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Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed when he heard about the unexpected turns of the Land of Waves mission.
"I never imagined a C-rank mission would turn out like this..."
"Kakashi, it's a good thing you were there."
Kakashi, however, scratched his head with a wry smile: "Actually, Naruto-kun deserves the most credit for this mission..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled slightly.
"Indeed, Naruto-kun, well done."
Naruto-kun puffed out his chest, laughing proudly.
Sasuke snorted beside him.
Hinata smiled gently, helplessly.
The relationship between these two had become increasingly subtle since their battle to the death... For Sasuke, being saved by Naruto-kun was probably the last thing he wanted to experience.
But after it truly happened, he couldn't help but feel grateful to Naruto-kun, and perhaps, even genuinely touched... However, with his personality, it was impossible for him to show it.
He could only barely maintain his original persona and relationship, still looking down on Naruto-kun, occasionally making sarcastic remarks, as if only this way could he continue to get along with Naruto-kun.
Naruto-kun's carefree personality, of course, didn't understand Sasuke's complex feelings.
He was just annoyed that he had saved him, yet this guy still treated him with such coldness and disdain.
So Naruto-kun naturally didn't give Sasuke any good looks either.
But Hinata secretly smiled.
She knew that although these two bickered daily, when it came to life-or-death situations, they were more in sync than anyone else... Perhaps this was the true essence of Team 7... Hiruzen Sarutobisighed: "Considering the difficulty of this mission, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it an A-rank mission."
"However, since Tazuna-san, as the client, only paid for a C-rank mission, so..."
"It's only fifty thousand ryo in total."
Naruto-kun knew that an A-rank mission's reward could be as high as a million ryo, incomparable to the current amount.
"It doesn't matter! The important thing is growth, growth!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi also smiled.
"Kakashi, I'll leave the distribution to you."
Kakashi scratched his head: "Hmm..."
"Let's leave it to Naruto-kun instead."
"Me?"
"You're the biggest contributor, of course, you should be the one to divide it."
Naruto-kun thought for a moment: "Then Kakashi-sensei gets twenty thousand, and the three of us get ten thousand each."
Kakashi's heart stirred: "Aren't you taking more, Naruto-kun?"
"No need! I already have a lot of money!"
Naruto-kun wasn't lying; the more than one hundred D-rank missions he had taken before, although each only paid a few thousand ryo, their sheer number added up... He had now accumulated forty to fifty thousand ryo in wealth.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction.
"Oh, Kakashi, there's another important matter I need to discuss with you."
Kakashi had already anticipated it: "Is it about the upcoming event?"
"Precisely."
Naruto-kun was extremely curious: "What's coming up?!"
"Hokage-sama, Kakashi-sensei, don't keep us in suspense!"
Kakashi smiled slightly: "This matter is indeed very relevant to you, but it's not time to announce it yet. Just wait for my news."
"Alright, now go back and get some good rest."
"Team 7, dismissed!"
Naruto-kun pouted: "How stingy! Hmph!"
He turned his back, hands clasped behind his head, and walked away.
Hinata and Sasuke followed closely.
Looking at their retreating figures, Kakashi couldn't help but feel a sense of profound emotion.
Hiruzen Sarutobi also said: "They are truly an extraordinary team..."
"Aren't they, Kakashi."
Kakashi nodded: "Yes, Naruto-kun, Sasuke, and Hinata are all true genius Ninja. More importantly, they bicker daily, but at crucial moments, they are all very reliable..."
"They cooperate seamlessly, work together, and fight side by side."
"And most importantly..."
"Their will to protect each other, even at the cost of their lives."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said: "It was indeed the right decision to make you their leader, not just for Team 7, but for yourself as well..."
"Of course, suitable candidates are also key, after all, you've dismissed two generations of students before..."
Kakashi scratched his head, a little embarrassed.
"Well, there's nothing I can do about that. After all, being a Ninja is a life-or-death profession..."
"Speaking of which, Kakashi, you should know what I'm about to say."
"The Chunin Exams are coming soon. Do you recommend Team 7 to participate?"
"Normally, freshly graduated Genin can only participate after at least a year, but..."
