Being a rogue ninja is worse than being Hokage.

After gaining the practical benefits of a strategic victory, the fourth-generation Kazekage only needed to verbally admit his mistake.

If Konoha still retained even a shred of rationality, it would join forces with Sunagakure to do everything in its power to prevent a full-scale war between the two countries.

To prevent the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning from profiting from the all-out war between Konoha and Sunagakure.

The current Third Hokage of Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi, will simply swallow this bitter pill.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's indecisiveness in his later years was no secret to anyone with discerning eyes.

The Fourth Kazekage's schemes were so well understood that he had seen through the Third Hokage's.

If subsequent political negotiations go well, the cooperation between Sunagakure and Otogakure can be transformed into a scheme that Konoha and Sunagakure "had already agreed upon".

This transformed into Sunagakure "helping" Konoha, giving Konoha a legitimate reason to intervene in Otogakure, a newly emerging ninja village full of uncertainty for Konoha.

The old but effective tactic of "great power politics, small countries footing the bill" is a classic example.

Unfortunately, the Fourth Kazekage was really unlucky.

Aside from Naruto, who is a time traveler, who would have thought that the leader of Otogakure was Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin who defected from Konoha many years ago?

Orochimaru, in turn, used the Fourth Kazekage to his advantage, disrupting the Fourth Kazekage's original strategic objectives.

Orochimaru, taking advantage of the situation, began to execute his extreme plan to destroy Konoha through the entire Sunagakure village.

Undercurrents are surging, and only the victor reigns supreme.

This is what the ninja world truly looks like.

Naruto stared at Gaara's retreating figure, pondering the reasons behind the plan to destroy Konoha.

As Naruto pondered the ruthless nature of ninjas, Temari's voice rang in his ears.

"Don't have any ideas about Gaara, or you'll die."

Noticing Naruto's gaze fixed on Gaara, Temari suddenly spoke up to remind him.

Naruto turned to Temari in surprise, not expecting her to speak to him first.

But Naruto quickly regained his composure.

Temari's unexpected action made Naruto realize instantly that this was an opportunity.

“You are Gaara’s teammate. Kabuto’s information about Gaara’s ninja team includes your photo—Gaara, Kankuro—you are Temari.”

Temari clearly misunderstood Naruto's scrutinizing gaze towards Gaara, thinking that Naruto wanted to challenge Gaara and test his own strength.

A twelve or thirteen-year-old boy always likes to find ways to prove himself. As an older sister with two younger brothers and years of ninja experience, she is a perfect match.

It's not surprising that Temari would have this opinion about Naruto.

In the original work, Naruto and Sasuke at this age were exactly what Temari thought.

But the Naruto we know now is different.

Naruto didn't refute Temari, and went along with her idea, showing a curious expression: "Without actually fighting, it's hard to say who is stronger."

Temari frowned deeply as she watched Naruto's excited expression as he rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

She meant well by reminding Naruto.

But his main concern was for Gaara.

Temari didn't want Gaara to become too emotionally agitated from indiscriminately killing innocent people, making it difficult for him to suppress the monster hidden within Gaara.

But Naruto clearly didn't listen to her advice.

"Didn't that guy named Kabuto Yakushi also say that Gaara was the best among the examinees in this Chunin Exams? He's definitely the strongest."

Temari continued to persuade her.

But even though she was advising Naruto, her expression was filled with gloom.

Temari couldn't help but recall the B-rank mission she, Kankuro, and Gaara had carried out not long ago.

Recalling Gaara's bloody actions during the mission.

Temari was lost in her own thoughts.

Chapter 31 Temari

Naruto glanced at the silent Temari and said deliberately, "You seem afraid of him? That guy's expression is really scary. Is he a particularly nasty person? If so, then being his partner must be really tough for you."

Naruto's words of comfort, though well-intentioned, reveal a lack of understanding of the other person's inner struggles.

Temari, regaining her composure, immediately retorted, "Gaara isn't what you think. Gaara is just not good at socializing... He lives a very lonely life..."

