Chunin Exam

"I've heard that this Uchiha Chen used to be a genius too, even more talented than that Sasuke Uchiha back at the Ninja Academy!"

"Yes, Chen's talent is indeed higher than Sasuke's. It's just a pity that years ago, due to the tragedy of the Uchiha clan, he suffered a severe mental blow and became a fool who couldn't even take care of himself. Since then, he hasn't returned to the Academy and has been hiding at home, relying on Sasuke to look after him. He's essentially finished." The Third Hokage said regretfully.

"Is that so..." Kakashi felt it was a shame too, but didn't dwell on it.

"Anyway, that's all I wanted to say. You can get to know them yourself after you meet them tomorrow."

"I understand. But even if they are Obito's clansman and the teacher's child, if they don't pass that test, I won't make them my students." Though he said this, Kakashi still planned to give them a little hint.

"That test? I believe Naruto and the others won't disappoint you," the Third Hokage said to Kakashi.

"I hope so. Well then, I'll take my leave." Kakashi bowed to the Third Hokage.

"Go on!" The Third waved his hand, signaling Kakashi to withdraw.

After leaving the Hokage's Office, Kakashi didn't return home but went to the Memorial Stone in Konoha. "Obito, Teacher, Rin, I've come to see you again. Tomorrow I'll be a squad leader again, and this time the students are Obito's clansman and the teacher's child. But even so, I won't go easy on them. Those who break the rules and iron laws of the ninja world are called scum. But those who don't treasure their comrades are worse than scum. That's what you taught me, Obito. If they don't pass that test, I'll have no choice but to send them back to the Academy. After all, a ninja who can't work in a team will only die faster on the battlefield."

Meanwhile, Chen was lying on the tatami, lost in thought. Today, as usual, he had gone to the lab in the forest to train, then returned home to find something new on Sasuke's forehead.

A headband! The symbol of a ninja.

"So Sasuke and the others graduated from the Academy today. That means the plot has started!" Chen thought to himself.

According to the Original Story, tomorrow Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura would be assigned to a team and meet Kakashi. Kakashi would test them the day after, and if nothing went wrong, they'd pass and become Team 7. Not long after, there would be a escort mission.

"The plot has finally begun. Soon I can leave Konoha." Chen thought excitedly. "How exciting!"

The next day, Sasuke went to school as usual and met their squad leader, Kakashi. After brief introductions, Kakashi sent them home, telling them to come back the next day for a test. Just like in the Original Story, they had a Survival Exercise. At first, Sasuke and the others fought individually and were utterly crushed by Kakashi. Naruto tried to eat his lunch alone and got tied to a tree. Kakashi told them all they'd failed, then lectured them on the importance of teamwork. Finally, he said he'd give them another chance, but the test would be harder. Only those willing to challenge could eat lunch, but they were absolutely forbidden to feed Naruto—it was punishment for his selfishness. Anyone who shared with him would be eliminated immediately.

However, when Sasuke heard Naruto's stomach growling from hunger, he defied Kakashi's warning and shared his lunch with Naruto, saying they'd go for the bells together in the afternoon and he didn't want Naruto to be a hindrance. Just as Sakura was about to feed the tied-up Naruto, Kakashi suddenly appeared before them, using ninjutsu to create a scene of howling wind and flashing thunder to pressure them, demanding why they disobeyed his rules. Sasuke and the others said they were a team and should be of one mind.

After that, seeing they understood the importance of teamwork, Kakashi declared them all pass and said he'd given this test to other teams before, but none had succeeded. Sasuke's team was the first to pass.

Finally, Kakashi told them, "Those who break the rules and iron laws of the ninja world are called scum. But those who don't treasure their comrades are worse than scum." He announced the exercise was over, they all passed, and Team 7 would start missions tomorrow.

From then on, Team 7 went to the Hokage's Office every day to take on small tasks like chopping wood, carrying water, and picking up trash from the river. After a while, Naruto grew bored with these minor jobs and demanded higher-level missions. The Third Hokage, unable to handle Naruto, gave Team 7 a C-rank mission: escort a Bridge Builder safely to the Land of Waves. The team then went home to prepare.

