Being a rogue ninja is worse than being Hokage.

Naruto waited quietly for Koyuki's reply.

The projection of the rainbow ice wall continued to repeat over and over the conversation between Kazeka Koyuki and her father, Kazeka Zaoyuki, about the future.

"...I know what it feels like to be driven to a dead end, to be forced to make a choice that you don't know is right or wrong."

After a long time, Kazahana Koyuki suddenly confided in Naruto: "I used to think that my father would always be with me, that all the hardships would have nothing to do with me, and that I could just spend every day smiling—even though the snow in the Land of Snow is cold and biting, my father would always warm me."

"Unexpected events can happen too quickly, so quickly that I can no longer make rational judgments, so quickly that I can only be overwhelmed by all kinds of negative emotions."

"Suddenly I became a person, and I could no longer discuss my decisions with others. Whether my choices were right or wrong, whether they were rejected or agreed upon, I could no longer go back and regret it."

"For the past ten years, my choice has been to run away at all costs, but you and Karin overcame the hardships of the Fuuka Naoto and showed me that there is still the choice to face it bravely."

"So I think, Naruto—you and Karin should also have other options."

Kazeka Koyuki reached out her hand to Naruto again.

"What I want is Naruto Uzumaki's help, not the power of a Tailed Beast Jinchuriki..."

"I made friends with Karin on the ship sailing towards the Land of Snow, and I will never abandon her..."

Seeing that Naruto still hadn't reached out, Fuuka Koyuki stopped waiting.

She moved closer to Naruto, grabbed his hand, and they held hands.

"I hope you and Karin can help me. No matter how many times I extend an invitation, I will do so. Even if you two are rogue ninjas, I will never forget the fact that you two saved me. So please help me make the Land of Snow the future that my father hoped for."

Naruto simply looked at the hand being held by Kazaka Koyuki.

He neither agreed nor refused.

They simply maintained a compliant, default attitude.

Things went even more smoothly than Naruto had anticipated regarding the Land of Snow and the matter of Fuuka and Koyuki.

He bound himself to Karin and Koyuki Fuuka through the concept of "bonds".

Chapter 24 Three Years

Time flies, and life is like an arrow.

It's the Lesser Heat of July again.

Temperatures are starting to rise, indicating that summer is beginning to get hot.

However, the temperature during the Lesser Heat period is not yet at the hottest time of summer, and there is still an occasional cool breeze that brushes against the face, soothing the restless heart of people under the sun.

In the center of Konoha, in front of the Hokage's office.

Sakura Haruno seized the opportunity when the thick white clouds in the clear blue sky blocked out the sun and looked up at the rock wall not far behind the Hokage's office.

The head sculptures of the Hokage from different generations on the rock face are one more than the four head sculptures Sakura Haruno had when she was a child.

The Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, a princess of the Senju clan, one of the legendary Sannin of Konoha, and renowned throughout the ninja world for her powerful medical ninjutsu.

Tsunade's head sculpture is carved next to the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, who died young, becoming the new "Kage" protecting Konoha.

It has been almost three years since Tsunade became the Fifth Hokage.

Three years ago, Konoha suffered severe damage, and even the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, died in that crisis.

It was under these circumstances that Tsunade was appointed to a critical mission, resisting the undercurrents that coveted Konoha, and together with Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, she helped Konoha survive that crisis.

Konoha has now returned to its former strength, and its people are once again bathed in the light of peace.

During these three years, as a disciple of the Fifth Hokage Tsunade, Sakura Haruno began to inherit her master's mantle and grew rapidly as a ninja.

Not only is she strong, but now that she's fifteen or sixteen, Sakura Haruno has also gradually shed her youthful naiveté and shyness, growing into a graceful and elegant young woman.

She was wearing a red sleeveless coat, light-colored elbow pads, and black leather gloves on her hands.

Beneath the light-colored buckled mini skirt were black tight-fitting athletic shorts and a pair of light gray open-toe boots that covered her entire calves.

A black ninja tool pouch was strapped to the outside of her right thigh through her tight shorts, and a white bandage was wrapped around the pouch to prevent it from rubbing against her thigh during strenuous exercise.

The most noticeable difference between Sakura Haruno and three years ago is that her hair, which was long in the past, is now short and pink.

Sakura Haruno put on the red Konoha headband with ribbons, revealing her fair forehead.

While this makeup reduced Sakura Haruno's girlish fragility, it also enhanced her resilience and youthful vitality.

“Every time you come to the Hokage’s office, you stop and stare at the Hokage Rock—are you in such a hurry to have your face carved on it too?”

As Sakura Haruno stared blankly at the Hokage Rock, a familiar girl's voice, in a teasing tone, rang out behind her.

"I don't have that ability yet, Ino."

Sakura Haruno simply shook her head at her friend's well-intentioned teasing.

Sakura Haruno turned her head to look at the girl behind her, who was about the same height as her and had long, light blonde hair and a smiling face.

Yamanaka Ino had already grown into a graceful and elegant woman, with a long, straight, light golden ponytail that extended all the way down to her waist, and long bangs on the right side of her face covering half of her face.

The girl who has been best friends with Sakura Haruno since childhood has the exact opposite style of dressing.

She prefers to use her clothing and appearance to showcase her feminine grace.

