Naruto: Divine Reward System

A few days later, Tatsuya and Naruto were heading to the meeting point designated by Kakashi when they sensed someone following them.

Not just one person—three.

Their tracking skills were so sloppy that even Naruto caught on immediately. He spun around and called out, "Konohamaru, your disguise is terrible!"

Hearing his name, Konohamaru huffed and pulled off his makeshift camouflage, revealing his two companions. One was a girl with short dark hair and bright eyes, Kazamatsuri Moegi, and the other was a boy with thick-rimmed glasses, Udon Ise.

It was worth mentioning that Moegi was rumored to possess a [Bloodline Limit], the legendary [Wood Release] of the First Hokage. Unfortunately, it had yet to awaken, and even Tatsuya couldn't sense her chakra nature.

But that didn't matter. Konoha had another ninja with [Wood Release]—Yamato, also known as Tenzo.

"Heh! Of course, the guy I admire the most would see through my disguise so easily," Konohamaru said with a cocky grin. Then, in a more serious tone, he added, "Boss Tatsuya, big brother Naruto!"

Tatsuya sighed. Ever since he'd taught Konohamaru a few things, the kid had latched onto him, always calling him "Boss" and Naruto, "Big Brother."

Naruto crossed his arms. "Don't tell me you guys are here to drag us into another ninja game."

"Uh-huh!" the trio nodded enthusiastically.

Tatsuya pinched the bridge of his nose. He had no interest in these games. The first few times, he'd only played along for Naruto's sake. At first, it was amusing—an opportunity to show off a little. But after a while, it got old.

Just as Naruto was about to refuse, a familiar voice called out, giving him an excuse to escape.

"Naruto! Have you seen Sasuke?"

Turning toward the voice, they spotted a girl with long cherry blossom hair and a red dress—Sakura.

Naruto's eyes immediately lit up, but his excitement dimmed the moment he realized she was only asking about Sasuke. His expression soured.

Before he could answer, Konohamaru chimed in, "Hey, big brother Naruto! Who's that girl? Is she your girlfriend?"

Naruto puffed up his chest. "Heh, you guys sure are sharp! You can tell just by looking?"

Sakura's face turned red with anger. "W-what?! As if!"

She swung her fist at Naruto's forehead, but before she could land the hit, her hand stopped mid-air as if blocked by an invisible force.

A calm voice cut through the moment.

"Sakura."

She turned her glare to Tatsuya, who had effortlessly intercepted her attack with just his presence.

"You're a kunoichi. You should stop acting so aggressive all the time," he said casually. "No guy likes a girl who punches first and talks later."

Sakura's eye twitched. "Oh? And who asked for your opinion?!"

"Naturally, I don't care what you do," Tatsuya said with a smirk. "But if you're going to hit Naruto, that's where I draw the line."

"Why?" she demanded.

"Because he's my brother."

A simple but firm statement.

Sakura was stunned. Naruto, meanwhile, was visibly touched. Even Konohamaru and his friends were in awe.

"Boss is so cool!" Konohamaru cheered.

"The boss is amazing!" Udon echoed.

Konohamaru turned to his friends and boasted, "See? I told you I follow the best boss ever. Stick with me, and you guys will never go hungry!"

Tatsuya looked back at Sakura. "Well? Are you going to move your hand, or do I have to stand here all day?"

Sakura gritted her teeth. "As if I'd ever take advantage of you!"

"Huh?" Tatsuya raised an eyebrow. "I never said you were. But you sure reacted fast—guilty conscience?"

Sakura yanked her hand back and turned away, cheeks burning. "I'll remember this, Tatsuya!"

"Sure, sure," he said, waving her off.

"Hmph!" With an annoyed huff, she stomped away, clearly still fuming.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Naruto gave Tatsuya a thumbs-up. "Tatsuya, that was amazing! That's the second time you've completely shut her down. You're her natural enemy!"

"Maybe it's just because I'm too good-looking," Tatsuya said, straight-faced.

"Huh? Is that really it?"

"What else?" Tatsuya smirked. "Why do you think Sakura likes Sasuke? It's not because of his personality."

"…You've got a point."

Just as Naruto said that, a sudden shout rang out from ahead.

"Ahhh!"

The group turned toward the sound and spotted three figures. One of them was Sakura, still fuming from their conversation. The other two were strangers to everyone—except Tatsuya.

He recognized them immediately.

Sand Shinobi. Temari and Kankuro from the Land of Wind.

Seeing Temari and Kankuro, Tatsuya knew that the [Chunin Selection Examination] was fast approaching.

The loud exclamation just now had come from Sakura!

In her frustration, she had stormed ahead and accidentally collided directly with Kankuro.

As soon as she got a good look at the strange markings on his face, her tough demeanor vanished, and she hesitated, her voice losing its former fire.

"Uh... sorry about that!"

Kankuro, however, wasn't interested in accepting an apology, especially not from a Konoha genin. His expression twisted into a sneer as he shot back, "Tch, you think just saying sorry makes up for it?"

Temari, standing beside him, sighed and waved a hand dismissively. "Forget it, Kankuro. It's not worth the trouble."

