In the present-day Shinobi World...
After the Heavenly Screen's new video finished playing, people across the Shinobi World talked about it, but the images of the future had no direct effect on the present. Early the next morning, the candidates who had passed the Forest of Death test gathered at Konoha's arena on time. The atmosphere was tense as they stood around the edge of the arena, waiting for the examiner's announcement.
Examiner Gekko Hayate stood on the raised platform and swept his gaze over the candidates below before announcing the rules of the preliminaries in a loud voice. "Candidates who passed the Forest of Death test, you will now compete in one-on-one preliminary matches. The winners will qualify for the final exam one month from now!"
As Gekko Hayate announced the rules, the undercover Kabuto Yakushi suddenly raised his hand and withdrew. An apologetic smile touched his face, as though he regretted being unable to continue. Immediately afterward, two more candidates withdrew because their injuries had not healed and they could no longer fight. That left only twenty-four candidates, who would compete in the preliminaries for the final twelve places.
The screen in the arena began to flash, displaying the randomly paired matchups one by one. The candidates held their breath and focused, waiting for the examiner to announce when they would fight.
In the first match, Sasuke walked calmly onto the floor, his sharp gaze fixed on his opponent, Akadō Yoroi. Yoroi was covered in armor from head to toe and moved swiftly, attempting to overwhelm Sasuke with Taijutsu. However, with the exceptional insight of his Sharingan and his agile movements, Sasuke quickly found an opening in Yoroi's defenses. He pierced them with a precise Lightning Release: Chidori and won.
The second match, between Naruto and Kiba, was full of fierce clashes. Kiba and Akamaru's combined assault was ferocious, but Naruto relied on his tenacious will and unexpected tactics to defeat Kiba with a Naruto Barrage, winning the match.
The third match, between Sakura and Ino, was an evenly matched contest. The two were both close friends and rivals, and neither held anything back. In the end, both were too exhausted to continue. Examiner Gekko Hayate declared a draw, but the rules prevented either of them from advancing.
In the fourth match, Shikamaru walked lazily onto the floor and seemed a little impatient as he faced Kin, who specialized in Genjutsu. Once the fight began, however, Shikamaru showed his astonishing tactical mind. He cleverly used his Shadow Imitation Technique to control Kin's movements and ultimately won with ease.
In the fifth match, Dosu Kinuta was a ninja who specialized in sonic attacks, and his fighting style was strange and elusive. Choji fought hard to resist, but in the end, Dosu's sonic attacks defeated him, regrettably eliminating him.
The sixth match, between Gaara and Lee, was the fiercest of the preliminaries. Lee opened the Eight Gates and launched a fierce assault on Gaara at astonishing speed, but Gaara's absolute defense kept him from being defeated. In the end, Gaara defeated Lee and severely injured him with his overwhelming strength, winning the match.
The seventh match, between Neji and Hinata, was a contest within the Hyuga Clan. With his outstanding Gentle Fist skills and the power of his Byakugan, Neji easily overwhelmed Hinata. Although Hinata fought hard, she ultimately proved no match for Neji and suffered a regrettable defeat.
In the eighth match, Temari launched a fierce Wind Release attack with her enormous fan. Tenten's ninja-tool assault was sharp, but Temari's Wind Release ultimately overwhelmed it. Temari won easily and advanced to the next round.
In the ninth match, Shino's insect-controlling Ninjutsu stood in stark contrast to Zaku's air-wave attacks. Through calm analysis and precise control, Shino ultimately defeated Zaku and won the match.
In the tenth match, Kankuro used his masterful Puppet Technique to easily defeat his opponent, a Stone ninja, and advanced to the next round.
In the eleventh match, Kurotsuchi used her outstanding Earth Release Ninjutsu and Taijutsu to quickly defeat a candidate from her own ninja village, displaying formidable strength.
In the twelfth match, the Iwagakure Jonin disguised as a Genin displayed strength far beyond that of an ordinary Genin. He easily defeated Jian Meicheng and advanced to the next round.
With the final match over, examiner Gekko Hayate announced the eleven who had advanced. "Sasuke, Naruto, Shikamaru, Dosu Kinuta, Gaara, Neji, Temari, Shino, Kankuro, Kurotsuchi, and Oiwa, the Jonin disguised as a Genin, have successfully advanced! The missing contestant will be selected after the two injured candidates in poor condition recover and face each other."
Gekko Hayate continued, "One month from now, you will take the final exam in Konoha's official arena. The daimyos of various countries, the Hokage, the Kazekage, and the leaders of other villages will come to watch. I hope you prepare yourselves and show your full strength!"
Some candidates were excited by the news, while others were nervous, but every one of them understood that the coming month would be a crucial period of preparation. Although the Heavenly Screen's video had revealed fragments of the future, the ninja remained focused on the battles before them. Their fates would be decided by their own strength and will.
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi stood on the arena's raised platform, looking down at Konoha's new generation of ninja with kind eyes and a sense of satisfaction. Seeing young Konoha ninja like Sasuke, Naruto, Shikamaru, and Neji excel in the preliminaries brought a rare smile to his face. The children had not only demonstrated great strength; they had also shown him hope for Konoha's future.
