Naruto went to his apartment after meeting the sand genins as he didn't had anything to do.
At the afternoon while Naruto was walking towards Ichiraku ramen he met with Hinata they exchanged some words and Naruto offered Hinata to have Ramen with him and asked her if she wanted to train after that.
Hinata nodded for both .
The sun was beginning to set as Naruto and Hinata entered Ichiraku Ramen shop. The smell of broth and noodles filled the air, making Naruto's stomach growl in anticipation.
Hinata giggled at the sound, a soft blush on her cheeks.
Naruto asked "What's so funny, Hinata?"
Hinata replied "Oh, it's nothing, Naruto-kun. I'm just happy to see you so excited about ramen."
Naruto grinned at her.
"Well, ramen is the best, especially after a long mission." Naruto said with excitement.
They settled into their seats, and Naruto quickly ordered two bowls of ramen. As they waited for their order, Naruto noticed Hinata's gaze fixed on him.
"Is something wrong, Hinata?"
"No, not at all. I... I was just thinking about your mission. You said it was tough. Did... something happen?"
Naruto shook his head, his smile never faltering.
"No, not really. It's just that the enemies were a bit stronger but I managed really good."
"That's good to hear, Naruto-kun. You're really strong."
Naruto blushed at her compliment, his heart pounding in his chest. He wanted to tell her how he felt, but he knew it wasn't the right time yet.
"Thank you, Hinata. You're strong too, you know."
Hinata blushed deeply, stuttering out a quick thank you.
Their ramen arrived then, and they spent the rest of the afternoon eating and chatting about everything and nothing. Despite the events of the day, Naruto found himself enjoying the simple pleasure of a meal shared with someone he cared about.
After eating they walked to the training field & spend an hour training. Hinata was learning quick by training with Naruto .
Her attack precision was getting better everytime , she got stronger too. Unlike before she is not shy and introverted as before.
When she is with Naruto she doesn't feel shy as before as their training and conversation was making their bond stronger everytime.
After completing training it was already night.
Naruto walked Hinata to her home & left for his apartment.
After reaching to his apartment Naruto cooked some food and after eating he took bath and went for sleep.
The Next Morning...
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Naruto woke up early in the morning. After taking bath , he dressed up in his outfit.
After that he first went to the Ichiraku ramen, as always. After eating some delicious Ramen from Ichiraku ramen, Naruto went to meet his team.
"Naruto joined Sakura and Sasuke at their usual gathering place as the morning sun rose.
"Good morning everyone," Naruto greeted, stretching and yawning.
"Good morning, Naruto," Sakura responded cheerfully. Sasuke merely gave a quiet nod in acknowledgement.
Naruto, ever the prankster, draped an arm around Sasuke's shoulders and goaded, "Lighten up, Sasuke, show us a smile!"
Sasuke responded with a forced, exaggerated grin, prompting Naruto to cover his face, suppressing a laugh. "I... I promise not to ask you to smile again," Naruto managed, his voice shaking with mirth.
Sakura, observing the scene, was also struggling to contain her laughter. Sasuke, realizing his attempt at humor hadn't quite landed, merely snorted in response.
Suddenly, Kakashi appeared. "What's so funny?" he asked.
Naruto was unable to contain himself any longer. "Sasuke tried to smile and ended up looking constipated!" he exclaimed, bursting into laughter.
Sasuke attempted to retaliate with a swift kick, but Naruto was too quick. He ducked and swept Sasuke's legs out from under him. "Too slow, try again next time," Naruto teased.
Sasuke got back on his feet, clicking his tongue in annoyance. Kakashi sighed at their antics before announcing, "I've nominated you all for the Chunin selection exam."
Sakura gasped in surprise, while Naruto simply chuckled. Sasuke remained silent, but it was clear he was eager to test his skills against ninjas from other villages.
Kakashi handed each of them an application, to which Naruto responded, "I figured as much. I ran into some Sand ninjas yesterday who mentioned they were in town for something big."
Kakashi nodded approvingly of Naruto's sharp intuition. "These are just nominations. Whether or not you take the exam is up to you. If you decide to participate, turn your applications in at room 301 in the academy by 4 pm tomorrow," he instructed them and disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Naruto grinned at his application. "This is going to be interesting. There's going to be some strong competition, Sasuke."
Sasuke huffed in response. "You're one to talk, Naruto."
Naruto said smirking "I hope I face you , I'll beat you easily."
"Keep dreaming Naruto, This time I'll take my revenge and defeat you." Sasuke replied with confident stance.
