"Oh, it's Naruto."
Following the sounds from the crowd, Huang immediately found the blond boy who called him.
However, judging from the tone of his voice, there was no sense of familiarity like the last time he had not seen each other for a long time, and it was more of a plain greeting of an old friend meeting.
This change started from the meeting three months ago.
Following the trajectory of history, Uzumaki Naruto at that time had already found his most important enlightenment teacher, Umino Iruka, and also formed the Kakashi class after graduation.
The bond and affection between him and Konoha, and the people of this village will become deeper and deeper.
Therefore, after such a 'game', the two of them will be destined to become strangers, or even enemies.
The country of Tang is preparing for war;
The Kingdom of Tian is preparing for war;
The country of bears is preparing for war;
The empty area is preparing for war...
The forces connected around it are all preparing for the upcoming war!
This is something that is ready to go! !
"I didn't expect you to have become a qualified ninja, congratulations."
Looking at the little Kyuubi who pushed through the crowd and stood in front of him, he continued to speak politely.
However, even the words 'congratulations' seemed so formal and bland.
Uzumaki Naruto, who was in a state of joy, probably did not notice the change in the tone of his predecessor, but directly raised his right hand to support the Konoha forehead protector worn on his forehead, and replied confidently and proudly:
"Hey, of course."
"However, since you also want to participate in this trial, let's meet in the finals."
He dropped the declaration of challenge directly.
It is an encouragement and encouragement to the young man in front of me and to myself.
"When the time comes, I won't give in."
"Recently, I developed a super powerful ninjutsu!"
As if he felt that his momentum was not enough, Xiao Jiuwei continued to add.
The confident attitude shown, coupled with the sunshine falling on the cheeks, has a gleaming feeling.
Not overwhelmed by life, curses, or hostility, he finally found the meaning of existence and established a bond.
If the Fourth Hokage were in power, this boy would definitely live a better life.
Maybe, they can also become real friends.
Huang's thoughts were dazed for a moment, but he quickly dispelled such thoughts.
"I heard it mentioned by the tribe, it seems to be called [the art of seduction]?"
"But that doesn't work for me."
Listening to the confident show off of the little guy in front of him, Huang noticed the word 'creation' mentioned in the words.
[Jutsu of Seduction], this should be the strongest ninjutsu throughout the whole process, right?
Moreover, there are still people who will succeed.
"!"
Being exposed in public like this made Naruto's face turn red.
"no no!"
"Absolutely not!!"
"decisive battle,"
"You will be able to witness it when the decisive battle comes!!"
"So, don't be eliminated in this second assessment."
Uzumaki Naruto's cheeks flushed and he denied wildly, and issued a preemptive invitation to fight.
At the same time, as if to dispel the current awkward situation, he decisively moved the topic away.
"Huang, are they your companions this time?"
As he spoke, Xiao Jiuwei shifted his gaze and landed on the girl with long black hair.
"I remember, you were called Izumi, Uchiha Izumi."
"Right?"
He searched hard for memories, and finally found the girl's name among the few good memories.
One noon many years ago, the three of them had hot ramen together at Ichiraku Ramen Stall.
Although there was no communication throughout the whole process.
"Well, long time no see, Naruto-kun."
In response, Uchiha Izumi said hello simply and plainly.
Because it can be felt,
Feeling the alienation shown by Huang.
Thinking back to the collision that will erupt between the family and the village in the near future, it is undoubtedly the best way to keep distance from now, or even to cut off the bond.
"haven't seen you for a long time."
"Sister Quan, you are still so beautiful."
During the response, Uzumaki Naruto also showed rare restraint and seriousness, without any trace of his usual naughty appearance.
Then he also set his sights on the third person in the team.
"Kurama Yakumo."
"my name."
As if sensing the former's probing gaze, the girl standing on the left side of the desert directly announced her home.
The girl's voice is very gentle, like soft marshmallow, but apart from this softness, the most perceptible thing is the confidence contained in her tone.
A kind of confidence to compete with the geniuses present!
