Chapter 107 Perhaps, This Is the Will of Fire
"Chunin Exams?"
"That's right!"
Time always passed by inadvertently; when you suddenly realized it, many years had already gone by.
At such times, people would always say: Time is merciless.
Nara Shikamaru twitched his mouth, looking at Nara Shikaku.
What's going on?
How could he remember that it hadn't been long since they graduated, and they had only completed a few small missions?
They had only left Konoha Village once, so why were the Chunin Exams starting already?
No?
Were you guys hiding it that well?
Everyone else is already on their way, and now you're telling me to prepare for the Chunin Exams?
Are you kidding me?
"Shikamaru, where is your sharpness?"
Nara Shikaku sighed, "Are you living too comfortably, causing your smart brain to rust?"
"It seems I've been too lenient with you recently."
Shikamaru's heart tightened, and before he could fully react, Nara Shikaku's sinister voice reached his ears: "After the Chunin Exams, you can become a master. Then you will handle Konoha Village's affairs with me."
"Ah!"
Shikamaru's mouth hung open, and he stared blankly at Nara Shikaku for a long time before suddenly saying, "You just want to rope me into forced labor, don't you?"
"What? You don't want to?"
Nara Shikaku narrowed his eyes, his gaze falling on Shikamaru's backside, and he clicked his tongue.
Shikamaru: "…"
A higher official position can crush a person, and a higher seniority is the same.
Subconsciously stepping back a few paces, Shikamaru smiled bitterly in resignation: "Fine, we'll talk about it after the Chunin Exams."
"Oh, right!"
Nara Shikaku smiled with satisfaction at this, then seemed to think of something else, glancing at Shikamaru and saying indifferently, "These Chunin Exams are extremely important, so don't hold back or pretend you can't pass…"
"If you don't pass, you'll have to bear the consequences yourself!"
Shikamaru fell into deep thought.
What will these Chunin Exams involve? How could they make his father, who was always as steady as an old dog, become so serious?
"Naruto!"
Shikamaru suddenly thought of Naruto; it seemed that since graduation, Naruto hadn't gone on any missions, and no one had taken him under their wing.
Naruto's strength was indeed good, but a Ninja's growth couldn't do without bloodshed.
Why…
Was the Fourth Hokage so at ease?
"Perhaps, all of this is related to Naruto's identity!"
"Is it the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"
"Moreover, these Chunin Exams, according to my father, are open to the entire Ninja World."
Shikamaru tapped his head: "Hiss, it seems something truly significant is about to happen."
"I need to go discuss it with those few people!"
"It looks like I'll have to put in effort for these Chunin Exams; I can't slack off anymore."
"So annoying!"
…
"Everyone's here."
Shikamaru's influence was still quite strong; there was no helping it, who told him he was a smart person?
Sasuke leaned against the side, with a chattering Sakura beside him.
Naruto sat cross-legged on a newly transported utility pole placed in the open space, smiling cheerfully at the few people in front of him.
He knew that soon, it would be difficult for them to be like this again.
People always had to grow up.
After growing up, everyone had their own lives, habits, and so on.
Perhaps they would occasionally gather and reminisce about their childhood, but they would never again have the same purity as they did now.
In short: Childhood is truly good; youth is truly good!
"You have that old fatherly look; aren't you afraid others will misunderstand?"
Nine-Tailed grumbled weakly: "Let's see how you face them after your identity is exposed."
"I'll face them normally."
Naruto smiled, while Shikamaru on the other side had a solemn expression: "Everyone, in these Chunin Exams, we must strive to let our light shine."
"Has something happened?"
Shikamaru's words quickly made his companions present dazed.
Ino frowned and asked, "Are even you, such a lazy person, going to work hard?"
Shikamaru's face darkened.
Can't you be less direct?
Taking a deep breath, Shikamaru nodded heavily: "That's right. Although I still don't know what will happen, these Chunin Exams are undoubtedly very important for Konoha Village."
"So, I received instructions to formally notify you all."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow and smiled coldly.
He didn't speak, but three tomoe rotated in his eyes.
At 12 years old, he knew how dangerous the Uchiha clan was back then.
But now they were fine?
Why?
Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Shisui, and his brother told him: All thanks to the current Hokage-sama.
Without him, the Uchiha clan would have been annihilated!
One must be grateful.
Therefore, this time he would go all out.
For his clan, for Konoha Village.
For… Hokage-sama!
"I will also work hard!"
Akimichi Choji's eyes lit up; he had never before imagined that there was such delicious water, such delicious vegetables, and fruits in the world.
Putting everything else aside, just for the sake of food, he had to work hard.
He aimed to shine brightly in front of Hokage-sama, to make him notice him.
Choji rubbed his belly and narrowed his eyes: "I'm this big, Hokage-sama should be able to notice me, right?"
Hyuga Hinata was nestled beside Naruto, peeking out her little head. Hearing Shikamaru's words, she glanced at Naruto beside her.
Although she didn't particularly like conflict, she wasn't weak now.
Moreover, if she didn't become stronger, how could she keep up with the steps of the person beside her?
She remembered Naruto saying that everyone has one or many goals.
He called this goal a path.
And a Ninja's goal was their Ninja Way.
What was her Ninja Way?
Hinata didn't understand before, but after graduating and completing many missions, she seemed to understand.
Everyone's thoughts were different. She just wanted to protect the people she cared about, perhaps not being able to help much, but being able to step forward at critical moments to do small but indispensable things.
From simply being by their side to protecting others, even at the cost of sacrifice.
"This is also a Ninja Way, right?"
Sai's face wore its usual smile.
His smile was very sincere.
Having come from Root, he originally didn't know what friendship or companionship meant.
At the same time, he also knew that his entire life belonged to Danzo.
But now, after all these years, he had come to understand one thing: life doesn't belong to just one person; he could also have his own life.
He touched his scroll, thought of the Fourth Hokage's gentle smile, and Sai whispered softly: "Actually, life can also belong to one person, Hokage-sama."
"Hey, hey, hey, don't be so serious,"
Inuzuka Kiba clapped Shino Aburame's shoulder casually, grinning and smiling at everyone: "We all know how good Hokage-sama is, and we'll do our best, won't we?"
"Woof woof~"
Akamaru, lying beside Inuzuka Kiba, stood up and growled at the sound.
Shino Aburame remained impassive.
The others chuckled at this.
Yes,
The Hokage in power these past few years hadn't actually done anything too major.
But the benefits and policies he brought them were real and tangible.
They weren't sure why this was the case,
But the atmosphere of Konoha Village before and now was clearly different.
Neji's eyes lowered, and he smiled silently: "Perhaps, this is the Fire Will."