The Prophet, Kill Him! / The Legend of the Fastest Submission

The whole affair caused a huge stir. Everyone from the streets to the back alleys had heard about it. That was exactly what the Ninja Intelligence Alliance had intended: anyone who wanted information on Gaara would have to pay them a fortune for it.

But before long, the information brokers realized they'd been played again. They suddenly noticed that the odds of drawing an SSR card had gone up dozens of times. Rare cards could now be pulled with ease.

The Gaara cards they'd bought for a fortune had especially high drop rates. They were suddenly everywhere, and a few hundred ryo was enough to buy one. Supply had even outstripped demand, and prices were plummeting.

The mastermind behind all this was downright inhuman. If you're going to take all the profits, at least leave us a little something!

They'd stoop to something as shortsighted as killing the goose that laid the golden eggs. Weren't they afraid nobody would buy the Ninja Star Scroll anymore?

At that thought, they finally understood. Once the Chunin Exams began tomorrow, the value of this information would inevitably plummet. So today was their last chance to fleece this crop of suckers.

Weren't we promised that the gentry would get all their money back, while the common people would split theirs seventy-thirty?

So the gentry got fleeced too, huh?

Don't be so greedy!

It's not that we want to be the suckers. It's just that the meta keeps changing too fast!

Who'd ever seen anyone play like this before?

Kabuto Yakushi was completely baffled. He was an information broker too. After years of painstaking work gathering data, he'd creatively invented the Ninja Knowledge Card. He'd thought it would let him dominate the market, but he hadn't expected someone else to come up with the same idea.

He sold his Ninja Knowledge Cards in bundles, for a single fixed price. But the other person's approach was clearly more sophisticated. People couldn't stop themselves from opening packs. They'd even tapped into the gambler's mindset, understanding human nature inside and out.

What made him feel even more outmatched was how thoroughly the other person had gathered information. His own intelligence couldn't hold a candle to it in terms of detail.

Take the information on Gaara, for example. He couldn't begin to imagine how the other person had obtained it.

They'd even managed to infiltrate Sound Village, his own stronghold, and knew it better than he did. It was nothing short of the greatest humiliation of his ninja career.

With the Ninja Star Scroll, who could compete?

He could accept getting thoroughly beaten in business, but somehow the other person had also listed him as an SSR. He'd gone from working behind the scenes to being thrust into the spotlight.

I've been this discreet. How did you figure me out?

No, it couldn't be. The other person was probably getting back at him, deliberately putting him in the line of fire.

How vicious. They were killing him in body and spirit!

Keiichi didn't care what Kabuto Yakushi was thinking. The moment he heard the system's voice, he clenched his fists with excitement.

"Money pouring in: You have earned a total of one million ryo. You have received 10 Magic Modification Points."

"Information magnate: You have become the Leaf Village's biggest information broker. You have received 15 Magic Modification Points."

"Know your enemy: You have lifted the veil of secrecy surrounding the Chunin Exams. You have received 40 Magic Modification Points."

"[Chunin Exams Arc Limited-Time Pack] is now available. Visit the Exchange Shop to learn more."

The pack cost 25 points, so Keiichi clicked to redeem it without hesitation.

"Congratulations, host. You have received the following rewards:"

"Chunin Exams admission ticket, correct answers for the written exam, peak-level Danzo clone (lasts up to six hours), Spirit: Silence (five uses)."

Just as Keiichi redeemed the pack, Gekko Hayate finished reporting to Hiruzen and waited for his final instructions.

"So this kid has blood ties to the Hayate Clan after all. Have you never considered letting him return to his family?" Hiruzen asked, rather surprised, as he read the report in his hands.

"He doesn't seem willing. I don't know why."

"Sigh. Young people these days. I really don't understand what they're thinking..."

"Yeah..." Gekko Hayate sighed in sympathy.

"Never mind. Either way, having another kekkei genkai ninja is a good thing. It also explains why he's so talented at learning ninjutsu."

"My lord, I think he's fully capable of taking part in this Chunin Exam."

Gekko Hayate had put it as gently as he could. He'd wanted to tell Hiruzen that he could no longer teach this student. Keiichi was nearly stronger than he was.

At this rate, the student would leave his teacher to starve!

"But his teammates haven't recovered yet. Letting him take part alone might..." Hiruzen still seemed hesitant.

"I don't think that'll be a problem. He's capable of handling himself. And at the very least, if he makes good use of the Invisibility Technique, he'll have no trouble with the second round. He should be able to keep himself safe."

As one of the examiners for this Chunin Exam, he knew the entire schedule, so he had complete faith in Keiichi.

"Very well. I approve of your recommendation. Have him get ready." Hiruzen picked up a blank admission ticket, wrote Keiichi's name on it, and stamped it.

This kid had even ranked himself as N-class. Was he trying to keep a low profile, or did he not want to take the exam?

The Leaf Village needed to make a show of strength more than ever. Why hide your talents?

