After leaving Sunrise Pavilion, the three went their separate ways.
Jiraiya, however, looked unusually dejected. With a troubled expression, he made his way toward the Hokage Tower—sighing every few steps.
[Minato Namikaze: Hm? What's wrong with Jiraiya-sensei?]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi: He looks like he's suffered quite a blow.]
[Tsunade: Hmph. He probably tried to peek again and got stopped by Nagi.]
[Jiraiya: What? Tsunade, is that really all I am to you?]
[Tsunade: Isn't it?]
[Jiraiya: ... ]
Even Jiraiya himself found it strange. Being unable to peek shouldn't have shaken him this much.
When he arrived at the Hokage Tower, Jiraiya knocked and entered through the door instead of climbing through the window.
Hiruzen looked relieved.
"Jiraiya, you've finally returned."
"Spare me, old man," Jiraiya interrupted. "I've told you before—I have no interest in becoming Hokage."
Hiruzen sighed.
He took out a scroll and handed it to Jiraiya.
"Very well. We'll discuss that later. For now, read this."
Jiraiya opened the scroll. His eyes widened.
He glanced at Hiruzen. Then back at the scroll. Then at Hiruzen again.
"Cooperate with Orochimaru's newly founded Otogakure to scheme against Sunagakure?
Old man, have you lost your mind? This isn't your style at all."
Hiruzen coughed lightly.
"I called you back for this very reason. I won't ask much of you—just hold off Sunagakure's high-level combatants and protect the people of Konohagakure. That much you can do, yes?"
"I understand. But I still don't see the point. What's the benefit?"
"You'll know in a few years."
The two stood by the window, looking out over Konoha's nightscape, speaking quietly.
Eventually, Jiraiya brought up Naruto. Seeing the boy's sturdy growth, he felt reassured.
Then he mentioned Nagi.
"Old man, that kid around Naruto… he's not simple."
"You mean Shiranui Nagi?"
"Yeah. I think he might be another genius on par with Minato."
Hiruzen chuckled.
"Of course."
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes.
"Oh? So you've been watching him for a while?"
"Yes. And Jiraiya… Nagi is actually one of our highest-level secrets."
Jiraiya's expression stiffened.
"That serious?"
"Very. In the future, treat him with respect."
"Respect? I have to be polite to a junior of Konoha?"
"You'll understand someday."
"…Got it."
A Few Days Later — The Chūnin Exams Finals
After the Third Hokage delivered his opening speech, he announced the start of the matches.
First Match
Naruto Uzumaki vs. Neji Hyūga
Since Naruto's identity as the Fourth Hokage's son was now public knowledge, no one dared mock him.
Everyone wanted to see—was the son of Minato Namikaze stronger, or the Hyūga clan's prodigy?
The match began.
Naruto immediately retreated to create distance.
Before the match, he had asked Nagi for advice. Nagi had warned him that Hyūga close combat was extremely dangerous and suggested a war of attrition at range.
Naruto crossed his index and middle fingers.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"
In an instant, hundreds of shadow clones filled the arena.
The audience erupted.
"That many shadow clones?!"
"Is he really just a genin?"
"As expected of the Fourth Hokage's son!"
The Rookie Nine stared in shock. None of them realized Naruto had been hiding this much power.
Neji was equally stunned—but he pressed forward regardless.
He struck down one wave of clones—
Only for another wave to appear.
Naruto's chakra seemed inexhaustible, producing shadow clones without pause.
Even Neji couldn't help but feel frustrated. He had never fought such an oppressive battle.
Finally, unable to endure it, Neji unleashed a large-scale technique.
"Eight Trigrams Palm Rotation!"
The spinning dome of chakra wiped out most of the clones instantly.
Afterward, just like in the original timeline, Naruto verbally challenged Neji's fatalistic beliefs.
In the end, he used the Naruto Uzumaki Two Thousand Combo to clash head-on with Rotation—and emerged victorious.
A defeated Neji returned to the waiting area. Later, Hiashi Hyūga revealed the truth about the past to him.
[Hiashi Hyūga: Hizashi…]
[Hizashi Hyūga: Brother… Neji…]
[Neji Hyūga: Father…]
[Ōnoki: Heh. Playing the victim first—typical of you, brat.]
[Fourth Raikage (A): Hmph. Konoha was simply too soft.]
[Hashirama Senju: How did the village end up like this?]
[Madara Uchiha: Hah. Hashirama, I told you long ago—you had your priorities backward.]
[Tobirama Senju: Monkey, I warned you once before. If you continue being so weak-willed, don't blame me for acting ruthlessly.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi: Rest assured, Second Hokage-sama. I've come to understand my mistakes. Such things will not happen again.]
Neji's feelings toward the Hyūga clan had already grown complicated.
Second Match
Shikamaru Nara vs. Temari
Even without Naruto's tunnel from the original timeline, Shikamaru cleverly used the shadow of a tree knocked down during the previous match to extend his reach.
"Shadow Possession Jutsu!"
He successfully bound Temari.
But in the end, as expected—
"I forfeit."
Third Match
Gaara vs. Shino Aburame
Gaara's killing intent surged.
"So it's not Uchiha Sasuke… Fine. Your blood will suffice."
"Sand Shower!"
Countless grains of sand shot toward Shino like bullets.
"Secret Technique: Insect Wall!"
A massive swarm of kikaichū poured from Shino's body, forming a rotating defensive barrier.
When the sand bullets struck, the insects devoured the chakra within them, reducing the sand to ordinary grains.
Gaara pressed on.
"Sand Shuriken!"
He shaped sand into spinning projectiles and hurled them forward.
Shino blocked and evaded simultaneously.
Then—
"Sand Coffin."
Gaara predicted Shino's escape path. Sand surged up and wrapped around him instantly.
Gaara clenched his fist.
"Sand Burial."
The crushing pressure of sand tightened mercilessly.
The Rookie Nine tensed.
[Naruto Uzumaki: Shino!!]
[Kiba Inuzuka: Shino! That Sand brat—damn it!!]
[Hinata Hyūga: Shino-kun…]
[Kurenai Yūhi: Don't worry. Shino will be fine.]
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