"Hmph, typical Konoha weaklings." Kankuro scoffed, confidence radiating from him. With his [puppet techniques], he had no reason to see Sakura—or any of them—as a threat.

Naruto, however, wasn't having it. His temper flared instantly as he stepped forward. "Hey, asshole! Get away from Sakura!"

Without a second thought, Naruto lunged at Kankuro, fists clenched, ready to put him in his place.

But before he could even land a hit, Kankuro flicked a finger slightly—and Naruto suddenly stumbled as if his legs had been yanked from under him. He flailed, falling straight back, about to crash into the ground.

Before impact, a firm hand caught him from behind, steadying him effortlessly.

No doubt about it—the hand belonged to Tatsuya.

"You okay?" Tatsuya asked calmly.

Naruto gritted his teeth. "Something tripped me just now...!"

Kankuro smirked, clearly pleased with himself, but Tatsuya's sharp eyes had already caught what had happened. "That was a Chakra String."

Kankuro stiffened. He hadn't expected anyone here to recognize his technique so easily. He narrowed his eyes, suspicion creeping into his mind. Could this guy be a [puppet master] too?

Even Temari was slightly surprised. Konoha wasn't known for having puppet users—so how had Tatsuya figured it out so quickly?

Tatsuya didn't waste time with further explanations. He stepped forward, his voice cutting through the tense air.

"I don't care who you are or where you're from," he said, his tone unwavering. "But in Konoha, you don't get to act like you own the place. Now back off."

Sakura blinked in surprise, her heart skipping a beat at Tatsuya's confident stance. Before she even realized it, she had already taken a few steps closer to him, instinctively seeking the security of standing by his side.

Why does he look so... cool right now?

She shook her head quickly. What am I even thinking?

Temari raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Huh, not bad, kid."

But Kankuro bristled at the challenge. "Tch, you think you're tough? Looks like you need to be taught a lesson!"

Reaching behind him, he grabbed hold of his puppet.

"Wait, you're really pulling out [Karasu] over this?" Temari asked, surprised.

Karasu: Kankuro's signature puppet.

Just as Kankuro was about to make his move, a voice cut through the tension like a blade.

"Stop."

The weight behind the command made everyone freeze.

"Don't embarrass me here."

Heads turned toward the sound. Hanging upside down from a nearby tree was a figure with a crimson mark reading "Love" on his forehead and a massive sand-colored gourd on his back.

There was no mistaking him—Gaara.

Kankuro immediately went stiff. He let out a forced chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. "Gaara, hey, you're here!"

Gaara didn't share his humor.

"Shut up." His voice was calm but deadly. "Or I'll kill you."

At those words, he appeared between Temari and Kankuro in an instant, his presence alone suffocating.

"We're not here for this nonsense. Let's go."

Without another word, he turned and walked away. Temari followed without complaint, and Kankuro, swallowing his irritation, did the same.

Just as they were leaving, Naruto suddenly called out, "Hey, you with the gourd! What's your name?"

Gaara stopped, turning his head just enough to glance at Naruto.

"I have no interest in you."

His gaze shifted—landing directly on Tatsuya.

"But you... you interest me."

Tatsuya met his gaze, his expression unreadable. "You want my name? You're still not qualified to know it."

Naruto gawked at Tatsuya's audacity. Sakura, too, was wide-eyed. Even Kankuro and Temari were momentarily speechless.

Gaara, for the first time, showed a flicker of emotion—a ripple of intrigue in his usually stoic face.

Tatsuya turned away. "Let's go, Naruto."

Without looking back, he walked off, his movements exuding effortless confidence.

Naruto and Sakura hesitated only a second before following after him.

Behind them, Gaara watched their backs retreat into the distance, his unreadable eyes narrowing slightly.

Kankuro and Temari were still in shock.

"What the hell? Did he just brush off Gaara like it was nothing?" Kankuro muttered in disbelief.

Temari crossed her arms. "Hmph. He's either fearless or stupid."

Kankuro swallowed hard. "The last guy who didn't give Gaara respect... well, let's just say he's buried six feet under."

Gaara, still watching the disappearing figures of Shiyu and the others, let out a small smirk.

"Not qualified?"

Heh.

...

After the confrontation, Tatsuya, Naruto, and Sakura headed straight to their designated meeting point with Kakashi.

As expected, Kakashi was already waiting for them, casual as ever.

After a brief greeting, he got straight to the point.

"I know this might be sudden, but I've recommended you three for the [Chunin Selection Examination]."

Naruto and Sasuke blinked in surprise.

"What?!" Naruto's jaw dropped, barely processing the news. He only fully believed it when Kakashi held up three application forms.

Without missing a beat, Naruto threw himself at Kakashi in a dramatic hug. "Kakashi-sensei, I love you!"

Kakashi sighed, effortlessly prying the blonde off him. "Hold on, don't get too excited yet. This is just a recommendation. Whether you actually take the exam is up to you."

"If you want to participate, sign your name on the [application form] and submit it to classroom [301] by 4 PM tomorrow."

Of course, Kakashi already knew they wouldn't back down.

Especially Tatsuya.

Kakashi smirked behind his mask. If anyone was practically guaranteed to pass, it was him.

And the only thing that could stop him?

Something completely unpredictable.