Ryuga remained unconscious for three long days, a heavy silence hanging over the Namikaze household. Kushina, Minato, and Naruto took turns watching over him, their concern growing with each passing hour. The air was thick with worry, and even Naruto's usual boundless energy seemed dampened.
On the morning of the fourth day, as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, Ryuga's eyes fluttered open. His gaze, still a bit unfocused, gradually sharpened as he took in the familiar surroundings of his room.
"Ryuga! You're awake!" Naruto exclaimed, his voice breaking the silence like a burst of fireworks. He rushed to his brother's side, enveloping him in a bear hug before Ryuga could even sit up fully.
"Oof, Naruto… not so tight," Ryuga groaned, a weak smile forming on his lips. Despite the discomfort, he couldn't help but feel grateful for his brother's enthusiastic greeting.
Kushina, who had been dozing off in a chair nearby, woke up with a start. Seeing Ryuga awake, she rushed over, her eyes glistening with tears of relief. "Ryuga, thank goodness!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion.
Minato, drawn by the commotion, entered the room and sighed with relief at the sight of his son awake. "Welcome back, Ryuga," he said warmly, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Ryuga, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the attention, managed to chuckle. "I'm okay, really. Just a bit sore."
Kushina laughed through her tears, gently pulling Naruto back. "Let your brother rest, Naruto. He's just woken up."
Naruto reluctantly let go, grinning from ear to ear. "I'm just glad you're back, Ryuga!"
As Ryuga recuperated, life in Konoha returned to its usual rhythm. Team 7 resumed their regular duties, completing various missions around the village. Despite the mundane nature of most of their tasks, the team remained vigilant and focused, their recent experience in the Land of Waves fresh in their minds.
One sunny afternoon, Naruto was out playing with Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi. They were racing through the streets, laughing and shouting, when they encountered a trio of unfamiliar faces. The newcomers wore the distinctive forehead protectors of Sunagakure.
The tallest of the three, Kankurō, wore face paint and carried a large puppet on his back. Beside him was a young woman with blonde hair styled into four pigtails, Temari, who held a giant fan. The last member, a boy with red hair and a gourd strapped to his back, stood silently, his presence emanating an intense aura. This was Gaara.
"Who are you guys?" Naruto asked, his curiosity piqued.
"We're from Sunagakure," Kankurō replied with a smirk. "Here for the Chūnin Exams."
Naruto's eyes widened with excitement. "Chūnin Exams? So, you guys are gonna be our rivals?"
Gaara's cold, calculating gaze locked onto Naruto, making him shiver. "Stay out of our way," Gaara said in a low, menacing voice.
Before the tension could escalate, Temari stepped in, her tone more diplomatic. "Let's save the fighting for the exams, shall we?"
Naruto nodded, his excitement undeterred by Gaara's hostility. "You bet! I can't wait to show you what we've got!"
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai were discussing their teams' readiness for the upcoming Chūnin Selection Exams.
"I'm confident in my team," Kakashi said, his voice calm but resolute. "They've proven themselves capable, and I believe they're ready for the challenge."
Asuma and Kurenai exchanged glances and nodded in agreement. "Our teams are ready as well," Asuma said. "We've trained them hard for this."
Minato, seated behind his desk, listened thoughtfully. "Very well. I'll approve their participation. Let's see how they handle this next test."
When Naruto learned that his team was being volunteered for the Chūnin Exams, he could hardly contain his excitement. "This is it! Our chance to prove ourselves!"
Sasuke smirked, his eyes glinting with determination. "Don't get too excited, Naruto. We've still got to pass the exams first."
Sakura, though a bit nervous, nodded in agreement. "We'll need to work hard and stay focused."
As they prepared for the upcoming exams, the atmosphere in Konoha buzzed with anticipation. For Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Ryuga, this was the next step in their journey, a chance to test their skills and grow stronger.