Fighting powerful opponents was an extremely valuable way to improve one's strength.
Sasuke often challenged Naruto, which counted as fighting someone powerful.
But Naruto had utterly crushed him every time, leaving Sasuke with no confidence at all.
Otherwise, he would not have hesitated so long before charging out of the bushes last time.
As for these Chunin Exams,
Sasuke was brimming with interest.
This suited Naruto perfectly.
After all, the Chunin Exams required every member of a team to participate.
Otherwise, they would be held up during the review process.
Just as Naruto and Sasuke began imagining the Chunin Exams,
Sakura Haruno hesitantly said, "Um... I probably shouldn't participate. I'd only get in your way if I went."
She knew her own strength. Even at the Ninja Academy, her combat abilities had been relatively poor.
Sending her to participate in the Chunin Exams now—wouldn't that just mean dying in the exam?
Seeing Sakura Haruno shrink back, Naruto could not help saying, "Don't say that, Sakura. You don't want the two of us to be unable to participate because we're short one person, do you?"
"Huh?" Sakura Haruno looked confused. "If I don't participate, then you can't participate either?"
Naruto nodded, then told Sakura Haruno the relevant details.
This left Sakura Haruno in a dilemma.
Seeing Sakura Haruno acting timid, Naruto reassured her, "Don't worry, Sakura. Just like a top laner's job is to start a game, you can join the Chunin Exams and I'll protect you. Then, when it reaches the individual matches, you can just withdraw. Wouldn't that work?"
"What Naruto said makes so much sense. Then I'll join." Sakura Haruno immediately changed her mind, sweetness blooming in her heart.
After all, Naruto had personally said he would protect her...
With Sakura Haruno settled, the team qualified to participate