It was the season when spring flowers bloomed.
Natsume returned to the Konoha Ninja Academy after many years.
"Naruto."
As soon as he entered the door, he saw a dejected figure on the swing.
"Big bro?"
Naruto Uzumaki turned his head, his voice filled with surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"I should be asking you. Why aren't you in class?"
Natsume walked over, looking a bit puzzled.
Since it was the internal Chunin Exams within Konoha, the number of participants was normal. Unlike in the original story, there was no school suspension. It only occupied one teaching building.
"It's break time."
Naruto Uzumaki explained. "I came out to get some fresh air."
"How are you doing at school?"
Natsume noticed the uneasiness on his face. He probably came out to avoid the strange looks from his classmates rather than to get fresh air.
As long as Naruto Uzumaki couldn't clear his name from being associated with the Demon Fox, the more powerful he became, the more people would be terrified of him.
In the original story, he only gained recognition after saving Konoha Village multiple times.
"Big bro, let me tell you, I'm really amazing!"
Hearing Natsume's question, Naruto Uzumaki got excited. He jumped off the swing and said proudly, "I'm now the top student in my grade. Grandpa Hokage said that I'm destined to be the future Hokage!"
Top student in the grade?
It really made a difference without the interference of the Nine - Tailed Fox.
As for Hiruzen Sarutobi, he wasn't lying.
With Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki's sacrifice, Naruto Uzumaki showed extraordinary talent. Coupled with having Jiraiya as his teacher, Becoming the Hokage would be a piece of cake, right?
Tanzo Shimura was really pissed off.
Naruto Uzumaki didn't realize that his life had been carefully arranged.
Actually, not only Hiruzen Sarutobi, but also the Sage of Six Paths and Asura's Chakra were destined to lead him on the path of becoming the savior of the ninja world.
In his past life, many people speculated that Naruto Uzumaki didn't turn evil because of the influence of Asura's Chakra.
But after all, it was just Chakra, not Asura himself.
It was more like a pre - set program, with a high probability of making Naruto Uzumaki a righteous hero.
However, the definition of righteousness was very subjective.
Was protecting Konoha Village really righteousness?
Was Hiruzen Sarutobi's Will of Fire truly righteousness?
It was hard to say.
There was a lot of room for manipulation in this.
It would be extremely difficult to turn Naruto Uzumaki into a cold - blooded killer, but it would be relatively easy to make him kill a few people.
Like Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Congratulations."
Natsume patted him on the shoulder and asked, "Have you made any friends?"
"Not... not yet."
Naruto Uzumaki hesitated for a few seconds, then smiled and said, "It's only been a short time. Everyone doesn't know each other well yet."
Poor kid.
It's already been two months!
According to kids' nature, they should have become good friends and gotten along well with each other by now. How could he not have any friends?
"Today there's a Chunin Exams. Do you know about it?"
Natsume changed the topic and asked.
"I know. The school sent a notice not long ago, telling us not to go to the Sarutobi Teaching Building so as not to disturb them."
Naruto Uzumaki asked with a belated realization, "Big bro, are you here for the Chunin Exams?"
"Yeah."
Natsume invited him, "Are you interested in taking a look?"
"Sure!"
Naruto Uzumaki got excited right away, but soon looked disappointed. "I still have classes."
"Use the Clone Jutsu to deceive them. Later, when you learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu, you can let the clone attend classes for you."
Natsume unceremoniously shared his experience of skipping classes.
"Huh?"
Naruto Uzumaki was stunned for two seconds, then his eyes lit up. "Can it be used like this?"
The door to a new world opened.
The Clone Jutsu is one of the basic Three Basic Body Techniques.
It's extremely easy to perform for Naruto Uzumaki with his current talent and chakra.
Speaking of which, Natsume was really envious.
At only three years old, Naruto already had more chakra than him.
So, the world of bloodline theory is really despairing.
