Konohagakure no Sato :
Hokage Mission Center :
The orange glow of the setting sun filtered through the tall windows of the Hokage's Mission Center, casting long, dramatic shadows across the polished floorboards. Inside, the atmosphere was thick with the scent of old parchment, ink, and the weary sighs of shinobi returning from the field.
Thud.
The heavy wooden stamp hit the mission completion slip with finality.
"Alright, brats. Good job," a sharp, feminine voice cut through the administrative hum.
Team 7 stood in a loose formation before the mission desk. Kakashi, as usual, seemed mostly absorbed in his pocket-sized literature, but his posture was slightly more attentive than in the past.
To the left of the Third Hokage sat Iruka Umino, busy sorting through a mountain of logistics. But it was the woman on the other side of Hiruzen who had taken the slip—Tsunade, the Slug Sannin. Her golden hair caught the dying light, and her amber eyes held a look of professional boredom that masked an underlying sharp intensity.
With the formalities concluded, the group turned to leave. As they pushed through the heavy doors and stepped out into the crisp evening air, Naruto pulled a silver pocket watch from his gear.
5:37 PM.
"Why is Tsunade-sama still the one signing all the mission briefs?" Sakura muttered, her brow furrowed in thought. "It's been weeks. I thought she was just visiting, but she's working more than the Third is lately."
Naruto snapped his watch shut and tucked it back into his pocket. Sakura wasn't wrong. It had been nearly twenty days since they had returned from the Land of Waves—five days of designated "recovery" followed by fifteen days of what Naruto considered the "rehabilitation tour."
Kakashi had kept them on a tight leash, alternating between mind-numbing D-ranks and the occasional C-rank escort mission that rarely required more than a information delivery or some other randome stuff .
( No combat or anything sternous ....a Rehab Phase )
Naruto glanced at his teammates. Sasuke was staring straight ahead, seemingly indifferent to village politics, his mind likely miles away in a training clearing. Kakashi, meanwhile, had his nose buried so deep in Icha Icha that he looked like he was trying to oblivious to anything.
Naruto let out a small, tired huff. If no one else was going to explain the obvious, he might as well.
"Sakura, you don't get it?" Naruto asked, his tone casual
"Huh? Get what?" Sakura stopped, looking at him with genuine confusion. "Is there some secret reason she's handling the briefings?"
At the sound of the question, Kakashi's visible eye flickered toward them. Even Sasuke slowed his pace, glancing over his shoulder.
"The Third Hokage is getting old," Naruto said simply.
Sakura blinked. "Well, yeah... so? Tsunade-sama is his student. It makes sense she'd help him out."
"Sakura," Naruto sighed, stopping and turning to face her. "The man is over sixty years old. He's lived through three world wars and seen the village rebuilt from the ground up twice. Think about it."
"So...?" she prompted again, Naruto sighed at her
( If it was not about Sasuke kun then why would she use her head )
"The Hokage is going to retire," Naruto stated.
The silence that followed was heavy. Sasuke actually stopped moving entirely, his eyes widening. For twelve-year-olds who had grown up with Hiruzen Sarutobi as the singular, unchanging pillar of their world, the idea of him stepping down was explosive.
"How can the Hokage just... retire?" Sakura whispered, her voice a mix of shock and disbelief. "And what does that have to do with—"
"Use your Forehead, Sakura," Naruto interrupted gently. "Tsunade-sama isn't 'helping.' She's being integrated. She's taking over the administrative load piece by piece so the transition is seamless. She's the Third's successor."
"Wait," Sakura interjected, her voice low and sharp. "You mean... Tsunade-sama is the..."
"The Fifth Hokage," Sasuke spoke silently
The weight of the words hung in the air. Kakashi finally closed his book with a soft click, his expression turning uncharacteristically sober.
"A shinobi is someone who sees, hears, and observes what others miss," Kakashi said, looking at Naruto with a gaze that held recognition. "On that point, Naruto... good job. You've been paying attention."
Sakura and Sasuke didn't feel the usual sting of envy at the praise. Instead, they felt a strange chill. Kakashi's words weren't just a compliment; they were a confirmation. The rumors were true. The era of the Third was ending.
"Sasuke, Sakura," Kakashi continued, his voice dropping an octave into his professional 'Commander' tone.
"A shinobi is also someone who can keep a secret no matter the stakes. This stays within the team. Not a word to anyone. Understood?"
" hn "
"Understood, Sensei," Sakura replied, her voice shaky but determined. Sasuke gave a sharp, single nod.
They began walking again, the silence of the street punctuated only by the occasional evening bird. But Sakura, being Sakura, couldn't keep the gears from turning for long. The idea of a female Hokage—and a legendary Sannin at that—was a point of immense pride for any kunoichi.
