you're ignoring the fact that naruto is only 13,,, he's still mentally a child.

think back to the days you were 13, were you as responisble as you are now? did you think things through like you do today?

the chunin exam isn't supposed to be for kids, the reccomended age is somewhere at 14-15, where kids start to mentally progress, it's that naruto is chilidish, it's Shino, Sasuke and co. who are just mature...

i guess that when the timejump comes, we'll see a smarter Naruto, not less motivated, but just more mature...

kinda pointless post, but don't judge out naruto yet...

BTW: we have enough naruto-like charecters as comic relieaf at other animes, it's nice to see a guy like him getting to be the main hero once in a while...