Compared to the ashen-faced Gekko Hayate, Shiranui Genma had a noticeably shorter fuse.
Daimaru looked up to survey the stands. The Daimyos and nobles of various countries had already arrived, and ceremonial socializing was taking place everywhere. There were also broker ninjas waiting for this exact moment to manipulate bets and make a fortune; like filthy hyenas, they scanned their surroundings, searching for easy marks.
On the high chairman's platform opposite them, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had long since arrived, but the seat reserved for the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, remained empty.
"Isn't it almost time? There are still candidates missing! Are Konoha ninja always this unpunctual?"
Daimaru looked over at Hyuga Neji and Aburame Shino, who were waiting quietly.
"Do not mistake the quality of those rookie Genin for the average standard of Konoha ninja," Hyuga Neji replied calmly, glancing at the Sand Ninja puppeteer who had eliminated his teammate, Rock Lee.
Aburame Shino, whose presence was barely noticeable, also spoke up in defense: "Even among the rookies, Naruto does not represent us. As for Sasuke, he will definitely arrive in time..."
No sooner had the words fallen than a blonde boy in a yellow outfit sprinted into the arena and executed a spectacular face-plant slide. After skidding for more than ten meters, he came to a stop right at Daimaru's feet.
"Well... that entrance was certainly original. When it comes to attracting attention, I really have a long way to go..."
As he spoke, Daimaru extended his right hand and pulled the somewhat dazed Uzumaki Naruto to his feet.
"To make such a fool of yourself under the watchful eyes of the crowd without changing expression... young man, I have high hopes for you..."
"Haha, really? Thanks a lot! I'm not that great!"
Seeming completely oblivious to the sarcasm in Daimaru's voice, Uzumaki Naruto laughed exaggeratedly and patted the dust off his clothes. Just as he was about to make a humble remark, he saw Daimaru turn away, take out a tissue, and vigorously wipe the hand that had just touched Naruto. He scrubbed hard, then discarded the tissue with a look of disgust, as if he had touched something revolting and couldn't get away fast enough.
"Hey! You jerk, do you think I'm dirty? I take a bath every day and wash my hands carefully after using the toilet! Is that really necessary?"
"Did you say something?" Daimaru turned his head, looking puzzled as he asked the shouting Uzumaki Naruto.
"Don't ignore me, you bastard!"
"Quiet down. Watch your image!" Shiranui Genma suddenly spoke up to stop the blonde boy's antics. "Today, you are the stars of the show. Everyone is watching! Stop messing around, puff out your chests, and face the audience!"
Seven of the eight Genin candidates had arrived, and waves of cheers erupted from the stands.
Uzumaki Naruto, for whom attracting attention usually meant nothing good, heard the crowd's expectations and encouragement directed at him for the first time. Most of his classmates, who had been eliminated earlier, were in the stands. Hyuga Hinata, who had just parted ways with him, also walked into the venue trailing behind Inuzuka Kiba.
This was the first time he could display his strength to others in public. Uzumaki Naruto, who had endured years of insults and ostracism, was momentarily stunned.
Just thinking about being judged by these potato-like people makes it hard to be happy, for some reason.
Daimaru took a deep breath, pulled out a kunai, and used the reflection on its polished edge to tidy his sideburns.
"What do you think of my new hairstyle? I grew my hair out for a month just to give the stylist more options! It took over an hour to get it right yesterday..."
He had stopped using the head wrap common among Sand Ninja a long time ago. His originally messy short hair had grown long enough to resemble a bird's nest, and it wasn't until yesterday that he finally made up his mind to get it properly groomed.
To his right, Gaara stood motionless, lost in thought and completely ignoring Daimaru.
To his left, Kankuro spoke grumpily: "I've wanted to say this for a while—your face really doesn't match such a flashy hairstyle."
"How is that possible? My old buzz cut and spiky hair suited me well enough, but they weren't domineering at all. With this look, one glance tells you I'm not some mob character who doesn't even deserve a name..."
"That really is some baffling confidence..." Kankuro sighed helplessly. "Also, what's with the inexplicable slight curl at the tips?"
"Actually, I have naturally curly hair. You couldn't tell when it was short, but after it grew out, I had to spend time straightening it every day. It's quite a hassle."
"You're actually willing to spend time on such boring things?"
"How can it be boring? This is very important!"
It was so strange; he had spent so long on this hairstyle, yet after nearly a day, no one had complimented it. The scattered bangs just brushing his eyebrows and the slightly long, messy curls looked like brown flames flickering in a breeze.
With sunglasses and headphones, and a change of hair color, he would be the Ninja World's version of Kawakami Bansai. When Daimaru entered the salon, he had immediately set his sights on that favorite look in the display window and paid a heavy price to achieve it.
"Temari, look, isn't it nice? It perfectly displays the martial soul of a man that I just can't hide!"
Temari turned her head away and said coldly, "The hairstyle is nice, but paired with your face, you just look like a comic relief character. Also, I think what you need isn't a 'man's martial soul,' but a sense of shame."
"No way? I thought it looked pretty good..."
The Ninja World's aesthetic standards must be flawed. When Daimaru rose to prominence, he would definitely turn everyone's views around. Successful people were beyond reproach; that was a universal truth. By then, even his farts would probably be praised as fragrant.
Uzumaki Naruto looked at the sullen Daimaru with a face full of disdain, covered his mouth, and whispered to Aburame Shino, "Is that arrogant Sand Ninja puppeteer just a gag character? He feels so different from before..."
"I don't know. I'm not close to him!"
"Fine! Then do you know why Sasuke isn't here? Or Kabuto-senpai..."
"The person here most familiar with them is you..."
If Uzumaki Naruto, as a teammate and acquaintance, didn't know, how would anyone else?
At that moment, on the chairman's platform, the belated "Fourth Kazekage" took his seat. Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up, said a few simple words, and announced the official start of the third test of the Chunin Exam.
Shiranui Genma announced the new match bracket on the spot, removing Yakushi Kabuto's name. He kept Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuga Neji for the first round and sent the others to the waiting room.
-----
Read up to 20 advanced chapters on my P@treon.
[email protected]/fanfictionsimp