They Were Still Young

When Sasuke heard the word "poor thing," the curiosity in his expression deepened. But this clearly wasn't the place to talk. After tidying up the area Naruto had damaged in the fight and apologizing to the nearby residents, they quickly left the scene.

Once they returned to Sasuke's house, Nanfeng explained Gaara's situation.

"He's a Jinchuriki from Sunagakure. The fact that they sent one here this time clearly means they're planning something big. In any case, be careful when dealing with him..." Nanfeng warned them.

"But isn't Sunagakure's Jinchuriki the One-Tail? Naruto has the Nine-Tails sealed inside him. With that many tails' difference, taking Gaara down should be no problem, right?" Sasuke frowned and asked the question he cared about most.

"Every tailed beast has unique abilities of its own. Judging them simply by the number of tails isn't a very reliable way to measure them. Though... it does represent a certain degree of strength. Still, they're all sealed. The Reaper Death Seal on Naruto is relatively complete. Even though quite a lot of the Nine-Tails' chakra leaks out, it's still being suppressed..."

"But Sunagakure's Jinchuriki seal is very incomplete. It's practically in tatters. In that state, Gaara is affected much more severely by Shukaku. I don't know if you noticed, but that guy's dark circles are exceptionally bad." Nanfeng shook his head.

"If you hadn't said anything, I would've thought he was wearing makeup. I was even thinking Sunagakure had some pretty good visual-kei fashion!" Sasuke said, looking a little surprised.

But that wasn't his fault. Anyone seeing Gaara for the first time would think he was wearing heavy smoky eye makeup. Those dark circles were way beyond anything normal, weren't they?

"That's what happens when the seal is incomplete. He can't fall asleep—or rather, if he does, Shukaku will be released completely. He hasn't slept once since he became a Jinchuriki. When you stay up late and don't get enough rest, you'll find yourself inexplicably more irritable. And that's nothing compared to someone who hasn't slept at all and is also affected by Shukaku's chakra. With all those factors combined, he's definitely the most dangerous of this batch of examinees."

Nanfeng quickly explained everything to Naruto and Sasuke, making them even more worried about the upcoming exams.

"But are you really sure we're eligible to take the Chunin Ninja Exams?" Naruto asked, feeling uneasy as he thought about how Kakashi still hadn't told them anything.

Normally, their Jonin team leader would let them know about something like this. But the exams were almost here, and they still hadn't heard a thing. It was hard not to feel a little anxious.

"Don't worry. What we showed in our previous battles is already enough to qualify us for promotion to Chunin, so our participation in the Chunin Exams is a sure thing. Besides, the exams are such a major event that plenty is bound to happen. Just wait and see." Nanfeng finished speaking and closed his eyes.

A few days of rest had helped him relax considerably. Taking advantage of that, Nanfeng had his Shadow Clones work even harder at studying Space Ninjutsu.

The experience of the Shadow Clones would return to Nanfeng anyway. It was all the same, all the same!

That was because a Shadow Clone's consciousness was part of its original. If the clones could rebel, Nanfeng would probably be the first ninja ever to get blocked by his own Shadow Clones. That would be quite something.

In Konoha, the Hokage Office was rarely as crowded as it was today. All of Konoha's Jonin team leaders had gathered there, along with a few faces they hardly ever saw. They waited silently for the Hokage's next instructions, their expressions somewhat solemn.

"So that's how it is? The ninjas from the other villages have all arrived, so we should begin the exams we've prepared." After hearing the Anbu's report, the Hokage set down his pipe. As for Konohamaru, the Anbu had already sent him home before he entered the Hokage Office.

This wasn't something a little kid could take part in.

"Finally, it's about to begin? It hasn't been long since the last exam, but I remember it being a real thrill..." The speaker was Mitaraishi Anko. But hardly anyone paid attention to her wild remarks.

After all, she was known as the second most scatterbrained ninja after Naruto, and her thoughts often ran on a completely different track from everyone else's, causing plenty of trouble.

"Anko, try to keep it down. The Hokage hasn't given the orders yet!" Kurenai Yuhi spoke up. The two were close, and both were beautiful, making them a striking sight in the office.

"It'll probably be much like last time. So, all the Jonin leading Konoha's Genin, which Genin do you recommend for the Chunin Exams?" The Hokage waved a hand and looked at the crowd of Jonin below.

"Team 7—all members of Kakashi Hatake's squad will participate."

"All members of Might Guy's squad will participate!"

As Kakashi's sworn rival, Might Guy naturally followed right after him.

Then Asuma and Kurenai exchanged a glance and entered the names of their own Genin teams as well. One after another, nearly all the Genin signed up for this Chunin Exam.

"Hokage-sama, I have some concerns. I think it's too soon for these kids to become Chunin. They should get more experience first, especially the students who just graduated this year. They don't have enough experience..." Iruka rushed in at that moment and spoke up to the Hokage, somewhat presumptuously.

"Iruka, this is a Jonin meeting. You're only a Chunin, so you have no right to attend!" Ibiki Morino frowned as he looked at Iruka, who was pleading in the Hokage Office.

"It's all right. Iruka is only worried about the kids. But why don't you ask their Jonin team leaders?" The Hokage smiled as he asked.

"Teacher Iruka, I hope you understand something. We're not in wartime, but since they've graduated from the Ninja Academy, they've already become qualified ninjas. I can't speak for the other students, but my students have faced a Jonin head-on. I know how well they work together and how strong they are. Besides... how well do you really know them now?" Kakashi said.

"I know. I just think they're still young and need a few more years..."