When Uzumaki Naruto and his team arrived at the central tower, even the examiners were visibly stunned.
"My goodness..." one examiner muttered under his breath. "I've seen all kinds of geniuses make it through the second stage — clean, untouched, and triumphant — but I've never seen anyone arrive surrounded by that many people!"
Naruto stood in the middle of the group, utterly helpless. Haruno Sakura, Hinata, and Ino were clinging tightly to him as if he might suddenly vanish.
"I didn't do anything wrong," Naruto thought, sighing. "Why are they holding onto me like I'm some sort of criminal?"
Following the exam rules, Naruto opened the Earth Coiling Scroll on the spot to prove its authenticity.
Inside the scroll was the kanji character: "人" — Human.
With a puff of white smoke, Iruka appeared before them.
"Wow, Konoha still loves playing these kinds of cheap tricks," the Nine Tails muttered inside Naruto's mind, yawning lazily.
The Earth Coiling Scroll wasn't just a marker — it was a summoning technique. When both the Heaven and Earth scrolls were gathered and opened simultaneously, they would summon Iruka, who would confirm that the examinees had passed the test.
But if someone tried to open only one scroll prematurely, they'd be hit with a Hypnosis spell hidden inside — a nasty trick. The victim would be knocked unconscious for several days.
In that case, failing the exam would be the least of their worries. If the unconscious ninja happened to be a woman... well, things could take a dark turn. The Nine Tails didn't elaborate, and Naruto wisely chose not to dwell on it.
Naruto had long known the scroll's secret but still put on a show of wide-eyed realization.
"Ahh, so that's what it does!" he exclaimed, feigning surprise.
Iruka smiled in satisfaction, nodding at his student.
"Congratulations. You've passed the second exam!"
Afterward, the team was directed to a nearby lounge to await the remaining teams.
When Naruto pushed open the lounge door, he was met with a familiar sight.
Sitting inside were the three Sand Ninjas. Apparently, they'd arrived some time ago.
Gaara, eyes closed, slowly turned to look in Naruto's direction.
A wave of murderous intent filled the room.
Even Kiba, standing nearby, broke into a cold sweat.
"I never thought... there'd be another Genin stronger than me," Kiba muttered, stunned by Gaara's pressure and Naruto's calmness.
But Naruto didn't even flinch. He simply shrugged, smiled faintly, and walked to an empty spot to rest.
Gaara blinked, visibly surprised.
This was the first time someone hadn't been affected by his bloodlust.
Temari, meanwhile, gave Naruto a bright, friendly smile. But when she noticed Hinata and the others crowding around him, her expression changed slightly. She felt a twinge of jealousy and frustration.
"Ugh, I have to find a chance to explain to Naruto the advantages of an older woman," she thought to herself with a determined look. "For the good of the Sand Village... this is only natural!"
---
Meanwhile…
Fourth Kazekage Rasa: "Temari, are you trying to bring shame upon our village?!"
Kankuro: "Honestly, I don't see a problem. That way, no one will throw away the little girl... puppet I worked so hard to make!"
Rasa: "???"
---
Back in Naruto's mind, the Nine Tails stirred.
"Oi, Naruto, that One-Tail brat seems hostile toward you," the fox warned.
Naruto's lips curled into a cold smile as he glanced at Gaara.
"Perfect timing. I just came up with a fun little idea."
"Oh?" The Nine Tails raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me..."
"Big Fox," Naruto said, "I heard One-Tail's seal isn't exactly… reliable."
"Hah! Of course not!" The Nine Tails sneered. "His seal is just a crude Sand Village version of the 'Psychic Parasite' technique. It's nothing compared to my Eight Trigrams Seal — triple-layered inside and out!"
The beast puffed out his chest with pride.
Naruto nodded thoughtfully.
He already knew a fair bit about the so-called "Psychic Parasite" jutsu.
As a parasitic Jinchūriki, Gaara couldn't allow himself to fall asleep. The moment he lost conscious control, the One Tail would seize his body.
"Interesting technique, isn't it, Big Fox?" Naruto said ominously.
The Nine Tails narrowed his eyes.
"Wait… Naruto, you're not thinking of—"
"Yup," Naruto confirmed with a grin. "Exactly what you're thinking."
---
Elsewhere…
Fourth Raikage: "I have a really bad feeling about this."
Ohnoki: "Funny, I was just thinking the same thing."
Terumi Mei: "Are we all suspecting the same thing?"
Senju Tobirama: "That brat Naruto… is he trying to provoke the One-Tail Jinchūriki on purpose?"
Uchiha Madara: "So… he plans to push Gaara into going berserk in Konoha? Fascinating brat. Shame he's not an Uchiha!"
Tobirama: "You've got to be kidding me. And Sand Village! Can't you come up with a better sealing technique?!"
Fourth Kazekage Rasa: "..."
Rasa felt like vomiting blood.
Do you think I don't want to use better sealing techniques?!
The problem was — all the high-level sealing techniques came from the Uzumaki clan.
And who did the Uzumaki princess marry?
Don't tell me none of you know basic ninja history.
After the Uzumaki clan's fall, who ended up with their sealing arts?
Sarutobi Hiruzen, of course.
What a coincidence, Hiruzen conveniently learned the Reaper Death Seal!
And somehow, Shimura Danzo managed to "coincidentally" master the Four Symbols Seal as well!
Such talented individuals, clearly.
Totally not suspicious at all.
---
Orochimaru: "Hiruzen-sensei… how dare you hoard the Uzumaki clan's legacy?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "…"
Sarutobi: "I never stole anything. I simply safeguarded it — waiting for the true heir of the Uzumaki clan to appear so I could pass it on to him."
Orochimaru: "Like that heir being Naruto? And the treasures including… spoiled milk?"
Sarutobi: "Ahem. That milk incident… I've already explained many times! Naruto forgot to check the expiry date. Don't bring up old history. Anyway — Naruto, if you want the Uzumaki clan's inheritance, I won't stop you!"
Naruto: "Huh? Really? So I'm a rich second generation?"
Sarutobi: "Absolutely! These treasures belong to your clan. But… only if you have the strength to protect them. Otherwise, spreading such dangerous techniques might do more harm than good."
Naruto: "Hmm... sounds like a pain. I'll wait for now."
Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a deep breath of relief.
That was close.
Thankfully, Naruto was easy to distract.
The Uzumaki clan's treasure?
It had already become the Sarutobi clan's treasure!
If he were younger, maybe he could've learned a few more sealing jutsu...
Then fighting Orochimaru wouldn't have been so humiliating!
---
Uzumaki Kushina: "Old man, shut up! Now that I've been resurrected, I'm personally taking Naruto to reclaim what's ours!"
Hiruzen's heart skipped a beat.
Crap! I forgot Kushina was back!
And Kushina wasn't nearly as easy to fool as Naruto!
Looks like it's time to alert Asuma... and maybe fake an illness.
But Danzo?
He's definitely going down.
Danzo hoarded way more of the Uzumaki clan's relics than anyone!
---
Later, Naruto spoke again to the Nine Tails.
"Hey, Big Fox, did you hear? Looks like a lot of bigwigs from other nations are coming to watch the Chūnin selection finals."
The corners of his mouth curled upward into a cold smile. He looked directly at Gaara, his gaze intense and full of anticipation.
Gaara, sensing the stare, felt a strange chill run down his spine.
Somehow... he just knew something bad was coming.
Gaara: "..."
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