It's better to be a rebel ninja than to be a Hokage

August.

Today, Konoha is crowded with people and the streets are bustling.

The crowd was all heading in the same direction - Konoha's large dueling arena.

This year's Chunin Exam finals will be held there!

The dueling arena was an open-air circular structure. Naruto, who had been eliminated in the preliminaries, sat in the stands on the high wall of the ring, overlooking the wide open space at the bottom of the dueling arena.

Standing in a neat row in the middle of the open space were the eight Genin candidates who had qualified for the finals.

And in front of the candidates was the examiner of the finals - Genma Shiranui, a special jonin of Konoha wearing a black headscarf and holding a senbon in the corner of his mouth.

Naruto's eyes were fixed on Sasuke, who was standing side by side with Sakura in the arena.

It was also today that he had just seen Sasuke again, since Kakashi had taken him away during the preliminaries.

During the training with Jiraiya last month, Jiraiya mentioned to Naruto and Sakura that Sasuke was training with Kakashi, and told Naruto and Sakura not to worry too much and to just practice with him with peace of mind.

Although Jiraiya did not explicitly say what Kakashi and Sasuke were practicing, Naruto could guess it.

——It can only be Chidori.

Chidori and Kakashi's Raikiri are the same technique, but strictly speaking, Chidori is an undeveloped ninjutsu.

Just like Naruto's Rasengan and Wind Style Rasengan.

The essence of Rasengan is just a high-speed rotating chakra ball, and it is also an incompletely developed ninjutsu.

The successful injection of wind-style Rasengan into the character's natural state showed that the Rasengan had made considerable progress in development.

Kakashi taught Sasuke Chidori instead of Raikiri, naturally hoping that Sasuke could perfect Chidori with his own ninjutsu characteristics and fighting style, and turn Chidori into a technique unique to him.

When faced with excellent students, excellent teachers would rather teach them how to fish than give them fish.

"Long time no see, Naruto."

Naruto's concentration was broken by a sudden voice in his ear.

Like Sasuke, Kakashi, who hadn't seen Naruto for almost a month, greeted him casually.

"Kakashi-sensei, how is Sasuke doing?"

Naruto gestured for Kakashi to sit next to him, but the prejudice of the villagers resulted in no one taking the seats on either side of Naruto.

"It's going pretty well, and I also taught him new ninjutsu."

"A new ninjutsu?"

“You’ll see it during the game.”

Kakashi kept it a secret.

Naruto nodded, not showing much curiosity.

Naruto looked towards the main stand which was higher than the ordinary audience stands. The Third Hokage, wearing a Hokage robe, had already taken his seat surrounded by a group of ninja guards.

Just as the Third Generation sat down, the Fourth Generation Kazekage, with his face covered, appeared in the main stand.

"Since Lord Hokage and Lord Kazekage are already here, the match should probably start soon."

Kakashi also followed Naruto's gaze and looked at the leaders of the two major ninja villages in the ninja world. It was rare to see two Kage-level ninjas at the same time.

Kakashi quickly retracted his gaze and looked at Naruto and said, "But I didn't expect that you didn't make it past the preliminaries, Naruto."

There was a hint of regret in Kakashi's tone. He had already received a report from the medical ninja who was responsible for treating Naruto's injuries.

If it weren't for Orochimaru sneaking into the Chunin Exam, the exam would have gone in an unpredictable way.

In Kakashi's judgment, Naruto and Sasuke should both qualify for the Chunin Exam finals.

"Isn't it often said that good luck and bad luck are mutual? This time, my failure in the Chunin Exam may mean that my luck will turn around next time."

Naruto gave Kakashi an expression that showed he didn't care about his temporary failure.

"You are right. The Chunin Exam is held every year. With the experience gained this time, you will definitely go further next year. Maybe you will be promoted directly to Chunin."

Kakashi smiled back at Naruto.

Because of the tricky curse seal on Sasuke's body, he, as the leader of Team 7, had indeed neglected Naruto and Sakura too much in the past month.

He originally wanted to comfort Naruto, the only one who was not selected in Team 7, but looking at Naruto's current mood, he didn't seem to care too much.

Lord Jiraiya is trying to guide him well.

Kakashi attributed Naruto's cheerfulness in the face of setbacks to Jiraiya, who accepted Naruto as his disciple.

"Speaking of which, have you and Sakura learned anything from Master Jiraiya in this month?"

Kakashi asked.

"Sakura has mastered some water-style ninjutsu, which makes up for her lack of practical experience."

Naruto glanced at Kakashi.

After briefly informing Kakashi about Sakura's training, he began to talk about himself.

"As for me, I know the Sealing Technique, the Rasengan, and the Summoning Technique. However, I only learned the Summoning Technique and have never actually used it."

"I have heard about this from Master Jiraiya. You seem to be very reluctant to sign a summoning contract with a toad."

"I hate slippery, hairless animals."

Naruto says this to everyone now.

"So after this Chunin Exam is over, will you sign a contract with my ninja dog?"

Kakashi suggested to Naruto.

Naruto turned his head and looked at Kakashi.

Before Naruto could respond, a loud voice interrupted his conversation with Kakashi.

……

"Welcome everyone to come and watch the Chunin Selection Exam!"

In the main stands, the third generation, who had calculated the start time of the game, stood up from his seat and shouted loudly to the entire duel arena.

The extremely loud voice of the elderly third generation actually drowned out the noisy stands and attracted the attention of everyone present.

"The game starts now!"

The third generation officially announced the competition.

The rules for the finals of the Chunin Exams are similar to those of the preliminaries.

But it is no longer a one-round elimination system, but a winner-most-match promotion system.

Eight candidates, one-on-one duel.

There are four competitions in the first stage, and four candidates advance.

The four candidates in the second stage will compete in two games, and two candidates will advance again.

The final winner of this Chunin Selection Exam will be born in the two-person duel in the third stage.

After receiving the signal from the Third Hokage, Genma Shiranui, the chief examiner at the competition venue, also directed the candidates who had not yet started the competition to leave the venue first and wait at the viewing stand reserved for the contestants.

The two candidates who remained on the field with Genma Shiranui were the contestants in the first match of the first stage of the Chunin Exam finals.

A Konoha ninja with black hair, wearing a black jumpsuit and shorts, and a Konoha forehead protector.

A Sand Ninja with red hair, the word "love" carved on his forehead, and a huge gourd on his back.

"Two of you, take your positions at the competition preparation positions!"

Genma Shiranui stretched out his hands and separated the two contestants.

Then, he shouted loudly enough for everyone in the duel arena to hear:

"First match. Konoha, Uchiha Sasuke VS Sunagakure, Gaara!"