Chapter 185
Due to plot changes, the order of the exams also changed significantly compared to the original story.
Next up was Hinata vs. Neji.
"Naruto-kun is watching me~." Hinata's face was slightly red, and she was ready to perform well.
"Naruto-sama is watching me!" Neji's breathing was rapid, and he was extremely excited.
Kurenai Yuhi: "..."
Subsequently, the Gentle Fist sparring between the Main Family and Branch Family began.
"Hinata-sama, I apologize! I cannot go easy in this match, because this is in front of Naruto-sama! I absolutely cannot fake it!"
Neji shouted loudly.
As the VIP of the Hyuga Clan, Naruto's popularity was imaginable.
The young Neji, along with all the other Hyugachildren, were instilled with the belief that Narutowas the great savior of the Hyuga Clan.
This way of thinking deepened over time.
It eventually turned into a fervent wave.
For most of the Hyuga Clan members, Naruto was the most revered figure.
Upon hearing Neji's shout, all the examinees present were stunned.
Then, they all looked in unison at Naruto on the platform.
Good heavens, isn't this still a connected individual?
"Neji, Hinata, good luck."
Naruto, from his elevated position, showed a superior's smile.
This made him seem even more like a Celestial Dragon.
Thus, Naruto's plan to play the pig to eat the tiger achieved unprecedented success.
Everyone unanimously believed that the person who caused the widespread destruction in the Forest of Death was Gaara of the Hidden Sand Village!
Gaara: "..."
Gaara, who was carrying both a gourd and a scapegoat, was not good with words and had no intention of explaining.
Thus, the misunderstanding arose.
However, Gaara indeed had some tricks up his sleeve.
He was unscathed so far, with his arms crossed, looking extremely arrogant.
"Hah~~!"
Bang! Clap! Bang! Clap!
With a loud shout, Neji and Hinata began their Gentle Fist sparring.
After a few rounds, Hinata was knocked down.
"Hinata-sama! Are you alright!"
Neji, full of vigor, asked loudly.
"I, I'm fine..."
Seeing that continuing would only lead to more embarrassment, Hinata could only give up on this match.
Thus, Neji, with his chest puffed out, achieved a glorious victory under the gaze of Naruto-sama.
And the seemingly comical Neji made Gaara's eyes change slightly.
Because Gaara clearly saw that among the examinees, Neji's skill was in the top tier.
"Naruto-kun..."
Hinata, returning to the platform in dismay, was extremely dejected.
After all, she had lost, and lost quite badly.
"Hinata, you did your best." At this moment, Naruto, from a distance, turned his head and said this.
Hinata's mood immediately brightened, and she smiled.
Looking at the giggleing Hinata, Kurenai Yuhiimmediately realized that her student was completely smitten by the demon Uzumaki Naruto.
However, Hinata didn't know what kind of devil her beloved was! Kurenai Yuhi thought fiercely.
Next, the elimination rounds came to the final match.
Naruto VS Inuzuka Kiba.
"Haha~! I'm going to win!"
Upon learning that his opponent was Naruto, Inuzuka Kiba immediately burst out laughing.
"Woof woof!"
Akamaru also barked along.
For a moment, there was human shouting and dog barking.
The hall became very noisy.
Almost all the examinees put away their thoughts, believing that there would be no suspense next.
After all, a connected individual like Uzumaki Naruto surely couldn't defeat this guy from the Inuzuka Clan.
However, they still underestimated the power of a "connected individual."
"Naruto! I'm the only one who will become Hokage!" Kiba reached out, pointed at Naruto, and laughed loudly.
Before a fight, taunting was a must.
"Oh?"
Naruto's cheek tilted slightly.
You dare to contend with me for the position of Hokage?
At this moment, everyone noticed the change in Naruto's eyes.
For a moment... it was as if the surrounding space had darkened... "If you want to contend with me for the title of Hokage, then you... will become a stray dog, you know..."
Naruto sneered, his sinister face uttering extremely terrifying words.
"Hahahaha..."
The next second, Naruto put his hands on his hips and burst out laughing.
"Just kidding..."
Immediately after, Naruto knocked out Kiba with one punch.
Thud!
Before he could react, Kiba fell to the ground.
Then, Naruto kicked Akamaru away.
"Woah~!"
The puppy Akamaru whimpered, rolled heavily, and finally landed on his back.
Watching Naruto end the fight with one punch and one kick, everyone shouted, "That's too fake!"
On the platform, discussions began.
Because it clearly looked like an act.
Damn it, sure enough, he's a connected individual! He's rigging the match!
"Hahahaha... Hahahaha..."
Naruto, spreading his arms and greeting the audience on the second floor from all directions, had now become the cheating rich kid in the minds of most examinees.
"Naruto... you... you've hidden too deeply..."
Kiba, lying on the ground, struggled to lift his head and looked at Naruto.
"His acting is top-notch..." Everyone commented on how well Kiba acted.
Kiba: "Indeed, you... are not an ordinary person... Ugh~ ~."
After an "ugh," Kiba truly collapsed.
"Isn't that obvious?!"
The people on stage began to jeer, some even started throwing trash like cans.
Boos erupted.
They all questioned Konoha's rigging of the match.
However, the examiner Gekkō Hayate announced Naruto's victory with an undeniable attitude.
This only made everyone even more certain of one thing... Everyone: "A setup! This is a damn setup!!!"
Chapter 131. Jiraiya? [Not Furry] Nine-Tailed, I only need you.
Amidst a chorus of boos, Konoha's second examination came to an end.
Naruto, who was deemed the ultimate connected individual, became the object of everyone's scorn.
However, only adults like Ibiki, Gekkō Hayate, and the Third Hokage knew how strong Naruto truly was.
Not to mention defeating Inuzuka Kiba with one punch, Naruto could even contend with Orochimaru and escape unscathed.
From this point alone, it was clear that Naruto's promotion to Chunin was a foregone conclusion.
Facing the crowd's doubts, Hiruzen Sarutobismiled and said, "You will all know in a month..."
The Third Exam would begin a month later.
At that time, feudal lords and dignitaries from various countries would come to watch the Chunin Exams... After leaving the Forest of Death, the four members of Team 7 walked on the streets of Konoha.
"Sasuke, for the next month, you'll be with me. I have a technique to teach you..."
Kakashi stated that he would teach Sako the Chidori.
This would raise Sako's strength to an unimaginable level.
And then there was Sakura.
"Sakura, I've hired Ebisu as a tutor for you. He's a teacher specifically hired by Hokage-sama for his grandson..."
Although Ebisu's strength was only that of a Special Jonin, he was very skilled in theoretical knowledge.