Reincarnation Festival

The third official exam has a month of preparation time. During this period, Konohagakure will open its gates to villagers and invite the Daimyo and Kazekage to watch the matches. The examinees will naturally use this time to gather intel on their opponents or to diligently train and improve themselves.

Naruto and his companions exited the preliminary round venue. At the exit, Naruto turned to ask, "Teacher Kakashi, we don't have to take missions this month, right?"

"Ah... you don't need to take on any missions while participating in the Chunin Exams," Kakashi replied.

"Then let's continue training, Sasuke, Hinata? We need to do our best in the third exam too. I really want to become a Chunin," Naruto said with a smile. In his memories, he remained a Genin until the very end.

"Okay." Sasuke readily agreed, as training had become a significant habit for him. Although Naruto's strength was truly unfathomable, he wasn't particularly discouraged... he had simply grown accustomed to it.

Hinata, after her "defeat," had been lost in her own thoughts.

Before the Chunin Exams began, the young girl felt that Naruto treated her a little differently... This feeling, if traced back, seemed to have started when they were at the Ninja Academy? She used to think it was just a delusion caused by her constantly paying attention to Naruto.

But now...

The young girl became conflicted: If she thought negatively, what if Naruto was just being gentle with his teammates? Was it just a delusion caused by having more opportunities to interact because they were in the same team? But she didn't really want to accept that; if she thought positively, did Naruto truly feel something for her... But she worried it was just wishful thinking.

"Coincidentally, Sasuke has already learned Chidori and the method for stimulating the Lightning Release Chakra. As for the Sharingan, I don't really know how one can evolve it into a Mangekyo Sharingan... In truth, there isn't much I can teach you, Sasuke. Just try to accumulate combat and sparring experience by Naruto's side."

Kakashi said lazily.

A few days later, at Kikyo Castle, the lodging for external village participants in the Chunin Exams.

In a hidden location, two individuals were meeting.

One was Baki, the person in charge for the Sand Ninja; the other was an ally of the Sand Ninja's secret operation, the contact from the Sound Ninja village... Kabuto Yakushi.

"Is everything alright on your Sound Ninja side? How is Orochimaru's preparation?" Baki asked, his voice deep, with half his face covered by a white cloth.

Kabuto pushed up his glasses and smiled faintly, "Don't worry about that. Don't underestimate Lord Orochimaru... He's one of the 'Legendary Sannin'." The white light flashed across his glasses. "How about your side? The Jinchuriki's condition... is it alright? And is the Kazekage already on his way to Konoha?"

Baki nodded. "The Kazekage is already on his way." He paused and added lightly, "As for Gaara, he doesn't need your Sound Ninja to worry about him."

Kabuto smiled noncommittally. He then briefly discussed the details of the "Konoha Crush Plan" with Baki before leaping away.

Baki watched Kabuto's departing back with a blank expression, his mind filled with doubts.

This Kabuto... something seems off.

Meanwhile, "Kabuto" was traveling at high speed. After returning outside Konoha, he tore off his "disguise mask," took out an animal mask from behind him, put it on, and set off again, returning inside Konoha.

This disguise mask was personally crafted by the medical master Tsunade, based on the real Kabuto Yakushi's face. It was absolutely no inferior to what Kabuto himself could make, making it difficult for ordinary people to discern the truth.

Some details of the "Konoha Crush Plan" were also extracted through great effort by Inoichi Yamanaka using a secret technique from Kabuto's mind, an excellent spy. For this, Inoichi even sustained some injuries.

A few more days passed, and it happened to be the "Reincarnation Festival," a popular holiday in the ninja world.

It was said to be a traditional festival passed down from the Warring States period, held to commemorate the spirits of those who died in battle.

Sakura woke up early, before the sky was fully lit, and hurried to the streets of Konoha. Following the recipe she had asked her mother for the day before, she carefully selected ingredients and returned to diligently make bento boxes.

After a whole morning of work, Sakura had managed to complete the bento boxes. She smiled with satisfaction, a hint of anticipation and longing appearing on her face.

After tidying herself up and getting dressed, Sakura set out with her carefully prepared bento.

She had already asked Hinata about the training grounds where the three of them from Team 7 usually practiced. Now, she was heading there with a heart full of trepidation, nervousness, and anticipation.

She had also found out that Sasuke would be training there today.

Tightening the grip on the bento package in her hand, Sakura's steps became lighter.

"Will Sasuke really just tell me to leave?" Sakura walked down the street, feeling a bit scared again. As she was lost in thought, she spotted two people on the road—

"Naruto? — Hinata?"

Sakura looked at the two in surprise. Hinata hurried over to Naruto from not far away, lowering her head to speak, likely apologizing for being late.

Hinata was also carrying a bento package in her hand.

"Huh, Sakura?"

Over there, Naruto also noticed Sakura staring at them with wide eyes. Seeing the surprised yet somewhat expected understanding in Sakura's eyes, Naruto suddenly realized what was happening. He glanced at Hinata beside him and scratched his head sheepishly, "Because it's the Reincarnation Festival, so..."

"Alright, alright, I get it, Naruto—kun!" Sakura giggled, showing a knowing expression. At this moment, Hinata had already buried her face in her chest, blushing.

"Bento? Sakura, you're..." Naruto's emotional intelligence seemed to have suddenly increased. Remembering what Sakura had been asking whenever she met him or Hinata these past few days, he understood. He chuckled, "That Sasuke guy is still training over there!"

Sakura, in turn, blushed deeply and hid the package behind her back, saying awkwardly, "Then I'll be going. You guys have fun." Without waiting for Naruto and Hinata's reactions, she hurried away.

"That..." Seeing Sakura walk away, Naruto scratched his face and said to Hinata, "Then let's go. I happen to have something to buy. What about you, Hinata? I've saved up my mission rewards properly. I'll treat you today."

"N-no, it's okay, Naruto-kun... I've saved up my money too..." Hinata said softly, lowering her head.

"Why are you calling me Naruto-kun again? Just call me by my name," Naruto said, feeling a bit dejected.

"Y-yes..." Hinata nodded nervously.

The two fell into silence.

"Then let's go..." they both said simultaneously, looking at each other, both blushing.

Naruto turned his face away and couldn't help but laugh.

This warm feeling inside... Hey, me, did you feel it too?

I'm so happy, I wonder if I can share half of it with you?

Hehe...

The two wandered around Konohagakure for a while, then continued to walk side-by-side aimlessly. As they walked, they ended up at the site of the survival exercise... They looked at each other and both started laughing.

"Let's eat our bento here, I'm a little hungry," Naruto suggested, and Hinata nodded in agreement.

Opening the bento, Naruto exclaimed happily, "Wow, this is so much food."

Hinata shyly replied, "It's alright, because I asked my mom for advice..."

"I'm going to dig in!" Naruto clasped his hands together, grabbed his chopsticks, and with great appetite, picked up a piece of squid...

"It really wasn't easy finding you guys..."

Naruto turned his head, still chewing on the squid, and mumbled, "Pervy Sage?" He swallowed in a gulp, then asked, "What's up?"

Hinata, on the other hand, felt a bit embarrassed that Jiraiya had seen her and Naruto eating bento there.

Jiraiya stood there speechless, then chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Looks like I might have come at a bad time..." He then became serious and said, "Orochimaru's situation has basically stabilized. The old man wants to talk to you and asked you to come over."