Naruto Uzumaki politely declined Hinata Hyuga's offer of medicine for his injuries. Shortly after, Kiba Inuzuka pulled Hinata away and took Shino Aburame with them.
Now only Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, and Choji Akimichi remained.
Shikamaru Nara originally wanted to leave quickly too. After all, even though he had attended the same Ninja Academy as Sasuke Uchiha or Naruto Uzumaki, they barely interacted at all—he didn't really have anything to say to them. But Ino Yamanaka was in full fangirl mode, clinging tightly to Sasuke Uchiha while arguing with Sakura Haruno.
Shikamaru Nara wore a very serious expression.
The only reason they had come to help Naruto Uzumaki in the first place was simply because they were both from Konoha.
Especially after that guy named Rokumei had arrogantly declared back in Classroom 301 when submitting their application that he would eliminate every Konoha ninja—although everyone was technically competition, when facing ninja from other villages, cooperation was possible.
However, watching the battles involving this Rokumei fellow and Kimimaro Kaguya had left Shikamaru Nara shaken.
Was this really the level of strength a Konoha Genin should possess?
They might as well be Jonin! A couple of Genin shouldn't be able to overwhelm and toy with Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha like that.
Even more surprising to Shikamaru Nara was Naruto Uzumaki himself.
When did Naruto become so strong? Back in the Ninja Academy, he'd only been an average student at best.
Judging from that fight, it looked like Naruto Uzumaki could take down Sasuke Uchiha without even breaking a sweat.
But Shikamaru Nara didn't believe that Naruto suddenly became powerful after graduation.
No one just becomes that strong overnight. It had only been about six or seven months since they graduated from the ninja academy—how could someone improve so drastically from an average Genin in such a short time?
Shikamaru Nara frowned at Naruto Uzumaki. There was only one possible explanation—he'd been hiding his real strength back at the Ninja Academy.
But why would Naruto Uzumaki do that? At the academy, he was constantly picked on, never fighting back or saying a word in response to their insults.
If he had shown off his abilities even a little, those bullies might not have stopped completely, but there definitely would have been fewer incidents.
Very strange.
Naruto Uzumaki noticed Shikamaru Nara staring at him and turned his gaze toward him.
As soon as Naruto met his eyes, Shikamaru Nara immediately looked away and said to Ino Yamanaka, "Alright, Ino, time to go. The exam's still ongoing, and we haven't even secured our scroll yet."
Muttering under her breath, Ino Yamanaka finally pulled away from Sasuke Uchiha and left with Choji Akimichi to track down their target and steal a scroll.
Now only Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno remained.
Sakura Haruno was treating Sasuke Uchiha's wounds while shouting toward Naruto Uzumaki, "Naruto, once I finish tending to Sasuke's injuries, I'll come take care of yours!"
"No need. Just focus on treating Sasuke's wounds."
Although Naruto Uzumaki had been kicked by Sōnagi Uzumaki and now felt sore all over, it wasn't anything serious—just a bit of pain. He just needed a short break and he'd be fine.
Naruto Uzumaki sighed. The difference between himself and Uzumaki Sōnagi was just too vast. Even with many of Uzumaki Sōnagi's techniques disabled, he was still no match.
And then there was Kimimaro Kaguya. Naruto felt like fighting him had been extremely tough.
As for the one who hadn't even moved to fight—Jugo Tenbin—he was definitely no simple opponent either.
Bringing that kind of strength to the Chūnin Exams… wasn't that just straight-up bullying?
They must've come here specifically to bully him—it was clearly their goal.
Another certain person would be Neji Hyuga. After all, not long ago Uzumaki Sōnagi had directly threatened Neji.
Sakura Haruno had finished treating Sasuke Uchiha's wounds. Naruto said to them, "Let's head toward the tower right now. No need to stick around here."
Sakura strongly agreed with Naruto's suggestion. Their scroll hadn't been taken, and they'd already completed the set. This place was far too dangerous—heading into the tower would guarantee safety.
But Sasuke Uchiha's mood was absolutely terrible.
This was the second time—again, he couldn't do anything. He'd been utterly crushed.
Although in this case, Naruto himself had also eventually lost, at least at the beginning Naruto had exchanged blows against Rokumei, while he had been dominated from start to finish.
Power, power, power…
Right now, Sasuke's desire for power was growing stronger and stronger.
Looking at Naruto's back, Sasuke was no longer satisfied with the Chidori Kakashi had been teaching him.
Granted, he hadn't even mastered it yet—but even after learning, he doubted it would make any real difference to his power.
What Sasuke truly craved now were techniques that could boost his power overnight—a real game-changer.
But… who would teach him? Who would even want to?
Sasuke was filled with jealousy inside. Chinya, Kakashi, and Minato Namikaze all taught Naruto without reservation.
Yet he couldn't even find someone genuinely willing to instruct him.
...
At this moment, Uzumaki Sōnagi, Kimimaro Kaguya, and Jugo Tenbin were blocked by three figures.
Well, not exactly blocked—more like bumping into each other.
The opposing group belonged to Sunagakure: Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro.
"Funny meeting you here. Step aside—we have no interest in the three of you," Uzumaki Sōnagi waved lazily, signaling Gaara's team to move aside.
These kids were basically just tools for them anyway—they didn't need to waste time eliminating them.
Yet although Uzumaki Sōnagi wanted them gone, these guys weren't particularly eager to go.
Gaara revealed a sinister grin as sand began swirling around his body, preparing for combat. Meanwhile, Kankuro and Temari simply looked on, anticipating the spectacle.
In Kankuro and Temari's opinion, once Gaara acted, these three before them were surely finished.
Watching the gathering sands, Uzumaki Sōnagi smirked, "They refuse to take the easy way out—Jugo, punch him up into the air so he can calm down mid-flight."
Jugo Tenbin stepped forward. His left arm started transforming, its curse seal causing multiple layers of hard keratin to grow, resembling barnacles. At the end of his partially transformed left arm, several maw-like openings appeared.
Jugo Tenbin charged toward Gaara.
Kankuro and Temari snickered, "What a joke."
Gaara manipulated his sand, sending a wave of it toward Jugo Tenbin.
Jugo Tenbin raised his left arm and punched straight into the sand, creating a massive hole in it.
Seeing this, not only Temari and Kankuro but even Gaara was momentarily stunned. After all, that sand contained his chakra, making it extremely dense — and yet it had still been torn through.
How much strength does this guy have?!
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