Compared to the Third Kazekage's sour expression, the Third Hokage looked positively radiant.
He hadn't felt this refreshed in ages!
"My two students haven't watched the Chunin Exams in a long time, and they're feeling a bit nostalgic. They wanted to come see them today. I hope we're not causing Sunagakure any trouble?"
Heh.
The Third Kazekage sneered inwardly. Of course he knew exactly what that old fox, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was thinking.
But he couldn't show it. All he could do was force a smile. "Of course not. I was just a little surprised to see so many familiar faces from Konoha here."
With that, he turned and led the people of Konoha into the village.
The moment Konoha's contingent entered Sunagakure, countless gazes turned their way.
They weren't just drawing looks from the people of Sunagakure. There were also participants from other villages who had come for the Chunin Exams, including smaller villages such as Kusagakure and Takigakure.
There were even nobles from the Land of Wind.
Konoha's group was simply impossible to ignore.
It wasn't just because Konoha was one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages and had a renowned name. More importantly, the lineup they'd brought was almost absurdly impressive.
To put it plainly, they had enough strength to start a war right there in Sunagakure.
And what was even more infuriating was that Konoha still had powerful shinobi guarding the village back home.
Konoha truly had both troops and talent in abundance!
Feeling the gazes around him, Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded with satisfaction.
This was exactly the effect he wanted!
The Third Kazekage, walking at the front, felt those gazes too. His expression darkened even further.
The Chunin Exams had been held in Konoha in the first half of the year, giving Konoha a chance to show off its strength. Now it was Sunagakure's turn, and the Third Kazekage had already prepared to make an impression. He hadn't expected Konoha to steal the show again.
But as an old fox, the Third Kazekage kept his expression composed and led Konoha's group to their lodgings.
The Chunin Exams wouldn't begin until tomorrow, so Konoha's people could spend today getting some rest.
Night fell.
Akiyama Shun and Kakashi were assigned to the same room.
Yuhi Kurenai had been right: Akiyama Shun really couldn't get used to the food here. He'd barely eaten anything all day.
Before going to bed, Akiyama Shun opened the food Yuhi Kurenai had packed for him.
To keep it from spoiling, she'd packed food that could be stored for a long time. It didn't taste great, but Akiyama Shun still preferred it to Sunagakure's food.
"...Where'd you get that?"
Kakashi, who had been training, suddenly caught the aroma of food and looked over at Akiyama Shun.
"Yuhi Kurenai thought I might not like the food here, so she brought some for me."
After answering, Akiyama Shun paused, then asked, "Want some?"
Kakashi swallowed. To be honest, he wasn't used to eating here either. The food was very different from what they ate in Konoha, thanks to the difference in climate and location.
After a brief inner struggle, Kakashi nodded.
Faced with Kakashi's longing gaze, Akiyama Shun couldn't bring himself to refuse.
"All right, I'll leave you to your thoughts. You carry on. I'm going to eat."
With that, Akiyama Shun paid Kakashi no more attention.
Kakashi: "..."
The Chunin Exams began on schedule the next day.
Just like in the original story, the first test was a written exam.
It mainly tested the Genin's ability to gather intelligence. Even if they didn't know the answers, they could use various methods to cheat.
Akiyama Shun had no interest in cheating. It would waste too much time, and the questions weren't difficult for him anyway. The moment he finished reading each one, the answer appeared in his mind.
While the other students were still pondering the questions, Akiyama Shun was already writing furiously.
Of course, Akiyama Shun wasn't the only one who started answering right away. Kakashi did too.
As he worked, Akiyama Shun took the opportunity to observe the other students around him.
He didn't spot anyone who looked like a particularly strong opponent. Of course, they might simply be in a different exam room.
Akiyama Shun finished quickly. He had barely put down his pen when Kakashi finished too, just two seconds behind him.
When Akiyama Shun and Kakashi handed in their papers early, the other examinees weren't the only ones stunned. Even the proctor was dumbfounded.
That fast?
They knew some students were good at studying, but they hadn't expected anyone to finish and hand in their exam this quickly!
Some students had only just realized they could cheat and were still figuring out how. These two were already done?
Akiyama Shun and Kakashi paid no attention to the looks they were getting. They handed in their papers and left.
As expected, both of them got perfect scores.
The second day's test took place in the Forest of Death.
Akiyama Shun and Kakashi's team was given the Scroll of Heaven.
This test mainly assessed strength and teamwork.
Of course, Akiyama Shun and Kakashi could work together if they wanted to, but there was no need.
The two of them were strong enough to crush anything in their way!
From the moment they entered the Forest of Death, the two of them charged straight through like a runaway truck. Every team they came across was easily crushed!
Their strength was on an entirely different level from the Genin of the other villages.
The only thing that could affect them was luck.
After taking down three teams in a row, they had only found Scrolls of Heaven. With no other choice, they had to keep searching for opponents.
It wasn't until the fifth team that they finally got a Scroll of Earth. Once they had it, they didn't want to waste any more time, so they headed for the Central Tower.
On the way, several Sunagakure shinobi tried to target them. Shinobi from the major villages were indeed somewhat stronger, but they were still no match for Akiyama Shun and Kakashi.
The two of them dispatched their opponents as easily as chopping vegetables.
Throughout the Forest of Death, Akiyama Shun and Kakashi didn't even use a single ninjutsu. Those shinobi weren't worth wasting extra chakra on. The two White Fang Blades did all the work from beginning to end.
The Forest of Death was supposed to take five days, but Akiyama Shun and Kakashi speedran it in less than a day.
When they appeared at the Central Tower, everyone was stunned.
Before long, word began to spread about the two Konoha prodigies.
Everyone who had come to take the Chunin Exams learned two new names: Akiyama Shun and Hatake Kakashi!
When the Third Kazekage saw the two of them, he was so furious his teeth nearly ground to dust. But he still had to put on a friendly face and praise Sarutobi Hiruzen. "Konoha truly has an abundance of talent."
And although Sarutobi Hiruzen was practically bursting with joy inside, he kept his expression calm. "Sunagakure has plenty of talent too."
Night fell.
Under Kakashi's envious gaze, Akiyama Shun finished dinner, then sat by the bed and enjoyed the night breeze.
Akiyama Shun was in a very good mood. It wasn't because he'd made Kakashi jealous over a meal. It was because the new month would begin at midnight!
That meant he could collect his monthly allowance again, and collecting his allowance meant one more thing.
He could draw cards again!
Before you continue