"Hey, have you heard? This Chunin Ninja Exams marks the first time in five years that rookies have participated. Among them is Yi Xiang, who belongs to Team Kakashi. He's taking part too, and he's even in a special one-man team."
Rock Lee said, brimming with fighting spirit.
"What! If we'd known, we should've taken part last year. With a monster like Yi Xiang there, we probably wouldn't stand a chance against him."
Tenten had wanted to give the rookies a good thrashing, but one of her fellow students was practically a teacher. Her confidence took an immediate hit.
"Hmph! There's no guarantee that guy's gotten stronger that quickly. Tenten, with the strength the three of us have now, we might still be able to beat him."
Even so, at the mention of Yi Xiang's name, Neji Hyuga's expression grew noticeably more serious.
Five days later, at the Ninja Academy.
"Are you really going to take the Chunin Ninja Exams?"
"You'd better not, kids."
"You're all a bunch of wet-behind-the-ears brats."
The two men, disguised as Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki, mocked them without the slightest restraint.
"Isn't that Teacher Kotetsu Hagane and Teacher Izumo Kamizuki? Are you the examiners for this test?"
Having just arrived, Yi Xiang immediately put on a puzzled expression.
"Uchiha Isho, I almost forgot. You're one of this year's examinees. The other candidates are in for a treat."
"Now that you're here, we won't hold everyone up anymore. We were going to give them a lecture, but I guess we won't get the chance."
Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki returned to their original appearances and smiled at Yi Xiang. At the same time, they dispelled the genjutsu barrier, and the third floor became the second floor.
Still smiling, Kotetsu Hagane suddenly struck, turning and kicking at Yi Xiang's jaw.
"Teacher Kotetsu Hagane, it's been so long. There's no need to be so enthusiastic the moment we meet."
Yi Xiang smiled as he caught the foot coming at him.
"Just as I thought. You've improved quickly. The time will come when you'll all make a name for yourselves. Go to the third floor and register."
After a few small incidents, Yi Xiang and the nine rookies reached the registration area as they'd hoped.
The moment they entered, they saw the room packed with people. Genin from various ninja villages—over a hundred pairs of eyes, most of them glaring provocatively at Yi Xiang and the others.
Most of them looked close to twenty years old. Some had even taken the exam five or six times and still hadn't passed.
[ Ding! New system quests triggered ] [ Quest One: I've never been afraid of anyone who provokes me. Raise your thumb at all the examining ninja, then point it down and declare, "Even if all of you attack at once, I need only lift a finger to make you vanish into thin air in an instant." Reward: 60 Luck Points,... ] [ Quest Two: Look down on everyone. Say to the ninja who are sneering and provoking you, "What are you looking at? Never seen a handsome guy like me before?" Reward: 30 Luck Points,... ] [ Quest Three: Learn to keep a low profile. Wait quietly for the exam to begin. Reward: 10 Luck Points,... ]
"Q-Quest One! I choose Quest One! Sixty Luck Points—that's enough to keep me going for months."
[ Ding! Quest One accepted ]
Yi Xiang sauntered to the middle of the platform, cleared his throat, then raised his thumb and said,
"Hey, everyone over there, look this way for a moment."
When the members of Team Three saw Yi Xiang getting ready to say something, they seemed to remember something. In perfect unison, they suddenly moved over to a corner, getting as far from him as they could.
Catching sight of them out of the corner of his eye, Yi Xiang silently cursed himself for being careless. Then he turned to the nine rookies with a stern look.
"You guys should go over there too, to that corner. Don't say I didn't warn you. I won't be responsible if anything happens."
Sasuke was the first to follow Yi Xiang's instructions, pulling Naruto and Sakura with him to claim the corner. Shikamaru Team followed, and Hinata Team came last. Seeing the others obediently do as they were told, they could only follow along, confused.
Nearly ninety percent of the people were looking at Yi Xiang. A few were already swearing at him in annoyance.
Yi Xiang pointed his thumb at the floor and shouted,
"Someone actually dares to glare at me! And you dare provoke me! Do you know that even if all of you attack at once, I need only lift a finger to make you vanish into thin air in an instant!"
At that moment, Neji Hyuga had to admit that there was one thing he could never match Yi Xiang in: his trash-talking skills.
[ Ding! Congratulations, host! You've gained 60 Luck Points ]
"Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Technique!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, countless Senbon, Shuriken, Kunai, and all sorts of other weapons pierced the spot where Yi Xiang stood. The wooden wall behind him collapsed with a crash.
"Bastard!"
"Where'd that asshole go? Damn it, you coward! Don't run!"
"That guy's from Konoha, right? A Konoha ninja dares to act this arrogantly! Catch him! I'll show him what it feels like to be reaped by a sickle!"
Yi Xiang had used the Body Flicker Technique to escape, but now he was nowhere to be seen, because the classroom had suddenly filled with thick gray-white mist. Their vision was severely obstructed; they could only make out things within a meter.
"Wind Release: Scatter!"
Temari swung the Three-Star Fan in her hand, whipping up a gale. Most of the mist in the room was blown toward the vents in an instant. Then, not far from where Yi Xiang had been standing, two figures seemed to appear.
One of the ninja was about to throw another concealed weapon, and some were even preparing to use their trump-card techniques.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
"Everyone, stop! Anyone who attacks again will be disqualified from the Chunin Ninja Exams. Is that clear?" Kakashi shouted. Izumo Kamizuki stood beside him, while Kotetsu Hagane stood at the door. All three wore stern expressions, their brows furrowed.
"Does that mean your Konoha ninja can bully people like this?"
"Exactly!"
Someone immediately tried to sway the crowd, accusing Konoha of deliberately arranging for Yi Xiang to act so arrogantly.
Watching from outside the door, Yi Xiang saw that things were going badly and immediately wanted to slip away. He called out quietly,
"Forget the Chunin Ninja Exams! I don't need to take them!"
"Maybe that'd make sense coming from an examinee inside, Uchiha Isho."
Yi Xiang had just turned around when he saw Genma Shiranui and Namiashi Raidō glaring at him with unfriendly expressions, as if they meant to haul him in.
"Teachers, how can you let the other side get an advantage and make our own people look bad? I just couldn't stand the sight of them. They actually dared look down on Konoha's ninja."
Yi Xiang looked indignant, as if he were doing Konoha proud.
Just then, a ninja dressed as an Anbu hurried over and informed the three of the Third Hokage's punishment.
At last, he brought Yi Xiang back to his original spot and addressed the crowd.
"Lord Hokage has punished this examinee by forbidding him from taking part in this Chunin Ninja Exams. Anyone who objects may go down to the training ground and challenge him."
"The Chunin Ninja Exams are about to begin. Any examinees who want to withdraw from the exam now and fight him may go downstairs."
As soon as the Anbu Ninja finished speaking, a Sound Village ninja with a vicious face said,
"Kid, what's your name? It'll make it easier for us to find you later."
Before you continue