Training Ground No. 44, an empty corner.
"I suddenly realized something," Naruto said, looking toward the Grass Village ninjas. "If things follow the original plot, there's a very high chance Orochimaru will place the Five Elements Seal on me."
Sakura frowned. "That's basically an account ban. Absolutely unacceptable."
Having that chakra point sealed wasn't just a brief knockout—it was far more serious.
"But if that happens," Naruto said calmly, "Sasuke will lose his advantage early on due to 'cheating.' If I were a time traveler hostile to Konoha, I could simply take Sasuke's eyes and arm myself."
"So what do you plan to do next?" Sakura asked.
"Let's stick to the original plan for now. That way I can avoid fighting Snake-uncle directly. Just help me keep an eye out for the time traveler."
Sakura's brows remained tightly knit as she repeatedly mulled over Naruto's plan.
After thinking for a moment, Naruto added, "Orochimaru is definitely targeting Sasuke. Even if we avoid him this time, he'll come again sooner or later. It's better to confront him early—this way, we gain the intelligence advantage."
Hearing this, Sakura slowly nodded.
The two quickly rehearsed several emergency plans, designed a set of secret codes, and then walked back to Sasuke together.
The three obtained the Scroll of Heaven. Just like in the original story, it needed to be combined with the Scroll of Earth to pass this stage. Naruto gestured for Sasuke to keep the scroll safe so they could deal with Orochimaru later.
"Then—the second round of the Chunin Exams begins!"
Thick iron chains snapped with a thunderous crash, slamming into the ground. A damp, slightly salty wind blew out from the forest, brushing against Naruto's face and sending his adrenaline surging.
From this point on, the candidates were free to kill.
The three immediately sprinted into the forest.
Konoha Village, Hokage Tower
Hiruzen Sarutobi held the crystal ball, observing quietly. He exhaled a slow ring of smoke just as Ibiki approached and bowed respectfully.
"Hokage-sama, this is the intelligence obtained from interrogating the Kirigakure ninja," Ibiki said, handing over a scroll.
Hiruzen unrolled it and skimmed the contents.
"Mm," he said, setting his pipe aside. "Did they make any requests?"
"The young man named Haku hopes that Zabuza won't be handed over to Kirigakure. He says he's willing to exchange his Kekkei Genkai—or serve Konoha directly."
Hiruzen didn't give a clear answer. "I'll need time to consider it."
A Kekkei Genkai was valuable, but not necessarily more important than Konoha's diplomatic standing.
"By the way," Hiruzen asked casually, "have you noticed any promising newcomers in this Chunin Exam?"
Ibiki's heart skipped a beat. The Hokage clearly wasn't finished.
After a moment of thought, he spoke honestly. "The new shinobi from Sunagakure and Otogakure are outstanding. On Konoha's side… Uzumaki Naruto from Kakashi's team stands out the most—ah, the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki."
To Ibiki's surprise, Hiruzen nodded slowly. "So you noticed Naruto as well. Kakashi has reported on him before. His growth has been astonishing."
"However, the Nine-Tails is beginning to influence him. I'm concerned he might develop hostility toward the village. That would be a major hidden danger for Konoha."
Hiruzen's tone remained calm, as though discussing something mundane.
"Then… Hokage-sama, you mean—?"
"After the second exam, have Naruto come see me," Hiruzen said, a glint flashing in his eyes. "I'll personally guide him and teach him how to coexist with the Nine-Tails."
Ibiki's eyes widened. He understood exactly what those words implied.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was a legendary ninjutsu master, battle-hardened through countless wars, and the teacher of one of the Legendary Sannin. Receiving personal guidance from him would be an enormous boon.
More importantly, the phrase "personally guide" sent a subtle but unmistakable signal—Hiruzen intended to heavily cultivate Naruto.
Ibiki hesitated. "But… wouldn't personally guiding that child be risky?"
"I know what you're thinking," Hiruzen replied. "Strengthening surveillance may seem reasonable. But Naruto is still human. He's contributed to Konoha this time. If we continue treating him with hostility, he may eventually break. It's better to guide him positively from the start."
Hiruzen stood up, hands clasped behind his back, gazing out the window as he said meaningfully:
"Ibiki, don't let certain people in the village influence your view of the jinchūriki."
Ibiki froze, as if struck by lightning. In that instant, he fully grasped the deeper meaning of Hiruzen's words.
How to deal with the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki had long been a point of contention among Konoha's upper leadership. Danzō and the hawkish faction viewed jinchūriki with hostility, while Hiruzen and Tsunade held the opposite stance.
Ibiki had even overheard heated arguments outside the Hokage's office before—"You'll regret this, Hiruzen!""Danzō, I am the Hokage!"
If Hiruzen could properly manage Naruto's relationship with Konoha, he would strike a decisive blow against Danzō's influence—killing two birds with one stone.
With that realization, Ibiki had no more doubts. "Understood, Hokage-sama."
"Good. Let's go."
"Since you're here… you might as well stay."
Naruto sneered as Nine-Tails chakra erupted into countless tendrils. He pulled a kunai from his ninja pouch and hurled it at the enemy ahead.
Not long after entering the Forest of Death, they encountered a Rain Village ninja wearing a breathing mask—disguised as Naruto from the original story.
This time, however, Naruto wasn't bound like a caterpillar.
Instead, he floored the enemy with a single punch, then instantly drew out thick, blazing Nine-Tails chakra, ready to counterattack.
"Damn unlucky…"The Rain ninja leapt along a massive tree trunk, hurling explosive-tagged kunai toward Sasuke and Sakura.
"Water Release: Water Clone!"Sakura created a water clone, which seized the kunai and swiftly distanced itself from the team.
"Boom!!!""Boom!!!"
Smoke billowed everywhere. Blurred figures chased and clashed within it—until a sharp voice rang out:
"Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
Fireballs struck the Rain ninja. He dodged hastily—only to see a blue-clad, black-haired figure flash before him!
Thud!Sasuke drove a kunai straight into his chest!
The Rain ninja staggered backward—unaware that Naruto was already behind him. Nine-Tails chakra formed two massive hands, clenched into a crushing hammer.
"BOOM!!"
The Rain ninja was slammed into the ground like a ball, completely pinned, leaving only a clear outline of his body.
The three stepped back. Naruto waved an arm, signaling them to stay clear, then summoned a shadow clone to inspect the enemy.
"Seriously unlucky… ah!"
The shadow clone expressionlessly punched him in the face, rolling his eyes back as he passed out cold.
"Next," Naruto murmured softly,"it's time to take down Snake-uncle."
He began carefully surveying his surroundings.
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All the fanfiction is 30-chapter ahead but this "A Witty Life in the Naruto World" is 30 chapters ahead there