Naruto: The Nine-Tails' Legacy

As he spoke...

Kankurō deliberately released his killing intent, trying to intimidate the children before him.

"Konohamaru was the one who made the mistake first."

Hanabi showed no fear whatsoever.

"You could've scolded him."

"You could've punished him."

"But who gave you the right to insult Konoha?"

"Do you think no one in Konoha will stand up for us?"

Not only did Hanabi completely ignore the pressure from the older boy—who was nearly twice her size—

She instead radiated confidence herself.

Sensing Kankurō's hostility...

She calmly assumed the Hyūga Clan's standard Gentle Fist stance without the slightest hesitation.

"...So you weren't here to help me..."

Konohamaru, who had just climbed back to his feet, blushed in embarrassment.

"...Wait."

"What do you mean he could hit me or scold me all he wants?"

"I only bumped into him by accident!"

Then...

Summoning every ounce of courage he'd built up at the Ninja Academy...

He pointed at Kankurō.

"Besides!"

"I already apologized!"

"Why are you so petty?"

"I challenge you!"

"I haven't lost yet!"

Hanabi immediately retorted.

"I should be the one fighting next!"

"When did I lose?!"

Konohamaru protested.

"I just didn't fight back because I was the one at fault!"

"How was I supposed to know he'd be so unreasonable?!"

Watching the two children argue among themselves...

As though he didn't even exist...

Kankurō's anger exploded.

"One after another..."

"Are all Konoha brats this arrogant?"

"I hate little punks like you!"

"You're younger than me, yet you've got so much attitude."

"...Fine."

"You brought this on yourselves."

As he spoke...

He suddenly raised a hand.

Invisible chakra threads shot toward Konohamaru and Hanabi.

"Tch."

Temari frowned from behind him.

"So you're actually getting angry at little kids?"

She didn't intervene.

After all...

They were in Konoha on an important mission.

Surely Kankurō knew where to draw the line.

Then—

"Please stop."

In an instant...

Every one of Kankurō's chakra threads froze in midair.

His pupils contracted.

He stared in disbelief at the two fingers resting lightly against his arm.

Just a single touch...

Yet all of his chakra control had been completely disrupted.

Following those fingers...

He finally noticed someone standing beside him.

Someone who hadn't been there a moment ago.

Hinata Hyūga.

"...When did you—?!"

Temari's expression changed dramatically as well.

Neither she nor Kankurō had noticed when Hinata appeared between them.

Did we attract a Konoha chūnin... or even a jōnin?

This is bad...

We can't afford to attract attention.

Seeing the Konoha forehead protector around Hinata's neck...

Temari immediately explained,

"It's all a misunderstanding."

"We're genin from Sunagakure."

"We came to participate in the Chūnin Exams."

"...Mm."

Hinata withdrew her hand.

She politely nodded.

"I've been to the Land of Wind."

"I recognize your forehead protectors."

She paused.

"But..."

"That doesn't give you the right to bully children in Konoha."

"Big Sister!"

"Boss Hinata!"

Konohamaru, Hanabi, and the others all cried out happily.

Instead of smiling...

Hinata simply looked at them.

"You three aren't innocent either."

"You're usually far too mischievous."

Tch.

She's obviously taking Konoha's side...

Well... that's only natural.

It looks like they know each other.

Temari was just about to respond...

When Kankurō shouted first.

"Hey!"

"What did you do to my arm?"

"Just a small punishment."

Hinata answered calmly.

"It'll recover shortly."

"After all..."

"You were the one who attacked first."

By now...

Hinata had traveled all over the shinobi world alongside Naruto for nearly a year.

She naturally wouldn't lose her composure in front of outsiders.

Kankurō, however...

Was furious.

He immediately pulled the puppet from his back and slammed it onto the ground.

"Hey!"

"Kankurō!"

Temari was startled.

"Relax."

Kankurō sneered.

"Don't let that Body Flicker Technique scare you."

"Look at her."

"She's just a Konoha genin."

"But this isn't the place to use Karasu..."

Temari tried to stop him.

