Chapter 49
"Sako..."
Itachi turned to look at his dejected younger sister.
The next second, Sako forced herself to cheer up, revealing a smile: "It's okay, big brother, I'll work even harder until Father acknowledges me..."
His sister's smile caused a faint pang in Itachi's heart.
Adults who only think of themselves... This scene mixed with the times Yashiro, Inaho, and Tekkavisited Father.
At the secret meeting, the extremist members of the Uchiha voiced their dissatisfaction with the Village... all of it.
What would be the future of the Uchiha?
These kinds of people... Itachi thought of Shisui's efforts again, always making himself so exhausted, dedicating himself to serving the clan. But would the clan members truly understand Shisui's thoughts?
He shook his head, dispelling these thoughts.
He didn't know if it was an illusion, but after awakening his Sharingan, some of his thoughts became increasingly profound... "Sako, it's getting late. Let's go home for dinner..."
Itachi stroked his sister's head, and then they went home together... The next morning.
Half-asleep, Sako stirred slightly.
"The Great Fireball Technique is a C-rank Ninjutsu... C-rank represents the Ninjutsu's level and is usually correlated with its power. Because no idiot would invent an S-rank Ninjutsu that only has the power of a Ninja Academy student..."
She mumbled various Ninjutsu facts as she slowly got up.
At this moment, Sako was still in a disoriented state.
Dressed in her pajamas, she stood up and walked slowly towards the bathroom.
Thump.
"Ow!"
It wasn't until she bumped her head on the door that Sako became much more awake.
"Lately, the time I spend feeling disoriented after waking up has been getting longer... Is it low blood pressure... C-rank Fire Release also includes the Dragon Fire Technique..."
As she mumbled, the knowledge that surfaced in her mind was once again spoken aloud.
Sako immediately shook her head vigorously.
She knew her recent changes better than anyone.
Overall, they were all positive, so Sako dismissed the idea of going to the Konoha Hospital for a check-up.
After washing up, Sako went to the living room but didn't see her big brother.
To prepare for the Chunin Exams, her big brother must be working hard... Sako thought.
So she decided not to disturb him.
After breakfast, Sako immediately left the house.
She ran across rooftops, through streets and alleys. With incredible agility and grace, she left swift shadows in her wake.
At this moment, she felt a sense of liberation, freely running and showcasing the joy of growing up.
Soon, Sako landed steadily in front of the bookstore.
"Very good..."
Her morning run today was a bit faster.
If this continued, when it was time for the Ninja Academy entrance exam, she would definitely get first place.
Sako smiled, envisioning a beautiful future.
She opened the door and entered the bookstore. The dazzling array of books didn't overwhelm her eyes.
Among countless books, Sako quickly found the subject she wanted.
"The Complete Guide to the Chunin Exams!"
Sako took out this thick book and opened it. It recorded the contents of all previous Chunin Exams since Konoha's founding.
Of course, confidential information would not be included.
This book was a Encyclopedia-type book compiled from the perspective of an enthusiast, supplemented by interviews with other civilians and participating Ninja.
Sako quickly skimmed through the book, and after a brief look, she knew it was the book she wanted.
After paying and leaving the bookstore, Sako sat down on a bench next to a small park and began to read the book carefully.
"The Chunin Exams have a 90% chance of being jointly held by allied nations."
"There's a 10% chance that, due to war or other factors, they will only be held within the Village. This probability also includes the possibility of enemy Ninja participating in the Chunin Exams."
"This year, Kumogakure and Konoha had a war, which means it's basically possible to rule out the possibility of Kumogakure and other enemy Ninjaparticipating in the Chunin Exams... Allied NinjaVillages like Sunagakure, Amegakure, Long Hidden Village, and Grass Hidden Village might come..."
"The First Exam is usually a written test. The Second Exam is a practical battle. If there are enough remaining participants, there will be a Third Exam, held at the 'Konoha Arena'... The Konoha Arena, huh... that circular gladiatorial arena..."
