Konoha Guesthouse, Kusagakure District, Hada Ichiba's room.
Peals of laughter drifted up from the living room downstairs, muffled by the layers of soundproofing.
In the somewhat deserted room, Hada Ichiba sat alone at his desk, burning scroll after scroll and erasing all traces of what he had just written.
Uzumaki Naruto...
Second Pillar...
Haruno Sakura...
The most surprising one was Haruno Sakura. The qualities she displayed in every aspect—if she had a famous teacher guiding her...
As for the others, there is nothing particularly remarkable about them yet. Even those three who have been in close contact with me do not seem truly special.
But...
After this first exam, some things seem to have gone beyond my expectations.
As expected, plans cannot keep up with changes?
As the scrolls before him burned into ash one by one, thin smoke drifted out the window and scattered through the air on the wind. Hada Ichiba no longer wore that lazy, carefree look he showed before others, as if nothing could ever concern him.
Instead, the corners of his mouth were slightly downturned, and his brow was deeply furrowed. He looked thoroughly troubled.
At the same time, he could not get the image of that white-haired, bespectacled man—Kabuto Yakushi—out of his mind.
Orochimaru...
Is he the source of all these variables? As a series of images involving Kabuto Yakushi flashed through his mind, Hada Ichiba's brow gradually furrowed even tighter.
And the first exam is already beyond saving.
With his brow drawn even tighter, Hada Ichiba gently extinguished the flames. Looking at the basket full of ashes, he let out a soft sigh.
Knock, knock, knock!
At that moment, someone knocked on the door.
"Kazuha, it's me, He Yin."
He Yin's voice then came from outside.
"The door isn't locked."
At this, Hada