The next match was between Hyuga Neji and Dosu Kinuta.
Dosu Kinuta's Echoing Drill was a troublesome technique. It was a rare and difficult-to-defend ninjutsu that used sound waves as its medium, attacking directly through vibration rather than visible force. Many spectators instinctively covered their ears as the low hum of chakra-filled sound spread across the arena.
However, Hyuga Neji merely looked at his opponent with cold indifference.
"You have some talent," Neji said calmly, his pale eyes fixed on Dosu. "But unfortunately for you, meeting me today is your greatest misfortune."
His voice carried absolute confidence.
"I am the strongest genin in Konoha in this Chunin Exam."
Before Dosu could fully activate his technique, Neji advanced. Ignoring the pain tearing through his eardrums, he closed the distance in an instant. His palms struck with flawless precision.
"Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Palm!"
A flurry of blows landed in rapid succession. Dosu's body was lifted off the ground and hurled into the air, his chakra points sealed almost instantly. The match ended before most people even realized what had happened.
From the audience's perspective, Neji had not even used a third of his true strength.
Though his words were arrogant, no one could deny that he possessed the power to support them.
---
The next battle was an internal confrontation from Sunagakure: Gaara versus Kankuro.
However, Sunagakure clearly had its own plans. In order to preserve their strength and avoid revealing too much information about their abilities, Kankuro voluntarily withdrew from the competition. Without lifting a finger, Gaara advanced directly to the finals.
No one found this surprising.
After all, Gaara was already known as the demon of the Chunin Exams.
His terrifying performance in the Forest of Death had long since proven his strength.
---
The final preliminary match was announced.
Uchiha Sasuke versus Zaku Abumi.
Zaku Abumi was another ninja from Otogakure, one who specialized in sonic-based attacks. Both his Sharp Airwave and Extremely Sharp Airwave techniques were exceptionally destructive, capable of tearing through defenses with compressed sound.
For a time, he managed to force Sasuke into a fierce exchange.
The Cursed Seal on Sasuke's neck had previously weakened him, preventing him from fighting at full strength. Zaku's relentless pressure pushed Sasuke further and further into a corner.
But as the battle dragged on, Sasuke's breathing steadied.
Gradually, he began to attune himself to the power of the Cursed Seal.
Black, ink-like markings spread across his body, crawling over his skin as a malevolent aura erupted from him. His chakra surged violently, sending a chill through everyone watching.
Zaku's eyes widened in fear.
"T-this is… Orochimaru-sama's power…"
Unlike Naruto, who instinctively resisted and suppressed the Cursed Seal, Sasuke felt something different in that moment.
Power.
Overwhelming, intoxicating power.
With a distorted grin, Sasuke roared and released it without restraint.
The next instant, he was in front of Zaku.
Crunch.
The sound of bones breaking echoed across the arena.
Zaku screamed as both of his arms were shattered, joints dislocated beyond recovery. The brutality of the attack stunned the audience into silence.
Bleeding and broken, Zaku fell to his knees, desperately begging for mercy.
But Sasuke did not stop.
His eyes were unfocused, his expression twisted as if he were intoxicated by the strength flowing through him. He raised his hand again, clearly intending to continue the torment.
Just then, a figure flashed between them.
Gekkō Hayate appeared, forcing his blade down and halting the match.
"Enough!"
The interruption snapped Sasuke back to his senses.
He staggered, the black markings slowly receding.
Naruto and Hinata exchanged worried glances.
They were not only concerned about the Cursed Seal itself. Naruto understood Sasuke better than most. He knew how deeply Sasuke craved power—and how dangerous it was to have just tasted something like this.
If Sasuke became dependent on the Cursed Seal, he would walk straight into Orochimaru's trap.
"Sasuke…" Naruto muttered.
Sasuke lowered his head and remained silent. No one could tell what thoughts were swirling in his mind.
---
Gekkō Hayate cleared his throat and announced loudly, "The list of finalists for the Chunin Exams is now confirmed!"
