Evening.
"Is this Konoha, one of the five great ninja villages? It's truly prosperous!"
Hozuki Suigetsu walked along the most prosperous commercial street in Konoha with his hands clasped behind his head, marveling at the bustling scene of the great ninja village.
With Suigetsu's restless nature, he certainly couldn't stay quietly in the Konoha inn and sleep.
As soon as dinnertime arrived, he dragged Kimimaro to the commercial street, saying he wanted to experience Konoha's cuisine and, incidentally, see if he could encounter any Konoha ninja for a sparring session.
"Suigetsu, what do you actually want to eat?"
Although the commercial street wasn't long, they had already walked from one end to the other. Seeing that Hozuki Suigetsu still hadn't decided what to eat, Kimimaro couldn't help it anymore.
"Uh... let me see..."
Hozuki Suigetsu scratched his head and looked at the shops around him with disappointment, saying, "I didn't expect there to be no dessert shops here. Where is my favorite pudding jelly!"
If he hadn't been hungry himself, Kimimaro would have really wanted to leave. After so many years, Suigetsu's personality was still the same, which was truly unbearable.
"Let's just eat something casual. There's an important exam tomorrow... That shop over there looks quite good."
Kimimaro pointed to a ramen shop by the roadside and then walked towards it without waiting for Suigetsu, as if he had sensed a familiar chakra.
"Hey! I don't like eating ramen, I want pudding jelly!"
Hozuki Suigetsu tried to call Kimimaro back, but the latter was unmoved.
"Forget it! As long as it's not dried squid, I can accept anything else!"
Although Konoha village was somewhat crowded, Ichiraku Ramen still didn't have many customers. After all, only some people liked ramen.
Swish...
After a short period of queuing and getting a number, Kimimaro and Hozuki Suigetsu lifted the curtain and entered the shop.
"Tomorrow! Tomorrow is the day I, Uzumaki Naruto, will showcase the results of these three months. I will definitely make everyone recognize my strength!"
That familiar voice, the recognizable blonde hair, and those foolish lines instantly made Kimimaro recognize Naruto.
Kyuubi's subordinate!
Kimimaro was quite familiar with Kyuubi, who often came to the base to mooch for food. Although he was a bit scared at first, he had gotten used to it over time.
Kimimaro had naturally heard about Kyuubi's talkative subordinate, and he remembered that the little blonde had seemed to be dragged to take a bath by Toneri last time.
He didn't expect the other party to be a Konoha ninja. He hadn't been wearing a forehead protector when he saw him last time, so it seemed he would be one of the opponents in the Chunin Exams.
Kimimaro was about to greet him, as he was Kyuubi's subordinate. However, Hozuki Suigetsu next to him saw someone and instantly dashed forward, saying to that person,
"Yo! Isn't this the guy I pinned to the ground and beat? I remember your name is Sasuke, right?"
Hearing his name called, Sasuke turned around coldly and looked at Hozuki Suigetsu, saying, "Who are you?"
"Hahaha, you don't even recognize me? I am the one who last time..."
"I never remember the names of the weak."
"Damn it! What did you say! Do you want to be beaten again!" Hozuki Suigetsu clenched his fists and threatened Sasuke. Although the other party had more people, he was not afraid, because Kimimaro was behind him!
Sasuke put down his bowl and said coldly, "Do you think I'm afraid of you?"
The two looked at each other face to face, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense. Teuchi was afraid that these two brats would start fighting in his shop. In that case, he might have to teach these two boys a lesson with his rolling pin!
"Um... I say, do you guys know each other?" Rock Lee whispered to Naruto's ear.
Today was the last day of their Team Three and Team Seven's special training, so they had agreed to come to Ichiraku Ramen for a meal. However, it was only the boys; the girls had teamed up and gone to a dessert shop.
"Well..."
Naruto scratched his head and looked at Hozuki Suigetsu, lost in thought, as if recalling something.
"Oh! I remember now, you're the one who beat Sasuke to a pulp in the cave!"
Hozuki Suigetsu grinned and said, "You finally recognize me? You have good taste, I appreciate you!"
Naruto grinned, but after noticing Sasuke's murderous gaze, he quickly covered his mouth.
What a liability of a teammate!
Sasuke couldn't say anything about Naruto in his heart. He raised his bandaged left hand and gestured to Suigetsu, "To the training ground?"
Hozuki Suigetsu chuckled and said, "Lead the way."
After saying that, the two walked out of Ichiraku Ramen, one after the other.
"Wait for me, Sasuke!" Naruto swallowed the ramen in his bowl and chased after Sasuke.
Rock Lee's eyes sparkled as he watched Naruto and the others' retreating backs and said, "What passionate youth! Neji, let's follow them and see!"
Neji had been paying attention to Kimimaro the entire time. After Kimimaro arrived, he hadn't even taken another bite of the ramen in his bowl.
"Who is this guy? Why does he put so much pressure on me? Is he from the Mist Village? It seems this Chunin Exam is not to be underestimated." Neji thought to himself.
Since the Cage Bird seal had been removed, Neji's talent had been further unearthed. It was as if the cage that bound his heart had disappeared, and he became proficient in practicing any ninjutsu.
However, facing Kimimaro, Neji couldn't help but ask, "Are you also here to participate in the Chunin Exams?"
"Perhaps."
Kimimaro said faintly, then turned and walked in the direction Suigetsu had left. He remembered that their boss had told them something.
Those who speak ambiguously are usually masters!
"Neji, what should we do? Should we tell Guy-sensei? Tomorrow is the Chunin Exams, and if..." Although Rock Lee was passionate, he wasn't stupid. He was more worried about Naruto and Sasuke's safety.
