With Sakura's intervention, Sasuke and Naruto stopped arguing. Both turned their heads away at the same time and gave a short hum of disinterest.
After waiting a while, Kakashi arrived.
"Yo, everyone's already here."
Naruto asked eagerly, "Kakashi-sensei, lately Team 7 has been doing nothing but simple missions. I want to show off more! Don't we have any more exciting missions? Something that really ignites my Ninja Way!"
Naruto looked like he was burning up with excitement.
"Ah, I understand what you're saying. But the next one should be thrilling enough for you. I've recommended all of you for the Chunin Selection Exams. Here are the application forms."
Kakashi handed three application forms to Naruto and the others.
Each of them accepted one form and looked puzzled, asking, "Chunin Exams?"
Kakashi continued, "I should mention beforehand though—this recommendation isn't mandatory. Whether or not you participate is entirely your choice."
"That's great! Kakashi-sensei, I love you the most! Even more than Shindai big brother!"
Naruto suddenly lunged forward and hugged Kakashi.
"Cut it out!" Kakashi pushed Naruto off before continuing, "Those who want to take the exam should sign these applications. Be here at 3 PM in Classroom 301 at the Academy five days from today."
Naruto was so happy he almost didn't know where he was anymore.
Naruto made a silent vow—he'd definitely show off his skills this time and make an impression on Sasuke!
Who knows, maybe if he did well, his father Minato Namikaze would see how talented he was and just name him the Fifth Hokage directly.
Naruto locked eyes with Sasuke, burning with fierce determination.
Sasuke noticed Naruto's gaze and simply responded with a 'Hmph.'
"Well then, that's all. Dismissed."
...
When they reached the street, Naruto encountered Konohamaru and his group.
Konohamaru and his friends tried to trick Naruto using a disguise, but Naruto saw through it immediately.
Naruto started gossiping about Sakura and Sasuke with Konohamaru's gang, but unfortunately, Sakura happened to hear every word.
Sakura flared up instantly. She charged angrily toward Naruto and Konohamaru's group, sending them scattering in all directions.
However, while running, Konohamaru bumped into someone in an alleyway.
That person was Kankuro, who had come to Konoha to participate in this Joint Chunin Exams, accompanied by Temari.
"That hurt, brat!"
Kankuro grabbed Konohamaru by the collar and lifted him up.
Looking around, Temari said, "Let him go already, or they'll scold you later."
Sakura quickly apologized, "I'm sorry. It's all my fault. Please let him go."
Naruto shouted angrily, "Hey! I said let him go already!"
"Kankuro saw the forehead protector on Naruto's head and scoffed contemptuously, 'So these are the Konoha genin? I'll play around with you before those annoying guys arrive!'"
Naruto lunged forward with his fist raised at Kankuro.
Kankuro flexed his fingers, attempting to attach Chakra Threads to Naruto's feet. However, Naruto seemed to sense it and quickly stepped back, dodging Kankuro's Chakra Threads.
Kankuro furrowed his brows slightly, "Oh? You noticed? Interesting. I originally thought Konoha ninjas were weak."
Sakura didn't understand why ninjas from other villages would appear here.
Naruto frowned and said, "Puppet Technique? Hmph! I have puppets too!"
Naruto unfurled a scroll and summoned Maru No.1.
Kankuro and Temari were both surprised when they saw Naruto's puppet because Maru No.1 looked so lifelike that it was almost indistinguishable from a real person.
Naruto pressed a button at the back of Maru No.1's neck.
Maru No.1 emitted a nasally-voiced sound: "Master Naruto~ Auto-combat mode activated. Please confirm enemy detection."
Naruto pointed at Kankuro and shouted, "That's him! Go get him, Maru!"
Then Maru No.1 shot a burst of air from its heel and shot forward toward Kankuro.
Kankuro and Temari were startled simultaneously.
Just as Kankuro was about to take action, Maru No.1 grabbed his hair first, pulled his head down forcefully, then kneed him in the face, sending Kankuro flying.
Meanwhile, Konohamaru successfully regained his freedom and ran to Naruto's side.
As Maru No.1 prepared to charge again, Temari unfurled her large fan from behind. She swung it powerfully at Maru No.1.
[Detected attack from non-target. Automatically adding new enemy target.]
As the words finished, Maru No.1 raised its left arm to block Temari's fan while striking out powerfully with its right fist, hitting Temari in the stomach and making her cough painfully.
Naruto and Sakura stared in shock. [Whoa!]
Since Shindai had previously said their puppets were weak, Naruto and the others assumed they were just for looks only. They never expected them to be this useful.
Puppets that Shindai thought were run-of-the-mill now seemed incredibly powerful in Naruto's eyes.
Angry, Kankuro unstrapped the bandaged puppet from his back while Temari unfurled her fan to reveal one star, getting serious.
At that moment, a shadow dashed past and stomped heavily on Kankuro's puppet with one foot.
"What do you two think you're doing in someone else's village?"
The one stepping on Kankuro's puppet with one foot was Sasuke.
Sakura instantly screamed excitedly, "Sasuke~"
Naruto glared at Sasuke. [*What's he doing here?*]
His Naruto Clone No. 1 was showing off!
"Darn it!"
Kankuro still held one end of the bandage wrapped around his puppet, intending to forcefully tear it open.
Naruto Clone No. 1 continued charging toward Kankuro and Temari. Naruto shouted energetically, "Get 'em, Naruto Clone No. 1! Don't let that show-off Sasuke hog all the glory!"
Sasuke rolled his eyes. Just as he was about to say something, a mass of sand suddenly enveloped Naruto Clone No. 1, causing it to stop moving instantly.
"Kankuro, stand down!"
Hanging upside down from a nearby tree, a fiery red-haired boy with a large gourd strapped to his back glared coldly at Kankuro.
Gaara—the Jinchuriki of the One-Tail from Sunagakure.
"You're a disgrace to our village!"
Sasuke looked serious as he stared at Gaara, since he hadn't even noticed when Gaara appeared on the tree.
Naruto frowned. Another show-off had arrived.
When Kankuro saw Gaara, he immediately lost his nerve. "I—I mean, Gaara, listen—listen to me, these guys started it first..."
Gaara cut him off directly: "Shut up! Or I'll kill you..."
However, this time before Gaara could finish speaking, he was suddenly struck and hurled to the ground, leaving a small crater.
"Heh, so you're just a bunch of nobodies from Sunagakure?"
Shindai's foot pressed down hard on Gaara's head, grinding it into the ground.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ **4 bonus chapters** this weekend if I get kind comments.
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>