Naruto: I, Naruto, started with the Rinnegan

Chapter 81 The Traveler

Iruka was taken aback, but not angry. He thought to himself, "Right, Naruto should be fine. He managed to send Kakashi-senpai to the hospital before—"

Kakashi couldn't help but roll his dead fish eyes. So, he can't get past the hurdle of going to the hospital, huh?

Asuma and Kurenai looked somewhat uneasy; even when they joined forces, they were both defeated by Naruto.

The next day.

Meeting point for Class 7.

Kakashi took out three sheets of paper and handed them to the three of them, explaining, "Although it's a bit sudden, I've already recommended you to participate in the Chunin Exams—this is the application form, which you need to sign—of course, a recommendation doesn't mean you have to participate; you don't have to sign it, it's not mandatory."

Kakashi thought the last sentence was nonsense; his students were ridiculously strong, so it was impossible for them to be afraid of a simple Chunin Exam.

That is indeed the case.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura had already discussed it yesterday, and now they simply signed their names.

"The exam time and location are listed above, don't get them wrong. Also, there are no tasks for the next two days, you're free to do as you please—that's all!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Kakashi vanished in a flash.

It can be said that they came and went in a hurry.

"I have a few friends who are almost in Konoha, and I need to go pick them up."

Naruto waved his hand and disappeared on the spot using the Flying Thunder God Technique.

Well done, Naruto, hurry back!

Sakura cheered with joy; now, only she and Sasuke remained.

Sakura said shyly, "Sasuke, we—"

Sasuke glanced at Sakura coldly—he couldn't understand where she got the willpower from, even though he had clearly refused her every time.

"I'm going to cultivate! Don't follow me!"

Sasuke left alone, leaving Sakura sulking.

The main gate of Konoha was bustling with people coming and going.

Gangzi Tie and Shenyun Chuyue stood on either side of the gate, checking the passes of people entering and leaving.

"Are you leaving the village?"

Kotetsu looked at Naruto, a strange glint in his eyes. The Fourth Hokage's child?

"I'll wait for someone here without leaving the village."

Naruto said he was used to Kotetsu's gaze.

Since his background was revealed, many people have looked at him strangely, and the rumors about the fox demon have decreased significantly.

Well, it's rare, but not completely eliminated. After all, the fourth generation died more than ten years ago, and the legacy they left behind has long been exhausted.

As for the behavior of excluding Naruto, it went from overt to covert, and the exclusion continued without any reduction.

So what if you're the son of a fourth generation? Can that change the fact that you're a fox demon monster?

Ten minutes later.

"Naruto, were you waiting for us?"

Upon seeing a familiar face, Bai Jingying's beautiful face broke into a smile, and she happily waved to Naruto.

"Kid, you're just in time. Take us around your Konoha Village."

Walking alongside Haku was Zabuza, carrying the perfectly repaired Executioner's Blade. Behind him were two unidentified Mist Ninja, probably just there to make up the numbers.

Naruto said awkwardly, "Um—I wasn't waiting for you guys, I was waiting for someone else. I had no idea you guys would come—"

Haku and Zabuza were also a little embarrassed, realizing they had been overthinking things.

Naruto spoke up at the opportune moment: "You're here to participate in the Chunin Exams, right? Why—why would Kirigakure suddenly decide to participate in Konoha's Chunin Exams?"

He remembered that there were no Mist Ninjas in the original story.

"Taking advantage of this Chunin Exams, we at Kirigakure wish to establish some cooperation with Konoha. Our Mizukage will also be there—"

Zabuza didn't hide anything and gave Naruto a simple explanation without revealing any secrets.

At that moment, the person in charge of receiving the Mist Ninja arrived.

Unaware of the mysterious fire.

With a senbon stick dangling from his mouth, he said, "Welcome, Hidden Mist ninjas, to Konoha for the Chunin Exams—now come with me to your lodgings for the next period of time."

Goodbye, talk to you later.

Haku bid farewell to Naruto, and Zabuza nodded to Naruto in acknowledgment.

Naruto said, "Yeah, let's chat sometime."

Xuanhu glanced at Naruto with a strange look in his eyes, wondering why he seemed so familiar with the ninja from another village.

Another ten minutes passed, and the person Naruto was waiting for finally arrived—it was Inazuma, the ninja whose headband was adorned with three tomoe.

Fu Hua, who was leading the team, along with three examinees—Karin, Ryusho, and a girl they didn't recognize.

The girl had long, wavy blonde hair, fair skin, and a beautiful face; she looked to be the same age as Naruto.

Naruto asked curiously, "Who is she?"

"Her name is Hotaru. She was a girl that Kage rescued by chance when he was traveling in the Land of Water. She always wanted to become Kage's apprentice, but Kage refused and even dumped her."

"Ying did not give up and kept searching for Ying's whereabouts."

Fu Hua chuckled and said, "Some time ago, Inazuma lifted the country's isolation order. Hotaru finally found out that Kage was in Inazuma, so she rushed to Inazuma to ask Kage to let her become his apprentice. Because of Hotaru's persistence over the years, Kage did not agree, but he was willing to give Hotaru a chance. He would consider taking her as his apprentice if she passed the Chunin Exams."

While the two were chatting, Hotaru quietly leaned close to Karin's ear and whispered, "Who is he? Why does he seem to know the captain so well?"

"Him—"

Dragon King?

No!

Naruto has strictly forbidden anyone from mentioning this shameful name.

king?

No, that won't work either. Naruto didn't agree to be one, and besides, this is Konoha, there are some things we can't say.

so----

He's the one.

Karin made up her mind and said seriously, "You should call him Master."

"Master?!"

Ying couldn't help but widen her eyes.

In Ying's mind, Ying was a noble, aloof, and powerful figure who transcended the mundane. How could she possibly lay a hand on a minor?!

That's a crime!

"Hotaru-chan, is that you?

Naruto walked over, casually put his arm around Hotaru's shoulder, and smiled, "When you start traveling the world—oh no, I mean the ninja world—have you decided on a title yet?"

Hotaru snapped out of her disillusionment with her idol, pushed away Naruto's hand from her shoulder, and asked warily, "Why did you call me Hotaru-chan?"

This is our first time meeting, okay?

Naruto spread his hands, saying nonchalantly, "Just shout it out. I won't force you if you don't like it."

After hesitating for a long time, Ying finally nodded and said, "Let him shout, it's no big deal."

Naruto called out to Hotaru again and asked for her title.

"Aren't titles all given by others? Nobody chooses them themselves!"

To be precise, a ninja's title is earned through battle.

Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi; Madara Uchiha, the Asura of the Shinobi World; Tobirama Senju, the Fastest Shinobi in the World; Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Professor of Ninjutsu; Minato Namikaze, the Yellow Flash —

"That's perfect—how about I give you a title?"

Naruto asked enthusiastically, "Traveler! What do you think of this one? Hotaru, don't you think it's a great name?"

Fireflies, and they're all cute blonde girls—Naruto thinks he could do a cosplay.