In the largest inn in Sunagakure (Sand Village), the Leaf Village's "Exam Dream Team" had set up their base.
Minato Namikaze was leading the group, which consisted of 21 squads—a total of 63 people.
Most of these 63 were graduates from Setsuna's year or the year before.
Besides the squads close to Setsuna, there were many familiar faces, including Ebisu, Genma Shiranui, Mizuki, Aoba Yamashiro, Raido Namiashi, and Shibi Aburame.
As for Obito's team, because Kakashi had already been promoted to Chūnin, they had to ask Ibiki Morino to fill in as their third member.
"The customs and vibe here in Suna are so different from the Leaf."
"The exam isn't until the day after tomorrow. Should we go out and look around first?"
"It would be good to scout out some intel on the other Hidden Villages while we're at it, just to prepare for the test."
Hearing the excited chatter in the courtyard, Minato knew it would be impossible to contain their enthusiasm. He simply gave them permission to tour the village, with the stern instruction to avoid causing trouble.
Walking down the streets of Suna, Obito was looking around curiously. He suddenly felt the urge to start running his mouth. He instinctively turned his head, but instead of Kakashi's challenging scowl, he was met with Ibiki's severe, cold stare. He couldn't help but sigh.
"Man, I knew something was missing. Turns out it's because no one is arguing with me."
Rin chuckled at his comment. "I really envy you and Kakashi. You two have such a great bond."
"Me and that jerk? We do not have a good bond!" Obito retorted loudly, then slung his arm around Ibiki's shoulder in a familiar gesture. "See? He's another expressionless guy, but Ibiki doesn't even argue with me."
"I'm just not used to talking to an idiot," Ibiki said flatly.
Obito was crushed, staring at Ibiki in disbelief, looking utterly betrayed.
Seeing that Obito was about to start another debate, Rin quickly pointed to a red-haired boy in the distance. "Obito, look! Doesn't that big brother's hair look exactly like Kushina-nee-chan's?"
Obito's attention was instantly diverted. He looked in the direction Rin pointed and gasped, "Wow, I've never seen anyone else with red hair just like Kushina-nee-chan! Do you think they're related?"
Nagato hadn't wanted to interact with anyone, fearing that people would discover he wasn't actually from the Stone Village. But what the goggle-wearing boy said made him intensely curious. Do I really have family out there?
Yahiko noticed his change in demeanor and smiled. "Why don't we go say hello?"
Nagato was tempted but worried about compromising their mission. "Is that okay?"
"Relax, we'll just exchange a few words," Yahiko assured him. He then walked over and struck up a conversation. "Excuse me. I overheard your discussion. Do you know my teammate?"
"We're so sorry, that was rude of us," Rin quickly apologized. "It's just that your friend's hair color is very similar to an older sister we know."
Yahiko followed up, "I see your Leaf Headbands. Are you from the Leaf Village? Did your older sister grow up there?"
Obito thought hard. "I think I remember Kushina-nee-chan mentioning that she moved to the Leaf from somewhere else when she was little, but I can't remember where."
Nagato couldn't hold back anymore and walked closer. "Does the person you're talking about really look like me?"
"Just the hair color, actually. And I hope this isn't rude, but you look kind of sickly, while Kushina-nee-chan is full of energy. She's like…" Obito struggled for an example, then his eyes lit up and he pointed ahead. "She's like that older sister over there!"
The group followed Obito's gaze and saw another red-haired Kunoichi.
Obito exclaimed, "That is weird! I've never seen anyone with Kushina-nee-chan's hair color before today, and now I've met two!"
The red-haired Kunoichi became flustered under all the attention, lowering her head in fear.
The teammate standing next to her glared at the Konoha group. "What are you looking at? I'll dig your eyeballs out!"
Rin quickly apologized again. "We're sorry, we didn't mean to stare."
The man sneered. "An apology is enough? You scared my teammate. This isn't going to be that easy to resolve."
Obito, who was about to apologize again, took offense when the man snapped at Rin. "We weren't looking at you! What's your problem? Your teammate didn't even say anything."
"Huh? Didn't say anything?" The man viciously grabbed the Kunoichi's hair, a cruel smile on his face. "Come on. Tell them you're in pain, and make them compensate us for the damages."
Seeing how he treated his own teammate, the expressions on the Konoha group's faces darkened.
Nagato's eyes were ice cold, and the gaze peering through his goggles looked like he was staring at a dead man.
"What are you doing? She's your teammate!" Obito was furious. This was the first time he had ever seen such a complete scumbag treat a comrade so roughly.
"Teammate? She's just a slave under our protection," the man from the Grass Village (Kusagakure) sneered. "If we, the Grass Village, hadn't taken her in, she would have been abused and murdered by bandits long ago. If you pity her, then you should pay me even more!"
Hearing him speak so plainly, Obito finally understood and asked, dumbfounded, "Are you trying to extort us?"
"Heh, you rich Leaf Ninjas wouldn't understand how desperate we are for money in the smaller villages," the Grass Ninja threatened. "This is Suna. If you make a scene, I don't care, but the Leaf Village might look bad, right?"
Obito was shocked. Who's the Big Village Ninja here?
Shouldn't it be the strong bullying the weak? How did this turn into the weak bullying the strong?
"Hmph. Who do you think I am? I'm the dead last! I'm used to getting criticized! Your threats mean nothing to me!" Obito laughed triumphantly. As long as I have no morals, no one can defeat me with moralistic posturing!
The Grass Ninja opposite him was speechless. Is that something to be proud of?
He gave Rin and Ibiki a cold once-over. "You're all here for the Chūnin Exams, right? If you get injured here, you'll lose more than just money. Now, hand over all the cash you have on you."
"I'll hand over your mother's head!" Obito couldn't help but swear, punching the man directly in the face.
"You little brat! You dared to strike first!" The Grass Ninja's face contorted in pain as he prepared to weave hand signs.
"Let me show you the power of a Taijutsu Ninja!" Obito rushed forward with a combination attack, launching the man into the air.
Having been "influenced" by his time around Setsuna, Obito's Taijutsu was far beyond his level in the original timeline.
After delivering a thorough beating, Obito pinned the man under his foot, feeling completely refreshed.
"Hahaha! That's all you got? And you tried to extort people?" Obito laughed triumphantly, standing on his opponent.
Meanwhile, a three-person squad was watching from a distant corner.
"Maki-nii-san, should we step in now? Defeating a Leaf Ninja and rescuing the Grass Ninja would not only show our strength but also demonstrate our concern for the smaller villages."
"Wait a little longer," Baki (the Sand Ninja leader) said calmly. "Defeating a common Leaf Ninja is nothing special."
"But hasn't the fight already ended?"
Baki said soberly, "Look at the last of those three Grass Ninjas. Judging by his calm demeanor, they must have another trick up their sleeves."