I Punch the Tailed Beast Ball

After Iwagakure, the team led by the Fourth Kazekage also arrived at Konoha after two days.

The person in charge of receiving them was the senior advisor, Homura Mitokado.

Homura Mitokado wasn’t that pleased to see the village that had almost invaded Konoha in the previous war. However, having served as Konoha Council for many years and being a skilled elite ninja in his youth, he could control his expressions well.

Although he wasn’t pleased with this task assigned to him, Homura Mitokado made sure that Sunagakure did not feel unwelcome in Konoha.

Regardless of the differences in political views between Homura Mitokado and Nagasawa, like Konoha, Homura Mitokado would prioritize Konoha’s interest above everything else when dealing with outsiders.

”This area is designated for Sunagakure’s accommodation, next to it are Iwagakure and Kumogakure respectively. Here you have training grounds and a cafeteria for meals,” Homura Mitokado led Rasa and Sunagakure Genin to their designated area.

”When did Iwagakure arrive?” Rasa asked, glancing at the lively atmosphere on Iwagakure’s side.

Homura Mitokado gave Rasa a faint look and replied, ”Iwagakure arrived two days before you. Well, the Chunin Exams are still eight days away, so you still have plenty of time to prepare.”

”Additionally, we will provide the specific schedule for the Chunin Exams. You just need to focus on the Chuunin Exam.”

”Thank you, Counselor Mitokado,” Rasa expressed his gratitude.

”No need to thank me, Fourth Kazekage. This is the normal procedure for Konoha,” Homura Mitokado said casually before leaving.

”Kazekage-sama, it seems that Konoha is indeed prepared for this unprecedented Chunin Exam. Something like this never occur in regular Chunin Exams,” a young Sunagakure Shinobi with half his face covered by a white cloth commented.

Rasa smirked, ”The entire world is Baking a fuss with this news. Even if that’s not what Konoha plan at first, they would definitely go along with it now. Many nobles and merchants will gather in Konoha, possibly even from Land of Wind.”

”Those guys...” upon the nobles and merchants of the Land of Wind were mentioned, a Shinobi named Maki furrowed his brows.

”Those people don’t see the big picture. They only saw a few insignificant failures on our part and concluded that our strength is inferior to other Great Shinobi Countries. What a bunch of dimwits,” Maki said angrily.

He was upset with the Land of Wind’s nobility led by the Daimyo. Without Sunagakure, how would the Land of Wind plan to defend themselves from other Great Shinobi Countries? Cutting their funds drastically after just a couple of defeats was incredibly foolish.

What made Maki even angrier was that their respected Fourth Kazekage had to use his Sand Gold to earn funds for Sunagakure because the Daimyo cut their fundings.

Maki couldn’t tolerate it. A great person like the Fourth Kazekage had to resort to such measures because of financial problems.

”Hehe, Maki, you know how dumb those guys are. Don’t bother yourself with their ignorance,” Rasa sneered.

”While Konoha will gain many benefits from this Chunin Exam, if our Shinobi demonstrates how much better we are than Konoha, this Chunin Exam will be our stepping stone.”

Compared to Onoki, who wanted to assess Konoha’s strength, Rasa’s goal was simpler: to win the Chunin Exam. Rasa’s true objective was straightforward—he needed money. Right now, all he wanted was money.

While defeating Konoha Shinobi would indeed provide a lot of rewards, it was no easy task. Konoha wasn’t just a random small village; it stood at the pinnacle among the Five Great Shinobi Countries.

However, Rasa also understood that he had no other option. Could Sunagakure host a Chunin Exam of this caliber? No.

It wasn’t just about inviting other villages, he had to think whether the other villages will accept.

Konoha was powerful, consistently emerging victorious in wars, and it had a strategic geographic location, surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

If Sunagakure were to organize a Chunin Exam following Konoha’s procedures, it would only end in humiliation.

Would Onoki ignore him? Of course not. However, considering Onoki’s cautious nature, he might just casually send a couple of his men to appease Sunagakure.

Given Kumogakure’s attitude, they might not even bother with such formalities and simply ignored Sunagakure.

