Chapter 944 Division

"How was this kid's training today?" Tsunade turned over and sat up, stretching.

"You work very hard, but you're still clumsy and can't control your chakra well." Shizune said with a smile.

"Haha, just like his dad." Tsunade's eyes flashed with nostalgia, "That guy was also a naughty boy back then."

"Lady Tsunade, are you thinking of Lord Minato Namikaze?" Shizune asked softly.

"Well, that kid has the same spirit of not admitting defeat as Minato. I hope he doesn't follow Minato's old path." Tsunade's eyes became serious.

At this time, there was a noise outside. Tsunade and Shizune looked at each other and walked out the door at the same time. They saw Naruto arguing with a few passers-by. It turned out that Naruto accidentally bumped into someone's stall.

"Naruto, what's going on?" Tsunade asked loudly.

"Grandma Tsunade, I didn't mean it. I was just practicing a new technique and didn't pay attention." Naruto said embarrassedly, scratching his head.

"Pay compensation to them and be careful next time." Tsunade shook her head helplessly.

"Yes, Grandma Tsunade!" Naruto agreed with great enthusiasm. Tsunade looked at Naruto's energetic appearance and the corners of her mouth rose slightly.

Tsunade turned around and was about to go back to the house, but heard Naruto shouting behind her: "Granny Tsunade, I want to take part in the next Chunin Exam!" Tsunade stopped and looked back at him. "Your current strength is far from enough." Tsunade said with her arms folded across her chest. Naruto clenched his fists and looked determined: "I know, but I will work hard. I want everyone to recognize me as the future Hokage." The people around laughed. Tsunade did not laugh. She saw Naruto's determination, just like when she saw Minato.

"Then starting tomorrow, you will practice three hours more every day. I will let Shizune supervise you. If you can't meet my requirements, don't even think about participating." Tsunade said seriously. Naruto jumped up excitedly: "Yes, Grandma Tsunade!"

In the following days, Naruto trained hard every day. He fell down and got up again and again, and his chakra control ability gradually improved. Tsunade watched him silently, as if she saw the rising star of hope for the future of Konoha Village. Maybe this stubborn child could really break the rules and become the first Hokage from a Jinchūriki.

As time passed, the day of the Chunin Exam was getting closer. Although Naruto had made great progress, he still had not reached the perfect state in Tsunade's mind. One day, Tsunade called Naruto to her side. "Naruto, I see your efforts, but the competition in the Chunin Exam is fierce. With your current level, you will probably only get hurt if you go." Tsunade said worriedly. Naruto was anxious when he heard it: "Grandma Tsunade, I'm not afraid of getting hurt, I must participate!" Tsunade sighed and was about to speak when the Anbu came to report that there were suspicious people approaching outside the village. Tsunade's face was stern, and she immediately took Naruto to check. When they arrived at the entrance of the village, they found that they were actually Orochimaru's men. "Huh, what are you doing here?" Tsunade glared at the other party. "Let's take a look at the legendary Jinchuriki, and by the way, convey the master's words. He is very interested in this kid." The man said sinisterly. Tsunade protected Naruto behind her and said, "Tell Orochimaru that I will protect Naruto and he can't do anything bad!" The battle was about to break out. Naruto looked at Tsunade's determined back, his heart full of emotion and fighting spirit. He secretly vowed to become strong as soon as possible and live up to the trust of mother-in-law Tsunade.

When the two sides were confronting each other, Jiraiya suddenly appeared on the battlefield. "Leave Orochimaru's matter to me." Jiraiya said to Tsunade. Tsunade nodded and took Naruto back to the village. Jiraiya faced Orochimaru's men alone and dealt with them in a few moves. Then Jiraiya entered the village and found Tsunade. "Orochimaru is getting more and more restless. We must make plans early." Jiraiya's expression was solemn. "Well, Naruto is growing very fast, but it will take more time." Tsunade responded. At this time, Naruto clenched his fists on the side, "Grandma Tsunade, Uncle Jiraiya, I won't hold you back anymore. I will work harder to practice." Tsunade patted his shoulder with relief. And Shizune silently prepared medical supplies on the side just in case. Just as everyone was discussing countermeasures, a strange light suddenly appeared in the sky in the distance. "What is that?" Naruto asked curiously. "It looks like some kind of seal has been triggered." Jiraiya frowned and analyzed. "Whatever it is, we must ensure the safety of the village first." Tsunade gave an order. So, everyone headed cautiously towards the source of the light. An unknown crisis might be coming, but they were ready to deal with everything.

When they approached the source of the light, they found that it was an ancient formation with a crystal ball emitting mysterious power suspended in the center.

"This power... feels both familiar and strange." Tsunade said warily.

Jiraiya tried to get closer to observe. As soon as he stepped into the range of the formation, a force popped out and knocked him back. "It seems that I can't get close easily."

Just as everyone was racking their brains for a solution, Naruto suddenly felt the Nine-Tails' chakra in his body becoming restless.

"Could this be related to the tailed beasts?

"Could this be related to the tailed beast?" Naruto asked doubtfully. Tsunade looked at him, "Can you sense anything?" Naruto shook his head, "It's just that the Nine-Tails suddenly became very active."

At this time, Jingyin looked at the crystal ball carefully, "There seem to be some ancient runes engraved on this crystal ball. Maybe if we decipher the runes, we can know what it is."

Jiraiya's eyes lit up, "Shizune is right, but who can decipher such ancient runes?"

As everyone was lost in thought, Naruto suddenly remembered that Iruka had once told him some knowledge about ancient runes. Although it was not much, it might come in handy. "I'll try." Naruto volunteered.

Tsunade looked at him with some concern, but nodded. Naruto slowly walked towards the formation, carefully avoiding the repulsive force. As he approached the crystal ball, the Nine-Tails Chakra in his body surged even more. Naruto focused on the runes, searching his memory. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, as if he recognized the meaning of part of the runes. "It mentions a balance of power. If it is broken, it will cause a disaster, and it seems to be related to the fate of the tailed beasts and the ninja world." Naruto said nervously. Everyone's face changed when they heard it, realizing that there was a huge secret hidden behind this crystal ball.

"Then how can we maintain this balance of power?" Jiraiya asked hurriedly. Naruto bit his lower lip and carefully examined the rune again, "It seems that the power of the tailed beast needs to be injected into it, but I don't know how to do it specifically." Tsunade frowned, "If the power of the tailed beast is used, will it be dangerous to Naruto?" Naruto patted his chest and said, "Grandma Tsunade, it's okay. I'm willing to try for the village." Tsunade hesitated for a moment and nodded. Naruto slowly mobilized the chakra of the Nine-Tails in his body and tried to transmit it to the crystal ball. The crystal ball began to flash a strong light, and the surrounding formations also vibrated. Just when everyone thought they were about to succeed, a black shadow suddenly rushed out and snatched the crystal ball. "It's someone from the Akatsuki organization!" Jiraiya shouted. It turned out that the Akatsuki organization had been secretly watching and took this opportunity to attack. Naruto was furious and chased after him regardless of his own fatigue. Tsunade stopped him, "You are no match for me now, let's take a long-term view." Naruto watched the black shadow disappear and clenched his fists, "I will definitely take back the crystal ball and protect the balance of the ninja world." Tsunade looked at Naruto's determined expression and secretly decided in her heart that she must train Naruto well so that he would have enough ability to deal with greater challenges in the future.