Training Ground 13.
Naruto and Sakura were standing by a bridge, watching the stream, waiting for something.
"Naruto, do you think Kakashi and Sasuke will make it in time?"
There was only an hour left until the third round of the Chunin Exams. Sakura was a little worried—they might've lost track of time while training.
"We'll wait another 30 minutes. If they're still not here, we'll go to the arena first."
Naruto wasn't worried about Kakashi and Sasuke being late. They weren't the type to mess up like that.
The only thing to worry about was whether they'd arrive early and meet up at the training ground, or if they'd be late like before and only show up right before the exam started.
Time passed bit by bit, and soon half an hour had gone by.
Naruto checked his watch and said, "Let's go."
Rustle~
A few leaves floated down.
Naruto and Sakura had just taken a couple of steps when two figures suddenly appeared in front of them, standing back to back.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"..."
Naruto slightly raised his finger, charging up a laser.
"If you keep pretending, I'll shoot you both."
"Uh..."
Kakashi and Sasuke immediately dropped the act and returned to normal.
"Ahem, really, Naruto, it's only been a month, and you've already gotten even more coldhearted," Kakashi said with a pitiful face.
"Kakashi-sensei! Sasuke-kun!"
Sakura, recognizing them, happily ran over and threw herself into Sasuke's arms.
"Sakura, let go, let go!"
Watching Sasuke and Sakura goofing around, Kakashi squinted and smiled slightly. "Sakura hasn't changed a bit~"
"Alright, let's head out!"
...
The Chunin Exam venue was already packed with people.
Nobles and well-known figures from all over the nations sat in their seats, chatting cheerfully.
"Yo, Kakashi!"
Just as Naruto and the others arrived, they heard Might Guy calling out to them from nearby.
"That's the thick-eyebrowed guy, right?"
Back during the preliminaries, Sakura had already been impressed by Might Guy.
She had even thought Rock Lee was his biological son for a while.
"Kakashi, you're late!" Guy said as he walked over with Rock Lee and the others.
"The exam hasn't even started yet," Kakashi replied, glancing upward. Seeing that the Hokage hadn't arrived yet, he relaxed.
"That's Sasuke, right?"
Guy noticed the change in Sasuke and couldn't help but say, "In just one month he's developed such presence—impressive!"
Neji and Rock Lee also felt the pressure coming from Sasuke, but the one from Kakashi's team they were most wary of was still Uzumaki Naruto!
His strength was hard to read, and they were glad they hadn't been matched against him in this round.
"Naruto!"
Hearing someone call his name, Naruto instinctively turned his head. "Hinata?"
!
It had been a month, but Hinata hadn't changed much.
"Long time no see, Naruto~" Hinata said softly as she walked over.
"Yeah, long time no see." Naruto nodded, glancing behind her.
Inuzuka Kiba and Aburame Shino were familiar faces. As for the black-haired, red-eyed jonin, Kurenai Yuhi, he'd seen her back during the prelims too.
As the three jonin chatted, the last of the Konoha rookie teams arrived.
"Sigh, of the three rookie teams in the Leaf, ours is the only one without a finalist," Asuma grumbled with a cigarette in his mouth, giving Shikamaru and the others a bitter look.
Shikamaru looked up at the sky and muttered, "What's so great about making it to the finals? Such a pain."
Asuma looked like he was dying of disappointment, then turned his eyes to Kakashi's team.
With both Sasuke and Naruto, anyone would feel confident.
If it weren't for the rule that Ino-Shika-Cho had to be in the same team, he would've protested to the old man about why such strong guys like Naruto and Sasuke were put together.
"Naruto, Sasuke, time to go down!"
At that moment, the proctor, Genma Shiranui, had entered the arena, and the examinees started heading into the stadium.
Before the real fights started, the participants had to line up like monkeys for the Daimyo and nobles to take a good look at them.
"Honored guests! Thank you all for coming to watch the Chunin Selection Exams hosted by the Konoha. Now, the ten selected participants will begin the final matches! Please enjoy the show!"
From the top of the stands came the voice of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd burst into loud cheers.
It was clear that Hiruzen still held a lot of respect in the eyes of the people!
"Before the match begins, there are a few things I need to explain."
On the field, Shiranui Genma spoke up, "Although the arena is different, the rules are the same as the preliminaries. One-on-one battles. The match ends when one fighter either gives up or can no longer continue."
"If I decide the match is already decided, I will step in and stop it. Got it?"
Since no one responded, Genma continued, "Now, let's begin the first match. Rock Lee and Hyuga Neji stay here. Everyone else, head back to the waiting room."
After receiving the order, the others left for the stands, leaving only Neji and Rock Lee behind.
"Lee, I don't really want to say this, but… are you sure you want to fight me? You don't stand a chance." Neji said calmly, like he was stating a simple fact.
"No need to say more, Neji. I've waited a long time for this day. Today—I'll do everything I can to beat you! I'll prove that… hard work can surpass a genius!" Lee said seriously.
Neji let out a small laugh. "Sure, hard work can beat a genius. But what if it's a hard-working genius? Lee!"
Lee's heart trembled for a moment, but his resolve didn't waver.
"Then I'll just work harder than any genius! I'll work harder and harder until I win!!"
"Hmph, seems like there's no point in talking anymore."
Neji activated his Byakugan and took his Gentle Fist stance. "Then come at me, Lee. Show me how your hard work is going to defeat me!" he said seriously.
"I'll prove it!" Lee clenched his fists, ready to go!
Seeing that both of them were done with the trash talk, Genma called out, "Alright then… the third round of the Chunin Exams, first match—begin!"
As his voice fell, the arena once again exploded in cheers.
In the crowd, Naruto shook his head as he watched the excited nobles not far away.
Ninjas fought with everything they had for their so-called dreams, but in the end, it was just entertainment for these nobles.
"Leaf Hurricane!!"
On the field, after staring each other down for a bit, Rock Lee was the first to move—launching a powerful kick.
His speed was clearly faster than before—he must've already taken off his weights before the fight!
Against Neji, he was going all-out from the start!
[To be continued…]
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