"Is this really okay? The killing intent from the person behind you seems barely contained." Facing Kankuro's actions, Takeru remained unhurried.
"What?" Hearing Takeru, Kankuro was startled. Turning, he noticed Gaara hanging upside down from a tree.
"Kankuro, stop." Hearing Takeru had apparently noticed his arrival long ago, Gaara looked at Takeru with interest.
Everyone else also stared at Gaara in shock. Clearly, no one had detected his arrival, not even Sasuke nearby.
"You are a disgrace to the village. Why do you think we came all the way to Konoha?" Looking calmly at Kankuro, Gaara spoke with malice.
"Listen, Gaara, these guys started it!" Kankuro hurriedly explained. His earlier arrogance vanished, replaced by fear.
"Silence. I'll kill you." Ignoring his explanation, Gaara said viciously.
"I-I understand. Sorry, really sorry!" Hearing him, Kankuro quickly apologized.
"My apologies." Only after Kankuro apologized did Gaara turn to Takeru and the others, looking at Takeru with some wariness.
"Since the misunderstanding is cleared, we'll see you at the exams." Hearing him, Takeru said with a light smile.
Hearing Takeru, Gaara nodded. "Your name?"
"Nara Takeru. And you?" Takeru smiled lightly.
"Gaara. Let's go. We're not here to play." Hearing Takeru, Gaara said directly.
After Gaara spoke, the three, led by him, swiftly withdrew.
"Um, thank you. But... do you know why they're here? Their forehead protectors look like Sunagakure's. Though the Land of Fire and Land of Wind are allies, the treaty should prohibit Ninjas from freely entering each other's countries... And what exam did you mention...?"
After Gaara's group left, Sakura asked Takeru curiously.
"That's true, but they came to participate in the Chunin Exams. Naturally, they must have passes." Hearing Sakura, Takeru explained directly.
"Chunin Exams? What's that?" Hearing this, Naruto was puzzled.
"Naruto-nii, passing that exam lets you go from Genin to Chunin!" Hearing Naruto's question, Konohamaru reminded him.
"Really? I wanna try too!" Hearing this, Naruto said excitedly.
"Then we'll meet again later." Hearing Naruto's excitement, Takeru left with a light smile.
"Eh? So fast!" Naruto and Sakura, who wanted to ask more, were stunned seeing Takeru vanish instantly. Sasuke's pupils also contracted, unable to see how Takeru disappeared.
"What do you think?" On a distant tree, a man clad tightly in bandages asked his companion.
"Though I think it's nothing major... the black-haired Konoha's Ninja and the gourd-carrying Sunagakure's Ninja... these two need watching." The heavily bandaged man, revealing only his left eye, Dosu, said lightly.
Takeru naturally knew about Dosu's trio's spying but saw no need to address it.
Meanwhile, informed Konoha's Jonin gathered.
"Now, with the Chunin Exams approaching, first, the Jonin Instructors responsible for new Genin step forward. Kakashi, Kurenai, Asuma. Among the Ninja under your guidance, are there any you recommend for this exam?" The Third Hokage looked calmly at the three.
"Needless to say, formally, any Genin who has completed eight or more missions can be recommended at your discretion. Though typically, doubling that provides enough experience. Starting with Kakashi..."
"Team 7: Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura. I, Hatake Kakashi, recommend these three for the Chunin Exams." Hearing Hiruzen's words, Kakashi said directly.
"What?!" Hearing Kakashi, Iruka behind him stared in shock.
"Team 8: Hyuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino. I, Yuhi Kurenai, likewise recommend these three." After Kakashi, Kurenai said calmly.
"Team 10: Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji. I, Sarutobi Asuma, likewise recommend these three." Then, Asuma flatly recommended his team.
"All three recommended?!"
"Haven't seen this in five years."
"Please wait a moment!" Seeing this, Iruka couldn't hold back and stepped forward.
"What is it, Iruka?" Though Iruka's action was somewhat improper, Hiruzen remained composed.
"Hokage-sama, please hear me out. This may be meddlesome, but those nine just listed were once my students at the Ninja Academy. They are indeed talented, but it's too early. They should gain more practical experience first." Iruka said earnestly.
"I became a Chunin six years younger than Naruto is now." Hearing Iruka, Kakashi said calmly.
"That child is different from you! Are you trying to ruin him?!" Hearing Kakashi, Iruka said agitatedly.
"During important missions, they often complain. Letting them struggle a bit interests me too. Ruining them might not be bad." Kakashi said impassively.
"You... what are you saying?!" Iruka stared at Kakashi in shock.
"Alright, that was a joke, Iruka-sensei. I understand your point. It's natural to be angry. But arguing is pointless. They're no longer your students, they're my subordinates now." Seeing Iruka's seriousness, Kakashi added.
Kurenai felt helpless seeing the two clash. Asuma also found it troublesome.
Hiruzen observed this, so when Iruka tried to argue further, he was stopped.
"Iruka, I understand your concerns. Therefore, we will prepare a special preliminary exam for these new Genin." Hiruzen decided firmly.
This preliminary exam allowed Iruka to dissuade the nine in his own way. And if unsuccessful, he could no longer intervene.
…
Naturally, Takeru's group was unaware of this. However, they wouldn't undergo this so-called preliminary exam.
After leaving Naruto's group, Takeru wandered Konoha Village. The Reincarnation Space provided a temporary identity and implanted some memories but little else. Acquaintances were few.
Everything had to be discovered, which wasn't a problem… it was a Transmigrator's advantage.
However, Takeru hesitated about learning Chakra. Though Chakra enabled special feats, its upper limit felt limited. He was uncertain how to spend this time.
Lost in thought, Takeru unconsciously saw Ichiraku Ramen. Without much thought, he entered, checked the menu, and ordered a Tonkotsu Ramen.
Sitting down, he pondered further, then decided to go with the flow. For Ninjutsu, he'd collect what he could. As for Chakra Extraction Method, he wouldn't practice it in this world now.
After deciding this, his ramen arrived. Tasting it, he found it truly excellent, rivaling most ramen in his main world.
After enjoying it, Takeru paid, checked the time, and according to his implanted memories headed towards the house.
Approaching, he found Ui and Ritsu already waiting inside.
"Takeru-nii, I made dinner. Come eat!" Noticing Takeru's return, Ui happily called.
"Thanks, but I just ate." Hearing Ui, Takeru felt somewhat apologetic.
"Is that so? That's good." Hearing Takeru, Ui still smiled.