The wealthy merchants probably wouldn’t even consider of crossing the vast desert to reach Sunagakure, despite it being in an oasis. The sandstorms on the way were not something everyone could endure.

Perhaps this was why the Daimyo of the Land of Wind had the audacity to drastically cut Sunagakure’s funds. With such a vast desert, there wasn’t much one could do.

Let alone Sunagakure, Rasa believed that even Kumogakure and Iwagakure couldn’t imitate what Konoha did.

Iwagakure couldn’t call Kumogakure, and the road conditions in Iwagakure were poor, surrounded by mountains everywhere.

At this moment, Rasa suddenly realized that Konoha was like the chosen one.

Located in the Land of Fire, with an even terrain and beautiful surroundings, and being a major transportation hub, the village consistently gave birth to prodigies. In all era, several famous Shinobi renowned throughout the world would be born in Konoha.

In contrast, Sunagakure did not only have a harsh environment, their land was full of desert, and the local nobility was also not on good terms with Sunagakure.

”The road ahead is quite arduous...” Rasa sighed.

”I believe that under your leadership, Sunagakure will rise and become the number one village,” Maki’s eyes glittered.

”Unfortunately, Gaara cannot control Shukaku. Otherwise, we could have brought him along this time,” Rasa said somewhat reluctantly.

If Gaara could control the Tailed Beast inside him, even at the age of three, with the power of the Tailed Beast, mopping floor with the Genin would be a walk in the park.

(Note: The age calculation in this story is based on birthdays. Gaara’s birthday is on January 19, so he is currently three years old, while Naruto and Sasuke are still two years old.)

(Note: Since the specific timing of the Chunin Exams is unknown and only known to be held twice a year, I’ve set it for March in the first half of the year and September in the second half. Currently, it is the end of February.)

This time, Maki remained silent because it involved Rasa’s family. Rasa could berate Gaara as much as he wanted, but Maki couldn’t speak in the same manner.

In truth, Maki felt sorry for Gaara. His mother died as soon as he was born. Then, he became a Jinchuriki and was hated and feared by the villagers. Even though he was just a child, he had to endure such immense pressure. Any normal person would feel pity for Gaara in such circumstances.

However, on the other hand, Maki could relate with Rasa.

Power didn’t come without a reason. Only by going through so many hardships could one build that strength. That was Rasa’s approach to enhance Gaara’s control ever his emotion, ensuring that he could maintain his consciousness and control the Tailed Beast during Tailed Beast transformations.

If there was one to blame, it might be Gaara for being born as the Fourth Kazekage’s son in a village without a Jinchuriki.

”Take a break, pick your lodgings, and then start training,” Rasa ordered.

To achieve victory in the Chunin Exams, he couldn’t afford to waste these eight days.

”Hmph, Konoha, let me see what you are up to this time.” The Fourth Raikage, towering over the tall wooden gates with only a white cloak on his upper body, snorted coldly.

A day after Sunagakure’s arrival, Kumogakure also arrived at Konoha.

The Fourth Raikage’s goal was different from the Fourth Kazekage’s. He wasn’t aiming to attract wealthy merchants and nobles through Sunagakure’s performance in the Chunin Exams.

Kumogakure had good relations with the Daimyo, with ample annual funding and control over many ore mines. Money was not an issue for them.

However, according to the Fourth Raikage’s mindset, he didn’t want to be considered incompetent or a coward, so he brought some outstanding Genin with him.

In the last war with Konoha, Kumogakure suffered a humiliating defeat. If it weren’t for the fact that Onoki and Rasa were coming this time, the Fourth Raikage would not have come.

Being reckless didn’t mean he wanted to throw his life away meaninglessly.

Now that he had arrived at Konoha, what could he do?

At this moment, the Fourth Raikage once again recalled the horror of his fight with Fujiwara Nagasawa.

It might take the whole village to stop such a terrifying person.

Upon entering Konoha, the Fourth Raikage was still pondering about Konoha’s objective when the least person he wanted to see suddenly greeted him.

”Fourth Raikage, long time no see.” Nagasawa greeted with a smiling face to the dark-skinned and muscular man in front of him.

Indeed, the one in charge of receiving Kumogakure team was Nagasawa.

