Chapter 72: Luna's Return and the Arrival of Mount Myōboku

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At the venue of the Chūnin Selection Exam, Hatake Kakashi and Jiraiya stood side by side in silence. Both were deep in thought about the growing threat posed by the Akatsuki organization.

According to Jiraiya, this group of S-rank rogue ninjas was unlike any other, infamous for their mysterious powers and sinister hobbies. Their real objective, however, was what set them apart—capturing the tailed beasts sealed within Jinchūriki. Despite the danger, the leadership of the Five Great Nations seemed strangely indifferent.

Kakashi couldn't shake his unease. But with Naruto under Jiraiya's wing and currently training on Mount Myōboku, he felt slightly more at ease. Jiraiya had deemed Naruto ready for higher-level training, particularly in senjutsu.

Mastering senjutsu was no easy feat. Even Kakashi, with his vast experience, found the combination of chakra nature transformation and techniques like Rasengan incredibly challenging. Minato himself hadn't completed the technique before his untimely death, and Jiraiya believed it was better for Naruto to focus on developing his senjutsu skills to enhance his survival rate.

Meanwhile, within the Akatsuki, Hidan and Deidara voiced their frustrations.

"Boss, everyone's talking about us," Deidara said. "But the villages don't seem as alarmed as they should be."

Hidan laughed mockingly. "Maybe they're just scared out of their minds!"

Payne remained stoic, unwilling to engage in their banter. However, he understood the situation. While the Akatsuki's activities had drawn attention, their low-profile strategy kept them from becoming direct targets of the Five Great Nations.

Elsewhere, the leaders of the great nations had their own secrets. Rumors swirled of past dealings with the Akatsuki, from Kirigakure's struggles under the control of the Fourth Mizukage to Iwagakure hiring the organization for covert missions. Even Konoha had its skeletons in the closet.

Back in Konoha, the anticipation for the final round of the Chūnin Exam reached its peak. The village buzzed with activity as daimyōs and dignitaries arrived in grand processions. The streets were lined with spectators eager to witness the matches.

In the audience, Hyūga Hinata sat nervously, her thoughts fixated on Naruto. Memories of their interactions during the earlier exams replayed in her mind, particularly the words he had said to her: "Hinata, I like people like you." She knew his words were meant as encouragement, but they lingered in her heart nonetheless.

As the first match was announced—Gaara versus Uzumaki Naruto—anxious murmurs spread among the crowd. But Naruto was nowhere to be seen.

"What's taking that idiot so long?" Uchiha Sasuke muttered, visibly frustrated.

In the audience, Haruno Sakura and Yamanaka Ino shared a similar worry. They had visited Naruto's house multiple times over the past month but found no trace of him.

"Do you think he's in danger?" Ino asked, her voice filled with concern.

"Don't jinx it!" Sakura snapped. "Naruto's fine. He has to be!"

Jiraiya, watching from a distance, frowned. "What's that brat doing? He should've been back by now."

Just as anxiety reached its peak, a loud boom silenced the crowd.

Smoke filled the arena as three massive toads appeared, one wielding a blade and puffing on a pipe. The spectators gasped in awe, recognizing them as the legendary Summoning beasts of Mount Myōboku.

Standing atop the largest toad was none other than Naruto himself. His confident grin and dramatic entrance left the audience stunned.

"He's back!" someone exclaimed.

On the high platform, Sarutobi Hiruzen breathed a sigh of relief. "It seems his training at Mount Myōboku went well."

Orochimaru, disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, narrowed his eyes. "So, he really went to Mount Myōboku… Interesting."

In the audience, Hinata felt her heart lighten as she saw Naruto. Beside her, Rock Lee marveled, "Naruto-kun knows how to make an entrance!"

Inuzuka Kiba scoffed, but even he couldn't hide his surprise. "That idiot… What kind of training did he go through?"

Back in the arena, the giant toad, Gamabunta, spoke. "Naruto, my mission here is done. Don't disappoint us—show them the strength of Mount Myōboku!"

With that, the toads vanished in a cloud of smoke, leaving Naruto standing confidently in the center of the arena.

"Sorry I'm late!" Naruto said, scratching the back of his head.

"Late? You made a scene on purpose!" Shikamaru sighed.

Naruto laughed, turning his attention to Gaara, who stared back with a sinister grin. "Don't worry," Naruto said, "I've gotten stronger. You'll see."

The crowd erupted in cheers as the final matches of the Chūnin Exam officially began. The stakes were higher than ever, but Naruto's return brought a wave of hope and excitement to Konoha.

For Naruto, it wasn't just about becoming a Chūnin—it was about proving himself to everyone who had doubted him. As he faced Gaara, his determination burned brighter than ever.

Unbeknownst to the crowd, however, the shadows of conspiracy loomed large over Konoha. Orochimaru's plans for destruction were already in motion, and the Akatsuki's schemes threatened to upend the balance of power in the ninja world.

But for now, all eyes were on the arena, where the legacy of Konoha's future was being forged.

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