Kakashi's Question

"Sorry, now is not the time for detailed explanations."

Naruto said calmly, "Konoha is about to undergo an unprecedented change. At that time, everyone's attention will be focused on that change. After that, I promise you, I will bring you, and all the Branch Families of the Hyuga Clan, an opportunity to change your destiny."

This promise was not just to Neji in front of him, but to Neji across countless reincarnations, and also to Neji in the first life.

The current Naruto didn't need to deliberately show his strength in front of Neji.

When the Chunin Exams arrived, Neji would naturally witness Naruto's abilities with his own eyes.

After that, Neji would naturally come looking for answers.

Just as Neji frowned, still wanting to question Naruto's incomprehensible words, a loud and energetic voice suddenly rang out from the other end of the training ground.

"Rock Lee!"

Everyone's gaze subconsciously turned towards the source of the voice.

A man wearing the same green tight suit as Rock Lee, with even thicker eyebrows, had appeared in the center of the training ground at some unknown time.

He moved extremely fast, holding one person in each hand, easily separating Rock Lee and Sasuke who were fighting.

Naruto glanced at the scattered bandages on Rock Lee's wrist and understood.

Rock Lee, in the heat of the battle, was eager to prove himself, even intending to use a Forbidden Jutsu.

As a result, Might Guy appeared in time to stop the halfway-completed battle.

"Teacher Might Guy..."

Rock Lee immediately lowered his head like a child who had done something wrong, his voice also becoming smaller.

Might Guy didn't speak immediately, but suddenly punched Rock Lee heavily in the face.

Rock Lee clutched his swollen half-face, his eyes instantly reddening.

"Teacher Might Guy!"

"Rock Lee!"

The next second, the master and disciple embraced without any warning, tears streaming down their faces as they shouted each other's names loudly.

The scene became very awkward for a moment.

Naruto, Neji, and Tenten seemed long accustomed to this.

Only Sasuke stood completely stunned, his face filled with confusion and his eyes with deep shock.

"What is this now?" Sasuke couldn't help but whisper.

Naruto looked at the scene, as if seeing the figures of the eternally passionate master and disciple running under the sunset, and then stepped forward to say to Sasuke, "Let's go, it's getting late."

Sasuke withdrew his gaze and snorted coldly, "Boring... I thought we could have a good fight."

With that, Sasuke didn't look again at Might Guy and Rock Lee who were crying, and turned to follow Naruto's footsteps.

Neji looked at Naruto's retreating back, his lips moving.

He seemed to want to ask something, but ultimately did not speak.

His heart was filled with questions, yet he also knew that now was not the time to ask.

Might Guy, who had just finished his "youthful education," secretly glanced in the direction Naruto and Sasuke had left, his expression slightly solemn.

"That Kakashi guy... he taught even the dangerous Chidori to Sasuke?"

"It seems the strongest Genin of this generation will likely be born between the Uchiha descendant and Neji."

The next morning.

Team 7 gathered at the usual spot on time.

"Everyone, sorry, sorry..." Kakashi suddenly appeared on a nearby utility pole, waving with a smile, "On the way here today, I encountered a lost kitten, so..."

The three had long been used to his bizarre excuses for being late and didn't react much.

Naruto crossed his arms and said calmly, "Let's get straight to business, Teacher Kakashi."

"Well, alright." Kakashi jumped down from the utility pole, took out three forms, and handed one to each of them, "From today on, you don't need to carry out missions for the time being, because I have recommended you to participate in this session's Chunin Exams."

Sasuke took the application form, a flicker of excitement in his eyes.

Finally, he would have the chance to fight more opponents and become stronger.

Naruto and Sakura also received their respective application forms.

"By 4 PM tomorrow, submit this application form to classroom 301 at the Ninja Academy," Kakashi added, "The first stage of the Chunin selection exam will be held then."

After speaking, Kakashi suddenly looked at Naruto, "Also, Naruto, you stay behind. I have something to tell you privately."

"Sasuke, Sakura, you can go back and prepare now."

Sasuke, immersed in the anticipation of participating in the Chunin Exams, didn't pay attention to this small interlude and nodded, turning to leave.

Sakura felt a little strange, but didn't ask further and left as well.

Only Naruto remained in place, his heart stirring slightly.

No.

Based on past reincarnation experiences, Kakashi wouldn't normally seek him out for a private talk at this time.

What could have caused this change?

It couldn't have been something that happened in the Land of Waves...

Right, it was what he said to Kakashi during the survival exercise before.

"Teacher Kakashi, if you have something to say, just say it," Naruto said calmly. "Did the Third Hokage not approve your proposal?"

Kakashi scratched his head, his expression behind his mask a little awkward. "You figured that out too?"

"It's not hard to guess. The Third Hokage is a conservative person, unwilling to change. When facing major crises, he always says 'Let's wait, a solution will come' or 'We need to handle this cautiously,' yet he offers no real solutions."

"And the emergence of these crises is precisely due to his inaction over many years of his reign."

Naruto's tone was plain, yet hit the nail on the head.

Kakashi was momentarily speechless.

Although Naruto's assessment of the Third was direct, it was impossible to refute, and it seemed to be the truth.

Kakashi hesitated for a moment, feeling it was wrong to speak ill of the Third Hokage like this, so he quietly replied, "Is... that so?"

"Then, what's your purpose in finding me?" Naruto smiled slightly. "It's probably not just to complain, right?"

Kakashi sighed softly, as if he had made up his mind, and his tone became serious. "After that survival exercise, I thought a lot. I admit I was in some sort of misconception back then, but now I understand what's important."

"Unfortunately, the Third Hokage is unwilling to change the existing system..."

As he said this, Kakashi himself felt a little strange.

Why would he subconsciously seek out Naruto to discuss such a serious matter?

Perhaps it was because Naruto was the one who brought this issue up in the first place?

And although Naruto was young, he always gave off an air of composure and insight beyond his years.

"Since you know Konoha has many problems, and the Third Hokage is unwilling to change..." Naruto's voice remained calm, "but it must change, then there's only one way left."

Kakashi's heart trembled upon hearing this.

He suddenly realized that seeking out Naruto for a talk today might have been a mistake.

The Third Hokage was unwilling to change, but what if they forced a change?

Wouldn't that mean...

He had originally hoped Naruto could help persuade the Third, but now it seemed Naruto's ideas were far more radical than he had imagined.

"I originally... hoped you could help persuade the Third Hokage."

Kakashi said after a moment of hesitation.

"It's useless," Naruto shook his head. "The Third Hokage is that kind of person. The older he gets, the more conservative his thinking becomes."

"Teacher Kakashi, you should still remember the Hyuga incident back then, right?"

"Someone from Kumogakure came to Konoha and attempted to kidnap Hinata, and was killed on the spot by Hyuga Hiashi."

"As a result, Kumogakure twisted the story and demanded Konoha hand over Hiashi's head."

"Anyone with a little sense knows that this was clearly Kumogakure's fault, but the Third Hokage agreed, and in the end, Hizashi Hyuga had to sacrifice himself to quell the incident!"

"It was like that back then, let alone now?"

"Of course..." Naruto changed the subject. "Perhaps the Third Hokage had other motives in the matter, but ultimately..."

"If we truly want to consider Konoha's best interests, we can only have a Hokage with more courage and foresight."

"The Third Hokage... he's already old."