Several days had passed since the attack on the bridge, which resulted in the deaths of Haku and Zabuza. It is noticed that Kakashi and team 7 are assisting towards the completion of the bridge.
Sasuke: Now that three days have passed, Goku has not offered any assistance during this time. It wasn't his proposal that we came here to finish the mission.
Naruto: This is something on which we can all agree. It wasn't just him who wanted to come and see the mission through to its end.
Sasuke: Simply put, what I'm attempting to convey is that he ought to be helping to finish building this bridge, but instead, he's angry because a girl who was opposed to us passed away.
Sakura: Sasuke is right.
Naruto: From what I have heard, she was sad about having to fight Goku. I could only imagine how he felt.
With Goku.
As the morning turns into the evening, we see Goku sitting in front of two unmarked graves.

Goku: I'm sorry, Haku, I wasn't strong enough to save you. I hope you can forgive me.
Kakashi: I see you still here.
Goku: Hi, Kakashi. Sorry, I haven't been much help to you guys in finishing the bridge.
Kakashi: It's okay. It's a good workout for my team. So, how are you doing?
Goku: I'm okay, I guess. I don't know what I'm feeling or how to explain it. She was the first friend that I made. Growing up, I always focused on training and mastering my skills, so I never made friends. But coming here, I met her, and she became my first friend. For all the things she went through, and still came out with a pure heart and kindness. Why couldn't we meet in different circumstances? I'm sorry, Kakashi sensei. I know you didn't come here to me talk nonsense.
Kakashi: I wanted to check in on you and see how you were doing, and if you think that talking senseless nonsense will make you feel better, then I'm all ears. And although I understand how you feel when you lose a friend, I just need to remind you that this is how a ninja lives their life. It is unavoidable that we will come into contact with individuals who, one day, will be our friends but, on the following day, will turn against us.
Goku: The grave, The silent vow, The shinobi world.
Kakashi remained at Goku's side for the remainder of the day, paying attention to him while he carried on his conversation.
The following day, we see Goku, Kakashi, and team 7 at the bridge saying their goodbye to Tazuna and his family and the villagers.
Tazuna: We could never have finished the bridge without you. I can't tell you how much we are going to miss you.
Tsunami: Do be careful.
Kakashi: Thank you for everything.
Naruto: Now, now, don't get all choked up. We'll come back and visit real soon.
Inari: You swear you will?
Naruto: Of course. You know, Inari, it's all right to cry if you want. There's nothing wrong with that. Go for it.
Inari: Who says I want to cry? Anyway, if there's nothing wrong with it, then why don't you go on and cry?
Naruto: No, you first.
Sakura: Boys can be so pathetic.
Goku: Can we start heading out, please?
The group had already set out on their journey to get back to Konoha. Their journey back took them three days, and once they got there, the first place they headed was to the Hokage tower.
They are greeted warmly by the Hokage upon their return to the village. The Hokage would get a scroll from Kakashi that contained the reports from each mission. As the Hokage read the specifics of the operation, he decided that it would be more appropriate to pay for it as an A-class mission rather than a C-class assignment.
3rd Hokage: Good job; you'll go home and rest now. Don't forget to stop at the receptionist's desk and pick up your payment. Kakashi, I'll need you to stay a bit longer.
Kakashi: Yes, Hokage. Okay, you guys, you'll have the next three days off. Get some rest today, and tomorrow, we will meet at the training grounds to get some training. That includes you, too, Goku.
Hokage: So Kakashi, tell me, what do you think of Goku? Any concerns?
Kakashi: He impressed me even though I only got to know him a tiny bit. His Taijutsu is strong, and he demonstrates an impressive level of chakra control. In addition, his Ninjutsu is strong, too. When he replicated two of Zabuza's jutsus, I was utterly taken aback. No wonder he turned out so well, thinking about who his parents are and the others who raised him. If he had entered the academy like the rest, there's no doubt in my mind he would have graduated within a year.
Hokage: I don't think his mother would have let that happen.
Kakashi: Hokage sir may say if you are thinking of adding Goku to my team may, I decided that?
Hokage: Why? Is there something wrong?
Kakashi: No, sir. I think with his skills, he would be wasting them.
Hokage: The exams are coming up. He needs to be in a team.
Kakashi: I think it'll be better if he takes them alone, Hokage-sama.
Hokage: You can leave. I'll need to do some thinking.
We see Goku wandering around the village and getting familiar with its layout. Goku would casually get a glimpse of a familiar face in the distance, someone he hadn't seen in a few years and started running toward him. He was a bearded man who stood tall and had brown eyes, olive skin, short black hair that was spiked, and a beard. His headgear included a forehead protector, flak jacket, regular shinobi sandals, and the standard Konoha ninja uniform with the sleeves rolled up halfway. His attire also included a flak jacket. In addition, he had on a sash that had the kanji for "Fire" marked on it, a pair of black bangles, and bandages wrapped around the arms of his sleeves. All of these items were fastened around his waist.