Naruto merely smiled back. "Keep dreaming, Sasuke."
"Ok I'll be leaving." Sasuke said and vanished from the spot, leaving Naruto and Sakura alone.
Noticing Sakura's nervousness, Naruto reassured her, "You don't have to be a close combat expert to be a great ninja, Sakura. You just need to complete the mission. Survival is key."
"Naruto... " Sakura commented tried to say something but than looked at Naruto who gave her a reassured look.
"If you want you can skip , It's your decision and you're the only one who can decide for you , I won't be forcing you either. But only thing I'll say is I believe that you can do it."
Sakura stared at Naruto momentarily and than nodded "Thanks..... Naruto, That means a lot." Sakura said.
"Well I made some explosive tags and Barrier seal just like you showed me last time , how's it ?" Sakura asked as she took out some of Barrier seal and explosive tags and gave them to Naruto.
"Look , I said I believe in you and there's some reason for it." Naruto patted his shoulder and again looked at Sakura "look at you.... You're already getting hang of making seals and tags."
Sakura blushed a little at Naruto's appreciation for her. Naruto than talked about how she can still improve and about other techniques as well.
After speaking for some time Naruto said goodbye to Sakura and both parted ways as Naruto went for His apartment.
In the afternoon as usual, Naruto met Hinata and like everyday they trained together.
After they finished their training, both were tired and drained so they sit under a tree nearby the training field.
"Hey, Hinata Have you heard of the Chunin exam this year ?" Naruto asked Hinata.
"Yes, Kurunai-sensein told about the exam!!!" Hinata replied.
"Kakashi Sensei gave us the application for the Chunin exam and told us if we're interested and want to participate in the exam we must turn the application tomorrow." Naruto said looking at the sky
"So have you decided yet ? " Hinata asked.
"Yes, Obviously..... I already deserve to be a jonin but you know formalities and all , so I've to become Chunin first." Naruto replied with confidence than looked at Hinata "Will you turn your application tomorrow ?"
"Yes , Me and my team all will be taking our applications tomorrow." Hinata replied.
"That's good , You're really strong you know , I think you'll pass easily."
Hinata blushed a little at Naruto's compliment "Thanks..... Naruto-kun."
It was already dark and as the time passed to evening , Naruto and Hinata stood up and walked together for their home.
Naruto and Hinata started their journey home. The streets were quiet, the usual hustle and bustle of daily life beginning to wind down as people retreated into their homes for the night.
The only sound that could be heard was the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze and their own footsteps echoing through the empty streets.
Naruto, turned to Hinata, his face softened by the fading sunlight. "You know, Hinata," he began, his voice carrying a hint of warmth that was usually reserved for his closest friends. "I really like training with you."
Hinata, startled by his sudden confession, felt a blush creep up her cheeks. She had always admired Naruto , her feelings for him growing stronger with each passing day.
Hearing him express his feelings so openly, even if it was just about training, made her heart flutter.
"I... I like training with you too, Naruto-kun," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Naruto chuckled, a wide grin spread across his face. He could sense her shyness, but it was one of the things he found endearing about her. "I'm glad to hear that, Hinata," he said. "Your hard work and determination inspire me to keep pushing myself. It's more fun when we train together."
Hinata couldn't help but smile at his words. Despite her shyness, she felt a sense of comfort and acceptance in Naruto's presence. "I feel the same way, Naruto-kun," she replied, her voice steadier this time. "Training with you gives me the strength to keep going."
Their conversation continued in the same manner, their words flowing freely as they walked home under the fading twilight.
Despite their different personalities, Naruto and Hinata found a common ground in their shared love for training and their mutual respect for each other.
Their friendship was deepening, and they both were aware of the unspoken feelings that were slowly blossoming between them.
They Continued with their conversation untill they reached Hinata's home and Naruto said goodbye to her and walked for his house.
After coming back to his apartment, Naruto cooked some food for himself as he was hungry and because it was dinner time.
After taking dinner, he sat down a little thinking about the next day's Chunin exam.
He knew that he was strong but he never got chance to prove himself yet. He thought of the Chunin exam can be the place of him finally able to showcase his real strength.
After sitting for sometime, Naruto went for bath and than afterwards went for sleep, He remembered about how he confessed to hinata , even though it was about the training still she blushed.
Thinking about her made him smile a little "How can someone be so pretty, even when she's blushing she look good." Naruto thought and after sometime he fall asleep.
The next day.....
Naruto , Sakura and Sasuke walked together to the academy where they were said to fill their application for participating for the Chunin exam.