Yamanaka Ino wore a dark purple sleeveless crop top, and her elbows were covered with black fishnet stockings, combining protection and aesthetics.

Beneath the same purple midi skirt, one can see bandages tied to her bare right thigh, just like Sakura's. Attached to the bandages are ninja tool pouches that peek out from under the swaying purple midi skirt.

Yamanaka Ino wore black open-toed short shoes, and her knees and elbows were covered with black fishnet armor.

"You will definitely become Hokage in the future. Not only are you Tsunade's disciple, but Jiraiya also occasionally teaches you ninja skills. The legendary Sannin both favor you."

Despite her friend Sakura Haruno's lack of self-confidence, Ino Yamanaka genuinely believes that her friend will definitely become the new Hokage of Konoha in the future.

"Although the title of 'First Female Hokage' was taken by Lady Tsunade, the title of 'Second Female Hokage' is still very prestigious."

The two close girls chatted casually, and Yamanaka Ino put her arm around Haruno Sakura's shoulder, making no attempt to hide her envy of Sakura's dream: "It's so nice that Sakura has such a grand dream... I'm just thinking about inheriting my family's flower shop in the future, which probably doesn't even count as a dream."

"I think this is also a dream. Ino has loved flowers since she was a child, and it would be great if she could keep wanting to inherit the flower shop forever!"

"Hmm...you have such a sweet tongue. I like Sakura a lot too!"

As she spoke, Ino reached out her other hand and rubbed Sakura's face.

It was at this moment that Sakura noticed the bento box wrapped in a tablecloth in Ino's hand.

"convenient?"

"This? This is Shikamaru's lunch. Choji was supposed to bring it, but his father called him away on the way, so I brought it over instead."

Upon hearing Ino's explanation, Sakura simply nodded, as if it were nothing new.

The three members of Team 10 belong to a ninja clan with an extremely good cooperative relationship. The clan leaders of each generation have inherited the title of "Ino-Shika-Cho". "Ino-Shika-Cho" is a group that even the Hokage acknowledges as Konoha's most steadfast friends and comrades.

The three members of Class 10 will also inherit the title of "Ino-Shika-Cho" from their fathers in the future.

It's not strange that Shikamaru needs Choji or Ino to deliver his lunch. The reason Shikamaru needs Choji or Ino's help is...

Two years ago, Shikamaru was promoted to Chunin in his second Chunin Exam. Every year, he was appointed by the Fifth Hokage to be in charge of all matters related to the Chunin Exam.

With the Chunin Exams approaching again, Shikamaru has been so busy that he hasn't had time to go home for meals.

Usually, either Choji or Ino would deliver lunch to Shikamaru whenever they were free.

By the way, Sakura, Ino, and Choji are now Chunin.

Because Shikamaru became a Chunin a year earlier than the other two members of Team 10, Sakura took Shikamaru's place and participated in the Chunin Exams with Team 10, and successfully advanced to the next level.

"It's July again."

Reminded by Ino, Sakura's thoughts drifted away.

Everything changed starting with the Chunin Exams in July...

Sakura's mood visibly dropped.

“Let’s go see Shikamaru together—that guy has been complaining behind Tsunade’s back lately that she always dumps trouble on him. As Tsunade’s disciple, you should naturally uphold your master’s image!”

The perceptive Ino also noticed Sakura's emotions.

Before Sakura could become overwhelmed with sadness, Ino quickly grabbed Sakura's hand, interrupting her thoughts about the past.

Force Sakura to come out of her sadness.

Sakura could easily see through Ino's thoughts. She smiled obediently at Ino, knowing that she shouldn't let her emotions affect her best friend.

"Speaking of which, isn't this Chunin Exams Konoha's home turf again?"

Sakura also took the initiative to talk to Ino about the Chunin Exams this month.

Last year, Sakura, Ino, and Choji participated in the joint Chunin Exams, which were hosted by the Sand Village of the Land of Wind.

As is customary, Konoha will once again be the host of this year's Joint Chunin Exams.

“That’s right, that’s why Shikamaru finds it troublesome. This time, he not only has to be in charge of the new written test rules, but also has to think about how to differentiate the practical exercises from the previous two exams, in order to prevent candidates who have taken the Chunin Exams multiple times from taking advantage of loopholes in the exam to cheat.”

Just listening to Ino's general explanation, Sakura felt that the Chunin Exams were complicated.

Given Shikamaru's personality, it's perfectly normal for him to complain about the hassle.

"Let me tell you a secret."

Ino suddenly moved closer to Sakura, looking around mysteriously.

"secret?"

Sakura was taken aback by Ino's display of force.

"Asuma-sensei came to my family's flower shop to buy roses a while ago."

"Eh?!"

Sakura immediately became interested in the secret Ino had revealed, her voice trembling with barely concealed excitement: "So that rumor is true? Asuma-sensei and Kurenai-sensei..."

"Yes, yes, I did test Asuma-sensei. Although he didn't say it explicitly, his face was so red that he couldn't hide anything!"

"Oh~"

That's how teenage girls are; their emotions are as changeable as the weather, and they can have endless conversations over the smallest things.

Such a youthful atmosphere...

...For Nara Shikamaru, it was like hell.