Chunin Exams (4)

Kabuto, just like before, made himself familiar to Sasuke. After showing off a stack of ninja information cards, he returned to the other examinees.

This man... I absolutely cannot let him get away.

Naruto could not sense even the slightest malice from Kabuto, and it chilled him to the bone... This man's ability to disguise himself was terrifying! Even Naruto, with the special abilities of the Uzumaki Clan, had noticed nothing.

Perhaps when Kabuto played the role of someone harmless to man and beast, he truly became that person.

He was the finest kind of spy, which was why Orochimaru valued him.

"You pieces of trash! Shut up!"

The first exam's chief proctor, Ibiki Morino, appeared at the front of the classroom with a group of examiners. His overwhelming presence instantly silenced the previously chaotic room.

"...Heh, I can't solve a single question."

Sasuke looked at the nine questions on the test paper and finally realized that.

He fell into thought: Naruto's theory grades aren't much better than mine. If I can't solve even one question, he shouldn't be doing much better either... Yet he isn't worried at all...

The chief proctor Ibiki's words before the exam flashed rapidly through his mind:

"Remember this: shameful cheating will only bring about your own downfall!"

"A ninja must uncover the truth of a situation!"

"Be an outstanding ninja!"

Considering the strange rule of deducting points for cheating, the clues in Sasuke's mind gradually connected.

Hmph... I understand now. The real purpose of this exam is intelligence-gathering ability—in other words, cheating without being discovered!

Sharingan!

Sasuke instantly activated his Three Tomoe Sharingan. Since the questions exceeded the abilities of genin, and the test was meant to assess intelligence-gathering, there had to be Chunin planted among the examinees by the proctors... Found him. That's the one!

Copy Movement!

Sasuke's right hand automatically followed the examinee sitting diagonally ahead of him, who was flying across his paper, copying down the answers.

Byakugan!

Hinata had also figured out the exam's requirements. With her 360-degree x-ray vision, she easily found the paper filled with answers and silently copied them onto her own test.

Hmm?

Since Naruto and Hinata were on the same team this time, they were not seated together. Noticing Hinata suddenly start scribbling furiously on her test, Naruto grinned and began writing on his own pristine sheet...

For a time, the genin who had discovered the true purpose of the written exam all began displaying their respective tricks.

Those who released dogs released dogs, those who released insects released insects, those who used their eyes used their eyes, those who used mirrors used mirrors, those who relied on confidence relied on confidence, those who relied on intelligence relied on intelligence, and those who released crows released crows...

Is Ino not done yet...? Shikamaru had figured out the key before Ibiki even finished speaking. He could not be bothered with these questions, so he propped up his chin in boredom and waited with Choji for their teammate's support.

Meanwhile, others were gradually expelled from the exam room after being caught cheating five times.

Before long, after Hinata had copied nearly all the questions, she thought, I wonder how Naruto-kun is doing...? A little worried, she kept her Byakugan active and looked at Naruto's paper not far behind her.

The instant she saw it, her face flushed red.

Naruto's test paper was completely blank, save for a large chibi portrait of Hinata drawn on it.

Naruto was grinning foolishly at it.

Hinata was both embarrassed and anxious. Naruto-kun, hurry up and answer the questions...

Just as Hinata was trying to think of a way to help Naruto, chief proctor Ibiki spoke. "All right, now for the tenth question..."

Ah, it's finally about to end...

Sitting in his seat, Naruto glanced at a feminine-looking genin from Kusagakure in the corner of the classroom. Focusing his senses, he thought, There isn't any strong malice. So Orochimaru really won't sneak in until before the second exam...

The instructors of the rookie genin—Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai, Might Guy, and the others—were heading toward the meeting place requested by the Third Hokage.

"I heard the chief proctor for the first exam is Ibiki Morino..." Asuma said as they walked.

"That sadist is the chief proctor..." Kakashi broke out in a cold sweat, remembering Mizuki, who had been handed over to Ibiki.

Back then, Naruto had come to ask Kakashi to use the Sharingan to plant a genjutsu suggestion in Mizuki. That had led to everything that followed. After Mizuki, one of Orochimaru's abandoned pawns, was captured, he had naturally been handed over to Ibiki, the master interrogator.

Kakashi could not even bear to imagine his fate...

"A sadist?" Kurenai asked curiously.

"Kurenai, you're newly promoted to jonin, so you don't know much about that man..." Asuma said.

Might Guy added, "That man is the village's master of torture and interrogation..."

"..." Even Kurenai broke out in a cold sweat. Using someone like that against a bunch of genin was too much. Could Sakura and the others really endure it?

Kurenai thought highly of Sakura, the only member of her team capable of inheriting her genjutsu.

"Come to think of it, why did Lord Hokage summon us at a time like this..." Asuma wondered, a cigarette hanging from his mouth. Shouldn't the jonin be gathered together drinking tea and chatting right now?

Kakashi said nothing.

Because he had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, the Third Hokage had informed Kakashi that Orochimaru had infiltrated the Chunin Exams. After all, within Konoha—especially among the Hokage's faction—there were truly very few fighters who could reach the level of the Sannin. Kakashi, who possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan, was indispensable.

Orochimaru... Kakashi rested his right hand on the headband covering his left eye.

If one knew the details behind the tenth question, it was absurdly easy. Naruto had never taken Ibiki's threats seriously. Sasuke naturally would not give up answering, and Hinata did not want to drag the team down, so Team 7 smoothly passed the first exam.

Crash! Something smashed through the classroom window.

Naruto rubbed his forehead.

"I'm Mitaraishi Anko, chief proctor of the second exam! Hurry up and proceed to the next exam!" Anko made a dashing entrance in her trench coat... Mm-hmm, her fashion score was perfect again today.

"No one's paying attention to you..." Ibiki quietly reminded the lunatic behind the curtain Anko had unfurled.

Anko froze awkwardly.

"So many people? Ibiki... Wasn't the first exam far too easy this time?" Anko mocked him in return. Ibiki smiled faintly. "Because there are many outstanding examinees this time..." Anko waved dismissively. "Hmph, whatever. I'll cut the number of people in half during the second exam!"

Most of the examinees shuddered at those words.

It's about to begin, Kurama.

Hmph, can I finally cut loose and have some real fun...?

Naruto knew that everything had only just begun.