Naruto watched the battles from the high platform: "…"
Looking at Haruno Sakura's performance, he couldn't help but think: Did I underestimate little Sakura a bit too much?
He had never paid much attention to her fighting ability, so now she was easily outmaneuvered by Hinata.
If this were in the original story, although she might have lost to Hinata, she wouldn't have been defeated so quickly.
The first match ended swiftly.
Kankuro looked at Sakura descending from the stage and shook his head slightly.
"As her teammate, her strength isn't very impressive."
Sakura heard this and felt a pang in her heart.
She knew she had been slacking off lately, but she hadn't expected the gap with Hinata to be so large.
The second match began quickly.
Kankuro vs. Uchiha Sasuke.
Because of Sakura's earlier loss, Kankuro mistakenly assumed that the rest of Naruto's team was weak.
Underestimating his opponent, Kankuro was captured by Sasuke almost immediately, losing the match.
The games continued one after another and ended very quickly.
Kakashi appeared briefly, holding a scroll in his hand.
He handed it to Naruto and disappeared.
Naruto received Senju Hashirama's ninjutsu scroll and felt a surge of excitement.
Now that his teammates had all finished their matches, Naruto had no reason to stay at the arena.
He hid in a corner, unrolled the scroll, and began studying it.
The scroll was divided into several broad categories:
Taijutsu
Ninjutsu
Genjutsu
Senjutsu
The content was extremely detailed, containing all the ninjutsu techniques used by Hashirama, including Wood Style, the Kekkei Genkai.
Naruto immediately began thinking about practicing.
After all, as the protagonist, he naturally possessed some talent in the story.
He planned to learn the Wood Style on his own.
By this time, the Chūnin Exams had concluded.
Naruto didn't watch any other matches; many participants had already left the field.
Those who remained were the winners.
Then Sarutobi Hiruzen and Rasa announced the promotion list.
The newly promoted Chūnin looked slightly relieved.
After all, all the effort had been for the title of Chūnin.
After the announcements, Hiruzen cleared his throat dryly:
"Since everyone is here today, I have another announcement."
Everyone was puzzled. The exams were over—what could be left to announce?
Hiruzen continued:
"This matter has been concealed for over ten years due to special circumstances. Now that the child has grown, it no longer needs to be hidden."
Naruto, hiding in a corner, felt a wave of anxiety.
He put away the scroll and looked up at Hiruzen, thinking: This old man… he's going to cause trouble.
Hiruzen announced to the crowd:
"Over ten years ago, the Fourth Hokage of Konoha sealed the Nine-Tails demon fox inside a newborn child.
And that child is the flesh and blood of the Fourth Hokage!"
Naruto's eyes widened in disbelief:
"Why… why bring this up now???"
The announcement caused an immediate stir.
Many civilians had spent over ten years ostracizing this child.
And now, their beloved Third Hokage was publicly revealing the truth?
So it was true.
Uzumaki Naruto is the son of the Fourth Hokage.
The villagers were shocked.
How could someone be cruel enough to seal a tailed beast inside a newborn?
Yet it had worked.
But thinking carefully, some noticed the details: Naruto's blond hair matched the Fourth Hokage's, and his surname matched that of his mother.
Previously, many had suspected Naruto's identity, but it hadn't been confirmed.
Now, the Third Hokage had said it himself.
The villagers' shame and guilt surged.
Naruto, in the corner, felt despair.
He could feel countless eyes on him, making him deeply uncomfortable.
An indescribable embarrassment settled over him.
He frowned and left the Chūnin exam site.
He hated being noticed—especially like this.
His life had been going smoothly, and he had been content with the peace in Konoha.
Now, with his identity revealed, every trip outside might result in dozens of strangers greeting him.
For someone who preferred peace and quiet, this was far from ideal.
Naruto went to a more remote part of the Forest of Death.
It was time to practice Wood Style.
Meanwhile, the Chūnin exam site buzzed with discussions about the big revelation by Sarutobi Hiruzen.
On the high platform, Rasa's expression was one of confusion.
He watched the villagers talking about Naruto and felt something stir in his heart.
Naruto, like Gaara, was a Jinchūriki and the son of a Kage.
His identity had been hidden, and his life had been difficult.
Now, with the announcement of his lineage, the villagers' hatred seemed to soften, and many even felt remorse.
But what about Gaara?
His identity had never been hidden, and he had faced constant ostracism.
Was the difference caused by the villagers?
No, it must be something else—maybe Gaara himself, maybe… Rasa.
Hiruzen, having finished the announcement, felt relieved at the scene's reaction.
A burden of more than ten years had finally been lifted.
Even if Hiruzen died now, he could face the Fourth Hokage with some pride.
Unaware of the trouble he had caused Naruto, Hiruzen stepped back.
Seeing the commotion, Rasa decided to intervene.
He stood and coughed to draw attention.
"That's the Kazekage, right?" someone whispered.
"Yes, it's Master Rasa," another replied.
Hiruzen stepped aside, allowing Rasa to speak.
Considering the close ties between Konoha and Sunagakure, Rasa announced:
"After discussions with the Hokage, and considering that Temari and Uzumaki Naruto are in love, I hereby declare that the Sand Village will officially allow the marriage of Temari and Naruto."
Hiruzen's eyes widened in shock.
Marriage?
Why hadn't he been informed?
What is he announcing?
In the audience:
Hiashi Hyuga: "What happened? Someone kidnapped my son-in-law?"
Hinata: "…"
Haruno Sakura: "Damn it, when did this happen? Who's Temari? Is he a thief?"
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