"...Then, with the list above confirmed, does anyone have anything to add?"
After confirming the last group of candidates, the Third looked around and asked one final question.
"Then..."
"Wait, wait!"
Suddenly, an urgent shout came from outside the door. Yet the instant they heard it, a Blond-Haired Boy had already rushed inside.
Ignoring everyone's startled looks, he said anxiously, "Sorry, sorry, I'm late! Um, um, how did it go again... Oh, right! Sasuke Uchiha and Hinata Hyuga! On behalf of Jonin Kakashi Hatake, I'm here to relay his recommendation that they take part in this chunin ninja Exam!"
Yes, the newcomer was Naruto Uzumaki, who had just returned. He was panting heavily, clearly having run straight here without stopping after getting back.
"Um... I'm not too late, am I?"
Naruto gave an embarrassed smile.
He hadn't expected to sleep for so long either. When he woke up, the only people around him were the maids from the Land of Snow waiting with bowls of food and Sasuke, whose expression had already grown thoroughly impatient.
So, without even finding time to say goodbye to Kazahana Koyuki, Naruto hurriedly used the Flying Thunder God Technique to bring Sasuke back to Konoha, using the Flying Thunder God Kunai he had left in the Hyuga Clan's guest room as his destination.
As it happened, Hinata was having lunch at home, with Hanabi, Neji, and Karin there as well.
Karin froze at the sudden sight of Sasuke, nearly dropping her bowl on the floor.
The others, however, were already used to it. Hiashi even calmly told the servants to prepare two more sets of bowls and chopsticks.
But before Naruto could exchange more than a few words with the delighted Hinata, Hiashi reminded him that the village was already preparing for the chunin ninja