Weighing the Pros and Cons

"So, I owe Kankuro one?" Daimaru laughed heartily, considering that for Temari, who was intent on being a good sister, taking the roundabout route didn't seem too bad.

"There aren't many Genin in the Sand who can fight better than you. You're the boy Temari knows best... even if you are an annoying guy!" Senza teased Daimaru playfully.

"Really? Kankuro said something similar!"

"Why the forced smile? That's not like you! Shouldn't you be jumping for joy?"

"Second time hearing it, I guess I'm immune! And besides..." Daimaru trailed off, shaking his head.

Leading those even less noticeable than himself wasn't much to celebrate. His rivals weren't confined to the Sand Village.

"Love doesn't care who came first. Being ahead now doesn't mean I can rest easy..." To win the heart of the beauty, he still needed to strive.

"Huh? There's actually some brain matter in that barren head of yours, not just sand..." Senza remarked, now familiar enough with Daimaru to know that their nominal leader wasn't so petty or unreasonable. The occasional joke wouldn't land him in trouble.

"With the Chunin Exam at hand, can't you refrain from saying things that undermine our team's unity?" Daimaru retorted, visibly annoyed.

"Where have I been stupid? This is called 'playing the fool'!"

Yoru joined in the banter, "Who was it that got into a fight and came back all beaten up, only to be dragged by the team leader to apologize?"

"Yoru, you're too young to understand some things! Is it better to fight by the book with a good chance of winning but a risk of defeat, or to ensure victory with a few light injuries, nearly eliminating the chance of defeat? Which would you choose?"

"Well, it depends on the situation..." Yoru pondered, unable to provide a clear answer.

"To me, the choice depends on the value of victory," Daimaru patted their naive shoulders. When sparring with Yoru and Senza, he wouldn't resort to mutually assured destruction because victory brought little gain, and defeat didn't matter.

But during the Sand's preliminary selection, facing unknown strengths and risks, Daimaru couldn't afford to lose. Swiftly crushing his opponent was the best option to avoid complications.

It was similar with Uchiha Sasuke; victory or defeat wasn't crucial. Taunting the unripe 'Chosen One' was just a cruel indulgence. The key was not to be overshadowed by other handsome guys in front of Temari.

Being embarrassed when trying to show off was too pathetic. Lacking certainty of defeating Sasuke, Daimaru had to resort to such tactics.

"If our team gets through the team phase and into the individual matches, I certainly won't give up. You should think carefully about your choices..."

With that, Daimaru packed his spotlessly cleaned puppet and headed out.

"Let's go for lunch. We won't have this much leisure time in the coming days!"

...

Midday passed, and after a brief rest following lunch, Daimaru and his companions arrived at Classroom 301 of the Hidden Leaf Ninja Academy. They faced no obstructions en route, avoiding any genjutsu blockades.

After all, the Leaf Village wasn't too concerned about the caliber of Genin from other villages participating in the Chunin Exam.

The Leaf set up minor challenges to wake up their own hopefuls, but outsiders didn't receive such treatment.

Arriving slightly late, Daimaru entered the already-packed Classroom 301, drawing many scrutinizing gazes.

The hotheaded Sand Genin who had stirred trouble on his first day in the Leaf had become somewhat notorious.

"Wow, quite a crowd. Wonder if they can withstand my iron fist!" Daimaru provocatively taunted the room. Some weaker ninjas glared back but held their tongues. Having taken down the renowned Sasuke, Daimaru's displayed strength already surpassed most present.

Some Rain ninjas and the Sound trio seemed eager to challenge but reconsidered, knowing they were outnumbered by the Sand ninjas and would be at a disadvantage.

"Cowardly lot, pray you don't cross paths with me in the exam!" Daimaru spat disdainfully and confidently walked over to Temari and Kankuro, unchallenged.

"Hey, Kankuro, why is no one sitting near you guys? Where are your Sand brethren? Not very friendly or united when away from home."

"You..." Kankuro punched Daimaru's arm. "Shut it! So many wannabes here acting tough. Don't provoke Gaara."

"Got it." The tension was palpable as everyone in the classroom remained silent, particularly around Gaara, who didn't bother to conceal his killing intent. Nobody wanted trouble before the exam.

Daimaru glanced around: the timid glasses-wearing girl from the Sand, Karin, stood nervously in a corner; the Sayuri team occupied a window seat, contentedly gazing outside, with Zirou and Sana standing guard behind; the opportunistic team seemed disunited, whispering among themselves; and Uino, who had a mutual disdain for Daimaru, mingled with some Sand teams.

"The main characters are almost all here, just waiting for the Leaf ninjas now."

Daimaru assessed the classroom's facilities, planning his next moves.

Soon, disguised as Leaf ninjas, the Sound spies Kabuto, Kimimaro, and Akadō appeared, followed by other Leaf Genin who silently found their corners, awaiting the start of the first phase of the Chunin Exam. The arrival of Team 7 broke the silence with Naruto's loud voice.

"Those guys are interesting," Kankuro snickered. "So weak and yet daring to enter the Chunin Exam. Looks like you didn't teach them well enough, Daimaru!"

"Maybe they got stronger."

"Stronger? Don't joke around, it's only been a few days!"

Temari, observing the newcomers with a sneer, cautioned, "Kankuro, don't be careless. We Sand ninjas can't become a laughing stock like them."

As expected, Kabuto, tasked with gathering intel on Sasuke, easily befriended Team 7, playing with ninja info cards before being left bloodied by the Sound trio for his insolence.

The clock indicated it was time. The Chunin Exam's first proctor, Ibiki Morino, appeared punctually with the Leaf Chunin in charge of monitoring the test.