章 1: Return to Village
After three years, Naruto finally made his way back to Konoha, the hidden leaf village, after his training journey with Jiraiya.
Walking through the village gates alongside Jiraiya, Naruto scanned the familiar surroundings and faces with a certain coolness in his gaze, appreciating the sense of return despite the mixed bag of memories associated with the place.
"Wow, it's really been over two years, hasn't it?" Naruto remarked with a smooth confidence.
"Indeed, it has," Jiraiya confirmed.
Standing tall and looking out over the village, Naruto declared with an easy assurance, "I'm back home, and I've never been better."
Dressed in a sleek black cloak, dark sunglasses shielding his eyes, and standing at an impressive height with a well-built physique, Naruto's presence was undeniably striking.
"Is that really you, Naruto? When did you get back?" Sakura called out, surprised.
"Just now!" Naruto announced, landing smoothly in front of her. "Looks like it's been a while, Sakura!"
"You've really changed... the sunglasses, you're taller, and... just different," Sakura observed.
"I've taken a liking to sunglasses," Naruto replied coolly.
Sakura, a hint of color in her cheeks, asked, "So, do you think I look more grown-up to you now?"
"You've really become more stylish and charming!" Naruto said.
"Do you really think that?" Sakura asked, her cheeks blushing.
"Naruto's doing great!" Jiraiya thought, watching their exchange.
"Hey, Naruto..." A voice interrupted, drawing their attention. "Sexy Jutsu!" Suddenly, a stunning woman appeared.
But then, the illusion disappeared, revealing Konohamaru. "So, how do you like it? Pretty impressive, right?" Konohamaru boasted.
Naruto looked at Konohamaru, cool and unbothered, his shades hiding his eyes. "Still using the Sexy Jutsu, Konohamaru? I would've thought you'd be mastering more advanced skills by now," he said
Konohamaru, slightly surprised but quickly bouncing back, said, "I've been working on other techniques too! But I wanted to see if I could still surprise you."
"That's the spirit!"
Sakura watched Naruto, her heart fluttering. "He's really changed... Not just on the outside. I miss the old Naruto sometimes, but he's doing amazing," she thought. "With his talent, he must have learned so many new Jutsus by now."
Later, Naruto and Sakura, along with Jiraiya, stood before Tsunade's desk in the Hokage's office, Tsunade sitting proudly and Shizune by her side.
"It's good to see you both. I trust your training has paid off," Tsunade said warmly.
"Do you really think we'd come back empty-handed?" Jiraiya asked.
"That's what I like to hear! Let's see what you've got, kid!" Tsunade exclaimed, looking forward to seeing Naruto's progress.
"Now? You want me to show you right now?" Naruto responded, raising an eyebrow.
"I've got someone in mind for you to face. I've given him a break from missions lately so he'd be ready for this. Your opponent is going to be..." Tsunade started to explain but got cut off by a knock on the door.
"Enter!" Tsunade commanded. The door opened to reveal Shikamaru and Temari stepping in.
"Hey there," greeted Shikamaru lazily.
"Look who we have here, Shikamaru, Temari!" Sakura chimed in, gesturing toward Naruto.
"Is that really Naruto?" Shikamaru squinted, surprised, then confirmed, "It is!"
"Hey, Shikamaru!" Naruto greeted him with a laid-back stride.
"I didn't recognize you with the glasses and the black cloak!" Shikamaru remarked.
"Is that the same guy we knew?" Temari wondered silently.
"I decided to switch up my look a bit," Naruto replied.
"You've really changed," Shikamaru observed.
"He definitely has," Sakura added with a smile.
"Hold on, are you the one Granny Tsunade mentioned as my opponent?" Naruto inquired, looking at Shikamaru.
"Opponent? I'm just here to drop off some documents," Shikamaru explained.
"Oh, so if it's not you then..." Naruto's gaze shifted to Temari, asking, "You?"
"You won't find your opponent here. He's outside," Tsunade said, pointing out the window.
Naruto looked outside to see Kakashi reading his favorite book.
"Naruto, you've grown up!" Kakashi noted.
"And you haven't changed a bit," Naruto replied, jumping out the window to approach Kakashi.
"Hold on, I have something for you," Naruto said, pulling out a book from his backpack.
"Is that really the latest issue?" Kakashi gasped in surprise.
"Yep, the first new issue in three years, just for you," Naruto said, handing over the book.
"Alright, that's enough. Kakashi, no more distractions," Tsunade intervened.
"So, you're my opponent, Sensei?" Naruto asked.
"Well, partly correct," Kakashi replied, moving towards the window in front of Sakura, "It's been a long time, hasn't it, Sakura?"
"It really has, Sensei," Sakura responded.
"As for your opponent, it will be both Naruto and Sakura. You two will be facing me," Kakashi revealed.
"Are you sure about this, Sensei?" Naruto asked.
"Exactly. How you both handle this challenge will decide your future positions," Tsunade added.
"Ready to start?" Kakashi asked with a smirk.
"Just got back, Naruto, so why not take a little break?" Kakashi suggested after a moment of thought.
"I'm actually not that tired," Naruto replied, unfazed.
"No rush, we can meet up later at the training grounds," Kakashi said before disappearing in a puff of smoke.
"That's strange, he seemed really rushed!" Shizune said.
"Yeah, and I have a pretty good idea why!" Tsunade said.
"He can't wait to read that book!" Shikamaru said.
"That explains it, the excitement in his eyes." Sakura said.
"Of course, he wants to read it. Who wouldn't want to be the first to read my book before anyone else?" Jiraiya thought proudly.
"At least now we have time to plan our fight for later!" Sakura said, as Naruto nodded.
Naruto stopped for Shikamaru and Temari, who were walking behind them. "So, what are you two doing together? Don't tell me you're a couple!" Naruto said to Shikamaru and Temari with a smirk.
"Not even close," Shikamaru said.
"You must be joking! Like I would ever date him!" Temari said. "The Chunin exam is about to start, and I've been busy going back and forth between your village and mine to prepare for it!" Temari explained.
"Yeah, that's right! I'm her escort. It's a hassle, don't ask how it happened, but I've been put in charge of the Chunin exam," Shikamaru said.
"The Chunin exam, I've heard about it!" Naruto said.
Speaking of which, what are you going to do, Naruto?" Shikamaru asked.
"You mean, am I going to participate?" Naruto asked.
"Yes, you're the only one from our class who isn't a Chunin yet. Everyone else already is!" Shikamaru said.
"Is that so? So, Sakura, you're already a Chunin?" Naruto asked as Sakura nodded.
"You haven't even heard the half of it. Kankuro, Neji, and Temari here have been promoted to Jounin," Shikamaru said.
"What about Gaar ? did he really became... Kazekage?" Naruto asked.
[A. N: Thanks for reading, drop Powerstones that will help a lot and drop reviews if you like the story and add to your library]
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