Seeing Baki disappear, disappointment appeared on Hidan's face, and he casually slung the Triple-Bladed Scythe back onto his shoulder.
Karin, who had been hiding at a distance, finally gathered the courage to run over.
She didn't even glance at the handsome Sasuke. Instead, she stared directly at Naruto with intense curiosity.
At the same time, she quietly asked Haku,
"Brother Haku, what exactly is his relationship with Master?"
"Why does the Mind's Eye of the Kagura show his Chakra as completely identical to the Master's?"
Karin was referring to Lock's personal Chakra, excluding the Nine-Tails' Chakra.
Haku immediately understood and quickly covered her mouth.
"Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask. Master's matters are not for us to investigate!"
Because Lock had strictly forbidden revealing his identity, Haku naturally refused to explain and instead warned her seriously.
"What Mind's Eye? What do you mean by " dentical?"
Although they spoke softly, Naruto — who had long trained his ears through years of getting yelled at — still heard them.
But his attention quickly shifted elsewhere… to Karin staring at him.
"Why are you staring at me? Could it be…"
Naruto's expression went from confusion → realization → regret → determination.
"I understand your feelings! But I already have someone I like, and she's standing right behind me!"
"So give up! There's no future between us!"
After saying that, Naruto sighed deeply, copying Sasuke's usual melancholic pose.
Unfortunately, the imitation looked extremely awkward.
Karin: "???"
She immediately hid behind Haku with visible disgust.
"Brother Haku, this idiot definitely has nothing to do with Master. I sensed wrong."
"Naruto!!!"
Sakura's furious shout exploded from behind.
"Stop spreading nonsense!"
"I'm telling you — there's absolutely no chance between us unless you permanently become Lock!"
Permanently become Lock… Lock… Lock…
The words echoed endlessly inside Naruto's head.
He froze completely.
Nearby, Sasuke frowned and shot Sakura a cold glance.
"You really speak without thinking. I still find you extremely annoying."
Sakura stiffened, only then realizing what she had said.
She hurriedly tried to explain.
"N-Naruto, that's not what I meant! I meant Lock is better than you— no! I mean, I don't like— that's not right either!"
"I just see you as a teammate! Yes, that's it!"
After the increasingly disastrous explanation, Naruto looked even more depressed.
Haku watched quietly, finding Naruto strangely amusing. It was difficult to imagine that someone like Lock — terrifying enough to feel like a natural disaster — existed within this boy.
Since the conflict was over, Haku decided not to linger.
"We areNinjasa from Four Star Village of the Land of Waves. We're also here for the Joint Chunin Exams."
"Please take care of us."
He smiled gently.
Then he turned, his expression instantly turning cold as he spoke to Hidan.
"Stop staring. You are not allowed to touch any of them — unless you want Master's punishment again."
Immediately afterward, his face softened again.
"Karin, let's go. It's time to head to the lodging Konoha arranged."
…
The rapid change in expression stunned everyone present.
"Land of Waves? You guys are—"
Naruto suddenly remembered something and tried to ask, but the trio had already disappeared.
Helpless, he turned toward Sasuke and Sakura.
Before he could ask, Sasuke nodded.
"It's the Four Star Village funded by Gato."
"And that guy Haku… he's the Ice Style Ninja who made us fake our deaths."
"To survive Lock's attack back then, his strength must be extremely high — probably even stronger than the deceased Zabuza."
None of them knew Zabuza was still alive and now part of Four Star Village.
Sakura added,
"That's right. If he had actually wanted to kill us, we probably would've died instantly."
Remembering the senbon needles covering her body, she subconsciously felt phantom pain in her acupuncture points.
After two months of medical training, she understood Haku had deliberately used precise strikes to simulate death.
After chatting briefly, the three headed toward the training ground.
Team Ten had already arrived.
Seeing them late, Ino puffed her cheeks angrily.
"Why are you guys late again?!"
"You forced us to come early and then didn't even show up!"
Then she turned instantly gentle toward Sasuke.
"Not you, Sasuke! I meant Sakura and Naruto!"
Because the two teams had trained together recently, the once-lazy trio had nearly been driven insane by Naruto and Sasuke's relentless effort.
The main reason, however, was Asuma reporting their laziness to their parents.
Even Shikamaru had been chased around the house by his mother's broom several times.
"Ugly Ino Pig, stop making things up!"
"We were delayed by Ninja from other Villages arriving for the Chunin Exams!"
Sakura snapped back instantly.
"You Forehead-Girl!"
"You ugly hag!"
"Forehead-Girl!"
"Ugly hag!"
…
Seeing the argument escalate again, Naruto and the others silently backed away and formed a small circle.
Naruto looked around curiously.
"It's normal for Kakashi-sensei to be late… but why isn't Asuma-sensei here either?"
"They went to a meeting for the Chunin Exams," Shikamaru replied lazily while holding his head.
"They'll probably register us. Our strength already exceedthat of an ordinary Chunin."
Choji nodded while eating chips.
"My dad said the same thing. He even thanked you, Naruto, for motivating us to train."
Sasuke suddenly asked,
"Which Villages are participating?"
Shikamaru glanced at him oddly but answered anyway.
"Mostly Villages friendly with Konoha — Sunagakure, Amegakure, Kusagakure, Takigakure, Otogakure… and Four Star Village."
"Four Star Village is new. First time participating."
"I heard they forced the Daimyo to approve them using some special grain seeds. Better be careful if you meet them."
Just as Shikamaru finished—
A voice sounded behind them.
"Shikamaru's right."
Asuma and Kakashi landed in front of the group.
"The Four Star Village's intentions are unclear, and two of their Ninja are extremely dangerous."
"All of you must stay alert."
Then Asuma added casually,
"Kakashi and I already registered you for the Chunin Exams."
"Come fill out your application forms."
---
A/N: 40+ Advance Chapter Has Been Uploaded.
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