"They're remarkable... These children have already grown this much," the Third Hokage murmured, his voice full of feeling. He recalled his younger days and the trials Konoha had endured along the way, and a warmth rose in his heart. "I'll leave Konoha's future to you."
Meanwhile, in the arena stands, the teachers of the Konoha 12 also smiled with satisfaction. They went to their students, offering encouragement, comfort, or guidance. Although some of the students had not won their matches, their performances were just as worthy of recognition.
Kakashi stood to one side with his hands in his pockets, watching Sasuke and Naruto below. A trace of pride flashed in his eyes as he said quietly, "Those two finally managed not to disappoint me." Though his tone was as lazy as ever, the slight upward curve of his lips betrayed the joy in his heart.
Might Guy's eyes brimmed with tears of excitement as he watched Lee and Neji below. "Lee! Neji! You were amazing! This is the power of youth!" His voice was loud and passionate, drawing the attention of the ninja around him.
Kurenai Yuhi watched Shino and Hinata below with a gentle smile. She walked over to Hinata, patted her lightly on the shoulder, and comforted her. "Hinata, you did very well. Don't be discouraged. Keep working hard." Hinata kept her head lowered, a trace of disappointment on her face, but Kurenai's encouragement gradually brought determination back to her eyes.
With a cigarette between his lips, Asuma looked at Shikamaru and Ino, who were sitting there resting, and said with a smile, "Shikamaru, good work. Ino, you were great too. You didn't win, but your performance was already outstanding." Shikamaru lazily scratched his head and muttered, "What a drag..."
Although Choji had lost to Dosu Kinuta, Asuma comforted him as well. "Choji, you did very well. Get some rest now." Choji nodded. Though he was somewhat disappointed, his teacher's comfort gradually calmed him.
Elsewhere, in a dense forest far from Konoha, the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki Fū darted between the trees like a cheerful butterfly. Her movements were light and nimble, as though she were one with nature. A group of panting Waterfall ninja followed close behind, however, shouting as they chased her, "Fū! Stop running around! Come back with us!"
Fū looked back at the Waterfall ninja chasing her and gave them a mischievous smile. She stuck out her tongue and called back, "I don't want to go back! The village is too boring! I'm going to find Naruto. I want to be friends with him!"
The Waterfall ninja felt a headache coming on when they heard Fū's words. They knew she was lively and restless and could never sit still, but as the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, her safety was of vital importance. Fū, however, refused to listen and kept circling through the forest as though she were playing hide-and-seek.
"Fū! Stop running! You don't even know the way to Konoha!" one Waterfall ninja shouted helplessly. His voice carried a trace of anxiety; he was clearly at a loss over Fū's willfulness.
Fū stopped, tilted her head, and thought for a moment before saying with a smile, "Then take me there! You're ninja, aren't you? Finding the way should be easy!"
The Waterfall ninja looked at one another, momentarily unsure how to answer. Fū was the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, and her safety was important. Besides, she did not know the way at all, and taking her off on a wild journey would only make things more complicated.
"Fū, Konoha is a long way from here, and there are many dangers along the road. Come back with us. We'll take you when we get the chance." Another Waterfall ninja tried to persuade her in a gentle voice.
Fū pouted, clearly dissatisfied with the answer. She shook her head and said firmly, "No! I'm going now! I've decided Naruto is my friend, and I have to see him!"
With that, Fū turned and ran deeper into the forest again. The Waterfall ninja sighed helplessly and could only continue chasing her. They knew that once Fū decided on something, she would never give up easily.
"There's just no stopping her..." one Waterfall ninja said with a wry smile. His companion nodded and replied helplessly, "Yeah, that's just how Fū is. Nobody can control her."
Fū ran through the forest, her heart full of curiosity and anticipation about Naruto. She had seen his story on the Heavenly Screen and thought he was a brave and strong ninja, as well as the hero who had saved Konoha. Fū had always wanted a friend like Naruto, and she thought they were sure to have plenty to talk about.
Fū, however, did not know exactly where Konoha was, and she had no idea which direction to go. She simply ran through the forest on instinct, paying no attention to how anxious the Waterfall ninja behind her were.
"Which way do I go to get to Konoha?" Fū murmured to herself as she ran. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, as though she could already see herself meeting Naruto.
The Waterfall ninja followed behind Fū, feeling both helpless and worried. They knew that although Fū was lively and adorable, her willfulness often gave them headaches. They also knew, however, that she was truly innocent at heart and simply yearned for freedom and friendship.
"Fū, slow down! We really don't know the way to Konoha!" the Waterfall ninja shouted again. Their voices echoed through the forest, but Fū seemed not to hear them and continued running cheerfully onward.
And so Fū and the Waterfall ninja circled through the forest, as though caught in an endless game of chase. Fū's heart was full of anticipation about Naruto, while the Waterfall ninja could only follow helplessly behind her, trying to find a way to persuade her.
"Maybe we should trick Fū and tell her we're taking her to Konoha..." one Waterfall ninja said quietly. His companion nodded, a trace of hope flashing in his eyes. "Yeah. If this keeps up, Fū really will run us into the ground."