Chunin Exams Registration

After this heart-to-heart, Sakura's sense of self-worth greatly improved.

Su Bai secretly rejoiced, certain that when it came time to register for the Chunin Exams, she would take that step without hesitation.

The four of them ate their fill and walked home, still wanting more.

"What a waste of time," Sasuke snorted. "I'm going back to train."

With that, he left without looking back, leaving Naruto and Sakura staring at each other.

Su Bai had no intention of lingering either.

He lightly leaped onto a treetop and raced toward home.

Tonight, he still wanted to spar with his uncle, Hayate Gekko.

Along the way, Su Bai keenly sensed two strangers.

He stopped, his sharp gaze fixed ahead.

Sure enough, Kankuro and Temari of Sunagakure came into view.

Su Bai narrowed his eyes and decided to follow them in secret to see what they were up to.

Meanwhile, Naruto ran into his little follower, Konohamaru.

"Sakura is Naruto's wife!"

After exchanging greetings, Konohamaru shouted loudly.

Sakura flew into a rage when she heard that and punched him squarely on the head.

"Big Brother Naruto, this ugly freak is so scary!"

Konohamaru clutched his swollen cheek and took off running.

Sakura gritted her teeth and chased after him, determined to teach that ignorant brat a proper lesson.

In his panic, Konohamaru ran straight into Kankuro and Temari.

Kankuro sneered and grabbed him by the collar, lifting him as easily as a chick.

"Don't cause trouble."

Temari spoke coolly.

At that moment, the panting Sakura caught up. Seeing Konohamaru's predicament, she hurriedly apologized with an awkward smile.

"Sorry..."

But Naruto became anxious and shouted, "Let him go, you fat bastard!"

As he spoke, he charged at Kankuro, only to trip hard over one of the other boy's chakra strings.

After getting back up, Naruto still refused to let it go. "Let Konohamaru go already, you big black pig! Idiot!"

"This is so annoying," Temari said helplessly, curling her lip. "Do whatever you want. I can't be bothered."

Blame that foul-mouthed shrimp if you want.

The veins on Kankuro's forehead throbbed as Naruto insulted him. He raised his fist, ready to smash it into Konohamaru's face.

At the critical moment, Su Bai made his move!

Two pebbles tore through the air and struck Kankuro squarely on the wrist.

He cried out in pain, his grip loosened, and Konohamaru immediately fell to the ground.

"In someone else's village, don't get too out of line."

Su Bai spoke coldly.

Temari turned toward the voice.

Su Bai was sitting in a nearby tree, his gaze sharp as blades and his presence fully unleashed.

Temari could not help looking at him twice, secretly admiring him. This guy is seriously handsome!

Looking at the two below him, Su Bai fell into thought.

He recognized them—Kankuro and Temari of Sunagakure.

Kankuro was a puppet user, and the ninja tool strapped to his back was his prized puppet, "Crow."

Temari, meanwhile, was an expert in Wind Release and commonly used a fan as her weapon.

Their leader was the feared One-Tail jinchuriki—Gaara.

Should I fight them here and pick up some experience points?

Su Bai considered it.

But on second thought, he abandoned the idea.

If the two of them were here, that meant Gaara was nearby as well.

If they started fighting here and Gaara transformed into the One-Tail and caused a huge scene,

then all the experience from my Chunin Exams would go down the drain.

Better forget it.

The three Sunagakure ninja would definitely fight with all their strength someday. There would be plenty of experience points then, so there was no need to rush.

"Get lost."

Su Bai coldly spat out three words.

If you can't give me experience, don't waste my time here.

Sakura watched his dashing retreating figure with shining eyes and screamed inwardly, So handsome!

Konohamaru saw Su Bai's heroic bearing, then looked at Naruto, who could only shout threats, and immediately burst into tears.

Choking up, he said, "Big Brother Naruto, you're way too lame."

Kankuro had nowhere to vent his anger.

He took Crow off his back and said angrily to Su Bai, "If you've got the guts, come down and fight me! Stop putting on airs in that tree!"

Su Bai smiled disdainfully. "Fight? Why don't you ask your leader first? Right, eyebrowless guy behind me?"

Beyond Su Bai's line of sight, on the other side of the tree, Gaara—who had been hiding well—was utterly shocked.

I can't believe he saw through my presence so easily.

"Kankuro, stop embarrassing me here."

Gaara spoke in a low voice. "Don't forget our mission."

Kankuro trembled all over in fright and repeatedly apologized. "Sorry, I was wrong, I'm really sorry!"

Gaara turned to Su Bai and said flatly, "We were rude just now."

But inwardly, he was calculating. This person isn't simple. He struck Kankuro and sensed my presence as well. He's clearly no ordinary person.

Gaara jumped down from the tree and signaled for Kankuro and Temari to follow.

Before leaving, he looked at Su Bai and asked, "What's your name?"

Naruto rushed to answer, "Me? I'm Naruto Uzumaki, the future Hokage!"

Gaara ignored him and pointed at Su Bai. "I was asking him."

"Su Bai."

The cool young man gave his name succinctly.

Gaara replied coldly, "My name is Gaara."

"Hey, what about me? What about me?"

Naruto shouted unwillingly.

"Not interested."

Gaara tossed out those three words without looking back, then led the Sunagakure trio away.

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves, and Konoha Village gradually awakened.

The members of Team 7 had long been waiting at their designated meeting spot, while Kakashi was late as usual.

"Yo, sorry. I ran into an old lady on the road, so..."

Kakashi scratched his head and revealed his trademark closed-eye smile.

"Liar!"

Naruto and Sakura complained in unison.

Kakashi helplessly spread his hands and took several sheets of paper from his ninja tool pouch. "These are the Chunin Exams application forms. If you agree to participate, hand them in at Room 301 tomorrow."

Naruto accepted the form, blazing determination igniting in his bright blue eyes. "Chunin Exams, here I come!"

Sasuke curled his lips into a smirk, a flash of excitement appearing in his eyes.

Sakura looked at the application form in her hands, her eyes firm and bright.

Su Bai secretly rejoiced. It seemed his plan had worked.

The next day, Team 7 arrived outside the examination hall.

"Let me in! I want to take the Chunin Exams!"

A boy in a green jumpsuit was being blocked at the entrance, fighting desperately to get in.

"Hmph, you think someone with your strength can participate? Go home like a good boy!"

The ninja guarding the door sneered and threw a merciless punch.

Su Bai focused his eyes and immediately understood.

The entrance was covered by a layer of genjutsu; this was actually the second floor.

The two blocking the door were Konoha chunin Yun Chu and Zi Tie, while the person being stopped was the "genius of hard work," Rock Lee.

"We're running late. Hurry up and dispel this pointless genjutsu."

Su Bai spoke coldly.

Yun Chu froze upon hearing that, secretly impressed that this newcomer had some skill.

He rushed forward, intending to test Su Bai's strength further.

Seeing this, Su Bai smiled.

Experience delivered right to his door—how could he refuse it?

Just as the two were about to clash, Rock Lee suddenly flashed between them and forcibly blocked the attack.

"Tch, what a nuisance."

Su Bai frowned in displeasure.

Rock Lee clutched the hand that had been kicked painfully, gritting his teeth without making a sound, afraid others would look down on him.