"We've been discovered again, let's go!" Naruto was preparing to run away with his three teammates for the third time, then suddenly stopped, surprised, "Huh?"
Kakashi asked, "What's wrong?"
"My Flying Thunder God mark has been cleared." This was the first time Naruto had encountered such a situation, with not a single mark left inside Amegakure.
"Aren't Flying Thunder God marks supposed to be permanent?" Kakashi had some understanding of the Flying Thunder God Technique, and even tried to copy it with his Sharingan. If he hadn't lacked the talent, he might have played it even more skillfully than Naruto.
"Normally, that's the case, but they might be using physical removal methods, like digging up the ground where the marks are, smashing them to pieces, or smashing the walls where the marks are on," Naruto explained helplessly. This was the downside of being famous; signature Ninjutsu would be studied and targeted.
"This is troublesome." Kakashi made a decisive decision and said, "Let's leave Amegakure first."
About thirty miles outside Amegakure, the four of them set up a rain shelter and sat around inside.
Kakashi analyzed, "We've infiltrated several times in a row, and each time someone surrounds us in less than three minutes. Based on Naruto's perception, Amegakure is covered in Chakra. It seems the opponent has a large-scale sensory Ninjutsu."
Naruto added, "It's not just that. The Chakra of the people who come to block us is almost always different, which means there are an unusually large number of patrols in Amegakure."
Sakura continued, "Plus, they deliberately cleared the Flying Thunder God marks, which suggests they know a lot about Naruto's abilities."
"Such tight security is too abnormal," Sasuke said, his Sharingan eyes glaring. "Should we capture someone and interrogate them?"
"It's best not to," Kakashi stopped him. "We can only investigate secretly. Even with Genjutsu, it's difficult to do without leaving a trace."
"But didn't Naruto's Flying Thunder God Technique leave a trace?" Sasuke retorted.
"The marks I used here are the symbols of Amegakure. I'm not afraid of them coming to cause trouble, and they've all been destroyed anyway." What does your Amegakure's symbol have to do with Konoha Village's Uzumaki Naruto?
"It seems we can't secretly infiltrate and investigate for the time being," Kakashi concluded. "Let's go, the reconnaissance mission ends here. We'll report the known information first."
...
Two days later.
"So, you didn't see Salamander Hanzo from beginning to end? And Amegakure's defenses are abnormally tight, making it difficult to infiltrate even with the Flying Thunder God Technique," Minato said, pinching his chin.
"Yes," Kakashi replied.
Minato pointed to the letters on the table and said, "The reply says that Amegakure will send five groups of fifteen Genin in total to participate in the Chunin Exams, which is a relatively normal number compared to previous years.
Given Amegakure's abnormal situation, they may be pretending to participate in the exams normally, and may even take the opportunity to gather information from other villages."
Kakashi said, "Then, should we closely monitor the Genin sent by Amegakure later?"
"Ah, yes," Minato agreed.
Naruto interjected, "Well, although the marks inside Amegakure have been cleared, there are still some outside. I guess they don't have enough manpower to search the entire Rain Country, so I can go back and cause trouble at any time."
"Don't be impatient. You can send clones to take a look when you have time, but the main body shouldn't take risks casually."
Minato said with a smile, "You've worked hard too. Next, prepare well for the exams. Although I think you guys are completely fine."
"Yes!" *3
...
In the following month, Naruto returned to his training life, running between Konoha and Mount Myoboku. One day, he also advised Sasuke to learn Sage Mode from Ryuchi Cave if he had the chance, but he didn't know if he listened.
Sakura, with Naruto's help, completed the Yin Seal ahead of schedule, which shocked Tsunade, Shizune, and Tonton, and then she gained a bookshelf of medical materials.
After all, Mitotic Regeneration wasn't something one could learn just by studying; Sakura had only been following Tsunade for a little over a year. Originally, she should have spent several years accumulating Chakra to complete it, but now that she had completed the Yin Seal ahead of schedule, she had to cram.
Of course, it wasn't that completing the Yin Seal ahead of schedule was useless; at least it was like having an extra power bank, and she could throw Super Strength punches all day long.
Mount Myoboku.
Naruto's main body sat quietly on a stone pillar, using a stone slab as a cushion, while a group of Little Blondies below scratched their heads, learning the Peacock Mystical Method.
At one point, a clone with an expressionless face had Chakra erupting from its back, forming wings like an eagle. It wobbled and twisted as it flew up, under the envious gazes of the other 99 clones.
The next moment, countless Kunai, Water Dragons, and Water Pillars aimed at the clone that was flying more and more steadily and shot over. The clones' idea was simple: as long as they killed him, they could fly too.
The clone in the air suddenly rose a notch, dodging all the attacks, and gave a disdainful smile to the unethical guys on the ground, before dispelling itself leisurely.
The 99 clones beat their chests and stamped their feet: "Damn it, why is it always him first!"
But soon they cheered up, and even Naruto's main body plunged headfirst from the tall stone pillar, spreading his wings in the air, flying up and down to his heart's content.
This was flying! Flying without the aid of any tools! There were only a few people in the entire Shinobi World who could fly. Naruto excitedly circled, swooped, and hovered in the sky above Mount Myoboku… experimenting with all kinds of postures.
Once the excitement passed, Naruto remembered that he should test how high he could actually fly.
Naruto spread his wings and took off like a rocket, then felt that this scene should be accompanied by a song, so he howled as he ascended: "Ahem, I want to fly higher~ fly higher~ wings rolled up… Holy crap?"
Naruto suddenly felt his body being wrapped by something, and he was dragged down with lightning speed, and then Naruto's world lost its light.
"What is this?" It was soft and sticky. Naruto had a bad premonition. He struggled to break free, crawled forward a few steps, pried open a gap, and jumped out.
"Huh? Naruto?" A huge Toad scratched its head, as if it hadn't figured out what was going on yet.
"Gamaken?" Naruto touched the mucus on his head and pointed at him in grief and indignation, "Why did you eat me!"
"Ah, I'm sorry, I'm a bit clumsy, and I thought it was a bug when I saw something flying around." Gamaken apologized earnestly, his voice simple and honest.
Naruto didn't know what to say. He had actually been swallowed by a Toad, but since he had encountered this honest Toad, he could only admit that he was unlucky and go home to take a bath. As for testing the flight altitude, the Chunin Exams were tomorrow, so he should do it another day.
...
The next day, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura went to the exam venue together, which was still at the Ninja Academy.
Before Naruto could greet acquaintances, Nine Tails spoke up first:
"Kid, Chong Ming is nearby."
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