Snap.
Sako closed the book, her peripheral vision having already caught sight of a certain guy.
Naruto, with his hands in his jacket pockets and his eyes squinted into a line, was swaggering past with a defiant gait.
He looked like a hooligan or a chuunibyou teenager.
"Definitely a chuunibyou teenager..."
Sako silently grumbled in her heart.
With Uzumaki Naruto's idiotic intelligence, he could only be a chuunibyou teenager.
"Hey! Uzumaki Naruto!"
Sako called out, stopping Naruto.
"Huh?" Naruto turned his head.
The sun shone down from the sky, making the goggles hanging around Naruto's neck sparkle.
And these windproof and waterproof goggles were the New Year's gift Sako had given Naruto.
At this moment, the reflection from these goggles shone into Sako's eyes.
"Blinding!"
Sako waved her hand vigorously, telling Naruto to turn away.
Naruto thought for a moment and obediently complied.
"Such a Silly look..."
Sako mumbled again in her heart.
Then, she got up and walked towards Naruto.
"Hey, Uzumaki Naruto, I have something good going on soon... Do you want to come watch the 'Chunin Exams' with me?"
Sako's face, beaming with pride, happiness, and youthful charm, sparkled in the sunlight.
Naruto didn't hesitate at all and directly refused: "NO."
Sako: "Huh?!"
Chapter 39: Many New Friends
She thought it would be a straightforward success... Oh, no!
What reason did Uzumaki Naruto have to obey her commands?
She had no relationship with him... even if she had given him a New Year's gift... Sako's thoughts quickly went through a few turns, and she suddenly realized she couldn't find a suitable reason.
No... there was still one.
"If you come with me to watch the 'Chunin Exams' next week, which will be held in our Village, hmm... I'll be your friend~."
After Sako said this, she saw Naruto's dumbfounded expression visibly brighten.
Naruto, whose sky-blue eyes began to shine, nodded vigorously: "Okay."
"Then it's settled..."
Sako thought, sure enough, this guy doesn't have many friends.
And indeed, whenever she passed by the small park, she never saw other peers playing with Uzumaki Naruto.
Soon, Sako told Naruto the details related to the Chunin Exams.
Including that the First Exam was a written test.
The Second Exam was a practical battle.
The audience... which meant the two of them would go to the Konoha Arena to watch the Third Exam.
A large part of the reason was Sako's personal motive.
Because her big brother would be participating in this Chunin Exams.
If she could see her big brother's heroic performance, that would be wonderful.
"Hey, do you two want to come play with us?"
Just then, a lazy voice sounded from nearby behind them.
Sako turned her head, her satisfied expression instantly turning cold—of course, to Naruto, it was tsundere.
Sako: "I refuse."
Naruto: "..."
"Uh..."
The pineapple-haired peer scratched his head, his eyebrows furrowed, seemingly troubled.
The plump little fatty next to him, who was constantly stuffing snacks into his mouth, looked as silly as Naruto... according to Sako's assessment.
How could a proud Uchiha casually play with others?
"Hmph."
Sako tucked the book under her arm, her hands in her pockets, and slowly walked away, ultimately leaving the peers with a proud back.
"These Uchiha, though all very beautiful, have tempers that are stranger than the last..."
The pineapple-head scratched his head again, then turned to observe Naruto.
"Hey, what about you... You're not like that guy too, are you... By the way, is that guy a boy or a girl..."
Finally, he stopped pondering the question, withdrew his gaze, and introduced himself to Naruto.
"Hello, my name is Nara Shikamaru. He's Akimichi Choji. And you, yellow-haired guy?"
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto, nice to meet you, Shikamaru, Choji. Heh heh..."
Naruto resumed his silly grin, looking somewhat unintelligent.
Choji: "Munch munch... Do you want some snacks?"
The gears of fate continued to turn.
Naruto thought, he had met other little strong ones again.