Chapter 54

Upon seeing Maki disappear, disappointment appeared on Hidan's face, and he once again slung the sickle behind his back.

Karin, who had been watching from a distance, daringly ran over.

She paid no attention to the handsome Sasuke and instead stared at Naruto curiously.

She quietly asked, "Haku, what's his relationship with Master?"

"Why is his chakra exactly the same as the Master's in my sensing?"

Karin was referring to both the Nine-Tails' chakra and Kaze's own chakra.

Haku understood Karin's implication and immediately covered her mouth.

"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask. We can't pry into Master's affairs!"

Kaze had instructed them not to reveal his identity.

Therefore, Haku naturally wouldn't explain the connection to Karin; he simply kindly warned her not to investigate further.

"What do you mean by sensing? What do you mean by exactly the same?"

Although their conversation was quiet, Naruto, who was used to seeking out trouble, had long trained his hearing.

However, his attention wasn't focused on the conversation; instead, it was on Karin, who had been staring at him all this time.

"Why have you been staring at me? Could it be..."

Naruto first appeared confused, then had a sudden realization mixed with regret, and finally adopted a determined expression.

"I understand what you're thinking, but I have someone I like, and she's right behind me!"

"So you can give up on that idea; it's impossible between us!"

After saying that, Naruto sighed heavily, mimicking Sasuke's often melancholic expression and movements.

However, his imitation was somewhat off.

Karin: "???"

"Haku, I must have been mistaken. This fool definitely has no connection to Master."

Karin quickly averted her gaze and hid behind Haku with a disgusted expression on her face.

"Naruto!!!"

Sakura's angry roar came from behind.

"You're spreading rumors again!"

"Let me tell you, it's simply not possible between us unless you turn into Kaze forever!"

Turn into Kaze forever, become Kaze, Kaze...

The voice echoed in Naruto's mind, and he stood petrified in place.

On the other side, Sasuke frowned and gave Sakura a cold glance.

"More thoughtless words. I really do despise you."

Sakura, scolded, also froze in place, only realizing later that she had misspoken.

She hurriedly started explaining in a fluster to Naruto.

"Naruto, that's not what I meant. I meant Hidan is better than you."

"No, that's not it. I simply don't like you."

"Wait, that's not it either. I only see you as a comrade, yes, that's what I meant!"

After hearing Sakura's series of explanations, Naruto felt even more upset.

Haku in front also found Naruto interesting, unable to imagine that such a terrifying monster like Kaze could be hidden inside him.

But now that the situation was resolved, he didn't intend to stay any longer.

"We come from the Four-Star Village in the Land of Waves. We've also come to participate in the Joint Chunin Exams. Please take care of us."

After saying that with a smile, he turned around and shouted coldly to Hidan.

"Don't look at them like that. None of them can be touched, unless you want to be punished by the Master."

Finally, he returned to his smiling face and gently called to Karin, "Let's go. It's time to go to the lodging arranged by Konoha."

"..."

This series of face-changing actions truly shocked everyone.

"The Land of Waves?!"

Naruto suddenly remembered something, but just as he was about to ask, the person had already disappeared from the spot.

Helpless, he turned back and looked at Sasuke and Sakura.

Before he could ask, Sasuke nodded directly, affirming his guess.

"It's the Four-Star Village funded by Gato."

"And that guy called Haku, the Ice Release ninja who faked our deaths before,"

"Escaping from Kaze's clutches, he's quite powerful, probably stronger than that dead Zabuza."

The group was still unaware that Zabuza was not dead and had also joined the Four-Star Village.

Sakura chimed in, following along, "That's right. If he hadn't spared us back then, we would have died in an instant."

Recalling the countless needles all over her body at that time, Sakura felt a faint pain in her acupuncture points.

However, after studying medical ninjutsu for two months, she understood that Shiro did that mainly to make the fake deaths more convincing.

After a brief discussion, the three of them headed to the training field.

Meanwhile, Team 10, consisting of Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji, had already arrived.

Seeing Naruto and the others who were so late, Ino pouted with a sour expression on her face.

"Why are you all so late today?"

After saying that, Ino looked at Sasuke with a lovesick expression, "Sasuke, I wasn't talking about you. I was talking about Sakura and Naruto!"

The originally lazy trio, who were known for slacking off, trained together for once.

Shikamaru and Choji had been working exceptionally hard, almost to the point of losing their minds!

Of course, the main reason was the pressure from Asuma and their parents' complaints.

With other kids working so hard, even Shikamaru had been scolded by his mother several times with a broomstick.

"Ino, you ugly pig! Stop accusing us!"

"We were delayed because of the other village ninja who came to participate in the Chunin Exams. That's why we're a bit late!"

Ino felt a pang of pain as Sakura hit her weak spot, and she instantly became furious.

"Fat forehead!"

"You ugly pig!"

"Fat Forehead!"

"Ugly pig!"

"..."

Seeing the two start arguing again, the rest of Team 7 got used to it and distanced themselves a bit, gathering together.

After scanning the surroundings, Naruto looked puzzled and asked, "Hey, why is Kakashi-sensei late? And where's Asuma-sensei?"

"They went to a meeting to prepare for the upcoming Chunin Exams."

Shikamaru replied while holding his head, "This time, they're likely to register us for the exams since our abilities have already surpassed those of Chunin."

Shikamaru's friend, Choji, who was munching on potato chips, nodded repeatedly.

"My dad told me the same thing. He's really grateful to you, Naruto, for motivating us to work hard!"

"Do you know which villages are participating?" Sasuke suddenly spoke up.

Shikamaru looked at Sasuke strangely but still answered the question.

"Mainly the villages with good relations with Konoha, namely Suna, Ame, Kusa, Taki, Otogakure, and the Four-Star Village."

"But the Four-Star Village is different. They're participating for the first time this year and it's a newly established village."

"Apparently, they were allowed to join after making a deal with the daimyo, using grain seeds as a threat. Be careful if you encounter them."

Just as Shikamaru finished speaking, the voice of Asuma echoed from behind the group.

"Shikamaru's right. The people from the Four-Star Village have unknown intentions, and two of their ninjas are dangerous. Be cautious, all of you."

Saying that Asuma and Kakashi landed in front of everyone.

"By the way, Kakashi and I have registered all of you for the Chunin Exams. Come and fill out the application forms."

***

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