bookbashuk Page 70
Page 70
"Our performance in the Chunin Exams will not only directly affect the Daimyo's assessment of Konoha's strength, but it will also affect the quantity and quality of high-level missions the village can receive in the future. This is related to the village's reputation and its economic lifeline."
Hearing this, Naruto couldn't help but interject, "Hey? Kakashi-sensei, are we really going to participate in those Chunin Exams too?"
In reality, this was the first time they had received concrete information about the Chunin Exams from Kakashi.
Kakashi nodded and said confidently, "That's right. The Third Hokage has decided to recommend Team 7 to participate in this Chunin Exams. Therefore, we must successfully complete the mission in the Land of Waves. This is not only a test of your abilities, but also an important prerequisite for obtaining the qualification to participate in the Chunin Exams."
"So that's it..."
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura all looked thoughtful upon hearing this.
Although they all learned of the Chunin Exams through their dreams, this was the first time they had such a clear understanding of its profound meaning and importance.
Kakashi, seeing the different expressions on his three disciples' faces, continued, "So, starting tomorrow, while assisting Mr. Tazuna in finishing up the bridge, I will give you targeted special training to prepare you for the upcoming Chunin Exams!"
"Special training?"
Upon hearing this, Sasuke's eyes were filled with anticipation and fighting spirit. He nodded decisively and said, "Okay."
He never refuses an opportunity to improve his skills.
However, Naruto's state of mind was somewhat complicated at this moment.
Having mastered powerful ninjutsu like the Rasengan, and even "defeated" a Jonin like Zabuza, Naruto is currently in a state of extreme confidence, even a bit arrogant.
A slight smirk played on his lips as he thought dismissively, "The Chunin Exams are nothing special. I've even defeated Jonin, why would I be afraid of Genin and Chunin? I'll definitely pass easily and give them a big surprise!"
Sasuke keenly noticed the fleeting smugness on Naruto's face and his obviously smug attitude, and couldn't help but sneer inwardly, bluntly criticizing him: "Idiot."
"What did you say?!" Naruto immediately jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, glaring at Sasuke.
"Alright, alright, stop talking so much." Kakashi intervened in time to stop the two brats from starting their usual bickering again.
He looked at Naruto and earnestly warned him, "Naruto, I know your strength has improved recently and you've mastered some powerful techniques. However, you must not become arrogant or complacent because of this. This Chunin Exams have gathered elite genin from various ninja villages, including many formidable opponents. If you think you can easily pass with just a Rasengan, you'll be greatly disappointed."
Kakashi's words were like a bucket of cold water, slightly extinguishing the inexplicable confidence in Naruto's heart.
He pursed his lips, still somewhat unconvinced, but didn't argue further.
……
As night deepened, everyone, exhausted from a busy day, soon drifted off to sleep.
The familiar feeling of weightlessness returned, and when Sasuke opened his eyes again, he found himself seeing the familiar ceiling once more.
"Hmph, is it still me today?" Sasuke's lips involuntarily curled into a smug smile.
Great, I can learn new ninjutsu from Nii-san again today, this is awesome!
[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Uchiha Sasuke have been detected! Emotional value +200!]
Meanwhile, the other "audience members" also arrived at the theater's auditorium.
Having experienced it before, Ino was no longer as flustered and uneasy as she had been the first time she entered.
She found her usual spot with practiced ease and sat down next to Sakura.
On the other side, Naruto appeared somewhat listless.
He slumped listlessly in his seat, arms crossed, with an expression of utter despair.
He had traveled all day and was exhausted; he didn't even have the energy to complain about Sasuke.
Sakura was in a similar state to him; both of them looked listless.
Only Kakashi remained highly focused.
He stared intently at the huge, dark screen in front of him, his brows slightly furrowed.
'The information I gleaned from yesterday's dream was far too limited; there were almost no clues about Orochimaru... Hopefully, today's dream will reveal more information.'
……
on the screen.
Sasuke quickly got ready and came downstairs.
He immediately saw that his brother, Uchiha Itachi, was sitting upright next to the low table in his living room, and opposite him was Uchiha Shisui.
At this moment, Itachi's brows furrowed slightly, his expression somewhat solemn, as if he were asking Shisui something.
"Orochimaru's whereabouts... is there still no clue?" Itachi's voice was low and tinged with worry.
Shisui shook his head, his expression equally serious: "Yeah, that guy is very slippery. The police department and the ANBU have been tracking him for several days, but they still haven't been able to pinpoint his exact location. However, it's certain that he's still active near Konoha."
Sasuke walked up to the two of them and first greeted Shisui politely: "Good morning, Shisui-nii."
Then he turned to Itachi and said, "Good morning, Nii-san."
Itachi and Shisui both responded with smiles.
Sasuke immediately looked at Itachi eagerly and asked, "Nii-san, when are we going on patrol today?"
Upon hearing this, Itachi's smile faded slightly. He reached out and habitually ruffled Sasuke's hair, saying gently, "Sasuke, things haven't been peaceful in the village lately. I've been targeted by some ill-intentioned people. It's too dangerous for you to patrol with me. I'll take you with me after this incident has completely subsided, okay?"
