SHINOBI EXAM

Naruto and Sasuke followed Kakashi through the streets of Konoha, though Sasuke's mood had grown increasingly dark.

Ninjas possess sharp senses, and Naruto could clearly perceive the fear and hatred directed at them by the villagers—a weight that had burdened him for twelve long years.

"The demon fox and the Uchiha are so disgusting," one villager muttered.

"Hey, keep your voice down!" another whispered nervously.

Naruto didn't fully understand the meaning behind "demon fox," but Sasuke's ambition to restore the Uchiha clan made the whispered insults sting. The words ignited something within him, and his Sharingan activated instantly. He glared at the villagers, whose faces turned pale with fear.

Despite their cowardice, the villagers' disapproving stares grew stronger, aimed at the trio like daggers.

Rule 3 of the Ninja Code: Ninjutsu must not be used on defenseless villagers within the village.

A firm hand rested on Sasuke's shoulder.

"Enough, Sasuke," Kakashi said.

"Kakashi!" Sasuke growled, his frustration boiling over. "Is this what you meant when you told me to prepare myself?! What's going on here?!"

Kakashi sighed, tucking away his infamous orange book. He leapt onto a deserted rooftop with his students following close behind.

"Well," Kakashi began lazily, "after you left, 'that thing' appeared again." He paused for dramatic effect, leaning casually against the railing. "The Fourth Ninja War was mentioned in the video, along with a masked man possessing the Sharingan. The Nara clan analyzed it during the Five Kage Talks."

"Itachi!" Sasuke's rage flared, his voice trembling. His brother. It had to be him. The man who had destroyed his life, the man who would even declare war on the Five Kage.

But Kakashi shook his head. "Sorry to interrupt your theory, Sasuke, but the masked man is probably not your brother."

Sasuke's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? How can you be so sure?" He gripped Kakashi's arm tightly, his voice rising. "Itachi was the only other Uchiha left alive that night!"

Memories of that horrible night flashed before Sasuke's eyes. The piercing sound of blades cutting flesh, the cries of his clansmen, and the blood staining the doors of the Uchiha compound.

He clenched his fists, anger and grief consuming him. "He killed everyone but me! There can't be anyone else!"

"Sasuke!" Naruto's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"What?" Sasuke blinked, disoriented.

"I'm taking you to see your mom," Naruto said softly, his usual loud demeanor subdued.

Sasuke hesitated, glancing at his companion. The boy who had brought his mother back from the dead.

"Fine," he said quietly, trying to steady his emotions. "But Kakashi, I'll uncover the truth about the masked man myself."

Naruto smirked, a glimmer of mischief returning. "Don't get too full of yourself, you bastard."

Sasuke scowled. "Tch. Idiot."

Kakashi sighed as he followed the bickering pair. "They're going to give me gray hair."

---

The three arrived at the Ninja Academy, where a crowd had gathered. Villagers and ninjas without missions buzzed with nervous energy.

At the center of the commotion stood Uchiha Mikoto, alive and well, behind the Third Hokage and his advisors. The stares directed at her were tempered by the Hokage's presence, but their suspicion lingered.

"Kasan!"

Sasuke rushed forward, standing protectively in front of his mother. Mikoto smiled warmly, ruffling his hair. "You've grown so much, Sasuke," she said gently.

Embarrassed, Sasuke muttered, "I'm not a kid anymore, Kasan."

From behind the Hokage, Danzo sneered. "Evil Uchiha."

"Danzo!" The Third Hokage's voice carried a sharp edge. "Nothing has been confirmed yet. Don't jump to conclusions. Mikoto and her son are not to blame."

The whispered exchange wasn't loud, but Sasuke caught every word. His grip on his mother's hand tightened, the joy of seeing her alive dimmed by anger and humiliation.

Mikoto squeezed his hand gently, silently urging him to stay calm. Sasuke swallowed his frustration, unwilling to risk implicating her.

But Naruto had no such restraint.

"Apologize to Sasuke and his mother, you stinky old man!" Naruto shouted, stepping forward.

Sasuke hissed, "Naruto!"

Naruto glared at Danzo, his fiery determination reminiscent of a fox with its fur bristling.

Danzo's face darkened, his cane striking the ground with force. "You dare—"

"Danzo!" the Hokage cut in sharply. The tension between the two elders was palpable, their silent battle of wills making the crowd uneasy.

In the end, Danzo relented, turning away with a huff. Not pursuing Naruto's outburst was his version of a compromise.

Naruto stuck out his tongue childishly.

Sasuke, however, was fuming. He didn't know whether he was angry at Naruto's impulsiveness or himself for being overshadowed. His conflicting emotions churned within him.

The Third Hokage cleared his throat, trying to lighten the atmosphere. "Naruto, you have an important decision to make."

[Please answer the question: Uzumaki Naruto, choose one person from all the deceased ninjas in Konoha to resurrect.]

The mysterious voice startled everyone.

Naruto's eyes widened. "Huh?! Do I have to choose from all of them?! How am I supposed to decide that?!"

The crowd collectively sighed at his cluelessness.

"Idiot," Sasuke muttered, annoyed. "It's not that complicated. Just pick one!"

Naruto scratched his head. "I don't get it. Are we talking about bringing out all their coffins or something?"

As he spoke, a loud "bang" echoed.

A puff of white smoke appeared, revealing… a slot machine.

The crowd blinked in disbelief.

Naruto tilted his head. "What's this?"

Kakashi chuckled. "It's a slot machine, Naruto. Your choice is based on luck."

Sasuke crossed his arms, trying to mask his embarrassment. "Even a kid knows what a slot machine is."

Naruto pouted. "Well, I don't! And don't call me an idiot, you bastard!"

Mikoto covered her mouth to hide her smile as her son's frustration grew.

[Please pull the lever to make your selection. There is no time limit, and you only have one chance. Choose wisely.]

Naruto stepped forward, gripping the lever tightly. He glanced back at his friends, his face unusually serious. "Alright. Here goes."

He pulled the lever with all his strength, and the machine whirred to life. Images of ninjas flashed across the screen, blurring together in rapid succession.

The crowd held its breath as the slot machine slowed, each passing face igniting a spark of hope in someone's heart.

The machine came to a halt.

A name appeared on the screen.

---

Naruto squinted at the result, trying to read it. Then, his eyes widened in recognition.

"Is that…?"

The crowd erupted into murmurs, and even the stoic Kakashi raised an eyebrow.

Naruto turned to the others, a mix of shock and excitement on his face. "I think you're all gonna want to see this!"

---

With Naruto's unpredictable luck, the resurrection was bound to bring surprises—both joyous and complicated—for everyone in Konoha.

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