The Beginning of the Chunin Exams

Hinata slept for the entire afternoon, and Naruto held her for just as long. Afraid of waking her, he didn't dare move a muscle.

During this time, Hiashi had come by, intending to invite Naruto to lunch, but upon seeing Naruto holding the sleeping Hinata and not daring to budge, he left quietly. As Hiashi departed, Naruto thought he saw the corners of the man's mouth twitch upward, as if he were smiling.

After lunch, Hanabi also came to check on them. Seeing her sister still asleep, she left quietly as well, though her expression was quite strange. Naruto didn't understand what it meant, nor did he pay it any mind.

Hinata didn't wake up until dusk. Seeing her stir, Naruto laughed, "You big sleepyhead, you're finally awake."

Seeing Naruto's playful expression, Hinata immediately sat up from his lap, feeling embarrassed. She shyly said, "Naruto-kun, I slept for a long time, didn't I?"

Naruto smiled, "Mm, you slept for the whole afternoon."

Hinata exclaimed in surprise, "Ah, I slept for that long? Why didn't you wake me up?"

Naruto chuckled, "Hehe, I was so happy that you could sleep so peacefully in my arms, Hinata. How could I bear to wake you? Besides, this proved something."

Hinata was very shy, but asked curiously, "What is it, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto said gently, "It proves that I can provide you with a sense of security, and that you have absolute, unreserved trust and love for me."

Blushing furiously at his words, Hinata lowered her head and said bashfully, "Naruto-kun, you're so mean."

Seeing her shy appearance, Naruto laughed heartily, pulled her into a hug, and said tenderly, "Let's go get something to eat. You must be hungry." Hinata felt even shyer being held by him, and could only manage a soft, "Mm."

Just then, Hanabi arrived and said impatiently, "Are you two done yet? Big sister, let's go eat. Don't pay any attention to this big idiot." With that, she pulled Hinata from Naruto's arms and headed toward the house.

Naruto watched blankly as Hanabi dragged Hinata inside, then shook his head helplessly. Did I offend Hanabi somewhere? Why does she dislike me so much? he wondered.

At this, Good Naruto said to him, "I really don't know if you're truly dense or just pretending."

Naruto replied, "What do you mean by that?"

Good Naruto sighed, "Nothing at all. Figure it out yourself. You really are an idiot; I can't be bothered with you."

Dark Naruto added a jab, "With your emotional intelligence, if Hinata hadn't fallen for you early on, I bet you'd end up dying alone."

Confused by the two of them, Naruto said angrily, "Hey, what do you mean? Explain yourselves, hey!" But neither personality responded to him again.

Seeing that neither would acknowledge him, Naruto was just about to press for an answer when Hanabi called out, "Big idiot, what are you standing there for? Aren't you coming to eat?"

Naruto had no choice but to give up his questioning and called back to Hanabi, "Coming!" With that, he walked toward the house.

The next day, Naruto and Hinata were walking down the streets of Konoha. Looking at the pedestrians, Naruto frowned, "When did so many outsiders come to the village?"

Hinata asked curiously, "Outsiders? What are you talking about, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto replied, "Many people on the street aren't from our Konoha. The way they look at me is completely different from how the villagers look at me." Hearing this, Hinata felt a pang of sadness for him.

Seeing Hinata's distress, Naruto laughed, "Hehe, I'm fine, Hinata. So many years have passed, and I've long since gotten used to it. They'll understand me sooner or later."

Looking at Naruto's smiling face, Hinata replied, "Mm, I believe the villagers will understand you sooner or later, Naruto-kun, because you are so outstanding."

Naruto smiled back, "That goes without saying. I'm the one who's going to become Hokage."

Just then, Naruto and Hinata ran into Konohamaru. Konohamaru called out happily, "Boss! You're out for a stroll too?"

Seeing that it was just the three of them and that Ebisu wasn't following, Naruto asked curiously, "Konohamaru, why are you here? And why isn't Ebisu-sensei with you?"

Konohamaru said proudly, "We snuck out behind Glasses-sensei's back. I used the Sexy Technique to knock him out. Hahaha, Boss, my Sexy Technique is really powerful now!"

Naruto laughed, "Is that so? How about I teach you an even more powerful ninjutsu in a few days?"

Konohamaru replied, "Really? But why not teach me now?"

Naruto said, "I'm busy right now."

Konohamaru looked at Naruto's expression, then at Hinata beside him. He suddenly had an epiphany and revealed a lecherous grin, "Boss, is this your... you know?" He made a gesture with his fingers that every man understood.

Seeing the gesture, Hinata lowered her head in embarrassment, while Naruto tapped Konohamaru on the head, "Kid, you're asking for a beating, aren't you? You even dare to tease me now?" Seeing Naruto reach out to hit him again, Konohamaru grabbed his two friends and ran off.

Naruto shook his head with a smile and continued walking, holding Hinata's hand. But they hadn't gone far before they heard an argument ahead. Naruto led Hinata over to see Konohamaru being lifted off the ground by his collar. Sakura was currently arguing with the person holding him.

Just as Naruto was about to step in, Sasuke suddenly threw a stone from a tree using a shuriken technique, striking the man's hand and saving Konohamaru.

Naruto and Hinata arrived at Konohamaru's side and asked, "Konohamaru, are you okay?"

Seeing it was Naruto, Konohamaru said happily, "Naruto-nii, you're here! I'm fine, it just hurts a little."

