Chapter 241: Before the Chunin Exams! (Seeking Subscriptions)
Time flew by, and it was already June.
On this day, the area beneath the Sage Tree was bustling with activity.
A large group of children surrounded Sarutobi Mirai, and the little one's eyes, identical to Kurenai's, couldn't take it all in.
Naruto, Sasuke, Haruno Sakura, Uzumaki Karin, Uzumaki Kana, Little Nawaki, Konohamaru, Neji, and Hinata.
Sasuke and Haruno Sakura had been invited by Naruto, while Neji and Hinata came as disciples of Sarutobi Asuma and Shizune.
After a lively period, Naruto and the others were forcefully expelled by Uzumaki Kushina.
Kurenai, holding Sarutobi Mirai, went up to the treehouse with Uzumaki Kushina.
Sarutobi Asuma beckoned, and a group of little ones immediately came before him and sat down obediently.
His gaze swept over them one by one, and Sarutobi Asuma asked with a smile, "Naruto, are you all preparing to participate in this Chunin Exams?"
"Of course, Uncle Asuma," Naruto replied with a smug look. "We've already graduated from the Genin Preparatory Class, and we have the strength of a Chunin now."
He added with some displeasure, "They should have just made us Chunin directly; these exams are too troublesome!"
"Idiot Naruto!" Karin's voice chimed in, mocking him. "Even Teacher Asuma had to pass the Chunin Exams back in the day. Are you scared of the test?"
"Hmph, I know there's a written exam in the Chunin Exams," Naruto said, jumping up from his seat. "Even if there's a written exam, I'm not afraid. Hmph, I am Namikaze Naruto, son of the Fourth Hokage, and I'm going to be Hokage someday!"
Although he said this, everyone present, even the young Little Nawaki, could tell he lacked confidence.
Sarutobi Asuma had changed many things, but some things remained the same. For example, Naruto's personality. This guy inherited Kushina's disposition – carefree and thick-skinned. While he had moments of thoughtfulness, he was mostly scatterbrained. Although he wasn't the dead last in the Ninja Academy, written exams were indeed not his strong suit.
However, even if the written exam was a disaster, with guidance from Minato and Kushina, especially the latter, who would resort to physical discipline at the slightest disagreement – far more violent than Tsunade – Naruto's strength was not weak. He had entered the Genin Preparatory Class through sheer power.
Furthermore, few in Konoha knew he was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, so no one targeted him, and he had many playmates as a child. But this didn't stop him from craving everyone's approval. After all, he was the son of the Fourth Hokage. As a second-generation Kage, he admired his father but also wanted to surpass him or break free from his influence and gain genuine recognition for himself, not just because he was the Fourth Hokage's son. After all, whenever people praised him, they always added, "As expected of the Fourth Hokage's son!"
Sarutobi Asuma had gone through the same thing in his youth, so he understood.
"I believe Naruto-niichan can definitely pass the Chunin Exams and become a Chunin!" Konohamaru was the first to support Naruto.
Little Nawaki then spoke up, "I support Naruto-niichan too!"
The two little ones actually looked quite similar, and their relationship was very good. The last time Naruto mastered the Rasengan, he immediately taught it to Konohamaru and Little Nawaki. Not to mention the Sexy Jutsu… The three boys thought it was their secret, unaware that Sarutobi Asuma knew all about it.
Seeing Konohamaru and Little Nawaki supporting Naruto, Sarutobi Asuma immediately recalled that incident. He hadn't expected that his subtle guidance for Naruto to develop the Sexy Jutsu, defeat his own father, the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, and then frame Jiraiya, leading to Jiraiya being chased by Kushina for three blocks and still not daring to return to Konoha. And now, retribution was falling upon his own children.
For a moment, Sarutobi Asuma's gaze became a little dangerous as he asked with a smile, "Naruto, I heard you've mastered the Rasengan and the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu?"
"Mhm, mhm, mhm!" Naruto nodded repeatedly. "Yes, yes!" He proudly boasted, "Uncle Asuma, on this mission, I defeated the Demon of the Hidden Mist Village, Zabuza, using the Rasengan and the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Seeing him brag, Haruno Sakura couldn't help but interject, "Naruto, that wasn't all your doing. If it wasn't for Teacher Kakashi, you would have been dealt with long ago!"
"Hmph, I wonder who was trembling in fear from Zabuza's killing intent!" The last sentence made Sasuke, standing nearby, blush.
He was so scared he was trembling uncontrollably, unable to move.
Naruto couldn't help but jump up and exclaim, "That was just because we weren't prepared!"
"Sasuke, you agree, right?"
Uchiha Sasuke met Sarutobi Asuma's gaze and said, "It was because we lacked experience and were intimidated by Zabuza's killing intent."
"That guy is indeed very powerful. Without Teacher Kakashi, with our experience, we wouldn't have been able to defeat him!"
Sarutobi Asuma raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly. It seemed Uchiha Itachi had trained Sasuke well!
Although he carried himself with pride, he wasn't arrogant and knew his own limitations, also being quite introspective.
Karin couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Naruto felt a bit dejected after Sasuke exposed his shortcomings.
However, Haruno Sakura became quite displeased and snorted, "Karin, Zabuza was indeed defeated by Naruto's Rasengan!"
She glanced at Sasuke beside her and continued, "And Sasuke's precise coordination."
"There was also your Genjutsu, which confused Zabuza!"
Sasuke said.
Sakura's cheeks flushed, and she was overjoyed in her heart. 'As expected, Sasuke still likes me!'
Thinking this, she looked at Karin beside her with a challenging gaze.
Karin was furious, her fists clenching with a cracking sound.
She had been taught by Kushina for most of her life, and had grown up suppressing Naruto since childhood, so one could imagine.
She decided she would teach Sakura and Naruto a good lesson later.
That idiot Naruto wasn't standing with her, and Tenten was actually helping Sakura.
How hateful!
Beside Neji, Hinata, who had been silent all along, secretly gasped, "Naruto-kun is so amazing!"
Sarutobi Asuma, listening to the youngsters, seemed to have understood everything and smiled, "It seems you all cooperated well this time."
"I've heard of Zabuza too; he's a very formidable individual. He once killed everyone else during the graduation exam in Kirigakure."
Karin and the others changed their expressions upon hearing this.
Uzumaki Kana couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Asuma, why did he kill everyone else? That's too wicked!"
"That has something to do with Kirigakure's policy."
Sarutobi Asuma briefly mentioned Kirigakure's Bloody Mist policy, then smiled at Naruto and said, "Naruto, you and Karin will have a match. Whoever wins, I will teach them one of my unique techniques!"
Naruto and Karin's eyes lit up simultaneously.
"Idiot Karin, I'm definitely going to beat you this time!"
Naruto regrouped.
Karin waved her fists, facing him squarely, "Hmph, idiot Naruto, I'm not afraid of you!"
"Don't come crying to me for mercy later!"
Naruto's face immediately turned red as he recalled the embarrassing past when Karin had beaten him until he cried as a child.
He swore he would make Karin pay this time!
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