Naruto: The new beginning

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"Huh? Neji, Tenten, Lee, you're back too!" Naruto greeted the trio with a big grin when they arrived.

"Yeah," Neji responded with his usual composure. "Thanks to Tenten's tools."

Lee gave a thumbs-up and nodded enthusiastically. "That's right! We hid inside Tenten's shield and managed to hold out!"

Tenten immediately knocked on Lee's head, correcting him. "Shield? It's a defensive barrier, not a turtle shell!"

"Is that so?"

"Of course! Apologize to the shield that saved your life!"

"Sorry!"

Naruto laughed along with Sasuke and Sakura, enjoying the cheerful banter of their friends. Their group always seemed to find joy even in tense moments.

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"Hey! You're still alive, Big Forehead Girl?" Ino called out, her tone teasing but filled with relief.

Hearing Ino's voice, Sakura's initial happiness shifted to mock annoyance. "What did you just say? If anyone's dying here, it's you, Ino-pig!"

As the two bickered, it was obvious to anyone watching that the insults were their unique way of expressing concern for each other.

Those unfamiliar with their dynamic might have mistaken it for genuine animosity.

This time, however, Shikamaru didn't complain about how troublesome women were.

Instead, Naruto noticed Temari standing nearby, her presence explaining Shikamaru's silence.

"Looks like the hero was saved by the heroine this time," Naruto muttered under his breath.

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Back in the lounge, Fū joined them, her energetic nature brightening the atmosphere. "Let's play a game! How about cards? Or dominoes? Or maybe musical chairs?"

The group exchanged amused glances before Naruto shrugged. "Cards it is."

"Yay!" Fū plopped onto a chair, swinging her legs excitedly as they dealt the cards.

The evening passed with laughter and camaraderie until Hōichi and Yōrō dragged Fū away, her face covered in notes from their game.

"Let go of me! I finally had a good hand!" she protested, flailing as her teammates hauled her off.

After Fū left, Naruto shut the door and chuckled quietly. He suddenly recalled a vow he had made during the Chūnin Exams.

He had sworn that if he ever played cards with a Uchiha, he'd act like a dog if he lost. While Sasuke hadn't cheated, Naruto felt his oath still stood.

Sasuke, however, overheard Naruto's canine imitation but chose not to call him out on it, smirking slightly in the corner.

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The following morning, all the exam candidates gathered in the square.

Standing on a high platform, Gaara addressed the crowd. "Thank you for your efforts. Unfortunately, the Chūnin Exams have been suspended due to unforeseen circumstances."

"What?"

"Why?"

The candidates buzzed with frustration, upset at having endured so much hardship only to face an indefinite pause.

Gaara continued, his tone steady. "However, your performance will be evaluated in detailed reports sent to your village leaders. Promotions will be determined based on their judgment."

Hope flickered back into the candidates' eyes. Even if the exams were cancelled, their efforts might still be recognized.

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Before leaving, Fū approached Naruto. "I can't leave my village easily, but if you're ever near Takigakure, come visit me! I will give you an unforgettable night"

Naruto handed her a kunai. "That sounds strange... Anyways Here. A gift. I can't remember how the Akatsuki captured Chōmei, but if anyone tries, they'll get a surprise."

Fū's eyes widened with joy. "This is my first gift ever! Thank you!" Without hesitation, she leapt forward, wrapping herself around Naruto in a tight hug.

"Okay, okay! Enough hugging!" Naruto flailed awkwardly, feeling Hinata's piercing gaze from behind.

Fū finally let go, spinning playfully in the air. "But I didn't prepare a gift for you! What should I do?"

Naruto waved her off. "Don't worry about it. Your gratitude is enough."

"Got it!" Fū beamed, tossing her red backpack into Naruto's arms. "Everything I brought is in here. Consider it my gift!"

As her teammates called her, Fū backflipped away, waving cheerfully. "Goodbye! I'm so glad I met you all!"

Naruto stared at the bag, unsure what to do. Sakura leaned over, teasing him. "Looks like someone got a bag filled with sentimental goodies!"

"Uh…" Naruto swallowed nervously, unsure how to respond.

Hinata stepped forward, her voice soft but pointed. "Naruto-kun, you've made a wonderful friend."

Naruto broke into a cold sweat. "Hinata-chan, could you… um… hold onto this bag for me? My hands are full."

Hinata tilted her head but agreed, smiling.

Suddenly, Lee burst into the scene, declaring passionately, "Naruto! How could you pass off your burden to someone else? Youth demands—"

Wham! Tenten silenced him with a swift punch. "He's fine. Don't mind him."

Despite the chaos, Hinata chuckled, her earlier jealousy fading. She understood Fū's sincerity and trusted Naruto's heart.

As the group prepared to return to Konoha, Naruto tugged playfully at Hinata's cheeks, teasing her for her brief act of possessiveness. "Who taught you to pout like that?"

"No one!" Hinata protested, laughing as she ran ahead.

Naruto chased after her, shouting, "Admit it!"

In the sealed space, Kurama yawned, watching the scene with mild amusement. "Humans are so strange," he muttered. "Didn't this kid once tell me that the prettiest women are also the most cunning?"

Nearby, Asuma lit a cigarette and sighed. "Ah, youth…"

Kurenai side-eyed him, smirking. "We're still young too, aren't we?"

Asuma scratched his head awkwardly.

Meanwhile, Gai appeared, challenging Kakashi for a race back to Konoha. Kakashi, engrossed in his book, merely flipped a page and replied, "Pass. I'm busy."

If Naruto had been there, he would have muttered, "Classic Kakashi copying even Shino's stoic lines."

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