True Bonds

Promotion

'Hn. About time you got here.' Sasuke scoffed, Naruto taking his place next to the Uchiha.

'Shut up.' Naruto muttered, turning his attention towards Gaara.

The redhead's Kazekage robes proudly reflected a small amount of sunlight, standing on a huge balcony overlooking the crowd of participants. Looking around, Gaara confirmed that everyone was focused on him, before beginning his speech. 'Exam participants! I commend your hard efforts!'

The crowd began whispering to each other, discussing the rumour that the Third Exam would be canceled. A cold, hard glare from Gaara silenced most of the crowd, the genin afraid of the Kazekage's wrath.

'With the passage of time, our shinobi world needs a new system with new laws.' Gaara continued speaking, his announcement resonating throughout the crowds. 'Until today, we shinobi were required to sacrifice even the lives of our comrades for the sake of our laws and rules. But I have realised that we have something even more precious than rules and regulations.'

The jonin sensei standing on Gaara's right and left looked up towards the majestic ruler of Sunagakure, the bottom segment of the Kazekage's robe flying in the wind.

'That is friendship.' Gaara firmly stated, his pupils pinpointing Naruto, who helped him understand the very same truth. 'Whether it be with our fellow villages, our fellow shinobi, or the bond we share with others who understand the same pain. I believe that each of you who stands here now knows exactly what I mean.'

The genin in the crowd, young or old, processed what Gaara had just said, most of them remembering their alliance with all the other teams to repel the Hannyashu invasion.

'Therefore, I deem the Third Exam unnecessary!' Gaara boomed, his hands outstretched.

'So, it's true! The Third Exam is cancelled! Hopefully I get that promotion...' Some of the nameless genin said to their teammates, observing Gaara as the man delivered his speech.

'Furthermore, I have rescinded part of the requirements for the Second Exam.' Gaara stated, a manila folder resting in his right palm. 'For each of you standing here right now, a detailed report of your performance will be sent to your respective villages. Your Kage will make the final decision on your promotion.'

Naruto grinned, staying behind as the crowd was dismissed. 'Hey, Gaara!'

'Hello, Naruto.' Gaara said, as he was awkwardly embraced by his first friend. The Fifth Kazekage stared into his friend's eyes, attempting to see what Naruto wanted to do.

'So, what happened? All I remember was this guy attacking me and Sasuke and Ino and separating us, before this Akatsuki dude started fighting me.' Naruto informed his friend about what had transpired in the Demon Desert.

'We were attacked by a horde of missing-nin who called themselves the Hannyashu. I believe the leader was a member of the Akatsuki?' Gaara mentioned. 'I met another jinchuriki, one who hosts the Nanabi.'

'Awesome.' Naruto gasped in awe at Gaara's story, the two friends conversing and catching up after a while. After all, it had been Naruto who had changed Gaara for the better.

🔥

Tsunade fingered the many paper reports from Sunagakure, groaning at the fact that reading them had been extra work on top of her many piles of paperwork. 'Shizune! Call the teams that made it to the Second Exam over!'

'Understood, Tsunade-sama.' Shizune replied, scurrying off to fetch the teams that Tsunade had picked out.

Tsunade took another chug of her sake, gulping down the fine quality alcohol from its bottle. 'Ah.'