Yuhan suddenly noticed movement at one side of the training ground. "There are a few interesting kids over there."
Naruto turned around when he heard him and spotted a box moving slowly nearby, with two holes in it.
Naruto said, "Your disguise is way too stupid!"
"What? We've been discovered! As expected of someone who could defeat Grandpa!"
"What kind of rock is perfectly square? And it even has two holes in it!"
The cardboard box opened, and Konohamaru's trio stood up. "Heh heh heh, just what I'd expect from the man I picked! Now you're worthy of being my rival! Come on, let's play ninja!"
Sakura said, "Why would a real ninja play ninja?"
Naruto thought, If I play with them, I won't get to go anywhere today.
Sasuke said, "Tch, childish."
Hongshi said, "You're Konohamaru, right? (งᵒ̌皿ᵒ̌)ง⁼³₌₃ Let's play ninja! I'm Hashirama Senju! Ah, I'm fired up!"
Konohamaru said, "Oh! (งᵒ̌皿ᵒ̌)ง⁼³₌₃ Then I'm Madara Uchiha!"
Hongshi said, "(╬￣皿￣) Madara!"
Konohamaru said, "(#｀皿´) Hashirama!"
Hongshi said, "Taste my new ninjutsu!"
Konohamaru said, "Take my branch shuriken!"
And so, under the gazes of Naruto and the others, Hongshi and Konohamaru ran into the forest and began their battle, using branches as shuriken.
Naruto said, "This is so embarrassing."
Sasuke said, "Tch, he's still like a kid. No idea how he got so strong."
Yuhan still wore his bashful smile. "Hehehe, honestly. Naruto-kun, let's head back first."
"I'm out, I'm out, I'm out."
Yuhan and Naruto walked back to Konoha.
"Big Sister Yuhan, what's your goal in becoming a ninja?"
"Hmm... to protect the people important to me."
"Oh! You mean Hieimon?"
"Not just him. Do you have anyone important to you, Naruto-kun?"
"Yeah! Everyone! I'm going to become a Hokage who surpasses all the previous ones!"
"Hehehe, you've still got a long way to go!"
"It's just that Hongshi is way too strong!"
"Hongshi? You can just ignore him. He's a freak."
Suddenly, Naruto stopped. "Hmm? Who are those people up ahead?"
Yuhan also looked ahead. "Isn't that Calabash Boy?"
"???"
There came our Gaara of the Sand Waterfall and his two companions, walking toward them, each carrying their ninja tools on their backs.
Naruto really was carefree. He went straight up to them. "Where are you from? You're pretty suspicious. Where are you going? I can show you the way."
Gaara said, "..."
Yuhan patted Naruto on the shoulder. "Naruto, don't be rash. They don't look ordinary."
Kankuro sneered. "Where did this little runt come from? So young, yet so arrogant. I really want to kill you."
"You bastard! Where do you think you are?"
With that, Naruto clenched his fists and charged straight at Kankuro.
The Hokage's office meeting.
The Third had gathered the village's jonin and spoke slowly. "Now, those in charge of the rookie genin, please step forward."
Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma, Kakashi, and Goshi Hyuga stepped forward.
The Third looked at the four of them. "Well, are there any suitable candidates among the rookies you're responsible for? You should know that, in principle, those who have completed sixteen missions are suitable. You first, Kakashi."
"I recommend Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, and Naruto Uzumaki of my Team 7 to take the Chunin Ninja Exams in my name, Kakashi."
"I recommend Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame of my Team 8 to take the Chunin Ninja Exams in my name, Kurenai."
"I recommend Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi of my Team 10 to take the Chunin Ninja Exams in my name, Asuma."
"I recommend Kira Hongshi, Yuhan, and Kamiaka Hieimon of my Team 13 to take the Chunin Ninja Exams in my name, Goshi Hyuga."
The Third took a deep drag of his pipe. "Hiss, whew. These decisions really are unexpected."
At that moment, Iruka stepped out from behind the others. "Wait, I have something to say."
"Iruka? What is it?"
