**Chapter 16: Genin Gather**
"Gaara, huh?" Naruto grinned dismissively. "Just another lunatic."
"I... I'm Gaara..." Kankuro's voice trembled with panic.
*Whoosh!*
Gaara, who had been standing upside down on a tree trunk with his arms crossed, landed silently on the ground. He stared coldly at Naruto. "You over there, what's your name?"
"Why should I tell you?" Naruto glared back defiantly.
"Heh, you're an interesting one." Gaara chuckled softly, turning to leave. His voice drifted back with each step: "During the Chunin Exams, pray you don't run into me. Because I'll kill you."
"Damn it, Gaara's already getting worked up," Kankuro and Temari thought in alarm, hurrying to keep up with him.
"Tch, arrogant brat," Naruto scoffed, dismissing the remark with a flick of his wrist. He wouldn't waste his time on such a fool.
"Wow, Naruto-nii! You were so cool just now!" Konohamaru rushed to Naruto's side, gazing up at him with pure admiration.
"Heh, of course! How else could I be your big brother?" Naruto grinned, patting Konohamaru's head, clearly basking in the boy's flattery.
"Naruto, stop daydreaming! We need to leave now or we'll be late!" Sakura called out, her expression a mix of exasperation and amusement.
"Alright, Konohamaru! Big brother's gotta go!" Naruto shouted.
"Okay! Good luck!" Konohamaru raised his arm in a cheer, grinning widely to reveal his gapped teeth.
"Yeah!" Naruto flashed Konohamaru a victory sign, then turned and jogged over to Sakura.
***
"Hmm, all three of you are here."
Standing guard outside the door, Kakashi glanced at the trio with a pleased expression, nodding to himself.
"Kakashi-sensei, can we go in now?" Sakura asked.
"Yes, go ahead," Kakashi replied, stepping aside.
Watching Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke's retreating figures, Kakashi chuckled softly. "Sakura, Naruto, Sasuke, you three will definitely make your teacher proud. Especially you, Naruto."
"Please, let us through... *Bang! Ugh...*"
On the second-floor landing, a crowd of people blocked the way.
"Tch, brats. I suggest you scram. This isn't a place for you."
Two rogue ninja, disguised as Jonin, blocked the staircase, sneering contemptuously at the examinees.
"Tch, boring," Naruto muttered under his breath.
"Ninpō: Genjutsu Reflection!"
Bending his arm and raising his index and middle fingers, Naruto whispered the technique's name. He then beckoned to Sakura and Sasuke. "Alright, let's go in through the side."
Leading Sasuke and Sakura through the side door, Naruto ignored the gasps of astonishment behind them.
"What's going on? How did we suddenly end up on the fourth floor?"
"..."
Panicked shouts erupted continuously. The two proctors exchanged knowing smiles. "It seems this year's Genin cohort has a few exceptionally strong candidates after all."
"Illusion Technique, Release!"
With a sharp, low shout and a raised finger, the proctors dispelled the illusion, transforming into twin plumes of white smoke that vanished into thin air.
"Whoa, we're back on the third floor again..."
"You idiot! What are you still yelling about? It was clearly an Illusion Technique! Why are you so surprised? You're embarrassing me! Now hurry up and get inside, stop dawdling..."
"Hey, Sakura, why haven't those dummies shown up yet?"
Boredly sitting beside Sakura, Naruto lazily asked, his hand shamelessly drifting toward her slender waist.
"How would I know?" Sakura snapped irritably, then stiffened.
"Speaking of which, Sakura, your skin is so well-maintained, I can feel it even through your clothes."
Naruto's hand shifted from her waist to her smooth, toned abdomen, his palm gently moving across her skin.
"Get your hand off me!" Sakura twisted her body, but made no move to pull away Naruto's wandering hand.
Knowing when to stop, Naruto, having tasted a hint of sweetness, straightened up, adopting a serious expression.
"Stupid Naruto, stop showing off!" Sakura glared at Naruto, feigning annoyance, but secretly felt no real aversion.
*Clatter...*
Within minutes, hurried footsteps echoed outside the door.
The next moment, Genin began flooding into the classroom.
The first stage of the Chunin Exams was about to begin.
"Sakura, look at these guys—their skills are pathetic," Naruto muttered, glancing at the chattering Genin.
Sakura stared at Naruto, speechless and inwardly exasperated. *That's because you're too strong, you idiot.*
"Sakura, you wouldn't want to end up as useless as them, would you?" Naruto leaned closer, his voice dropping to a seductive whisper in her ear. "Why don't I train you personally? It won't be tiring at all, and you'll become a legendary female ninja."
"I refuse," Sakura replied sharply, shooting him a sidelong glance.
"Uh..." Naruto blinked, taken aback. "Don't you want to get stronger?"
"Of course I do..." Sakura pouted, her tone still crisp and decisive. "But training with you... you're such a troublemaker. You definitely have ulterior motives."
"Damn it, I got caught so easily."
Naruto glared at Sakura, who was pouting, his frustration simmering. *Damn it, if you're going to reject me, just reject me! Why pout like that? It's so...*
Staring at Sakura, Naruto desperately wanted to pull her into his arms and shower her with affection.