Goku: Yo Asuma is that you?
Asuma would hear someone calling his name and be surprised to see who it was.
Asuma: Kakarot is that you.
Goku: You know you can call me Goku.
Asuma: It's been a long time, Goku. Look how tall you have grown.
Asuma and Goku continue speaking to each other, catching up, when Goku realizes someone else is standing beside Asuma. A fair-skinned woman of slender build. She has long, black, untamed hair reaching her upper back and unique red eyes with an additional ring in them. She wears make-up consisting of red lipstick and purple eye shadow. Her regular outfit consists of a red mesh armor blouse with only the right sleeve visible. Overall, this is an inclusive material that resembles bandages with a pattern similar to rose thorns. Her hands and upper thighs are also wrapped in bandages, and she wears the Konoha forehead protector and regular shinobi sandals.

Goku: Oh, sorry, Asuma, I didn't realize you were on a date. I'll leave you two alone.
?: We are not on a date. I'm just running some errands, and he is on his way to meet his team.
Goku stared at Asuma.
Goku: You and she aren't going out on a date, but why not, Asuma? She is stunning and tall, and the look in her eyes gives her an air of menace; I also get the impression that she is pretty powerful.
?: So tell me, kid, who are you?
Goku: Hi my name is Son Kakarot Sen....
But you can just call me Goku.
?: Nice to meet you, Goku. My name is Kurenai Yūhi. So tell me, Goku, what should I do to get his attention? I have been waiting for him to ask, but he hasn't yet.
Goku: Have you tried flirting with or giving some hints?
Kurenai: I have, but he doesn't notice.
Goku: I see, so he's one of those people, then. Thanks for clearing that up. I am clear that Asuma's feelings of jealousy will be triggered if I go out with another person.
Asuma: Hey, you know I'm standing right here, correct?
Kurenai: You'll think that would work.
Goku: You never know until you try it out. I know. How about going out with me? Ahhh, ouch, that hurts. Why did you hit me in the head? What did I do to deserve that?
Goku would be holding his head and having tears in his eyes.
Asuma: Are you really asking me that?
Kurenai: Hehehe, thanks, Goku, but if you were a bit older and taller, I would accept your offer.
Goku: Aww, how about this then: if by the time I become a Jōnin and he hasn't asked you out, would you go out with me?
Kurenai: It's a deal. Hehehe.
Asuma: Okay, that's it; you're coming with me.
Asuma would grab Goku by his collar and drag him away.
Goku: Bye, Kurenai sensei. It was nice meeting you. So, Asuma, where are we going?
Asuma: I'm going to see my team. I invited them for lunch today as a reward for finishing all of their D class missions. I'm guessing that you haven't eaten yet.
Goku: No, I don't know any good place to eat.
Asuma: Come with me. I'm heading to a restaurant called Yankiniku Q.
Goku continued chatting and following Asuma to the restaurant. When arriving and entering the restaurant, Goku notices the large with wide windows and multiple green-seated booths. However, some tables allow customers to sit on the floor with green cushions as their seats and menus are plastered on the walls. Due to their Gyū-Kaku-style, each table has a charcoal brazier built in the center and is equipped with tongs for cooking since the Gyū-Kaku form of dining is one in which the customers cook their food after ordering it.
Asuma: Come, I see my team is here already.
Asuma and Goku walked toward where Asuma's team was sitting and introduced Goku to them.
Asuma: I see everyone is here already.
? Your late sensei, we started without you.
?: Shut up, Chōji. Don't talk with your mouth full. Plus, sensei was late; it was probably because he was on a date with Kurenai sensei.
Goku: Hehehe.
Everyone sitting at the table stops what they're doing and stares at Goku.
?: Asuma, who is he?
Asuma: Why don't you present yourself to them?
Goku: Hi, my name is Son Kakarot, but you just call me Goku.
?: Hi, my name is Shikamaru Nara.

