Two days later, Team 8 bid farewell to Tazuna and embarked on their return journey.
Back in Konoha, Kurenai reported the enemies encountered in the Land of Waves, including the giant of light.
This undoubtedly intensified the Third Hokage's search for the mysterious Ultraman Zetta. He also discreetly observed the members of Team 8, but still found nothing unusual, except for the strange little beast that Natsuki brought back.
Time flew by.
It had been nearly a month and a half since they returned from the Land of Waves.
Team 8 had subsequently completed several standard C-rank missions.
As the Chunin Exams drew near, the village bustled with increasing numbers of visitors.
"Natsuki, it's been half an hour. Teacher's still not here," Kiba, spinning in circles with Akamaru, asked Natsuki, who had been waiting there for a while.
Their team leader was Natsuki's older sister, so asking Natsuki directly was the same as asking Kurenai.
"I don't know. There seems to be some meeting; many team captains were called in." Natsuki shook his head, keeping his speculations to himself.
If he guessed correctly, based on the timeline, the Chunin Exams were approaching.
As he spoke, he tugged on the leash in his hand, pulling back the small beast that was lunging playfully.
At the end of the leash was Agumon.
Agumon wore a dejected expression, enviously watching Akamaru frolic with his owner.
Three days ago, Agumon had snuck out of the house while Natsuki wasn't paying attention.
He'd chased chickens and dogs through the streets and even set a butcher shop's kitchen on fire trying to cook some meat.
In the end, Natsuki had to pay a hefty sum in compensation.
If he hadn't registered Agumon as a summoning animal beforehand, he might have been interrogated by the ANBU again.
"There are a lot of people from other villages in the village lately. Could it be related to this?" Hinata softly suggested.
"Oh yeah, is there some kind of festival? It's been a while since Konoha has been this lively.
"But what does that have to do with us going on a mission?"
"My mom and dad are being tight-lipped too. They won't tell me anything, just making me train like crazy. I'm exhausted. Going on missions now is like a vacation, so relaxing!" Kiba grumbled, "I just don't want to take missions inside the village though."
"If it were like last time, a long trip to the Land of Waves or something, that would be pretty nice." As he said this, Kiba recalled the gentle soul named Haku.
He truly hoped to see her again.
Just then, Kurenai arrived, leaping swiftly from the distance. In the blink of an eye, she stood before them.
"Sorry everyone. Lord Hokage had an important announcement, so I was late," Kurenai said without the Third Hokage's habit of rambling about irrelevant matters before getting to the point.
She directly relayed the meeting's message:
"Today, Lord Hokage announced that in one week, a joint Chunin Exam will be held.
"This Chunin Exam is the largest in recent years. Ninjas from many other villages will participate.
"Therefore, this exam will be stricter and more dangerous than in previous years.
"Although our Team 8 has good overall strength, and I have confidence in you.
"I still want to ask you guys: Do you want to participate in this Chunin Exam?"
Kurenai finished, her gaze calm as she looked at her three students, betraying neither expectation nor worry. The decision was entirely up to them. They were already qualified ninja!
"A joint Chunin Exam?"
"Awesome! Finally, I can show the other students my amazing growth!"
"And I can see ninja from other villages! Teacher Kurenai, I want to participate!" Kiba's eyes lit up, and he raised his hand, loudly declaring his participation.
"What about you two?" Kurenai nodded noncommittally, turning her gaze to Natsuki and Hinata.
"It's rare for Kiba to be this excited. As teammates, how can we be party poopers?
"I'll participate too." Natsuki grinned, his pearly white teeth flashing brilliantly in the sunlight.
"This is the Chunin Exams; you can't mess around." Kurenai felt a pang of anxiety seeing her brother's expression, it was an expression she was all too familiar with.
She was worried, not for Natsuki, but for everyone else.
Natsuki was too much of a troublemaker. During their trip to the Land of Waves, she had omitted many details in her report to the Hokage.
Without her supervision, she truly feared what Natsuki might do to the Chunin Exams.
Even the renowned demon Zabuza was no match for her brother, who had even managed to turn Zabuza's partner into a... well, let's just say he wouldn't be winning any masculinity contests anytime soon.
This Chunin Exam would be child's play for Natsuki.
"Um, since they're both participating, I'll participate too. Lady Kurenai, I'll keep an eye on Natsuki," Hinata stepped forward, gently tugging on the corner of Natsuki's shirt, her face full of determination.
Kurenai's eyes were suddenly fixed on Natsuki, making him feel like he was being scrutinized.
"Hey, hey, what's with that look?" Natsuki shrugged, exasperated.
"Hmph! You can't just be playing around. It's good that Hinata is watching you; I feel a little more at ease now." Kurenai brandished her fist, her threat lacking any real menace.
"This week, everyone should review the jutsu you're proficient in and keep yourselves in top condition at all times.
"Dismissed!"
As soon as she finished speaking, a puff of smoke arose, and Kurenai vanished.
It was a clone.
"Looks like Teacher has other tasks.
"Um, Natsuki, can I borrow some of your time?" Kiba hurried over with Akamaru before Natsuki could leave.
"Recently, I feel like my connection with Akamaru has deepened. Could I have him spar with your Agumon?
"Maybe it will help Akamaru evolve... normally again." The last time in the Land of Waves, Akamaru's erroneous evolution into that zombie-like creature had been terrifying.
After returning, Akamaru's condition had stabilized after a period of adjustment, but he couldn't evolve anymore.
Kiba didn't want him to evolve into that violent creature again.
Thankfully, Natsuki had explained that Akamaru's faulty evolution was due to Kiba's own impatience.
As long as they both worked together, Akamaru wouldn't evolve into that horrifying form again, right?
"A spar? Sure.
"My Agumon has been a bit too energetic lately." Natsuki nodded and released Agumon's leash.
"Roar!" Agumon howled excitedly.
Without waiting for Natsuki's command, he charged towards Akamaru.
"Akamaru, dodge! Use Passing Fang!" Kiba quickly commanded.
He wouldn't underestimate the monster that had evolved and breathed fire in Natsuki's hands.
"Woof!" Akamaru dodged Agumon's lunge with a powerful leap.
Then, a fierce whirlwind arose as Akamaru transformed into a horizontal tornado, rapidly spinning towards Agumon.
"Agumon, use Babyflame!" Natsuki's voice came just in time. A dazzling flame gathered in Agumon's open mouth.
"There it is. Observe that strange summoning animal carefully." In the trees some distance from the training ground, two masked ninja intently watched Natsuki and the others.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage Tower, the Third Hokage was also closely observing the scene within a crystal ball.
The image within clearly showed Natsuki's training ground. It was the Third Hokage's signature jutsu: the Telescope Technique!
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