Being able to fight powerful opponents is one of the best ways to improve one's strength.
Sasuke often challenged Naruto, which could be considered as facing a strong opponent.
But being completely bested by Naruto had left Sasuke lacking confidence.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have hesitated before rushing out of the grass last time.
For this Chūnin Exam, Sasuke was genuinely interested.
Just what Naruto wanted.
After all, every member of the team needed to participate in the Chūnin Exam.
Otherwise, they would be stuck in review.
Just as Naruto and Sasuke were imagining the Chūnin Exam…
Haruno Sakura hesitated. "Well… I won't participate. If I go, I'll only cause trouble for everyone."
She knew her own strength, and even among the Ninja Academy students, her combat skills were relatively weak.
If she entered the Chūnin Exam now, she would likely fail—or worse, get seriously hurt.
Seeing her flinch, Naruto said, "No, little Sakura. You don't want to see us unable to participate because there aren't enough people, do you?"
"Huh?" Sakura looked confused. "If I don't participate, can't you still take the exam?"
Naruto nodded and explained the situation in detail.
Sakura was put in a dilemma.
Seeing her hesitation, Naruto comforted her: "Don't worry, little Sakura. Just like a top laner opens the game, your role is to participate in the Chūnin Exam, and I will protect you. When it comes to the individual rounds, if it's too dangerous, you can always quit."
"What you said makes sense… I'll participate," Sakura said, her mind made up. At the same time, her heart felt a little fluttery—after all, Naruto promised to protect her.
With Sakura on board, the team was now qualified to take the Chūnin Exam.
Naruto dismissed the team and went to the Hokage's office to sign up.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had originally thought Naruto would need to work hard to enroll in the Chūnin Exam.
Unexpectedly, Naruto came directly to him on his own.
Hiruzen grinned. "Alright, alright. Since you're willing to participate, little Naruto, I will register you."
The Chūnin Exam was originally a microcosm of the conflict between the five great nations.
However, the current situation among the nations was unstable.
As a result, each country held its own exam.
The Sand Shinobi were officially allies of Konoha.
Thus, among the five great nations, only Konoha and Sunagakure would participate.
Despite this, the exam could still reflect the strength of the nations.
After all, training the next generation was crucial—high-quality Genin demonstrated national strength.
Naruto was strong, and Sasuke, the last Uchiha, naturally attracted attention.
So Team Naruto's participation was a welcome relief for Hiruzen.
After signing up, Naruto began planning for the exam.
The system would grade him based on performance.
How to excel? Naruto summarized key points:
Yakushi Kabuto, Orochimaru, competition, Konoha's collapse plan…
He then started training with Sasuke and Sakura.
For the first time since the formation of his team, they practiced seriously.
Naruto acquired some interesting ninjutsu scrolls and trained with Sasuke, while Sakura practiced chakra control under his guidance—climbing trees and treading water.
This would reduce her chances of getting into danger during missions.
Soon, the day of the Chūnin Exam arrived.
Naruto took Sasuke and Sakura to the exam grounds.
Before they could enter, they were blocked by a boy with a round head and dull eyes who didn't look very smart.
"Stop!" the boy, Rock Lee, declared, stepping in front of Naruto's team.
Sasuke frowned at this odd boy.
Lee smiled confidently. "I heard you're a genius, Uchiha Sasuke?"
"I'm not," Sasuke replied immediately.
Being humbled by Naruto had drained his pride.
Lee didn't expect the answer but pressed on. "Stop pretending! I know who you are—the last of the Uchiha! I want to challenge you and prove that hard work can beat talent!"
Sasuke ignored him. "Defeat that person over there first," he said coldly, glancing at Neji, who watched from a distance.
Neji raised an eyebrow, puzzled. Who is he provoking?
He walked over, expression icy. "Uchiha Sasuke… you think you're stronger than me?"
"I'm not sure," Sasuke said modestly. "But you don't seem very strong."
Neji: "…."
From a distance, Tenten blinked at Naruto and pulled a photo from her ninja bag.
Naruto, slightly embarrassed, pretended not to notice.
Lee laughed loudly. "Hahaha! Uchiha Sasuke, you're so proud! I planned to defeat you before even challenging Neji!
Neji is a real genius, but you? You're not even his opponent!
If you want to challenge Neji, you must defeat me first!"
Lee charged at Sasuke, talking to himself the whole way.
Sasuke took a deep breath, sensing trouble.
This guy… I wonder if there will be a ninja exam later? It would be unwise to waste energy now.
Then, he activated his Sharingan.
Sasuke's eyes glowed red, and a powerful genjutsu unfolded.
Lee collapsed to the ground.
Tenten rushed over and shook him awake. "You've already lost," she told him.
Seeing Sasuke's skill, Neji became wary.
Sasuke glanced at Neji. "You're not planning to waste energy either, right?
The exam is coming."
Neji nodded calmly. "Once the preliminaries are over, we'll face each other."
Lee, frustrated by his loss, was quickly calmed by Might Guy.
The two adults hugged and cried, leaving Naruto slightly unsettled.
He quickly called Sasuke and Sakura, and the three of them left the scene.
Not long after, they arrived at the first Chūnin Exam.
Many participants were already waiting.
Ino rushed over, hugging Naruto from behind, pressing her slight chest against him.
She turned to Sakura with a proud smile.
"Little Sakura, after all this time, you still haven't taken down Naruto-kun~
What does that mean? Naruto-kun doesn't like you at all!
Because you're a tomboy who can't develop! Jiejiejie~"
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