Little Naruto is about to turn twelve!
This time, for the Chūnin Exam, he will participate as a Genin.
Naruto, with his golden hair, walked out of his house with a somewhat dazed expression.
Lately, he had been a bit distracted.
As in the original series, Naruto is in a team with Sakura, and the third member is Sai, who appears in Part Two of the original story.
Sai is from the Root organization.
Considering Naruto had previously met Itsuki and even been tricked by him, could Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura really be at ease?
Hiruzen Sarutobi assigned Kakashi to be Naruto's team leader.
Danzo Shimura placed Sai by Naruto's side.
As for Sakura...
It wasn't the same as in the original story.
In the original, Sakura naturally ended up in Naruto's team.
Here, her assignment was the result of a compromise between different factions.
A team of four.
Hiruzen Sarutobi chose Kakashi.
Danzo Shimura chose Sai.
The final spot should have been selected by Shikaku Nara.
Unfortunately...
Hiruzen and Danzo were too wary of Shikaku, refusing to let anyone from the Yamanaka clan get close to the Nine-Tails.
If a clan that could manipulate minds stayed close to the Nine-Tails, then who would truly own the Nine-Tails? It might just cause an explosion someday.
Under the strong stance of the two, the helpless Shikaku noticed Sakura—Inoichi Yamanaka's daughter's good friend, someone Naruto liked.
Thus, Sakura joined.
In fact, the reason Kakashi ended up being the team leader also had something to do with Shikaku.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's original choice was Asuma Sarutobi!
Would Shikaku have agreed?
No way!
Might as well imprison the Nine-Tails!
Might as well rename Naruto Uzumaki to Naruto Sarutobi.
After multiple compromises, Naruto's team ended up the way it is now.
"What is the truth, really?"
Naruto muttered to himself.
Two years had passed!
For the past two years, he'd been trying hard to find the so-called answer.
Unfortunately, he faced countless obstacles.
However!
There were some things that couldn't be hidden.
He was the son of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze!
The Fourth Hokage sealed the Nine-Tails inside him, full of hope.
He wanted Naruto to be a hero of Konoha!
So why did he end up as the Nine-Tails demon fox?
Thinking of the kind Third Hokage from his memories, Naruto clenched his fists.
He wasn't the sharpest, but he wasn't dumb.
Especially with Itsuki Uchiha stirring the pot.
Naruto couldn't help but have crooked thoughts!
"Naruto!"
Kakashi, with his lazy expression, looked at Naruto and said, "Relax. Maybe the answer will come to you."
Naruto still kept his head low, the air around him heavy.
"Damn it, pull yourself together!"
Suddenly!
A loud thump landed on Naruto's head.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch!"
Naruto held his head, crouching down as tears welled up.
Sakura gritted her teeth and shouted, "Sasuke is still missing, and you're here moping? You idiot, go find Sasuke, and then be sad."
"S-Sasuke..."
"Exactly!"
They were such good classmates back then!
That's how Sakura thought.
"Right, Sasuke!" Naruto perked up immediately, standing up and shouting, "I still have to bring Sasuke back. That idiot left the village—it's too much!"
Not far from them...
Sai was sketching, not even looking at the two.
As long as he monitored the Nine-Tails, the rest didn't concern him.
Sasuke this, Sasuke that. What about Sai?
Do these people even know what respect is?
All of them were from the Sasuke clan; who was really better?
Kakashi sighed silently.
What a troublesome team.
Then again, there weren't many normal ninja.
He himself was once known as the troublemaker of troublemakers.
In that sense, the students in front of him seemed to be doing okay.
As for bringing Sasuke back...
What for?
To finish him off?
How deep was the hatred?!
Damn, if an Uchiha showed up in Konoha now, Hiruzen Sarutobi would probably want to rip their heart out.
Of course...
That was something Naruto and Sakura didn't need to know. It was good that they had motivation.
"Yes, Sasuke!" Kakashi nodded and said, "This Chūnin Exam, the village of Hidden Fire will send people too. Sasuke should be among them!"
"Really?"
Naruto was excited. "This time, once he comes, I won't let him leave."
He clenched his hands, determination clear on his face.
Kakashi looked at him: You'll end up getting locked up.
Did he really think the Nine-Tails was that invincible?
If not for maintaining balance, he'd already be bottled up.
Sakura hesitated, "Kakashi-sensei, I heard things between the Uchiha and the village were bad. If Sasuke shows up, wouldn't it..."
"Don't worry!"
Naruto pounded his chest, saying, "I'll protect Sasuke. No one will hurt him."
I'm amazed you even graduated from school.
The village was desperate to accept anyone these days!
Even someone like Naruto became a Genin!
Sakura didn't even look at Naruto.
"Rest assured on this point."
Kakashi's voice carried an unusual tone as he said, "After all, Konoha is a great ninja village, with its own pride. We wouldn't target someone just because they're taking the exam."
This was a lie!
The truth was...
As long as that man was alive, Konoha wouldn't dare to cross his line.
Back then!
If it hadn't been for Jiraiya, who knew what would have become of Konoha.
That man had driven Konoha to the brink using explosive tags.
Sakura sighed in relief. "That's good then!"
...
As the Chūnin Exam approached.
The flow of people within Konoha began to increase, and many people dressed in strange outfits started appearing.
They were obviously from other ninja villages.
Conflicts inevitably arose among them.
Just like now...
"Hiss, hiss, hiss!"
Several black snakes coiled around an arm, preparing to strike.
The arm was holding a child by the collar.
Being attacked by the snake, the person instinctively let go of the child.
"Damn it!"
Kankuro frowned, waving his arm and smashing the snake.
The snake turned into ink, dripping onto the ground.
"Is that... a secret technique?"
Kankuro stared at Sai, smirking, "There are some good ninjas in Konoha."
Sai sat on the roof indifferently, looking down at Kankuro. "Suna, this is Konoha. Get lost."
"You've got guts, brat. Get down here!"
Kankuro's face darkened, a menacing look in his eyes. "I can't stand arrogant people."
"Hey, hey!"
Nearby, Temari frowned and said, "You're not thinking of using 'Crow' here, are you?"
"Hmph!"
Kankuro snorted.
Sai gave a fake smile. "You dare to cause trouble in Konoha? Looks like I'll have to teach you some Konoha rules."
Kankuro and Temari stood side by side, mockingly looking at Sai.
"Hey, hey, hey!"
Naruto shouted from nearby, "Don't ignore me, you jerks!"
"Big brother Naruto!"
The younger Konohamaru pulled on Naruto, whispering, "I think you should stay out of it, or you'll get beaten!"
Naruto: "..."
Suddenly!
Kankuro's and Temari's faces froze.
Sai's body also stiffened.
Someone had suddenly appeared next to Sai.
"Stop it, Kankuro!"
"Don't make a fool of yourself here."
This person had short red hair, the character for "love" carved on his forehead, and a large gourd on his back.
Gaara!
The demon who loved only himself!
(End of Chapter)