Chapter 174
Hinata's face turned red with embarrassment.
"S-sorry, Kakashi-sensei, Naruto-kun kept telling me to eat as much as I wanted, so I…"
Naruto burst out laughing: "Kakashi-sensei, Hinatais already being considerate of you!"
"If she really let loose, she'd probably eat several times more!"
Kakashi was utterly shocked: "You really can't judge a book by its cover…"
"But…"
"Sasuke, even you ate six bowls!"
Sasuke snorted: "I'm doing it to improve my strength, to get stronger as quickly as possible. Eating more and filling my stomach is how I get nutrients and energy."
Kakashi: "…"
"Well, never mind, it's what I, as your teacher, should do anyway…"
He painfully paid the bill, which was truly a huge sum.
Afterward, leaving Ichiraku Ramen, Kakashi spoke to the three.
"After being promoted to Chunin, theoretically, you can all stand on your own, and even lead teams on missions."
"Although, it usually still requires a long period of training."
"But you are all well aware of Konoha Village's current situation; it's highly probable that we'll be short-handed, so you must always be prepared to undertake important missions."
"And, it's very likely that I won't be by your side anymore…"
The three of them felt a stir in their hearts; becoming a Chunin was not only recognition of their strength but also the beginning of taking on more important responsibilities.
"Kakashi-sensei, I understand!"
"Don't worry, I'll definitely do well!"
"Yes, I believe in you all too."
"Alright, I need to go to the Hokage meeting. You all go collect your Chunin uniforms and other corresponding equipment…"
"Good luck."
Kakashi waved and left.
Naruto and the other two, meanwhile, went to receive their official appointments as agreed.
In the lobby of the Hokage Building, next to the room where Ninja missions were distributed, was the area responsible for Chunin Exams matters.
Naruto was pleasantly surprised to find Iruka-sensei there.
"Iruka-sensei!"
"Long time no see!"
Iruka smiled slightly: "Yes, Naruto, the last time I saw you was in the Forest of Death, but you had already fainted by then…"
"Really? I don't remember!"
"But, hehe, Iruka-sensei, I'm a Chunin now!"
Iruka was also greatly relieved: "I know."
He glanced at Gekko Hayate and Shiranui Genmabeside him.
"Because we're short-handed, I'm also helping out with this."
"Naruto, Sasuke, Hinata, all three of you performed very well. As your Ninja Academy teacher, I feel honored, and truly proud of you all!"
Hinata smiled sweetly: "Thank you, Iruka-sensei."
Sasuke also nodded slightly.
"Alright, these are your Chunin uniforms, and new headbands, leg wraps, Ninja tool pouches, and so on. These are all symbols of a Konoha Chunin."
"Of course, the most important thing is this letter of appointment personally signed by Hokage-sama."
"You must take good care of them."
Naruto took them one by one, and without further ado, immediately changed into his new clothes in the hall.
"Am I handsome?!"
Iruka-sensei covered his forehead: "Naruto, you don't have to be so impatient…"
Hinata, however, blushed and nodded: "Very, very handsome, Naruto-kun…"
Sasuke snorted dismissively.
Just then.
Several other figures also walked in.
"Oh, it's you guys!"
"Shikamaru, I didn't expect even you to become a Chunin!"
It was the Ino–Shika–Chō trio who had entered.
Naruto immediately greeted them enthusiastically.
Shikamaru picked at his ear, his face full of resignation.
"This wasn't my decision. If you ask me, it's a real pain."
Choji laughed: "Shikamaru, you're getting a good deal and still complaining!"
Ino also said: "Exactly, exactly!"
"But speaking of which, Team 7 is amazing. I can't believe all three of you were promoted to Chunin. That's very rare in all Chunin Exams."
Hinata said: "Ino, you're also very impressive…"
"Oh, don't say that, I still have a long way to go…"
At this moment, another team of three walked in.
It was Inuzuka Kiba, Shino Aburame, and Sakura Haruno.
Their team had naturally come to accompany Shino.
Naruto also greeted them warmly.
"Hey, Shino! I can't believe even you, the guy with no presence, got promoted!"
Shino's face darkened: "Naruto, what kind of talk is that."
"When have I ever had no presence?"
Inuzuka Kiba patted his shoulder.
"It's true, because sometimes even when we're on the same team, I often don't see you…"
Everyone burst out laughing.
Shino could only shake his head helplessly.
Iruka-sensei looked at these students, and for a moment, his heart was filled with mixed emotions, a myriad of feelings… Just a year ago, they were just children in the Ninja Academy… Now, each of them had grown so strong, so excellent… Especially Naruto.
His performance was vivid in Iruka's memory, and he was genuinely happy for him, and also felt a sense of pride akin to that of a guardian.
"You all did very well. Seeing your growth like this truly fills me with immense satisfaction…"
Everyone said: "Iruka-sensei, thank you!"
Iruka was a bit sentimental, and his eyes involuntarily moistened slightly.
"Alright, come and get your Chunin equipment."
Just then, some sounds of argument seemed to come from within the Hokage Building.
"Hmm? What's going on?"
Naruto curiously looked up.
Iruka-sensei probably understood what was happening, but he just sighed and shook his head, saying.
"These are not things you need to know right now."
"However, it should all be settled soon…"
…In the Hokage Office.
Danzo Shimura once again brought up Hiruzen Sarutobi's transgressions.
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not deny it. Now that the alliance with Hidden Sand Village was re-established, the Chunin Exams matters were properly handled, and Konoha Village was smoothly undergoing reconstruction.
Although Orochimaru was still at large, that was not something that could be accomplished easily.
He had indeed, as promised, dealt with all the immediate priorities.
Now, Danzo Shimura was once again making trouble, still wanting to force him to abdicate quickly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice: "I will naturally not break my word."
"Now that most matters have been handled, I can step down, but it's still the same thing, Danzo, this position of Hokage cannot be given to you."
"I have already discussed it with Jiraiya; he will go find Lady Tsunade and persuade her to return to the Village."
Danzo Shimura said coldly: "What if Tsunadedoesn't agree?"
"Will the Village remain leaderless indefinitely?!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said firmly: "Until then, I will continue to act as Hokage."
"Of course, it can't go on like this forever."
"I gave Jiraiya a timeframe, the deadline is…"
"One month!"
Danzo Shimura was momentarily speechless.
"Alright, if Jiraiya can really find and persuade Tsunade to return to the Village within a month, then I have nothing more to say."
"But if he fails, I cannot just stand by and watch the Village fall into danger…"
"You understand what I mean, Hiruzen."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said: "Hmph, then let's wait and see."
The atmosphere in the meeting was suddenly very tense… After the Hokage meeting ended.
Kakashi was about to leave when he was called by a voice.
"Yo, Kakashi."
Kakashi looked back: "Jiraiya-sama?"
"Is there something you need from me?"
Jiraiya laughed heartily and patted his shoulder.
"I want to borrow someone from you."
Kakashi understood immediately: "Is it Naruto?"
"As expected of Kakashi, you really catch on quickly."
"You want to take Naruto with you to find Lady Tsunade?"
"I certainly have no objection, but, what help would Naruto be in this matter?"
Jiraiya was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"I believe he would be, because…"