Chunin Exams I

"Quiet." A puff of white smoke rose, and the proctors appeared at the front of the classroom. Ibiki led a group of Chunin proctors. None of them were ordinary; they were all at the level of elite Chunin. Was Konoha showing off its strength?

They exchanged their application forms for examination numbers, and the three-person teams were all split apart. Sasuke sat in his seat and looked over the test paper. He would not have known any of this in the anime, but now? It was far too easy. Still, getting the answers right seemed useless. Forget it, he should do it just in case. If the scores counted, his and Sakura's combined scores would be enough to pass. Naruto would definitely get zero.

The scratch of pens rose intermittently. Most of the students were still bewildered, having yet to realize what the exam was really about. But that did not last long. Soon, someone found the key point—or rather, someone could no longer hold back and began cheating. But cheating required skill. Gathering information required methods. Those with insufficient ability began to be eliminated. Sasuke glanced up at Naruto. He was still struggling. Truly unbelievable. What a bizarre talent, someone who could pass even by handing in a blank paper.

After dozens of minutes of torment, the tenth question arrived. Sasuke continued waiting calmly. At the start of the exam, he had wanted to tell Naruto not to say anything, but considering that this simple-minded idiot might not remember his words anyway, it would be better if there were more people in the second round. More people meant more opportunities, making it easier to obtain the other scroll.

With the mental test over, Special Jonin Anko Mitarashi charged into the classroom, pulled up a cloth to block Ibiki from view, and began introducing herself. Her entrance was certainly flashy, but could she please not be so useless when fighting Orochimaru? Sasuke did not want to entrust his safety to someone so unreliable. The tower in the central area was where he could keep himself alive. Hopefully, he could make it there.

They would need to ask their Jonin instructor about the location and time of the next exam. After dismissal, the three of them came out and saw Kakashi. "Not bad. Looks like you passed the first round. I'll take you to the second examination site now. Your exam will begin there tomorrow. The rules will be announced by the chief proctor of the second round. I don't know them yet either," Kakashi explained.

"Well, the first round was easy. It couldn't stump me at all," Naruto said. He had somehow passed the exam. Maybe he still did not know what the exam had really been about.

The next day, outside the second examination site, all the candidates who had passed gathered there. Orochimaru should have infiltrated the place already, right? Better not look at him. Hopefully, today's candidates would not be too experienced. Let a few more rookie teams show up. That way, Sasuke could find out which scrolls they had.

Anko Mitarashi finally arrived. Naruto's antics provoked Anko into making a move, and then Orochimaru appeared as well. His long tongue was disgusting to look at. Training with someone like that would truly be worse than death. Sasuke did not activate his Sharingan to observe Orochimaru's movements just now. That would attract attention. He was wearing Sunglasses, but who knew what powerful tricks that guy possessed? People who never seemed to die were the most annoying.

After handing out the consent forms—the agreements of life and death—Anko Mitarashi explained the rules of the second exam. Ah, he really wanted to withdraw from the exam now, but he was unwilling to give up. Conflicting emotions struggled within him. Some Chunin began setting up a small hut, where the scrolls would be collected. The Sharingan could not see what was inside. He could only observe after people came out and see whether they revealed which scroll they had received. After all, the Sharingan's perception was not a problem. He just needed to watch carefully.

Without hesitation, Sasuke filled out his consent form, then called the other two over. "Once you've decided, sign it quickly. If you want to withdraw, do it now. I want to be the first to get a scroll. That might give us an advantage." Sasuke voiced his thoughts. Naruto's unwillingness to lose made him sign immediately. Seeing Sasuke's expression, Sakura signed as well. Sasuke put away all three consent forms and walked to the hut. The three entered together, exchanged them for a Scroll of Heaven, then came back out. Sasuke did not go far. He simply stood nearby and observed in secret.

"Sasuke, why did you want to be the first to exchange for one?" Sakura asked.

"If we exchange first, we'll have time to observe the other teams. If a team accidentally mentions their scroll while talking, we can seize the initiative. The Forest of Death has forty-four gates, as the examiner said. We'll definitely enter from different positions. If we know who has which scroll, we can choose neighboring entrances."

"That's great! I'll observe too," Naruto said excitedly.

"Naruto, don't watch. We're too far away, so we can only read their lips. You won't understand. You and Sakura should sit down and conserve your strength, or organize your equipment. I'm wearing Sunglasses, so they might not notice me watching them."

"Fine." After agreeing, Naruto sat down and organized his Ninja Tool Pouch. More and more people began turning in their consent forms. Those who came out usually did not speak, but some rookies chatted carelessly. After Orochimaru's group collected theirs, they walked to the side. Sasuke did not look over. He crossed his arms and leaned against a rock, as though watching Naruto and Sakura organize their Ninja Tools. Soon, he would casually move farther away from Orochimaru and enter from the other side of them. It would not help much, but it could buy some time. Even if it only brought him closer to the tower, that would be good. After all, the Third Hokage was there.

Good. One group of Amegakure Ninja had said that they held an Earth Scroll. He would keep watching and try to find a few more groups, so he would not have to stay too close to Orochimaru. More alternatives would be better.

With the advantage of preparation, Sasuke found three groups holding Earth Scrolls and silently kept track of them. After everyone had received their scrolls, Anko announced that the competition would begin in thirty minutes. Sasuke began loosening up, waiting for others to move first. Orochimaru did not seem to be paying attention to Sasuke. Perhaps it was simply confidence. He began moving to the left. Two of the teams holding Earth Scrolls were heading that way as well, while the other moved to the right. Only then did Sasuke set off, following that group.

They chose Gate 15. Sasuke chose Gate 16. The two gates were next to each other.

"The group at Gate 15 is from Kusagakure. They have an Earth Scroll. Once we enter, head straight in their direction. I'll take the lead. Keep some distance behind me. Understand?"

"Understood." Sakura nodded in agreement. "Why am I not the one taking the lead?" Naruto protested.

"If you can catch up to me, then come. I'll be going at full speed to keep them from escaping," Sasuke said expressionlessly. Naruto and Sakura both sensed that something about Sasuke was different.