Kakashi smiled: "I recommend them."
"Team 7 is already prepared."
"In fact, they already possess strength beyond a Chunin..."
"Is that so? Then I will register Naruto-kun, Sasuke, and Hinata."
"Alright, Kakashi, you must be tired. Go and rest."
"Yes, thank you, Hokage-sama."
..."ano sa, ano sa..."
"Hinata, Sasuke, do you know what Kakashi-senseiand Hokage-sama were talking about?"
Naruto-kun still couldn't help but ask curiously.
Sasuke snorted lightly, ignoring him.
Hinata, however, said: "I have a rough guess..."
Naruto-kun was stunned, then overjoyed: "As expected of Hinata! Tell me quickly!"
Hinata said: "Because it's an upcoming event, and Hokage-sama wanted to discuss it with Kakashi-sensei privately, avoiding us, but also said it was very relevant to us. Combining these inferences, it should be that..."
"What, what?!"
Hinata said seriously: "The Chunin Exams."
Upon hearing these words, not only Naruto-kun, but Sasuke's expression also changed slightly.
"The Chunin Exams?!"
Hinata nodded: "Generally, there are two Chunin Exams every year. As the name suggests, they are assessments used to select excellent Ninja from Genin to be promoted to Chunin."
"Of course, it's not just that. Because the Chunin Exams are often held jointly with other Villages, while selecting Chunin, there's also the significance of competing with other Villages and showcasing one's military strength..."
"In short, this is a major event that all NinjaVillages pay close attention to. Only those who can stand out among many Villages and many Ninjacan be promoted to Chunin..."
Naruto-kun was immediately overjoyed: "Ninjafrom other Villages participate too?!"
"That's great! This is practically a stage prepared just for Uzumaki Naruto!"
"I will definitely defeat everyone, successfully get promoted to Chunin, and make the entire Ninja World acknowledge my existence!"
Chapter 108: Team 7 All Promoted to Chunin? An Impossible Mission! Three Updates and Ten Thousand Words, Please Give Monthly Votes!!!
Not only was Naruto-kun extremely excited, but Sasuke's heart also stirred.
He was also absolutely unwilling to be surpassed by Naruto-kun again and again.
The Land of Waves mission had forever become a mark in his heart.
In fact, objectively speaking, Sasuke had already performed excellently enough.
Facing the Demon Brothers, he was able to react quickly and suppress them immediately.
Facing Zabuza's Water Clone, he cooperated seamlessly with Naruto-kun and Hinata, breaking through in one fell swoop.
Facing Haku's Ice Release secret art, he also fought alongside Naruto-kun, successfully breaking the Ice Mirrors.
Any other person who could achieve all this would be proud, even arrogant.
But Sasuke was deeply resentful.
The most important event, of course, was Naruto-kun risking his life to save him... This made him feel grateful, but even more deeply unwilling..."Damn it––"
Sasuke said bitterly: "Naruto-kun, I will definitely defeat you and prove my strength!"
"Everything will be revealed in the Chunin Exams!"
After saying this, he turned and left coldly.
Naruto-kun stood stunned: "What's wrong with that guy? He's acting up again suddenly!"
Hinata smiled gently.
"Because Sasuke, who was originally a genius, is unwilling to be surpassed by Naruto-kun now..."
"His feelings are not incomprehensible."
"And most importantly... perhaps Sasuke has experienced a tragic upheaval that has filled his heart with hatred and a desperate need to become strong. Being surpassed by Naruto-kun in such circumstances would make him even more agitated."
Naruto-kun nodded.
"Hinata, you're right. Although I don't know what he went through, there must be a reason for him to become like this..."
"But he doesn't have to always take it out on me!"
Hinata said: "Because..."
She stopped speaking at this point, unable to continue.
But Naruto-kun was unusually clever this time and understood Hinata's meaning.
"You mean, I'm actually the one who understands him the most, right?"
"Because we both are..."
Hinata's expression dimmed, and her eyes sank.
"I'm, I'm sorry, Naruto-kun..."
Naruto-kun smiled: "What's there to be sorry about? It's the truth!"
"And I think what you said makes a lot of sense..."