Chapter 67: Gaara Appears, Chunin Exams
Just as Naruto, Kankuro, and Temari were in a standoff, a pile of sand slowly gathered between the three of them, gradually forming a person carrying a large gourd on his back.
When Naruto saw the sand, he knew Gaara was about to step forward.
Gaara, with his dark circles like a panda's, looked at Naruto with a murderous aura and said, "You are very strong!"
"Strong enough to kill you!"
"I think so too. I hope to run into you during the Chunin Exams."
After Gaara finished speaking, he said to Kankuroand the other, "Let's go!"
Kankuro still wanted to say a few words and throw out some threats.
But he was stopped by Temari, who shook her head slightly at him.
After the three of them had walked some distance away, Temari asked Gaara, "Is that blonde kid really that strong?"
"Very strong! He could easily kill you both. Kankuro, if you cause any more trouble, I'll be the first to kill you."
"Gaara, let me explain, they..."
"Shut up! Or I'll kill you."
After Gaara and the others left, Sakura asked Naruto somewhat timidly, "They shouldn't be from our Village, right? Why are they here?"
Sasuke also looked at Naruto with curiosity, waiting for his answer.
Naruto looked at the retreating figures of Gaaraand his team and said, "Didn't I just say? The Chunin Exams. Every so often, the Five Great Ninja Villages hold a Joint Chunin Exams to showcase their strength. You should have learned this in the Ninja Academy; you couldn't have forgotten already, right?"
Sakura nodded upon hearing this and said, "So that's how it is! In that case, are we also going to take part in this Chunin Exams?"
Naruto shook his head and said, "It's hard to say. To participate in this kind of Chunin Exams, you need a recommendation from your leading Jonin. If Kakashi recommends the three of us, then naturally we can take part."
Just as Naruto finished speaking, Kakashi jumped out.
"It seems you already know!"
Naruto looked at Kakashi and said, "You recommended us for the Chunin Exams, didn't you?"
"It seems nothing can be hidden from you! That's right, I did indeed recommend you for the Chunin Exams. These are the application forms."
After Kakashi finished speaking, he took out three sheets of paper with 'Recommendation Form' written on top, and spaces below for them to fill in their names and personal information.
Naruto turned to look at Sasuke and Sakura and said, "You two decide whether or not to participate in this Chunin Exams. Let me state beforehand, in this kind of Chunin Exams, there's a real possibility of dying midway."
Sasuke frowned at Naruto's question, but he still didn't say anything. Although he didn't understand why Naruto was asking if they wanted to participate, he didn't want to bow his head to Naruto again.
But Sakura didn't have as many thoughts and asked Naruto directly, "Naruto, what do you mean by that? Don't you want to participate in the Chunin Exams?"
"I don't care! Even if I remain a Genin for ten thousand years, I'd have no objection. It mainly depends on you two."
"What do you mean? Do we have to participate as a team?"
"You could say that! Generally, when a Joninrecommends students for the Chunin Exams, it's done by squad. If even one of the three is unwilling to participate, the eligibility for all three will be revoked."
Sasuke and Sakura both had looks of sudden realization.
"So that's how it is!"
Sakura glanced at Sasuke and then at Narutobefore saying, "Let's participate! I know my strength might not be enough, but I don't want to hold you guys back."
Naruto nodded and looked at Sasuke.
After a long silence, Sasuke asked, "Will there be duels against others?"
"Yes! And people will die."
Sasuke glanced at Sakura and said, "Then let's participate!"
After saying that, Sasuke took an application form from Kakashi's hand.
Sakura also took an application form, her mood somewhat low.
"Since you all agree to participate, I won't say anything more. It's fine to go and have some fun."
After speaking, Naruto also took the last application form.
Seeing that all three had taken the forms, Kakashinodded and said, "In five days, take your application forms to Room 301 of the Ninja Academy to register."
After saying that, Kakashi used the Body Flicker Technique and left.
Naruto looked down at the application form and said, "Sakura, it's a bit forced for you to participate in this Chunin Exams, but since you've decided, I'll see you in five days!"
After speaking, Naruto tucked the application form into his robe and turned to leave.
Sasuke opened his mouth, wanting to ask what else they should watch out for in the Joint Chunin Exams, but seeing Naruto leave like that...
Sasuke could only let out a 'tsk' and turned to leave as well.
Sakura watched the two of them leave in opposite directions, knowing full well in her heart that even if the three of them didn't become Chunin, Team 7would be disbanded before long anyway.
Not long after the three separated, they were each attacked.
Naruto frowned when he saw the person who came, because the attacker's strength wasn't very high, roughly on par with Sasuke's.
Just as Naruto was about to deliver a killing blow, Kakashi suddenly jumped out.
"Stop!"
In fact, Naruto had already been using his Kagura Minds Eye since the attack began, so he had naturally sensed Kakashi.
Naruto didn't know if it was a test from Hiruzen Sarutobi or some other reason, so he had simply fought with the attacker.
If Kakashi had called out even a second later, Naruto's Rasengan would have certainly slammed into the attacker's chest.
Naruto maintained his posture, holding the Rasengan, waiting for Kakashi's explanation.
Kakashi sighed and said, "Iruka, I told you long ago that they are my subordinates. I naturally know their strength. You didn't need to test them at all. If I had come out a second later, you would have definitely died."
Naruto also heard from Kakashi's words that the person in front of him was Iruka, so he dissipated the Rasengan in his hand, stood up straight, and looked at Iruka, saying, "Why the test?"
After undoing the Transformation Jutsu, Iruka said awkwardly, "I was a bit worried about this year's graduates. After all, you've only just graduated and already have to take this kind of exam. I really couldn't feel at ease, so the Third Hokage-sama approved my test."
Naruto rolled his eyes at Iruka and said with his hands in his pockets, "Boring!"
After saying that, Naruto left directly.
After Naruto left, Iruka asked Kakashi, "How did Naruto's personality change so much? He used to be quite sunny and cheerful, but now there's this sense of coldness."
Kakashi glanced sideways at Iruka, shook his head, and said, "I don't know!"
In reality, Kakashi knew very well that Naruto's previous sunny and cheerful appearance was entirely an act. Now that he had strength, he naturally didn't need to act anymore.
Five days passed in the blink of an eye, and Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura met at the entrance of the Ninja Academy.
Naruto looked at Sakura and said, "It's still not too late to regret it. Once you hand in that application form, life and death will be unpredictable."