The Examiner Blocks the Door

In the quiet afternoon of Konoha, warm sunlight filtered through sparse clouds, casting dappled shadows across the serene streets.

Kakashi stood beneath an ancient cherry blossom tree, his gaze deep as if pondering some momentous decision. Beside him, Iruka, also a teacher, looked at Kakashi with a puzzled expression, waiting for an explanation.

"Kakashi-senpai, are you really asking me to disguise myself and test their resolve to participate in the Chunin Exam?" Iruka's voice carried a hint of hesitation and uncertainty.

Kakashi nodded lightly, a trace of barely perceptible tenderness flickering in his eyes. "Yes, Iruka. I need to understand their true determination and preparedness. But there's one thing I want to make clear: you don't need to test Naruto."

Iruka's brow furrowed deeper. "Why? Naruto has always worked hard. His desire for the Chunin Exam is no less than anyone else's."

Kakashi smiled faintly. "That's exactly why I say you don't need to test him. As for the reason... you'll know when the time comes."

Iruka stared at Kakashi's confident demeanor. Though still full of doubt, he nodded and decided to follow Kakashi's plan.

On an ordinary day in Konoha, the sunlight was warm and bright.

Iruka, clad in a black cloak and wearing a mask to conceal his face, disguised himself as an unknown enemy and quietly appeared within Naruto and Konohamaru's line of sight.

His goal was to kidnap Konohamaru, thereby testing Naruto and the other genin's reactions to a sudden crisis.

When Iruka "kidnapped" Konohamaru with lightning speed, the Six Eyes beneath Naruto's sunglasses instantly caught the truth of the situation.

A flicker of amusement passed through his gaze, then returned to calm—the Six Eyes clearly saw through Iruka's disguise, understanding this was merely a test arranged by Kakashi-sensei.

After confirming Konohamaru was in no real danger, Naruto chose to go eat barbecue on the street, completely unwilling to waste time playing this hostage-rescue game.

On the other side, Uchiha Sasuke, Sakura Haruno, Choji Akimichi, Ino Yamanaka, Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee, Tenten, Shino Aburame, Kiba Inuzuka, Hinata Hyuga, Kabuto, and Shikamaru Nara—all genin—whether through keen intuition or teamwork, each displayed their courage and wisdom, successfully passing Iruka's test.

Naruto's inaction left Iruka somewhat disappointed. After the test ended, Iruka reported the entire process to Kakashi with this complex emotion.

Kakashi listened, then a meaningful smile curled at the corner of his mouth. He gently patted Iruka's shoulder and said, "Iruka, Naruto is qualified. He might have seen through your disguise long ago."

Iruka was stunned. "How is that possible? Naruto is just a genin. How could he see through my disguise?"

Kakashi smiled without a word and earnestly flipped through the Icha Icha Paradise in his hands.

Five days passed in a flash, and soon it was the day they entered the exam classroom.

When Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura arrived at the exam classroom door, the scene before them made them frown.

Two Leaf Ninja were blocking the entrance, their expressions arrogant, while Rock Lee lay sprawled on the ground, clearly kicked down by one of them.

The squint-eyed Leaf Ninja spoke contemptuously: "With you lot like this, you think you can take the Chunin Exam?"

The other ninja chimed in, his tone full of mockery: "Yeah, little brats, go home!"

At that moment, Tenten was anxiously helping Rock Lee up, her face etched with worry and indignation. Yet even in this state, she maintained rare politeness, pleading with the two ninja: "Please let us through, I beg you." Tenten's voice trembled slightly, but her eyes were as firm as stone—clearly, she had no intention of giving in.

However, just then, the squint-eyed ninja suddenly threw a punch at Tenten and said coldly: "What did you say? Listen up, this is our 'gentle' teaching. The Chunin Exam is a brutal trial."

The other ninja added: "We've seen too many people who gave up the path of a ninja and fell into despair after taking this exam."

The squint-eyed ninja continued: "And the responsibility of a Chunin is more than you can imagine!"

The other ninja said mercilessly: "For those who can't pass, what's wrong with turning them away at the door?"

However, the Six Eyes beneath Naruto's sunglasses had long seen through this simple Genjutsu. Not just him—Sasuke and Sakura also saw the truth.

Sasuke stepped forward and said coolly: "Drop this pointless Genjutsu now. We need to get to the third floor."