In Konoha, they wiped out the Sarutobi clan at the start.

Chapter 144 Erzhuzi Wants to Become an Apprentice

"Kakashi, has Fujiwara Chiya returned?"

Outside the medical room, hurried footsteps sounded. Erzhuzi, wearing a hospital gown, pushed open the door and walked in barefoot.

Naruto and Sakura followed closely behind, panting heavily.

Kakashi glanced at Sasuke, then at Sakura, who was following behind him with a worried expression, and at Naruto, who had returned to his usual carefree self and was looking at Sasuke with a displeased expression. He narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Looks like you already know."

"Sasuke, the nurse said your injuries haven't fully healed yet, so you can't move around too much." Sakura tried to help Sasuke out of concern, but Sasuke shoved her away. "Get away from me."

"Sasuke, it's me!" Tears welled up in Sakura's eyes.

"Shut up, I'm an Avenger. What you do is your business. I don't need to play house with you. Besides, Fujiwara Chiya is right, you're a slut."

"I've been annoyed with you ever since you said Naruto has no parents and no upbringing. What kind of person are you? Besides crying and dragging everyone down, what else can you do? Instead of thinking about love and romance, you should learn some jutsu to improve your strength and prepare for the Chunin Exams."

Erzhuzi glared coldly at Xiaoying, his words filled with undisguised sarcasm and impatience.

"Sasuke, I waah..." Upon hearing this, Sakura could no longer hold back and covered her mouth to cry, running away with sobs.

"How could you do this to Sasuke?" Naruto's sycophantic tendencies kicked in again when he saw Sakura leave in tears.

However, before Naruto could finish speaking, Sasuke interrupted him again. He stared at Naruto with a cold smile and said, "Naruto, and you too. I'm really looking forward to having a real fight with you."

"Who's afraid of who?" Naruto met Sasuke's gaze without fear. Their eyes met, and it seemed as if sparks flew between them.

Finally, they all gave a soft hum and turned their heads away with extreme arrogance.

"What a bunch of problem children," Kakashi remarked helplessly as he observed the situation.

The nurse standing nearby nodded in agreement, "I think so too."

Meanwhile, Might Guy and Rock Lee, master and apprentice, ignited a flame of fighting spirit in their eyes. "This is youth!"

"Fujiwara Chiya, did that guy really beat you, Might Guy, Asuma, and the others?" Sasuke ignored Naruto and looked at Kakashi with a serious expression.

At this moment, the word "shock" was no longer enough to describe his feelings.

He was somewhat aware of the strength of Kakashi, Might Guy, and others.

Putting everything else aside, it would be incredibly easy to crush him now.

He originally thought that Chiyo was at most slightly stronger than Kakashi.

Unexpectedly, he was able to take on a group of Jonin from Konoha single-handedly.

In fact, if Kurenai Yuhi hadn't arrived in time, it's likely that none of the people trapped within the barrier, including the Third Hokage, would have survived.

If I could receive his guidance, would I be able to defeat my brother one day?

Kakashi nodded slowly and said frankly, "Yeah, that guy was simply a monster. We lost miserably. Well, that's about it."

Might Guy chimed in, "Uchiha boy, Kakashi's right. That Fujiwara kid is indeed very strong. But next time, I won't lose again. That's youth! Ouch... Ouch, my kidneys hurt!"

"Mr. Matt Kai, you've really gone too far. I've told you not to get too emotional, or the wound will reopen." The nurse walked helplessly to Matt Kai's bedside to treat his wound.

Sasuke ignored Might Guy and continued asking Kakashi, "Where is that guy now?"

"Give up, Sasuke." Kakashi sighed softly. "I know what you're thinking, and I know you desperately want to become stronger. But that guy has already left Konoha. Even if he hadn't left, he would never teach you to become stronger. He's no longer a Konoha ninja. You should understand that."

"Damn it." Sasuke gritted his teeth, extremely unwilling, and punched the wall. Once again, he missed the chance to become stronger.

If only he had recognized that the bandaged man as Chiya sooner.

Although that guy who likes to call himself "Erzhuzi" is despicable, his strength is absolutely unquestionable.

He might even be stronger than Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin.

How awful!

Erzhuzi cried out in his heart.

Kakashi continued, "Alright, stop overthinking. If you really want to get stronger, take good care of your body these next few days. There's still a month until the Chunin Exams. From now on, I'll train you with all my might."

"Ah, Kakashi-sensei, you've gone to teach Sasuke, what am I supposed to do? I want to get stronger too!"

Upon hearing that Kakashi was going to teach Sasuke, Naruto, who had been looking dejected because the two had mentioned Chiya, immediately became anxious. He went to Kakashi's bedside, patted his shoulder, and said, "Kakashi-sensei, I need your guidance too."

"As for you, I was prepared. I've already found someone to guide your training," Kakashi said with a smile.

"Who is it?" Naruto was taken aback, looked around, and finally his gaze landed on Might Guy. "Could it be Thick-Eyebrowed Teacher? If it is, it's not impossible. After all, Thick-Eyebrowed Teacher's Eight Gates... that kind of Release technique, is still very powerful."

"Uh," Might Guy twitched his lips. "Naruto, although I don't mind coaching you, my kidney was stabbed by that guy Chiya, and it will take some time to recover. I'm afraid I won't be able to teach you before the Chunin Exams officially begin."

"Who's that?" Naruto asked, and then footsteps sounded again outside the ward.

"They seem to have arrived." Kakashi looked towards the door.

Upon hearing this, everyone, including Erzhuzi, was drawn to the footsteps outside the door.

With a creak, the door opened, and Ino, with her blonde hair styled in a ponytail, walked in carrying two bouquets of flowers.

Following behind her were Nara Shikamaru and Akimichi Choji.

"Kakashi-sensei, Guy-sensei, we just finished visiting Asuma-sensei and stopped by to see you guys. Naruto and Sasuke are here too, and so is Rock Lee. Are you staying in Kakashi-sensei's and the others' hospital room as well?"

Ino greeted everyone.

"Greetings, everyone," Shikamaru replied listlessly.

As for Choji, he simply stayed put and started eating potato chips.

The scene fell silent abruptly. Naruto's face instantly contorted with misery, and he was on the verge of tears. Pointing at the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, he sobbed, "Kakashi-sensei, is this the teacher you found for me?"

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(End of this chapter)