"Nene, Kakashi-sensei," she ventured. "When will she... you know? When is it official?"
"The official announcement? Probably around the middle or after the Chunin Exams, I'd guess," Kakashi mused.
"Chunin Exams?"
This time, it was Naruto who spoke, his interest piqued. Kakashi kept his gaze forward, though he didn't reach for his book again.
"The Chunin Exams," Kakashi explained. "Basically, it's the international stage where Genin from across the nations compete to be promoted to the rank of Chunin. It's a test of skill, leadership, and survival."
"When?" Sasuke asked, his voice crackling with a sudden, intense hunger for progress.
"In ten days," Kakashi replied. "I have the forms. I can recommend all three of you as a team... if you think you're ready. It's not like the Academy. People can die in these exams. It's a different world."
Sakura hesitated, her mind flashing back to the blood-stained mission in the Land of Waves and the terrifying pressure of Zabuza's killing intent. Sasuke, too, seemed to be weighing his newfound Sharingan against the unknown threats ahead.
"Sign me up, Sensei," Naruto said, his voice cutting through their doubt like a blade.
The blonde had his hands tucked into the pockets of his hoodie, but his face was set in a mask of total, unwavering seriousness. There was no "easygoing" in his expression now—only the determination and Confidence of moving forward.
Kakashi paused, tilting his head. "You're fired up.... Why the rush, Naruto?"
Naruto took a deep breath, his blue eyes meeting Kakashi's one-on-one.
"Genin, Chunin, Jonin... and then Hokage," Naruto said, his voice filled with a quiet, resonant power.
"This exam is the next step toward my dream. I've spent enough time in the dirt. I'm not backing down from a chance to move forward."
The conviction in his voice was infectious. Sakura and Sasuke watched him, realizing that the "dream" they had heard him shout about for six years was no longer a child's fantasy. In this light, with the way Naruto stood and the way he spoke, it felt like an inevitability.
(If it's him... maybe it's not impossible,) Sakura thought, a strange warmth blooming in her chest.
"I'm in too," Sasuke said, stepping forward, his eyes flashing with competitive fire.
"Me too!" Sakura added hastily, her resolve hardening.
Kakashi looked at his students. He saw Sasuke, who had finally awakened his heritage; Sakura, whom he had been quietly molding into a genjutsu specialist , and Naruto, who was already operating at a level that most Special Jonin would find difficult to match.
"Alright then," Kakashi nodded, a hidden smile crinkling the corner of his eye behind his mask.
"I'll submit the recommendations tonight. Make sure you're ready. The village is about to get very crowded, and the stakes are about to get very high "
Naruto stood still for a moment, watching his team scatter in three different directions. Kakashi vanished in a swirl of leaves and a standard Body Flicker, likely heading to a rooftop to finish his book. Sakura turned toward the bustling civilian district, her pace light, while Sasuke started the long trek toward the outskirts where the Uchiha crest still guarded empty streets.
"Woof!"
Naruto felt a nudge against his neck. He reached up, scratching Simba's ears as the pup shifted inside his hoodie's oversized hood.
(The Chunin Exams,) Naruto thought, his gaze sweeping over the villagers. (It's finally here.)
As he walked, the peaceful atmosphere of Konoha felt almost fragile. People were laughing, vendors were hawking their wares, and children were playing tag near the academy. His heart wavered for a split second, a pang of protectiveness hitting him, but he quickly hardened his resolve.
(One step at a time,)
Naruto reminded himself. He began cataloging the variables: the looming invasion, Orochimaru's obsession, and Sasuke's trajectory. Sticking strictly to the original "canon" was getting harder by the day, and with a wild card like Orochimaru in the mix, things were bound to get messy.
Naruto reached the gates of the Uzumaki estate and headed inside.
( hmm , This chakra )
Naruto wasn't surprised to find the house occupied; he always kept a few Shadow Clones active for the house , so technically the house is always occupied , and lately, the estate had turned into a bit of a local hangout for his year-mates after Gradution.
In the garden, Naruto spotted two familiar figures near the koi pond.
"Karin? Shizuka?"
Karin looked up from the water, a handful of fish food in her palm. Since graduation, the girls had made it a habit to drop by at least once a week. Sometimes it was the girls, sometimes the boys would swing by to escape their mothers or just lounge on the porch and watch the clouds.
"Is this the main body?" Karin asked, squinting at him through her glasses.
"Yeah, it's me. How are you doing, Karin?"
"Bored," she admitted, tossing the rest of the food into the water. "Ino and Hinata are out on missions with their teams."
"Hattori-sensei is out on a solo assignment too," Shizuka added, walking over with a playful smile. "So we thought we'd visit our favorite prince."
