Saving Sasuke and Sakura brought a long-awaited surge of Corruption Points. As for the Trust and Dependence Value, it had plummeted to its lowest point after killing the Hokage's Anbu and insulting Hiruzen Sarutobi, but the rescue caused it to climb back by 2%. That was far better than being completely depleted.
Of course, the biggest gain for Menma this time was the revenge. After all, most of the painful memories passed down from Naruto were caused by those two insidious old men. Apart from a few ninja clans in Konoha and very few ordinary villagers like Teuchi, everyone else was part of his revenge plan.
...
Time flew. Nearly two months passed in the blink of an eye.
During that time, Danzo stayed hidden and didn't cause any more trouble. Teams 7 and 10, on the other hand, faced extremely rigorous full-day training because of Naruto. They also completed several C-rank missions and one B-rank mission.
Finally, Naruto mastered the C-rank Wind Release: Great Breakthrough and the B-rank Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere. Combined with the A-rank Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, he officially entered the level of an elite chunin.
Sasuke's progress was equally impressive. In two months, he learned Kakashi's A-rank Chidori. Furthermore, his Sharingan successfully upgraded to two tomoe during a B-rank mission.
As for Sakura, relying on sheer determination, she mastered medical ninjutsu and genjutsu at a genius-like speed, leaving Ino—who trained alongside her—in disbelief.
As for Jiraiya, whom Hiruzen Sarutobi had found, used the excuse that Naruto still needed training to avoid returning immediately.
...
Inside his mental realm, Menma opened the System Panel.
[Current Corruption Points: 10,000]
[Trust and Dependence Level: 60% (Cannot Drop Below 45%)]
[Mastered Jutsu: Yang Nine-Tails, Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, Kage-level Taijutsu, Flying Thunder God Technique, Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence, Wind Release Ninjutsu, etc.]
Because the missions hadn't encountered any extraordinary troubles, Naruto gradually became immune to the villagers' insults. Menma had only gained 7,000 Corruption Points in two months. He didn't touch them yet, still thinking about Guy's Taijutsu and the Eight Gates.
According to the timeline, the Chunin Exams should be starting soon. The Four-Star Village he controlled had already sent people yesterday to prepare. He would definitely run into Team 3 and Guy returning to the village after completing their mission to take the exams.
The Trust and Dependence Value had recovered after he humiliated Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo. Although Naruto and he had sulked for a few days, their unwavering trust in each other quickly led to a smooth reconciliation.
Just as Menma was pondering this, the system sent a notification.
[Corruption Points +10]
[Corruption Points +...]
"Corruption Points suddenly started increasing. What happened?"
Turning his gaze to the outside world, Menma saw Naruto confronting Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro.
"Gaara and his two companions from Sunagakure, huh? Looks like the Chunin Exams storyline has indeed begun."
Outside, Naruto stood protectively in front of the injured Konohamaru, while Gaara stood in front of the injured Kankuro. Because of the rigorous training, Naruto didn't need Sasuke to step in as in the original story—Kankuro had already suffered at his hands.
"Hey, Sand Bro, tell that fat black guy behind you to apologize to Konohamaru!"
Naruto arrogantly pointed at Gaara. Behind him, Konohamaru and his friends idolized him.
"I'm Gaara from Sunagakure, not Sand Bro..." Gaara crossed his arms, an interested look on his face. "Your strength is pretty good. Quite interesting. What's your name?"
Praised for his strength, Naruto proudly rubbed his nose with his thumb. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki! My hobby is eating ramen, and I'm gonna be Hokage someday!"
Behind him, Konohamaru and his friends beamed with admiration. "Big brother is so handsome! I love him so much!"
Sakura, on the other hand, covered her face and subtly backed away, trying to pretend she didn't know him.
Gaara: "..."
Temari: "..."
Kankuro: "..."
For some reason, the three of them felt awkward. They had encountered an idiot. They were just asking for his name and saying hello; why did he suddenly announce his hobbies and aspirations?
"Actually suffering at the hands of someone like this, Kankuro? You really need to train harder," Temari said, turning her head away in shame.
Kankuro, his face dark, gripped his puppet tightly, offering no rebuttal. Gaara, standing nearby, suddenly lost interest in Naruto. He didn't bother saying anything more, turning to the others to order, "Let's go."
Seeing that Gaara and the others were ignoring him and about to leave without an apology, Naruto reached out and grabbed the gourd on Gaara's back.
"Don't even think about leaving without an apology! Make that fat, dark-skinned guy apologize!"
His precious gourd, left to him by his mother, was being held captive. Gaara's expression changed drastically, a chilling killing intent emanating from him.
Startled by Naruto's actions, Kankuro tried to stop him. "Gaara, calm down! Don't forget our purpose!"
Temari also shouted sharply at Naruto, "Let go if you don't want to die!"
"What?" Naruto hadn't yet understood what they meant.
Gaara's patience had reached its limit; his molars ground together. Seeing that Naruto showed no sign of letting go, he instantly formed a hand seal in front of his chest. With one hand raised, he swung the other forward.
"Sand Binding Coffin!"
A river of sand erupted from the gourd, rapidly engulfing Naruto. Sensing something was wrong, Naruto released his grip and tried to retreat, but the sand on the ground had already covered his ankles, holding him in place. Then, sand from the sky completely enveloped him.
"Naruto!" Sakura cried out in alarm.
"Stop!"
Sasuke, watching from a tree nearby, paled. His hands rapidly formed the Chidori seal, and his body swooped down at incredible speed.
Gaara ignored the protest, his hand clenching in mid-air. "Sand Burial!"
More sand rose into the air, compressing inward. Just as Naruto's life hung by a thread and Menma was about to take over his body, a familiar voice rang out.
"Ice Release: Black Dragon Blizzard!"
Whoosh!
The compressed sand was instantly pushed aside. Even the sand enveloping Naruto's body turned into ice crystals and fell to the ground, dissolving into nothingness.
Haku appeared before Naruto.
"Are you alright, blondie?"
---
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