A glimmer of light appeared on the horizon, and the darkness slowly receded.
Hiashi returned to its base.
Looking at the two women sleeping soundly in the bedroom with a complicated expression, he sighed repeatedly.
The next day, at noon.
The scorching sunlight streamed through the window and shone on Naruto's buttocks.
Naruto, who should have been up early for training, was still lying in bed in his cartoon pajamas, lost in thought.
"Bang, bang bang!"
The knocking continued for quite a while, but Naruto still didn't respond at all.
" Gate of Opening, Naruto!"
"It's me, Sakura!"
" Sai and teacher, we've come to see you together!"
After a while...
Naruto, finally noticing the commotion, slowly got up and opened the door.
"You,"
Sakura, who had been exposed to the scorching sun in front of the door for a long time, was just about to throw her usual tantrum at Naruto.
But looking at Naruto now, so lifeless and devoid of his former liveliness...
Sakura opened her mouth but didn't know how to speak.
Naruto's current state is completely different from how he was before.
However, Naruto did not feel the excitement that one would expect when his goddess came to visit.
There was only a silence unlike any other.
Naruto Gate of Opening, turned around abruptly, and went back to bed alone.
Sakura and Sai looked at each other, unsure how to comfort her.
" Naruto, the official exam is coming up soon."
Kakashi stepped past the two students and said softly, "I know it's hard for you to accept the truth right now."
"But right now, you should focus your energy on increasing your strength."
"Aren't you going to defeat Sasuke in the official match?"
"In your current state, you have no hope of winning the game!"
For some reason, a strange light flashed in Naruto's eyes when he heard the name Sasuke.
But the light dimmed again when he recalled the truth he had heard yesterday...
"Yeah, Naruto."
Sakura said somewhat reluctantly, "Weren't you supposed to defeat Sasuke in front of everyone?"
"Practicing new Ninjutsu will keep my mind from thinking about so many things."
Sai, standing to the side, added in a deep voice, "What's done is done. You're not the kind of person who just dwells on the past and stays stuck in the same place."
" The Naruto I know..."
"No matter what happens, you should always face it with courage and determination!"
"That brat is right!"
The sudden sound startled them.
The room was completely blocked from sunlight.
Several people looked in the direction of the sound.
A strange man, tall and wearing wooden clogs, was half-squatting on the narrow windowsill.
She also wore Forehead Protector with the character "oil" on it, and her long white hair reached down to her waist.
" Lord Jiraiya?!"
Kakashi exclaimed in surprise.
"Yo, Kakashi, long time no see."
Jiraiya leaped down from the windowsill, then waved to Sakura and said, "Hello, pretty little girl~"
" Lord Jiraiya, aren't you at the border?"
Jiraiya waved his hand and laughed, "Things have been much quieter these past two years. It's a rare occasion for the Joint Chunin Exams several countries, so I came back to watch the excitement."
Jiraiya said, a lewd look on his face, "I heard the Mizukage of Kirigakure also came to Konoha, so I thought I'd come and gather some material."
"The first female Kage in the Shinobi World, and a stunning beauty at that!"
abnormal!
Sakura's gaze darkened, and she silently distanced herself from the person.
Kakashi looked at Jiraiya with an embarrassed expression.
It's alright that the disciple isn't here.
With all the disciples around, this isn't the time to discuss materials for "Icha Icha Paradise "...
Coming to his senses, Jiraiya looked at Naruto, who was still motionless in bed, and whispered to Kakashi:
"I met the teacher before I came."
Kakashi nodded, understanding what he meant.
Jiraiya had heard about Naruto's current situation from the Lord Hokage.
No wonder you're here now.
Naruto!
Kakashi introduced Naruto, who was sprawled on the bed, to "Lord Sannin, one of the Lord Jiraiya."
"He was also the Fourth Hokage, and your father's teacher!"
Upon hearing this,
Naruto finally stirred, sitting up straight and looking at the strangely dressed man in front of him. "Dad's... master?"
"Yo~"
Hello Naruto ~
Jiraiya extended one palm and placed one foot on Naruto's bed. "I am the Toad Spirit Sage Element Hermit Mount Myōboku!"
"You're known as the Toad Sage, please give me your guidance!"
"You are my father's mentor..."
Naruto stared blankly at Jiraiya, repeating the same thing again.
Noticing the deep sadness hidden in Naruto's eyes...
Jiraiya stopped his playful antics and nodded in agreement.
His expression immediately turned serious as he looked at Naruto, his tone slightly heavy as he said, "I cannot persuade you to let go of your dissatisfaction."
"But go and see more of the village your parents defended with their lives, the peace they protected."
"One day you will find..."
"It is because of unforgettable memories that you become strong."
"This is what they call growing up!"
January flew by.
It was another sunny day.
As the Hokage, Sarutobi, dressed in his Hokage uniform, personally greeted the arrival of a group of important figures at the Konoha Gate.
The daimyo of the Land of Fire has already been arranged to be stationed at the Hokage Building.
The Kazekage of the Land of Sand and the Mizukage of the Kirigakure also emerged from the distant land.
Looking at Fugaku beside Mei Terumi in the distance, and Shisui who should have been dead...
Sarutobi's brow furrowed deeply for a moment, then relaxed.
"You must be tired from your long journey, everyone."
Looking at Sarutobi came forward to greet them,
Mei Terumi, and Kazekage wearing a white veil, also nodded in greeting.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries.
The Dark Team, accompanied by two important figures dressed in shadow robes, headed to the venue for the Joint Chunin Ninja Exams.
The spacious, circular venue was even large enough for Jonin to spar and practice.
The venue was surrounded by audience members, with the second-floor platform filled with them.
Everyone eagerly awaited the start of the match.
The group of Konoha Genin who were previously eliminated...
Hinata, Sakura, Ino, and several others were also in the stands.
A rare grand occasion
Not Genin, but also many representatives from various clans of Konoha were present.
Hiashi, the head of the Hyuga Clan, appeared in the audience with Hanabi.
Hinata, who was eliminated...
She, who was supposed to sit with her classmates, was deliberately pulled to sit next to Hiashi.
Facing the highest stand of the venue, three purple benches stand tall!
at this time,
Fourteen contestants entered the venue.
The audience erupted in screams, creating a lively and exciting atmosphere.
Six people from Kirigakure advanced: Haruma, Kimimaro, Chōjūrō, Sasuke, Suigetsu, and Haku.
Five people from Konoha advanced: Naruto, Shikamaru, Neji, Sai, Shino Aburame.
Three people from Sunagakure advanced: Gaara, Temari, Kankuro.
Everything is ready.
Figures also appeared on the three shadow seats atop the high platform.
Sarutobi sat in the center, with two Anbu standing behind him.
Mei Terumi and Kazekage were on either side of her, each accompanied by two guards behind them.
Fugaku, the Uchiha Clan Head, was originally a powerful clan in Konoha, and Shisui was now serving Mei Terumi's bodyguard.
He stood upright in his assigned position within the Kirigakure.
Especially the gold Forehead Protector they were wearing...
This was an eyesore to Sarutobi and the other members of Konoha's elite families in the stands.
"Father?"
Hanabi Hyuga noticed Hiashi's trembling body and looked up to ask him with concern.
"Call--"
Relieved, Hiashi shook his head at the two women. "It's nothing."
"Don't wander off later, stay right next to me!"