The Ninja and The Rose

The Chunin Exams

Kakashi hands his report to Iruka. "All right. Thanks for the report, Kakashi-Sensei."

"How's Naruto doing? Is he getting along okay with the other students?" Iruka asked.

"Hm?" Kakashi looks way from Iruka. "Well, uh...little by little."

"It's been so busy around here." Iruka stated, he blushes as he looks away bashfully from Kakashi.

"I haven't seen him since he got back from the mission to the Land of Waves. I'm a little worried about him."

Kakashi sighs as he says, "You know, Sasuke is also in our group. Naruto sees him as a rival, which puts a constant strain on the group."

"But it also pushes Naruto to excel. So, he's making amazing progress."

He smiles at Iruka. "Someday, his skills may be so strong, they'll match the person he respects most in the world, you."

Iruka smiled, delighted at that statement. "You don't say, hehe."

"Anyway," Kakashi's face turns red. "I was wondering, if you're not doing anything later, maybe you would like to hang out and get something to eat."

Feeling all warm and fuzzy, Iruka smiled brightly as he replied, "I'd love that Kakashi."

As they were talking, their fellow ninja was giving them side eyed glances.

"Oh brother, here they go again." One ninja muttered. "Oh stop, I think they're cute." A female ninja said in a hush tone.

Meanwhile back with Naruto and the others, the tattooed guy had grabbed Konohamaru by his scarf, choking him as he lifts him off the floor.

"KONOHAMARU!" Naruto yelled; he looks at the guy in disbelief on how he could do that to a kid.

"So does this hurt punk?" The guy asked as he tightens his grip.

The girl looked at the guy in annoyance. "Put him down, Kankuro. Or you know you'll pay for it later."

"Hey, I'm sorry. The whole thing was my fault." Sakura said, trying to defuse the situation.

But she was wondering on who these two people are. They are most definitely not Konoha citizens.

"You better take your hands off him right now!" Naruto yelled.

The guy looked at Naruto and notice his headband. He could only smirk at the fact these are some of the Leaf Village's Genin.

He then looks back at Konohamaru, his smirk never leaving his face. If anything, it got more sinister.

"We got a few minutes before he gets here. Let's mess with these punks, huh?" Kankuro suggested.

"Let go of me, you jerk!" Konohamaru screamed as he tried to kick him, but they didn't even faze him.

"You're feisty, but not for long." Kankuro said gleefully.

He tightens his grip again, making Konohamaru groan and gasp for air.

Growling angrily, Naruto rushed forward. "Put him down!"

His face becoming severe, Kankuro moved his free hand, and whatever he did made Naruto stop in his tracks and got himself knocked back.

"What the—" He looks up at the guy in shock. "What was that?!"

"You're a leaf genin too? Looks like your village is full of wimps." Kankuro taunted.

That just confirms Sakura's suspicion that they're outsiders from somewhere but that still does not explain on what they're doing here?

"UH!" Naruto sat up as Kankuro tightens his grip again. "Konohamaru!" Naruto yelled.