After dealing with the few individuals, Rikuto, Nao, and Yosei delved deeper into Rakugan Temple to inspect the seal. Fortunately, the Kakure Ninja Village individuals only intended to use the seal to assassinate Konoha Village's sealing Ninja and did not actually break the seal. This was good news amidst the bad.
"Thump… thump…"
Rikuto looked up at Yuta, who was slowly approaching. "How did it go?"
Yuta lowered his head, his expression hidden. "It's resolved."
"Yu… Yuta, are you alright?" Nao asked hesitantly. Yuta's aura at that moment felt unfamiliar to her.
Yuta lifted his head, a relaxed smile appearing on his face. "Yes, I'm fine."
"That's good." Nao linked her arm through Yuta's, then her expression froze. "He's trembling so much."
"I overused my Chakra a bit just now. I'm fine, no need to worry." Yuta pulled his arm from Nao's hand and quickly turned around. "Let's go quickly, aren't we returning to Konoha?"
Rikuto looked at the bright moon in the sky and said, "That's true, but it's still late night. Let's rest for a bit first."
Hearing that they had to stay here for another night, Yuta's face turned a bit pale. "Ye… yes, let's rest for a bit then."
Nao looked at the dazed Yuta worriedly. "Yu…"
Rikuto reached out and stopped Nao. "This kind of thing, he can only rely on himself. Others can't help much."
Nao looked at Rikuto, wanting to speak but holding back. "But…"
"For something of this magnitude, do you not believe in him?" Rikuto patted Nao's shoulder. "Instead of spending this time, why don't you go find a more comfortable room?"
In the early morning, Yuta's breathing became heavier and heavier in his sleep.
"Ah!" Yuta screamed, breaking free from his nightmare. Looking at his trembling right hand, Yuta clutched his head and panted heavily.
Nao looked at Yuta with a pained heart, but under Rikuto's warning gaze, she could only silently pray in her heart.
The next morning, the four embarked on their return journey. Over the next twenty-odd days on the road, Yuta gradually adjusted. There's no need to find it strange; anyone with a fox constantly mocking them in an extremely annoying tone for over twenty days wouldn't remain so dejected.
"I'll go report to Hokage-sama. The three of you go wait for me at the barbecue restaurant." Rikuto left the three and headed to the Hokage's office.
Yuta stretched and said with a wide smile, "Let's go. It's been a long time since I've had a proper meal. This time, I'm going to eat well."
"Yosei, do you want to try the Land of Lightning's specialty beef I told you about this time? Last time the clan leader ate there, he should have left some stored at the restaurant."
"Alright, I also want to try the meat you two rave about."
Nao and Yosei chatted as they followed behind.
"Bastard! Let him go!"
A loud shout suddenly rang out from another street.
Nao looked at Yuta. "Isn't that Naruto's voice?"
"Let's go check it out," a bad feeling flashed through Yuta's mind.
On another street, Naruto glared at the Ninja wearing a Sand Ninja headband. "If you don't let go, I won't forgive you, you bastard!"
Kankuro looked at Naruto mockingly. "As expected, I still hate brats the most."
"First, I'll deal with this stinky brat, and then it's your turn." Kankuro raised his fist to strike Konohamaru.
"Whoosh."
A small stone accurately hit Kankuro's hand. Kankuro cried out in pain, dropping Konohamaru to the ground, and looked up at Sasuke in the tree. Kankuro was full of displeasure. "Another stinky brat."
"What are you doing in someone else's Village?" Sasuke casually crushed the stone. "Get lost."
"I really can't bring myself to like brats." Kankuro untied the white cloth wrapped around his puppet. With just a few Konoha Genin, Kankuro was confident he could subdue them using Crow.
"I said, could you please not use weapons so casually in someone else's Village?"
Along with a cold tone, a Kunai was held across Kankuro's neck.
"Yuta!" Naruto looked at Yuta, who had suddenly appeared behind Kankuro, in surprise.
"Guests should know their place. Fighting and killing can easily lead to injuries." Yuta's Chakra-covered right hand covered the head of the Crow puppet.
Kankuro looked at the scattered Chakra threads in shock. "They're broken?"
"Whoosh!"
A gust of wind blew, and Yuta dodged to stand in front of Naruto and the others.
"Kankuro, stop." A red-haired Sand Ninja, who had appeared on the tree behind Sasuke at some point, spoke to the two with a cold tone. "You're disgracing the Village."
Kankuro said nervously, "I… Gaara, th-they started it first."
"Shut up, or I'll kill you."
"So… sorry." Kankuro immediately shut his mouth. He had always been terrified of this so-called younger brother, fearing that one day he would anger him and die in the sand.
"I'm truly sorry to you all." Gaara's tone held no hint of apology.
"Shasha shasha"
Gaara transformed into sand and appeared in front of the two. "Let's go."
"Wait a minute." Sakura called out to the three. "Judging by your headbands, you must be Ninja from Hidden Sand Village. According to the alliance treaty, Hidden Sand Village's Ninja are not allowed to freely enter and exit Konoha. What exactly is your purpose? Depending on the situation, we will take necessary measures."
"Don't you even know about your own Village's Ninja?" Temari took out a pass from her bosom. "We are indeed Ninja from Hidden Sand Village. We are here to participate in the Chunin Exams."
Sasuke stepped forward and asked, "The one with the gourd on his back, what's your name?"
"Gaara of the Sand Waterfall." Gaara turned his head. "I'm also a little interested in you. Your name."
"Uchiha Sasuke."
"And the blond one, what's your name?" Gaara looked at Yuta. To appear behind Kankuro and the other without them noticing, and to easily sever Chakra threads, perhaps he could find some amusement in this person.
Naruto's eyes lit up. "The blond one? I'm Uzum…"
"I'm not interested in you. What's your name?" Gaara interrupted Naruto.
"Uzumaki Yuta."
"I'll remember you two." Gaara turned and left.
"Chunin Exams…" Yuta recalled the original plot and fell into deep thought.
In the original timeline of Naruto, the Chunin Exams were a crucial part of Orochimaru's Konoha Crush plan. Here, Orochimaru placed the Cursed Seal on Sasuke and successfully killed his teacher, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Yuta hesitated about whether to reveal the truth. Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi believed what he said, he wouldn't be able to explain how Yuta, a Genin, knew such information.
Most importantly, even if Yuta told the truth, Hiruzen Sarutobi would not be able to cancel the Chunin Exams because of it. After all, this Chunin Exams had already invited high-ranking officials with power from many countries to observe. Furthermore, if the exams were truly canceled, it would be announced that the vast Konoha Village was afraid of Orochimaru alone.
"Forget it. Since you've taken care of me and my brother, I'll find an opportunity to secretly deliver the information." Yuta really couldn't bear to watch Hiruzen Sarutobi go to his death