Nagasawa knew that Kumogakure liked to cause trouble. Although he would immediately know about everything that happened in Konoha, he decided to scare Kumogakure a bit to keep them in check during their stay.

Looking at Nagasawa’s bright smile, the irritated Fourth Raikage became even more irritated, and a faint pain came from his right hand.

During the night raid, both of them used Lightning Nintaijutsu to fight each other, and the result was the Fourth Raikage’s defeat, with more than half of his arm cut off by Nagasawa’s chop.

It took a lot of effort and resources to restore the Fourth Raikage’s hand to its original state.

Now, seeing Nagasawa again, the intense pain from the lightning tearing through his hand resurfaced.

Nagasawa put away his smile and looked at the Fourth Raikage, releasing an imposing aura directed solely at the Fourth Raikage.

Even though the sun was shining brightly, the Fourth Raikage felt as if he had fallen into an icy abyss upon locking eyes with Nagasawa. His whole body was cold, cold sweat dripped from his forehead, and he felt as if an overwhelming force that was beyond his comprehension, was baring its fang on him, making it impossible for him to move.

Although everyone else was unaware of what had happened, they sensed that something was off with the Fourth Raikage. Kumogakure Shinobi began to get ready for battle and cautiously watching Nagasawa.

Seeing the unusual movements from Kumogakure Shinobi, Konoha Shinobi surrounded them. In an instant, the atmosphere became tense.

Suddenly, Nagasawa put away his imposing pressure directed at the Fourth Raikage and smiled, ”What’s going on, here? Relax guys. This is Konoha; there’s no need to be so alarmed. No one can cause trouble in Konoha. Put down your Kunai. They’re our guest that have come a long way. How can we aim our weapons at our allies?”

The Fourth Raikage let out a deep sigh and turned to the Kumogakure Shinobi behind him, , ”Put down your weapons.”

Kumogakure Shinobi put down their weapon, and the tense atmosphere disappeared.

Nagasawa smiled and gave the Fourth Raikage and his men a brief tour around Konoha.

However, Kumogakure Shinobi didn’t seem too pleased.

The Fourth Raikage lowered his head and tightly clenched his fist, but quickly released it.

He couldn’t fathom how Nagasawa’s momentum felt even stronger than that night even though it hadn’t been that long since then.

He could still exchange blows with Nagasawa that night, but Nagasawa could immobilize him with just his momentum earlier, and he was the only one who felt that overwhelming pressure.

’Did he never use his true strength that night and was just toying with us?’ A dreadful thought emerged in the Fourth Raikage’s mind.

If it was true, then Nagasawa was more dangerous than he ever imagined.

The Fourth Raikage looked at Nagasawa.

Kumogakure’s indifference didn’t affect Nagasawa’s enthusiasm. The powerful individual who once single-handedly annihilated 1,700 elite Kumogakure Shinobi was now recommending Konoha’s Dango shop to them.

”For ramen, there’s Ichiraku Ramen. As for dumplings, it has to be Watanabe’s Dango Shop. Though the name is simple, the taste of those dumplings is truly the best in Konoha...”

Seeing the lack of response from Kumogakure Shinobi, Nagasawa raised an eyebrow, followed by the slight momentum that he let loose.

”Ah, you guys don’t like Dango?”

Even though Nagasawa held back this time, those Kumogakure Shinobi were mostly Genin!

As a result, they all stopped in their tracks, with cold sweat dripping from their foreheads. They finally understood what the Fourth Raikage had just gone through earlier.

”There’s no way! I love dumplings the most,” said a Kumogakure Jonin while wiping away the cold sweat on his forehead and shivering slightly.

If someone had to play the role of a clown, it definitely couldn’t be their Kage, so the Jonin stepped in.

Nagasawa felt that it was enough, so he put away his pressure and revealed a smile again, ”In addition to Watanabe’s dumplings, there’s also...”

The moment Nagasawa put away his momentum, Kumogakure Shinobi instantly felt their bodies loosen, and a sense of relief washed over them.

Now, no one dared to stay silent, and they replied all of Nagasawa’s question, even if they didn’t enjoy this.

If someone observed from afar, they might think Nagasawa and Kumogakure Shinobi were close friends.