Seeing Sasuke congratulate Karin, Kūra and Ino were instantly consumed by jealousy.
Just then, the next matchup appeared on the screen.
Kūra Haruno vs. Ino Yamanaka
The two locked eyes, sparks practically flying.
Once on the arena floor, they began exchanging blows. Ino initially held back, so the fight seemed evenly matched.
Later, Kūra used words to provoke her—bringing up their shared feelings for Sasuke and demanding that Ino stop going easy on her.
That did the trick.
The two grew serious, glaring at each other before instinctively glancing toward Sasuke at the same time.
And then…
They both froze.
Karin was practically draped over Sasuke, while he looked utterly indifferent.
The two girls immediately exploded.
"Hey—! Get off Sasuke!"
"Yeah! Back off!"
Karin glanced down at them, stuck out her tongue, and made a playful face—as if to say, Then come up here yourselves.
"You—!" ×2
Kūra and Ino exchanged a look. They needed to end this fast and get Karin away from Sasuke.
Both began fighting with real intent. Neither wanted to lose face in front of him.
Mind Transfer Technique… Inner Kūra!
In the end, they collapsed simultaneously.
Karin adjusted her glasses and nodded.
"Not bad. Guess provoking them wasn't a waste after all."
Tenten vs. Kin Tsuchi
Kin's senbon and bells were completely disrupted by Tenten's expertly controlled ninja tools. Kin was ultimately defeated.
Temari vs. Misumi Tsurugi
Temari simply knocked her opponent unconscious with a swing of her giant fan.
Naruto Uzumaki vs. Kiba Inuzuka
This time, Naruto relied on the Uzumaki Clan's powerful vitality and stamina, engaging Kiba and Akamaru head-on.
With superior endurance and recovery, he eventually defeated both.
Shikamaru Nara vs. Shin Uchiha
Although Shin's illness had largely been healed by Nagi's Yang Release, the long-term damage had left his body weakened.
Despite his recovery, he was ultimately outmaneuvered by Shikamaru's strategy.
Gaara vs. Rock Lee
As in the original timeline, Rock Lee opened the Eight Gates.
He unleashed the Hidden Lotus, severely injuring Gaara. Lee's body was nearly at its limit, yet he refused to concede.
As Gaara's sand began binding Lee's arms and legs—
"Sand Coff—hm?"
Gaara suddenly realized he couldn't move.
Looking down, he saw his shadow connected to Shikamaru's.
"Proctor, we forfeit this match."
Though exhausted from his earlier battle, Shikamaru hadn't used up all his chakra.
Sensing Gaara's killing intent toward Lee, he had hurriedly used the Shadow Possession Technique to restrain Gaara for a brief moment.
Lee clearly didn't want to give up, but Might Guy stepped forward and shattered the sand binding his limbs.
"That's right, Proctor. We concede."
"But… Guy-sensei, I—"
Guy pulled Lee into a tight embrace.
"Lee, you've done more than enough. Sometimes losing is part of youth. What matters is not falling because of it—that is the true climax of youth!"
"Yes, Guy-sensei!"
The two shouted about youth while hugging passionately.
From the stands, Guy flashed a sparkling thumbs-up toward Shikamaru in gratitude.
Shikamaru could only sweat awkwardly.
[Might Guy: Shikamaru, was it? Thank you for saving Lee.]
[Rock Lee: Yes, thank you, Shikamaru.]
Guy had no intention of watching Lee suffer broken limbs like in another timeline.
Hinata Hyūga vs. Neji Hyūga
Just like before, Hinata gathered her courage after Naruto's encouragement—but she ultimately lost to Neji.
Her stubborn resolve angered him, and she collapsed after the match.
Seeing Hinata on a stretcher, Karin hurried over. The medical team carried Hinata away.
Minutes later, both returned.
To everyone's surprise, Hinata—who had been pale and unconscious—now looked far more flushed and stable.
Shinobi from other villages were astonished by Karin's medical abilities.
Dosu Kinuta vs. Choji Akimichi
Choji was decisively defeated by Dosu's Resonating Echo Drill technique.
Sai had no opponent matched and advanced automatically.
Thus concluded the Chūnin Exams Preliminaries.
The Chūnin Exams Finals
The Finals would be held one month later.
The participants drew lots to determine matchups.
First Match: Naruto Uzumaki vs. Neji Hyūga
Second Match: Shikamaru Nara vs. Temari
Third Match: Shino Aburame vs. Gaara
Fourth Match: Dosu Kinuta vs. Sai
Fifth Match: Tenten vs. Sasuke Uchiha
Karin Uzumaki, having no assigned opponent, advanced directly.
With a month until the Finals, Naruto asked Kakashi to train him.
As in the original timeline, Kakashi referred Naruto to Ebisu.
Ebisu began teaching him chakra control in a straightforward manner.
Eventually, however, Naruto ended up training under Jiraiya.
[Kūshina Uzumaki: What?! Kakashi, are you asking for a beating?! Naruto comes to you for help and you brush him off like that?!]
[Kakashi Hatake: Ah… well… Kūshina-sensei, I'm not the most suitable teacher for Naruto…]
[Kūshina Uzumaki: Quiet! You're just playing favorites!]
[Minato Namikaze: Easy, Kūshina. Ebisu is capable—and Naruto ultimately trained with Jiraiya-sensei.]
[Jiraiya: Exactly! If you don't trust Ebisu, surely you trust the Toad Sage—Jiraiya!]
[ Kūshina Uzumaki: It's because it's you that I don't trust! You'll corrupt my son!]
[Jiraiya: ...]
That one hurt.
Root Headquarters
Since Shino would be facing Sunaga Kūre's Jinchūriki, Nagi granted Torune Aburame a month's leave to personally guide him.
As Ryūma Aburame would accompany Nagi to the Land of Wind to deal with Rasa, he left detailed notes on insect cultivation for Torune to pass on to Shino.
After preparing, Nagi and Ryūma used the Flying Thunder God Technique to instantly teleport to Otoga Kūre.
Guided by Sound shinobi, they entered a reception chamber.
Orochimaru had been waiting. He handed Nagi a slip of paper.
"Perfect timing. This is the rendezvous location Rasa proposed."
Nagi glanced at it.
"It seems Rasa is even more eager than we expected."
"Indeed. Sunaga Kūre's financial crisis appears worse than we thought."
"Let's move."
"Yes."
Thus, Orochimaru, Nagi, Kabuto Yahiranui Kūshi, Kimimaro, and Ryūma Aburame set out for the Land of Wind.
[Onoki: Here it comes.]
[Mei Terumi: Looks like Rasa won't escape his fate this time either.]
[Rasa: Don't talk as if I'm guaranteed to die!]
[A (Fourth Raikage): Aren't you?]
[Rasa: I—]
Seeing the lineup assembled against him—far stronger than in the previous timeline—Rasa could only feel bitterness.
[ Kūra: Hahaha! Serves you right! Nagi, do your best!]
[Rasa: Kūra, you—!]
[Kūra: Hmph! Just wait for your end!]
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