Baki vanished, and Hidan let out a frustrated sigh, slinging his three-bladed scythe over his shoulder. Karin, who had been observing from a distance, darted forward boldly. Ignoring the handsome Sasuke Uchiha, she stared at Naruto with sharp curiosity.
She whispered to Haku, "Brother Haku, what's his deal with the master?"
"Huh? In my Kagura's Mind's Eye, his chakra looks exactly the same as the master's." Karin was referring to the Nine-Tails chakra, along with Menma's own chakra.
Haku understood her meaning immediately and covered her mouth with a gloved hand.
"Don't ask questions like that," he whispered sternly. "We don't pry into the master's business."
Menma had explicitly ordered him not to reveal his identity, so Haku wouldn't explain anything to Karin. He just warned her to drop it.
"What kind of thoughts? What do you mean, exactly the same?"
The two were whispering softly, but Naruto—who was practically a professional eavesdropper—heard every word. However, his attention wasn't on their conversation; it was fixed on Karin, who was still staring at him.
"Why are you staring at me? Could it be...?"
Naruto looked puzzled at first, then his expression shifted to regret. Finally, he set his jaw with resolve.
"I get it, but I'm already into someone. She's right behind me!" He gestured dramatically. "So give up on that idea! We can't be together!"
After saying that, he sighed deeply, attempting to mimic Sasuke's usual melancholy aura. It came out looking awkward and stiff.
Karin blinked. "...?"
"Brother Haku, this idiot definitely has nothing to do with the master. I was wrong."
Karin looked away in disgust and hid behind Haku.
"Sakura!"
Naruto flinched at the angry roar coming from behind him.
"You're spreading rumors again!" Sakura Haruno yelled. "I'm telling you, there's no way we can be together! Not unless you become Menma forever!"
Forever becoming Menma... becoming Menma... Menma...
The words echoed in Naruto's mind, and he froze on the spot.
Sasuke, standing off to the side, frowned and glanced coldly at Sakura.
"That was thoughtless. I really hate you when you're like that."
Sakura flinched at the rebuke, belatedly realizing she'd screwed up. She hurriedly tried to backtrack.
"Naruto, I didn't mean it like that! I meant Menma is way better than you..."
"No, that's not right either. I just don't like you like that..."
"Wait, that's wrong too. I only see you as a comrade! Yeah, that's what I meant!"
After hearing Sakura's chaotic explanations, Naruto felt even more depressed.
Haku, who was already walking away, found Naruto genuinely interesting. It was hard to believe that a terrifying monster like Menma was hiding inside that goofy kid.
Whatever. The situation was resolved, and he had no reason to stick around.
"We're from the Hidden Void Village in the Land of Waves," Haku announced with a polite smile, turning back to the group. "We're here to participate in the Joint Chunin Exams. We'll see you there."
With that, Haku turned and called out coldly to Hidan.
"Stop staring. Don't touch anything here unless you want Menma to punish you again."
Finally, his expression softened as he looked at Karin. "Let's go, Karin. It's time to check into the accommodations Konoha arranged for us."
"..."
The sudden shift in his demeanor left everyone stunned.
"The Land of Waves? Could that be...?"
Naruto remembered something and tried to ask, but Haku had already vanished into the crowd. Helpless, he turned back to Sasuke and Sakura.
Before Naruto could even speak, Sasuke nodded, confirming the unspoken question.
"It's that village Gato funded," Sasuke said darkly. "And that guy Haku—the Ice Release user who faked our deaths. He's strong. Probably even stronger than Zabuza Momochi was."
The group didn't know that Zabuza Momochi was actually alive and had also joined the Hidden Void Village.
Sakura nodded in agreement. "If he hadn't been holding back, we might have died the second he hit us." Recalling the sensation of a thousand needles piercing her body, she felt a phantom ache in her pressure points. However, after two months of medical ninjutsu training, she understood that Haku's attack had been calculated—designed to make the 'death' look realistic.
After chatting for a few more minutes, the three headed toward the training grounds.
Over there, Shikamaru Nara and the rest of Team 10 were already waiting.
Seeing Naruto and the others arrive late, Ino Yamanaka pouted, her face scrunched up in annoyance.
"Why are you guys so late today? You're the ones who made us come here this morning!"
Then, she looked at Sasuke with a love-struck expression. "Sasuke, I wasn't talking about you! I meant Sakura and Naruto!"
The trio that was supposed to be lazy slackers in the original story had lost their minds due to training together. They were being pushed to their absolute limits by the extra effort Sasuke and Naruto put in.
Of course, the main reason was Asuma Sarutobi's encouragement—and his constant complaining to their parents. With other families' kids working so hard, even Shikamaru had gotten beaten with a broom by his mom a few times.
"Ugly Ino, stop putting words in my mouth!" Naruto shot back. "We were delayed by the ninjas from other villages coming for the Chunin Exams!"
Hearing Sakura point out her sore spot, Ino exploded.
"You broad-foreheaded girl!"
"You ugly monster!"
"Broad-forehead!"
"Ugly hag!"
"..."
Seeing the two arguing again, Naruto, Sasuke, and Choji Akimichi naturally took a few steps back and huddled together.
Naruto looked around, confused. "Hey, Kakashi being late is normal, but why isn't Asuma here either?"
"They're in a meeting," Shikamaru answered, resting his head on his hand. "Preparing for the Chunin Exams. They'll probably register us this time since our strength has already surpassed the chunin level."
Choji, snacking on chips nearby, nodded enthusiastically.
"Yeah, my dad told me too. He's really grateful to Naruto and the others for motivating us to train hard!"
Sasuke cut in sharply. "Which villages are participating?"
Shikamaru gave Sasuke a strange look but answered anyway. "Mostly villages friendly with the Hidden Leaf: Hidden sand, Hidden Rain, Hidden Grass, Hidden Waterfalls, Hidden Sound, and the Hidden Void Village."
"The Hidden Void Village is different. It's their first time participating this year, and they're a new village."
"I heard they only got permission by threatening the Daimyo with some kind of crop seed. If you run into them, be careful."
Just as Shikamaru finished speaking, Asuma's voice rang out from behind them.
"Shikamaru is right. The Hidden Void Village's intentions are unclear, and two of their ninjas are dangerous. All of you need to be careful."
Asuma and Kakashi landed in front of the group.
"By the way, Kakashi and I registered you for the Chunin Exams. We need you to fill out the applications."
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