Written Exam

Kabuto Yakushi took out Naruto's file and said, "Naruto Uzumaki lost both his parents at a young age and was despised by the villagers of Konoha, who called him a monster. He met Sasuke Uchiha and Hinata Hyuga when he was five."

Sasuke said impatiently, "I already know all that. I want to know how strong Naruto is."

Kabuto Yakushi adjusted his glasses. "All we know for now is that he has the Uzumaki Clan's Kekkei Genkai, the Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique, and Rasengan. He should be at jonin level."

Sasuke said disappointedly, "Looks like that's the extent of your intelligence-gathering abilities. Never mind. I'm done asking."

Kabuto Yakushi asked curiously, "Oh? From the way you put it, it sounds like Naruto Uzumaki's strength goes beyond that. Is that right?"

Sasuke ignored Kabuto Yakushi's question and said coolly, "In these Chunin Ninja Exams, he's the only one I care about."

At that, three of Orochimaru's subordinates heard Sasuke and, affronted, said, "You're pretty arrogant, kid. I'll show you what it means to not know your place."

Sasuke looked at the three of them. "If you want to die, I can grant your wish."

Just as Sasuke was about to deal with the Sound Ninja Trio, Ibiki entered the exam room and shouted, "You scum, settle down! If anyone causes trouble, your whole team fails. The exam starts now."

Looking at the test in front of him, Naruto thought, Heh, so this is a test of our ability to gather intelligence?

He looked up and saw that Sasuke had already activated his Sharingan's copying ability, while Gaara had sent out his Sand Eye. Many others were cheating with different abilities, too.

Naruto grinned. "Quite a variety of methods. I'll join in, then. White Eye, activate." He activated his White Eye, glanced over at Sakura, then picked up his pencil and began copying. Quite a few people were eliminated during the exam.

Once everyone had finished answering the questions, Ibiki wrote the tenth question on the blackboard and said, "There's one final question. If you answer it correctly, you'll pass this exam, whether your previous answers were right or wrong. But if you answer incorrectly, you'll fail, no matter how many of the earlier questions you got right. What's more, you'll never be allowed to take the Chunin Ninja Exams again.

"If you choose to give up, your whole team will fail. All right, make your choice, you scum." Hearing Ibiki's harsh terms, many people wavered. As time passed, more and more chose to withdraw.

Ibiki kept using words to mislead and unsettle the examinees, shaking their judgment. At last, when only twenty-six teams—seventy-eight people in total—remained, no one else chose to quit.

Only then did Ibiki say, "All of you still here have passed the first exam." His announcement shocked everyone.

Someone asked, "But wasn't there a tenth question? How did we pass?"

Ibiki replied, "The choice you made was the tenth question. This test was about your team's unity. You had to believe that you could handle the challenges ahead, while also trusting that your teammates could do the same. You chose to persevere, so you've passed the first exam."

Just then, Mitaraishi Anko burst in through a window and made a rather ridiculous entrance as she announced, "Don't relax just yet. I'm the examiner for the second exam, Mitaraishi Anko. Everyone, follow me."

The whole room was at a loss for words at Anko's entrance and announcement. Everyone looked at her as if she were a fool.

From behind Anko, Ibiki said, "Take a look at the room before you speak."

When Anko saw the examinees' expressions, she was deeply hurt. She counted them and said to Ibiki, "Seventy-eight people, twenty-six teams. You went easy on them in the first exam, Ibiki."

Ibiki replied, "The examinees were just that good this time."

Anko said indifferently, "For the second exam, I'm going to eliminate at least half of them." Everyone was shocked.

Anko continued, "The exam starts tomorrow. Ask your jonin instructors about the time and location. You're dismissed."

After getting the time and location of the second exam from Kakashi, Naruto and his teammates parted ways with Hinata, Sasuke, and Sakura.

As they walked along Konoha's main street, Hinata said to Naruto, "Naruto-kun, I'm a little worried about tomorrow's exam."

Naruto smiled. "What's wrong? Are you afraid you'll be eliminated tomorrow? Don't worry. With your current strength, as long as you believe in yourself, there are plenty of people you can beat. So don't worry."

Hinata said anxiously, "But Anko-sensei said she was going to eliminate half of us."

Naruto smiled. "Don't pay attention to what she said. Even if half of us are eliminated, you won't be one of them. Have some confidence, okay?"

Hinata nodded. "Mm. I believe you, Naruto-kun."

Naruto smiled warmly. "That's more like it. My Hinata is the best, so you have to believe in yourself."

Hinata called out, touched, "Naruto-kun."

Naruto answered her, and the two embraced tightly. The setting sun bathed them in its glow, casting the long shadow of a couple holding each other.

