Since there was nothing suspicious about Karin's identity, Asuma didn't press further and left quickly.
Kurenai also greeted Itsuki briefly before heading off.
They both seemed to be in a hurry.
"I heard the Chunin Exams are about to start. Such a drag…" Shikamaru sighed, more or less explaining to Itsuki why the atmosphere in the village felt so tense.
Itsuki had already noticed the influx of foreign shinobi in Konoha, but he'd been too focused on training to keep track of the calendar.
Now that Shikamaru mentioned it, the timing made sense.
Asuma and Kurenai had just received word from the Hokage, summoning them to recommend their students for the Exams.
In other words… the Chunin Exam arc was officially beginning.
"That's going to be dangerous. Honestly, I don't really want to participate," Choji muttered while munching on potato chips.
He looked at Itsuki enviously. "Anbu must have their own promotion system, right? It's nice that you don't have to take the Exams!"
"That's not exactly true," Shino corrected flatly. "The Anbu promotion system is far more brutal. Advancement there is much more difficult than for regular shinobi."
"Tch! That probably doesn't matter for Itsuki, though," Kiba cut in with his usual arrogance, though even he acknowledged Itsuki's strength.
"Hey, Itsuki, you must've been Chunin-level ages ago, right? Kurenai Sensei even admitted your strength surpasses hers."
Itsuki scratched his cheek, looking slightly embarrassed. "Actually… I'm still a Genin."
The group stared at him, dumbfounded.
A Genin in Anbu? That was something they'd never even heard of.
Itsuki shrugged. "I've been too busy lately. Haven't exactly gone through the paperwork or reported back."
Kiba suddenly threw an arm around his shoulder. "Then come join the Chunin Exams with us! You can keep an eye on Hinata and the rest of us at the same time."
He gave Itsuki a wink, clearly trying to play matchmaker.
"I wouldn't mind, but it might break the rules. Besides, I don't have a proper team." Itsuki gave an honest answer.
"Rules are made by people. And for teammates, just tag along with Team 8. You're already Kurenai-sensei's disciple anyway. We can just… leave Shino out." Kiba grinned.
"I heard that," Shino's low voice came from right behind him, his face hidden but definitely irritated.
Kiba stiffened, forcing a nervous laugh. "Kidding! Totally kidding!"
While the boys teased each other, Ino dragged Hinata aside and began interrogating Karin.
Coming to Konoha without telling them? That was outrageous. Did she not even consider them her sisters anymore?
Karin frantically threw out every compliment and apology she could think of until Ino finally relented.
Truthfully, Ino and Hinata were happy Karin was here. It meant they could all be together much more often.
The boys, meanwhile, couldn't figure out how the three girls had gotten so close to Karin in the first place.
Ino brushed them off with vague excuses.
Eventually, only Itsuki and the three girls remained.
The other boys had already slipped away under the excuse of "training for the Exams"—in reality, they just didn't want to third-wheel.
Itsuki had gone from a quiet, unnoticed classmate to being even more popular than Sasuke after graduation.
In the ninja world, power was everything.
Kiba, meanwhile, was fantasizing about dominating the Chunin Exams, impressing the crowd, and being pursued by girls.
He hurried off to train harder.
"Sakura might be in trouble," Ino whispered suddenly.
Hinata leaned closer, speaking softly. "She's in the alley just down the next street. If we go, we'll see it."
This was from Sakura's update in the [Itsuki Harem Group Chat].
Naruto had gotten into a conflict with some Sand shinobi, and things were escalating.
Itsuki also saw the notification but feigned ignorance.
"Come on, Itsuki, let's go!" The three girls exchanged knowing glances.
Ino quickly linked arms with Itsuki, tugging him along. "You're free today, so you're going shopping with us!"
"Shouldn't you all be training for the Chunin Exams instead?" Itsuki teased.
He wanted to see the scene unfold, but couldn't make it too obvious.
"One day more or less won't make a difference. Now, move it!" Ino tugged harder.
Deep down, she was worried about Sakura.
This time, Karin didn't grab Itsuki's arm. Instead, she held Hinata's hand and followed behind.
She didn't want to distract him if things escalated.
They reached the next street and immediately spotted the confrontation.
On one side, Naruto was red-faced with anger, radiating helpless rage.
Sakura stood nearby, tense and ready to strike at any opening.
Moegi and Udon huddled in the corner, trembling in fear.
Opposite them were Kankuro and Temari from Sunagakure.
Kankuro had Konohamaru by the collar, smug arrogance plastered on his face.
He looked like he deserved a good punch.
Temari sighed, clearly frustrated, but didn't stop her brother.
"Forehead girl!" Ino called out, still worried about Sakura.
She rushed ahead, relieved to see Sakura unharmed.
Sakura's forehead vein twitched. "Ino pig! What are you doing here?"
But when she noticed Itsuki and Karin standing with them, she blinked in surprise. "Itsuki? And Karin too?"
Since Ino had already ranted about Karin's arrival in the group chat, Sakura wasn't too shocked.
"Oh? More brats?" Kankuro sneered, eyeing the newcomers.
"They don't look impressive. If this is Konoha's level, no wonder the village is a mess."
"Hey, you with the clown face! Put Konohamaru down!" Naruto exploded, completely ignoring Itsuki and the others.
He charged at Kankuro.
With a flick of his finger, Kankuro sent Naruto crashing face-first into the dirt.
"Tch." He clicked his tongue in disgust. "Pathetic. Not even worth the effort."
"Idiot Naruto, this is so embarrassing!" Sakura snapped, scowling.
"No, Sakura-chan, wait! He got me with a cheap trick!" Naruto scrambled up, glaring furiously. "I wasn't ready!"
"You're just too stupid!" Sakura shoved him aside, then stepped forward with a calm but sharp glare.
Her hands began forming seals.
"I don't know who you are or why you're in our village. What happened earlier was our fault, and we've already apologized. But if you keep this up, I'll have to treat you as enemies. Don't blame me for fighting back. Illusion—"
"You talk too damn much!" Kankuro interrupted with a sneer.
He flung several shuriken at her. "This isn't ninja school, brat."
The weapons pierced Sakura's body, blood splattering.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto cried in horror.
But with a puff of smoke, the "Sakura" exploded into a wooden log.
It was just a substitution.
The real Sakura was already perched in a nearby tree, hands flashing through seals.
Her eyes locked on Kankuro and Temari.
"So I said… don't blame me for striking back! Genjutsu: Naraku Binding!"
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Konoha Harem Chat Group: I Can Fabricate the Future (Completed) is now on Patreon!
🔗 patreon.com/Shadow_demon_007
Thank you for your support! 💙