Until the man actually appeared in his sight, he saw that it was none other than Itachi Uchiha!
He slowly stepped forward, holding a sharp blade.
"How far can your eyes see? You've disappointed me greatly!" As she spoke, she was already standing in front of him.
He slowly raised the sharp blade in his hand.
Sasuke found himself unable to move, yet his will remained unshaken in the face of the attack.
The moment the blade struck.
Space is broken.
Sasuke felt as if he were standing at the boundary between the sky and the sea, and he couldn't help but kneel down on the ground, panting heavily.
Not far from him, Orochimaru was also impaled and Binding Vow in place, but his snake-like vertical pupils stared intently ahead.
What his eyes revealed was not hatred or anger, but rather an extremely strong thirst for knowledge!
There it was, directly in front of Sasuke.
From within the thick black smoke came a melodious voice, "Your will for revenge is unwavering, and I can lend you my power. However, I have already informed you of the consequences of wavering in your will."
My name is Asuramaru. If you want power, just call my name.
Sasuke, having regained his senses, seemed to have noticed something as well, but before he could ask, Asuramaru preemptively remarked.
"I really don't know what Naruto was thinking, that he would be willing to give up a portion of my power to save you."
Upon hearing these words, Sasuke's expression froze, and he stood there speechless for a long time.
Asuramaru waved his hand and sent him out of the spiritual world. The next moment, Orochimaru, who was Binding Vow to the spot, couldn't wait to ask.
"Respected Asuramaru, may I ask you a few questions?"
Meanwhile, the outside world...
Sasuke, who had been unconscious, finally opened his eyes and saw Naruto standing beside him. Upon seeing that he had woken up, Naruto quickly smiled and asked him what was wrong.
"How are you feeling now? Is there anything that's bothering you?"
But Sasuke questioned him coldly.
Why are you so good to me?!
When asked, Naruto paused for a moment, then suddenly countered, "Aren't we friends?"
Both of them were alone.
Sasuke may not admit it, but he always kept an eye on Naruto, who shared his plight, even though he had already come to accept him in his heart.
But he turned his head away without answering.
However, Naruto didn't seem to care.
As night fell again, the three of them resumed their actions, heading directly to the tower located in the center of the Forest of Death.
After pushing open the door, I went inside.
In this bright hall, the two scrolls, one depicting heaven and the other heaven, were taken out and opened.
The moment the scroll is opened.
They then activated one of the Summoning Jutsu, and when the smoke cleared, Iruka appeared in their sight.
He said with a smile.
"Congratulations on passing the second exam! How about I treat you to ramen tonight to celebrate?"
"Really? Iruka- sensei, speaking of which, I've actually been missing Ichiraku Ramen." As he spoke, Naruto's stomach growled.
Sakura couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle.
Looking at the three people in front of him, Iruka was genuinely happy for them.
As the group left...
There are still three days left until the end of the second assessment.
Chapter 257 Let Konoha Be Great Again!
In the blink of an eye.
Three days later, Naruto and the others returned to the tower in the Forest of Death, where all those who had passed through had gathered.
Of the original twenty-six groups, only seven remain.
Then, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Naruto, appeared in everyone's sight and slowly began to speak.
"Next, we will hold the preliminary rounds before the third exam, as many wealthy individuals who have issued missions will be watching the third competition."
Therefore, if the gap is too large, it will have extremely serious consequences, meaning that only half of the people here can actually participate in the third exam!
The people below did not say much either.
The preliminary rounds were held as scheduled, but they ended almost without any major incidents, leaving the original three-person teams...
Sakura was finally eliminated.
There is still a month until the actual third exam.
Inside the Hokage Tower's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was sitting in a chair, handling official business.
And it was at this moment...
The office door was pushed open, and Danzo walked in, stating his purpose directly.
"Hiruzen, hand Naruto over to my Root. With his talent, I can train him into a perfect weapon!"
But what he received was Hiruzen Sarutobi's refusal. "Give up, Danzo, it's impossible. Naruto must bask in the sunlight! The dark Root is not a place for him!"
These words were practically a direct message to Danzo.
Naruto's future is Naruto!
Upon realizing this, Danzo's face immediately turned extremely grim. "The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is at risk of going out of control; only my Root can better control him..."
This successfully touched a nerve with Hiruzen Sarutobi, who immediately slammed his fist on the table and roared, "Danzo, I am the Naruto!"
