This wasn't Natsuki's first time in the Wind Country, but it was his first time in the Hidden Sand Village.
After entering the Hidden Sand Village, Natsuki and Kakashi acted separately.
Kakashi directly followed the proctors, mainly because he was relatively close to Naruto, Fu, and Ziyanghua, making it more convenient to act if something happened.
Natsuki, on the other hand, wandered around the Hidden Sand Village.
His main purpose was to see if any suspicious individuals appeared; once he found someone who looked like they were from the Akatsuki, he would immediately send a note to Kakashi.
However, Natsuki was mainly shopping on the streets, as it was rare to visit the Hidden Sand Village, and it was a good opportunity to experience the customs and culture of this Village.
First, there was the food, mainly some grilled items, grilled with desert specialties.
For example, grilled lizard, grilled scorpion, grilled cactus; don't even mention the taste, it was quite good, it's just that Tenten might not be able to accept it.
In addition, there were Wind Country-style clothing, jewelry, handicrafts, etc.
Natsuki bought whatever he thought was good; first, he specifically bought things for Tenten, and second, he didn't forget to bring gifts for his cheap Father-in-law.
As a proctor, Tenten might not have time to shop, and after the exams were over, Natsuki might have to follow the Seven-Tails Fu 21 to ensure Fu's safety.
At that time, he wouldn't be able to shop with Tenten either.
So Natsuki took it upon himself to buy some things first, especially regarding clothing; Natsuki felt that sometimes having Tenten wear some of the Wind Country's cool clothing at home seemed pretty good, and it should be more exciting.
Cough cough! The topic has drifted!
Natsuki naturally didn't forget his mission; while shopping, he secretly observed.
He always felt that the atmosphere in the Hidden Sand Village wasn't quite right.
He paid a little attention and listened around, and found that it was a problem within the Hidden Sand Village.
The main issue was that not everyone agreed with Gaara becoming the Kazekage.
Besides some opposition factions, there were also many people who were victims of Shukaku's rampage in the past.
This was also normal; in the eyes of many people, Jinchuriki were monsters.
It was a matter of course not to agree with a Jinchuriki taking a high position.
This was not something Natsuki needed to worry about; he had to continue wandering around and couldn't let the Akatsuki members exploit any loopholes.
However, doing this was actually futile; the Akatsuki members usually appeared without any disguise, wearing black cloaks with red clouds and straw hats, appearing openly and not afraid of being discovered.
Natsuki also didn't think it was very likely that they were hiding in the Hidden Sand Village or somewhere similar.
However, there was some trouble on the examinee side.
Originally, the examinees were in competition with each other, and when they were arranged to eat together in the evening, the atmosphere suddenly became tense, and somehow they started fighting, which was quite lively.
And Fu, who was originally locked up by her two teammates, also took the opportunity to join in, shouting that she wanted to make a hundred friends.
Kakashi looked at this farce, and his dead fish eyes turned into Hyuga Byakugan.
Fortunately, none of these were major issues, and the third stage of the exam also started normally; naturally, it was a scroll battle again, but the location was in the desert.
Naruto, Sakura, and the others were overjoyed when they heard it was the same content as the mock exam.
Snatching scrolls, they were more than familiar with it.
Originally, Kakashi thought there wouldn't be any major problems in the third stage of the exam, but it turned out that the opposition faction in the Hidden Sand Village caused trouble.
They actually attacked Gaara, the Jinchuriki, and even dragged Fu into it, causing Fu's identity as a Jinchuriki to be exposed.
This time was different from the original work; there was no help from Team Guy.
Fortunately, Kakashi had been paying attention and appeared in time to rescue Gaara and Fu; otherwise, it's estimated that the opposition faction might have actually succeeded.
"Well, that's how things are."
Kakashi told Natsuki after the exam ended, his dead fish eyes full of fatigue.
"I should have known I would be responsible for investigating outside and let you watch Naruto and Fu.
I didn't expect such a big thing to happen in a perfectly good exam.
Fortunately, it was a false alarm; otherwise, if the opposition faction took power in the Hidden Sand Village, I'm afraid they would start trouble with our Konoha again."
Natsuki spread his hands: "It was Kakashi-senpai's own choice; you can only consider yourself unlucky.
Besides, I have the Flying Thunder God Technique, so it's more convenient for me to investigate outside."
Kakashi had nothing to say.
Fortunately, the exam was over, and once the Jinchuriki were safely sent back, there would basically be no more trouble.
Natsuki said: "I've been wandering around for a few days and haven't found any members of the Akatsuki at all; perhaps I was overthinking it.
However, since Fu's identity as a Jinchuriki has been exposed, I think it's better to escort her.
As for Naruto, with so many companions following him, he should be fine, right?"
Kakashi agreed: "Naruto will be fine; Sasuke, Neji, Shino, and Tenten are all there, and actually, Kai and Asuma are also escorting them in secret.
We can rest assured and follow Fu.
As for Gaara, he's definitely safe in the Village."
That's not necessarily true!
He was captured right in the Village!
Natsuki couldn't say this; he couldn't possibly say he had read the original work.
Moreover, it was uncertain whether the Akatsuki would attack Gaara in advance, so he could only give up.
Compared to Gaara in the Village, Fu, who was traveling outside, was more dangerous.
Although Kakuzu and Hidan were dead, the Akatsuki still had other members, and they might actually run into them.
The day after the Chunin Exams ended, the examinees left one after another; as for who would become a Chunin, that was still uncertain.
The three people from Taki Hidden Village also rushed back to the Taki Country as quickly as possible; Natsuki and Kakashi naturally followed quietly.
So some things you really can't think about; once you think about them, they happen.
Indeed, after Fu and her two companions had been traveling for most of the time, two figures in black cloaks with red 553 clouds appeared in front of them.
Looking closer, they were actually acquaintances!
"Uchiha, Itachi!"
Sasuke's voice appeared from behind; he had clearly followed them secretly.
Natsuki and Kakashi were not surprised; they had noticed him long ago but didn't stop him, or rather, couldn't stop him.
Moreover, it was also good to have Sasuke follow them; he could help protect the three people from Taki Hidden Village later.
They just didn't expect that the ones who came were Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki!
Kakashi quickly stopped Sasuke: "Sasuke, don't be impulsive; let's watch first!"
Sasuke nodded: "Don't worry, I've already learned to be calm; Natsuki taught me that.
But can you let me fight Itachi Uchiha first later? I want to determine the gap between him and me!"
Natsuki and Kakashi exchanged glances and didn't object: "Alright, you fight first then; we'll cover you."
Sasuke was relieved.
His eyes, fixed on Itachi Uchiha, gradually turned blood red, and his two-tomoe Sharingan showed a tendency to evolve into a three-tomoe Sharingan.
"Sure enough, following Natsuki and Kakashi was the right decision! The Akatsuki really appeared! And it's Itachi Uchiha!"
Sasuke secretly praised his own intelligence, and at the same time, he was a little restless.
However, he didn't act rashly; instead, he lurked with Natsuki and Kakashi, waiting to see how the three people from Taki Hidden Village would respond