As they withdrew from the bloody clearing and headed toward the central Tower, a subdued mood hung over the group.
The shock of what they had just witnessed, along with Naruto's decisive order to retreat, left many of them with lingering questions and a trace of frustration.
Finally, Kiba Inuzuka, the most outspoken of them, could no longer hold back.
He slowed his pace, waited for Naruto at the rear of the group to catch up, and asked in a low voice:
"Naruto, back there... why didn't we fight him?"
His voice carried confusion, along with a hint of regret that he had not gotten his fill of action.
Akamaru whined twice atop his head, seemingly puzzled as well.
Kiba's question drew the attention of several companions nearby.
Though Shikamaru, Sasuke, Neji, and the others said nothing, their eyes drifted toward Naruto as they waited for an explanation.
Clearly, they had similar questions.
With the strength of all twelve of them, did they really need to retreat without a fight against that red-haired Sand Ninja and his two teammates?
Naruto calmly surveyed the shadowy forest path ahead.
He did not answer Kiba's question immediately, as though gathering his words.
After a while, he finally spoke slowly.
"You all saw how easily he killed those Sunagakure genin."
Naruto said, "Sure, they were caught off guard, and that red-haired Sand Ninja took them out with a sudden ambush, but..."
He paused, adding weight to his voice:
"That alone is enough to prove that the red-haired Sand Ninja is strong."
"I know everyone has worked hard for these chunin ninja exams. You all want to prove yourselves and do well.
The chunin ninja exams are important. They're a major stepping stone in our lives as ninja, and a stage for Konoha's younger generation