A sharp-eyed girl with short black hair stood at the entrance of Konoha, hands on her hips, grinning provocatively. Compared to the rocky and barren Iwagakure, the Hidden Leaf Village's grand gates were like a paradise.
"Hahaha! You Konoha idiots!"
"Your Queen Kurotsuchi has arrived!"
The two chunin guarding the gate, Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki, immediately cast unfriendly glances toward the arrogant young girl.
"Eheh… kids say the darnedest things. Please don't mind her~~~"
Kurotsuchi's father, Kuro, looked like his scalp was about to peel off from embarrassment. Hastily, he pulled out the travel permits for the chunin exams, handing them to the gatekeepers with an apologetic smile.
Then he turned to his daughter and barked, "Kurotsuchi! Shut up already!"
Kurotsuchi pouted, clearly unfazed by her father's scolding.
Izumo took the permits from Kuro with a frosty expression, thoroughly inspecting the documents before reluctantly letting them through.
"You'll be assigned a residence once inside. Behave yourselves. Don't cause any trouble."
"Of course, of course," Kuro replied with a forced grin, bowing his head.
This trip to Konoha was more than just about the chunin exams for Iwagakure—it also concerned future resource cooperation between the Land of Earth and the Land of Fire.
Losing the exams? That would only hurt their pride a bit.
But failing the resource talks? That could affect the livelihoods of countless citizens back home.
Both Ōnoki, the Tsuchikage, and the Daimyō of the Land of Earth had stressed the importance of this mission repeatedly.
Even in the face of two low-ranking gatekeepers, Kuro didn't dare make trouble.
This wasn't just about humility under someone else's roof—it was because they needed something from Konoha.
So Kuro bore it all with patience.
He agreed completely with Ōnoki's outlook: face is fake—what you hold in your hand is what really matters.
Once the Iwagakure delegation entered the village, it wasn't long before Kotetsu and Izumo had to welcome a second group of visitors.
"Hello. We're the participants from Sunagakure for the chunin exams. I'm Jonin Maki…"
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"Wooooow~~~"
At that moment, Kurotsuchi felt like a village grandma entering a royal garden. Everything she saw was novel and amazing.
After all, Iwagakure was just rock and more rock, riddled with ravines and crags—not exactly scenic.
Even a single sprig of greenery was considered rare and precious.
Compared to that, Konoha was an absolute wonderland.
While Kuro had taken the rest of the group to the lodging arranged by Konoha, Kurotsuchi, too restless to sit still, snuck out with Akatuchi and Gaitsuchi in tow.
"Kurotsuchi! Wait up for me~~~"
Akatuchi called out, chasing after the energetic girl who was darting left and right, marveling at everything she saw.
Though he was equally fascinated by Konoha, Akatuchi was more restrained in showing it.
Trailing quietly behind them like a ghost was Gaitsuchi, his presence practically invisible.
"Hey Akatuchi! Look at that dango shop! Those skewers look delicious!"
"Pay up, quick!"
Kurotsuchi, eyes shining, pressed herself against the window of a small dango stand, her gaze fixed on the colorful three-color dango displayed inside.
Because of the recent food shortage in the Land of Earth, the price of food had gone up drastically. Even something as simple as dango had become expensive.
Kurotsuchi wasn't exactly poor—she could eat well—but when it came to snacks and treats, she had to budget a little more carefully.
Especially now, when Ōnoki had ordered her, as the Tsuchikage's granddaughter, to be a role model during hard times…
Left with no choice, the normally spendthrift Kurotsuchi had to rein herself in.
But now, since old man Ōnoki wasn't here to watch her, this was her chance to let loose a little!
Just as Akatuchi was reaching for his wallet—
"Hiyaaa!"
A tiny figure suddenly darted out from the corner and headbutted Akatuchi square in the stomach.
Thud!
The kid bounced off and landed on the ground.
"Eh?"
"Are you okay?"
Akatuchi, who was as mild-mannered as they came, looked down at the fallen child and bent over to help him up.
"Ow… that hurt!"
"You bumped into ME?!"
"Do you even know who I am?! I'm the great Konohamaru!"
The little boy clutched his head and shouted in a threatening tone even before getting up properly.
Akatuchi paused mid-reach, a drop of sweat sliding down his temple.
Uh-oh… looks like trouble.
Still, being the nice guy he was, he reached out and helped the self-proclaimed "Konohamaru" off the ground.
"I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you."
"Konohamaru! You okay?!"
Two other kids—one boy, one girl—about the same age as Konohamaru ran over from the corner.
"Hey you little brat! You're the one who ran into Akatuchi! How dare you act so cocky?!"
Seeing Akatuchi get yelled at by a random kid, Kurotsuchi couldn't take it anymore.
"Hah?"
"Who the heck are YOU? Don't you know who I am?! I'm Konohamaru, the grandson of the Third Hokage!"
Konohamaru puffed out his chest proudly.
"Oh yeah? Your grandpa's the Hokage? Well, my grandpa's the Tsuchikage!"
Kurotsuchi wasn't about to let him win the arrogance contest.
"You little punk!"
"Flat-chested tomboy! Bet no one's ever gonna marry you!"
Konohamaru, seeing his Hokage-card play didn't work, resorted to personal attacks.
Vein pops
A cross mark appeared on Kurotsuchi's forehead.
She marched right up, grabbed him by the collar, and snarled:
"You little brat! Say that again, I dare you!"
Konohamaru looked into the furious eyes of the girl gripping his shirt. Instinctively, he wanted to back off… but then he caught a glimpse of a familiar face nearby.
Suddenly, his confidence returned!
"Sakura-neee-chan!"
"Help! This violent tomboy is bullying me!"
As the Third Hokage's disciple, Haruno Sakura often interacted with Konohamaru, though she found his rowdy personality annoying at best.
She never spoiled him and had no qualms about disciplining him when needed.
But Konohamaru's voice was way too loud to ignore.
Sakura turned toward the commotion and paused.
What the heck?
Did she just see… a flying brat and a feral girl grabbing him?
"Sakura-neee-chan! Save meee!"
Konohamaru tried to look pitiful as Kurotsuchi clutched his collar.
He even shot her a smug grin.
Sure, the pink-haired one was scary too… but she was his grandpa's disciple!
She had to be on his side!
No matter how scary she was, she wouldn't let him get bullied by a stranger!
This was a guaranteed win!
And just like that… Queen Kurotsuchi and Queen Sakura locked eyes.
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(End of Chapter)
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