission to lay a hand on Hinata? Make another move, and I'll take your head!" Naruto said coldly.

Not to mention that Hinata has already apologized, even if Hinata hadn't apologized, he would not allow anyone to be rude to Hinata.

He doesn't know how Kankuro could have the heart to bully such a cute girl!

Right now, Kankuro had crossed Naruto's line!

"Another annoying little brat!"

Kankuro staggered to his feet, his eyes dark with resentment.

"Fine, I'll take care of you first! I hate little punks who only know how to talk big!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Kankuro swung his hand, releasing a flurry of bandages.

Seeing this, Temari's expression changed slightly: "Hey, is using Karasu really necessary?"

Kankuro snorted coldly, and his puppet stood ready on the ground. However, just as he prepared to attack, a voice interrupted him.

"Kankuro, stand down! You're embarrassing the village!"

Kankuro shuddered and looked up at the tree.

There, a person hanging upside down on the tree, with his feet clinging to the branch with Chakra, which looked very cool.

He wore a black mesh outfit and carried a large gourd that was nearly as tall as he was. Beneath his bright red hair, his eyes bore dark rings, giving him an intense gaze. On his forehead, the kanji for 'love' was engraved.

In the entire Naruto world, the only person who possesses so many unique traits is Gaara!

"Ga-Gaara…" Kankuro's anger faded, replaced by a sheepish grin.

He quickly tried to defend himself, "Listen, listen to me, Gaara, these guys were the first to cause trouble."

"Shut up!"

Gaara replied calmly.

But just that one command sent Kankuro into a cold sweat, his expression visibly tense.

"I'll kill you!"

Gaara narrowed his eyes slightly and said the most horrifying words in the calmest tone.

"R-right. S-sorry, I'm really sorry!" Kankuro stammered, panicking to the extreme.

Although Temari didn't say anything, her face was also full of nervousness, fearing that Gaara would snap.

Seeing the two are behaving, Gaara turned his head to look at Naruto and the others and said calmly: "I apologize on their behalf."

Hearing this, Naruto waved his hand dismissively, "Since you've apologized, let's just forget about it."

He hadn't noticed from watching anime, but Gaara was actually so polite.

'Well… at least he's better than Sasuke's Chuunibyou character.'

'It's just that the dark circles under his eyes are too heavy… someone really needed to help him with that.'