"The final round of the Chunin Exams is just a few days away. I'm worried about you guys," Naruto explained. "Sasuke, why did the Lightning Release Ninjutsu you just used fail midway?"
The arrogant Sasuke turned his face away. He just couldn't bring himself to say that the jutsu was too difficult and he couldn't master it for the time being.
To save Sasuke's face, Kakashi had to say, "Naruto, don't worry. Sasuke just needs a little more time to complete this jutsu."
Kakashi thought to himself: Judging from the current situation, he might not make it...
Naruto thought: You're trying to pull the wool over my eyes? Not a chance! Originally, there was a one - month preparation period for the final round of the exams. Sasuke spent a whole month learning Chidori. Now that Orochimaru has shortened the time for the Chunin Exams, how could he possibly learn Chidori in just a few days.
"She's a new friend I just made. Her name is Karin," Naruto said. "Please take care of her in the next few days, Kakashi - sensei."
Kakashi wanted to refuse. Taking care of Sasuke was already a huge challenge for him. How could he take on one more person?
Naruto said mysteriously, "Karin won't cause any trouble. If possible, she might even help Sasuke."
"Hey, Naruto..." Kakashi tried to call out to Naruto, but Naruto slipped away immediately.
Naruto didn't tell Karin anything, nor did he say anything to Sasuke. He silently brought Karin here and then left in a hurry by himself.
In the days that followed, Kakashi taught Sasuke with all his might, and Sasuke devoted himself whole - heartedly to training the Lightning Release Chidori.
Karin watched silently from the side. She could see Sasuke was dead - set. No matter how many times he failed, he'd grit his teeth and start over.
Sasuke gathered his Chakra and did his utmost to stabilize the lightning - attribute Chakra. At the same time, he used his Sharingan and turned his left hand into an invincible blade during extremely fast movement.
But no matter how hard Sasuke tried, the lightning - attribute Chakra he gathered would always disappear halfway.
Failure after failure, but he kept starting over again. Until most of his Chakra was exhausted, Sasuke collapsed on the ground, his eyes were full of reluctance. In the end, he still gritted his teeth and stood up.
Kakashi said pityingly, "Sasuke, take a break. You've worked really hard today. If it doesn't work today, we'll continue tomorrow."
"There isn't much time left. If I can't learn it before the third round of the Chunin Exams, I might hold Naruto back..." Sasuke punched the ground hard.
You can't rush Ninjutsu training because Chakra gets used up. Once the Chakra is gone, you can't continue training at all.
Karin watched all this silently.
Naruto roamed the training grounds in Konoha Village. He saw that the new generation of Ninja in Konoha Village were all training hard. Ebisu was teaching Sakura as he had taken Naruto's advice.
Naruto observed secretly. Seeing Sakura working hard, he nodded silently.
Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee, and Tenten lived in the training ground from morning till night. Looking at their bruised bodies and the countless Shuriken and hidden weapons all over the place, you could tell how hard they were training.
Seeing this scene, Naruto sighed, "No wonder he's a genius of Konoha. He even works harder than anyone else."
The training intensity of Shino Aburame, Kiba Inuzuka, and Hinata Hyuga was a bit weaker. At least their training intensity wasn't as high as Neji Hyuga's, but they were all working hard at their own pace.
Naruto hid in the dark. Watching Hinata practicing the Gentle Fist on the wooden stakes, he quietly placed a rose beside her.
By the time Hinata noticed the rose, Naruto had already left.
At least Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and Ino Yamanaka were the most comfortable. One idled around in a daze all day, another only cared about eating, and the last one was lovesick.
Naruto shook his head, but he didn't dare to underestimate them. When these three got together, they were a very powerful force.
Time passed quickly, and soon it was the final round of the Chunin Exams. Princes, dukes and feudal lords from various countries arrived at Konoha Village in luxurious ox - carts. Konoha had reached an unprecedented grand occasion at this time.
All the Genin participating in the Chunin Exams had arrived at the scene, except for Sasuke.
The examiner in charge of the final round of the Chunin Exams was Genma Shiranui, with a senbon (a type of grass - like weapon) in his mouth. He glanced at all the Genin present and quickly sent someone to inform the Hokage.
A Chunin in charge of delivering the message came before the Third Hokage and said, "Sasuke didn't arrive at the designated time. The qualifications of Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sakura Haruno should be cancelled."
Hearing this, the Fourth Kazekage immediately got unhappy and interrupted directly, "The princes, dukes and feudal lords from various countries who came here to watch the match today mainly came to see Sasuke, the last member of the Uchiha clan."
"If Sasuke isn't in the match, the princes, dukes and feudal lords from various countries will be very disappointed."
After a brief thought, the Third Hokage said, "Postpone the match for fifteen minutes."
At this time, in the arena, Naruto ran to Hinata's side and said with a smile, "Hinata, in the whole of Konoha, I don't think highly of anyone. Only you are worthy of being my opponent. In the next match, be my opponent."
"..." Hinata was a bit stunned. She didn't expect Naruto to come to her and issue a challenge.
Naruto showed a confident smile and gave Hinata a thumbs up, as if cheering her on.
At this time, Neji Hyuga was staring at Naruto with a hostile look in his eyes, and Rock Lee could hardly contain his eagerness. If it weren't for Tenten holding him back, he would have rushed up to fight Naruto at this moment.
Even scarier, Gaara was also glaring at Naruto with a murderous look in his eyes. It seemed that Gaara held a grudge. He still remembered the incident when Naruto used the Earth Scroll to put him in a coma.
Oh!
Hinata said shyly, "Naruto, I may not be able to beat you..."
"How could that be?" Naruto quickly comforted her, "Hinata, you're the best. Even Sasuke, Neji, Lee, and Shino, they won't be your match."
Hinata was very surprised. She didn't expect that in Naruto's eyes, she was so outstanding.
Hinata always thought she was useless and weak. If it weren't for Naruto giving her the courage, she wouldn't even be standing in the arena of the Chunin Exams at this time.
Neji Hyuga got angry and thought, "Whether it's the last or the second last, no matter how hard you struggle, you can't change your fate. Your fates were determined the moment you were born, no matter if you're the last or the second last."
Rock Lee got angry and roared directly, "Naruto, Sasuke once said you're stronger than him. Now let's have a showdown. I'll go all out."
Shino Aburame got angry, but he kept silent.
"..." Naruto broke out in a cold sweat and thought, "I'm just trying to hit on girls. I borrowed you guys as wingmen. You hot - blooded idiots, don't take it too seriously..."
The examiner Genma Shiranui stared at the time. Just as the time was about to run out, Kakashi made a grand entrance with Sasuke.
Seeing Sasuke's confident look, Naruto guessed that Sasuke had conquered Karin with his charm. For a young girl like Karin, a man like Sasuke, with a determined look in his eyes and working hard without complaint, would easily arouse her sympathy.
At that time, when Sasuke had exhausted his lightning - attribute chakra and had to halt his training, his eyes showed unwillingness.
Karin stepped forward and said, "I just feel sorry for you. I'll let you take a bite, just one." After saying that, Karin rolled up her sleeve and stretched out her arm full of bite marks in front of Sasuke.
Kakashi was very shocked when he saw Karin's arm. He had already guessed that Karin was from the Uzumaki clan.
Kakashi thought in surprise, "Where did Naruto find this girl..."
Sasuke was clueless and directly pushed Karin's arm aside, thinking, "This is so weird..."
Kakashi said seriously, "Maybe you should take a bite from her." At the same time, there was a look of expectation in his eyes.
Sasuke was stunned.
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