He has even mastered Haki, and you say this is Naruto?

If that's the case, you might as well say that fighting someone like Shanks would require all Five Kage to join forces.

"From the intel we've gathered, there seems to be some kind of connection between Shanks and the Blade-less Pirate Crew. That would explain why Shanks' bounty is so high."

"For a newly appointed Mizukage, it's only natural to make a statement to stabilize the village. Who knows if the Blade-less Pirate Crew is acting under Shanks' orders?"

"But Shanks' strength shouldn't be that overwhelming.We both know what the Uzumaki clan is capable of."

The Third Hokage wore a serious expression, but his mind remained sharp as he analyzed the situation.

Shanks hadn't shown up from the beginning—why? To hide? Impossible. If they wanted to remain hidden, they wouldn't have been discovered at all.

The only possibility was bluffing. Because once he appeared, all the lies would collapse in the face of reality.

"Are you saying everyone was deceived?"

"It's just a possibility. The most confusing lies are those mixed in with the truth. Using the Blade-less Pirate Crew's actions as the foundation makes all future intel seem more credible."

The Third Hokage continued.

At that moment, Danzo also came to his senses. He had been frightened by Grass Village's intel. With so much on his plate recently, he had overlooked this point.

Now that the Third pointed it out, Danzo instantly understood.

The Blade-less Pirate Crew was nothing but a front—a deliberate display of force to create intimidation.

"In that case, rather than the Blade-less Pirate Crew and their Jonin-level strength, the coup in Kirigakure is more worth paying attention to."

Danzo let out a sigh of relief. That was better.

"Danzo, you've been working too hard lately. Take some time to rest."

The Third didn't say much more—Danzo really had been worn out recently.

Not long ago, Uchiha Itachi had returned to Konoha and had a run-in with Danzo, leaving him injured.

Since then, Danzo hadn't rested at all.

"Besides, it's the Chūnin Exams right now. If we make too many internal moves in Konoha, it might leave a bad impression."

"I understand."

Danzo rolled up the scrolls on the table and left the Hokage's office.

"Kirigakure's coup, Mei Terumi has taken over as the Fifth Mizukage..."

Danzo was still thinking about Kirigakure. That Kage seat… It was indeed tempting.

Unfortunately, when faced with the Third—someone he grew up with—he just couldn't bring himself to act.

"Fine, I'll go get some proper rest. From now on, whatever happens, has nothing to do with me."

Though Danzo couldn't act, someone else surely would.

Elsewhere — Ichiraku Ramen Shop

Naruto held a bowl in his hands, staring blankly out the window.

"Naruto, what's wrong?"

Zobei and Kotarō were happily eating, but suddenly noticed Naruto had stopped.

"Red... red red…"

Naruto stammered.

"Red what?"

"Red hair."

As soon as Naruto said that, both Zobei and Kotarō froze. The next second, sweat dripped like raindrops from their foreheads.

Red hair? Could it be... the legendary great pirate? What would he be doing in a place like this?

Zobei and Kotarō stiffly turned their heads.

Bang!

Naruto received two solid slaps on the head the next moment.

Zobei and Kotarō glared at him.

"Damn it, I thought it was that big-shot pirate, Red-Haired Shanks!"

"Scared the hell out of me. I was pumped at the thought of fighting a true powerhouse! Just imagining it makes me tremble with excitement!"

Despite being drenched in cold sweat, pale-faced, and visibly shaking, their reactions weren't out of fear—they were eager to face the strong.

Just a mere Yonko, huh?

Besides, what would a pirate be doing on land anyway? He's not a bandit!

"Let's eat, it's just a little girl."

"Boss Ichiraku! One more bowl—hic!"

Zobei and Kotarō turned back. They had been preparing for the Chūnin Exams for ages.

Thinking about it, they couldn't help but cheer for themselves. Orochimaru-sama would never expect that just one trip outside had brought them from Genin straight to Chūnin!

Once they became Chūnin, Orochimaru would surely see them in a new light.

