After Naruto underwent the first major surgery of his life, time flowed like water, and twenty-six days slipped by before he knew it.
Twenty-nine days had passed since the Chunin Ninja Exams preliminaries ended.
During that time, all five finalists had thrown themselves into preparing. Under Kakashi's guidance, Sasuke had completed intensive speed training, greatly boosting his strength by combining his taijutsu foundation with his Two-Tomoe Sharingan and Chidori.
Naruto had tested the results of Sasuke's recent training. Good grief-when Sasuke went all out, Naruto had nearly lost.
In the end, Naruto had to admit that Sasuke's overall strength now ranked among the best of their generation.
With five days left until the finals, Naruto suggested that Sasuke stop training and relax so he could better absorb everything he had learned through his hard work.
For those last five days, the two were practically inseparable, visiting every place in Konoha where they could eat or have fun.
Of course, during those five days that felt like a honeymoon, Sasuke finally stopped refusing to share a bed with him.
On the first night, Sasuke had been wary of everything. But once he actually lay down beside Naruto, he realized Naruto really was only holding him as they slept.
Of course, it wasn't because Naruto had transcended all earthly desires. He simply hadn't visited Kurama for a while. When Kurama learned about their five-day honeymoon, he exploded, declaring that if Naruto didn't come see him, Naruto could forget about ever borrowing his chakra again.
And so...
Naruto could only hold Sasuke with his physical body while his consciousness went to comfort Kurama.
Fortunately, he and Kurama were close, and before long, Naruto had sweet-talked him into a delighted daze.
But Kurama wasn't so easily brushed off. He insisted that Naruto come visit