Night covered all of Konoha. Kabuto Yakushi quietly made his way to a forest and met Orochimaru.

Standing beside Orochimaru, Kabuto Yakushi said, "Lord Orochimaru, everything is ready."

Orochimaru smiled. "You've done well this time, Kabuto."

Just then, a voice called out, "Lord Orochimaru, long time no see. I never thought you'd come to Konoha."

Kabuto Yakushi was startled. He drew a Kunai and said warily, "Who's there? Show yourself!" A red-haired youth wearing a demon mask emerged from the forest.

Seeing the youth, Orochimaru said, "Heh. I didn't expect it to be you."

The youth replied, "I'm honored that Lord Orochimaru still remembers me."

Orochimaru smiled. "Heh. What brings you to see me? Go ahead."

The youth replied, "Nothing much. I just came to ask you for something."

Orochimaru asked curiously, "What is it you want from me?"

The youth said, "The bodies of the First Hokage and the Second Hokage."

Orochimaru replied, "Oh? How did you know I had the bodies of the two former Hokage?"

The youth smiled. "It's nothing special. I once dealt with Danzo, and he told me that you had the bodies of the First and Second Hokage. So I'd like to trade with you for them, Lord Orochimaru."

Orochimaru asked warily, "What do you want the bodies of the two former Hokage for?"

The youth smiled. "Nothing much. I've always been curious about the First Hokage's Wood Release, so I want to study it. I wonder if Lord Orochimaru would be willing to help me."

Orochimaru replied, "And what do I get in return?"

The youth smiled. "I certainly won't disappoint you. I know you must want Sasuke Uchiha's body, Lord Orochimaru. I can help make that happen."

Orochimaru sneered. "Oh? What makes you so sure I want Sasuke's body?"

The youth smiled. "Because you've returned to Konoha. I've been watching ever since you arranged for Kabuto and the Sound Ninja to take part in the Chunin Ninja Exams.

"Besides, you got information from me a few years ago. I figured you'd want to verify whether it was true, and you must have done that by now.

"You must have met Itachi Uchiha, too, since he's the only Uchiha you could have come into contact with. And you were defeated by his Mangekyō Sharingan.

"So now you want Sasuke, who has the same bloodline as Itachi. Am I wrong, Lord Orochimaru?"

Orochimaru laughed. "Heh heh heh. What a frightening mind. You're right—I did meet Itachi Uchiha, and I suffered at his hands. But he wasn't the only one I encountered. I also encountered the Rinnegan and learned how terrifying it was. That's why I want the Sharingan, to fight the person who possesses the Rinnegan. What I really want most is the Rinnegan."

The youth said regretfully, "I'm afraid I can't help you get the Rinnegan. Then I'll be on my way, Lord Orochimaru. Sorry for the trouble."

Just as the youth was about to leave, Orochimaru said, "Wait. I can give you the bodies of the First and Second Hokage, as well as the body of the First Hokage's grandson, Nawaki Senju. But you have to do something for me."

The youth asked, puzzled, "What is it? Tell me."

Orochimaru replied, "You have to help me get Sasuke's body and destroy Konoha. What do you say? Agree, and I'll give you what you want."

The youth asked oddly, "Do you really hate the Third that much?"

Orochimaru smiled. "That's none of your concern. Help me destroy Konoha, and I'll give you what you want."

The youth replied, "Fine. Just let me know when the time comes, but I can't guarantee success."

Orochimaru smiled. "You only need to help me deal with the Third. I'll handle Sasuke myself."

The youth replied, "Do as you like. I only care about getting what I want." With that, the youth disappeared.

Kabuto Yakushi said worriedly, "Lord Orochimaru, I don't think we can trust him."

Orochimaru smiled confidently. "I know what you're worried about, Kabuto, but I have my reasons. That old man may be getting on in years, but he's still hard to deal with. With this kid's help, even if we're outmatched, I'll be able to escape safely."

Kabuto Yakushi replied, suddenly understanding, "So if we fail, Lord Orochimaru, you're planning to use him to distract the Third and get away."

Orochimaru smiled. "Exactly. To the old man, an unknown genius with a grudge against Konoha who wants to destroy it is a far greater threat than I am. Even if the old man lets me go, he won't let him escape."

Kabuto Yakushi asked, "Then what should we do next, Lord Orochimaru?"

Orochimaru smiled. "Just stick to the plan. Keep taking the exam and watch Sasuke's every move for me."

Kabuto Yakushi replied, "I know what to do, Lord Orochimaru. Don't worry." With that, Kabuto Yakushi used the Body Flicker Technique and returned to Konoha.

Orochimaru looked at Konoha before him and smiled. "We'll meet again soon, Sarutobi-sensei. I hope you don't disappoint me." With that, Orochimaru left, too.