When the two appeared at the exam venue, they immediately caught the attention of countless people.
In Konoha, Natsume wasn't a well - known figure, but Naruto was definitely a celebrity.
From the Hokage down to the villagers, everyone had heard of the Demon Fox.
However, things were different for ninjas.
Genin who didn't know the truth showed looks similar to those of the villagers.
The disgust and hatred made Naruto Uzumaki lower his head.
At the same time, he regretted coming.
Because he might drag Natsume into trouble.
But he didn't notice the particularly different looks from some people.
Pity, regret, guilt, and so on.
All these people were Jonin, and some of them were once Minato Namikaze's subordinates.
They all knew Naruto Uzumaki's true identity.
After all, with his blond hair, the Uzumaki surname, and the story of the Demon Fox, anyone with a bit of sense should know who he was.
Natsume took a quick look.
His two teammates, Hana Inuzuka and Kabuto Yakushi, hadn't arrived yet.
Tsunade had been called away by Hiruzen Sarutobi early in the morning to make her the chief examiner.
There were also some familiar faces.
Itachi Uchiha, Anko Mitarashi, and Yugao Uzuki.
The first two hadn't changed much, but the latter's aura had become even colder, almost the same as Orochimaru's.
Itachi Uchiha wasn't with his teammates.
Instead, he was chatting with a little boy not far away.
Seeing Itachi Uchiha chatting and laughing like a normal person, Natsume couldn't help but let out a soft whistle.
This ice - cold guy who seemed like an eternal ice block has finally thawed out.
Sure enough, even the coldest man had a warm spot.
Natsume glanced at Naruto Uzumaki and said, "I'll take you to meet someone."
This chapter isn't over!
The fateful entanglement between Asura and Indra can't be avoided.
Since that's the case, let's stimulate Sasuke Uchiha in advance.
Facing Naruto Uzumaki, who has become a super - genius, what will he do?
"Hey, Itachi. Is this cute little boy your brother?"
Natsume stepped forward and greeted them.
Have to say, Sasuke was still quite cute at this age.
Good genes, indeed.
"Natsume."
Itachi Uchiha stood up and introduced, "His name is Sasuke Uchiha, my brother."
Since Natsume had saved Shisui Uchiha plus having discussed the Will of Fire, Itachi's attitude towards him was quite decent.
"This is Naruto Uzumaki."
Natsume looked down and saw that Sasuke Uchiha's eyes were fixed on someone.
If you didn't know better, you'd think he'd seen a stunning beauty.
And Sasuke Uchiha was the same.
Sure enough, Stand Users are attracted to each other.
When Itachi Uchiha heard the name Naruto Uzumaki, he immediately frowned.
Anyone can interact with him, but the Uchiha clan can't.
Just as he was about to tell Sasuke to go back, Natsume stepped in and asked, "Sasuke, are you going to school? Naruto Uzumaki is currently the top student in the first grade of the Ninja Academy!"
I'm really adding fuel to the fire!
Sasuke Uchiha immediately showed a surprised expression.
He wasn't actually going to school, but what surprised him was that Naruto Uzumaki, who was the same age as him, was already in school and was the top student.
For some reason, a fire suddenly ignited in his heart, and he wanted to compete with him.
The first place can only belong to the Uchiha clan!
"Natsume, it's time for Sasuke to go back. His mom is waiting for him."
Itachi Uchiha quickly stopped the conversation.
Natsume glanced at Mikoto Uchiha not far away and nodded.
If he kept going, it would seem too deliberate.
"Sasuke?"
Itachi Uchiha's eyes sharpened.
He noticed Sasuke Uchiha's expression.
There was a look of disobedience.
It seemed as if he would drag Naruto Uzumaki into a one - on - one manly fight the next second.
"All right, all right."
Sasuke Uchiha came to his senses and reluctantly turned to leave.
He walked up to Mikoto Uchiha and asked, "Mom, can I go to school?"
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