Chapter 26

Naruto was currently in the Hokage's office with Shikamaru. Opposing them was Tsunade Senju, the Godaime Hokage. Next to Tsunade stood Shizune as her assistant.

Tsunade said, "I called you here today to tell you the result of the chunin exams. Because of your success in the exam, you both have become chunin now. Congratulations." She told Shizune something with her gaze, after she finished saying.

Shizune then smiled as she handed the flak jackets she was holding to Naruto and Shikamaru, "These are your flak jackets. It is not required to be worn, but it is recommended as it provides extra protection."

New chunin duo took their flak jackets, bowed to the Hokage, and left the room.

Shikamaru and Naruto parted ways after a short chat. Naruto made his way to the hospital to meet his team.

Sasuke suffered a lot of physical and psychological injuries, after the fight with Itachi. So he was in the hospital for a while.

When Naruto entered the hospital room where Sasuke was staying. Sasuke was lying in bed, and Sakura and Kakashi standing next to him.

"Oh? Naruto, are you chunin? Congratulations." Kakashi looked up for a moment from the book he was reading and said.

"Did Naruto become chunin?" Sakura and Sasuke thought.

"Yes, I did. Thank you sensei." Naruto said.

"Why didn't they make me, when they make chunin someone like you?" Sasuke asked with obvious hatred on his face.

"I don't know, maybe it's because you're not strong enough to be a chunin?" Naruto frowned in response.

"You! All right, let's fight. In this way, I will defeat you and show both them and you how strong I am!" Sasuke said sullenly.

Naruto turned his eyes to Kakashi for confirmation. He said, after seeing Kakashi nod in agreement, "Okay, let's fight on the roof."

Sasuke and Naruto faced each other, when they got to the roof. Kakashi and Sakura were waiting by the door to watch the two of them fight.

Sasuke started running towards Naruto as his eyes changed to the two-comma sharingan. As he got closer, he slammed his fist in Naruto's face.

Naruto grabbed the incoming fist with one hand while hitting the elbow of his other arm against Sasuke's chin. But Sasuke also blocked the incoming elbow with his hand.

After the two of them fought for a while, Sasuke couldn't take it anymore and used chidori in his hand. He then started running towards Naruto with his hand covered in lightning.

Naruto squinted his eyes as he looked at the chidori who had come to him. Then, he quickly reached out as Sasuke got closer and grabbed his arm, throwing him against the wall.

Sasuke's hand had gone into the wall and was stuck there.

Kakashi thought while looking at him, "I didn't think he would use this technique against his ally. This is no longer a practice fight."

"Okay, that's enough." Kakashi said as he stepped between the two who looked like they were about to fight again.

Sasuke grunted angrily, then jumped off the roof and disappeared.

Kakashi stared after Sasuke for a while, then followed him with a sigh. Sakura, on the other hand, sadly walked down the stairs with tears in her eyes.

"I know you're watching us. Better not forget your promise. I'll expect you to keep your word in a few days." Naruto said while looking at Jiraiya's hiding place.

"This brat! He shows no respect for me!" Jiraiya thought.

Naruto then went to Ichiraku Ramen, where he was going to meet someone.

He met Hinata and Karin when he got there, who were waiting for him.

"Good evening, let's eat." Naruto said as he approached them.

The three of them sat on the chairs, with Naruto sitting in the middle.

"Since I am a chunin today, I will pay for the meals for today." Naruto said with a smile.

"Are you a Chuunin? Congratulations Naruto!" Hinata said with a smile.

"Naruto, I congratulate you." Karin said.

"Oh? So you became a chunin? Then 15% off today as a gift for my favorite customer." Teuchi said, smiling from behind the counter.

"Thank you Teuchi-san! Then I won't be leaving here tonight until my stomach is completely filled!" Naruto said with a grin.

A while after everyone had said their orders, Ayame came out with a tray in her hand. She smiled as she placed the ramen on the tray in front of them, "I heard you're chuunin, congratulations."

"Thank you, Ayame." Naruto said while remembering what happened in the past.

In the past, Ayame had told that she loved him. Later, Naruto told her that he wanted to have a big family in the future and therefore there was a possibility of starting a harem. He also mentioned two of his girlfriends who had already admitted to this situation.

At first, Ayame was stunned by the situation. She then turned and fled with a look of disappointment on her face.

She acted strangely when they met after that day. But as time passed, she came to her senses and they were now able to speak properly.

Naruto and the other two girls were happily chatting while they ate their meals. But what they didn't realize was that Ayame sometimes stared at them for a while and then resumed what she was doing.

Teuchi had realized long ago that his daughter loved someone. Then one day he realized that his daughter had come home crying. Now, seeing his daughter watching Naruto and his companions sadly, he took a deep sigh and continued his work.

After all three of them had their meals, they went towards the compound where Hinata lived. After leaving her there, Naruto and Karin went towards the Uzumaki mansion while chatting with each other.

At first, only Karin and Naruto lived in the Uzumaki mansion. But Naruto invited Anko to live with them this morning.

Anko initially declined the invitation because he thought they couldn't do the thing with Karin there. But then, she happily accepted after Naruto told her about the seal of silence.