Chapter 18: What makes you think the Sand Village can defeat Konoha?

The automatic defense of the Shield of Sand combined with the high-speed and devastating gourd projectiles.

It was nearly impossible to find a solution against both offense and defense.

How could one deal with such a monster?!

The entire audience fell silent.

Even the usually dense-minded Naruto realized the terrifying strength of his opponent.

Kakashi cheered on his disciple.

"As long as you train diligently and learn new ninjutsu, you have a chance to defeat him."

The next month passed by.

Orochimaru, disguised as a Sound Ninja, was also shocked by Gaara's terrifying power.

He extended his long tongue and licked his lips.

He hadn't expected the Sand Village to possess such formidable strength. It was truly excellent news.

The stronger the Sand Village becomes, the greater the damage it inflicts on Konoha, making their own plan more likely to succeed.

With the battles between the Sound Ninja, Dosu, and Zaku coming to an end, the preliminary exams concluded.

The next month was a period of rest and training for the ten selected ninjas.

At the same time, the feudal lords from various countries would arrive in Konoha to observe the final matches.

They would assess the strength of each village based on the performance of the lower-ranked ninjas.

The rest period began.

Kabuto, disguised as a medic, failed in his attempt to render Sasuke unconscious and fled after his identity was exposed.

Kakashi, unable to create clones, entrusted Naruto to the special Jōnin, Ebisu, for training, while he took Sasuke for special training.

Naruto and Ebisu, in the midst of their playful training, accidentally stumbled upon Jiraiya at the hot springs' Crane's Nest.

Their bond began to form.

Jiraiya started training Naruto.

On the Sand Village side, in a hotel, the Leaf Anbu discovered the joint plan between the Sand and Sound villages to destabilize Konoha.

Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro were shocked.

Temari: "We have an alliance with Konoha. Why would we do such a thing?"

Temari was the kindest among the three.

Kankuro: "Hmph, isn't it good to defeat Konoha?"

Temari: "Konoha is stronger than us, and in a war, people will die."

Baki: "Aren't we sacrificing ourselves constantly as the Sand Village?"

The harsh environment of the Sand Village was a test for its ninjas.

The three looked at Gaara.

He was the strongest and the backbone of the group.

Gaara replied, "Why don't we ask Teacher?"

Temari and Kankuro agreed.

Baki: "In that case, I'll return to the village first to report to the Kazekage."

After witnessing Kidomaru's defeat by Neji, Baki rushed back to the village.

Gaara and his two companions stayed in Konoha.

They knew that Master Mukaze was in the village.

Mukaze, who was currently setting up a stall, noticed Gaara and his siblings.

He announced to the people gathered around his booth, "Haha, closing time, closing time."

"Please come again next time."

Thanks to the quality and price of Mukaze's Ninja tools, the reputation of Faraday Ninja Tools has indeed spread throughout Konoha.

People who come to purchase Ninja tools are constantly coming in.

Gaara and his companions are sitting in a private room in an izakaya across from the hotel where they are staying.

Mukaze holds a glass of sake and drinks it to the brim.

"Ah, Konoha's sake is really good."

Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro don't drink alcohol.

For the Sand Village, drinking alcohol is considered a luxury.

After finishing his drink, Mukaze looks at the three of them and smiles slightly.

"How do you feel after staying in Konoha for so many days?"

Temari: "I feel good. My skin has improved a lot."

Mukaze: "Haha, that's good to hear."

Kankuro: "Boss, the Kazekage wants to team up with the Sound Ninja to launch a surprise attack on Konoha during the third exam. What do you think about this, Boss?"

The three of them look at Mukaze at the same time.

Mukaze: "The Kazekage is ultimately taking a military advancement path. He is destined to fail."

Kankuro: "Boss, I don't think the Konoha ninjas deserve to be called ninjas. They don't have any killing intent."

Mukaze: "You're talking about the lower-ranked Konoha ninjas you've encountered."

Kankuro: "Yes, exactly. They are like babies in a greenhouse."

The lower-ranked Konoha ninjas of Naruto's generation grew up in peace and had a comfortable living environment.

Compared to the Suna ninjas, who were honed in the wind and sand, they naturally appear more calm and peaceful.

This is the influence of one's upbringing and environment on a person.

Mukaze asks Gaara and Temari, "Do you both think the same?"

The two nod.

Mukaze's eyes turn cold, and he scolds the three of them sternly, "Have you become arrogant just because of your victories?"

The three of them quickly apologize, "Teacher, we're sorry."

Mukaze continues, "The backbone of a village consists of the Jounin and Chunin, how many of them have you interacted with? How much do you understand? Just consider the lower-ranked ninjas you've encountered. There are the Aburame clan who houses insects within their bodies, the secretive clans like Yamanaka, Akimichi, and Nara, and the Hyuga clan with their Byakugan bloodline. Just with these clans alone, they are something that our Sand Village doesn't have."

"On what basis do you think the Sand Village can defeat Konoha? Relying on the Sound Ninja? Relying on surprise attacks?"

"If it were that simple, Konoha's territory would have been taken by other ninja villages long ago, and there would be no chance for the Sand Village."

"By using a simple scientific calculation method to estimate the number of shinobi, you will realize that neither the Sand Village nor the Sound Ninja can possibly attack Konoha."

Kankuro asks, "Then, Boss, should we try to persuade the Kazekage?"

Mukaze raises an eyebrow, "Do you think that's possible?"

Kankuro and Temari sigh.

The Kazekage, their father, is as stubborn as a rock in the desert.

Temari asks, "Then, Boss, what should we do?"

Mukaze responds, "As you mentioned, they plan to launch a surprise attack during the exams, which means the exams will be canceled. Your priority should be to protect your lives."

"Seize the opportunity to escape outside the village, all the way to the border between the Land of Wind and Fire."

"Oh, and if any ninja pursues you, capture them all."

With Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Shino as hostages, they will have the upper hand in negotiating with Konoha later on.