Sasuke wasn't just concerned for his own safety, but also for Naruto's safety.
He always chose a foolproof way to handle things. This point was completely different from the loud and boisterous Naruto.
"Damn it, Sasuke, who are you calling 'trailing behind'? I'm not that anymore!"
"You also said that Mr. Luffy is a strong person who even Kakashi-sensei can't beat."
"If he wanted to kill us, do you think we'd still be talking? Can't you use your brain a little?!"
Naruto always had his own reasoning. It must be said that Sasuke was indeed stumped by his reasoning.
Calmly analyzing it, it really seemed to be the case. His statement was simply irrefutable.
"Hahaha, you two stop arguing. Let's go eat ramen, you strange little brats. You're always talking about killing people. I don't have that much killing intent."
"Although I don't know what you mean by Ninjutsu and Genjutsu, my Taijutsu is very powerful!"
"If ramen is really delicious, I can teach you a little Taijutsu, it's not impossible, just like this!"
Saying that, Luffy poked the tree trunk in front of him with his finger.
Bang!
A violent sound echoed. A clear crack appeared on the thick tree trunk.
"How, how is this possible!"
Sasuke's eyes widened. He simply couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Luffy just poked the tree trunk with his finger, and his light, understated movement actually split the tree trunk.
If he were to go all out, the tree trunk... No, even the ground would probably crack open!
What was truly terrifying was that even during this process, Sasuke still didn't feel any Chakra flowing from Luffy.
Not using Chakra meant that the other party not only didn't use ninjutsu but also accomplished this purely by relying on his own strength.
"So powerful! Too powerful! Taijutsu even stronger than Might Guy-sensei!"
"I haven't seen anything like it in Konoha Village, Mr. Luffy, you're truly amazing!"
Naruto continuously cheered. He had clearly heard that Luffy had agreed to his condition.
As long as the ramen was delicious enough, he could teach him some Taijutsu.
At that time, never mind Sasuke, it was feared that no other ninja in the younger generation would be able to be his opponent.
"This is just a little bit, you know. If I weren't worried about destroying this entire area, the effect of using Haki would be even better."
"If you come to train, you might learn it quickly too, it's just a bit tiring, ahahaha."
Luffy heard the praise and said with a proud laugh.
He recalled that when he first followed Rayleigh for training, he also went through a period of arduous journey.
Coming to a strange place, seeing a boy who wanted to become stronger, he suddenly remembered his past self.
He, too, had strived to go out to sea, not knowing the depths of the ocean. It was only through repeated adventurous experiences that he finally succeeded in establishing the Great Kingdom.
"No problem, I'm treating! Mr. Luffy, come with me!"
Naruto excitedly rubbed his hands together and led the way.
The Chunin Exams were coming soon. If he could get some true teachings from Luffy, he would definitely have more trump cards when facing Sasuke.
"I, I want to go too!"
A strong sense of unease suddenly welled up in Sasuke's heart.
He and Naruto were not only friends, but also rivals.
If Naruto seized the opportunity to become stronger a step ahead of him, Sasuke absolutely could not accept such a fact.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the village, ripples had already begun to stir.
Kakashi and the Jōnin who had just gathered in the office would gradually relay the news.
Everyone knew that an extraordinary young person had arrived in the village, a person who could possibly surpass the Hokage.
For a time, everyone began to act, rushing towards the meeting room according to the Third Hokage's instructions.
Konoha Village, nowadays, unless there was a major incident, would not hold such a large-scale meeting.
It was entirely due to Luffy's arrival that this meeting was taking place.
"Mr. Nara, you've come too. It seems this disturbance is really significant. What is the Great Kingdom? Have you heard of it?"
"Clan Head Hyuga, I've never heard of such a place. Is it some kind of reclusive Hidden Kingdom? Who knows!"
"It seems this disturbance isn't small. Even several seniors have come. Hokage-sama must have verified this young man Luffy's strength, right?"
"Nonsense, if he hadn't verified it, why would he call us here? He must have already made contact!"
"The Chunin Exams are imminent, and the village is so busy. Now, even more strong people have appeared. I truly don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing."
"As long as the other party has no ill will, it's not a bad thing for Konoha Village. It's very likely even a good opportunity."
Many Jōnin gathered one by one, and after greeting each other, they began to discuss animatedly, each expressing their own opinions.
Only one small team near the commercial street, after receiving the intel, secretly observed Luffy's every move and did not go directly to the meeting room.
"Danzō Shimura, the person has been found. He's eating ramen with Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha."
A ninja wearing an ANBU mask reported what he had discovered.
If there was anyone in Konoha Village who dared to defy the Hokage's orders and act on their own, only Danzō Shimura dared to do so.
No one else had the qualifications for such a thing.
Danzō Shimura, who controlled the ANBU, possessed immense strength himself and was also an ambitious schemer.
In times of peace, he might not be able to make any major moves.
But now, a new turbulent era had appeared, and a new crisis might occur.
It was under such conditions that any single link could have a huge impact. At this critical juncture, a ninja appeared outside the village, which was naturally to be expected.
"You don't need to go to the meeting room. Go directly back to ANBU headquarters. Leave this place to me."
Danzō Shimura instructed.
"But, Leader... Hokage-sama's order was for us to go to the meeting room together."
The ANBU ninja said with difficulty.
With leaders on both sides, deciding whose orders to listen to occasionally led to awkward choices.
"When did my people have to listen to the Hokage's absolute command? Have you forgotten your own identities? I said, go back."
Danzō Shimura said sternly, his eyes already filled with killing intent.
Anyone who disobeyed him would know their fate. Every ANBU member knew it very well.
If the Third Hokage was the absolute leader who stood in the light, then Danzō Shimura was the greatest leader in the shadows, controlling Konoha Village's dark side.
"Understood."
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