You're up. Get out there!

Chapter 33: The Prophet, Kill Him!

On July 1, the Chunin qualification exam officially began. But when Keiichi arrived at the Ninja Academy, a great many examinees had already gathered there. He was clearly one of the later arrivals.

What struck him as odd was that nobody was waiting in the classroom building for the exam to begin. Instead, they were gathered around the gymnasium in a circle, as if watching a show. Cheers and jeers rang out nonstop.

As a newly minted troublemaker, he loved a good spectacle. He eagerly rushed over to see what was going on, only to find Naruto fighting Rock Lee.

Unfortunately, he'd arrived a little late. All he saw was Naruto getting kicked into the air by Rock Lee, followed by a burst of cheers.

"Brainless, you lost!"

"Damn it, who're you calling Brainless? I haven't lost!" Naruto said, but he clutched his stomach and couldn't get back up.

"Sakura is mine now. Accept your fate!" Rock Lee lowered his leg, his face full of pride.

"Bushy Brows, I'm not yours! Don't go saying things like that, you jerk!" Sakura was about to explode. As a member of the looks club, Rock Lee was exactly the kind of guy she disliked most.

"Sakura, you've got it wrong. My title is the Blue Beast, not Bushy Brows!" Rock Lee raised an eyebrow, nearly squashing the mosquito perched on his forehead.

"I don't care who you are! Sasuke is the only one I like. Keep your distance, you jerk!" Sakura hooked her arm around Sasuke's, laying claim to him.

"Doesn't matter if you're Brainless or Unhappy. I accept your challenge either way. I'll take on ten!"

At Rock Lee's declaration, the crowd immediately started cheering him on. Whistles and applause filled the air. They hadn't expected to see a clash between SSR examinees so soon. Now they could find out just how much the Ninja Star Cards were worth.

"Naruto, you're such an idiot! You know taijutsu is his specialty, so why fight him up close? Are you stupid?" Sakura gave Naruto a scolding.

Of course, she was really saying it for Sasuke's benefit. She wanted to talk him out of going toe-to-toe with Rock Lee.

But Sasuke wasn't about to listen to Sakura. Seeing how skilled Rock Lee was at taijutsu, he knew the guy deserved his SSR ranking. Sasuke was already itching to fight him.

Just then, Keiichi squeezed through the crowd to the front, and Naruto spotted him. The moment he did, he shouted,

"Keiichi! I've finally found you! I thought we were friends! Why'd you give me such an awful nickname? What the hell is Brainless supposed to mean?!"

At that, those who understood what he meant turned their hostile gazes on Keiichi.

"Could this Keiichi be the one behind the Ninja Star Scroll?" someone asked.

"Yeah, who else could it be? Damn it, he cheated me out of all my money!" Naruto protested indignantly.

At once, Keiichi became the focus of everyone's attention. Under the weight of their stares, he found it hard to smile.

Damn it, Naruto. Your Brainless nickname suits you perfectly!

How did you ever become the Seventh Hokage? Was Shikamaru your external brain or something?!

"Why am I N-class? Explain yourself!"

"You swindler! I'm returning my card. Give me my money back!"

"Your information's completely wrong. How could that guy Naruto possibly be SSR?!"

"I'm an information broker for the Hyuga Clan. Let's have a talk!"

"So you're Keiichi. Do you know how much you're polluting the card pool? Did you do it on purpose?!"

"..."

The crowd was worked into a fury. Every single person was glaring at him, and it looked like they were ready to attack him all at once.

"You can call me a swindler, but you can't say my information is wrong!" Keiichi suddenly said sternly.

At his words, everyone fell silent, wanting to hear what he had to say.

"Look at this examinee, Rock Lee. Did any of you know who he was before? But now that you've seen what he can do, do you still think he doesn't deserve an SSR rating?" Keiichi said proudly, pointing at Rock Lee.

They realized he had a point. Maybe his information really was worth something.

"Hmph. He only beat a weakling. What's so impressive about that?" someone scoffed.

"Who're you calling a weakling? Come out here and fight me!" Naruto nearly flew into a rage. Sakura barely managed to hold him back.

"Hmph. I'd like to see what this guy's really made of. It's the perfect chance to test my new ability!" Sasuke didn't care what was going on around him. All he wanted was to fight Rock Lee and prove himself.

Ever since awakening his Sharingan, he'd been eager to have a real fight and find out what he was capable of.

And just then, Keiichi finished squeezing through the crowd and reached the front. Naruto spotted him and shouted,

"Keiichi! I've finally found you! I thought we were friends! Why'd you give me such an awful nickname? What the hell is Brainless supposed to mean?!"

At that, those who understood what he meant turned their hostile gazes on Keiichi.

"Could this Keiichi be the one behind the Ninja Star Scroll?" someone asked.

"Yeah, who else could it be? Damn it, he cheated me out of all my money!" Naruto protested indignantly.

