Shinobi Academy.
A group of youths, clearly dressed differently from the Hidden Leaf's attire, stood at the edge of the training field, pointing and commenting toward the center of the grounds.
These youths were none other than shinobi from the Cloud and Rock Villages.
After their respective village teams arrived in the Hidden Leaf, they had heard about the fierce competition between the academy's four prodigies and Yakumo. Intrigued, they made their way straight to the shinobi academy.
Since they were invited guests of the village, the academy didn't stop them and allowed them entry.
Darui from the Cloud Village, one hand in his pocket, said, "Yo, that guy with the fan pattern on the back of his clothes—he's from the Uchiha clan, right?"
Nearby, the shorter Omoi nodded. "Yeah, the Uchiha clan's emblem in the Hidden Leaf is supposed to be a fan. But I heard after Uchiha Itachi wiped out the clan, only two members survived. No idea if that guy's Uchiha Sasuke or Uchiha Shinji."
Not far off, Kurotsuchi from the Rock Village grinned. "Just go ask him! But watch out—the Uchiha are known for being tough to deal with!"
"Tch!"
Omoi spat lightly.
At that moment, Chojuro and Suigetsu from the Mist Village, along with Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari from the Sand Village, also arrived at the shinobi academy.
Noticing the arrival of the Mist and Sand shinobi, Darui glanced over, his gaze lingering on Gaara as his brow furrowed slightly. "That guy looks like trouble."
Omoi leaned in, whispering, "What's up? That short kid with the dark circles a big deal?"
Kurotsuchi's eyes swept over the Mist and Sand groups, and she smirked. "This is getting more and more interesting!"
Clearly.
Under the pretext of Wood Release reappearing, each village hadn't just sent volunteers to the Hidden Leaf—they'd also dispatched their own prodigies to see the world.
With the Akatsuki's presence forcing the five great shinobi villages into a temporary alliance, they didn't have to worry about their prodigies' safety.
As more and more foreign shinobi appeared at the academy, especially with them pointing and chattering at the sidelines, the academy students practicing on the field began to feel uneasy.
Kiba grimaced. "Who are those guys? Why do I feel like they're watching us like we're some kind of show?"
"Judging by their clothes, they're probably shinobi from other villages," Shino said, pausing before adding, "My parasitic insects tell me there are some formidable people among them."
Kiba scoffed, unconvinced. "They're about our age—how strong could they be? Stronger than Yakumo?"
Hinata quickly interjected, "Kiba, don't say that. They might hear you."
"So what if they hear?" Kiba huffed. "Those guys staring at us like that—it's making me uncomfortable!"
With that, Kiba strutted boldly toward the sidelines.
Hinata panicked. "Kiba, don't be reckless!"
Shino sighed, exasperated. "That idiot's about to stir up trouble again!"
With Akamaru perched on his head, Kiba soon reached the sidelines and confronted the shinobi from the other four villages. "Hey, who are you guys? Why're you standing there pointing and talking? Don't you know it's annoying?"
Suigetsu from the Mist Village grinned. "We just got here. Haven't even had time to point and talk yet!"
Kankuro from the Sand Village said coldly, "What, we can't watch you Hidden Leaf shinobi?"
Kurotsuchi stepped closer, eyeing Akamaru on Kiba's head. "What a cute little dog. Can you give it to me?"
Omoi chimed in, "So what if we're pointing? Oh, and which ones are the four prodigies of your Hidden Leaf academy? Point 'em out for me!"
Feeling belittled, Kiba snapped, "You're not academy students—get out of here!"
Omoi smirked. "And if we don't? What're you gonna do about it?"
Kurotsuchi, Suigetsu, Kankuro, and the others burst into laughter, their tones laced with provocation.
Each of them was a top prodigy in their own village, brimming with pride. They'd come to the Hidden Leaf's academy specifically to check out the so-called prodigies here, so they didn't mind starting a fight.
Seeing Kiba clash with the foreign shinobi at the sidelines, the other students on the field turned to watch, and even the teachers in the academy building hurried toward the scene.
Feeling the gazes of his classmates behind him, Kiba refused to back down. He shouted, "You looking for a fight?"
Omoi replied, "That's exactly what I want!"
Whoosh!
Just as Omoi and Kiba were about to throw down, a gust of air sliced through, and a figure flashed behind Omoi.
"!?"
Startled, Omoi started to turn.
But the figure swiftly placed a hand on his shoulder, pressing against his neck, and whispered, "If you're looking for trouble, I'm happy to play along."
In that instant, Omoi felt as if he'd been struck by lightning. "So fast!"
Almost simultaneously.
Darui and Kurotsuchi, standing not far from Omoi, leaped back to a safe distance, their faces filled with shock and uncertainty.
Suigetsu, a bit farther off, immediately dropped his carefree attitude, while Chojuro's gaze darkened.
Kankuro and Temari each took a step back, their expressions heavy with caution.
Even Gaara, who rarely showed emotion, raised an eyebrow.
All because the speed of that figure was simply too fast, shocking even these self-proclaimed prodigies!
Stammering, Omoi asked, "W-who are you?"
The figure behind him said calmly, "Uchiha Sasuke."
Sasuke then swept his gaze over the group. "If any of you aren't convinced, feel free to challenge me. Don't worry—I won't hurt you."
"You jerk!"
"The Uchiha's way too cocky!"
"Tch!"
The youths from the four villages bristled with indignation.
Just as both sides were about to come to blows, the academy teachers finally arrived.
Iruka quickly stepped between them, addressing Sasuke. "Sasuke, don't act rashly. These are guests invited by the village!"
Sasuke shrugged and turned to leave.
Watching Sasuke's retreating figure, Gaara's gaze grew heavy.
Kankuro and Temari immediately tensed.
Temari leaned in to whisper in Gaara's ear, "Gaara, this is the Hidden Leaf Village!"
Seemingly stirred by Temari's warning, Gaara gave Sasuke one last deep look before turning to leave.
Seeing this, Kankuro and Temari hurriedly followed.
Watching the Sand shinobi leave in a rush, Suigetsu remarked, "What's with those Sand Village guys? Don't tell me they're scared of the Hidden Leaf's Uchiha?"
Darui yawned, reverting to his lazy demeanor. "Let's go too."
Kurotsuchi, meanwhile, stared at Sasuke's back. "Uchiha…"