As they were walking up the stairs and having conversations they hear commotion from the floor.
As they reached the floor they saw two of the jonin instructor standing their who were trying to stop the genins from entering the room.
"What's happening over there?" Naruto questioned, noticing a gathering of people blocking the entrance to room 201. He had spotted it as they reached the floor.
"Seriously? You're intending to participate in the chuunin exam with that level of skill?" One of the two individuals obstructing the entryway jeered, sending a man dressed in green tumbling down.
"Such cruelty..." remarked one of the genins aiming to take the exam.
Upon hearing this, one of the two retorted, "What was that? This is mercy on our part. The chuunin exam isn't a playground... Ah!" He was abruptly cut off as a kick landed on his face, propelling him towards the wall.
Naruto, clearly irritated, interjected, "Enough with the chatter! Lift the genjutsu and let us through."
The genins, including Sakura and Sasuke, stared at Naruto in astonishment.
"How did he get there?! I didn't even see him move!" Sasuke griped, clenching his fist in frustration.
A man barring the path to the room gazed at Naruto with astonishment, "What on earth is this child? Can he truly stand against Kakashi-san?" Clearly, he was one of the elite ninjas who had been in the council with the Hokage.
The elite ninja, who had been thrown about, gingerly wiped the blood from his lips, "He's indeed formidable, just like Kakashi-san declared."
Naruto, visibly irritated, retorted, "What? You won't reverse it? I'll handle it myself." Naruto slightly lowered the blindfold which made one of his eyes visible "Release !" Naruto said.
The door marked 301 morphed into room 201, unveiling another flight of stairs leading upwards.
The elite ninja who had been tossed aside earlier, decided to test Naruto's mettle. Gathering chakra at his feet, he launched a kick aimed at Naruto's face.
Naruto scoffed and stood there. The attack never came to Naruto and stopped in the mid air with the Ninja himself. Naruto catapulted into the air and retaliated with a kick to the elite ninja's midsection.
"Ugh!" The elite ninja doubled over in pain, he was totally confused about what just happened as he was just been stopped mid air with his attack.
Naruto strolled over to Sakura and Sasuke, maintaining his composure under the watchful eyes of the young ninjas and directed, "Let's go."
"Indeed," Sakura, who had also detected the illusion, proceeded to trail Naruto.
Sasuke, although dismissive, followed suit from behind.
"Who are you?" The man in the vibrant green attire inquired Naruto. "I am Rock Lee!"
Naruto swiveled around, grinning, "My name is Uzumaki Naruto."
Rock Lee nodded in acknowledgment, "I'll remember your name. If we ever get the chance to battle, I'll defeat you."
Naruto laughed, "Ambitious, aren't you? Keep that spirit, and you might just make it. If I die before you, you win. If you die before me, you lose."
Rock Lee's eyes sparkled with determination, "Challenge accepted! This is the spirit of youth!"
Naruto couldn't help but grin at the peculiar man who completely misunderstood his joke as he made his way to room 301.
The two jounins who were blocking the way quickly retreated into an adjacent room, "Ouch, that kid is a wild one."
"That's what you get for doubting Kakashi-san's words," the jounin retorted.
The kicked jounin laughed, "Well, it's Kakashi-san we're talking about. It's hard to believe that a kid could stand against him. But seeing is believing."
"In any case, Kakashi-san and Gai-san's students passed the unofficial first test. The kid in the green suit resembles Gai-san and is probably just as skilled in taijutsu," the jounin nodded in agreement.
"When I tried to kick him, he was sturdy as a rock. He must be training rigorously with Gai-san. The exams will be interesting for us proctors too."
Room 301...
Kakashi was waiting by the door for his team. "Now you guys can officially take the exam."
Sakura was confused, "What do you mean?"
"The truth is that you can only participate in the exam as a three-person team."
"But you said the exam was an individual decision. Did you lie to us?" Sakura was taken aback.
"If I had been honest, Sasuke would have convinced you to take the exams. He's power-hungry, you see. Even though you didn't want to, you would have participated," Kakashi explained with a knowing smile.
Sasuke snorted, but he knew he would have done just that.
"And if only Sasuke and Naruto had shown up?"
"The exam would have ended here, they wouldn't be able to continue. However, you chose to come of your own accord. You guys are my pride and joy. Now go."
They smiled at Kakashi's words and entered the room. As the door closed behind them, Kakashi couldn't help but smile at their retreating figures.
[Sorry , For Being late with this chapter..... Drop power stones for keeping the series alive and going ... Add to your library if you wanna continue reading.... Lastly votes are appreciated]