Gaara's expression instantly shifted to one of profound caution.
To cut through Kankurō's advanced puppet with such ease... Was it just the sword?
Gaara glanced at the sharp blade in Sasuke's hand. Though it appeared to be merely a high-quality katana, he quickly dismissed the idea. From the brief, violent exchange, the speed and striking force exerted by Sasuke were far beyond the level of a Chūnin.
Gaara's gaze fell upon Kankurō, who remained bewildered, staring at the scattered wreckage. Gaara frowned and commanded:
"Get up. How long do you intend to disgrace the village?"
Though his tone was flat, Kankurō's body subtly trembled. Despite his grief for his damaged puppet, he quickly scrambled to his feet.
"G-Gaara." Kankurō looked at his teammate, sweat beading on his forehead. "L-Listen, without my puppet, I can't—"
"Shut up!" Gaara snapped.
His tone carried a distinct edge of killing intent, completely devoid of team camaraderie.
Kankurō flinched again, lowering his head, not daring to utter another word.
"Gaara..."
Temari's forehead was also covered in cold sweat.
Sasuke's brow furrowed slightly. As comrades, the level of terror these two felt toward Gaara seemed excessive.
He took a long look at the Sand Shinobi, then shook his head, as if he had lost all interest, and turned his attention back to Hyūga Neji.
Suddenly, he raised the sharp sword in his hand.
"We will participate in the Chūnin Exams," Sasuke declared, a ferocious fighting spirit surging in his eyes as he met Neji's gaze. "But, I am very curious about your current strength."
As his words concluded, he took a step, and his body instantaneously appeared before Neji. Gripping the sword with both hands, he brought it down in a powerful, vertical cleave.
The Azure Edge Sword let out a piercing, hungry hum.
Bang—!
A deafening collision roared through the alley, accompanied by strong shockwaves of displaced air.
Neji, astonishingly, used his bare hands to firmly clamp down on Sasuke's long sword!
"What kind of... monster is this?" Temari clenched her fists, staring at the cracked paving stones beneath the two combatants, murmuring in stunned disbelief.
Were these truly Genin? Were they genuinely their peers?
Or was this... the terrifying standard of the Leaf Village's rising generation?
Kankurō involuntarily stumbled backward several steps, the sweat on his forehead completely uncontrolled. If that attack had been aimed at him, he would likely have been bisected by now.
These two Genin hadn't even utilized a single Ninjutsu. Their sheer taijutsu power had reached this unbelievable level.
"This level of shallow probing is unnecessary."
Neji's voice was calm, and then, he abruptly opened his eyes.
—Byakugan!
The veins around his eyes bulged as he meticulously examined Sasuke, searching for any energy signature within his body that was distinct from normal Chakra.
"You're absolutely correct."
Sasuke twisted his grip on the sword. As Neji released his hold, Sasuke retreated instantly.
His own eyes had already transformed into a vivid crimson.
—Sharingan!
He was also intent on observing what series of Jars the Hyūga had opened, and what power he currently wielded.
The auras of the two rivals began to visibly condense, their fighting spirits intensifying into a physical pressure.
"Byakugan... Sharingan." Temari swallowed hard, staring at the eyes of the two Konoha shinobi. "They are from the two strongest bloodline limit clans in the Leaf Village!"
Only then did she realize that Neji had addressed the black-haired youth as Uchiha Sasuke—the survivor of the infamous massacre.
"Are bloodline limits truly this potent?" Kankurō felt the radiating clash of auras, his heavily painted face turning sickly pale. "It's terrifying. Their presence is more frightening than a Jōnin's."
"It's not 'like' Jōnin power... They possess this kind of strength."
Gaara's expression, for reasons unknown to the Sand Shinobi, had become completely frozen.
He felt overwhelming pressure.
But why?
This unnatural, monstrous strength at such a young age.
And most importantly—why did these two, possessing such terrifying power, not exhibit the same fear and hatred that a monster like him generated?
Gaara looked at Sasuke and Neji, seeing no hint of the painful loneliness that was etched into his own existence.
The people of this village... aren't they afraid of them?
Shen Mo, munching on potato chips from his perch above, overheard Gaara's internal turmoil. He understood that the future Fifth Kazekage still clung to the belief that strength could only be seized through personal struggle, and that his purpose was predicated upon the destruction of others.
What kind of Jar series would suit him...
Shen Mo muttered, then suddenly had an idea and tossed three Property Detectors down toward the three Sand Shinobi.
The result made his face darken slightly.
Gaara's current financial status wasn't much better than Sakura's. He's the Fourth Kazekage's son, how can he be this broke?
Well, appearing now wouldn't be very profitable, Shen Mo concluded with a sigh, continuing to eat his chips while observing the standoff below.
At that moment, the intensity abruptly broke.
"Hey, hey." Naruto suddenly interjected, realization dawning on his face. "You two, you aren't actually planning to fight here, are you? You'll cause massive property damage, and then you'll definitely have to pay a huge sum for the destruction."
Pay money...?
Upon hearing those two words, both Neji and Sasuke's expressions shifted dramatically.
Even their rapidly intensifying auras began to visibly diminish.
One's clan was destroyed, and the other had effectively left his clan. Both were currently suffering from severe financial strain.
"Hey." Sasuke suddenly raised his voice, a new idea forming. "We should take this fight somewhere more suitable."
"Are you referring to... a Stage?" Neji immediately caught on.
"That's right." Sasuke thought of Haku's Tier Four Jar acquisition, and his heart burned with ambition. "You open it."
Opening a stage would not only allow them the satisfaction of an unrestricted battle but might also earn the favor of a High-Level Member.
"Why should I open it?" Neji was clearly tempted, but he lifted his chin stubbornly. "You open it."
"Hmph. Regardless of who opens it, the loser pays for the damages in the end," Sasuke retorted. "You initiated the confrontation, so you should naturally be the one to pay the opening fee."
"Heh heh." Neji chuckled twice, equally stubborn. "The suggestion to use the stage was yours, so logically, you should be the one to provide it."
"..."
"..."
The fierce tension dissolved into a strange, prolonged silence.
Gaara and the Sand Siblings were utterly bewildered.
"What exactly are they discussing?" Temari whispered.
"I have no idea," Kankurō shook his head. "It must be some form of secret code."
"I see. Because we're present?" Temari's expression grew darker.
Not only were the Leaf Genin terrifyingly powerful, but even their conversations were conducted with extreme caution. This was Konoha.
Shen Mo, watching from the tree branch, adopted a speechless expression.
The truth was, neither of the two young prodigies had the money to open a Destiny Stage. Yet, neither was willing to admit the embarrassing truth.