"Hoo, let's follow them and see what happens."
If possible, Neji himself wanted to spar with Kimimaro and test his skills, otherwise, it would be very troublesome to encounter such a person during the exam.
After everyone left, Teuchi seemed to remember something and was about to chase after them with his rolling pin.
"Hey, you brats haven't paid for the ramen yet!"
...
Konoha Training Ground 123, streetlights flickered on, dispelling the surrounding darkness.
"Hey, can we start now?" Hozuki Suigetsu said impatiently.
"So much nonsense!"
"Heh, I see you're all bandaged up. Do you need me to go easy on you with one hand?"
Sasuke lightly clenched his left hand and said coldly, "You don't need to worry about that. This injury has long since healed. Otherwise, I wouldn't be participating in tomorrow's exam."
"Then I can rest assured!"
"Water Style: Water Gun Jutsu!"
Swish!
Sasuke's vision blurred. Hozuki Suigetsu, who had been in front of him, had appeared behind him at some point, pointing his right hand in the shape of a gun at his forehead.
Body Flicker Technique!
This guy's strength has indeed increased a lot!
Crack!
Without holding back, a chakra water bubble condensed from liquid pierced Sasuke's brain, but Hozuki Suigetsu showed no triumphant expression.
Bang!
A puff of white smoke emerged, and the Sasuke in front of him turned into a log. Just as Hozuki Suigetsu was about to search for Sasuke's hiding place, he heard the sound of wind breaking in his ear, and multiple shuriken were shot from the blind spot behind him.
"You think you can hit me with this?"
Hozuki Suigetsu dodged to the side, and the shuriken grazed his chest without causing any damage. He then turned to look at Sasuke not far away.
"Found you!"
Hozuki Suigetsu rapidly closed the distance to Sasuke. The muscles in his arm bulged, and his body visibly grew a segment in an instant.
"Maelstrom Release!"
Rumble!
Dust billowed everywhere, and a pair of scarlet Sharingan eyes lit up in the darkness. Sasuke gritted his teeth and stared at Hozuki Suigetsu in front of him. Why was this guy so strong?
Hozuki Suigetsu raised his arm and swung it towards Sasuke's head. However, Sasuke, who had already activated his Sharingan, immediately discerned Suigetsu's movements, dodged with a flicker, and then kicked him away while he was retracting his arm.
However, it seemed to have no effect at all. Suigetsu rushed forward again and engaged in a physical brawl with Sasuke. Physical attacks were completely ineffective against Suigetsu!
The two exchanged dozens of blows at close range. Although Sasuke could counterattack using the advantage of his Sharingan, the punches he landed on the other party had no effect, while Sasuke himself would feel extremely uncomfortable if he took a punch from Suigetsu.
The situation seemed grim for Sasuke.
"What are you doing, Sasuke? Fight back!"
Naruto, who was on the side, couldn't help but worry as he saw Sasuke being suppressed.
Rock Lee said, "The opponent's body seems to be strange. Sasuke's strength is not enough to pose a threat to the opponent. The situation is not optimistic if this continues."
Upon hearing this analysis, Naruto became even more anxious. Neji crossed his arms, his expression calm, and said, "Don't worry, the battle will be decided soon."
Naruto and Rock Lee looked back at Neji: Is that so? Then why couldn't they see it?
Bang!
After taking seven or eight punches himself, Hozuki Suigetsu took the opportunity to kick Sasuke away.
"Hahaha, is this all you've got?"
Hozuki Suigetsu rushed forward again and suppressed Sasuke. This feeling of hurting others while others' attacks felt like tickles was truly wonderful!
"Annoying!"
Sasuke looked at the charging Suigetsu and gently hooked his left index finger in the darkness. The shuriken that Suigetsu had dodged earlier shot towards his back again, and Sasuke also held a kunai, attacking from both sides!
Bang!
Squelch!
Sasuke was once again sent flying by Suigetsu, but the shuriken behind him also pierced his body. However, no blood flowed out. It was as if it had entered water and passed through his chest.
Partial Water Transformation Jutsu!
Hozuki Suigetsu grasped the shuriken that had pierced through his chest and saw a thin steel wire tied to it. He chuckled, "I've heard of the Uchiha clan's shuriken throwing technique, but it seems you haven't mastered it yet."
Facing Hozuki Suigetsu's mockery, Sasuke stood up, raised his head which was originally lowered, and a slight curve appeared on his lips.
"Ah, I haven't mastered it yet, but it's enough to deal with you!"
Crackling!
An arc of electricity traveled along the steel wire to the shuriken in Hozuki Suigetsu's hand.
"Oh no! Lightning Style!"
Hozuki Suigetsu exclaimed in surprise, but it was too late. Lightning Style was specifically designed to counter his Water Transformation Jutsu. His body had already become slightly numb and unable to move.
"You lose."
Sasuke placed a kunai at Suigetsu's neck and said with a cold face.
Hozuki Suigetsu pouted, "Tch! You should have said you knew Lightning Style earlier!"
If you had said earlier that you knew Lightning Style, who would be stupid enough to fight you!
"Ooh yeah! Sasuke won!"
Seeing Sasuke win, Naruto jumped up excitedly, as if he was happier than if he had won himself.
Meanwhile, Neji walked a few steps forward and said to Kimimaro not far away, "Esteemed sir, why don't you come down and spar with us?"
Kimimaro glanced faintly at Neji, picked up Hozuki Suigetsu who was paralyzed and unable to move, turned around, and walked away.
"It's not too late to spar during the Chunin Exams."