Naruto offered a small nod. If Teams 8 and 10 were out, that explained why no one was around. He leaned against a porch pillar and looked at them curiously.
"So, have you heard anything about the Chunin Exams?"
" Chunin Exams ? " Karin
"The exams?" Shizuka tilted her head. "Why? Is there some news?"
"Kakashi-sensei mentioned they're starting in the village in ten days."
"Ten days?" Shizuka's eyes widened, then a sharp, determined look crossed her face. "Finally. We've been waiting for this."
Since Shizuka, Gian, and Suneo had already been Genin for two years, the news hit them differently. They were more than ready to move up the ranks. with Suneo now transfererred to Admin Division , Shizuka and Gian were already itching for Chunin Exams .
Karin also became interested in the new topic and asked about it .
The trio spent the next hour hashing out details and speculation before the girls finally headed out to begin their own last-minute preparations.
Just as Naruto turned to head inside, he felt a small, heavy weight land on his foot.
"Naruto-kun."
"Oh, Pakkun? What's up?"
The small pug looked up at him, looking slightly bored.
"Kakashi says tomorrow is a holiday. Gathering the morning after that."
"Got it. Here, for the trouble." Naruto reached into a pouch and tossed Pakkun a high-quality jerky snack.
Pakkun's eyes lit up, and he caught the treat mid-air with a satisfied munch.
"Yummy. If only Kakashi could cook like you... I really envy Simba. Anyway, I still have to deliver the message to the Uchiha and the girl. See ya."
With a puff of smoke, the ninken vanished. Naruto took one last look at the sunset before heading to his bunker. It was time to grind.
-----------------------------------
The Next Day :
The following morning was misty and cool. Sakura was walking through the streets, her mind swirling with thoughts of the exams, when she spotted a familiar shock of dark hair and a high-collared blue shirt.
"Sasuke-kun!"
Sasuke stopped, his eyes twitching slightly as Sakura ran up to him. He took a slow breath, his expression unusually soft. "Sakura? Good. You're here."
"Sasuke-kun? Is something wrong?"
"How about we go for a little walk?" he asked.
Sakura's face went through three different shades of red. "No way! For real? Like... a date?"
She followed him without a second thought, her heart hammering against her ribs. Sasuke led her away from the busy streets and toward a secluded training ground shrouded in a thick, morning fog.
Sasuke kept walking in silence until they reached a clearing, his back still turned to her.
"Sakura..." he started, his voice heavy. "Give up on the Chunin Exams. It's too early for you."
Sakura blinked, her excitement cooling instantly. "What? I... I thought so too, but—"
"The exams are a gathering of Elites" Sasuke interrupted, finally turning to look her straight in the eyes. "If you aren't careful, you might die."
Sakura's eyes twinkled. "So... you're worried about me, Sasuke-kun? Is that it?"
Sasuke looked away, a faint, embarrassed smile playing on his lips. "Yeah. Kind of."
Just as the atmosphere started to shift into something romantic, a cold, sarcastic voice drifted through the mist.
"What a touching display of affection. Are we at a wedding or a training ground?"
Sasuke and Sakura snapped into defensive stances. A masked shinobi stood perched atop a training pole, looking down at them with clear disdain.
"Get lost," Sasuke growled, his hand moving toward his shuriken pouch. "Unless you're looking to die today."
The man snarled. "How dare you speak to me like that! Die, you Horny Couples !"
He lunged, throwing a volley of shuriken. Sasuke parried them effortlessly and sprinted toward the attacker, but the man pulled an umbrella from his back and tossed it into the air. It exploded, raining hundreds of kunai down on Sasuke.
"SASUKE-KUN!" Sakura screamed as the Uchiha was caught in the center of the iron rain.
A cloud of dust kicked up. When it cleared, Sakura gasped. Sasuke was lying on the ground, dozens of kunai embedded in his body, blood staining the grass.
"Sasuke-kun! Don't die! Please!"
The masked shinobi landed near her, his shadow looming over the weeping girl. But then, the sobbing stopped. Sakura stood up, her face surprisingly calm as she gripped a kunai.
"Just so you know," she said, her voice steady despite the tears still wet on her cheeks, "I knew this was a Genjutsu from the start."
The man froze. "What? How?"
"Because the real Sasuke-kun would never ask me out on a walk on his own," Sakura said, her voice cracking slightly with frustration.
"Don't make me say those frustrating things that hurt my feelings. .....A basic illusion like this won't work on me."
"Basic, you say?"
"Yeah. And I also know you aren't even really here," she added.
The masked man threw a shuriken at her face in retaliation. Sakura didn't flinch. She simply closed her eyes, focused her chakra, and hissed, "Release!"