Forget Kidōmaru and the others—even Kimimaro would have to respectfully call them "Chūnin-senpai". Even Orochimaru himself would have to greet them.

That thought brought goofy smiles to both their faces.

"Hey, where's Naruto?"

They snapped out of their thoughts—Naruto was gone.

Naruto had already rushed out.

He was sure of that feeling—he'd never seen that girl before, but the moment he saw her, something familiar stirred in him. Especially her red hair.

He couldn't recall the memory, but it felt like he had experienced her warmth before—her gentle gaze.

Finally, Naruto spotted her again.

"W-Wait!"

He ran toward her. But just then, a figure stepped out from a corner.

"..."

"..."

Both froze. Naruto was too fast. Neither could react.

Bang!!

Naruto felt like he slammed into a wall. The impact sent them both flying.

"Crap."

He saw himself about to crash into the red-haired girl. But at the last second, she bent slightly at the waist.

Thud!

Naruto hit the ground hard. A slender hand reached out to him.

"Are you okay?"

Her voice snapped him back. He quickly got up and ran to the person he bumped into.

"S-Sorry! Are you alright?"

Just as Naruto bent to apologize, the air suddenly tore with a ripping sound. Something sliced through the air at terrifying speed—Naruto didn't even react in time.

A hand grabbed him before the attack landed.

In that instant, Naruto was pulled slightly back.

Right beside his head, a chilling sand spike stood upright, a bloody scratch forming on his cheek.

"Gaara... he's angry..."

Temari and Kankurō were shocked to see Gaara attack here. They grew even more tense.

"Gaara, this is Konoha. Don't do anything rash."

Temari stared at him, reminding him firmly. As the eldest sibling, she had to step up now, no matter how afraid she was.

"Gaara, the exams haven't started yet. If someone dies now, there'll be trouble."

Gaara stood up. His sand returned to his body.

His gaze wasn't on Naruto, but on the red-haired girl behind him.

"Karin, let's go. Don't cause trouble."

One of her teammates spoke. They were here on behalf of Kusagakure, more of a formality to give Konoha some face. Getting into fights now wasn't worth it.

"Okay."

Karin nodded and turned to leave.

Seeing this, Naruto glanced deeply at Gaara and chased after her.

"Hey, wait! I'm Naruto, Uzumaki Naruto!"

"You're from the Uzumaki clan too, right? Are you Uzumaki Karin?"

"Uzumaki clan? I'm not part of that. I'm just called Karin."

"No way! I knew it the moment I saw you—you're definitely Uzumaki. That red hair is unique to our clan!

Even the legendary Yonko Shanks has hair like that!"

Naruto shoved himself into the Kusagakure three-man cell, completely ignoring the reactions of Karin's two teammates.

But behind them, Gaara hadn't left.

The next instant, his sand burst forth. Gaara charged at Karin.

"Sand Shuriken!"

The sand formed multiple shuriken mid-air. As Gaara charged, they flew toward Karin even faster.

No warning. The attack was so fast, even Temari and Kankurō couldn't react in time. The shuriken reached Karin in a flash.

Clang!

Clang clang clang clang!!

Sparks flew. Karin blocked all of them with kunai in both hands.

She twisted mid-air, dodging to the right. Gaara, as if cooperating with her, charged right into the spot she dodged from.

"She... dodged!!"

Temari, Kankurō, and Naruto were stunned.

Not only did she avoid Gaara's surprise attack, she blocked all the shuriken.

Gaara's emotionless eyes suddenly showed a hint of excitement. But when he saw Karin's eyes, he was met with cold killing intent.

Boom!!

A terrifying punch landed squarely on Gaara's face, slamming him to the ground.

Without pause, Karin's punch stopped him mid-air. Distorted chakra energy burst from her body, her red hair rising despite no wind.

For the second punch, the chakra on her right hand disappeared. Her right arm bulged, sleeves tearing, muscles warping as if breaking physical limits.

At that moment, her terrifying strength was fully unleashed.