In the end, Temari's tone carried a hint of barely perceptible self-reproach.

Naruto gave Temari a deep look.

No wonder Gaara, who was still trapped in the quagmire of loneliness and pain during the Chunin Exams in the original story, couldn't pull himself out.

Temari, however, can restrain Gaara's behavior to some extent.

Gentle, resolute, and valuing family ties—

—This is Naruto's definition of Temari after a brief conversation.

It's only natural to be afraid of Gaara's gloomy and fierce nature.

It would be the same for anyone.

But Temari's fear was just that—fear—and she never showed any malice towards Gaara.

As the eldest sister, she was thoughtful and never regarded Gaara as a monster.

Unlike Kankuro, who resented Gaara for killing his mother.

All three siblings lost their mother, and Temari never harbored the selfish thought that Gaara, her youngest brother, had caused their mother's death.

She understands the pain of losing a mother, and therefore can better understand Gaara's loneliness.

If Naruto in the original story was redeemed by Iruka.

So, he never gave up on Gaara, and in place of his mother, he loved his youngest brother Temari with sincere affection.

She is Gaara's salvation.

In the original work, Naruto's role was simply to help Gaara see Temari's love for him from the perspective of someone who was also a Jinchuriki of a Tailed Beast.

This made Gaara realize that he was not truly alone, and that as a Jinchuriki, he was also entitled to be loved.

"Loneliness... then I will become his friend."

Faced with Naruto's sudden decision, Temari stared at him, looking at the boy in front of her who had a somewhat silly smile.

"Don't you believe it?"

Noticing Temari's gaze, Naruto extended his right hand, curled his fingers, and presented his fist to Temari: "Then let's make a deal. My ninja way is 'to do what you say.'"

"Why would you do something like this? We've only just met."

Temari was curious about Naruto's reasons for making that choice.

He was puzzled because Temari had taken the initiative to talk to him, so he pretended to be innocent and tested her.

Naruto certainly wouldn't tell Temari the truth, after all, his ninja way doesn't include "speaking his mind".

"Konoha and Sunagakure are allies, so isn't it only natural for them to help each other?" Naruto still had that innocent smile. "Besides, I will definitely become Hokage someday!"

Upon hearing Naruto's answer, Temari's eyelids drooped slightly, and her mood visibly somber.

Sure enough.

Looking at Temari's attitude towards her answer.

Naruto finally understood why Temari had taken the initiative to talk to him.

At 15 years old, Temari's thinking is indeed more mature than that of the Konoha Twelve who are still young.

However, Temari, still considered a young girl, was limited by her immature perspective.

The purity of thought has not been extinguished.

I still tend to simplify complex matters.

Kankuro, Gaara, and Temari.

Of the siblings, only Temari disagreed with her "father's" plan to destroy Konoha.

Deep down, she still subconsciously tends to regard Konoha as an ally.

And indeed, Naruto's prediction came true.

Temari quickly composed herself and looked at Naruto's clenched fist out in front of her.

In Temari's view, the current stable alliance between Konoha and Sunagakure is crucial to the Land of Wind.

The Kingdom of Wind, which was severely weakened in the war, was geographically disadvantaged compared to the other four great nations.

Therefore, a stable environment is needed to allow time to heal the wounds inflicted by war.

But Temari is also a competent ninja.

Even though Temari's kind nature might lead her to persuade Naruto to stay away from Gaara.

Even when faced with orders they cannot agree with, Temari will still follow her identity as a ninja and accept missions for the sake of her village and country.

I don't mind having blood on my hands, but I won't kill innocent people indiscriminately.

What's your name?

Temari asked Naruto's name.

"Naruto Uzumaki".

"Naruto Uzumaki, you won't live long in the ninja world with a personality like yours."

Temari criticized Naruto's good intentions as utterly worthless.

But she still stretched out her hand, clenched her fist, and faced Naruto with her fist.

The two men's fists collided, fulfilling their "agreement".

"Thank you anyway."