Wind and Clouds Stirring

Konoha's Chunin Ninja Exams were fraught with turbulence. When Naruto saw that his opponent had changed from Neji Hyuga to Shikamaru Nara, he felt no pressure at all. Even so, he did not neglect his training.

Sasuke continued training with Kakashi. Rock Lee's taijutsu had dealt him a huge shock, so Sasuke spent the following days undergoing brutal training with Kakashi to improve his Chidori.

That said, although he had learned the Chidori ahead of time, he had not used it even once. Naruto had also refused Kakashi's offer to ask someone else to guide his training. Sasuke's opponent was Gaara, which was why Kakashi was so worried about him.

Naruto walked alone through the streets. Through his own efforts, without using Kurama's power, he had driven off Orochimaru. Afterward, he had even accidentally used Flying Thunder God Movement.

"Hmm, come to think of it, I should avoid places with fewer people whenever possible!" Naruto recalled Orochimaru, who was still lurking in the shadows. He was probably furious by now.

"Sigh, come to think of it, how's the Ninja Academy doing now?" Naruto tilted his head, barely holding back a laugh. Aside from him, Sasuke, Kakashi, Iruka, and Hiruzen Sarutobi, no one knew he was behind it. People like Mitaraishi Anko thought Orochimaru had done it!

But several days had already passed, and everything had long since been cleaned up. Naruto returned home and got some proper rest, planning to visit Rock Lee the next day before training. While he was at it, he would see if he could find Pervy Sage Jiraiya on the way.

After resting for the night, Naruto set out the next morning to visit Rock Lee in the hospital, only to suddenly stop midway.

It did not seem right to visit someone empty-handed. With that in mind, Naruto bought some fruit from a roadside fruit shop, then arrived in front of a flower shop and pushed the door open.

"Welcome. May I ask, customer... Ah, it's you, Naruto..." Ino, who was sitting behind the counter, had been about to give her usual welcome, but she was surprised when she saw Naruto.

Naruto was also stunned. "Huh, what a coincidence. This flower shop is actually run by your family!"

Ino said unhappily, "Tch, I thought you'd specifically asked around to find me. Turns out it was just a coincidence. What are you here to buy? Hurry up and say it..."

"Why did your attitude suddenly get so bad? Aren't I a customer? Don't they say the customer is the Sage of Six Paths?" Naruto asked in confusion.

Resting her cheek on her right hand behind the counter, Ino said, "The Sage of Six Paths is the Sage of Six Paths, and Naruto is Naruto. I won't be polite to you, Naruto."

"I want to buy... uh... Ino, what flowers are best for visiting a patient?" Naruto realized he knew nothing about such things. It would be bad if he bought the wrong ones, so he quickly asked.

Ino looked at Naruto in surprise. Only then did she notice the fruit he was carrying. "So you're going to the hospital to visit someone? Who is it? Sasuke and Sakura are fine, and Hinata has already been discharged. Is it Rock Lee?"

"That's right, it's him!" Naruto scratched the back of his head. "He was hurt way too badly in his fight with Gaara. I wanted to go see him!"

Ino stopped joking around with Naruto and seriously picked out some flowers suitable for visiting a patient, letting Naruto choose for himself. After he made his selection and paid, he was about to leave when Ino called out to him.

"Wait, Naruto!" After stopping him, Ino called to her mother, "Mom, I have something to do, so I'm heading out!"

"Got it, go ahead!" Ino's mother replied.

Ino snapped her fingers and smiled. "All right, Naruto, let's go together!"

"Huh, you're coming with me to visit Rock Lee?"

"Visiting Rock Lee is just incidental. The important thing is something else, like going on a date together. Naruto, you've never been on a date with a girl, have you? You should be grateful for what's about to happen!" Ino held her head high with pride and followed Naruto out.

"A date??? Wait, Ino, don't you like Sasuke?" Naruto asked in surprise.

Ino snapped, "Shut up, idiot. Who says a date has to be between people who are dating or like each other? I'll treat you to your favorite Ichiraku Ramen afterward!"

"Ichiraku Ramen? Great, great! Then let's go on a date together, Ino!" The moment Naruto heard there would be Ichiraku Ramen, he immediately became excited.

Ino rubbed her forehead and complained, "Sigh, he really is an idiot!"

At the hospital, after asking a nurse for Rock Lee's room number, Naruto and Ino arrived at the ward.

Tenten, Neji, and Might Guy were all inside. Rock Lee was still lying unconscious in bed.

"Naruto, why are you here?" Tenten asked in surprise.

"I came to visit Rock Lee. How is he?" Naruto placed his things beside the bed, while Ino put the flowers into a vase.

Tenten said sadly, "His injuries are severe. He has compound fractures all over his body. More importantly, parts of the bones in his left arm and left leg have become entangled with Rock Lee's meridian system. He's out of danger now, but his injuries are incredibly serious!"

Seeing the sorrowful looks on Tenten, Might Guy, and Neji's faces, Naruto smiled and comforted them. "Don't worry, bushy-browed teacher, Senior Tenten, Neji. It's not like Rock Lee has no chance of recovering. After learning about Orochimaru, I specifically looked into the Three Sannin. If it's Tsunade, one of the three, she might be able to completely heal Rock Lee."

"Lady Tsunade? Naruto, did you say Lady Tsunade?" Might Guy and Tenten asked in surprise.

Neji asked softly, "Lady Tsunade's whereabouts have always been elusive. No one knows where she is, and she has been away from Konoha for many years. Where can we find her?"

Neji's expression darkened slightly as he looked at Naruto, reminding Naruto of what had happened before. Naruto had stopped him in advance, so Hinata had not suffered serious injuries. In the end, she had merely collapsed from exhaustion. It was then that Neji began paying special attention to Naruto.

"I don't know, but that doesn't mean there's no hope. Right? That damn Gaara actually struck so brutally. If I run into him, I definitely won't let him off. I'll teach him a harsh lesson." Naruto said angrily.

"Hmph!" Neji snorted. "Naruto, do you want to challenge that Gaara? Forget it. A dead last like you shouldn't throw away his life!"

Naruto looked at Neji, his expression extremely serious. In a low voice, he said, "Neji, I agree with what you said when you fought Hinata. A person's status is decided from the moment they are born, but that doesn't mean it can't be changed. The past may be impossible to change, but the future can still be saved!"

A glimmer flashed through Neji's pale eyes, and he froze in place. Tenten, Might Guy, and Ino all looked at Naruto, while the Nine-Tails in the inner space rolled his eyes speechlessly when he heard Naruto say those words again.