Passing the Second Exam

Naruto returned shortly after, clutching two rabbits in his hands. Once he had cleaned them, he set them to roast over the fire he had already prepared.

Sasuke glanced at Naruto, then looked over at the unconscious Sakura and asked, "What happened after I passed out? Why is Sakura injured? Tell me."

Naruto smiled and said, "It's nothing much. When you fainted, I lost consciousness too while trying to save you. Sakura was ambushed by Sound Ninja participating in the exam while she was protecting us, which is why she's hurt and unconscious. She should wake up in a little while. As for those Sound Ninja, I've already dealt with them. Also, the damage caused by the natural energy in your body has been resolved."

Seeing Naruto so reticent, Sasuke knew something must have happened during the time he was unconscious. However, Sasuke was not one to ask proactively.

Sasuke simply said, "You found a solution."

Naruto replied, "Sasuke, feel your body now. You'll sense a different kind of chakra—that is Sage chakra. As long as you use this chakra as a guide to continuously absorb natural energy and convert it into Sage chakra to nourish your body, the internal injuries caused by using natural energy to temper your physique will fully heal."

"But remember, you cannot use this chakra yet. To utilize it, you must first enter Sage Mode."

Sasuke asked in confusion, "Sage Mode? What is that?"

Naruto replied, "Sage Mode is a state where one absorbs and utilizes natural energy for combat. It's what they call a Sage."

Sasuke asked, "Where can I learn this Sage Mode?"

Naruto replied, "As far as I know, there are only three places: Mount Myōboku of the Toad Sage, Ryūchi Cave of the White Snake Sage, and Shikkotsu Forest of the Slug Sage. The Sage chakra in your body likely comes from Ryūchi Cave. So, if you want to cultivate Sage Mode, you should go to Ryūchi Cave."

Sasuke asked, "How do I get to Ryūchi Cave?"

Naruto replied, "To go to Ryūchi Cave, you must form a blood pact with it, making a snake from the cave your summoning animal. Then, have that summon use a reverse summoning to bring you there. I know that in Konoha, besides Orochimaru, there is one other person whose summoning animal is from Ryūchi Cave."

Sasuke asked hurriedly, "Who is that person?"

Naruto smiled and said, "It's our examiner for this exam, Anko Mitarashi. She was once a student of Orochimaru, and her summoning animal is a giant snake from Ryūchi Cave."

Sasuke said worriedly, "It's her, but will she teach me?"

Naruto smiled and said, "Don't worry, I will persuade her. Rest easy. Alright, eat something first while I go fetch some water. By the way, keep this Scroll of Heaven safe. Once Sakura wakes up, we'll head toward the Central Tower." Naruto took out the Scroll of Heaven he had seized from the Sound Ninja and handed it to Sasuke.

Sasuke nodded and said, "Fine, I'll replenish my strength first. Go ahead. I'll look after Sakura; she'll be fine." Naruto nodded and vanished with a Body Flicker.

Naruto was fetching water by a river and was just about to head back when he sensed a commotion. Curious, he used the Body Flicker to investigate. He saw a red-haired girl being chased by a large bear.

Seeing that red hair instantly reminded Naruto of his mother, Kushina. The girl accidentally tripped over a tree root, and just as the bear was about to attack, Naruto flickered to its side and sent it flying with a powerful Rasengan.

Naruto approached the girl, extended his hand, and smiled, "Are you alright?" The girl stared at Naruto in a daze, countless ripples stirring in her heart.

Seeing that the girl didn't answer and just stared at him blankly, Naruto said again, "Are you alright?"

Only then did the girl snap out of it. She placed her hand in Naruto's and replied, "I'm fine. Thank you for saving me. My name is Karin Uzumaki. What about you?"

Naruto helped Karin up and smiled, "My name is Naruto Uzumaki. You're from the Uzumaki Clan, just like me."

Karin replied excitedly, "Yes, my mother told me we are of the Uzumaki Clan. You're from the Uzumaki Clan too?"

Naruto nodded and said, "Yes, my mother was Kushina Uzumaki. What about your mother?"

Karin said with sudden sorrow, "My mother is already dead."

Seeing the sadness in Karin's eyes, Naruto sighed, "My mother is dead too. But we must live on strongly."

Naruto thought to himself, I didn't expect to save Karin here. Originally, Sasuke was supposed to save her, but this is fine. It's better to keep Karin in Konoha than have her follow Orochimaru later.

Thinking of this, Naruto said, "Karin, do you have a place to go? If not, why don't you come with me?"

Karin asked in surprise, "I can come with you? But I'm not from Konoha."

Naruto smiled, "You don't need to worry about that. You are my kin. Given the relationship between Konoha and our Uzumaki Clan, I think the Third Hokage will agree. Don't worry. Besides, I see the bite marks all over your body; I don't think you're really from Kusagakure, are you?"

Seeing that Naruto had noticed the bite marks, Karin pulled her clothes self-consciously to hide them. She asked weakly, "How did you know I'm not from Kusagakure?"

Naruto smiled, "Heh, don't forget, I'm also from the Uzumaki Clan. Do you think I don't know what abilities our clan has? They must have been using you as a tool."

Karin's eyes filled with hatred as she said, "That's right. Those damned things killed my mother. And now they almost killed me. I'm so scared." After saying this, Karin leaned on Naruto's shoulder and began to cry bitterly.

