"Then you really are the biggest idiot," Sasuke growls back. "I don't need friends. Power and revenge are the only things I care about, and after today, you'll only live on in fading memory."
"Yeesh, and you call me an idiot," Naruto groans in frustration. While Naruto's concern is steadfastly focused on the future, talking to Sasuke makes him see how focused on the past the avenger is, making him think they really are like two sides of the same coin. "Whether you see it or not, I get why you're like this," Naruto replies. "Power and revenge aren't all you care about and I know for a damn fact, it isn't even what matters most to you." Despite Sasuke glaring at him, Naruto sternly tells him, "so sit tight, you prissy little drama queen cuz I'm helping you whether you want it or not."
Watching Naruto walk ahead of him wearing an overcoat similar to the Yondaime's—as if he's lording over his clan and life—threatening to interfere with his life's goal. Sasuke grabs Naruto's shoulder, pulling hard to turn the blond and maliciously tell him, "don't even think about losing until you reach me." Squeezing his shoulder tight, Sasuke practically spits, "this is the last time you'll ever get in my way." Onyx eyes to clear blue ones, the challenge between them is clear; there isn't another person in this tournament that Sasuke wants to fight more than Naruto.
"Temari versus Shikamaru," Genma announces as soon as the contestants were ready. "Begin!"
Watching from the observation gallery beside team Kurenai, Naruto wasn't sure if the same result Naru-nii had explained to him would happen this time, and if it did, how Shikamaru would trap Temari without the hole Naru-nii dug when he beat Neji. Like many watching, Naruto learned Shikamaru truly is a genius.
When he finally got moving, the pineapple-head unloaded all of his shuriken and kunai, making it appear as if he was desperate to snipe her from afar, however, he only wanted to distract her from an umbrella kunai he launched in the air in order to extend his shadow-bind. She saw through the tactic and maneuvered away… exactly where he wanted her. From the shadow of the wall, Shikamaru used his shadow jutsu to travel around the very edge of the perimeter of the arena to attempt and capture her from behind. Temari saw through that as well. The shadow nearly had her and she watched it on the floor struggling to reach for her but unable to. It made her smile confidently until she turned to finish the match and noticed the flash bomb he threw in the air. It wasn't thrown high or ultra-bright, but it detonated before she can react and the light from the explosion easily stretched her shadow toward the one that nearly snagged her, ultimately capturing her.
Exhausted after using his jutsu for so long, Shikamaru walks to the center, forcing Temari to walk there as well, raises his hand, forcing her to do as much, and gives up. After getting over her shock of the bewildering, intelligent, and lazy shinobi, Temari couldn't deny she was impressed with his foresight. It made her wonder about Konoha men in general and their ability to impress her.
The honest sentiment then made her heart ache because she knew what was expected of her. She knew many Konoha Shinobi would die today. Walking on the grass toward the viewing gallery, Temari gazes up between her brothers and Naruto, and in addition to feeling defeated, she felt nauseated. Every weak step up the stairs to the holding area seemed to threaten her with a violent urge to vomit. Of course, it didn't help the moment she cleared the staircase, Naruto is right in front of her, happy as a clam. Closer to her than he's been in over two days, he looks so powerful and feels so strong but he still has his smile. Being forced to crush his cheerful heart nearly makes her hyperventilate.
"Wow, Temari, your fan is soo awesome," Naruto beams. "I know you showed it to me before but I've never seen it in action…"
Over his shoulder, Kankurō is standing next to Gaara who's sinister grin is all the signal she needs. In that revolting moment, her heart hates her brothers, her father, and her village for making her do this. It's a spike of emotional distress that even makes her hate Naruto for being so amazing, and herself for choosing this vile darkness over love and hope.
Mechanically, Temari walks over to her brothers as Naruto follows to ask, "since we're both wind-users, can I hold it?"
Gaara steps in front of Naruto, glaring with his cold dead eyes as he proclaims, "she doesn't love you."
Naruto pulls up, humming, "Hmm?" He examines Gaara a moment before looking between the Sand siblings. Temari's remains as silent and still as an emotionless porcelain doll.
"She. Does. Not. Love. You," Gaara slowly repeats, trying to let each word sink in as he steps closer to Naruto. Gaara whispers, "all this time, she's been lying to you. She betrayed you; betrayed your trust."
Realizing this is the moment, Naruto hates that this is happening. He always suspected but he hoped maybe he could've changed her mind; even if he knows that would've made her a traitor to her village. Though a small part of Naruto recalls her funny smile—like a girl who never does it—he can't help but confidently tell Gaara, "no she didn't."
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