Chapter 34: Third Hokage: Naruto, Give Up on the Chūnin Exams (Skip if You Don't Like This, Can Fast-Forward)
"But the ice cream was pretty good," Kidōmaru said. "Are we really just going to sit here waiting for him?"
"Lord Orochimaru's mission is for us to disguise ourselves as orphans, infiltrate the Leaf, and execute the Konoha Crush Plan during the Chūnin Exams."
"But isn't there still some time before the Chūnin Exams start? The Leaf seems to have pissed off some really scary people these last couple of days."
"I'm done waiting. I can't keep this act up," Sakon and Ukon said. "I'm going out to look around."
"Don't! Without that guy, we'll really starve to death," Kidōmaru shouted after them. "Wait for me!"
The two of them left, leaving only Jirōbō and Tayuya in their child disguises.
"Hey, Tayuya," Jirōbō looked at his departing companions. "You're not really going to wait here, are you?"
"Shut up!" Tayuya snapped, her face dark as she walked off in another direction alone.
...
On the other side, Naruto had gone back to the Academy for class, using the Transformation Jutsu to mark Sasuke and Sakura present as well.
On the podium, Instructor Suzume was giving a lecture about the Will of Fire. No matter how pleasant her voice, it couldn't cover up the rot of that ideology, and Naruto was dozing off.
Before long, he slumped forward on his desk and fell asleep. By the time he woke up again, the classroom was empty, and the red glow of sunset was streaming in through the window.
Naruto muttered a curse—he'd promised to have barbecue with those four today. He really had nothing to do lately, so having a few people to eat and hang out with was nice.
Training was out of the question, and he didn't have to take any more D-rank missions. Other than waiting for the Chūnin Exams, he'd already decided how to waste his time.
But now, things were a bit awkward. He'd overslept.
"Crap, crap, so embarrassing, I overslept." Naruto wiped the drool from his mouth and bolted out the door. "Don't even know why I've been so sleepy lately."
Grumbling, he ran out of the Academy. By the time he got to their meeting spot, the dusty ground was empty under the dimming sunset.
Figures. Who would wait from noon until evening? They'd probably think they were being played, or maybe they'd think he didn't care about that kind of promise.
Naruto sighed. He'd finally found some people to eat with, and now that was gone. But what could he do? Might as well eat alone.
Right on cue, his stomach growled—and then, from behind a stack of cardboard boxes nearby, another stomach growled in reply.
Startled, Naruto froze.
From behind the boxes, a timid girl stepped out.
At the barbecue place—
The meat sizzled on the greased grill, releasing an irresistible aroma. Naruto grilled while placing pieces into his own bowl and the girl's.
"Eat up," Naruto said, already digging in himself.
After a couple of bites, the girl looked up at him, puzzled.
"Isn't barbecue really expensive?"
"Not really," Naruto mumbled around a mouthful. "Don't worry, I can totally afford it."
The girl nodded and began eating slowly. Afterward, Naruto asked if she wanted to take some food back for the other three.
"No need. I think they've probably found something to eat by now," the girl said with a smile, hands behind her back.
"Alright. Well, if you're coming again tomorrow morning, meet me here," Naruto scratched his head. "I'll get here early this time. Today was a fluke."
"Okay!" The girl nodded seriously.
After they parted, Naruto strolled home at his usual leisurely pace. Tayuya slipped into an alley and soon vanished into the darkness.
"Tayuya? You really waited there all afternoon?" Kidōmaru asked, a hint of disdain in his voice. "And? Did you get anything out of it?"
"Yeah, I had barbecue. You didn't," Tayuya said lightly.
"You seriously think you're an orphan now? Don't forget Lord Orochimaru's mission!" Kidōmaru warned. "One barbecue and you're bought off!"
"Yep," Tayuya replied. "One barbecue and I'm bought off. I ate. You didn't."
"You—!"
"The mission hasn't started yet. I know what I'm doing," Tayuya said. "You don't need to talk so much. Just mind your own business."
"Tayuya, if that's how you feel…" Kidōmaru started but fell silent in the end.
The next morning, Naruto didn't update his "Ninja God" posts as usual—because Anbu came knocking.
"The Hokage wants to see you."
"Oh."
On the way, Naruto remembered yesterday's promise and felt a twinge of irritation. Hopefully this meeting wouldn't take too long, or he'd be breaking his word again.
Inside the Hokage's office, Naruto found the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sitting at his desk, pipe in hand, eyes scrutinizing Naruto.
"Naruto, the village has been through a lot lately," Hiruzen began. "What's your take on it?"
"Haven't noticed anything different," Naruto replied flatly. "The village has you, Hokage-sama. It's still safe overall."
"I saw your name on the list for the Chūnin Exams," Hiruzen said, glancing at him.
"Given the current situation, and since you're an important asset to the village, I want you to withdraw from this exam."
"Alright," Naruto agreed almost instantly. "Can I go now?"
"Aren't you going to ask why?" Hiruzen looked at him, surprised. "I thought you'd take this hard. The Chūnin Exams are a prime opportunity for a shinobi to showcase themselves."
"Nothing to ask," Naruto said expressionlessly. "If the village made this decision, it has its reasons. I don't care either way."
"A shinobi's essence is obedience, right? I've stopped caring."
Hiruzen's face grew solemn, but he found himself at a loss for words. He stared at Naruto; Naruto stared back.
"Hokage-sama, can I leave now?"
"You may."
Receiving confirmation, Naruto's eyes remained cold and indifferent as he turned and left without hesitation. Just before the door closed, he heard the Third's weary sigh.
Perhaps Hiruzen didn't want Naruto to become nothing more than a weapon for the village. But this Naruto no longer held such optimism.
He'd seen the village's attitude toward him. As far as Konoha was concerned, he had no intention of giving his life for it.
With the system by his side, he needed no teacher for ninjutsu, no help to control the Nine-Tails. If he wished, the system could bypass the Nine-Tails entirely and grant him its power.
Just a fox living inside him—why should he fear it? The Nine-Tails? Please. With the system, why should he hold back?
What a joke.
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