["What a fat cat! "]
[Sakura said with a look of disbelief.]
[She then picked up the cute fat cat.]
["So heavy... it's solid!"]
["Meow~!"] the big fat cat let out a weak groan.
[It wanted to resist, but its neck of fate was pinned down.]
["Today's mission is over."]
["Let's go."]
[Naruto looked at the fat cat with some amusement.]
[He wondered if the Great Fox could be fed that fat.]
["Mm-hmm~"] Sakura immediately nodded in response.
[Sasuke stood to the side with his hands in his pockets, a few leaves still clinging to him.]
[Clearly, he was the one who completed this mission.]
["Well~"]
["Missions still need to be done to openly gather intelligence in the Village."]
[Kakashi looked at Sasuke with a smile.]
["So, this time you'll be the one to submit the mission."]
["Remember to say a few nice words."]
[Hearing this, Sasuke's instinct was to refuse.]
[But seeing Kakashi's expression, he chose to remain silent.]
[Whatever, he'd just treat it as going to see how haggard that Old Thing has become; if he flattered it a bit, would it look like it just got a shot of adrenaline again?]
["Hmph!"]
[Sasuke gave his habitual cold snort, then took the big fat cat to deliver it to Old Lady Li, who had posted the mission.]
["Well then, counting the time, it's about ready."] Kakashi stood up and stretched.
[As soon as he finished speaking...]
[Screech——!!!]
[The goshawk circling above Konoha suddenly let out a sharp cry.]
[Kakashi looked up and said, "The signal to assemble."]
["It should be to discuss the Chunin Exams."]
[The Chunin Exams?]
[Naruto was slightly startled, having almost forgotten about this.]
[He had been busy training during this time.]
[He hadn't noticed that the Chunin Exams were approaching.]
[But it's just as well; these Chunin Exams are collaborative.]
[Many people will come to Konoha then.]
[The nobility and dignitaries will definitely be there.]
[Even the Daimyo and others will come along.]
[By then, preparations should be mostly complete, so everything can be resolved together.]
In the VIP spectator area above the Arena, the expressions of the dignitaries changed slightly.
The Ninja leaders were also breaking out in a cold sweat.
It couldn't be that direct, could it?
No matter what, we are the ruling class; if we're gone, won't everything fall into chaos?
However, at this moment, except for a few who were surprised, most people didn't care about them at all.
["Let's go."] Kakashi glanced into the distance and then left with a Body Flicker.
["We'll probably have to submit the Chunin Exams application forms later... Are we participating this time?"] Sakura asked.
["Let's participate; it's a good chance to come into contact with the younger generation of other Villages."] Naruto nodded.
["I'll listen to you~"] As she spoke, Sakura immediately became bold, hugging Naruto's arm.
[This is the benefit of being in the same team.]
[Sasuke returned after submitting the mission, his mood much improved.]
[He looked forward more and more to the expression the Old Thing would have once it realized the reality.]
[During this time, with Shikamaru and Minato Namikaze around...]
[Many doubts had received reasonable answers.]
[Sasuke became increasingly introverted.]
[However, the hatred in his heart for Uchiha Itachi only grew deeper.]
[If before he only thought about killing that 'filial son' with his own hands, now Sasuke wanted to tear out his heart to see if it was black, if it was like a human heart, and if it was warm...]
[Taking a deep breath and adjusting his mindset, Sasuke walked toward the two in front of him.]
[From a distance, Sasuke saw Sakura holding Naruto's arm, and he couldn't help but frown.]
[Immediately after, Sakura seemed to sense the gaze from behind; she looked back at him, secretly shook her fist, and gave him a warning look.]
[Sasuke simply ignored her.]
[He caught up and walked alongside them.]
[Sakura: "..."]
[That damn Sasu-ge!]
[Why doesn't he have any situational awareness at all?]
[Finally taking a mission, finally waiting for a chance to be alone...]
[In the end, seeing Sasuke's stubborn attitude, Sakura had no choice but to give up and just pretend he wasn't there.]
[However, as they walked, someone else came to ruin the atmosphere.]
["Hey!"]
["Big Brother Naruto!"]
["I've been studying with Iruka-sensei for a long time; prepare to accept my challenge!"]
["Wait... Big Brother Naruto, who is this Ugly Woman?"]
["Where's the Ugly Woman from last time?"]
["This pink-haired one is even uglier than the blonde one from last time!"]
[Ugly Woman?]
[The Ugly Woman from last time... blonde?]
[Ino?!]
[Meaning, I'm even uglier?!]
[In an instant, Sakura's fist clenched.]
["You've become the top student in your year?"] Naruto looked back.
[Sure enough, it was that brat Konohamaru.]
[Hearing this, Konohamaru immediately lifted his chin, his face full of pride.]
[Moegi, who was nearby, had stars in her eyes when she saw Naruto.]
[But she quickly snapped out of it.]
[She hurriedly backed away a bit.]
[On the other side, Ise Udon backed away the moment Konohamaru shouted 'Ugly Woman.']
[Speaking of which, this kid Konohamaru really does have a bit of a bratty streak.]
[He gets beaten up and then admires the person who did it...]
[If you were nice to this kid, he might think you're only doing it because of his grandfather and wouldn't even pay you any mind.]
[But if you flattened him and then said a few bad things about the Old Thing, he'd immediately turn into a sycophant.]
[Beating him up isn't hard, of course.]
[But one must have the guts.]
[In this Village filled with the Will of Fire, beating up the grandson of the Strongest Hokage?]
[Do you have a death wish?!]
[Perhaps only by being beaten up would Konohamaru feel like he's being treated like a normal person.]
[After all, that's a very rare thing.]
[Of course, if his grandfather were no longer the Hokage...]
["Hey!"]
["Why are you two backing away?"]
[Konohamaru frowned slightly, "And Moegi, didn't you miss Big Brother Naruto the most?"]
["I feel like if you drive this Ugly Woman away, you'll have a chance."]
["Don't worry, not everyone has the same strength as that Ugly Woman from last time."]
["Damn... my head still hurts a bit thinking about it."]
[As Konohamaru spoke, he rubbed the spot on his head where Ino had hit him, still feeling a lingering fear.]
[Anyway, since Ino wasn't here, he could call her whatever he wanted.]
[At worst, the next time he saw Ino, he'd just obediently call her'Sister-in-law.']
[That way, no matter how angry Ino was, it would only be a light flick to the forehead at most; Konohamaru naturally wasn't afraid.]
[However, Konohamaru didn't know that he had once again provoked the wrong person.]
[This pink-haired one hit several times harder than the blonde one.]
Konohamaru: "..."
Memories from not long ago flooded his mind.
Even before mastering her Monstrous Strength, Sakura had beaten him so badly he almost saw his great-grandmother in his daze.
If he were to take a punch from the 'Ugly Woman' Sakura in the black frame world...