Naruto held Karin comfortingly and said, "Cry if you need to. I'll take care of you from now on. You can just live a peaceful life with me in Konoha. No one will ever hurt you again."

Naruto brought Karin back, and by this time, Sakura had woken up. Seeing Sakura awake, Naruto said happily, "Sakura, you're awake. Are you alright?"

Sakura replied, "I'm fine now, Naruto."

Sasuke looked at Karin and said, "Naruto, who is she?" Sakura also looked at Karin, watching Naruto with curiosity.

Naruto smiled, "Her name is Karin Uzumaki, she is my kin. She and her mother were stranded in Kusagakure, and Karin's mother was killed by the people there. She was almost killed too, so I plan to let her stay in Konoha to live a good life. For now, let her come with us."

Hearing Karin's tragic background, Sasuke and Sakura agreed with Naruto's decision.

Sasuke said, "In that case, let's go." Just as they were preparing to head toward the Central Tower, Kabuto Yakushi arrived and asked to join them because he was a medical ninja. Sasuke agreed to his inclusion, and thus the five of them headed toward the Central Tower.

They traveled until they reached a place shrouded in thick fog, where Naruto stopped. Naruto said, "It's already the fifth day. We haven't encountered any enemies along the way. I suspect they are lying in wait near the Central Tower to ambush us."

Sasuke nodded, "It is indeed strange that we haven't met any enemies. It's very possible they are ambushing us nearby."

Kabuto adjusted his glasses and said, "Then we have no choice but to proceed with caution."

Naruto smiled, "Even so, it's hard to avoid their ambush."

Sakura asked, "Then what can we do to avoid being discovered?"

Naruto smiled, "Actually, it doesn't have to be that complicated. You all wait here. I'll use the Flying Thunder God to reach the Central Tower first, then use it again to come back and get you."

Sasuke nodded, "That is the best plan."

Naruto smiled, "Then I'm off."

At this moment, Karin said with concern, "Naruto, be careful."

Naruto smiled at Karin and replied, "It's fine, I'll be back soon." With that, Naruto took two Kunai from his ninja pouch, handed one to Sasuke, and threw the other one forward with great force.

Naruto laughed, "I'm off then." Having said that, Naruto vanished before everyone's eyes.

Sakura noticed that Karin was very worried about Naruto and said with a smile, "Karin, it's alright, no one can hurt Naruto." Karin remained deeply worried.

Sakura could tell that Karin liked Naruto very much and was also very dependent on him, but Naruto already had Hinata. Sakura really wanted to persuade Karin to give up on Naruto, but she didn't know how to bring it up. She could only give up, trusting that Naruto would handle his relationship with Karin well.

Meanwhile, Naruto was continuously traveling using the Flying Thunder God technique. Any enemies who tried to ambush him along the way only saw a flash of golden light, and by the time they regained their senses, he was already gone. Naruto arrived at the gate of the Central Tower and put away his Kunai.

After leaving a mark on the gate, he used the Flying Thunder God to return to Sasuke's side and said to Sasuke, "The mark is set. Now, grab onto my shoulders, and I'll take you there." Naruto brought everyone to the gate of the Central Tower.

Kabuto Yakushi said, "Since we've arrived, I'll go find my teammates. Thank you for looking out for me along the way."

After Kabuto Yakushi left, Naruto said, "Let's go, too."

Naruto led the way toward the Central Tower. Upon arriving at the mission site, Naruto opened the Scroll of Heaven and the Scroll of Earth. Iruka appeared to announce that Naruto and the others had passed the exam and explained the Third Hokage's philosophy regarding Chunin. Naruto and the others then bid farewell to Iruka and arrived at the assembly point.

By this time, many examinees had already arrived. Naruto brought Sasuke, Sakura, and Karin to report to Kakashi.

Seeing Karin, Kakashi asked Naruto, "Naruto, who is this?"

Naruto said to Kakashi, "Kakashi-sensei, this is Karin. Like me, she is of the Uzumaki Clan. She was previously oppressed by Kusagakure, and her mother was killed by people from that village. I intend to have her join Konoha so she can live a good life here."

Kakashi said in surprise, "Oh, a member of the Uzumaki Clan? There are very few of them left now. Since you are Naruto's clansman, I believe the Third will agree to let her stay in Konoha. However, we must report this to the Third."

Naruto nodded and said, "Yes, because I am currently in the middle of the exam, I would like to ask you, Sensei, to speak to the old man on my behalf. This is Karin's information."

Kakashi took the documents Naruto handed him and said, "Leave it to me."

Seeing that Kakashi had taken the documents, Naruto said to him, "Kakashi-sensei, please take care of Karin for me. I'm going to go see Hinata." With that, he slipped away.

Watching the documents in his hand and the innocent-looking Karin standing to the side, Kakashi sighed, "What an irresponsible personality." However, Kakashi's complaint was ignored by both Sasuke and Sakura.

Feeling deeply struck and dejected, Kakashi said, "Karin, is it? I'll take you to see the Third." With that, he walked away forlornly.

Watching the dejected Kakashi, Karin muttered to herself, "Hinata, is it? I won't lose to you."

Sorry, I'm a little late.