"Oh~ How polite of you all, bowing to greet me."
A mocking voice rang out in midair, its casual tone carrying an absolute, unquestionable power that struck everyone's hearts like an invisible sledgehammer.
The instant the words fell.
The once-buzzing exam venue went deathly silent—as though someone had hit the mute button.
Even the sound of breathing became clearly audible.
The ground trembled faintly. The air seemed to solidify, every breath heavy as lead, pressing against their chests until they could barely breathe.
So... so terrifying...
The ninja whispering on the sidelines instantly turned deathly pale. Fine beads of cold sweat seeped from their temples. Only by clenching their teeth did they manage to keep from collapsing, their legs shaking like leaves.
Fuck, what the hell was Konoha doing?
They let someone this terrifying in? Those bastards...
Even if I die, I'll never forgive you. Damn Konoha, this is all your fault...
Every one of them was inwardly cursing Konoha to hell.
Some even regretted coming to the Chunin Ninja Exams. Now, instead of becoming Chunin, they were going to become martyrs—and fucking die far from home, at that.
How pathetic was that?!
The Konoha Twelve.
They, too, were enveloped by this sudden oppressive presence. The excitement vanished from their faces, leaving only undisguised shock and wariness.
"Damn it~ Who's there?!"
Naruto instinctively clenched his fists. The nine-tails chakra inside him stirred in response to the power, letting out a low roar.
But he was no longer the boy he had once been. He forced down the impulse to unleash the Nine-Tails' power, craned his neck, and shouted, "You bastard, trying to scare the great Naruto? Come out! Get out here!"
Holy shit~ This kid.
He's got balls!
That same old fiery spirit swept away some of their fear like