The shuriken vanished into thin air before they could touch her skin. The masked man let out a sharp laugh.
"Just what I'd expect from Kakashi's subordinate," he said, his voice shimmering as his form began to fade.
"However, keep this in mind: this nightmare might become reality in the exams. Let's see if you can endure the real thing."
"I'm not scared!" Sakura shouted toward the fading mist. "I'll take on anyone!"
But as the clearing fell silent again, Sakura's shoulders slumped. She unclenched her trembling fists and sat down on the grass, looking at the spot where the "dead" Sasuke had been.
"I'm still not sure if I can actually do it, though," she whispered to herself.
-------------------------------------------
*Smack! *
A heavy, decisive kick connected squarely with the side of the masked shinobi's face. The impact sent the man flying across the Uchiha training ground, where he crashed hard against the trunk of an old cedar tree.
Sasuke didn't even drop his defensive stance. He just stared coldly at the crumpled figure.
"That was a stupid thing to do."
With a sudden poof of white smoke, the ninja dissolved into thin air. It was a shadow clone. Seeing the smoke clear, Sasuke relaxed his posture, shoved his hands deep into his pockets, and turned to walk home.
"Boring," he muttered under his breath.
---------------------------------------------
Evening: The Streets of Konoha
"Alright, kid. It won't be long before you can learn everything," a voice called out from the doorway of the tattoo parlor.
"Thanks, Uta-san!" Naruto waved over his shoulder as he walked away.
As he walked down the bustling evening street, he ran into a familiar, noisy trio. Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi were running around, causing their usual brand of chaos. Naruto stopped to chat with the kids for a moment, but his acute senses suddenly flared.
"Aaargh!"
"What?!"
"Ehhh?!"
Naruto's head snapped around. A masked shinobi had dropped from the rafters, snatching Moegi in a blur of movement before leaping onto a nearby rooftop. Moegi screamed, her small hands flailing.
"Naruto-niichan!"
"Let go of her, you bastard!" Konohamaru yelled, shaking his fist. "What do you think you're doing with Moegi?!"
The masked man looked down at Naruto from the roof, a smug smirk audible in his voice even under the mask. He pivoted on his heel, ready to leap across the village skyline to make his escape. But as he turned, he froze.
He was chest-to-chest with Naruto, who was somehow already standing on the roof, blocking his path.
"What—?!" the man gasped, stumbling back.
Naruto looked at the shinobi, whose headband was masked by a foreign mist insignia. He let out an exasperated sigh, his voice calm and completely unimpressed.
"Just what are you doing, Iruka-sensei?"
The rooftop went dead silent. Even Moegi stopped crying
"Iruka-sensei?!" Udon yelled from the street below. "What did Naruto-niichan say?"
"Is that Iruka-sensei, kore?"
The masked shinobi didn't drop his act immediately. He pressed a kunai to Moegi's side, trying to deepen his voice.
"The heck are you talking about, brat?!"
"Iruka-sensei... don't tell me you've gone the way of Mizuki," Naruto said, his expression softening into pity. "Why is it that all my teachers have some weird death wish? *Sigh* "
Hearing the name Mizuki, the masked shinobi's shoulders slumped. The killing intent evaporated instantly. He lowered the kunai and let out a heavy breath.
"How?" the man asked, his voice returning to its normal, familiar pitch.
"I'm a Chakra sensor, Iruka-sensei."
"WHAT?! Since when?!"
"Since right after graduation," Naruto replied, putting his hands in his pockets
"So, you want to tell me what this little kidnapping plot was about?"
With a puff of smoke, Iruka dispersed his transformation, revealing his usual vest and scarred face. He released Moegi, who promptly stomped on his foot before sliding down the roof to join a fuming Konohamaru.
Iruka winced, rubbing his sore foot as he looked at Naruto.
"That was the participation qualification test."
"A test?" Naruto tilted his head.
"Yeah. It's to see if you are actually ready to take the Chunin Exams. I needed to verify if your instincts were sharp enough."
"Hoo... then I guess Sakura and Sasuke got theirs, too?"
"They did," Iruka nodded.
"It's a group recommendation. Only if all three of you pass will you be allowed to participate."
"Oh. So did they pass?"
Iruka gave a mysterious smile as he readied a Body Flicker.
"We'll see about that tomorrow! Alright, I need to go check the reports. See ya, Naruto!"
Before the Konohamaru Corps could scramble up to the roof to exact their revenge for Moegi's scare, Iruka vanished in a swirl of leaves. Naruto watched him go with a small chuckle, while Konohamaru and the others yelled threats at the empty air.
( Strange .......shouldn't this have happened after The meeting with Gaara and others )