Chapter 34: The Plan Continues
In truth, Naruto was also looking forward to the Chunin Exam.
Because this was also part of his plan.
He just didn't act as excited as little Sakura and the others.
The so-called Chunin Exam, on the surface, was an assessment to test whether genin had what it took to become chunin. But in reality, it was a method used by the major villages to observe the combat power and potential of other villages and to collect useful information.
Naruto knew this as well.
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, the genin and their instructor Jōnin slowly dispersed.
Everyone said their goodbyes and headed home with anticipation, ready to prepare their training plans.
In the end, only Kakashi, Sasuke, Naruto, and little Sakura were left in the barbecue restaurant.
It wasn't that Naruto and the others didn't want to leave, but Kakashi had purposely stopped them, as if he had something to say.
After everyone else had gone, Kakashi came over to Naruto and the others, looked at the three of them with a smile, and said:
"You heard what Asuma said earlier, right? The Chunin Exam is about to start. Do you want to take it too?"
Little Sakura and Sasuke nodded firmly.
Seeing this, Kakashi nodded, quite satisfied. Then he continued:
"Alright. Since you want to participate, you need to hurry up and train. Also, you can't just take the Chunin Exam because you feel like it. You still need to complete a few more D-rank missions to improve your performance records."
"Otherwise, when you go to sign up, if you've only done one or two missions, that would embarrass me."
Little Sakura and Sasuke understood this truth as well. Hearing that Kakashi wanted them to do more D-rank missions, Sasuke didn't object this time. After all, the Chunin Exam was about to begin.
No matter what missions they took, as long as they had free time to train, that was fine.
Seeing that Sasuke and the others didn't object, Kakashi nodded and continued:
"By the way, I have a secret mission to go on for the next few days. So the three of you will have to take missions on your own."
Hearing Kakashi's words, Sasuke, Naruto, and little Sakura were all taken aback. Each of them looked at Kakashi with different expressions.
Soon, little Sakura looked at Kakashi with dissatisfaction and complained:
"Kakashi-sensei! Didn't Asuma-sensei just say that you were going to guide us in our training? How can you guide us if you're not here?"
When Sasuke heard that, he also frowned, a little不满.
Kakashi smiled awkwardly, scratched his head, and said:
"Hey, there's no helping it. Jōnin are always busy. I've already talked to Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi. They said they can give you some advice when they have time. While you're completing missions, if you don't understand something, you can just ask them directly."
"Don't worry. I'll be back soon. At least before the Chunin Exam."
Listening to Kakashi's unreliable words, Sakura and the others shook their heads helplessly.
Sasuke's eyes flickered, as if he was thinking about something.
And Naruto looked at Kakashi, thought for a moment, and guessed what Kakashi was planning to do.
Since the Chunin Exam was about to start, and Kakashi had said he would be back before the exam, maybe the mission Kakashi was going on was related to the Chunin Exam.
Before little Sakura could speak, Kakashi continued:
"Okay, okay. I believe in you. Even if I'm not here, you can still improve through training. Starting tomorrow, the three of you will go pick up missions together. I still have things to do, so I'll head out first!"
After saying that, Kakashi didn't wait for little Sakura to complain. With a Body Flicker Technique, he instantly disappeared.
Watching Kakashi suddenly vanish, little Sakura stomped her foot angrily and muttered with her small mouth pouted:
"Stupid Kakashi-sensei!"
"Naruto, Sasuke, what are you two going to do?" Little Sakura asked.
"Train. I'm going home first." Sasuke said lightly and got up to leave.
From the look of it, Sasuke seemed to have already made a training plan.
Seeing Sasuke's indifferent attitude, little Sakura was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Naruto.
Naruto just shrugged and said with a faint smile:
"We'll take the missions slowly."
After saying that, Naruto also got ready to go home.
Naruto didn't really care whether Kakashi could teach them or help them train.
After all, Kakashi couldn't teach him anything anyway. Naruto had his own way of training, and he had never fallen behind or stopped improving.
Just as Naruto walked out of the barbecue shop and was about to head home—
Suddenly, a ding sounded in Naruto's mind.
"Ding… the next random check-in location will be refreshed soon."
"Ding… the random check-in location has been refreshed."
"Check-in location: Hyuga Clan, Hinata's bedroom."
…