Inside the tower.
Half an hour remained until the end of Phase Two.
The wall clock ticked steadily.
Naruto pulled out the Heaven and Earth Scrolls and handed one to Sasuke and one to Sakura.
"Begin."
The two accepted the scrolls.
As both scrolls were unrolled at once, intricate sealing formulas converged at their centers, and a cloud of white smoke erupted.
"Hey! Long time no see, everyone."
The smoke cleared, revealing Iruka Umino in a Chunin flak jacket.
A bright smile on his face, he looked over Team 7.
Sasuke stood on the right, hands in his pockets.
Though his expression was gloomy, a sharp aura radiated from him.
Sakura stood on the left; compared to before, confidence and resolve shone in her eyes.
In the middle, Naruto still wore a gentle smile, his clothes so clean they seemed out of place.
It looked as if he'd just returned from a stroll, not fought his way out of the Forest of Death.
Behind them cowered a red-haired girl wearing a Grass Ninja forehead protector.
"Team 7, all present."
Naruto gave Iruka a calm smile.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Iruka-sensei."
Iruka stared at the boy whose bearing had changed so completely.
The "dead last" who used to doodle in class, pull pranks, and shout—he was gone.
In his place stood a steady, confident, mature Ninja.
"Naruto… you've really grown."
A complicated warmth and pride welled up in Iruka's heart.
The kid who'd earnestly asked for help and longed to grow stronger seemed like he belonged to yesterday.
Today, the fledgling had spread its wings.
He glanced at his watch and muttered in puzzlement:
"Still, it's odd—there were quite a few teams taking the exam…"
"Yet only a handful have arrived before you."
"Judging by the time, yours may be the last team."
"About that…"
Naruto said nothing more; he simply unslung the bulging backpack from his shoulder and tossed it to the floor.
Clatter.
As the pack hit the ground, its mouth opened, spilling out a heap of scrolls like trash.
Iruka's eyes nearly popped out.
"W-what are these…?"
"There were a lot of strong contestants this year,"
Naruto said, adjusting his glasses, his voice calm.
"So, for their own safety, I gave them a graceful exit."
Iruka stared at the mound of scrolls, the dark red stains faintly visible on them—graceful, huh? More like forcibly "retired."
A moment later, Iruka finally collected himself.
He wiped the cold sweat from his brow and steadied his breathing.
Then he looked at the unfamiliar red-haired girl:
"And… who is this child?"
"Ah, let me introduce her."
Naruto stepped aside and drew Karin, who'd been hiding behind him, forward:
"Karin, an orphan of the Uzumaki Clan—I picked her up in the forest."
"She's my kin and my comrade."
"As for her arrangements, I'll personally report to Grandpa Hokage later."
"The Uzumaki Clan?"
Iruka studied the girl in surprise, then his gaze softened.
He stepped closer and gave the timid Karin an encouraging smile:
"Don't be afraid; you're perfectly safe here."
Karin looked at the gentle man, then at Naruto,
and gave a small, shy nod.
Thereafter, under Iruka's guidance,
Team 7 walked down a long corridor and entered a hall.
The doors swung open, and a cold, desolate air greeted them.
Compared to the vast chamber, the number of people inside was pitiful.
Besides the newly arrived Team 7,
only Gaara's team waiting in a corner, Neji Hyuga's squad standing aloof with eyes closed, and the rather bedraggled team of Kabuto Yakushi remained.
Four teams—twelve examinees in total.
These were the sole survivors of this year's Chunin Exams.
Standing on the high platform, Anko Mitarashi looked at the sparse group below and smiled in satisfaction.
"Hmph, twelve, huh? Not too many, not too few—just right."
"Saves us the trouble of preliminaries; not all these brats are trash."
"Ahem."
An aged, authoritative cough sounded.
Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen appeared in the aisle, accompanied by Konoha's Elite Jonin.
He wore the ceremonial cloak, a smoking pipe in hand.
His gaze slowly swept over the twelve young Ninja present.
Then the Third Hokage stepped forward, his voice echoing through the hall:
"First, congratulations to all of you—you have officially qualified for the Third Exam of the Chunin Exams."
"The final stage will commence one month from today."
"This month is for rest, gathering intelligence on opponents, and targeted special training."
The Third Hokage paused, then said gravely:
"At that time, the Daimyo and nobles of every nation will attend in person."
"In short, this will be a battle for your dreams and your Village's honor… a fight you must stake your lives on!"
"Do not slack off."
After the brief briefing, the Third Hokage dismissed them.
Nerves frayed for days finally relaxed; the examinees filed out of the hall
to enjoy long-awaited hot baths and good food.
Kakashi walked over, intending to treat Team 7 to a hearty meal.
"Naruto."
An aged voice suddenly called the boy who was about to leave.
Naruto stopped and turned; the Third Hokage stood not far away.
"Regarding this exam and some things you encountered in the forest…"
The Third Hokage drew on his pipe; within the curling smoke, his tone was calm but brooked no refusal:
"I have some questions I'd like to ask you—alone."
Beside him, Sasuke and Sakura blinked in surprise and looked anxiously at Naruto.
Karin clutched Naruto's hand, eyeing the Third Hokage in fear.
"It's fine."
Naruto waved to his teammates, signaling them not to worry,
and gently patted Karin's hand to reassure her.
Then, adjusting his glasses, he followed with unhurried steps.
"Perfect—I have a few things I'd like to discuss with you as well."
Watching Naruto walk away with the Hokage,
Kakashi, still standing in place, opened his normally half-lidded eyes, his brows knitting together.
As an Elite Jonin, his perception of Chakra was extremely acute.
Before entering the hall,
he had assumed Orochimaru came for Sasuke Uchiha this time, even fearing Sasuke might be branded with the Cursed Seal of Heaven.
Yet now, Sasuke showed nothing beyond mental fatigue.
It was Naruto… though his collar was carefully pulled high, Kakashi still sensed something amiss.
"Could Orochimaru's target… be Naruto!?"
Kakashi's heart gave a violent thud; staring at Naruto's back, his gaze became graver than ever.