The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, frowned slightly as he listened to Kakashi's report on the unexpected developments during the Land of Waves mission.
"I never imagined that a mere C-rank mission would end like this…" he murmured, his tone heavy with contemplation.
He raised his head and looked at Kakashi with a meaningful gaze.
"Kakashi… it was fortunate that you were there."
Kakashi scratched the back of his head, his visible eye curving into a lazy, ironic smile.
"To be honest, Hokage-sama, the one who deserves the highest praise for this mission isn't me at all," he said. "It's Naruto-kun."
Hiruzen Sarutobi paused for a moment, then smiled gently.
"Indeed," he said. "Naruto-kun, you did very well."
Naruto puffed out his chest immediately, laughter bursting from his mouth as pride radiated from his entire body.
"Hahaha! Of course!"
Sasuke, standing beside him, let out a low grunt and turned his head away slightly.
Hinata, watching the scene, smiled faintly and helplessly.
Since their near-death battle in the Land of Waves, the relationship between Naruto and Sasuke had become increasingly complicated. From Sasuke's perspective, being rescued by Naruto was probably the last thing he ever wanted.
Yet when it actually happened, he couldn't deny the gratitude that surged in his heart—perhaps even a flicker of genuine emotion.
However, Sasuke's personality made it impossible for him to express such feelings openly.
The only way he could maintain his usual relationship with Naruto was by continuing to look down on him, speaking coldly and occasionally making sharp remarks—as if this fragile balance was the only way he knew how to coexist with him.
Naruto's carefree and straightforward personality meant that he couldn't possibly understand Sasuke's tangled emotions.
From his point of view, he had saved Sasuke, yet the guy still acted arrogant and dismissive.
Naturally, Naruto couldn't bring himself to like Sasuke very much.
And yet, Hinata thought quietly to herself—
Even though they argued constantly, when it came to life-and-death situations, these two trusted each other more than anyone else.
Perhaps… that was the true meaning of Team 7.
Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a soft sigh.
"Considering the actual difficulty of this mission," he said, "it would not be an exaggeration to classify it as an A-rank mission."
"But," he continued, "as the client, Tazuna-san only paid for a C-rank assignment."
"The total reward is fifty thousand ryo."
Naruto's eyes widened slightly.
He knew very well that the reward for an A-rank mission could reach up to one million ryo—an amount completely incomparable to what they had received.
But he waved his hand without hesitation.
"It doesn't matter!" Naruto said cheerfully. "What matters is growth—growth!"
Hiruzen smiled in response.
"Kakashi," he said, "I'll leave the distribution of the reward to you."
Kakashi hesitated for a moment, then scratched his head again.
"Hmm…"
"Let's let Naruto-kun decide."
Naruto blinked. "Me?"
"You made the greatest contribution," Kakashi replied calmly. "So you should be the one to distribute it."
Naruto thought for a moment, then nodded decisively.
"Alright! Kakashi-sensei gets twenty thousand ryo, and the three of us each get ten thousand!"
Kakashi's heart skipped a beat.
"Aren't you taking more for yourself, Naruto?" he asked.
"No need!" Naruto grinned. "I already have plenty of money!"
He wasn't lying.
Although each D-rank mission had only earned him a few thousand ryo, he had completed well over a hundred of them.
When added together, his savings had already reached forty to fifty thousand ryo.
Hiruzen nodded with clear satisfaction.
"Very good."
After a brief pause, his expression turned more serious.
"Kakashi… there is another important matter I need to discuss with you."
Kakashi's eye sharpened slightly.
"Is it about the upcoming event?"
"Precisely."
Naruto's curiosity immediately flared.
"What is it?!"
"Hokage-sama, Kakashi-sensei, don't keep us in suspense!" he protested.
Kakashi chuckled softly.
"This matter is indeed very important to you," he said, "but it's not the right time to announce it yet. Wait for my answer."
"Alright," Hiruzen said. "You may all return and get some proper rest."
"Team 7—dismissed."
"Tch, so stingy!" Naruto muttered as he turned away, clasping his hands behind his head.
Hinata and Sasuke followed closely behind him.
As he watched their retreating figures, Kakashi felt a deep sense of emotion stir within him.
Hiruzen spoke again, his voice quiet.