"Uzumaki Naruto! Uchiha Sasuke! Hyuga Hinata! Hyuga Neji! Rock Lee! Aburame Shino! Haruno Sakura! Nara Shikamaru! Gaara! Temari!"
Of the ten finalists, eight were from Konoha and two were from Sunagakure.
This distribution clearly reflected the current balance of power among the major ninja villages.
"The final round of the Chunin Exams will take place in one month," Hayate continued. "During this time, all participating ninja may train freely and prepare for the final evaluation."
Naruto clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with excitement.
"One month!" he shouted. "Just wait—I'll make the entire ninja world remember the name Uzumaki Naruto!"
With that, the preliminary rounds came to an end.
The Chunin Exams were temporarily suspended, awaiting the final battles one month later—the most glorious stage of them all.
Naturally, every finalist devoted themselves to intense training.
Naruto was no exception.
---
Konoha Village, training grounds.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto shouted enthusiastically. "Train us! Give us special training!"
"I want to get stronger!"
Kakashi scratched his head lazily. "Well… wanting to get stronger is good, but it's not something that happens overnight."
"All three members of Team Seven making it to the finals already proves our strength," he continued. "As for what comes next—"
Naruto narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Kakashi-sensei, you're not trying to slack off again, are you?!"
Kakashi smiled faintly. "Of course not."
"On the contrary, I'm unusually serious this time. I've prepared personalized training plans for each of you."
Naruto, Hinata, and even Sasuke were visibly surprised.
Could this perpetually late jonin—who usually spent his time reading Icha Icha Paradise—really be serious?
Excitement filled all three of them.
Kakashi turned his attention to Sasuke first.
"Sasuke," he said slowly, "during your last match, you unintentionally drew out the power of the Cursed Seal. You felt the increase in strength—and deep down, you were tempted by it."
Sasuke remained silent.
"I'll be honest with you," Kakashi continued. "That power is a trap set by Orochimaru. Once you fall into it completely, you'll lose yourself. You'll become his prey, and death would be the best possible outcome."
Sasuke clenched his fists.
Kakashi smiled gently. "That's why I've prepared the most suitable path for your growth."
"The Sharingan."
Sasuke's heart trembled. "You mean… mastering the Sharingan?"
"Exactly," Kakashi replied. "For the next month, I will personally train you to control and develop your dōjutsu."
"You should know this—Orochimaru's true interest lies in your Sharingan. It's a power even he desires. And that power already belongs to you."
"As long as you master your own strength, you won't need the Cursed Seal."
Sasuke fell silent for a long moment before nodding.
If he could grow stronger through the Sharingan alone, why would he gamble his life by seeking Orochimaru?
Kakashi then turned to Naruto.
"Naruto, your chakra reserves are enormous, and your taijutsu and ninjutsu foundations are already strong," he said. "But raw power isn't enough."
"You need to learn how to deal with special abilities and extreme situations."
Naruto scratched his head. "Huh?"
"If it's a direct fight," Kakashi explained, "aside from Gaara, there's probably no one who can match you."
"But the ninja world is vast. There are countless hidden techniques and forbidden jutsu."
He listed them one by one—chakra absorption, genjutsu, shadow techniques, clan secrets.
"This month, I'll teach you how to counter all of them."
Naruto grinned. "Awesome! Thanks, Kakashi-sensei!"
Finally, Kakashi looked at Hinata.
"Hinata, you've done very well," he said warmly. "Creating your own Protective Gentle Fist Eight Trigrams technique at your age is remarkable."
"But your weakness is that you're too defensive."
"For the next month, I'll help you develop a counterattack-focused combat style."
Hinata's eyes widened. "A counterattack style?"
"Exactly," Kakashi said. "Remain unbreakable, find your opponent's weak point with the Byakugan, and finish the fight with a single decisive strike."
Hinata bowed deeply. "T-thank you, Kakashi-sensei!"
Kakashi truly had changed.
As he guided each of them with care, Naruto watched with relief.
He knew that the task given to him by his older brother was not only about his own promotion—but about ensuring that all of Team Seven advanced together.
Otherwise… there would be consequences.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)