This scene seems familiar.
Danzo, even more annoyed by being turned away, responded in a cold voice.
"You'll regret this, Hiruzen!"
After saying that, he turned around and slammed the door shut as he left.
The two parted on bad terms.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat back down. He was no longer the compromised and weak Naruto from the original story!
It was only because of Naruto's existence that he gained new hope.
He firmly believed it.
Naruto will lead Konoha to greatness once again!
Just as he was basking in the glow of the future, the office door was pushed open once again.
A burly figure with long white hair walked in. "Old man, what brings you here in such a hurry? I'm still searching for inspiration..."
Before he could finish speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi interrupted him, "Looking for inspiration in the women's bathhouse? Do you know how many people have complained about you?! But I didn't call you here for that..."
Changing the subject abruptly, he continued solemnly, "Jiraiya, I have a very important matter to ask of you!"
Seeing his serious expression, Jiraiya became unusually earnest and asked with some curiosity, "Then tell me, what is it?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't hesitate and immediately requested, "I hope you can take Naruto Uzumaki apprentice!"
"A child of Minato?"
Jiraiya had some memories of Naruto, but he didn't know the specifics, since he hadn't been in the village for years.
However, he also held special expectations for Minato's child. "In that case, I'll take him as my disciple. If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now."
After receiving an affirmative answer, Hiruzen Sarutobi's wrinkled face broke into a rare smile. "That child will definitely surprise you."
I hope so.
Jiraiya saying this, Jiraiya left.
At the same time.
Inside the training ground, Naruto was meditating cross-legged under a tree, while his Shadow Clone were training with Sasuke.
Not far away, Jiraiya was watching the battle unfolding in the training ground from a tree. He saw the two fighting fiercely, exchanging blows.
Even Jiraiya couldn't help but nod slightly.
To have such talent at this age is enough to call someone a genius!
After watching for a while, Jiraiya instantly appeared in front of Naruto's main body, and Naruto opened his eyes.
A hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.
"Excuse me, is there anything I can help you with?"
Upon hearing this, Jiraiya smiled and praised, "Very polite! I am your future master, the legendary Sannin, Sage Jiraiya!"
The situation here also caught Sasuke's attention, causing him to stop the match.
Upon hearing the other person's name, Naruto fell into a brief moment of contemplation, since the Legendary Sannin were now virtually unknown among the younger generation of ninja in Hidden Leaf Village.
Seeing Naruto's expression, Jiraiya curled his lip and changed his approach, "All you need to know is that the Third Naruto personally appointed me as your teacher."
"I see."
Naruto nodded slightly upon hearing this.
He didn't suspect anything too much, since Asuramaru hadn't warned him, which meant there was nothing wrong.
Meanwhile, Asuramaru within him was thinking even more deeply, Jiraiya appointing Naruto's apprentice, indicating that he truly intended to groom Naruto as the future Naruto.
But upon closer reflection, this is quite normal.
After all, given the talent Naruto has shown so far, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he's the second Hashirama Senju.
As for the outside world, Naruto looked at his newfound master with a smile, and after a brief moment of confusion, he stood up and introduced himself.
"I am Naruto Uzumaki, so please take care of me from now on!"
In that instant, Jiraiya seemed to see Minato's figure, and could only sigh in his heart, "Truly father and son!"
However, he quickly regained his composure, a slight smile playing on his lips, and said, "Then I will guide you in your cultivation. If there are no problems, please come with me."
"Please wait a moment, Master."
Naruto responded with a comment, then quickly turned to Sasuke and apologized to him.
"Sorry, Sasuke, I'll be leaving now. However, I won't dispel the Shadow Clone. If you want to continue training, you can have him accompany you."
Sasuke didn't have any objections to Naruto's departure, but looking at the unreliable Jiraiya, it was hard for him not to have doubts about him.
He couldn't help but say coldly.
"Are you sure this guy is telling the truth? Or is he a scammer?"
However, Naruto thought for a moment and then replied.
"I don't think so."
Jiraiya paid no attention to the conversation between the two, but instead couldn't help but take a few more glances at the last survivor of the Uchiha.
Until Jiraiya and the other person left together.
Walking down the street, Naruto asked with some confusion, "Master, where are we going to train next?"
You'll see when you get there.