Iruka walked up to the Third. "I know this is rather rude, but ten of these twelve were once my students. While they are outstanding, it's still too early to have them take the Chunin Ninja Exams now. I'm sorry. I disagree with your recommendations."
Kakashi said calmly, "I was six years younger than Naruto when I became a chunin."
"You can't compare them to yourself! Besides, the Chunin Ninja Exams are also known as..."
"Iruka-sensei, their performance on missions has been outstanding. I believe they're fully capable of taking the Chunin Ninja Exams. Besides, stop treating them as your students all the time. They're my subordinates now. Please remember your position and duties."
Asuma said, "What a troublesome bunch."
Just as Kankuro and Naruto were about to start fighting, Gaara spoke. "Kankuro, stop disgracing us here."
Kankuro seemed extremely wary of Gaara and immediately stopped what he was doing.
Gaara said, "Losing yourself over an argument is the most shameful thing of all. Do you still remember why we came here?"
"Let me explain, Gaara..."
"Shut up. Say another word, and I'll kill you."
"Move, move!"
Just as the two groups stood ready to clash, Konohamaru's voice came from behind them. His trio looked as though something was chasing them.
"Don't run! Take my Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands! Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands!"
Then an enormous bald boy came chasing after them. It was Hongshi, his expression extremely grave as he rapidly swung his hands, with a dozen or so branches stuck behind him serving as wooden fists while he chased Konohamaru's trio.
Konohamaru and the other two ran straight past Gaara.
Naruto and his companions said, "(°ー°〃)"
Gaara and his companions said, "(°ー°〃) Does Konoha have this many idiots?"
Sakura looked at Gaara's strange expression. "Don't ask. We don't know them."
Naruto and Yuhan nodded repeatedly too. "Right, right, right! We don't know them!"
"Yo, Yuhan, Naruto, what are you doing here?"
Yuhan and Naruto hurriedly turned their heads away, pretending not to see him, and scattered.
"Ah! Calabash Boy, you're here?"
Gaara said, "Calabash Boy? Are you talking about me?"
"Who else? You're the only one carrying a gourd."
"Do you want to die?"
"Ooh~~ Look who's getting angry. What, do you want to kill me?"
"You're asking for death!"
Gaara's expression grew uglier and uglier (though his Sand Armor hid it). He raised his right hand slightly, and the gourd on his back began to stir.
But he seemed to think of something and calmed down again. "Heh, I'll let you off today."
Yuhan quietly lowered his hand at the side as well.
Seeing that Hongshi had nearly been attacked, Yuhan felt anger rise in his heart. "Judging by your clothes, you must be from Sunagakure. Though our two villages are allies, you can't just cross the border as you please. Unless you explain yourselves, I absolutely can't let you leave."
Naruto said, "Just why did you come here?"
Temari immediately pulled out a document. "Even your own people don't know? Look closely. These are our papers. We're here to take the Chunin Ninja Exams."
"The Chunin Ninja Exams???"
"The Chunin Ninja Exams are... blah blah blah. Do you understand now?"
Naruto shouted, "All right! I'm entering too!"
"Suit yourselves." The Sand Waterfall trio vanished from the spot in a blur.
Hongshi said to Naruto, "The Chunin Ninja Exams are packed with experts. We're in for a good show this time. Naruto-kun, how are your preparations coming along?"
Naruto looked excited. "Hehehe, I'm full of energy, of course!"
"What about you, Yuhan?"
Yuhan still looked tranquil. "Me? I'm doing all right. It's only the Chunin Ninja Exams."
"Big Sister Yuhan, you're so confident! If I run into that Calabash Boy during the exams, I'm definitely going to teach him a good lesson!"
Yuhan narrowed his eyes. "I'd better not run into him." He left the latter half unsaid.
At that moment, Konohamaru jumped up. "Hey! Hashirama, our duel isn't over yet!"
Hongshi smiled. "Konohamaru, let's play next time! I have to go back and prepare for the Chunin Ninja Exams! Practice those ninjutsu I just taught you properly. After the Chunin Ninja Exams, I'll check your progress!"
Though Konohamaru was a little reluctant, he said, "Got it!"