After returning to Konoha.
Gaara and Feng Yao said their goodbyes.
"Feng... Why hasn't Lord Tors come back yet?"
Kin waited anxiously, while Zaku stood beside her with an impatient look on his face.
"You've asked me more than thirty times already. How would I know? Can you quit bothering me?"
Zaku answered irritably. Kin was driving him crazy.
Just then, a gentle voice came from behind them, and Feng Yao appeared.
"What are you arguing about? I'm back, aren't I?"
Zaku let out a long sigh of relief. Kin, meanwhile, gazed at Feng Yao with adoration.
He led them into the classroom where the exam would be held. By then, quite a few ninja had already gathered. They came from the various countries around Konoha. This was also a miniature reflection of the wars between nations—a stage where each country could display its strength.
According to his memories, the villages that had sent ninja to take the Chunin Exam this time were:
Thirty from Sunagakure, twenty-one from Amegakure, six from Kusagakure, six from Takigakure, eighty-seven from Konoha, and three from Sound Village.
These numbers alone showed the military gap between the different countries.
A nation's strength lay in the strength of its ninja village.
And a ninja village's strength depended on its ninja.
Once inside, he spotted many familiar faces.
Shikamaru, Kiba, and Choji had once been his classmates. They had all attended the Ninja Academy together.
Just then, Feng Yao noticed someone else: Kabuto, another of the most capable schemers in the entire Naruto world.
He was holding several Ninja Info Cards and talking with Naruto and the others about the villages and ninja taking part in the exam.
"As for Sound Village, it's just a small country that was recently established, so there isn't much information on it. The other countries are full of capable ninja."
Feng Yao heard him, and so did Zaku and Kin. Naturally, neither of them looked pleased.
"Kabuto really is an outstanding spy. He's completely disregarding his position as Sound Village's second-in-command."
To be honest, Feng Yao wanted to bring Kabuto under his command. But he knew Kabuto wasn't a child. He traveled between countries gathering intelligence and had been thoroughly brainwashed by Orochimaru. Unlike Gaara, he wouldn't be persuaded by Feng Yao's Body Release.
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki, and I'll never lose to any of you!"
The room fell into an awkward silence for a few seconds. Everyone looked at Naruto with hostility.
"I'd love to teach him a lesson."
"Lord Tors, what do you think? Should we...?"
Feng Yao fought back a laugh. What did he think? He really wanted to see how they'd beat up their own second-in-command.
"I won't stop you. Just don't go too far."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zaku charged first. Special devices on his hands let him control air pressure with chakra and use it to attack.
He leaped into the air and fired a Cutting Air Wave at Kabuto. Kabuto pushed off with both feet and hurriedly dodged.
Kin seized the opportunity to throw needles behind Kabuto, then pulled on the threads attached to them.
A rapid series of bell chimes rang out. The sound could unsettle anyone who heard it, and Kabuto seemed dazed. Zaku punched him and sent him flying.
"Damn, what acting! That looked completely real. No wonder no one's ever uncovered Kabuto's undercover work."
Feng Yao silently applauded Kabuto.
Naruto and the others hurried over to check on him, then got ready to confront Zaku.
Suddenly, a huge cloud of white smoke burst through the classroom.
"You brats, quiet down!"
When the smoke cleared, several Chunin responsible for the exam stood there, along with the chief examiner, Morino Ibiki.
"Getting impatient, are you? I'm the examiner for the first round of the Chunin Exams. You Sound Ninja, keep it down, or you'll be disqualified."
At that, Feng Yao stepped forward.
"Sorry for the trouble. My teammate was out of line. Are you all right?"
He helped Kabuto to his feet.
"Mr. Feng Yao..."
Gaara saw Feng Yao too and silently murmured his name to himself.
Kabuto gave Feng Yao a meaningful look and said he didn't mind.
Morino Ibiki glanced around before announcing the rules.
"Next, you'll each receive a piece of intelligence. Your job is to protect yours from prying eyes while trying to steal someone else's. You'll have one hour, and the exam will take place within a one-kilometer radius of the buildings nearby. Anyone who goes beyond that distance will be disqualified."
"When time is up, any team that has protected its own intelligence and obtained the intelligence of any other team will pass. If you fail either of those two requirements, you'll be eliminated."
Feng Yao frowned again. Had the rules for the Chunin Exam changed too? Was it because he had appeared?
Once everyone had received a scroll, Morino Ibiki gave the order.
"Let the exam begin."
Before you continue