Seeing that Konohamaru was unhurt, Naruto looked at the two strangers. He felt that if he wasn't mistaken, they must be Kankuro and Temari—Shikamaru's future wife and brother-in-law.

Sasuke also descended from the tree to Naruto's side and asked, "Why are you here too?" Naruto laughed, "Just passing by. You?" Sasuke replied, "Same."

At this, Kankuro said, "Two more brats. I hate brats the most." With that, he reached for the puppet on his back.

Temari exclaimed in surprise, "Kankuro, you aren't planning on using Crow, are you?"

Just then, Gaara appeared. He said coldly to Kankuro, "Stop it, Kankuro. You're going to embarrass the village."

Seeing Gaara arrive, Kankuro hurriedly explained, "Gaara, listen to me, they started it."

Gaara, filled with killing intent, said, "Shut up. If you keep babbling, I'll kill you."

Kankuro immediately put the puppet away in fear. Gaara turned to Naruto and Sasuke and said, "I apologize. We were rude."

Sasuke ignored Gaara and said to Naruto, "I'm leaving. Don't forget to meet at the bridge by dusk; Kakashi seems to have something to tell us."

Naruto replied, "I know." Sasuke nodded and prepared to leave.

At that moment, Gaara said, "What are your names? I'm interested in you."

Sasuke said coldly, "If you want to ask for someone's name, you should state your own first."

Gaara replied, "Gaara of the Sand."

Sasuke replied coldly, "Sasuke Uchiha." With that, he walked away.

Naruto laughed and said, "Hello, I'm Naruto Uzumaki. It's nice to meet you, Gaara. Well, I'll be going now too." Naruto took Hinata's hand and left as well.

Gaara watched Naruto and Sasuke walk away, his eyes filled with killing intent.

At this moment, in the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage looked at the group of jonin before him and said, "For this Chunin Exam, we will be holding a joint exam with Sunagakure of the Land of Wind and several other ninja villages. The location will be right here in Konoha. Now, please recommend the subordinates you deem suitable."

Only four jonin stepped forward: Kakashi Hatake, Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, and Might Guy.

Guy stepped forward and said to the Third Hokage, "I, Might Guy, in my capacity as a jonin, recommend my subordinates from Team 3, Neji Hyuga, Tenten, and Lee, to participate in this Chunin Exam."

Asuma stepped forward and said, "I, Asuma Sarutobi, in my capacity as a jonin, recommend my subordinates from Team 10, Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, and Choji Akimichi, to participate in this Chunin Exam."

Kurenai stepped forward and said, "I, Kurenai Yuhi, in my capacity as a jonin, recommend my subordinates from Team 8, Kiba Inuzuka, Hinata Hyuga, and Shino Aburame, to participate in this Chunin Exam."

Kakashi stepped forward and said, "I, Kakashi Hatake, in my capacity as a jonin, recommend my subordinates from Team 7, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, and Naruto Uzumaki, to participate in this Chunin Exam."

As soon as the four finished speaking, Iruka, who was standing next to the Third Hokage, said excitedly, "I object! I'm sorry, Lord Third, but among those recommended, everyone except for Neji Hyuga, Tenten, and Lee from Team 3 are my former students. Naruto and the others have only just graduated from the academy; how can they possibly participate in the Chunin Exam?"

Kakashi looked at Iruka and said, "Iruka-sensei, although they were your students, they are our subordinates now. You have no idea how much progress Naruto and the others have made since leaving you, so how can you say they aren't capable of participating in the Chunin Exam?"

Iruka said nervously, "But, but they are still just children."

Kakashi smiled and said, "Children? I was already a jonin when I was Naruto's age."

Iruka still wanted to continue arguing with Kakashi, but the Third Hokage spoke up, "That's enough, Iruka-sensei. I believe their instructors are the best judges of whether or not Naruto and the others have the ability to participate in the Chunin Exam."

Iruka could only say helplessly, "I understand, Lord Third."

The Third Hokage smiled and said, "Very well, then it is decided."

Naruto and Hinata strolled until dusk before parting ways, and Naruto headed to the bridge. When Naruto arrived, Sasuke and Sakura were already there.

Sakura complained, "Naruto, you're too slow. Even if you were out shopping with Hinata, you didn't have to be this late."

Naruto apologized, "Sorry about that, but Sakura, I was also giving you and Sasuke a chance to be alone." Sakura's face turned bright red at Naruto's teasing.

Just then, Kakashi arrived. He took out some forms, handed one to each of them, and said, "I've recommended you for this Chunin Exam. If you don't want to participate, you don't have to come."

Sakura said in surprise, "The Chunin Exam? Isn't that a bit too soon, Sensei?"

Kakashi smiled and said, "You don't have to take it if you don't want to. It's not mandatory, anyway."

Sakura let out a breath and asked Naruto, "Naruto, are you going to participate?"

Naruto smiled confidently, "Of course I'll participate. It's a rare opportunity."

Sakura looked at Sasuke and asked, "Sasuke, will you participate too?"

Sasuke replied indifferently, "Of course. I'm not going to lose to a big idiot like Naruto."

Naruto was just about to retort when Kakashi said, "Alright, that's it. Everyone go home. If you want to take the exam, meet at the assembly point at 9:00 tomorrow. Go home and think it over now."

Sasuke and Naruto exchanged a look before heading off in their own directions. Sakura watched their retreating backs as if she had made up her mind about something, then strode off toward her home.