Seeing Sasuke congratulate Karin, Sakura and Ino were instantly filled with a mixture of envy and irritation.
Right then, the next match appeared on the screen.
Sakura Haruno vs. Ino Yamanaka
The two locked eyes, sparks flying.
Once on the stage, they exchanged blows. Ino initially held back, so the fight remained evenly matched.
Eventually, Sakura provoked her directly—using their shared feelings for Sasuke to force Ino to stop going easy.
Now both fought seriously.
They exchanged another glance… then instinctively looked toward Sasuke.
And froze.
Karin was practically leaning against Sasuke, while he looked completely indifferent.
"Ahhh! Karin, get off Sasuke!"
"Yeah, get down!"
Karin looked down at them and stuck out her tongue playfully.
If you can, come up here yourselves.
"You—!" ×2
Sakura and Ino communicated silently—end this quickly and drag Karin away from Sasuke.
Neither wanted to lose face in front of him.
"Mind Transfer Jutsu!"
"Inner Sakura!"
In the end, both collapsed simultaneously.
Karin adjusted her glasses and nodded.
"Not bad. Guess provoking them worked."
Tenten vs. Kin Tsuchi
Kin's senbon and bells were disrupted by Tenten's precise weapon control. Tenten claimed victory.
Temari vs. Misumi Tsurugi
Temari simply knocked him unconscious with a swing of her fan.
Naruto Uzumaki vs. Kiba Inuzuka
This time, Naruto relied on the Uzumaki clan's vitality, engaging Kiba and Akamaru head-on.
With superior stamina and recovery, he ultimately defeated them through endurance.
Shikamaru Nara vs. Shin
Although Shin's illness had largely been treated through Nagi's Yang Release, years of suffering had weakened him.
Though physically improved, he was ultimately outmaneuvered by Shikamaru's tactics.
Gaara vs. Rock Lee
Just like in canon, Rock Lee opened the Eight Gates.
Using the Hidden Lotus, he severely injured Gaara. His body was on the verge of collapse, yet he refused to surrender.
As Gaara's sand wrapped around Lee's limbs—
"Sand Coff—… hm?!"
Gaara suddenly found himself unable to move.
Looking down, he saw his shadow connected to Shikamaru's.
"Proctor, we forfeit this match."
During his fight with Shin, Shikamaru had conserved some chakra. Sensing Gaara's killing intent toward Lee, he reacted immediately—using the Shadow Possession Jutsu to restrain Gaara for a brief moment.
Lee struggled against the decision, but Might Guy rushed forward and shattered the sand binding his arms and legs.
"That's right, Proctor. We forfeit."
"But… Guy-sensei…"
Guy embraced him tightly.
"Lee, you've done splendidly. Sometimes losing is also youth! And rising again afterward—that is the climax of youth!"
"Yes, Guy-sensei!"
The two hugged dramatically, shouting about youth.
Guy then flashed a sparkling thumbs-up toward Shikamaru in the stands.
Shikamaru wiped sweat from his brow.
Might Guy: Shikamaru, was it? Thank you for saving Lee.
Rock Lee: Yes. Thank you, Shikamaru.
Guy had no intention of letting Lee suffer the same fate as in another timeline.
Hinata Hyūga vs. Neji Hyūga
As in canon, encouraged by Naruto, Hinata fought bravely—but still lost to Neji.
She angered him in the end and collapsed.
When Karin saw Hinata being carried away on a stretcher, she hurried after her. The medical team followed.
Several minutes later, the two returned.
To everyone's surprise, Hinata—who had been pale and unconscious—now looked far healthier.
The shinobi from other villages were astonished by Karin's medical ability.
Dosu Kinuta vs. Chōji Akimichi
Chōji suffered defeat under Dosu's Resonating Echo Speaker technique.
Sai was not matched and advanced directly.
Thus concluded the Chūnin Exams Preliminaries.
The Final Tournament Bracket
The finals would be held one month later.
After drawing lots, the matchups were decided:
Naruto Uzumaki vs. Neji Hyūga
Shikamaru Nara vs. Temari
Shino Aburame vs. Gaara
Dosu Kinuta vs. Sai
Tenten vs. Sasuke Uchiha
Karin Uzumaki advanced automatically due to an unmatched bracket.
With one month remaining, Naruto asked Kakashi to train him.
As in canon, Kakashi recommended Ebisu instead.
Ebisu methodically taught Naruto chakra control—though in the end, Naruto still came under Jiraiya's guidance.
Kushina Uzumaki: Huh?! Kakashi, are you itching for trouble? Naruto asked you for help and you brushed him off?!
Kakashi Hatake: Ah… Lady Kushina, it's just that I'm not the best suited to teach Naruto certain things…
Kushina: Quiet! You're just playing favorites!
Minato Namikaze: Alright, Kushina. Ebisu is a capable instructor—and Naruto was eventually taught by Jiraiya-sensei.
Jiraiya: Exactly! Don't you trust the Toad Sage—Jiraiya?!
Kushina: It's precisely because it's you that I don't trust you. You'll corrupt my son.
Jiraiya: ...
That one hurt.
Even if Naruto's Sexy Jutsu is impressive, I am a gentleman! I simply appreciate art!
Root Headquarters
Since Shino would face Sunagakure's jinchūriki, Nagi granted Torune Aburame a month's leave to personally train him.
As for Ryūma Aburame—who would accompany Nagi to the Land of Wind to eliminate Rasa—he left behind notes on advanced insect cultivation for Torune to pass on.
After finishing preparations, Nagi and Ryūma used the Flying Thunder God Technique, teleporting to Otogakure.
Escorted to the reception hall, they found Orochimaru already waiting.
Orochimaru handed Nagi a slip of paper.
"Perfect timing. This is where Rasa will meet us."
Nagi glanced at it.
"It seems Rasa is more eager than we expected."
"Indeed. Sunagakure's financial crisis must be worse than we thought."
"Let's move."
"Yes."
Thus, Orochimaru, Nagi, Kabuto Yakushi, Kimimaro, and Ryūma Aburame set out for the Land of Wind.
Ōnoki: Here it comes.
Mei Terumī: Looks like Rasa can't escape fate this time.
Rasa: Stop acting like I'm guaranteed to die!
Fourth Raikage (A): Aren't you?
Rasa: I—!
Looking at the far stronger lineup compared to another timeline, Rasa felt bitterness rise in his chest.
Pakura: Hahaha! Serves you right! Go, Nagi!!
Rasa: Pakura, you—!
Pakura: Hmph! Just wait for your end!
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