Mid-Exam Progress

Chen had been training for over two years without daring to slack off, so his strength had greatly increased. Furthermore, relying on his past life's memories, he had derived the ninjutsu Chidori into skills like "Chidori Stream" and "Chidori Sharp Spear." He had also mastered Finger Gun, developing skills like "Ten Finger Gun" and the Rokuogan secret technique "Rokuogan." These skills were all discovered by Chen himself, not obtained through the System's exchange. It had to be said that Chen's talent was indeed very high.

"This is truly something to look forward to! Hehehe~~"

Inside the Hokage's office building at this moment, a group of ninjas were gathered. Among them were Chunin from the Ninja Academy, but most were Jonin acting as team leaders. Everyone was waiting for the Third Hokage to speak.

"As you can tell from my expression, everyone knows we've reached this point." The Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe and said to the crowd below.

"This matter has already been announced to the other countries, and many ninjas from other villages have already appeared in Konoha!" Asuma Sarutobi, the Third Hokage's son, a man with a full beard, also had a cigarette dangling from his lips as he spoke to the Third Hokage. Are all Sarutobi family members chain-smokers?

"So! When does it start?" Kurenai Yuhi asked softly.

"In a week."

"So soon!" Kakashi said.

The Third Hokage took a deep drag of his cigarette and, after exhaling, stood up from his chair.

"Now, I officially announce that the Chunin Selection Exams will be held on July 1st, one week from now. This meeting is adjourned."

"Yes!" everyone replied, and then they each went back to inform their students.

The Genin of Konoha, after receiving notification from their teachers, were all nervously preparing.

Finally, after a week had passed, the highly anticipated Chunin Selection Exams finally kicked off.

First, the Genin who needed to participate in the selection had to go to a classroom arranged by Konoha for a written exam. As in the original work, Sasuke and his teammates had a conflict with Team 3, led by Might Guy. Sasuke even had a duel with Rock Lee, one of the other "Konoha Eleven."

It's worth mentioning that in the original work, Sasuke lost to Rock Lee in this duel. However, this time was different. Three years ago, after being stimulated by the mysterious "Root" and Anbu members in the forest, Sasuke had trained even harder than in the original work, and his strength was a few points stronger. Therefore, he did not lose the duel with Lee, but rather, it ended in a draw.

However, this was only because Lee hadn't used his full strength at the time before Might Guy appeared and stopped them. Then, Guy and Lee put on a show of deep master-disciple affection in front of the three members of Team 7, leaving everyone stunned. Before Lee left, he specifically told Sasuke that he hadn't used his full strength in their previous match and that there was a ninja in his team who was even stronger than him. Lee's participation in the Chunin Exams was to defeat that person, and Sasuke was also his target.

Next, the Konoha Eleven of the same year gathered in the examination hall. Kabuto Yakushi, an upperclassman, came out to show off his intelligence, and then staged a duet with some members of Otogakure. Following that, Ibiki Morino, the examiner and a rather rough-looking uncle, appeared with his "rough" team and announced the start of the exam.

The exam proceeded with the candidates using various secret techniques to cheat. At the very last moment of the exam, Ibiki presented the tenth question to the candidates, saying, "First, I will give you a choice: to take the tenth question or not. If you choose not to take it, your score will become zero, meaning you will lose your right to take the exam. Of course, others in your clan will also be eliminated. Additionally, there is another rule. If you choose to take it but cannot answer correctly, that candidate... will permanently lose their qualification to participate in the Chunin Exams. However, I am not leaving you with no options. Those who lack confidence can obediently choose not to take it and participate next year or the year after. Now, let's begin. Those who choose not to take it, raise your hands. After confirming your numbers, get out immediately."

Under such pressure, many candidates couldn't bear it and withdrew. The remaining candidates, after Naruto's passionate declaration, broke through their anxieties and chose to stay. Finally, Ibiki announced to the remaining candidates that all who stayed had passed.

Following Ibiki's lecture to the candidates, Anko Mitarashi made a powerful entrance and announced that she was the examiner for the second stage. She arrogantly told the candidates present, "In the second exam, I will eliminate more than half of you. I will explain in detail when you arrive at the venue tomorrow. For the assembly location, time, etc., ask your respective Jonin leaders. That's all, dismissed!"

The next day, the candidates obtained information from their respective Jonin leaders and gathered at the entrance of Training Ground No. 4. After Anko Mitarashi announced the rules and they signed the death-oath, they each entered the training ground known as the "Forest of Death." However, among these candidates was a formidable figure: Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin of Konoha, now an S-class rogue ninja.

