An Unknown Graffiti

This definitely doesn't count as a love triangle!

Naruto had never done anything out of line with Tenten. Besides, his interactions with her before could be described as friendly teasing, and he certainly hadn't flirted with Sakura.

Friends, right? Talking occasionally, a little physical contact, it's all normal!

Moreover, Sakura wasn't exactly a confidante to Naruto. At most, it was a revolutionary friendship now.

Yes, revolutionary friendship. Naruto felt he had found his exact place.

So her being angry was unreasonable!

But considering that she was pretty good at games, her mind was still that of a young girl, a bit sensitive and fragile, Naruto subconsciously explained to Sakura:

"I went to buy some of her ninja tools a few days ago and helped her with her business, so she's in a good mood when she sees me."

Sakura remained silent, only watching Tenten walk over with a smile: "Naruto, when will you come see me again?"

Naruto had already promised Tenten he'd visit when he had free time.

After all, most of the time she was either tending the shop or out on missions with the Taijutsu Squad. Might Guy and Rock Lee were visibly clueless about social cues, and only Neji occasionally spoke to her.

Naruto's appearance, however, had made her mundane life suddenly become more interesting.

"Hm?" Sakura's tone involuntarily rose as she looked at Naruto.

"Ah~ You're talking about buying ninja tools, right? I'll come find you after I pass the preliminary test," Naruto ignored the confusion in Tenten's eyes and greeted those behind him: "Yo, Lee, long time no see."

Rock Lee solemnly stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Sakura.

Finally... If you don't show up soon, I'll get another big bump on my head. Naruto secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

According to the original story, this was where Lee was supposed to shine.

Lee stepped forward solemnly, revealing his eight teeth with confidence: "You're Sakura, right? I've been watching you for a long time. There have always been various guys pursuing you..."

But before he could finish, Sakura waved her hand: "No way, there's absolutely no chance for us. By the way, Naruto..."

"Huh?" Rock Lee felt like he had fallen into an ice cave. He hadn't expected the girl in front of him to react so calmly.

Moreover, her attention seemed entirely focused on Naruto, who was constantly explaining things beside her.

"Naruto-kun..." Rock Lee murmured, a burning fighting spirit igniting in his eyes.

He hadn't had a satisfying fight with him last time; this time, he absolutely had to find an opportunity to test his true strength!

Neji, who was behind them, stepped forward: "Let's go, Lee, Tenten."

With that, he gave Naruto a deep look before walking ahead. Tenten and Lee hesitated for a moment before following.

After returning to Konoha, Neji found time to ask his elders at home. The result was that the infamous Nine-Tails was residing within this person.

In other words, he had grown up amidst the contempt of the villagers and could easily handle Lee's taijutsu.

Not simple...

A moment later, Team 7 also walked towards the classroom, the atmosphere a little tense.

Sakura completely dismissed Naruto's explanation. But after being distracted by Rock Lee, she couldn't recall what she wanted to say, and Naruto's rapid-fire excuses brushed her off.

She felt a sudden tightness in her chest—not from secondary development.

Sasuke saw that his powerful peers were all focusing their attention on Naruto, and he also felt a surge of pent-up anger that he couldn't release.

Seeing that the situation had finally calmed down, Naruto let out a long sigh, feeling completely zen.

The three arrived at the classroom. As in the original story, two disguised Jonin, Izumo and Kotetsu, blocked the entrance.

"Hmm, looking around, there don't seem to be any transmigrants nearby... Huh?" Naruto was thinking when he saw Sakura walk past expressionlessly, a visible blue chakra gathering at her right fist.

"Listen, Jonin are equivalent to company commanders in the military. They are responsible for mission failures or the deaths of their subordinates... Wait, what are you doing?!"

Izumo's words were cut short as he saw a girl with a pink high ponytail rush forward like a fierce tiger, smashing her fist, which carried a sonic boom, into the floor in front of them!

"BANG!!!"

"BANG!!!"

The surrounding Genin didn't react immediately, knocked over by the shockwave from the fists hitting the floor, looking quite pathetic.

Before Izumo could react, Kotetsu beside him signaled him not to move.

The blue-clad, black-haired young man held a kunai to Izumo's nape, while Kotetsu also pressed the long-handled kunai on his back against Sasuke's chest.

Sakura maintained her posture of smashing the floor, glaring at them: "Stop playing these genjutsu tricks and scram."

Naruto was dumbfounded. Had these two eaten gunpowder? Why were they so reckless!?

He quickly stopped Sakura, who was about to beat them up, and then urged Sasuke to lower his kunai, indicating that he would talk to the two older brothers properly.

Naruto said with a fawning smile: "Haha, I'm sorry. My two partners are in a bad mood today. I apologize on their behalf."

"Everyone's in a hurry. Why don't you two dispel the genjutsu? Honestly, everyone can see through it."

Sasuke couldn't help but glance at Naruto. So you're playing the peacemaker, huh?

Kotetsu's face turned red with anger. Were the Genin nowadays so arrogant?

Just as he was about to lash out, he suddenly felt a lightness in his hand. He looked forward and saw that the long-handled kunai pressed against the black-haired youth's chest had inexplicably split in two!

He suddenly turned to the blonde-haired, blue-eyed boy, seeing him looking at Kotetsu with a playful expression: "Saying it once or twice is fine, but saying it again is impolite, don't you think?"

For some reason, Kotetsu felt a strong unease in his chest, his hair standing on end.

It was as if the boy's eyes were red just a moment ago... did I missee?

"Alright, you pass," Izumo dispelled the genjutsu, letting everyone through, and pulled Kotetsu away.

The genin stared blankly at Naruto, questioning their life choices.

His methods were too advanced for them. Was this really a genin's skill level?

In the shadows, the two took several deep breaths in a corner. Izumo spoke softly, "That pressure we felt just now..."

"It was strange," Kotetsu mumbled, "I felt like I sensed something, but the feeling disappeared just as quickly."

"It was the boy's doing," Izumo reminded him, then sighed, "Looks like this Chunin Exams will be interesting."

Because the moment came and went so quickly, the two didn't dwell on it.

Meanwhile.

"What technique did you just use?" Sasuke couldn't help but ask Naruto.

"That's a secret," Naruto replied with a mysterious smile, not answering.

Sasuke snorted and turned his head away, processing the shock he felt internally.

Sakura lowered her voice, "Was it the Nine-Tails?"

"Mm."

This was the result of Naruto's recent special training. He had condensed a tiny bit of the Nine-Tails' chakra into a thin thread, maximizing its hardness, and instantly split the kunai in Kotetsu's hand in two.

There were many similar "fancy moves" like this. As a ninja, his assassination skills had greatly improved.

The three soon arrived at the classroom door, where Kakashi was waiting.

"All three of you are here, as expected," Kakashi chuckled. "Are you ready?"

"Of course," Naruto said, about to push open the large door and enter the classroom.

Suddenly, Sakura patted Naruto's shoulder, her expression extremely serious.

Naruto followed Sakura's gaze.

The July sun streamed through the window, falling on the three of them. Near the window, there was a faint, small doodle. If you didn't look closely, no one would notice.

Naruto focused his gaze.

The doodle depicted a boy with spiky hair, fox whiskers, and his tongue sticking out.

Naruto felt a chill run from his heels straight to the crown of his head.