The Heavens: From Naruto to sign in

Transforming into a Tailed Beast was, indeed, a troublesome matter.

Not because Yoruha was afraid of Gaara going into full transformation—

After all…

Have you ever seen a Gundam with the cockpit on the outside?

Gaara was just that—

A hard-working pilot with a giant weak point exposed.

But still.

Yoruha hadn't intended to kill Gaara.

Hinata had only fainted from exhaustion—she wasn't actually injured.

The same went for Shino and Kiba.

He didn't feel the need to take revenge for them.

A lesson was enough.

Because if Shukaku came out now, the Chunin Exams would be suspended.

And once that happened…

The Forest of Death would immediately be classified as a restricted area again by the Leaf Village.

Which would make Yoruha's sign-in mission nearly impossible to complete.

"Leave your scrolls," Yoruha said coldly, glaring at Gaara's team.

"And get lost."

"Don't let me see you again.

If I do, I'll beat you every single time."

Temari hesitated. After all, she was proud.

She would one day become Shikamaru's wife, after all.

But that didn't mean anything to Yoruha.

She wasn't his woman, so he had no reason to care.

After hearing his words, Temari and Kankuro looked like they'd just been granted a royal pardon.

They threw down their Heaven and Earth scrolls without hesitation, then helped Gaara limp away as quickly as possible.

Gaara might have been terrifying…

But compared to this guy from Konoha—

Not even the same league!

He was terrifying.

After sending off the Sand trio, Yoruha gently laid Hinata down from his shoulder.

Even though he didn't know any formal medical ninjutsu, Yoruha still knew basic field aid.

From his pouch, he pulled out a top-grade military food pill from the Yamanaka family's reserve.

Placing it on his palm, he infused a bit of chakra—

Softly melting the pill into a liquid form.

He guided the stream of chakra and medicinal fluid to flow gently past Hinata's lips.

Moments later, her eyes fluttered open.

At first, her vision was hazy—

But the moment she saw Yoruha's face clearly, she threw her arms around him.

"Yoruha… I thought… I thought I'd never see you again…"

"Silly girl," he smiled softly.

"How could that ever happen?"

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

After comforting Hinata, Yoruha helped revive Shino and Kiba.

When the two of them came to, they were completely dazed.

"Ugh… Did we… survive?" Kiba muttered, blinking.

"Wait… You defeated that monster from the Sand?" Shino asked, still processing what happened.

"It wasn't us," Hinata said proudly, still nestled in Yoruha's arms.

"It was Yoruha. He beat him and sent them running."

Hearing that, Shino adjusted his black-rimmed glasses.

He looked seriously at Yoruha, then sighed deeply.

"I really hope… I never have to face Yoruha in actual combat."

Once the three had recovered enough strength, Yoruha led the group through the forest.

But as they walked, his thoughts drifted.

Hinata had been in danger.

What about Ino?

What if something had happened to her?

Just imagining it made Yoruha's chest tighten.

If anything happened to his "little sister"… because of him…

Because of some butterfly effect from his actions in this world—

He would never forgive himself.

On the other side of the Forest of Death…

Team Ino-Shika-Cho had already reunited with Team 7 and successfully made it to the meeting point they'd agreed on with Yoruha.

But judging by their appearance—

It had clearly not been an easy journey.

Naruto and Sasuke were both covered in injuries, and Sakura's long hair had been cut short.

Their appearance said it all—

They had already encountered Orochimaru and the Sound Ninja.

"Sas…Sasuke…" Sakura looked at him, worried.

"The curse mark on your neck… is it really okay?"

"Hah! What kind of joke is that?"

Sasuke sneered, trying to hide the trembling in his limbs.

"I feel stronger than ever right now.

If they hadn't intervened…

Those Sound Ninja would've been nothing to me."

He winced, the pain from the curse seal pulsing deep in his shoulder.

But he forced himself to stay composed.

Being a ninja is hard.

But being a ninja who has to hide everything?

That's even harder.