Chapitre 65: Chapter 65: A Tournament? Konoha? Really?
Oh no!
I forgot to ask the Third about checking the sealing scroll...
Naruto kept brooding as he walked out of the Hokage's office.
It's all Danzō's fault!
Meanwhile, Kakashi, walking toward the crossroads, was lost in thought, recalling the recent dream about his father. Every now and then, he cast a glance at Naruto.
Should I... ask Naruto for more of that special food?
Kakashi wasn't just thinking about seeing his father again; he also wanted to apologize to Rin and maybe ask Obito if he was still as kind in the afterlife, and whether he was still always late. And of course, it'd be nice to see Minato-sensei again.
As for Kushina... best not to think about that.
In short, there were too many things Kakashi wanted to say to those who were no longer here. He didn't know whether that encounter with his father had been real or just a dream, but...
Who cares? As long as I get to see them again.
Yet, part of him was terrified at the idea of meeting them again. With a sigh, Kakashi steadied himself, turned, and waved at his three students.
"Alright, my dear subordinates," he said with a smile. "This is where we part ways for today."
Before they could even respond, Kakashi disappeared in a blur, leaving Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura standing there, exchanging confused glances.
"Wait... did the Third just say we're going to take part in the Chūnin Exams?" Sakura muttered, still processing what had happened earlier.
It all felt like a dream. They hadn't even been Genin for three months, and now they were already headed for the Chūnin Exams?
Sasuke nodded, his expression impassive. "Yeah, a sect tournament."
Naruto: ???
Sakura: ???
Sasuke's random comment left both of them dumbfounded.
Sakura stood there for a moment, glaring at Naruto.
Arghhh!
What's Sasuke even talking about now?!
This is all Naruto's fault!
Why is my Sasuke acting so weird?!
Naruto twitched, his face contorting into an awkward grimace.
Damn it! It's just a regular Chūnin Exam, stop making it sound like some ridiculous martial arts tournament!
Just as Naruto was about to voice his frustration, Kurama, the Nine-Tails, suddenly chimed in from inside.
"Hmph! A sect tournament?"
"Konoha? Really?"
Naruto: …
Hearing the fox's snide comment, Naruto nearly choked on his own spit.
You know what? Maybe the two of you should just team up... This is the ninja world, can't you tone down the dramatics a bit?!
"You little brat! Are you showing disrespect to me again?"
"No, no... just go back to reading your books..."
Naruto realized he couldn't handle Kurama's sudden mood swings anymore. It had only been a few days, and the fox was already acting like it had a new title to live up to...
Sasuke, with his oversized sword strapped to his back, didn't seem to notice their baffled expressions.
People misunderstanding a genius like me is only natural, he thought.
Look at Xiao Yan from those novels... didn't people mock him when he was seen as a failure?
Soon enough, I'll have mastered the Flame Technique, and when that happens, I'll defeat everyone!
Gazing off into the distance at a 45-degree angle, Sasuke murmured, "Sigh... my whole life feels like walking on thin ice. Do you think I'll ever reach the other shore?"
The melancholic aura surrounding him was palpable.
Sakura's eyes sparkled with admiration as she looked at him, practically swooning.
Ahhh!!
So cool!
Sasuke is amazing!!
Naruto, meanwhile, slapped a hand over his face and turned away, unwilling to witness the absurdity any longer.
Where did he even learn that line?
I mean, I already have to deal with Uchiha Xiao Yan wannabe here, and now he's trying to be Mr. "Walking on Thin Ice"?
At that moment, Tenten, Neji, and Lee appeared, walking toward them.
Neji's eyes immediately flared into his Byakugan when he saw the blond troublemaker. Meanwhile, Tenten waved energetically at Naruto and the others.
"Hey! Naruto, and you too, Ice Brother!"
"Want to grab some food with us?"
Tenten had overheard Sasuke's earlier comment. Everyone in the village knew the story of the Uchiha orphan, but hearing such words from him had left her truly shocked.
She hadn't realized just how much weight Sasuke carried on his shoulders until now...
And so, she'd decided to give him a new nickname.
Sasuke heard her calling him "Ice Brother" and couldn't help but smirk a little, his pride bubbling up inside.
Naruto, on the other hand, felt a sudden sense of doom.
Oh no...
Tenten overheard that line... this can't be good!
Sakura, seeing another girl talking to Sasuke, instinctively clung to his arm.
Sasuke, however, barely reacted. He only felt an uncomfortable pressure where Sakura had latched onto him... it was kind of painful.
As Tenten, Neji, and Lee arrived, Neji struggled to control the fury bubbling within him. If not for Guy-sensei's insistence on inviting Teams 7 and 8 for lunch, he would have already exploded.
Neji's mind flashed back to his first encounter with the blonde troublemaker...
"Yo, big brother-in-law!"
Naruto's casual greeting instantly set Neji's chest heaving with anger, his composure cracking as he tried to keep it together.
"Uzumaki Naruto!"
"I'll kill you!!!"
Neji lasted barely two seconds before his rage boiled over, and he lunged forward, fists glowing with chakra.
Thankfully, his teammates jumped in to restrain him, urgently pleading.
"Neji! Calm down!!"
"Let it go!"
"Remember, Guy-sensei wants us to have lunch together!"
Tenten and Lee used every ounce of their strength to hold Neji back.
Although they weren't entirely sure what had gone down between Neji and Naruto, fighting right now would definitely be in poor taste.
"Naruto, maybe ease up a bit. He's your... um..."
Realizing she was about to slip up, Tenten quickly shut her mouth, worried that Neji might really explode if she said any more.
Naruto, meanwhile, gave her a sly smile and a subtle thumbs-up.
Girl, you've got my respect!
Don't worry, I won't let my future brother-in-law die so easily!
Hearing the offer of food, both Sakura and Sasuke turned to look at Naruto.
In Team 7, all decisions ultimately came down to Naruto.
If Naruto agreed to something, Sasuke would follow, and where Sasuke went, Sakura would follow as well.
As for a certain silver-haired jōnin...
Well, they'd go with Kakashi's decision if he agreed, but otherwise, it was always Naruto who called the shots.
"Hinata's coming too."
Tenten added that little detail, seeing that Naruto hadn't yet responded.
Team bonding?
Naruto was a little surprised. Given how infamous Team 7 had become, it was rare for anyone to invite them to anything.
But thinking of Hinata, he couldn't help but chuckle.
"Alright, we'll come. We'll bring Kakashi-sensei along too."
With that, Tenten pulled Neji away, although Lee remained rooted to the spot, gazing at Sakura with starry eyes.
"Hehehe..."
"My love!"
"Lee! What are you doing just standing there?!"
Seeing the scene unfold, Sakura found a strange sense of relief bubbling up inside her.
So it's not just Team 7 that's a mess...
Looking from Neji, who was on the verge of an outburst, to Lee with his strange infatuation, Sakura suddenly felt much better.
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