"..."

Seeing Kankurō enter a clear combat stance...

Hinata frowned.

She suddenly remembered something Naruto had once taught her.

"If someone shows hostility..."

"Don't hesitate."

"Go all out."

"Knock them down first."

...They already admitted it was just a misunderstanding.

Would crippling one of his arms be going too far...?

...Hm?

Suddenly...

Hinata's figure blurred.

She instantly retreated from the space between Temari and Kankurō.

Appearing in front of Hanabi and the others...

She raised an arm to shield the bewildered children behind her.

Then she stared ahead with complete vigilance.

"Hmph."

Kankurō grinned viciously.

"Realizing you're scared now is already—"

"Kankurō."

A cold...

Emotionless voice interrupted him.

"Stop."

Kankurō froze where he stood.

A chill ran down his spine.

"...G-Gaara!"

A young boy carrying an enormous gourd had somehow appeared between the siblings.

Slightly shorter than both Kankurō and Temari...

He now stood exactly where Hinata had been moments earlier.

"...Gaara..."

"I'm sorry..."

Even Temari hurriedly began explaining.

Gaara paid neither of them any attention.

His puppet-like gaze slowly shifted toward Hinata.

She noticed me before I arrived...?

...Or had she known I was there from the beginning?

"We caused trouble for Konoha."

Gaara spoke calmly.

"I apologize on behalf of this idiot."

Although he apologized...

His completely emotionless voice carried no hint of sincerity whatsoever.

"...He's scary..."

Konohamaru swallowed nervously behind Hinata.

Ever since Gaara appeared...

Even he could instinctively feel the terrifying danger surrounding the boy.

He barely dared speak above a whisper.

"What a coward."

Hanabi rolled her eyes.

Big Sister's here.

What could possibly happen?

"There's no need."

Hinata answered politely.

"From what I heard..."

"It seems our side should apologize first."

Even so...

She never lowered her guard.

During the past year's missions with Naruto...

She had encountered many dangerous people.

She could already distinguish genuine hostility...

And killing intent.

This boy called Gaara...

Was clearly still radiating dangerous intent...

Even while apologizing.

Gaara's lifeless eyes remained fixed on Hinata's Byakugan.

After a long silence...

He spoke.

"...You've caught my interest."

"Will you also participate in this Chūnin Exam?"

"...What's your name?"

"...Whoa!"

Konohamaru's eyes widened.

"He actually dares flirt with Boss Hinata!"

"He's got some nerve!"

"I'm telling Big Brother Naruto!"

"Shut up."

Hanabi interrupted him immediately.

Though...

She herself looked at Gaara with obvious displeasure.

How dare he flirt with my sister?

"Konoha Genin."

Hinata answered calmly.

"Hyūga Hinata."

She didn't interpret his question as friendliness.

If anything...

It sounded more like a hunter taking interest in potential prey.

Still...

She had no intention of backing down.

The instant Gaara heard her answer...

His eyes widened violently.

"...Hyūga..."

"...Hinata?"

"...Hyūga Hinata?!"

His expression instantly lost control.

He clutched his head and dropped into a crouch.

The sand around him began floating uncontrollably.

His face twisted in obvious pain.

"...Hyūga Hinata..."

"...Hyūga..."

"...?!"

"...?"

Not only Hinata...

Even Kankurō and Temari were stunned.

What had happened to Gaara?

The siblings exchanged glances.

Both reached the same conclusion immediately.

...This looks exactly like Shukaku is about to lose control.

"Hey!"

Kankurō shouted angrily at Hinata.

"What did you do to him?!"

Before Hinata could respond...

Temari had already grabbed Gaara's arm.

"Forget everything else!"

"Hurry!"

"We need to take Gaara to Teacher Baki!"

Watching the three Sand shinobi abruptly leave in such a panic...

Hinata blinked in confusion.

"...I didn't do anything."

Nearby...

Leaning quietly against a tree...

Neji looked up at the sky.

He had arrived only moments after Hinata.

Who would've thought...

He wouldn't even get a chance to make an entrance.