157. Pre-Chūnin Exam

Sasuke knew that Gaara was strong. His killing intent could intimidate the weaker people. It could be seen from Kankuro's behavior that he obeyed Gaara's words. Moreover, Kankuro also seemed to be afraid of Gaara. However, Gaara's intimidation did not make Sasuke falter. It gave him confidence that even though Gaara was strong, Sasuke could handle him.

However, Sasuke was wrong. Kankuro's fear of Gaara had nothing to do with that killing intent.

Sasuke snorted.

"Humph, we'll see. I'm sure I'll make you regret underestimating me. There's no way I'd be killed by someone like you."

Unexpectedly, Sasuke raised the death flag without him realizing it. This made Izumi advise him.

"You should have left your arrogance. You underestimate other people too much."

Sasuke turned to Izumi with a sharp gaze.

"What do you mean?"

"Honestly, with your current strength, you're not his match." Although the current Sasuke may have been stronger than in the original story before the Chūnin exam started, he was still weaker than Gaara who possessed the power of the one-tailed beast, Shukaku.

"What? How is that..." Sasuke wanted to say "how is that possible", but after he also found out how strong Izumi was, he fell silent.

"You have good eyes. At the same time, you are too arrogant because of your eyes. It's a shame you can't even see someone's strength with those eyes of yours."

Sasuke clenched his teeth. He wanted to argue back, but remembered how he had acted the same way when he first met Izumi, he held it.

"Why do people from Sunagakure village come here?" This time it was Sakura's turn to ask.

"Of course, the Chūnin exam, what else?"

"Chūnin exam?" Sasuke and Sakura were a little surprised because they didn't know that thing would be held soon. Moreover, the adult never told him. Naruto himself looked confused, he asked.

"What is the Chūnin exam?"

"Big bro Naruto, the Chūnin exam is a test to show your ability whether you deserve to be a Chūnin-level ninja or not." Konohamaru answered Naruto's question.

It was surprising that Konohamaru even knew that, so Naruto praised him.

"Woah, you know a lot, Konohamaru."

"That's because you are stupid, Naruto!" Sakura responded in annoyance. Even a kid like Konohamaru knew what the Chūnin exam was. How come Naruto was so clueless about that?

"Eh, no way, Sakura-chan…" Naruto was dejected since Sakura mocked him.

"The Chūnin Exams will be like a tournament, so if you win, you will be deemed worthy of becoming a Chūnin-level ninja. Even so, even if you cannot win, as long as the higher-ups of your village deem you worthy, you will still be a Chūnin-level ninja." Because Konohamaru's previous explanation was too brief, Izumi added some more.

On the other hand, Sasuke who had been watching Izumi's group from earlier asked.

"Who are these people with you? Are you planning on taking the Chūnin exam as well?"

"Naturally. It's also a chance to see their growth." Izumi pointed at his group with his thumb.

Sasuke could only frown at that answer. Hearing the Chūnin exam, Sasuke intended to take the Chūnin exams. But if Izumi would be there, it would be difficult for him to win. It seemed he needed to ask someone to teach him. Otherwise, he would have no chance against Izumi.

"The Chūnin exam, huh? Very interesting, I'll join!"

Naruto didn't seem to care how strong his opponent was. What was most important to Naruto was how he could show others that he had become stronger.

"Hihihi, get ready when you meet me later, I will use my newest Ninjutsu." Luffy smirked while putting his hands on his hips.

Hearing Luffy's new Ninjutsu, Izumi and his group were taken aback.

"Since when can Luffy use Ninjutsu?" Kuroneko muttered. But, Izumi could hear what she said.

"I don't know either."

As far as Izumi knew, Luffy always failed whenever he tried to use a Ninjutsu. It baffled Izumi if Luffy really could use a Ninjutsu.

Naruto pointed at Luffy.

"By the way, who are you?"

"I'm Luffy, Monkey D Luffy. A man who will become the Pirate King. Hihihi."

"As usual, Luffy's iconic introduction." Izumi said inwardly.