Sasuke's expectant expression vanished instantly, his lips pursed slightly, and he looked somewhat speechless.
He muttered to himself, "But... that guy who attacked Nissan yesterday seemed really weak..."
[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Uchiha Sasuke have been detected! Emotional value +200!]
"Is it really necessary to take this so seriously?" Sasuke asked, puzzled.
Upon hearing this, Shisui's smile turned serious, and he warned, "Sasuke, never underestimate him. That person is Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin! He is extremely powerful and no ordinary person."
Itachi nodded, his expression grave, and said, "That's right, Sasuke. That's exactly what I'm worried about... Yesterday at the training ground, Orochimaru acted too weakly, abnormally so."
He paused, then continued his analysis, "I've had the privilege of meeting Jiraiya, another of the Legendary Sannin, a few times before. He's a formidable character whose mere presence alone makes him seem incredibly dangerous. Orochimaru's strength is on par with Jiraiya's, so he shouldn't have been so easily suppressed by me. Therefore, I suspect there might be a trap, a possibility that Orochimaru is deliberately feigning weakness to lull us into a false sense of security."
Itachi's gaze swept out the window, his voice growing heavier: "Moreover, recently, due to the Chunin Exams, many outsiders have flooded into Konoha Village, creating a mixed bag that has greatly hampered our investigation. Sasuke, you should stay in the village and not leave unnecessarily; it's safer that way."
……
in the audience.
Listening to Itachi and Shisui's conversation in his dream, Naruto scratched his head, looking puzzled. "That's strange... I'm thinking similarly to Sasuke. That weird guy yesterday, he was chased away by Sasuke's brother as soon as he showed his face, he didn't seem that strong at all. Why was Sasuke's brother so nervous?"
Sakura and Ino nodded in agreement, expressing their incomprehension.
In their view, that so-called Orochimaru was indeed no match for them.
Only Kakashi said solemnly, "No, that person... is very strong!"
Upon hearing this, the three children all looked at Kakashi in surprise.
Kakashi stared intently at the screen and slowly said, "The strangest thing is that he was subdued by Itachi so easily. Perhaps something happened in the dream that we don't know about, which prevented him from fully displaying his strength. But in any case, that person himself is definitely an extremely powerful being."
"How strong is he?" Naruto couldn't help but ask curiously. "Could he...could he be even stronger than Zabuza, the one with the big sword?"
Kakashi took a deep breath and solemnly uttered a few words: "His strength... is comparable to that of a Hokage!"
"What?!" Naruto, Sakura, and Ino exclaimed in unison, their faces filled with shock and disbelief.
[Ding! Naruto's emotional fluctuations have been detected! Emotional value +200!]
[Ding! Sakura Haruno's emotional fluctuations have been detected! Emotional value +200!]
[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Yamanaka Ino have been detected! Emotional value +200!]
Kakashi said these things to these kids.
It's because Orochimaru, as an S-rank rogue ninja, is quite dangerous. Giving them a heads-up beforehand and making them more vigilant is always a good thing.
……
In the dream sequence, Itachi and Shisui exchanged a few words before leaving home together, clearly to continue investigating Orochimaru's whereabouts.
Sasuke's parents don't seem to be home today either; I wonder what they're up to.
The once vast Uchiha mansion was now empty except for Sasuke.
He stood in the empty living room and suddenly realized that he was... idle.
He didn't need to go to the ninja academy, his father didn't take him on patrols, and even his parents weren't home.
'Damn it, Nii-san is really something, he clearly promised to train with me...' Sasuke pouted somewhat angrily.
However, he soon had a brilliant idea.
'Oh, right! I could go spar with Naruto!'
Sasuke's lips unconsciously curled into a smile full of fighting spirit.
In the dream world, Naruto's strength was simply unbelievable, even more so than the pressure he felt from Kakashi in the real world.
If you could spar with an opponent like that, it would definitely be of great benefit to improving your skills.
'and……'
Sasuke stroked his chin, a sly glint in his eyes.
'Perfect time to wash away the shame of last time! This time I've mastered new power!'
Sasuke has always been a man of action; once he has made a decision, he never hesitates.
He immediately turned around and walked towards Naruto's house.
……
in the audience.
Seeing Sasuke's actions on the screen, Ino glanced at Naruto beside her with a very subtle look, then leaned close to Sakura's ear and whispered in confusion, "Hey, Sakura, is Sasuke... going to spar with Naruto?"
[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Yamanaka Ino have been detected! Emotional value +100!]
Naruto's senses were incredibly sharp; even though Ino's voice was very low, he still managed to pick it up.
He immediately shouted, "Wow! Ino, what do you mean?! Do you think I'm that much worse than that arrogant Sasuke?!"
[Ding! Naruto's emotional fluctuations have been detected! Emotional value +400!]
Sakura couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle as she looked at Naruto's flustered expression.
She explained to Ino, "Ino, don't let Naruto's current appearance fool you. The Naruto in the dream is quite extraordinary. You'll be very surprised when you see him later."
"Really?" Ino looked puzzled, clearly not believing Sakura's words.
……