"I'm going on a mission tomorrow and will be out of the village for a few days. I've already arranged with the owner of Ichiraku Ramen to have ramen delivered to you every day while I'm gone. Just stay home and don't go out, got it?" Sasuke said to Chen, who was on the tatami, after packing his luggage and coming to Chen's room.

"Sasuke, where are you going? I want to go too!" Chen scrambled up and said to Sasuke.

"Idiot, I'm going on a mission. How could I bring a useless burden like you? Just stay home, you good-for-nothing who only holds people back." Sasuke snapped at Chen.

"Oh, I understand. I'll stay home and wait for you to come back. I won't go anywhere." Chen put on a pitiful look and said dejectedly to Sasuke.

"Hmph! Good. Don't cause any trouble, or you'll regret it when I get back." Sasuke warned Chen, then left the room.

"Going on a mission? This must be the escort mission for that Bridge Builder named Tazuna to the Land of Waves from the Original Story. After they return, it'll be the Chunin Exam. With Sasuke gone, I have more time to train. When Orochimaru launches the Konoha Crush Plan, I'll take advantage of the chaos to kill some ninjas and earn some Points." Chen had already planned it out.

The next day, Sasuke left early with his pack to meet Naruto and the others at the village gate. But they waited until noon for Kakashi to show up. After Kakashi presented their exit permit, they set off from Konoha toward the Land of Waves.

At that moment, both Naruto and Sasuke were thrilled—it was their first time leaving the village. They even forgot about Kakashi being late and making them wait so long.

After Sasuke left, Chen went to the old lab in the forest to train. Though Sasuke was gone, Chen left a Shadow Clone behind because the Ichiraku Ramen owner would have his daughter Ayame deliver ramen to Chen at mealtimes. Chen also summoned a small Pomeranian to scout the movements in Konoha.

A few days later, as the Chunin Exam approached, ninjas from smaller villages began appearing in Konoha, including those from Sunagakure, one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Since Suna was a defeated nation in the Third Shinobi World War, according to the treaty between the two countries, they had lost the right to hold Chunin Exams in their own village. All their genin had to come to Konoha to pass the exam and become chunin. The smaller villages either lacked the resources or found Konoha's exam more authoritative, so they all came to Konoha for the Chunin Exam.

"What a lively scene! Konoha is a mix of dragons and fish now. I need to be careful. That Orochimaru might already be in the village. That freak has a serious craving for Uchiha bodies. I absolutely can't catch his attention!" Chen became alert after reviewing the intelligence from the Pomeranian.

In the Original Story, Orochimaru had lost to Uchiha Itachi because of the Sharingan's disadvantage and had been obsessed with it ever since. Though he set his sights on Sasuke in the Original Story, there was no guarantee he wouldn't take an interest in Chen, another Uchiha, even if Chen was now considered a waste.

After noticing the increase in outsiders in the village, Chen stopped training. He didn't want any accidents. It was safer to just stay in his room and sleep.

A few days later, Team 7 returned to Konoha after completing their mission. Just like in the Original Story, Naruto and the others first clashed with the Suna ninjas Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari, and eventually learned about the upcoming Chunin Exam.

The squad leaders of the Konoha 12—Might Guy, Kakashi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Asuma Sarutobi—all recommended their students for the Chunin Exam to the Third Hokage.

"My strength should be at the jonin level by now. When the Konoha Crush Plan happens, I'll grab some Points. With my current power, it shouldn't be a problem." Chen thought as he lay on the tatami.

For over two years, Chen had been training relentlessly, never daring to slack off, so his strength had grown tremendously. Drawing on his memories from his past life, he had derived skills like "Chidori Stream" and "Chidori Sharp Spear" from the Chidori technique. He had also mastered "Ten Finger Gun" and the Six Styles ultimate technique "Rokuogan."

All these skills were developed by Chen himself, not obtained through the system. It had to be said, Chen's talent was indeed remarkable.

"How exciting! Hehe~~"