Being a rogue ninja is worse than being Hokage.

Kakashi kept everyone in suspense.

Naruto nodded, showing little curiosity.

Naruto looked toward the main stands, which were higher than the regular stands, where the Third Hokage, dressed in his Hokage robes, had already taken his seat, surrounded by a group of ninja guards.

Just as the Third Kazekage sat down, the Fourth Kazekage, whose appearance was concealed, appeared in the main stands.

"Now that the Hokage and Kazekage have arrived, the match is probably about to begin."

Kakashi followed Naruto's gaze and glanced 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 looked away and said to Naruto, "But I really didn't expect that you wouldn't even make it past the preliminaries, Naruto."

Kakashi's tone was tinged with regret; he had already received a report from the medical ninja in charge of treating Naruto's injuries.

If it weren't for Orochimaru's infiltration of the Chunin Exams, which caused unpredictable situations during the exams...

Kakashi believed that both Naruto and Sasuke should qualify for the Chunin Exams finals.

"Isn't it often said that good luck and bad luck go hand in hand? Maybe my failure in the Chunin Exams means that my luck will turn around from here on out."

Naruto gave Kakashi an expression that showed he didn't care about the temporary defeat.

"You're right. The Chunin Exams are held every year. If you learn from this experience, you'll definitely go further next year, and you might even be promoted to Chunin directly."

Kakashi responded to Naruto with a smile.

Because of the troublesome cursed seal on Sasuke, he, as the Jonin leading Team 7, had indeed neglected Naruto and Sakura for too long during that month.

He wanted to comfort Naruto, the only one in Team 7 who was not selected, but Naruto didn't seem to care too much about it.

Jiraiya-sama is trying to comfort him.

Kakashi attributed Naruto's cheerful demeanor in the face of setbacks to Jiraiya, who had taken Naruto as his disciple.

"Speaking of which, have you and Sakura learned anything from Jiraiya-sama this past month?"

Kakashi asked.

“Sakura has mastered some water-style ninjutsu, which makes up for her previous lack of practical combat experience.”

Naruto glanced at Kakashi.

After briefly informing Kakashi and Sakura about their training progress, he began to talk about himself.

"As for me, I know sealing techniques, Rasengan—and summoning techniques, but I've only learned the form of the summoning technique and haven't actually used it."

"I have heard Jiraiya-sama mention this before. You seem to be very resistant to making a summoning contract with a toad."

"I hate slippery, hairless animals."

Naruto says that to everyone now.

"So, after the Chunin Exams are over, would you like to sign a contract with my ninja dog?"

Kakashi made a suggestion to Naruto.

Naruto turned his head and looked at Kakashi.

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

……

"Welcome everyone who has come to witness the Chunin Selection Exams!"

In the main stands, the Third Hokage, having timed the start of the match perfectly, stood up from his seat and shouted loudly across the entire arena.

The elderly third generation's incredibly loud voice actually drowned out the clamor of the stands, attracting the attention of everyone present.

"The match begins now!"

The third generation officially announced the start of the competition.

The rules for the Chunin Exams finals are similar to those for the preliminary rounds.

However, it will no longer be a single-elimination system, but a system where the winners advance through multiple rounds.

Eight candidates, one-on-one duel.

The first stage consisted of four matches, from which four candidates advanced.

In the second stage, the four candidates will compete in two matches, from which two more candidates will advance.

The final winner of this year's Chunin Selection Exams will be determined in the two-person duel of the third stage.

Having received the signal from the Third Generation, Genma Shiranui, who was the chief examiner on the field, also directed the candidates who had not yet competed to leave the field and wait at the viewing platform 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 Exams finals.

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

A Sand Village ninja with red hair, the word "love" carved on his forehead, and carrying a giant gourd on his back.

"Both players, take your positions at the match preparation points!"

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

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

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

Chapter 56 Reverse Spirit Communication Technique

The first match is between Sasuke and Gaara?!

Watching the two players enter battle on the field, Naruto suddenly stood up from his seat in the stands.

Gaara is the Jinchūriki of the One-Tailed Beast, so there's a very high chance he'll transform into the Tailed Beast during the match.

Naruto thought he had some time to prepare before defecting, but now he needs to race against time!

Only Gaara himself knows when he will transform into a tailed beast!

"Naruto, what's wrong?"

Noticing Naruto's unusual behavior, Kakashi asked curiously.

"I want to find a place where I can see the game more clearly."

This is the reason Naruto gave.

Naruto's words were perfectly reasonable to Kakashi.

In Team 7, Naruto and Sasuke actually had a subtle rivalry.

However, Sasuke usually views Naruto as an opponent in a very subtle way.

Naruto himself seemed completely unaware that Sasuke considered him an opponent.

But this unexpected defeat in the Chunin Exams seems to have ignited Naruto's competitive spirit...

Oh, right—

Before Naruto could leave in his haste to find a good vantage point to watch the battle, he seemed to remember something and fumbled around in his ninja tool bag for a while.

"This is a gift I prepared for Kakashi-sensei."

"Gift?"

Kakashi stared blankly at the object in Naruto's hand, then his eyes widened in surprise!

"This, this is..."

A seasoned and composed Jonin, Konoha's recognized elite ninja.

What exactly caused Kakashi Hatake to lose his composure like this?

A brand new collector's edition of "Icha Icha Paradise"! Limited printing and no reprints have already proven the value of this edition of "Icha Icha Paradise" in the eyes of loyal readers.

The copy of "Make-Out Paradise" that Naruto gave to Kakashi also came with the autograph of the novel's author, Jiraiya!

Kakashi, as if receiving a sacred object, carefully took "Icha Icha Paradise" from Naruto's hands, not even daring to let his fingers touch the cover of the book too much.

Kakashi, whose attention was drawn to "Icha Icha Paradise," was completely unaware of Naruto's departure.

After calming Kakashi down, Naruto left without saying he would "find a good spot to watch the game."

Naruto entered the public restroom in the arena, went into an empty stall, and locked the stall door.

About two minutes later.

Naruto flushed the toilet, pushed open the stall door again, and returned to the stands.

This time, Naruto really seemed to be looking for a spot with an excellent vantage point to watch Sasuke and Gaara's match.

"Naruto?"

Ino's voice rang out beside Naruto.

The three students from Class 10 were also watching the game from the stands, sitting together with consecutive numbers.

Their positions were much better than Naruto and Kakashi's previous positions.

……

On the streets of Konoha, Naruto, disguised by the Transformation Technique, observed the Hokage's office from afar.

"As expected, the Book of Seals is being guarded by someone with 'roots'."

Fortunately... the Book of Seals is still in the Hokage's office.

This should be the result of the power struggle between Danzo and the Third Generation.

It's tricky, but not troublesome.

If Danzo were to bring the Scroll of Seals into the Root organization, that would be a real headache and a real problem for Naruto.

The Book of Seals is forbidden knowledge that must be protected by the Hokage.

Danzo might be able to obtain permission to borrow it from the Third Daimyo.

However, Danzo, who was not the Hokage, could never have obtained the Third Hokage's permission to take the Scroll of Seals from the Hokage's office.

The fact that the Third Generation agreed to let Danzo guard the Book of Root's seal was already the limit of intervention he could get.

It seems we'll have to wait until Orochimaru officially begins executing his plan to destroy Konoha and seize the Book of Seals amidst the chaos.