[The Kurama clan has been silent for many years, right? 】
[Then, it’s time to re-establish ourselves on the stage of the ninja world. 】
[If you want, come with me tomorrow. 】
[Of course, you can also choose to refuse. 】
This was what the young man in front of her said to her after knocking on the door last night.
Just saying "It's time for the Kurama clan to re-enter the ninja stage" made his calm mind excited.
A certain belief in my heart became even stronger.
As an integral part of Konoha, as an ancient clan that has contributed countless strength to Konoha and made great achievements in battle.
However, when it declined, it was not able to receive the support it deserved as a veteran-level hero. Instead, it was simply designated as a marginal piece of land far away from the center of politics and power as the clan land.
Kurama Yakumo didn't know how to judge whether this approach was right or wrong.
After all, the rules of the ninja world are all based on profit.
But without the help he received in Konoha, he began to gradually improve after meeting the person in front of him.
Ido's expulsion, his improving health, and the family's promise to return to the stage of the ninja world!
I would like to ask, which ninja family that has once been glorious, which wealthy family that has been passed down to this day, is really willing to sink and be buried forever?
But Konoha,
Their clan had paid so much for Konoha, but had received nothing in return.
Not even the simplest promise.
When you use it, you need it, and you are as close as a brother; when you don't use it, you put it aside and ignore it.
This is the typical fate of a declining family like theirs.
Of course, with Kurama Yakumo's intelligence, he naturally understands the deeper meaning of the other party's words. Once he chooses to go with him, it means that it is completely contrary to the will of Konoha's current high-level officials.
There is no turning back.
For this reason, the person also gave an option that could be denied.
but.
"I do."
Kurama Yakumo looked straight into the man's black pupils and answered without any hesitation.
The reason is simple.
Because the other party brought hope to her in the darkest period of her life, he will definitely be able to bring a future to the family behind her! !
Even if it’s just a moment of glory like a phoenix’s nirvana,
That is better than sinking on the edge of Konoha forever and becoming an ordinary person that no one knows.
This is also the biggest difference between the ninja clan and ordinary people.
For the latter, peace and joy are a perfect life; for the former, you must use all your strength to push your surname into the most dazzling light and shadow!
[Would you like to discuss this with Patriarch Cong Yun? 】
The girl's answer really made Huang's thoughts sluggish for a moment.
Because this seemingly weak girl made too decisive a decision this time, and it has changed a lot from the weak and pretended calm look she had when they first met.
Moreover, he was also worried that the other party did not have time to think about the consequences of such an affirmative choice, and just agreed to everything based on the friendship during this period.
After all, the core figures of the two families formed a team. Such a structure was too sensitive and directly meant that the two families were completely bound together.
However, when Ara noticed Kurama Yakumo's unflinching and firm gaze, he knew that he was wrong.
The girl in front of him is no longer the girl he met five years ago.
Rather, he is the leader who will lead a clan and be responsible for the rise and fall of the clan!
This was also what Kurama Congyun announced in the clan on the days when he left Konoha.
In the future, the development of the Kurama clan and the Kurama clan's decision to unite with external parties will be left in the hands of Kurama Yakumo, who has awakened to the limits of family inheritance.
[Well, I was wrong. 】
[The head of the Yakumo clan. 】
The young man responded sincerely.
certainly,
The most important reason why Ara agreed to take on the last mission arranged by Sarutobi Hiruzen and directly asked him to choose his companions was precisely because of the Kurama clan.
The former patriarch of this clan, Kurama Congyun, had spoken out, questioned and vetoed many things against himself and the clan behind him.
Although the voice from a declining family could not make any waves in those important meetings, it gave Huang a lot of courage and warmth.
"Kama?"
"It's the Kurama clan who is rumored to be on par with the Uchiha clan in genjutsu!"
"It seems like I haven't heard from this clan for a long time..."
Just after Kurama Yakumo introduced himself, there was a girl's exclamation.
Following the sound and looking towards the source, I saw that the speaker was a girl with long pink hair who had reached the forefront of the group of genin.
