Chunin Exams

As soon as they had returned to the Land of Fire, a Ninja Hawk circled down from the sky.

Tsunade took a letter from the hawk, read it thoughtfully, then turned to Qinglong.

"Here's some good news: Konoha's Chunin Exams are starting! Your class will be taking them early, too."

"???"

He'd thought that tagging along with Tsunade meant he could spend every day carefree, wandering wherever he pleased. What the hell was this about taking the Chunin Exams?

"Ugh! I'm not interested! Genin are the strongest, okay?"

Qinglong had inadvertently revealed the true meaning of being a ninja! But how could Tsunade possibly believe him? Annoyed by his lack of ambition, she snapped, "What do you mean, Genin are the strongest? They're just a bunch of weaklings! You have to take the exam. Don't bring shame on your teacher! Besides, I'm not going back with you this time. Go back on your own and work hard to get a good score!"

"You're not coming back? So that's how it is, Teacher Tsunade—you're ditching me to go have fun by yourself!"

"Ahem! It's not like that. I still have to stay and teach Karin."

Tsunade waved her hand, looking as if nothing could be further from the truth.

Qinglong gave her a look that said, You think I believe that? Then he leaned in and spoke quietly.

"Teacher Tsunade, let me tell you something in confidence. There might be quite a show waiting in Konoha when I get back!"

"Hm?"

Tsunade gave him a curious look. She wasn't as opposed to Konoha as she used to be, but she still didn't like going back.

After all, Konoha had too many rules and no casinos!

Orochimaru and Jiraiya will return to Konoha, and the Third Hokage might die!

Qinglong didn't say that. It hadn't happened yet, and telling Tsunade would only add to her worries!

If he told her about something that hadn't happened, and she chose not to return to Konoha, only for the Third Hokage to actually die, she'd blame herself for the rest of her life!

sigh He was already worrying himself sick over this teacher he'd gotten stuck with, and he was still so young!

Tsunade was thoroughly sick of the fighting and killing that came with being a ninja. She was also tired of the scheming among Konoha's High Command. If she didn't want to go back, then she didn't have to.

Qinglong gazed into the distance, lost in thought. He'd kept a low profile for all these years, only letting loose and having fun when he went on missions with Tsunade.

The plot of Naruto probably wouldn't change much. Orochimaru and Jiraiya would both return, and the Konoha Crush Plan would happen!

Naturally, Qinglong didn't say any of that. Instead, he said, "Several ninja villages, including Sunagakure, Kusagakure, and Otogakure, are coming to take part! The Chunin Exams are sure to be exciting!"

At that, Tsunade waved her hand indifferently.

"What's that got to do with me?"

To her, taking part in ninja events like these was nowhere near as fun as playing at the gambling table.

"Go on, hurry up. I'll take Karin with me and make sure she gets proper training."

Tsunade waved him off. With no choice, Qinglong hopped onto the Flying Nimbus and headed back to Konoha.

The gates of Konohagakure were especially lively that day. Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki, the two gatekeepers, were diligently watching everyone who entered.

Suddenly, a loud "Woohoo!" rang out from the sky. A young man with a backpack dropped from above and landed outside Konoha Gate with a crash, leaving a crater and kicking up a cloud of dust.

Qinglong stood in the crater, brushed the dust off himself, and took off toward Konoha. As he passed the gate, he didn't forget to greet the village's two gatekeepers.

In Konoha, Kankuro from Sunagakure had grabbed the Third Hokage's grandson, Konohamaru, by the collar and hoisted him into the air.

"You ran into me and hurt me, you brat!"

Kankuro bared his teeth and snarled.

Temari pursed her lips, unable to watch any longer, and urged Kankuro to stop.

Nearby, Sakura was busy apologizing, while Naruto was already seething with rage. He charged forward in a fury, only to be knocked to the ground.

Kankuro looked at Naruto and sneered. "Are Konoha's Genin really this weak?"

"You want to save him? I hate brats! He's so little and already more arrogant than me. It makes me want to destroy him!"

As he spoke, a sinister, vicious expression spread across his face, frightening Naruto and Sakura.

"Let that child go!"

A clear voice rang out. Hanabi Hyuga, passing by, stood with one hand on her hip and pointed at Kankuro with the other.

"What! There's an even more arrogant brat! Konoha's brats really make me want to destroy them!"

Kankuro looked at Hanabi, pulled an evil, terrifying face, and reached out with one hand to form Hand Seals and use a jutsu.

"Byakugan!"

Hanabi activated her Byakugan at once, stepping back to put some distance between them as she placed her right index and middle fingers against her brow.

Hanabi's two Hyuga guards also went on alert. The incident where Hinata had been kidnapped was still fresh in their minds; they'd protect Hanabi with their lives.

Kankuro sneered and formed Hand Seals with one hand. Chakra Threads were about to shoot out when a stone suddenly flew in and struck the hand holding Konohamaru. Blood spurted out. Kankuro cried out in pain, and Konohamaru managed to break free and run quickly over to Naruto.

Sasuke made a dramatic entrance!

"Kankuro, stop!"

A calm voice rang out. The speaker was on the other side of the tree trunk behind Sasuke, startling him.

"Gaara!"

At the sound of his name, Kankuro obediently stopped.

Sakura gazed at Sasuke with lovestruck eyes. Everyone assumed Sasuke had stepped in and put an end to the conflict.