"They are truly an extraordinary team…"
"Don't you think so, Kakashi?"
Kakashi nodded.
"Yes. Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata are all genuine prodigies."
"But more importantly," he continued, "even though they argue every day, when it truly matters, they are all incredibly reliable."
"They cooperate seamlessly. They fight side by side."
"And above all…"
"They are willing to protect one another, even at the cost of their own lives."
Hiruzen smiled.
"Choosing you as their leader was the right decision—not just for Team 7, but for the village as well."
"Of course," he added teasingly, "suitable students are also important, considering you've expelled two generations of students before this."
Kakashi coughed awkwardly and scratched his head.
"There's nothing I can do about that," he said. "Being a ninja is a matter of life and death."
Hiruzen nodded.
"In that case, Kakashi, you already know what I'm about to say."
"The Chunin Exams are approaching."
"Would you recommend Team 7 to participate?"
"Normally, newly graduated genin must wait at least one year, but…"
Kakashi smiled confidently.
"I recommend them."
"Team 7 is already prepared."
"In fact," he added, "their strength already surpasses that of ordinary chunin."
Hiruzen's eyes glinted.
"Very well. I will register Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata."
"You must be tired, Kakashi. Go and rest."
"Yes. Thank you, Hokage-sama."
"Umm… umm…"
Naruto suddenly stopped walking.
"H-Hinata, Sasuke… do you know what Kakashi-sensei and Hokage-sama were talking about?"
Sasuke snorted and ignored him completely.
Hinata hesitated, then spoke softly.
"I have a guess…"
Naruto froze, then burst into excitement.
"As expected of Hinata! Tell me, tell me!"
Hinata said thoughtfully, "Hokage-sama said it was an upcoming event. He discussed it privately with Kakashi-sensei, avoiding us—but also said it was very important to us."
"When you put all that together…"
Naruto leaned closer.
"What?!"
Hinata looked serious.
"The Chunin Exams."
Both Naruto and Sasuke stiffened.
"The Chunin Exams?!"
Hinata nodded.
"Normally, two Chunin Exams are held each year. As the name implies, they are evaluations designed to select outstanding genin for promotion."
"But that's not all," she continued. "The exams are usually held jointly with other villages."
"They are a way to demonstrate military strength and compete with ninja from other villages."
"In short, it's a major event for the entire ninja world."
Naruto's eyes lit up.
"Ninjas from other villages will be there too?!"
"That's awesome!"
"This is basically a stage prepared just for Uzumaki Naruto!"
"I'll defeat everyone, become a chunin, and make the entire ninja world acknowledge my existence!"
Sasuke's heart also stirred.
He absolutely refused to be surpassed by Naruto again.
The Land of Waves mission had carved itself deeply into his heart.
Objectively speaking, Sasuke's performance had been exceptional.
He had swiftly neutralized the Demon Brothers.
He had cooperated perfectly with Naruto and Hinata against Zabuza's Water Clone.
He had fought alongside Naruto against Haku and shattered the Ice Mirrors.
Anyone else would have been proud—perhaps even arrogant.
Yet Sasuke felt only anger.
The most crucial moment was Naruto risking his life to save him.
That gratitude… only made his frustration deeper.
"Damn it…"
Sasuke clenched his fists.
"Naruto," he said coldly, "I will defeat you and prove my strength."
"Everything will be settled in the Chunin Exams."
With that, he turned and walked away without looking back.
Naruto stared after him, stunned.
"What's wrong with him? He suddenly started acting weird again!"
Hinata smiled faintly.
"Because Sasuke is a genius," she said softly. "And he refuses to be surpassed."
"And more importantly…"
"Perhaps he has suffered a tragic trauma—something that filled his heart with hatred and a desire for power."
"Under those circumstances, being surpassed by you would only make him angrier."
Naruto nodded slowly.
"You're right…"
"Even if I don't know what he's been through, something must have caused this."
"But still," he added with a pout, "he doesn't have to take it out on me every time!"
Hinata opened her mouth to speak, then stopped.
Naruto blinked—then suddenly understood.
"So… I'm the one who understands him best, right?"
"Because we both…"
Hinata's face paled slightly. She closed her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Naruto…"
Naruto smiled brightly.
"What's there to apologize for?"
"It's true."
"And I think what you said makes perfect sense."
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