Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Just how many teams participating in the Chūnin Exams has this Naruto taken out?!"
Orochimaru: "I'm more curious—how many of them were Konoha's own ninjas?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "You scoundrel, Orochimaru!"
Tenten: "Watching Naruto's actions reminded me of the old tale about the Golden Axe and the Silver Axe. Right now, Hinata is standing before the river god who could grant her wish!"
Shimura Danzō: "You fool, Hiruzen. Did it never occur to you that with so many ninjas dying in the Forest of Death, the other villages might start questioning Konoha's intentions?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Wait… Could this all be part of Naruto's plan?"
A sudden chill ran down Hiruzen's spine.
That Naruto… he was far too cunning.
No wonder he chose Konoha's iconic white fox mask. This year's Chūnin Exams, while officially a venue for selecting promising Genin from all the major villages, was also a stage for political diplomacy—an opportunity to reaffirm or renegotiate alliances.
But if Naruto intentionally eliminated so many participants…
The other villages would naturally become suspicious. They might even believe that Konoha had orchestrated the deaths of their brightest young talents on purpose.
It wasn't just dangerous—it was a potential diplomatic disaster.
As Hiruzen stared at the black screen where Naruto's image was being projected, he saw the boy smile innocently. But somehow… he felt as if that smile was directed right at him.
As if Naruto could see straight through him.
How is that possible? Hiruzen thought. He's just a child!
---
[The next morning...]
Kabuto bid farewell to Naruto's group, saying he needed to rendezvous with his own teammates at their designated location. Naruto made no move to stop him, and they parted ways without incident.
Yagi also wanted to say goodbye, but seeing Naruto and Hinata holding hands tightly, he hesitated. The Earth scroll he needed was in Hinata's possession. Begrudgingly, he turned to leave, his shoulders slumped.
Even Sakura felt aggrieved.
Ever since Naruto met Hinata, he barely spares a glance at me... she thought, frustrated.
Sure, maybe Hinata has a better figure—but the way he treats her compared to me is just unfair!
The two of them were so attached to each other that they seemed practically fused together.
Meanwhile, Sasuke was buzzing with excitement.
Last night, Naruto had called him into the forest once again.
> "Sasuke, pay attention. I'll only show you once. I call this move... Chidori!"
With that declaration, Naruto extended his hand. A sharp, piercing sound echoed in the air like a thousand birds screaming in unison.
Crackling lightning chakra formed visibly around his palm—a condensed, high-powered current of blue electricity.
Then, with a single motion, Naruto slammed his hand into a massive tree beside him.
BOOM!
The entire trunk was pierced clean through, a gaping hole left in the center. The outer bark had been scorched black, releasing a burnt, acrid odor into the forest.
Hatake Kakashi: "???"
Hatake Kakashi: "Wait a minute… isn't that my Raikiri?!"
Fourth Raikage: "I don't recall Kakashi in that world ever showing Raikiri…"
Namikaze Minato: "Raikiri and Rasengan share a similar foundation. Rasengan is pure chakra manipulation, while Raikiri involves lightning-style chakra nature transformation."
Hatake Kakashi: "Exactly. I developed Raikiri based on Minato-sensei's Rasengan."
Terumi Mei: "So Naruto developed this Chidori based on the Rasengan? He really just came up with it like that?"
Ōnoki: "It's more than a simple tweak. That Chidori he created—it's a much more refined, high-penetration version of Raikiri!"
Kakashi: "...As much as I hate to say it, that Naruto may understand my own technique better than I do."
Uchiha Sasuke: "What?! I learned my Chidori from Naruto?!"
Sasuke turned to stare at Naruto, who was currently giggling over something with Hinata.
No way... That idiot and I are the same person?!
Naruto: "Sasuke, are you cold? Why are you trembling?"
Sasuke: "..."
True to his word, Naruto only demonstrated the Chidori once.
Thankfully, Sasuke had the Sharingan. Though he couldn't replicate the move immediately, he was able to observe the internal chakra flow within Naruto's body when he performed the technique.
With that visual reference, Sasuke believed he could eventually master it.
As the group continued walking, Sasuke concentrated on circulating lightning chakra through his system, trying to mimic what he'd seen.
Naruto had said that Sasuke had both fire and lightning attributes—meaning when he used ninjutsu aligned with those elements, his power would be amplified.
Ssssssk...
A faint electric buzz escaped Sasuke's palm. It was a start, but nowhere near the devastating force Naruto had shown.
> "Tch. I won't let Naruto look down on me!"
Sasuke muttered through clenched teeth, completely absorbed in his own training.
So much so that he didn't notice they were encountering another group.
---
> "Naruto!"
Approaching them was Team 10—Ino, Shikamaru, and Chōji.
Both Shikamaru and Chōji looked worn out, their faces drained from the trials of the Forest of Death.
Still, none of that bothered Shikamaru nearly as much as the mystery gnawing at him.
> "I laid out more than a dozen traps... not one got triggered. Where are all the other Genin? Aren't they supposed to be protecting the central tower? Or... did they all die to beasts?"
Even with his sharp intellect, he couldn't figure it out.
Ino, however, wasn't bothered in the slightest.
As long as I get to see Naruto, who cares if I stay a Genin forever?
She noticed Hinata clinging tightly to Naruto's hand—but she didn't feel jealous.
After all... Naruto did have two hands.
Ino marched right up, took his other hand, and pulled it directly toward her chest.
> "Naruto~! What a coincidence!"
Hinata: "Ino, what are you doing, you witch?!"
She could tolerate Sakura—but Ino daring to flirt with her Naruto? Unforgivable!
What's more, the girl was being absolutely shameless!
Sakura, having just walked up, witnessed the scene in horror.
Ino wasn't backing down. Instead, she pulled Naruto's hand tighter, sandwiching it between two soft mounds.
---
Yamanaka Inoichi: "...Shame. Shame upon our family!"
Yamanaka Ino: "That Ino is not me!"
Akimichi Chōza: "I mean... not to make things awkward, but, Haiichi, when's the wedding banquet? I'm planning on bringing Chōji for a feast!"
Nara Shikaku: "If this version of Ino really does end up with Naruto, it might not be a bad thing. Rebuilding the Land of Whirlpools would strengthen Konoha's alliances."
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Cough, cough..."
Sarutobi Asuma: "Look, I'm not against them being together, but they're still kids. They don't understand what love really is."
Orochimaru: "Oh? And you think your relationship with Kurenai counts as 'real' love? Who's to say she won't fall for Naruto next?"
Asuma: "Shut your damn mouth!"
Kurenai Yuhi: "Why would I fall for a child?!"
Orochimaru: "Heh... you never know."
---
Back in the forest...
After learning that Ino's team hadn't acquired the required scrolls, Naruto casually pulled out a pile from his storage.
Dozens of them.
> "Help yourselves. Take whichever scroll you need."
Even Shikamaru was left speechless.
What the hell is going on?
> "Naruto… Thank you so much!"
Ino beamed, her cheeks blushing slightly.
And then—before anyone could react—she leaned forward, closing her eyes.
Her lips softly touched Naruto's.
His mouth and tongue felt... surprisingly hydrated.