The Crushing Grief of Despair (Requesting Subscriptions)

This Chunin Joint Selection Exam was jointly hosted by Konoha, Sunagakure, Kirigakure, Takigakure, and Kusagakure. With the vital interests of several ninja villages involved, its importance went without saying. Under normal circumstances, Namikaze Minato would never let Naruto and the others fool around.

But everything had two sides!

"Lord Hokage, I'm sure a lot of the village's secrets will leak out after these Chunin Exams. Naruto's identity, for example!"

In the Hokage Office, Hanfu spoke with heartfelt conviction. "Think back to the Third Shinobi World War. Lord Hokage became Renowned in the Ninja World as the Yellow Flash. So I'm sure countless people across the Shinobi World are watching the Child of the Yellow Flash: Naruto! At a time like this, should Naruto make his debut as a cautious, low-key genius, or as a spoiled, arrogant troublemaker?"

Every parent wanted their children to make something of themselves. But in the ninja world, becoming famous too early sometimes meant taking on enormous risks.

Just as when Hanfu was young, Namikaze Minato had worried that his fame would draw assassins from enemy villages. So he'd watched as Hanfu's reputation as the Moonlight Runner spread instead. And what about Naruto?

As the Fourth Hokage's son and the Child of the Yellow Flash, Naruto naturally drew the attention of countless ninja. If word got out that he was a super-genius, Iwagakure and Kumogakure might not be able to sleep at night. Even Sunagakure and Kirigakure might take action.

After a brief pause, Namikaze Minato nodded and agreed to Hanfu's request.

With official permission in hand, Hanfu promptly left the Hokage Building and headed straight for the Ninja Academy with Naruto, Sasuke, Karin, Hinata, and Sakura.

Naruto was in high spirits the whole way. The breeze seemed fragrant, the air sweet. He wagged his tail