The preliminary round of the Chunin Exams had officially begun.
One by one, the names of the Genin who had successfully passed the harshness of the Forest of Death were called to fight one-on-one in the middle of the spacious arena.
Naruto sat on the spectator balcony with Sakura, occasionally glancing at Sasuke who had just finished his match with a victory that was, as usual, quick and efficient.
Sasuke had now rejoined them, leaning calmly against the wall, though his breathing sounded slightly heavier than usual, indicating the fight had taken a considerable toll on his energy.
The atmosphere around them was quite tense, filled with cheers and comments from other spectators.
However, within Naruto's mind, a completely different conversation was taking place. While half-heartedly watching Shikamaru's fight, which seemed so 'lazy' yet full of calculation against one of the Otogakure Genin, Naruto finally mustered the courage to voice a question that had been bothering him for quite some time.
"Ano... Hana-neechan," Naruto whispered inwardly, his voice hesitant and slightly curious. He glanced towards the arena, then refocused on his thoughts. "I've been wanting to ask for a long time... why... why do you always call me 'prince'? I'm... well, you know, I'm Naruto, not a prince from any kingdom, dattebayo."
In her dim seal, Hana, who was relaxing while elegantly smoking her long pipe, was slightly surprised to hear Naruto's sudden question. An amused smile she couldn't suppress immediately graced her beautiful lips.
It seemed her acute fangirl mode, which she had been trying to control all this time, had finally gotten the green light to explode freely.
"Ara ara~ My prince finally asks?" Hana's voice sounded so sweet and gentle, yet there was an undeniable tremor of enthusiasm behind it. She put down her pipe for a moment. "Why do I call you prince, you ask? Fufufu~ That's a very good question, Naruto-kun!"
Hana cleared her throat softly, as if preparing a well-rehearsed honorary speech in her heart.
"It's because... to me, you truly are a real prince, Naruto-kun! The prince of my heart! How could I not admire that burning spirit of yours? Your unyielding spirit that can inspire anyone who sees it! Even when the whole world seemed to look down on you and shun you, you never once gave up on your noble dream!"
Naruto started to feel a bit strange, a ticklish sensation creeping up the back of his neck. "Eh? M-my spirit? Is my spirit really that great?"
"Of course, it's that great, even more so!" Hana exclaimed with a tone full of conviction.
"And that smile of yours, Naruto-kun! Oh, your smile! Your smile that's as warm and bright as the morning sun, possessing the power to melt even the coldest and hardest of hearts! Every time I see your sincere smile, it feels like all the troubles and sadness in this world just vanish, replaced by warmth and hope!" Hana continued, her voice growing more enthusiastic, her eyes in the subconscious seeming to sparkle with a shower of glittering stars.
"M-my smile too?" Naruto's face unconsciously began to feel warm. He had never heard anyone praise his smile like that.
"And your presence, Naruto-kun! Your presence is a gift!" Hana continued, her tone now slightly softer but full of emotion. "You know, a long time ago... there were times when I felt very tired, very bored, and so stressed with various demands and disappointments..." (Hana was, of course, referring to her stressful life as an office worker in her previous world, but she carefully chose her words so Naruto wouldn't suspect). "And in those darkest moments, just remembering your existence, remembering your unyielding spirit, that was more than enough to be my greatest encouragement! You are my beacon of light in the storm of darkness, Naruto-kun! My inexhaustible source of strength!"
"L-light? Source of strength?" Naruto was starting to get really flustered. He never expected Hana-neechan to give such a dramatic and sweet answer. The barrage of compliments made him confused, a little moved, and also... well, there was a strange and pleasant ticklish feeling in his stomach.
"And that's not all!" Hana exclaimed again, as if just warming up.
"Your limitless courage! Your heart that is so sincere, forgiving, and full of affection! The way you treat your friends so loyally! The way you always stand strong in the face of every difficulty and obstacle! Everything! Everything about you is so... so incredibly admirable! So perfect in my eyes! You are the true definition of a real hero! So, tell me, how could I not call you prince? My Sun Prince! My Prince of Hope! The Prince Savior of My Soul! Prince... Prince..."
"THAT'S ENOUGH, HANA-NEECHAN! ENOUUUGH!" Naruto suddenly shouted in a high-pitched voice, making Sakura and Sasuke, who were sitting nearby, jump in surprise and turn towards him with astonishment.
"I-I understand! I understand what you mean very well! Please, please stop now! This... this is really, really embarrassing, dattebayo!" Naruto continued in a panicked voice that only he could hear in his mind, his face now as red as a ripe apple. He hurriedly covered his entire face with both hands, trying hard to hide the blush he was sure had spread to the tips of his ears and neck. His heart was pounding very fast.
Sakura looked at Naruto with a deeply furrowed brow of confusion. "Naruto? Why are you suddenly shouting like that? And why are you covering your face? Is something wrong?"
Sasuke, who had just finished catching his breath after his fierce fight earlier, also turned towards Naruto with a raised eyebrow, his gaze scrutinizing. "What's wrong with you, Dobe? Did you just see a ghost in broad daylight?"
Naruto, still with his face tightly covered by his hands, shook his head vigorously. "N-nothing's wrong! Really! I... I just suddenly remembered a very, very embarrassing moment from when I was still in the academy! Yes, that's it! Nothing to worry about!" he answered, his voice muffled and slightly stuttering from extreme embarrassment.
Sakura and Sasuke glanced at each other for a moment, their expressions hard to read.
'Ah, so Naruto can feel embarrassed too, huh...' Sakura thought to herself, a slight amusement arising. 'Usually, he's so nonchalant and doesn't care about things like that. Is he starting to mature?'
Sasuke just snorted softly, turning his face back to the arena. 'This kid... he really has grown up a bit, it seems. Or maybe he's just acting weirder.'
The atmosphere fell silent again for a moment among the three of them, only the sound of cheers and the thuds of battle from the arena filling the air. Naruto was still trying hard to calm his heart, which felt like it was about to jump out of his chest, and the heat on his face that wouldn't subside due to Hana-neechan's unexpected 'storm of praise'.
Match after match continued in the arena. Finally, it was Sakura's turn, her name called to face Ino Yamanaka. The battle between the two best friends and eternal rivals was quite fierce and emotionally charged. Unfortunately, however, Naruto still couldn't fully focus.
His mind was still somewhat distracted by the intense conversation with Hana earlier, and the lingering embarrassment made it difficult for him to concentrate fully on the fierce battle unfolding before him. He only vaguely heard Sakura and Ino launching attacks at each other with various jutsu and taijutsu, interspersed with their typical competitive shouts and taunts.
After Sakura and Ino's fight ended in a surprising draw, with both having to be carried out of the arena due to exhaustion, several other matches followed quickly. Until finally, a very familiar name was called.
"Next match! From Konohagakure, Uzumaki Naruto versus... also from Konohagakure, Inuzuka Kiba!" Gekkō Hayate's distinctive voice, punctuated by his coughs, echoed throughout the arena.
Naruto, who was daydreaming while trying to calm the pounding in his chest and fanning his still-hot face, was slightly startled to hear his name called out loud. Only then did he seem to fully snap out of his reverie.
"Yosh! It's finally my turn too!" he muttered to himself, trying hard to gather his focus and fighting spirit that had been scattered.
As he stood up and walked towards the stairs to descend to the arena, Kiba, who was also walking from the opposite direction with Akamaru faithfully perched on his head, grinned broadly at him. "Hey, Naruto! Ready to taste defeat, huh?! Akamaru and I will make you regret daring to face me in this exam!" Kiba taunted arrogantly.
Akamaru, sitting cutely on Kiba's head, barked a few times as if agreeing with his master's words.
Naruto merely glanced briefly at Kiba, choosing to ignore the provocation he deemed unimportant. His mind was now fully focused on the fight he was about to face. He descended the stairs with steady steps, trying to calm himself and recall all the possible fighting strategies he could use, as well as all the advice and guidance Hana-neechan had ever given him.
When both contestants stood facing each other in the middle of the vast arena, Hayate, after coughing several times to the concern of some spectators, finally raised his hand high.
"The match between Uzumaki Naruto and Inuzuka Kiba... cough... hereby... begins!"
Naruto took a deep breath, his blue eyes now staring sharply and with full concentration at Kiba and Akamaru. The embarrassment and palpitations from Hana's earlier praise slowly gave way to adrenaline and fighting spirit. It was time to show the results of his hard training.
—----------------------
The battle between Uzumaki Naruto and Inuzuka Kiba began with high intensity. Kiba, with Akamaru already transformed into a replica of himself through Jūjin Bunshin, immediately launched the Inuzuka clan's signature fast and brutal taijutsu attacks. The arena was filled with two Kiba figures moving wildly, charging through the waves of Naruto's Kage Bunshin that kept appearing. Occasionally, some of Naruto's clones would release a small Fūton: Reppūshō, a gust of wind that, although not very strong, was enough to disrupt the balance and rhythm of the Inuzuka duo's attacks.
The real Naruto stood slightly behind, observing carefully, not immediately rushing in as he usually did.
"Remember, Naruto-kun," Hana's voice sounded in his mind moments before the match began. "The Inuzuka clan's taijutsu is very fast and relies on smell and combined attacks. Don't attack them head-on and recklessly. Use your Kage Bunshin to drain their stamina and look for an opening."
Naruto nodded inwardly. He remembered Hana's warning well. Usually, he would charge forward and engage in taijutsu, but this time he tried a different approach, more patient and calculated.
Kakashi Hatake, standing on the balcony, just smiled faintly behind his mask. He felt a warm pride spread through his chest seeing his student's development. 'You've learned a lot, Naruto,' he thought.
After a while of exchanging blows and draining Kiba and Akamaru's stamina with waves of Kage Bunshin, Naruto saw an opening.
"Now, Naruto-kun! Use the combination we practiced!" Hana exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Alright! Take this!" the real Naruto shouted. He signaled to some of his clones.
One Kage Bunshin leaped forward, its hands quickly forming seals.
Fūton: Reppūshō!
A concentrated ball of wind formed between its palms, spinning rapidly.
Before Kiba could react, another Naruto Kage Bunshin leaped high, then with perfect timing, it planted both feet squarely on the ball of wind held by the first clone.
"LAAAUUNCH!" shouted the leaping clone.
With a powerful thrust from the released Reppūshō, that Naruto clone shot forward like a human missile, its body spinning, aiming directly at one of the 'Kibas' who was off guard.
CRACK!
The unexpected attack hit its target, sending 'Kiba' (the transformed Akamaru) flying quite a distance and reverting to his dog form, looking a bit dazed.
"Akamaru!" the real Kiba shrieked, surprised by Naruto's new tactic. He became even angrier and more frustrated. "Damn you, Naruto! Don't underestimate me!"
Kiba, now fighting alone, became increasingly overwhelmed by Naruto's clones who kept pressing. His eyes wildly searched for the real Naruto. He saw one 'Naruto' figure standing rather far off, looking calm and focused, as if controlling all the clones from there.
"There's the real body!" Kiba growled. Without thinking, he focused all his chakra.
"Gatsūga!"
Kiba's body spun at high speed like a drill, shooting forward to attack the 'Naruto' standing still, intending to end the fight with one ultimate attack.
However, as his Gatsūga hit the target, that 'Naruto' exploded into a puff of smoke.
"WHAT?!" Kiba's eyes widened in disbelief. "That one... was also a Kage Bunshin?!" He had been tricked. The real Naruto was actually hiding among the other clones, waiting for this opportunity.
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled even wider. "That boy... he has truly grown. He's not just strong, but also clever." He looked up at the arena ceiling, as if speaking to two unseen figures. "Minato... Kushina... look at your son. He has grown into a great ninja, inheriting your unyielding spirit, Kushina, and a cunning that's beginning to be honed, perhaps a little from you, Minato. You must be proud."
Kakashi felt his eyes warm slightly. He remembered the first time he met Naruto, the mischievous brat who always shouted about wanting to be acknowledged. Now, that boy had shown extraordinary development. 'You've surpassed my expectations, Naruto,' Kakashi thought, a sincere smile etched behind his mask.
On the balcony, Sasuke Uchiha, who had been leaning indifferently, now sat up a little straighter. His black eyes stared intently at Naruto in the arena. Seeing how Naruto fought more strategically and successfully deceived Kiba, a fighting spirit burned within his heart.
'Hn. Not bad, Dobe. You're getting interesting. I'll be waiting for you in the final round. I'll prove who's stronger between us.'
With Kiba confused and exhausted after his Gatsūga attack completely failed and hit a Kage Bunshin, the real Naruto saw a golden opportunity.
"Now it's my turn, Kiba!" Naruto exclaimed, emerging from his crowd of clones. "U-ZU-MA-KI..."
Several Kage Bunshin quickly kicked Kiba into the air.
"...NARUTO RENDAN!" (Naruto Uzumaki Barrage!)
The real Naruto leaped high, followed by a series of hard punches and kicks from himself and his clones that rained down on Kiba's body in mid-air, ending with a powerful heel kick to the stomach, sending Kiba crashing hard onto the arena floor.
THUD!
Kiba coughed, trying to get up but his body could no longer comply. Akamaru, back to normal, howled sadly beside his master.
Gekkō Hayate immediately jumped into the arena, checking Kiba's condition. After a moment, he stood up and raised his hand. "The winner... cough... Uzumaki Naruto!"
Naruto smiled broadly. With a single blink, all his Kage Bunshin disappeared in puffs of smoke, revealing the real Naruto standing proudly in the middle of the arena, one hand raised high.
He then walked back to the spectator balcony, greeted by his teammates.
"Congratulations, Naruto! You were amazing just now!" Sakura exclaimed sincerely, her face beaming.
Sasuke merely gave a small nod, but there was a different glint in his eyes. "Don't get a big head yet, Dobe. The real fight is still waiting. I'll beat you in the finals."
Naruto grinned. "Of course, Teme! I accept your challenge! I won't lose!"
Kakashi approached and gently patted the top of Naruto's head. "Good job, Naruto. I'm proud to see you grow into a great ninja. You used strategy well today."
Praise from Kakashi-sensei warmed Naruto's heart.
"Fufufu~ I told you, my prince is indeed the greatest!" Hana's voice sounded again in his mind, her tone full of overflowing admiration and pride. "The way you tricked that puppy boy with your Kage Bunshin just now was truly brilliant! And that missile attack! Genius! I love you even more, Naruto-kun~"
Naruto's face immediately flushed slightly hearing the barrage of praise (and declaration of love) from Hana.
He could only smile awkwardly, trying to hide his delight.
Hana's attention and support had always been his greatest source of strength.