NOVEL WEB Chapter 39: Chapter 39
It had rained heavily the night before, washing away the lingering summer heat. The swaying green willows danced in the cool breeze, welcoming the freshness of a late summer rainy day.
In the middle of a small dirt courtyard where a few rows of cabbages were planted, there stood a modest pavilion. Beneath it, a simple wooden table held four steaming teacups.
Several shinobi stood quietly around the perimeter, but none dared to get too close. The people in the pavilion weren't ones to eavesdrop on lightly.
"Any updates on the Asuma incident?"The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, asked coldly, his sharp gaze fixed on three familiar faces—his old teammates and now fellow village elders: Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane.
Koharu shook her head. "I've been handling internal village matters. I haven't had time to investigate."Mitokado adjusted his glasses and said calmly, "You'll have to ask Danzo. I don't have any elite shinobi under my command, so I can't gather intel like that."
Sarutobi's eyes shifted toward Danzo, his expression unreadable.
Danzo gulped nervously and cursed Koharu and Homura in his heart. He'd given those two plenty of favors over the years, and now they were tossing him under the bus?
"Danzo," Hiruzen said in a controlled voice, "what did your Root uncover?"
"Give me a little more time," Danzo replied quickly. "We traced the leak to the Land of Lightning, but we haven't pinpointed the source. I've already dispatched Root agents. There's no need to worry."
"No need to worry?"The Third Hokage slammed his hand on the table, his rare burst of anger silencing the courtyard. "How can I not worry when there's a traitor inside Konoha?"
If there's a traitor in your household, Sarutobi, you'll wish you had worried sooner, Danzo seethed internally. But he didn't dare show defiance now. For all his scheming, he knew this gentle-looking old man could be far more ruthless than even he was.
"I understand," Danzo said carefully. "I'll find out who's responsible. I just need more time."
"Then get to it. Issue a public statement to refute the rumors, and start promoting the upcoming joint Chunin Exams. Use the hype to drown out the gossip."
The Third Hokage had already thoroughly investigated the situation. He'd questioned every Anbu present during the incident, and even spoken with Hiashi Hyuga and Shikaku Nara, both of whom denied any leaks.
Only one person remained uninvestigated.
Could it be… Naruto?
But that made no sense. Naruto had only left the village once in his life and was under Anbu surveillance nearly 24/7. Hiruzen even checked on the boy himself from time to time.
He's the least likely person to be involved.
"Ahh…"The Third Hokage sighed deeply, a rare moment of melancholy overtaking him.
For such a scandal to erupt right before the Chunin Exams—an event meant to showcase Konoha and Sunagakure's combined strength—it was a disaster. The entire shinobi world was probably laughing at them.
Any hope of promoting Asuma as the Fifth Hokage was likely finished.
And this might even draw out Itachi...
Damn it, Asuma. Play with dolls all you want, but why did you have to make it look like Sasuke?!
What a cursed family this is…
By noon, the rain had cleared, and warm sunlight blanketed the village.
Naruto Uzumaki dragged a newly purchased lounge chair onto the rickety balcony of his apartment, ready to soak up the sun. He'd barely settled in when a knock came at the door.
He didn't even need to guess—it had to be Sakura.
Not wanting to deal with her yet again, Naruto slipped on an eye mask and pretended to sleep.
BANG BANG BANG!
The knocking got louder. Sakura's voice rang out from outside.
"Naruto! Open up! I've got something important to tell you!"
What now…
Yawning, Naruto rolled over, slipped on his sandals, and opened the door slowly.
"What is it this time?"
"That watermelon-rind-looking guy—what's his name?—he came to the hospital today!" Sakura said excitedly. "Kakashi-sensei asked him to register us for the Chunin Exams!"
"The Chunin Exams?"Naruto's eyelids drooped. So the time has finally come, he thought. It took long enough.
"I heard Class 8 and Class 10 signed up too," Sakura added as she walked in. She glanced around his dusty apartment, then sighed and grabbed a rag. "Didn't I clean this just two days ago?!"
"I didn't notice," Naruto replied.
"And what about all these takeout boxes? At least throw them out when you're done eating."
"I'll toss them when I head out later."
Naruto leaned against the wall, watching Sakura fuss over his place like she owned it. Ever since she'd started coming around, she treated his apartment like her second home.
"I heard a bunch of shinobi from other villages arrived today," Sakura said, turning toward him. "Want to go check them out with me?"
Naruto blinked. Other village ninjas? That could mean rewards... definitely worth a look.
"Sure," he said casually.
"Wait—did you just say yes?!" Sakura blinked in disbelief. "You… actually agreed?!"
"What? If you don't want to go together, we can just go separately." Naruto clipped on his gear pouch.
"No, no, let's go!" Sakura beamed, her eyes curving into cheerful crescents. She was so used to Naruto refusing her that she barely believed her ears. Could this mean… Naruto finally wants to be with me?
Feeling giddy, she reached for Naruto's arm to hold it—but he stepped aside.
"Wait a second!"
"What now?! Don't tell me you're backing out!"
"No. I just want you to take out the trash while I wash my face."
"Ugh! Naruto, you make me do everything!"
Despite her whining, she still obeyed and took the trash downstairs.
By the time Naruto finished washing up and joined her, she had already tossed the garbage. She immediately rushed toward him again, aiming to grab his arm—but once again, he dodged her.
"Why are you always dodging me lately?" Sakura asked, clearly annoyed.
"Because you keep trying to touch me."
"So? Can't I?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because you're still a kid, Sakura."
Naruto's blunt rejection made Sakura pout and sulk.
As they walked through Konoha's busy streets, Naruto noticed several unfamiliar faces. Foreign shinobi were everywhere.
Then he spotted one wearing a headband with a musical note symbol.
Naruto smirked. Orochimaru's people are here. I wonder if he came in person...
As he pondered that, a familiar voice interrupted him.
"UZUMAKI NARUTO! PREPARE TO DIE!"
Not this kid again...
Naruto sighed as Konohamaru came charging toward him like usual. With practiced ease, Naruto stepped forward and punted him with a light kick.
"OWWW! That hurts!"
As Konohamaru tumbled away, two figures appeared from around the corner. One was a blonde girl in a short, sleeveless dress and fishnet shirt. The other was an odd-looking guy in baggy clothing, strange face paint, and a giant bandaged object on his back—like he was carrying a mummy.
Both wore Sand Village headbands.
"You Konoha Genin looking for a fight?"The strange boy—Kankuro—glared as he picked Konohamaru up by the collar.