"The first to fight, step forward..."
The day had arrived, Naruto and Neji both smiled in response.
"I expect a lot from you, Naruto."
"Hah! Same here."
In the final Chunin Exams, winning the matches wasn't the primary focus. There were judges who would determine if the shinobi had what it takes to be a Chunin, considering strategies and utilizing the terrain to their advantage.
For this event, the judges were the Third Hokage and the Fourth Kazekage, both powerful and experienced shinobi as well as village leaders.
"It's a pity that the Fifth Hokage isn't present."
Commenting sarcastically, the Fourth Kazekage laughed under the veil covering his face. Face veils were common for Sand Village shinobi due to frequent sandstorms.
"As the current governing leader, she has many things to attend to, so I came in her place."
Hiruzen only chuckled in response. He was somewhat relieved that his sore throat was in the hospital and not at the Chunin Exams. He didn't worry about the Kazekage's comments; being an old man didn't mean he was weak.
"Is that so? What a shame. I would have liked to exchange words with the princess of Konoha, but I suppose that will have to wait."
Despite his disappointment, the Kazekage looked down to where the first match officially began.
Naruto's training with Jiraiya bore fruit. His chakra precision increased, allowing him to create more resilient clones.
"Eight Trigrams Palm!"
However, Neji's Byakugan allowed him to target Naruto's chakra points with his Gentle Fist. With a 360-degree view, nothing could escape his eyes.
Naruto was strong, but against the Gentle Fist and Taijutsu of the Hyuga clan, he was helpless. However, after a long battle, Naruto emerged victorious.
Naruto's chakra reserves far surpassed Neji's. Even though Neji had blocked Naruto's chakra points with the Gentle Fist, Naruto only needed to unlock them using the compressed chakra of the Kyubi.
"Hahaha... You really are a blockhead."
Neji was satisfied. Yuki often spoke to him about Naruto and his ability to create miracles, yet he was indeed a big blockhead. While Neji was superior to Naruto in Taijutsu, he ended up losing due to a careless mistake, just as Yuki had said—a miracle worker.
(I still have much to learn...)
For someone who wanted to improve and stand alongside his childhood friend, Neji clenched his fist. Fortunately, the Hyuga clan's situation was gradually improving. Hiashi didn't want his nephew forever trapped in the shadows, so the internal dynamics of the Hyuga clan were changing.
"Guuuu~ it's a shame Yuki is in the hospital; otherwise, he would be here."
"Yeah, it's a shame..."
Unsatisfied, Ino paced back and forth. Yuki was supposed to be the sensor for this third exam, but due to his operation, he stayed in the hospital. Ino, Hinata, and Hanabi visited him and wanted to stay by his side, but it was a shame Tsunade kicked them out.
"I can't believe it! Why can that woman stay, and we can't?!"
What angered Ino more was that Tsubaki could be in the hospital. She didn't know where this woman came from, but ever since Yuki introduced her, Ino's jealousy hadn't stopped.
She was a stranger, whereas Ino was Yuki's childhood friend; she should have the preference.
Unfortunately, she could only give in and drag Hinata and Hanabi with her in the end.
"Don't worry, Ino. Tsubaki-san will take care of him."
Hinata was much calmer; she had no issues and her main priority was for Yuki to recover.
"Big sister, sometimes your kindness is your greatest disadvantage."
Hanabi was like Ino, not liking another woman entering her territory. However, she was calmer than Ino, but she was also thinking about how to keep Yuki away from that woman.
(That brat...)
Seeing the trio of girls talking about the same guy gave Hiashi a headache.
He really didn't know what Yuki fed his two daughters, and he was very frustrated.
At this rate, he would have to say goodbye to his two beloved daughters in the not-too-distant future.
He really wanted to strangle the brat, but for now, he settled for the fact that the brat wasn't present...
"..."
Sakura, on the other hand, smiled stiffly at the trio's conversations. She didn't want to get involved in this and gradually distanced herself.
Although she was also surprised to learn that Sasuke's brother was in the hospital and that it was because of this that he wasn't working as the exam sensor, she was more concerned about Sasuke, who still hadn't arrived.
(I hope he's okay... Sasuke)
"Next match..."
The next combat was Sasuke's. However, due to his absence and the appeal by both the Third Hokage and the Kazekage, the sensor had no choice but to move on to the next match.
"I resign..."
Unfortunately, Kankuro surrendered immediately without fighting Shino, leaving only the next contenders.
"Tch... How boring."
Touching his head, Shikamaru sighed and had no choice but to descend into the combat arena.
Well, rather than descending, he was pushed by Naruto.
"What's wrong? You're not going to give up, right?"
Seeing Shikamaru's disinterest, Temari frowned.
"Oh great, I have to defeat a woman..."
At the same time, outside Konoha, several ninjas gathered.
These ninjas wore different uniforms, obviously not belonging to the same village.
These ninjas were from the Sand Village and the Sound Village, and by their weapons and posture, it was clear they weren't around Konoha for good intentions.
"The invasion has been confirmed; the Devourer is currently outside the village. It's the perfect time to attack."
"Understood, commence the summoning."
The Sound Village had fulfilled its part of the deal—getting this little monster out of Konoha.
With their greatest threat outside Konoha, these ninjas had nothing to fear.
They had Orochimaru of the Sound, Gaara of the Desert, and of course, the Kazekage.
Three powerful shinobi, and Gaara, as a Jinchuriki, had the highest destructive power, especially with Shukaku and its massive body.
Konoha already had a Fifth Hokage, but this wasn't enough to stop Shukaku. The only one who posed a complete threat to the operation was the Devourer.
This was a fear that came through rumors and feats made by this little monster.
Shukaku wouldn't be enough to stop him, and they highly doubted that the Kazekage could either.
This ninja had surpassed the power of a Kage and was recognized as a half-God.
Unless the three most powerful ninjas on their side joined forces, it would be impossible to defeat him. But Konoha didn't have only the Devourer as a powerful ninja; there was the Fifth Hokage, the Third, and Jiraiya.
However, the Third Hokage was already an old man, and his strength was at the lower end. Tsunade, being a medical ninja, made the invasion feasible.
Keeping this in mind, the Sand Village ninjas prepared and patiently awaited the signal, while the summoning of the three-headed serpent began.
"The winner is Temari..."
The match ended, and Shikamaru gave up after a brief struggle, capturing Temari with his shadow. Shikamaru didn't wish to become a Chunin; advancing in rank would only bring more responsibilities and more work. It was better to stay as a Genin.
"You...!"
Temari was furious. It was clear that she had lost this match, yet this rascal conceded victory. It was an insult to her. Unfortunately, she could only grit her teeth and withdraw.
Her mission was about to begin, and she couldn't afford to spend more chakra.
"All right, we begin the next match... Sasuke Uchiha and Gaara of the Desert, step into the arena."
Sasuke still hadn't appeared, and previously, thanks to the Kazekage, his fight had been postponed. But now, people in the stands were starting to get tired. They didn't want to keep waiting for this Genin, and even though his battle was the most anticipated, arriving late wasn't good.
*Pufff
"Sorry for the delay..."
And just when the sensor was about to disqualify Sasuke, a smoke cloud appeared in the arena, revealing Kakashi along with Sasuke.
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Author: I wanted to write a lemon and ended up writing an orgy... Funny how things turn out, isn't it?
TN: Sorry I'll post the rest chapters in a while