Bab 79: Chapter 79: The Bustling Village of Konoha
"How come you have time to come and visit me, an old man like this!"
On the rooftop of the Hokage building.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, rarely left his office, but today, he stood on the rooftop, looking out over the entire village of Konoha.
Beside him was a man with white hair.
This man was none other than Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin.
On the eve of the Chunin Exams, Jiraiya had returned to Konoha.
He had already met with Naruto and taught him the Summoning Jutsu.
Today, he came to visit the Third Hokage and to warn him about some things.
"I haven't been back in a long time! I thought I'd stop by and say hello!"
"Idiot, I already knew you were back a long time ago!"
Upon hearing this, Jiraiya smiled and gave the Third Hokage a mischievous look.
"I know, your technique allows you to see all of Konoha at any time, anywhere!"
"So, how's that? Haven't you been watching the women's bathhouses in Konoha all these years?"
"Cough, cough, cough!"
The Third Hokage coughed a few times. "How could I, the illustrious Third Hokage, do something like that?!"
"Is that so? Old man, you look weaker and weaker. Maybe you still have a bit of it left!"
"You talk too much!"
Saying this, the Third Hokage's expression became serious. "How's Naruto doing?"
Upon hearing this, Jiraiya nodded. "He's a good kid! Very talented too!"
Speaking of talent, the Third Hokage wanted to bring up something about Sasuke Uchiha.
But Jiraiya had already noticed Sasuke.
"Old man, heaven is really favoring Konoha this generation!"
"Naruto's talent is good, but it seems there's an even more talented kid than him!"
"Too bad, though—he seems to be from the Uchiha clan!"
Saying this, Jiraiya glanced at the Third Hokage. This time, the Third Hokage looked somewhat displeased.
"What's wrong with being from the Uchiha clan?"
Seeing this, Jiraiya felt more at ease. He had been worried that the Third Hokage might overlook such a promising talent because of his background.
"Kakashi told me that Sasuke Uchiha's talent is probably unparalleled!"
"Even in the era of war, Sasuke Uchiha would definitely stand out easily!"
Saying this, Jiraiya turned around and patted the Third Hokage on the shoulder.
"Since Konoha has such a genius, old man, don't let this opportunity slip by!"
"I don't need you to remind me!"
The Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe. "After the Chunin Exams, I've decided to take him as my disciple!"
He paused for a moment. "Since Naruto is also a good kid, I might as well take him as well!"
"The future of Konoha might just be in the hands of these two kids!"
After saying that, the Third Hokage looked at Jiraiya again. "Since you're back, don't leave again! Konoha is short on manpower."
Jiraiya smiled. "Has Konoha ever had enough manpower?"
"I still have my own mission to complete, old man. But this time, I want to warn you: while I was investigating some matters, I found traces of Orochimaru!"
"Recently, Orochimaru is likely planning something during the Chunin Exams, trying to stir up trouble in Konoha!"
Speaking of Orochimaru, the Third Hokage's expression changed drastically.
"Don't worry! That guy can't stir up any trouble while I'm around!"
Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen seemingly unconcerned about Orochimaru, Jiraiya silently sighed.
This was exactly what he had been worried about!
Only one day remained until the Chunin Exams.
At this moment.
Naruto and Sakura were having a friendly conversation somewhere in Konoha.
Just then, a very arrogant person appeared, provocatively challenging them.
"Is this what Konoha's ninjas are like? Doesn't look too impressive!"
"Just like idiots."
"Idiots?"
Naruto turned to look at the person who appeared at the intersection.
"Who the hell are you calling an idiot?!"
"Of course, I'm talking about you, Konoha ninjas!"
After carefully looking at the person's forehead protector, Naruto froze for a moment.
This person wasn't from Konoha?
"Sunagakure? Are you here for the Chunin Exams?"
In the original story, Naruto and his friends were notified at the last minute to participate in the Chunin Exams, but now Kakashi had already told them.
And he had advised them to make the most of their time to train.
"Didn't your teacher tell you? When you come to Konoha for the Chunin Exams, you should have some manners!"
"Are all Sunagakure ninjas as arrogant and overbearing as you?"
The person provoking Naruto wasn't anyone else but Kankuro!
Naruto's words really pissed Kankuro off.
How dare an idiot talk to him like that?
Immediately, Kankuro is expression became much darker.
Naruto, however, didn't back down and stared right back at him. Naruto had become much stronger compared to the original story.
His aura wasn't something Kankuro could easily intimidate.
Bam!
The two suddenly rushed at each other at the same time.
Their elbows collided mid-air with a loud crashing sound.
At that moment, Kankuro was a little surprised.
"So much strength, a ninja specializing in taijutsu?"
Kankuro retreated.
He prepared to pull out his puppets.
However, the next second, a voice stopped him.
"Enough, Kankuro!"
Naruto and Sakura looked up at the person in the tree.
A strange person carrying a gourd on his back.
It was Gaara, the famed "Hokage Gourd Kid."
However, Gaara looked at Naruto and Sakura and suddenly spoke a name that both of them found very surprising.
"Sasuke Uchiha… Konoha ninja… Team 7's ninja, do you know him?"
"Huh?"
Naruto and Sakura were stunned. Why was this guy asking about Sasuke right off the bat?
At this moment, Temari's voice sounded.
"Gaara, didn't you forget? These two seem to be lower-ranked ninjas from Team 7 as well. One is named Naruto, and the other is Sakura Haruno!"
Gaara continued to observe Naruto and Sakura expressionlessly.
"The only one worth remembering is Sasuke Uchiha. I don't have any impression of these two."
Although they didn't understand what was going on, Naruto and Sakura were starting to get angry.
What does this mean?
Does this guy think so little of them?
Being part of Team 7, this guy clearly had access to information about Team 7.
Even though Sasuke was strong, for him to only remember Sasuke and not them was too infuriating.
Was he this arrogant?
"Sasuke Uchiha is your teammate, right?"
Gaara asked again.
Naruto couldn't hold back and said, "So what?"
Gaara suddenly smiled. "Nothing much. Just tell him this."
"What?"
"I want his head."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone