In his mind, Naruto fantasized about mastering the Strength of a Hundred Seal, the Eight Inner Gates Formation, Sage Mode, and the Nine-Tailed Beast Mode.
He imagined combining these with the precision strikes of the Flying Thunder God Technique and a variety of Rasengans infused with multiple elemental attributes.
With so many power-ups activated simultaneously, what kind of overwhelming and stylish presence would he project?
Despite these daydreams, Naruto didn't neglect Chōji's treatment. In fact, to focus his energy more effectively, he gradually stopped responding to the conversations around him.
Meanwhile, through the collective research and experimentation of his Shadow Clones, the underlying theory had been refined and perfected.
This allowed Naruto to clearly define his goal: to restore Chōji's stamina using his own Chakra while simultaneously enhancing his physical capabilities. The process became increasingly smooth and efficient.
Although the treatment appeared to take the same amount of time as when Shikamaru and Ino had received Naruto's help together, this was only because Chōji was the sole patient this time.
With half the number of patients, Naruto had more mental bandwidth to spare, allowing him to make further adjustments within the same timeframe.
It was precisely this remaining mental space that allowed Naruto to simultaneously assist Chōji's recovery while fully immersing his consciousness into the refined Chakra.
By gradually channeling the Chakra into Chōji's body as tiny streams of energy, Naruto meticulously manipulated each flow to maximize its therapeutic effect.
At the same time, he seized the opportunity to openly observe and explore the subtle differences in internal physiology and Chakra ratios between individuals, constantly extracting valuable experience.
This explains why Naruto spent the same amount of time healing Chōji alone as he had spent healing Shikamaru and Ino together.
Of course, this extra time wasn't just beneficial for Naruto. Chōji, serving as the experimental subject, also reaped significant benefits from the process.
Not only did Chōji's physical stamina and Chakra fully recover under Naruto's Chakra replenishment and healing, but like Shikamaru and Ino, he also experienced significant advancement due to Naruto's specialized enhancement.
Moreover, the ample time and focus Naruto had allowed him to thoroughly explore and experiment, enabling him to completely understand Chōji's Chakra attribute ratios and bodily constitution while completing the treatment.
Drawing on this knowledge, as the treatment neared its conclusion, Naruto simultaneously infused the seed implanted in Chōji's body with Chakra of the same attributes, refining it according to the precisely determined ratios.
This refinement optimized the body's ability to easily convert and gradually assimilate the seed's energy.
At the same time, mindful of the side effects of the Three-Colored Pills used by Chōji's clan, Naruto deliberately poured as much life force as possible into the seed as a precautionary measure...
Although this additional vitality and regenerative power still fell far short of Tsunade's monstrous Strength of a Hundred Seal, Naruto believed that once Chōji's body fully absorbed this seed—which was rooted in the Uzumaki Clan's immense life force—or completely released it as a one-time life-saving measure, it should at least allow Chōji to endure the side effects of the Three-Colored Pills for a longer period, preventing him from reaching the critical state he had in the original story.
*Phew... Alright, that should do it.*
As Naruto completed his task, he calmed his mind and gradually withdrew his consciousness back into his physical body.
He instinctively muttered to himself, hoping to reassure Shikamaru and Ino, who had been silently waiting with tense expressions for the outcome.
After a brief pause, he yawned, stretched his joints, and lazily stood up, withdrawing his hand from Chōji's shoulder.
He habitually wrapped his arms around Hinata's petite frame before continuing.
"Don't worry, just be patient and wait a little longer for Chōji to wake up on his own... Huh?"
But Naruto quickly realized he might have misunderstood. The sudden silence from Shikamaru and the others might not be because they were worried about disturbing his treatment of Chōji...
After all, when Naruto, puzzled by the lack of any response after a long wait, adjusted his gaze and looked around, he noticed that neither Shikamaru and Ino beside him nor Hinata in his arms seemed to be focused on him or Chōji anymore.
Instead, they were all tilting their heads back, gazing intently in the same direction, lost in thought... But when Naruto followed their gazes, he saw nothing beyond the usual blue sky, white clouds, and glaring sun. His confusion deepened, and he couldn't help but ask bluntly, "What... what are you guys doing?"
"Ah, Naruto, is the treatment finished?"
As Shikamaru gradually regained his senses, he unconsciously asked the question, pausing briefly before shifting his gaze from the sky to Naruto.
*Is Chōji alright now?*
"Hey, hey, what's with that tone? Were you even listening to me earlier? I said..."
Naruto's lips twitched slightly as he rolled his eyes in exasperation, repeating his previous explanation. After a brief pause, he raised an eyebrow and continued, "So, what exactly happened while I was treating Chōji? What could possibly make you abandon him and stare so intently at... I've been looking for ages, but I can't see anything in the sky worth your attention."
"Well, if you can heal my injuries so easily, treating Chōji would be a piece of cake for you, right? No need for us to worry, right?"
Shikamaru blinked, gave Naruto a small, earnest compliment, and then gradually shifted his gaze slightly upward, glancing at the sky out of the corner of his eye as he muttered to himself.
*It should be about time now...*
*Time for what?*
*Hmm? Oh, it's nothing really. Probably just someone bored or practicing some Fire Release Ninjutsu. Ever since you started treating Chōji, a large fireball has been rising into the sky from that direction at regular intervals. If I calculate the timing, it should be... there, look, just like that.*
As he spoke, Shikamaru shrugged, raised his hand, and pointed vaguely toward the sky. A massive, orange-red fireball swayed upward from the distance, its brilliant fiery tail trailing behind it.
After lingering for only a moment, it burst in mid-air like a giant firework, scattering into dazzling sparks.
*I thought this was part of your special exam arrangements. But since even you don't know about it, it probably has nothing to do with you, right?*
"How could this possibly be related to me? This is an exam, not some festival celebration. I don't have the time to arrange fireworks displays..."
While vehemently denying any responsibility, Naruto couldn't help but be captivated by this unexpected event.
As he mentally replayed the entire sequence of the Ninjutsu's appearance and dissipation, he freed one hand to stroke his chin, muttering to himself, "If it was released at a specific time and location, that's actually quite interesting... Who's bored enough to waste their time setting off fireworks for no reason?"
Little did Naruto know that behind this dazzling display of fireworks lay the deep resentment of a long-lost teammate...
Sasuke: "Bored enough? *Hmph.*"
Naruto: "...Hey, coffin shop owner? Is it too late to pre-order a decent coffin?"
Sasuke: "A coffin? No need. Just pre-order an urn! Eat my Great Fireball Technique!!!"
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