Judging from her current appearance and posture, she was probably trying to catch a certain companion who was behaving a little recklessly.
[This idiot Naruto, didn't he see the looks of the ninjas from other ninja villages around him who were about to kill them? 】
[Have you not fully absorbed the lesson of declaring war on all the contestants in the classroom of the first assessment? 】
[Why are you approaching an arrogant guy now who promised to be surrounded by all the promotion teams? 】
Just by looking at his expression, you can get a rough idea of what he is thinking.
However, before some of the questions in the girl's mind were answered, she noticed the eyes on her and suddenly put her hands on her abdomen and bowed slightly towards the new team.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to offend, but I was a little surprised when I heard Kurama's last name just now."
She expressed her apologies. After all, she also knew that no ninja from a noble family wanted their family to be criticized by others.
Apologize decisively because you don’t want to cause unnecessary hostility on the part of the person who came.
Because she also heard the warnings given by the examiner before and kept them in mind.
"nothing."
In response, Kurama Yakumo just responded softly and said nothing more.
After all, the other party was also a ninja belonging to Konoha, and this silly-looking blond boy from the same team also knew Ara.
When Naruto Uzumaki on the side saw the girl coming out, he couldn't hold back the restlessness in his heart and couldn't wait to introduce:
"Ara, this lovely girl is Sakura, Haruno Sakura."
"My teammate is also the ninja with the best written test scores among her classmates. Not only that, her utilization of chakra is also perfect. Even Kakashi-sensei has praised her more than once."
He looked like he was very proud of his treasures, counting them one by one.
However, such a direct introduction not only made the girl named Haruno Sakura blush, but also caused strange looks from the competing ninjas around her.
In such a big environment, he actually directly exposed the strength of his companions. I really don't know whether to call him naive or stupid.
"Well, first time meeting."
In response, Huang just nodded slightly to show his understanding.
"That guy is as stupid as ever."
Nara Shikamaru, who had already ducked to the 'safe zone', murmured to himself.
Suddenly, as if he thought of something again, his eyes suddenly widened, and the emotions on his face became extremely complicated.
"That stupid guy probably knows the connection between Sasuke and the Uchiha clan and wouldn't mention it casually, right?"
"I guess so?"
His voice became unnatural and worried.
After all, although it was true that that guy was a complete idiot, at least he had added some jokes to his school life, and he was also part of a four-person team that skipped classes.
Well, if Akamaru is included, there will be five people skipping class.
But whatever you worry about, something will happen.
After introducing his teammate, Haruno Sakura, Uzumaki Naruto suddenly seemed to remember something. After a moment of tangled emotions, he finally chose to turn sideways and pointed to the person who was still in the crowd. Choose a cool guy who comes forward.
"Here."
"That's my other teammate: Sasuke, Uchiha Sasuke."
"Although he doesn't have much strength, he has a cool face, so he keeps silent all day long and pretends to be cool."
"But he has a special ability called Sharingan!"
Just when it comes to Sharingan,
Uzumaki Naruto suddenly seemed to be waking up from a dream, looking at the young man in front of him in amazement and said:
"Uchiha, Sharingan, Ara, is he a member of your clan?"
[That idiot really doesn’t know the origin. 】
[Trouble. 】
In the distance, listening to the surprised voice of the little Kyuubi, Nara Shikamaru kept hesitating, and showed an expression of wishing for blessings.
Hearing this, Ara did not respond to Naruto's shock and surprise. His gaze went straight across the crowd and landed on the named sinner brother.
"Oh? Are you still using this last name, Sasuke?"
This was the first time he had looked at that person, and it was also the first time he had a conversation, with sarcasm in his voice.
Of course, they had met on the streets of Konoha over the years, but every time they were just strangers.
Because both the Sandaime Hokage and Kakashi-senpai were protecting him, because at that time Ara was also struggling with what kind of attitude he should use towards this guy.
but now,
This protective umbrella is no longer strong.
And he also thought about how to deal with his brother, who was a traitor to the family.
