ALL NOVEL Chapter 55: End of Practicals
After my brief encounter with Anko, I quickly made my way to where Sasuke and Sakura were waiting. Their expressions shifted from concern to relief when they saw me.
"Naruto, what happened?" Sakura asked, her brow furrowed with worry.
"It's nothing," I reassured her, waving a hand dismissively. "I got tangled up with some problems, but it's all dealt with now. Let's head to the tower."
Sasuke nodded, seemingly satisfied with my response, while Sakura remained slightly skeptical but chose not to press further. We took off together, sprinting through the dense forest of death, the urgency of the exam propelling us forward.
With each leap and bound, we moved in perfect synchronization, our training allowing us to navigate the terrain effortlessly. Before we knew it, we reached the tower, having completed the practicals in record time. The excitement bubbled within me at the thought of our success, knowing that we had not only overcome the challenges but had also set a new benchmark for speed.
As we entered the tower, the atmosphere was charged with the anticipation of the next stage of the Chunin Exams.I glanced at Sasuke and Sakura, their determination mirroring my own, and knew that whatever lay ahead, we would face it together.
After we completed the exam, we decided to wait for others but I left a shadow clone behind to keep an eye on things. I was eager to check on my girlfriends, so I used my invisibility cloak to slip away. My first stop was to find Hinata and her group.
"Naruto!" she exclaimed, her face lighting up as she ran toward me and wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. I gently patted her head, and her smile broadened in response.
"Hinata, did you get your other scroll? Did you get hurt?" I asked, concern evident in my voice.
She giggled at my worry. "No, Naruto! We were close to taking one, but the Sand shinobis got it and headed toward the tower."
"Oh, okay. I see. Did they do anything to you?"
"No, Naruto."
"Then keep hunting for those scrolls. I know you have the strength to handle any trouble that comes your way. Bye, Hinata." I leaned in and gave her a quick kiss.
"Bye, Kiba and Shino! Take care of Hinata."
"We will take care of her," Kiba assured me.
Feeling reassured, I continued my journey and soon ran into Tenten's group.
"Naruto!" Tenten called out, and just like Hinata, she rushed to hug me.
"Did you have any trouble?" I asked, echoing my previous concern.
"No, we actually have two scrolls already," she replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Great! Neji, Lee, how was the journey through the forest?" I asked the rest of the group.
"It was so good, Naruto!" Lee said enthusiastically, giving me a thumbs-up.
"Okay, then take care of Tenten," I said, giving her a farewell kiss as well.
Finally, I made my way to meet up with Ino. As with Hinata and Tenten, I wrapped her in a warm embrace and checked in on her.
"Did you run into any issues?" I asked.
"No, everything went smoothly!" she replied, her face glowing.
"Good to hear. Take care, Ino." I leaned in to kiss her goodbye.
With each encounter, I felt a mix of pride and relief. My girls were strong and capable, and I knew they could handle themselves in the trials ahead. As I made my way back to my clone, I felt a renewed sense of determination to support my team and loved ones through the rest of the exams.
After my meet-ups with my girlfriends, I made my way back to the tower the same way I had slipped out. Once inside, we settled in and waited for what felt like ages. After an hour of anticipation, the Sand shinobis arrived, with Temari leading the way.
"Hello, you guys! We're the second to pass the exam," she announced, her tone a mix of surprise and curiosity.
"Yes, Temari, we passed about an hour ago," I replied, a grin on my face. I could see her confusion; she clearly thought they would be the first ones to finish.
"That's impressive! I didn't think you guys would finish so quickly," she said, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.
I took the opportunity to chat with her, wanting to strengthen our bond. As we talked, I realized how easy it was for me to connect with girls, a trait I inherited from my parents, Minato and Kushina. We shared laughs and exchanged stories about our respective teams, creating a comfortable atmosphere.
Slowly, one by one, other teams entered the tower. With each arrival, the energy in the room shifted as shinobis from different villages exchanged greetings, boasts, and occasional challenges. Over the next five days, the anticipation continued to build as we prepared for the next phase of the Chunin Exams.
During this time, I kept an eye on my team and my friends, ensuring everyone was ready and focused. Conversations flowed freely, and I made it a point to check in with my teammates and girlfriends, encouraging them and sharing strategies for the upcoming challenges.
As the days passed, I felt a sense of camaraderie developing among us all. Despite the fierce competition, the shared experiences and stories forged bonds that would last beyond the exams. Whether it was a friendly rivalry or supportive encouragement, the atmosphere in the tower was charged with excitement and determination.
Finally, the day arrived when we would learn what the next part of the exam would entail. I could sense that everyone was on edge, ready to tackle whatever challenges lay ahead, and I was determined to face them head-on with my team by my side.
As Anko's voice echoed through the tower, a wave of relief and excitement washed over us. "The second part of the exam is over; you guys all passed!" she declared, her usual energetic demeanor shining through.
Cheers erupted from various teams, and I could see the relief on my teammates' faces. Sakura let out a sigh of relief, while Sasuke remained stoic, his focus unwavering. I couldn't help but grin at the news.