"Um, is there a problem?" Karin narrowed her eyes slightly, noticing Naruto's puzzled expression. Though she still wore a gentle smile, those who knew her well understood that this was a warning sign before an outburst.
"Nothing, I just feel like… you're not as good as you were before," Naruto said, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. He blurted out his thoughts without thinking.
Before he could finish saying "beautiful," Sakura immediately covered his mouth.
Others might not understand how terrifying Karin could be, but having trained alongside her for years under Tsunade, Sakura knew that if Naruto said something stupid, he'd be in for a beating.
"Not as good as before?" Karin's expression darkened, her eyes becoming sharper.
"It's nothing, Karin. Naruto just meant that you're not as shy as before and that you've become even more… handsome. Right, Naruto?" Sakura pressed his head down slightly and whispered in his ear, "If you don't want to die, just do as I say."
Seeing no other option, Naruto nodded hastily.
"Sakura is right," he blurted out.
"Oh. Well, that's fine then," Karin retracted her glare and unclenched her fists inside her sleeves.
"Wait, Grandma Tsunade, are you saying Karin is my opponent?" Naruto pointed at Karin and asked.
"I said 'a man,' so how could it be her? It's him," Tsunade said, tilting her head toward the window.
Naruto and Sakura instinctively walked over and looked outside. A silver-haired jonin was sitting on the balcony, reading a book.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto's eyes lit up with surprise.
He jumped out of the window and handed Kakashi Jiraiya's newest book, just as he had in the original timeline.
After some small talk, they got to the point.
"Grandma Tsunade, is Kakashi-sensei going to be Sakura's and my opponent?" Naruto asked, puzzled.
Sakura also looked confused.
Tsunade shook her head. "No, to be precise, it's you and Karin. Starting today, the three of you will form the new Team 7."
The decision left everyone momentarily stunned. A team with two medical ninjas? It was unusual.
Only Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Chinatsu understood the reasoning.
Karin, as a member of the Uzumaki Clan, had inherited the Diamond Seal and could suppress a rampaging Naruto if he lost control of the Nine-Tails. This was a precautionary measure.
"That's settled then. Kakashi, from now on, they're in your care," Tsunade said, dismissing them.
Once Naruto, Kakashi, and the others left, only Tsunade, Chinatsu, and Jiraiya remained in the Hokage's office.
Jiraiya, his perverted tendencies resurfacing, turned his gaze to Chinatsu, who, despite being only seven, already had striking features.
"It's been a while, Tsunade. This must be Chinatsu, huh? She's really grown up," he said, reaching out to pat her head.
Before his hand could land, Chinatsu grabbed his wrist.
Crack!
"Aaaaahhh! It hurts!" Jiraiya screamed.
"You deserved that," Tsunade scoffed. "I told you before—aside from her father, Chinatsu doesn't let any man touch her. Let me remind you, her super strength is already on par with mine."
"Alright, alright! I get it! Let go before it breaks!" Jiraiya whined, nearly tearing up from the pain.
"Chinatsu, let go," Tsunade said casually.
"Hmph," Chinatsu snorted but released his wrist.
Jiraiya rubbed his sore arm and muttered, "This little girl is really a genius. She mastered super strength at such a young age. The chakra in her hands is already beyond Kakashi's. She's definitely her mother's daughter."
"None of that matters now," Tsunade cut in. "Tell me, what happened?"
Jiraiya's expression turned serious as he nodded. "That organization has finally started moving."
Tsunade's face darkened. She turned to the window, deep in thought.
Land of Wind – Sunagakure
At this moment, Deidara was already fighting Gaara.
Just like in the original timeline, Gaara's sand defense was exceptionally strong, making it difficult for Deidara's explosive clay to land a hit.
However, Gaara's sand was also too slow to catch Deidara's clay bird, creating a stalemate.
The battle continued until sunset, yet neither side had gained the upper hand.
"It seems this Kazekage is still too immature. He focuses only on attack power, using a massive sandstorm to try and catch Deidara. He doesn't realize that area attacks are more effective. If he could use Sand Rain like the deceased Third Kazekage, Deidara would be in trouble," Kirito observed.
The aerial battle was a spectacular visual display, and even Kirito, who knew the outcome from the original timeline, found himself impressed.
Sasori nodded. "Sand is lighter than Iron Sand. To execute dense Sand Rain attacks like the Third Kazekage, he would need stronger chakra control. At his current age, the Fifth Kazekage can't achieve that level of precision."
"That's true," Kirito admitted. "Speaking of which, you're finally back in Sunagakure. Don't you want to visit your old friends?"
"Boring," Sasori said flatly after a brief silence.
Turning away, he walked toward the Sky Narrow Gorge and added, "Deidara is almost done. I'm going to set up a trap to cover his retreat. If you think you can avoid it, feel free to stay and watch."
"Go ahead," Kirito waved dismissively. "I'm not missing out on the C3 No. 18 explosion."
While they spoke, Gaara crushed Deidara's left arm, just as in the original story.
Realizing he was at a disadvantage, Deidara prepared his trump card—the C3 No. 18 clay bomb.
Shaping the explosive clay doll, he dropped it from high altitude.
Forming a hand seal with his remaining right hand, the bomb expanded midair.
The massive clay doll began plummeting toward the village.
"Art is an explosion… KATSU!!!" Deidara shouted, his voice echoing through the sky.
A thunderous blast erupted.
The entire village trembled as the C3 No. 18 bomb detonated.
(End of this chapter)