Ino: My name is Ino Yamanaka.

Chōji: I'm Chōji Akimichi.

After introducing themselves to each other, they finally sat down and started to eat. Everyone at the table was surprised to see Goku keep pace with Chōji eating meat.
Ino: Goku, how do you know Asuma sensei?
Goku stared at Ino for a bit.
Goku: Wow, has anyone ever told you that you have beautiful eyes to answer your question? My family and his family have known each other for years, and I met Asuma when I was a little kid each time the Hokage visited my family.
Ino would blush at Goku's comment about her eyes and turn away so one would see her blush.

Shikamaru: I am going to guess that you are a Genin as well, despite the fact that I have never seen you at the academy.
Asuma: The reason for this is that he did not attend the academy. You could say that Goku is a particular circumstance.
Shikamaru: What? How is that even possible?
Goku: When I was younger, the Hokage served as the examiner for all my tests. But because of a few circumstances, "mainly my mom," I didn't join leaf village; as a result, I undertook some missions outside the village instead. Just now, I just returned from a mission in the Land of Waves that I participated in alongside Kakashi and team 7.
Ino: What? They got to go out on a mission already. That's not fair.
Shikamaru: Who cares? That just means more work.
Ino: Why did I have to be teamed with someone so lazy like you? I wished I was teamed with Sasuke. Oh, that reminds how Sasuke was during the mission.
Goku: To tell you the truth, he is annoying, believes simply because he is a Uchiha, he is superior to everyone else, and he just concentrates way too much on power without caring about others who are near him. And when we were fighting, he spent the majority of the time unconscious and was under Naruto's constant protection at all times.
Ino was about to stand up for Sasuke, but then memories of him during the academy start to pop into her head, showing how cold he was with others, especially with Naruto for being weak.
Shikamaru: It seems she finally noticed Sasuke's true side.
Choji: It only took someone she didn't know to say it.
Goku: I'm sorry if I said something wrong. I just met the guy; you have known him longer than I do. Maybe his different with you guys around him.
Shikamaru: No, you hit it on the nail. He's like that with everybody.
Goku: I'm sorry, Ino. I didn't mean to make you angry.
Ino: No, Goku, you don't have to apologize. I was the one who asked the question.
Goku: I'm sorry, Asuma, but I have to get going now. I have recently come to a realization that I need to discuss this matter with the Hokage.
Asuma: Can I ask what it is?
Goku: Hehehe, I just realized that I don't have a place to sleep.
Asuma: That's not a problem. You stay at our place. I think if your mom and sister find out you didn't stay with us, they will come and destroy the village.
Goku: I'm pretty sure they would do that.
Goku stays with Asuma and his team to get to know them better.
Three days later.
We can see the Hokage sitting in front of every team leader, wondering if they were ready for the Chunin Exams.

Hokage: I have you here for a crucial reason, and I hope you will respond quickly. The presence of your colleague Jonin should have made it abundantly clear to you what the purpose of this gathering is.
Kakashi: So soon? I had the impression that we would have a little bit more time.
Asuma: I am going to assume that each of the other lands has been informed about the upcoming event. I began to realize that some of their Genin had already arrived in the village.
Kurenai: When exactly are we going to get started?
Hokage: We will begin in one week.
Kakashi: That's pretty short notice.
Hokage: Take heed. The gathering of the genin and the testing of it are scheduled to take place exactly one week from today, on July 1st. To earn the title of Jonin, one must be among the very best.
End of Chapter 10.