Konoha: The Honored One

Toy?

Everyone in the Seventh Squad froze as they took in the surreal sight above them—a hundred puppets hovering ominously in the air, each radiating enough chakra to rival a Chūnin. The sheer power emanating from those puppets was overwhelming. But then came that line.

"These? They're just toys."

Gojo's voice was so casual it might as well have been discussing his favorite ramen flavor.

Toys?!

The mental breakdown was almost audible.

God above, is this guy serious?!

"Alright, now that we know their weakness," Might Guy wheezed, struggling to stay upright, "let's charge them together!" His legs wobbled precariously from the strain of the Eight Inner Gates. Even standing looked like a Herculean effort.

"Guy, you're already cooked," Kakashi deadpanned from his kneeling position, exhaustion etched all over his face. Though his wounds were healed, his chakra reserves were bone dry.

Not that it mattered much. Everyone in the special investigation team looked equally beat, like they'd just been through a weeklong mission with no sleep and plenty of explosions.

Meanwhile, Gojo—sorry, Mr. "These Are Toys" Gojo—stood in the distance, perfectly poised like a model on a catwalk. The confidence radiating off him was infuriatingly palpable.

"But I can't just watch!" Guy grinned through gritted teeth, giving a trademark thumbs-up even as his legs visibly trembled. His white teeth gleamed brightly, but it was more of a quaking-in-agony sparkle than his usual youthful-vigor kind.

Kurenai sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Guy, seriously. Sit down before your legs do it for you."

"Trust me, Gojo's got this." Her gaze shifted to the white-haired sorcerer, who, despite facing two Akatsuki members, exuded a level of nonchalance that was either inspiring or maddening—or both.

Neji, however, looked like someone had personally insulted his clan. His jaw clenched, and his Byakugan veins practically popped in indignation. "Are we just going to sit here and watch?"

His ego took a particular beating every time he thought about it. This was the same Neji who once considered himself the strongest Genin in the world. But now? He was just another ant witnessing a deity at work.

"Idiot, you're only going to get in the way," Sasuke muttered, hands in his pockets, his eyes fixed on the distant battlefield. His smirk betrayed a confidence that was just shy of cocky.

The two prodigies glared at each other, their egos practically colliding midair.

Naruto, meanwhile, had had enough. "Oi, oi, oi! What's with all the tension? Don't forget about me, the future Hokage! Believe it!"

Neji snorted. "Hokage? You?" His smirk could have been patented as a weapon of mass condescension. "Hokage is for the strongest in the village. You're barely keeping up."

The jab hit its mark, and Naruto's face twisted in righteous fury. "Listen, you stuck-up jerk! Hokage isn't about being the strongest—it's about being recognized! Grandpa Third said so!"

"And you think anyone will recognize you?" Neji thumbed his green Chūnin vest with smug satisfaction. "You're just the class clown."

That was the last straw. "You bastard! I'll kick your arrogant butt and become Chūnin in one go!" Naruto charged at Neji with all the fury of a ramen lover denied seconds.

Kurenai's smile was sweet and serene—until it wasn't. Her voice cut through the air like a kunai. "Naruto. Neji. Sasuke. Silence."

The room temperature dropped. A terrifying black aura seemed to emanate from her petite frame, reducing the feuding boys to shivering toddlers. They sat down faster than if they'd been hit by a Genjutsu.

"Right," Kurenai continued, the air of menace dissipating like a cloud on a sunny day. "Let's focus, shall we? This mission is about observing a Kage-level fight. Keep your squabbles for when you're back home, not when someone's putting their life on the line."

Naruto sulked, arms crossed. "But why does Sakura-chan only ever scold me?"

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Because you're the loudest, idiot. And Gojo-sensei brought us here to learn. So just watch the battle, okay?"

Naruto huffed. Typical Sakura-chan. Always siding with Sasuke or anyone else who wasn't him.

Neji, however, couldn't help himself. "Even if he's strong, Gojo can't handle two Kage-level enemies alone."

Sasuke scoffed. "Shows what you know. Nothing can touch Gojo-sensei. Haven't you been paying attention? He's in a different league."

Kakashi nodded absentmindedly, though he wasn't really listening. His mind was already drifting to how much effort it would take to rein in Sasuke and Naruto once this was over. Teaching Rasengan was hard enough… maybe I should just retire.

"That's the spirit!" Might Guy chimed in, striking a shaky pose. "Every rival pushes the other forward! That's true youth!"

Kurenai sighed. Why am I surrounded by lunatics?

On the battlefield, Gojo stood calm as ever. A lollipop dangled lazily from his mouth, his hands tucked casually in his pockets. His signature blindfold gleamed under the sun.

He tilted his head slightly, smiling in that infuriatingly smug way of his. "So… you guys gonna make a move, or what? I don't have all day."

Deidara and Sasori exchanged wary glances. Despite their bravado, neither wanted to make the next move. Something about Gojo's nonchalance made the situation infinitely more terrifying.

"Tick-tock," Gojo said, tapping his wrist mockingly. "I thought Akatsuki were supposed to be efficient? Or are you just here for show?"

Deidara growled. "Tch, what an annoying bastard."