Meanwhile, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Konohamaru were stunned by Luffy's introduction.

"What is the Pirate King? The Hokage is better!" Let alone a Pirate King. Even Naruto felt that a pirate was bad, so he made it clear that the Hokage was the better one.

However, Luffy didn't want to lose the argument.

"No. A Pirate King is the strongest person in the ocean!"

"The Hokage is the strongest ninja who protects and prospers the village and the country, of course being a Hokage is better."

"The Pirate King is the strongest and freest man in the ocean. Everyone close to the Pirate King, his family and friends feel safe because no one dares to go against him."

"A Hokage is better!"

"A Pirate King is the best!"

With the two idiots bickering, Izumi slapped his own forehead. Izumi tried to distance himself from Naruto and Luffy by dragging the others along. They introduced themselves while ignoring Luffy and Naruto.

— — — —

The day went on normally as usual. Without realizing it, there is only 1 day left before the Chūnin exam begins.

Izumi had his sword ready on her back and several kunais in his waist bag.

So did Kuroneko, she carried her divine sword on her back. Not just that, Kuroneko also released Pichu out of the Pokeball and let it sit on Kuroneko's shoulder.

Izumi and Kuroneko would submit their registration forms. Along with their teams, they walked together toward a certain building.

They also happened to meet Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura on their way. Since everyone had the same purpose, they went together.

Arriving at the building, Izumi saw a teenager wearing a green shirt and black geeky hair. That guy seemed to be beaten by two people from Konoha because he felt that the registration room was blocked by the two of them.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes and look at those two people blocking the way. But to his surprise, he felt something weird behind them. Sasuke said.

"Can you guys step aside?"

"Oyaoya, isn't this a genius from the Uchiha clan?" One of the two people responded to Sasuke.

"It's useless to fool me, the room behind you is just an illusion, right?" Sasuke could even tell that it was an illusion without using his Sharingan.

"As expected of the Sharingan user. But it's not that easy."

The person blocking the path seemed about to attack, and Sasuke prepared to respond.

Izumi whispered.

"Yuki, stop their movement!"

Yuki Onna immediately obeyed Izumi's order which then created chunks of ice that stopped their legs from moving. They were shocked, even the teenager in green who also wanted to act to stop the two stiffened.

It could be seen that all of them were shocked by the fact that someone used a rare Ninjutsu. Yuki Onna has the ability to create snow and ice. However, they thought that Yuki Onna had mastered nature transformation, Kekkei Genkai, which is a combination of two elements. Nevertheless, everyone became warier toward her.

No one made a sound. It was as if that place became a desert where no one would be there. However, Luffy broke the silence not long after.

"Whoa, amazing!! Hey, Izumi. If I want a cool drink, can I just ask her to cool it down?"

Izumi twitched his cheeks. He replied.

"Don't talk such nonsense!"

"Why not? It's a waste if you don't use her ability to the fullest."

"Sigh. Whatever. You can ask her yourself! Anyway, let's go!"

Izumi took a step forward, followed by his team and Kuroneko's team. Looking at the half-frozen Sasuke and the other ninja, Izumi reached out his hands to touch the chunks of ice.

As soon as Izumi's hand touched the ice chunks, the ice immediately melted and created cold air.

That scene surprised everyone. Even the chat group members were stunned since it was the first time Izumi showed that skill.

Izumi could manipulate any water. And since chunks of ice have something to do with water due to its element, they can also be turned into the water using magic.

Izumi looked around and saw the geeky-haired teenager who was none other than Rock Lee.

To be honest, Izumi respected that guy because even though he was talentless in becoming a ninja, his determination made him a talented Taijutsu master. However, he hated the fact that a hard-working character like him always underestimated the other ninjas by being overconfident. It was this trait that made him "fall into the pit" in the original story.

Izumi shook his head and then left along with the others.

After Izumi's group left, they became the subject of conversation by the other ninjas who saw their actions.

Rock Lee naturally noticed Izumi's gaze earlier. He frowned as he looked at Izumi's gaze looking down on his helplessness just because he couldn't perform any Ninjutsu.