'Damn it!'
'I forgot to ask the old man Sandaime about looking at the Scroll of Seals...'
'It's all that old geezer Danzo's fault!'
Naruto, who was walking out of the Hokage Tower, couldn't stop regretting it in his heart.
Meanwhile, at the crossroads, Kakashi kept recalling the 'dream' he had about his father.
As he walked, he occasionally glanced at Naruto.
'Or maybe…'
'I should ask Naruto for more of that special food from last time?'
Kakashi not only wanted to see his father again to ask about what happened back then but also wanted to meet Rin and apologize to her. He even wanted to ask Obito if he was still doing good deeds in the Pure Land... and if he was still late as usual.
And of course, he wanted to see his teacher, Minato, again.
As for the Kushina…
Forget it.
In short, Kakashi had too many things he wanted to say to those who had passed away.
He didn't know whether his father he saw that day was real or just a dream...
But it doesn't matter.
As long as he can see them one more time, that's enough.
But at the same time, Kakashi felt a hint of fear at the thought of facing them...
Kakashi sighed, adjusted his mood, turned around, raised his hand and smiled at the three Genin.
"Yo, my dear students."
"Let's call it a day here."
After saying that, without waiting for their reaction, he left with Body Flicker Technique, leaving the three Genin staring at each other in bewilderment.
"Just now... didn't Sandaime-sama say that he wanted us to take part in the Chunin Exams?"
Sakura thought back to what had just happened and spoke to the two people beside her in disbelief.
She felt like she was dreaming.
It's only been less than 3 months since they became a Genin, and now, they already have to take part in the Chunin Exams.
Sasuke nodded, without showing any expression, and said lightly, "Yes, the sect competition."
Naruto: "???"
Sakura: "???"
Sasuke's sudden remark stunned the two.
Sakura froze for a moment before glaring hatefully at Naruto.
'Aaaahhh!'
'What on earth is Sasuke talking about!?'
'It's all Naruto's fault!'
'Why has my Sasuke turned out like this?!'
The corners of Naruto's mouth twitched, and the expression on his face almost froze.
'Damn it!'
'It's just a normal Chunin Exam! Stop making it weird!'
Just as Naruto was about to complain, he heard the big fox in his stomach speak up.
"Hmph!"
"Sect competition?"
"Is Konoha worthy?"
Naruto: "…"
Hearing the big fox's words, Naruto nearly choked on his own saliva.
'Why don't you two just pair up already?!'
'This is the Shinobi World!'
'Could you at least tone it down a little?!'
"Brat, are you disrespecting me again?"
"No, just go read your book..."
Naruto felt like there was no saving the fox at this point.
It had only been a few days since he last communicated with him, and he had already changed how he called himself again...
Sasuke, who was carrying the Xuan Heavy Ruler that was taller than himself, paid no mind to their bewildered expressions.
He knew it was normal for geniuses to be misunderstood.
'Just look at Xiao Yan. Wasn't he doubted when he was still a waste?'
'Naruto!'
'Just wait! When I master the Flame Mantra... that's when I'll defeat you!'
Sasuke tilted his head at a 45-degree angle and muttered, "Sigh…"
"My life has been like walking on thin ice. Tell me... can I make it to the other side?"
With these words, Sasuke's melancholy aura was fully manifested at this moment.
Sakura turned her head and looked at Sasuke, her eyes practically sparkling with hearts.
'Aaahhh!!'
'So cool!!!'
'Sasuke is amazing!!'
Naruto raised his hand to cover his face and turned his head away, not daring to look at the couple again.
'How the hell does this guy even know that line?!'
'Forget about Uchiha Xiao Yan... Why do you also want to be Thin Ice Bro?'
Just then, Tenten, Neji, and Lee approached them from the opposite direction.
The first time Neji saw the yellow-haired brat, he immediately activated his Byakugan, while Tenten waved enthusiastically at them.
"Hey! Naruto! And you… Thin Ice Bro over there."
"Wanna grab something to eat together?"
Tenten had overheard Sasuke's earlier remark.
Most of the village knew about the Uchiha Genocide, and hearing Sasuke say something like that had genuinely shocked her.
Originally, she couldn't fully grasp the weight the last Uchiha carried, but now she heard him say this...
'He's so miserable!'
So, on impulse, she'd given Sasuke a new nickname.
When Sasuke heard the girl with the bun hair calling him 'Thin Ice Bro', he raised his head slightly and could hardly suppress his smile.
Naruto, who had no idea why Sasuke looked so pleased, felt a terrible premonition in his heart.
'It's over…'
'If the words just now are heard by Tenten, the queen of complainer, it will definitely be nothing good!'
When Sakura saw the girl talking to Sasuke, she immediately clung to his arm possessively.
Facing Sakura's sudden 'generosity', Sasuke didn't feel anything, except for the fact that her grip was digging into his skin.
'Damn, that hurts.'
When Tenten and the others reached them, Neji tried to control his anger when he saw Naruto.
If it weren't for Guy inviting Teams 7 and Team 8 to eat together with them, he wouldn't have lasted a second.
Just remembering his first encounter with him...
"Yo, brother-in-law."
When Naruto saw Neji, he greeted him very naturally, which made Neji's chest rise and fall continuously.
"Uzumaki Naruto…"
"I kill you!!!"
Neji had only endured for two seconds when he saw that the other party looked nonchalant, so he could no longer suppress the anger bursting from his chest and rushed forward with his Gentle Fist.
Fortunately, his two teammates grabbed Neji just in time, desperately trying to calm him down.
"Neji! Calm down!!"
"Take a deep breath!"
"Guy-sensei told us to invite them!"
"Forget it, forget it, just let it go…"
Tenten and Lee used every ounce of strength to hold Neji back.
They had no idea what had happened between Neji and Naruto, but starting a fight here would be way too embarrassing.
"Naruto, shut up for once."
"After all, it's you..."
Realizing that she had spoken too quickly and almost said something wrong, Tenten immediately clamped her mouth shut, fearing that if she continued to provoke Neji, he would be angered to death.
When Naruto heard what Tenten said, he mentally gave her a thumbs-up.
'Girl, I respect you!'
'Don't worry, I will never let my brother-in-law get himself killed!'
When Sasuke and Sakura heard that the invitation, they turned to look at Naruto.
It can be said that the decision-making power for Team 7 revolved around Naruto.
Whatever Naruto wants to do, Sasuke will follow him, and Sakura will follow Sasuke...
As for a certain white-haired Jonin...
If their opinions aligned, then they'll listen to Kakashi, but if not, then it's up to Naruto to decide.
"Hinata and the others will be coming too."
Tenten added when she saw Naruto didn't respond.
'Team building for the Konoha's Genin Teams...'
Naruto was a little surprised. Given Team 7's 'stellar' reputation, he hadn't expected anyone to invite them.
But thinking of Hinata, Naruto chuckled, then said to Tenten.
"Sure, we'll bring Kakashi-sensei too."
After hearing this, Tenten started dragging Neji away, but Lee just stood there stupidly, staring at Sakura foolishly.
"Hehehe…"
"My love!"
"LEE! What are you doing standing there for?!"
When Sakura saw Tenten's situation, she suddenly felt a strange sense of balance.
'It turns out…'
'It's not just Team 7 that's like this.'
Looking at the furious Hyuga Clan's Shinobi and then at this green bowl-cut weirdo, Sakura couldn't help but sympathize.