Shortly after the second part of the Chunin Exams began, Sasuke and Sakura were attacked by Orochimaru in the Forest of Death. Under Orochimaru's Death Prediction Technique, Sasuke was filled with fear, trembling so much that he could barely fight back. Just as Sasuke was about to hand over the scroll to Orochimaru to save his life, Naruto appeared at the opportune moment and stopped him. While Naruto fought Orochimaru, Sasuke was surprised to find that Naruto's agility was completely unlike that of a "dead last." Although Naruto couldn't defeat Orochimaru, his actions ignited Sasuke's fighting spirit. He used a Fuma Shuriken tied with a wire to restrain Orochimaru and then used a Fire Style ninjutsu to burn Orochimaru's face with the wire. Just as Sasuke thought he had defeated Orochimaru, Orochimaru, satisfied with Sasuke's abilities, branded him with the Curse Mark of Heaven. Sasuke collapsed in pain, and before leaving, Orochimaru told Sakura that Sasuke would eventually come to him for power.

Due to the curse mark, Sasuke lost consciousness, just like Naruto. Sakura took care of him. At this moment, a group of Otogakure ninjas, under Orochimaru's orders, came to eliminate Sasuke. Sakura, along with the arriving Rock Lee and Team 10, struggled to hold off the three Otogakure ninjas, but the situation was unfavorable. Sakura was also seriously injured. Other members of Team 3, led by Neji, arrived. Just as they were preparing to fight the Otogakure ninjas, Sasuke's body adapted to the curse mark, and he awoke. In his enraged state, Sasuke's body was covered in the curse mark's black patterns. He attacked Zaku, who was carelessly about to attack Sakura. Empowered by the curse mark, Sasuke held an absolute advantage. He brutally twisted Zaku's arm and prepared to take revenge on the other two Otogakure ninjas. Sakura, realizing that Sasuke in his curse mark state had lost control, hugged him tightly and begged him to stop. Sakura's actions brought Sasuke back to normal. The terrified Otogakure ninjas left the scroll and fled the scene.

Afterward, Sasuke and the others all passed the second exam. At this point, the Third Hokage, along with a group of ninjas, appeared before the candidates who had passed the second exam. He explained why the Chunin Selection Exams were being held and then announced the content of the third exam.

In the preliminary selection of the exam, Sasuke was the first to compete, and his opponent was the Otogakure ninja Kabuto Yakushi. Before the match, Kakashi warned Sasuke not to use the power of the curse mark, or he might be disqualified directly. After the fight began, Kabuto used his chakra-absorbing ninjutsu to drain a large amount of Sasuke's chakra, gaining a significant advantage. Unable to use the curse mark, Sasuke slightly modified the Taijutsu he had copied from Lee into the Lion Combo, controlled the curse mark, and finally defeated his opponent with a single move. After the match, Kakashi sealed Sasuke's curse mark to prevent it from activating. Orochimaru suddenly appeared and told Kakashi and Sasuke that the curse mark could not be sealed if Sasuke himself did not wish it. After a confrontation with Kakashi, Orochimaru left.

The remaining candidates, after fierce selections, were narrowed down to the top nine. They were Konoha's Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Neji Hyuga, Shino Aburame, and Shikamaru Nara; Sunagakure's Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari; and Otogakure's Dosu Kinuta.

The final nine candidates drew lots to determine their opponents. Since there was an odd number, one person received a bye. Temari of Sunagakure became the one to receive the bye.

"You will now participate in the official selection matches in front of the Chunin. You represent the combat power of your respective countries. I hope you will all perform at your best. Therefore, the official selection will take place in one month." The Third Hokage said to the candidates who had passed the preliminary round before him.

"Isn't it happening today?" Naruto asked, confused.

"This month is preparation time. In other words, it's to make time to notify the Daimyo and ninja leaders of each country. To let them know that the preliminary rounds have ended and they can come to watch the official selection. It also gives you candidates some time to improve yourselves and prepare." The Third Hokage said to the candidates while smoking his pipe.

"I'm a bit confused. What's going on?" Kankuro, confused by the verbose Third Hokage, asked irritably.

"Simply put, it's for you to make targeted preparations, analyze your opponents' performances in the preliminary rounds, and thus increase your chances of winning. Although the previous battles were also real combat, you were fighting against opponents you didn't know. However, it's different in the official selection. Your opponents' strengths have all been revealed. For the sake of fairness, use this month to become stronger. Thank you for your hard work. See you in a month. Dismissed!" After explaining to the candidates before him, the Third Hokage announced the dissolution and then left.

The candidates also left the venue, each lost in thought.