After returning to Konoha Village, Kakashi seemed to have something urgent to do. He gave a few instructions to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura and then left.
Sakura said, "Why did Teacher Kakashi leave in such a hurry?"
"Normally, lazy Kakashi just lies around reading books. But as soon as he got back to the village, he rushed off. There's only one reason," Naruto analyzed. "He must be going to see the Hokage."
"So, what could have happened that made him so eager to see the Hokage?" Sakura asked.
"Anyone would be in a hurry if summoned by the Hokage," Naruto said. "You think it's me? Well, only I wouldn't be in a hurry."
At this time, Sasuke kept staring at Naruto without saying a word. Suddenly, he blurted out, "Naruto, fight me!" His words really shocked everyone.
"Eh?" Sakura was stunned. She couldn't understand why Sasuke wanted to fight Naruto.
"No way!" Naruto said with complete disinterest. "I'll take you on after some time."
Sasuke looked discontented. He thought to himself: I have to determine who's better between Naruto and me. Otherwise, I'll always feel like his strength surpasses mine.
Suddenly, a dark figure emerged. It seemed someone was launching a sneak attack on Naruto. Naruto just shifted slightly to the side and dodged the attack.
"Konohamaru?" Naruto asked. "With your skills, you think you can sneak up on me?"
"As expected of the boss. You managed to dodge my attack," Konohamaru said pretendingly. "You're indeed the opponent I've recognized. Your strength is really terrifying."
"Hahaha," Naruto laughed out loud. "Even ten of you combined are no match for me. Are you scared now?" At this moment, Naruto thought to himself: I'd better play the ninja game with Konohamaru quickly. Otherwise, Sasuke will definitely drag me into a fight...
Seeing that a grown - up like Naruto was still playing a childish ninja game with a kid, Sasuke instantly lost the desire to compete with Naruto.
"Take this!" Naruto shouted. "Wind Release: Rasenshuriken!"
Konohamaru asked, "What's Wind Release: Rasenshuriken?"
Naruto said, "It's my super - powerful ninjutsu in the future. I haven't learned it yet."
"That's cheating!" Konohamaru accused. "How can you use a ninjutsu you haven't learned!"
Hearing this, Naruto rolled up his sleeves and said, "Even if I haven't learned it, I can still whack your buttocks."
Seeing Naruto continue to fool around with Konohamaru, Naruto didn't seem embarrassed at all, but Sasuke was so embarrassed that he left without looking back.
Hearing that his buttocks were about to be whacked, Konohamaru was so scared that he turned around and ran. Unfortunately, he accidentally bumped into someone. The man was wearing a black jumpsuit with purple - like patterns painted on his face.
This person was Kanpo, a Genin from Sunagakure in the Land of Wind. He grabbed Konohamaru by the neck and lifted him up, growling menacingly, "Kid, are you blind? Can't you watch where you're going!"
Naruto immediately took action and threw a Kunai at Kanpo, forcing Kanpo to let go and put Konohamaru down.
After dodging the Kunai, Kanpo got angry. He took off the puppet on his back. A woman carrying a Tessen beside him stopped him and said, "Kanpo, don't forget our mission."
"I won't be able to vent my hatred unless I kill that kid," Kanpo planned to activate the puppet and said, "Puppet: Corpse Crow!"
Sasuke dodged behind Kanpo and punched him in the back of the head. This unexpected sneak attack caught Kanpo off guard.
"Humph!" A dark shadow suddenly appeared behind Sasuke. A red-haired young man carrying a gourd emerged behind Sasuke.
Sasuke abandoned the sneak attack on Kanpo and punched the red-haired young man carrying a gourd. After landing, he staggered back several steps, while the red-haired young man carrying a gourd landed firmly with a calm expression.
Sakura asked, "Sasuke, are you okay?"
Naruto asked, "Sasuke, why did you come back?"
Sasuke ignored Sakura and only said to Naruto, "I saw several strange people approaching, so I came back. When I saw you fighting with them, I joined the battle."
Sakura asked, "They are ninjas from other villages. Why are they in Konoha?"
The red-haired young man carrying a gourd stepped forward and said, "You're quite strong. You should be the strongest genin in Konoha, right?"
Hearing this question, Sasuke's proud self-esteem was stung a little. He pointed at Naruto and said, "He is the strongest genin in Konoha."
Naruto was stunned for a moment and cursed silently in his heart: Sasuke! Stop hyping me up!
"Interesting." The red-haired young man carrying a gourd shifted his malicious gaze to Naruto.
"You're here for the Chunin Exams, right?" Naruto took the initiative and said, "If you dare to attack me, I'll disqualify you from the exams."
The red-haired young man carrying a gourd, the girl carrying the tessen, and Kanpo all looked shocked.
"Who are you?"
"The Future Hokage." Naruto said, "The Chunin Exams are held in Konoha, and the rules are set by Konoha. Once you're on Konoha's land, you'd better behave. If you make a mistake, I'll disqualify you from the exams."
Kanpo braved the pressure and said, "Who are you scaring, kid!"
"You can try. I can send you home and let you know who's in charge in Konoha."
"Let's go." The red-haired young man carrying a gourd walked up to Naruto and said in a calm yet threatening tone, "Will you participate in the Chunin Exams? I'm looking forward to meeting you." Then, the three of them walked away.
Naruto thought to himself: Finally, I scared the red-haired young man carrying a gourd off. This guy is heartless now. If I provoke him, who knows what will happen...
Sakura couldn't hold back and quickly asked Naruto, "Naruto, can you disqualify them from the Chunin Exams? They're so hateful and have such a bad attitude. Why not just disqualify them?"
"No." Naruto gave Sakura a look as if she were a complete airhead and said, "Because I don't have the ability at all. I was just scaring them."
Sasuke asked, "How do you know about the Chunin Exams?"
"It's held twice a year. Every time there's a Chunin Exam, genin from other villages appear in the village. It's obvious, okay?"
Kakashi appeared out of thin air and said in surprise, "Huh? You already know about the Chunin Exams?"
"Well then." Kakashi said, "I've recommended the three of you to participate in the Chunin Exams. It's voluntary. It's up to you to decide whether to participate. If you decide to participate, come to Classroom 301 at the school at nine o'clock tomorrow."
Sasuke was excited that he could fight with more powerful opponents, while Naruto looked indifferent and Sakura remained calm.
At nine o'clock the next day, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura arrived at the Ninja Academy on time. Wherever Sasuke went, he was recognized right away.
"You're Sasuke Uchiha," said a young man in green with thick eyebrows, blocking his way. "You're this year's top - scoring graduate from the Ninja Academy? Then you must be really strong."
Sasuke looked dissatisfied and pointed at Naruto beside him. "He's stronger than me," he said.
The young man in green was stunned, and Naruto was shouting in his heart: Sasuke! Why are you boosting my reputation?
"What!" All the Ninjas around were shocked. Many people present had heard of Sasuke and acknowledged his strength. Now that Sasuke himself had publicly admitted there was someone stronger than him, it naturally caught everyone's attention.
"Who is he? Is he really stronger than Sasuke?"
"He looks familiar. Isn't he that annoying guy who always causes trouble in the village?"
"Is he that underdog? He actually graduated and became a ninja?"
"Is he here for the Chunin Exams?"
"I never thought of this," said a young man in white as he stepped forward. "Your name is Naruto, right?" After leaving this odd remark, he turned around and walked away.
Naruto has now become the focus of attention. He thought to himself: That was Neji Hyuga just now. It seems he has set his eyes on me. Well, I'll settle accounts with you. How dare you hit my wife...