Registration

Konoha Ninja Academy.

"Why did they suddenly call us back to school?"

"Yeah, there's still a week of vacation left, isn't there?"

"Maybe it's because graduation season is coming? I wonder how hard our class's graduation exam will be."

The students chatted among themselves in the classroom.

They talked about everything from the Kage Summit to the Academy suddenly calling them back to class, though none of it was particularly serious.

Listening to his classmates' chatter, Shinji rested his head on his desk and gazed out the window. It's graduation season already? he wondered.

His classmates' reminder made him realize, belatedly, that there was only half a semester left before graduation.

Suddenly, the classroom fell silent.

From the sound of the footsteps, Shinji knew Iruka had entered the classroom without even turning around.

"ahem." After clearing his throat twice, Iruka said, "The village has decided to hold the Chunin Exams ahead of schedule, which is why I called you all to the Academy today. Since you're the graduating class, anyone who wants to take part in the Chunin Exams can sign up with me."

As soon as he finished speaking, Iruka's gaze swept over to Shinji.

"The Chunin Exams?"

Shinji furrowed his brow.

In the original timeline, the Chunin Exams had been held after Naruto and Sasuke's class graduated. By his reckoning, holding them now meant they were a year early.

"What? They're holding the Chunin Exams!?"

"Can Academy students take part too?"

"Don't we have to graduate and become Genin before we can take the Chunin Exams?"

The classroom erupted.

The Chunin Exams had always been one of the village's biggest events. Although the students had never taken part themselves, they had all watched them.

So when they heard that they could participate this time, excitement spread through the