On a rooftop somewhere.
"Hmm… how should I put this? My first impression of you guys… is that you’re quite annoying."
Kakashi leaned against a chair, a forehead protector slung across his chest, looking lazy.
"You have the nerve to say that! You, a big white-haired uncle, are three hours late!"
Naruto pointed at Kakashi, displeased. He’d been beaten by Sasuke for three whole hours because of this guy. How inhumane!
Sasuke turned his face away and snorted without speaking. Sakura, meanwhile, was daydreaming, looking completely detached.
"Right, let's start with self-introductions."
"Hey! Don't ignore me!"
Seeing that Kakashi wasn't paying him any attention, Naruto sulked and sat cross-legged on the chair to show his dissatisfaction.
Sakura, sensing the awkward atmosphere, asked, "Teacher, how should we introduce ourselves?"
"Well, it’s about what you like, what you hate, your future dreams, and your hobbies," Kakashi said, shrugging.
"I think it would be better if you, the big white-haired uncle, introduced yourself first."
"Me?"
Kakashi scratched his head, seemingly contemplating his name. After a while, he said, "My name is Kakashi Hatake. What I like and dislike, I don’t want to tell you."
"As for my future dreams… and hobbies… I have many."
Kakashi thought of Obito, of Might Guy, of his own adult manga. Especially the latest installment of ‘Icha Icha Paradise’ released at the market had instantly captivated his heart.
The plot described within it was so similar to his own experiences, so captivating, so… cough!
"Alright, it's your turn."
Sakura’s face was utterly speechless. She pursed her lips at Naruto and whispered, "In the end, we only learned his name."
Naruto nodded, but wondered, how would he introduce himself?
"Um, let's start with you."
Seeing Kakashi point at him, Naruto lifted his forehead protector and said, "My name is Naruto Uzumaki. My favorite food is Ichiraku Ramen. The ramen there is the most delicious, especially…"
"As for who I like… and who I hate…" Naruto subconsciously glanced at Sasuke twice.
"Idiot Naruto, what are you looking at me for? Are you asking for a beating?"
Sasuke saw Sakura and Kakashi looking at him and Naruto with strange expressions. His cold demeanor instantly faltered. How could this damn Naruto always cause trouble for him!
"Ahem, stop, stop, next."
Sakura rested her chin on her hand, a dreamy blush on her face. "My name is Sakura Haruno. What I like… perhaps who I like, he should have handsome features, a gentle heart… ten thousand words omitted."
"Then my hobby is… with him… my future dream is… Ah! I’m so shy!"
Kakashi wiped a bead of cold sweat from his forehead and labeled Sakura as "a love-crazed idiot."
"Next."
Sasuke rested his chin on his folded hands, his eyes cold. "My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I hate many things, especially Naruto."
"WAAAH!!!" Naruto clutched his head, deeply hurt.
Sasuke ignored the "heartbroken" Naruto and continued, "What I liked used to exist, but not anymore."
"Also, I'm not just saying this. I will restore the Uchiha clan's glory, and then stand before a certain man and return everything he has given me!"
…
The atmosphere suddenly became quiet. Naruto thought of what happened that morning and glanced behind Sasuke, trembling in his heart, "He… he shouldn't be talking about me, right."
It wasn't just Naruto; Sakura also thought of this, and a wave of goosebumps washed over her. She looked at the two of them with even more disdain.
She never expected Sasuke to have such a preference. What a waste of a handsome face!
"Good, all three of you are rich in personality and very interesting. So, starting tomorrow, we will begin missions."
Naruto's spirits immediately soared upon hearing this. He had grown tired of playing around in the village and longed for the thrilling life of going on missions.
"What kind of missions will they be? Will there be missions like exterminating mountain bandits or escorting merchant caravans being pursued by enemies?"
Kakashi suddenly chuckled, a strange glint in his eye. "Survival exercise. Anyone who fails will be sent back to the Ninja Academy to start over."
"What!"
All three of them became uneasy. Having to go back to the Ninja Academy was worse than killing them, especially for Naruto.
"Don't you dare make me take the written exam again! Never in this lifetime!"
Sasuke clenched his fists. If he wasted another six years, he would never be able to catch up to that man. His pride would not allow such a thing to happen!
"Gather at the training grounds at five in the morning. Meeting adjourned!"
*Poof!*
Kakashi dissolved into a puff of smoke and fled home to read his adult manga.
The three of them were left looking at each other. Sakura hesitated, "Um… should we discuss our tactics?"
"Completely unnecessary! Just watch me tomorrow, Sakura!"
At this moment, Naruto was like he'd been injected with adrenaline. He absolutely would not allow the written exam papers to appear before him again, never!
Sasuke glanced at Naruto disdainfully, then turned and left. He needed to go back and prepare the ninja tools required for tomorrow's exercise.
"See you tomorrow, Sakura."
Seeing both boys leave her behind, Sakura puffed out her cheeks. What kind of bizarre team was this? She, a beautiful girl, had so little presence.
…
In the Hokage's office, Minato Namikaze was intently looking at a document in his hand, tapping his fingers on the desk, seemingly contemplating the feasibility of something.
*Clack!*
The door was pushed open, and Lin Yu, wearing pajamas and yawning, entered, his voice filled with fatigue. "Minato, what’s the matter calling me so early?"
Minato Namikaze subtly glanced at the setting sun outside the window, his mouth twitched, and he said helplessly, "There's a document here. Senior Lin Yu, please take a look."
Lin Yu picked up the document and glanced at it casually. "Joint Chunin Exams?" he asked in surprise.
It wasn't that Lin Yu was surprised by the event itself, but by the invited participants: the five great ninja villages!
Minato was playing a big game, daring to invite the five great ninja villages to Konoha. Wasn't he afraid of his base being wiped out?
Minato Namikaze clasped his hands. "Do you think this plan is feasible?"
Lin Yu flipped through a few more pages and shook his head. "This isn't very good."
"Is it still too difficult?"
"No, I mean it's too conservative!"
Lin Yu directly tore the original document into pieces and took out a map of the ninja world from the desk. "If you're going to do it, do it big! A joint Chunin Exam for the entire ninja world!"
"The entire ninja world!"
This time, it was Minato's turn to be shocked. If this went wrong, the Konoha he had painstakingly built could be destroyed.
"Setting aside the security issues, Cloud and Stone Villages, among the five great ninja villages, have already stated they won't participate. The entire ninja world is even less likely."
"Minato, have you set any rewards?"
Minato Namikaze asked doubtfully, "Are rewards still needed? Isn't the Chunin qualification personally recognized by the Kage of each village the best reward?"
"Tsk, Minato, you're too shallow!"
Lin Yu said, "No profit, no early rise. As long as you offer enough, they won't refuse to come!"
Minato Namikaze had a troubled expression. "Konoha is the poorest village, and I, as the Hokage, have no resources to give to others!"
Indeed, men shouldn't get married early. Minato was a prime example.
Lin Yu patted Minato's shoulder heartily. "But you still have me! I'll cover all the expenses for the Chunin exams!"
"Boss, you're generous!"
"Ahem, however, I do have one small request…"