"As expected of Shikamaru!"
Naruto grinned and said to Shikamaru with great admiration.
Shikamaru shook his head, looking at Sasuke and Hinata with a serious expression:
"The advantage of us splitting up is that we have a greater chance of success, but... if anything goes wrong and you need our help, you should let us know in advance."
Something was off about this assessment, and Shikamaru wasn't sure if it was just his imagination.
"Okay, I understand."
Sasuke nodded. He believed he was quite strong, but he wouldn't be so arrogant as to look down on everyone.
You are the same.
Shikamaru simply chuckled at Sasuke's words.
Putting everything else aside, if it really came down to survival, their squad was even stronger than Naruto and Sasuke.
"I understand. Good luck, everyone!"
Shikamaru spoke, he extended his right fist.
"Whoa! Go for it!" Naruto excitedly lunged straight for Shikamaru's fist.
"The exam begins! All teams, come and collect your materials!"
Kakashi stood at the entrance and shouted loudly.
Naruto and the others stood up, exchanged glances, and then separated.
The team that had been secretly watching Naruto and the others felt a little disappointed upon seeing this.
If these two teams actually get together, they can bring others along to join.
Naruto and Sasuke, needless to say, had already provoked many people on the day they registered.
Shikamaru only gets noticed during the written exam; they are the most eye-catching figures in the entire classroom.
Even the examiner of that test praised Shikamaru and his companions for their remarkable skills.
"Hinata, Ino, you two go get it. Be careful to hide the scroll."
Shikamaru spoke to the two girls in the group.
Hinata and Ino had no objections and headed straight in the direction Kakashi was.
"Sasuke, try your best to see if you can find any other scrolls later."
Shikamaru then turned to Sasuke was standing nearby.
Sasuke nodded and immediately activated his Sharingan.
Shikamaru could think of it, the other Genin aren't stupid; they'll definitely think of it too.
The Hinata and Ino were sent to retrieve it was simply because they were able to counter some of their senses.
Hinata had just taken the scroll when she noticed a gaze fixed on her from the sky.
With a flick of his wrist, the scroll slipped directly into his sleeve, and he looked up.
An eyeball made of sand was staring straight at her, and Ino immediately put it away.
"Heaven... Earth... Earth... Heaven... Earth..."
Sasuke, meanwhile, secretly observed his surroundings, noticing the scrolls displayed by some seemingly carefree individuals.
And some deliberately showed others the scrolls they were holding.
She then began talking to Shikamaru, while Shikamaru pondered to himself. He stopped talking when he saw Hinata and Ino return.
"Don't say anything yet, we'll see after we go inside."
Hinata pointed to the eyeball that had been observing her location and said in a low voice.
Sasuke looked up and glanced at it, then let out a cold snort.
It seems that someone is still watching them.
Shikamaru sighed; just as he had expected, it was the worst possible outcome.
"What the hell? Who is this guy? Why is he just hiding?" Naruto looked around, annoyed, trying to find out who it was.
"No need. Didn't you want to see them? Then let's see who has the best skills. Hopefully, their scrolls will be exactly what we need."
Sasuke then closed his Sharingan and spoke calmly.
"Alright, let's proceed according to plan." Shikamaru remained noncommittal; they were going to steal it anyway.
Anyone who thinks they're made of clay can try it out.
"All squads, to your positions!"
Kakashi shouted, then flipped and leaped onto a large tree.
"To reiterate, if anyone wants to quit midway, pull the signal flare that was given to you when you received the scroll."
The examiners will arrive as soon as possible.
"Now... the exam begins!"
As soon as the words were spoken, the teams that had been waiting at each entrance began to move.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata exchanged glances and pretended to head towards an entrance.
Just before they entered, the maximum amount of Chakra erupted from beneath their feet, instantly propelling them towards the opposite position.
"Asshole--!"
The team that had been watching Naruto and his group all cursed loudly.
Meanwhile, in the squad that had entered earlier, Gaara was being Temari back tightly by Temari.
"Gaara, it's okay. The exam hall isn't that big anyway, we'll run into them eventually..."
Although Temari was afraid of Gaara, she still spoke up.
Actually, it was also because Kakashi's gaze had already turned towards them.
Once a team enters the gate, it must not take a single step outside; otherwise, it will mean losing its eligibility to take the exam.
"Whoosh--! Whoosh--!"
Gaara gradually calmed down and turned to walk deeper into the area, since there was no chance to fight Naruto and Sasuke.
Let's start by taking down a few squads to liven things up!
Kakashi watched the door gradually close, his brow furrowing involuntarily.
That killing intent and Chakra fluctuation just now...
"Everyone, get moving!"
Without thinking further, Kakashi turned to all the examiners present and said...
"Yes!"
As soon as the words were spoken, the examiners used Body Flicker Techniques to leave their positions.
"Alas, these are troubled times."
Kakashi glanced at a security camera not far away and couldn't help but sigh.
Just as Shikamaru had predicted, this exam had indeed become somewhat different.
The number of participating teams from almost all Five Great Nations was the same, which is why Shikamaru felt there were still so many people taking the second exam.
Ultimately, this is determined by the Five Kage.
The second test was a wager between the Five Great Nations to determine command of Operation Akatsuki.
The village with the most squads reaching the tower will gain command.
If the number of teams arriving from both ninja villages is the same, then the battle will take place inside the tower.
The loser disqualifies their entire village.
As for anyone who dares to use any means to interfere with this exam, the other ninja villages will unite to attack them.
It's ridiculous, but that's reality.
The small ninja village, on the other hand, was practically ineligible to participate.
No one cares whether they survive this test.
Kakashi rubbed his hair. He had already given the warning as much as he could, and he just hoped that Naruto and his gang of brats would notice.
After all, this decision was made an hour ago.
That's why he was half an hour late, and that foul-mouthed guy called him Genin.
I just don't like him.
It's better to just knock this person unconscious and take them to Konoha Hospital.
Although it may cost an exorbitant amount, it's still better than losing your life.
He, Kakashi, is still as kind as ever...