Naruto's Hesitation

"Finally, the enemy was very likely composed of Sunagakure and Otogakure. While the current evidence was insufficient to directly accuse them of confrontation, all sides could make corresponding combat preparations based on the enemy's characteristics and deployment."

The Hokage spoke solemnly.

"As ninja, we have long committed the combat manual to heart. Protecting Konoha is our bounden duty! We're counting on you!"

"Got it!"

Everyone was equally fired up.

After the meeting, a trace of weariness flashed through the Hokage's eyes, but it was swiftly replaced by resolve. He turned and entered the inner courtyard.

Inside, Konoha Hidden Ninja Village's true upper echelon—Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Shimura Danzō—sat waiting. They had been there for some time.

"You've worked hard," Mitokado Homura said first.

The Third waved a hand. After a moment of silence, he finally said, "The Sealing Team cannot shoulder this responsibility alone. I fear the time has truly come for the help of my comrades."

"No. At a time like this, with troubles mounting and danger all around, if every leader were to meet with misfortune, Konoha would truly fall apart and lose everything."

Mitokado Homura decisively rejected the Third's request.

"Homura is right."

Utatane Koharu said.

"Back then, our teachers, the First and Second Hokage, endured countless hardships to build what we have today. It was not easy to achieve this peace and prosperity. Protecting it is the shared mission of the four of us."

Mitokado Homura continued.

"Homura is right."

Utatane Koharu said.

"Is that the only thing you know how to say?"

Shimura Danzō said discontentedly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi gradually lowered his head and turned his gaze toward Shimura Danzō.

His childhood companion, his comrade-in-arms in youth, his political rival in adulthood, his right hand in governance, his final hope.

The latter looked back at him and said solemnly:

"You are Konoha bathed in sunlight. I am the Root buried deep underground."

Hiruzen understood.

But there was one more thing Danzō did not say aloud.

A tree could still live after its branches were cut away.

But if its roots were severed, it could not survive.

How could there be any reason to sacrifice the roots to preserve the branches?

System maintenance in progress. Recovery countdown:

111 hours, 31 minutes, 51 seconds.

Early that morning, Sasuke was woken by Jiraiya's loud shouting.

"Get up! Today is the Chunin Exam Finals! Go next door and get Naruto!"

Sasuke shook his head, driving away the last of his drowsiness.

His gaze instantly turned resolute.

With the grand event approaching, the streets were already bustling with excitement.

Acrobats from distant lands juggled bottles, clowns hawked armfuls of balloons, an old man selling sugar figurines called out along the street, and children ran back and forth. The air was filled with a festive spirit.

"Wow, this one's pretty hot too."

Watching the beautiful women passing by, Jiraiya darted around in immense excitement.

Sasuke's gaze remained firm, while Naruto looked preoccupied.

Inside the arena, the welcoming ceremony had already begun.

There was said to be a grand song-and-dance performance, followed by speeches from the Hokage, the Kazekage, and even the Land of Fire Daimyo.

Since Jiraiya was in high spirits, Sasuke and Naruto were in no hurry to enter and wandered around outside instead.

"Hm? What's that?"

Naruto asked.

Jiraiya returned after disappearing for a while, holding several colorful Lottery Tickets in his hand.

"Huh? It's nothing!"

Jiraiya quickly hid them away.

"What is it?"

Naruto's curiosity was piqued. He reached out to snatch them, while Jiraiya dodged with all sorts of fancy moves. Naruto immediately resorted to his tickling technique, making Jiraiya burst into laughter and accidentally drop the Lottery Tickets onto the ground.

Naruto hurriedly picked one up. Jiraiya was too late to stop him, and Naruto saw the words written on it:

"Prize Prediction!

Purchased

Uchiha Sasuke, 100 bets

Odds: 1.25:1"

"What? So they're betting tickets."

"Yeah, hahaha, just for fun. Just for fun." Jiraiya laughed awkwardly and reached out to take it back.

Naruto picked up the Lottery Tickets scattered all over the ground, intending to return them to Jiraiya. Each one read:

"Purchased: Uchiha Sasuke, 500 bets."

"Purchased: Uchiha Sasuke, 100 bets."

"What the heck! You didn't place even one bet on me?!"

Naruto complained.

Before he could finish, he suddenly noticed the contestants' odds chart on the back of the ticket.

"Odds Ranking

1.25:1, Uchiha Sasuke;

3.92:1, Gaara;

6.21:1, Temari;

7.01:1, Shino Aburame;

7.14:1, Kiba;

8.91:1, Shikamaru Nara;

420:1, Rock Lee;

670:1, Naruto."

Naruto froze on the spot. The number 670 lingered in his mind for a long time, leaving him nearly petrified.

"I told you not to look," Jiraiya muttered quietly.

The Lottery Ticket vendor nearby was still making his pitch.

"You could also take a look at Naruto! His odds are now 720:1, the perfect opportunity to win big with a small bet! What? You really won't consider it? Sigh."

They had actually dropped even further.

"I'll buy one! Naruto."

"Wonderful! You truly have a good eye. May your luck at the tables never end!"

The vendor said happily.

Naruto immediately brightened up as well. Following the voice, he saw it was Hinata-chan, the young lady of the Hyuga Clan.

"Ah! You're here too, Naruto-kun. Haven't gone inside yet?"

The moment Hinata saw Naruto, a flush rose to her cheeks again, and her voice grew quieter and quieter.

"Yeah, we're about to go in."

Naruto first gave her a huge smile, but when he saw the Lottery Tickets, he could not help feeling dejected again.

"Um, you... do your best."

Hinata fidgeted with her fingers as she stammered.

"Let's go! Time to head in!"

Jiraiya called to them from a short distance away.

Naruto forced himself to perk up. "Well then, see you later, Hinata-chan!"

"Okay, bye-bye."

After the two said their goodbyes, the master and his two students soon arrived at the arena entrance.

"Well, I'll head to the stands first! Good luck! I'm rooting for you!"

Jiraiya bid the two farewell.

At the same time, he hugged the Lottery Tickets to his chest and gave Sasuke a meaningful look.

"Damn it! Perverted Sage, why are you playing favorites?!"

Naruto protested.

"Relax, relax! You do your best too!"

Jiraiya had already turned away, calling out carelessly. He raised his right hand high, a yellow Lottery Ticket symbolizing Naruto pinched between his index finger and thumb.

Naruto froze, warmth instantly filling his heart.

Wait, but why had he only bought one ticket for him?!

All the rest were for Sasuke!!

"Contestants, please enter the arena as soon as possible."

Inside the venue, the staff at the entrance urged them on.

Naruto and Sasuke walked side by side, silently making their way through the long passage.

"Hey, scaredy-cat, don't tell me you're afraid?"

Sasuke asked.

"Idiot, you're the one who should be scared! Those people selling Lottery Tickets don't know anything at all!"

Naruto shot back.

Yet outside the passage, amid the thunderous cheers from the stands, more than half the crowd was shouting the Uchiha name.

The mysterious clan had already drawn plenty of attention, and the news that Sasuke had defeated Neji, the Hyuga Clan's once-in-a-century genius, during the preliminaries had driven everyone's expectations to the peak.

"Yeah. They don't know anything."

Sasuke said softly.

"Don't lose. I'm looking forward to fighting you too."

Blinding sunlight suddenly fell across Naruto's face.

The two emerged from the passage. Cheers erupted throughout the arena as drums and music rang out.

"Yeah!"

Naruto answered.

At that moment, not a single stray thought remained in his heart.

All that remained was burning fighting spirit and an endless desire for victory!