At once, Keiichi became the focus of everyone's attention. Under the weight of their stares, he found it hard to smile.

Damn it, Naruto. Your Brainless nickname suits you perfectly!

How did you ever become the Seventh Hokage? Was Shikamaru your external brain or something?!

"Why am I N-class? Explain yourself!"

"You swindler! I'm returning my card. Give me my money back!"

"Your information's completely wrong. How could that guy Naruto possibly be SSR?!"

"I'm an information broker for the Hyuga Clan. Let's have a talk!"

"So you're Keiichi. Do you know how much you're polluting the card pool? Did you do it on purpose?!"

"..."

The crowd was worked into a fury. Every single person was glaring at him, and it looked like they were ready to attack him all at once.

"You can call me a swindler, but you can't say my information is wrong!" Keiichi suddenly said sternly.

At his words, everyone fell silent, wanting to hear what he had to say.

"Look at this examinee, Rock Lee. Did any of you know who he was before? But now that you've seen what he can do, do you still think he doesn't deserve an SSR rating?" Keiichi said proudly, pointing at Rock Lee.

They realized he had a point. Maybe his information really was worth something.

"Hmph. He only beat a weakling. What's so impressive about that?" someone scoffed.

"Who're you calling a weakling? Come out here and fight me!" Naruto nearly flew into a rage. Sakura barely managed to hold him back.

"Hmph. I'd like to see what this guy's really made of. It's the perfect chance to test my new ability!" Sasuke didn't care what was going on around him. All he wanted was to fight Rock Lee and prove himself.

Ever since awakening his Sharingan, he'd been eager to have a real fight and find out what he was capable of.

So he moved, activating his Sharingan as he charged at Rock Lee.

Rock Lee remained calm. He raised his foot and suddenly pushed off.

His kick was so fast that an ordinary person couldn't track it with their eyes. But Sasuke wasn't ordinary. His Sharingan saw it clearly.

Then Rock Lee kicked him squarely and sent him flying.

Sakura was stunned. She had never seen Sasuke get beaten so badly by someone his own age!

"The Sharingan has excellent dynamic vision and can indeed track moments that are too quick for an ordinary person to see. But if your reaction speed can't keep up, the Sharingan won't help you, either," Keiichi said loudly as he watched.

His words left the crowd deep in thought.

Sasuke was well known in the Leaf Village, if for no other reason than that he was born into the Uchiha clan.

So most people had heard at least a little about the Sharingan's incredible abilities.

Only after hearing Keiichi's explanation did they understand. It wasn't that the Sharingan was weak; Sasuke just wasn't strong enough!

But was that really all there was to it?

Obviously not. Anyone here could fight Sasuke without running into the problem of their body not keeping up with their eyes. The real problem was Rock Lee.

He was just too fast—faster than the limits of a human being!

Sasuke had heard Keiichi too. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, filled with frustration. So he wasn't worthy of the Sharingan?

No. He refused to accept it!

Sasuke charged in again and soon clashed with Rock Lee. This time he didn't dare underestimate him, treating him like the greatest enemy he'd ever faced.

As for Keiichi, he kept explaining things. Sasuke paid him no attention, focusing entirely on the fight.

"Rock Lee is an outlier among ninja. He only knows taijutsu and nothing else. But you've all seen how he can beat Sasuke soundly with taijutsu alone. That's the result of specializing in a single skill."

"What good is knowing only taijutsu? If you run into an opponent who specializes in long-range attacks, won't you be doomed?" someone challenged.

"Heh. Do you know what you gain by mastering taijutsu? Speed! If you get fast enough, you can dodge any attack, close the distance quickly, and force your enemy into a taijutsu fight."

"So taijutsu is invincible, then? We should all go train in it."

"But do you have Rock Lee's determination? Let me tell you this plainly: if we're talking about the number of hours spent training each day, everyone here is trash in Rock Lee's eyes!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the two suddenly separated. Rock Lee remained where he was, but Sasuke was spitting blood as he tumbled out of the arena.

It was as if the scene had proven Keiichi's point. For a moment, everyone was won over by his words.

Now, without throwing a single punch or kick, he'd become the most talked-about person there, using nothing but his mouth!

Chapter 34: The Legend of the Fastest Submission

The examinees filed into the exam room and began the first test.

Once everyone had taken their seats, Ibiki Morino entered with more than ten proctors and swept the room with a sharp gaze.

Just the chill in his eyes was enough to silence everyone. The classroom fell quiet in an instant.

Everyone could feel the chief examiner's overwhelming authority. Nobody dared to provoke him.

Some Leaf Village Ninja recognized him, and their legs began to shake as their faces turned pale. They were so nervous they could barely stand.

He was the Leaf Village's most terrifying interrogator. It was said that anyone who fell into his hands, even if they survived, would be unable to look after themselves for the rest of their life.

With him running the exam, who would dare try anything funny?!