Lin Fan was just as excited when he saw Gaara's provocative gaze.
In the original story, Gaara was probably the strongest candidate in the Chunin Exams.
He was also eager for the One-Tail inside Gaara to emerge as soon as possible.
That way, he could give it a Thousand Years of Death enema combo of Explosive Tags and Kunai sooner.
Three days later, outside Classroom 301 at the Chunin Exams venue.
"Do you three kids still want to withdraw from the Chunin Exams? Once you enter this room, the exam begins, and you could end up dead."
"You can still leave now while there's time."
Kakashi said solemnly as he faced the three members of Team 7.
"Since we came to the Chunin Exams of our own free will, there's no reason to back down."
"Team 7 will always be one. No hardship can scare us."
After Naruto finished his passionate speech, he slung an arm over each of Lin Fan's and Sasuke's shoulders.
Lin Fan and Sasuke both nodded firmly.
"So I still couldn't talk you out of it? You really are the best class I've ever taught."
Kakashi said with a squinting smile, then opened the classroom door.
As the three walked in, the noisy classroom fell silent at once.
After word of Lin Fan's devastating Rasengan spread from person to person a few days ago, every candidate already knew about it.
Naturally, everyone's eyes turned toward Lin Fan and his companions.
"What a drag. Why did I listen to Asuma and come to this exam? I'd be much more comfortable sleeping at home."
Shikamaru glanced at the eager stares around him and sighed in annoyance.
"Crunch, crunch."
There was no helping it. The story of Lin Fan defeating Kankuro three days ago had already spread throughout the village.
The strength he'd shown meant he could no longer keep a low profile.
"And now us rookie Genin have to get targeted along with him."
Choji said, stuffing his face with chips.
"So that's what's going on. Will Lin Fan be in danger?"
Hinata twirled her index fingers together, murmuring anxiously to herself.
"Don't worry. Your Lin Fan is really strong."
Lin Fan patted her on the head and gave her a reassuring smile.
"Hey! Why are you all staring at my big bro Lin Fan? Do you think trash like you can beat him?"
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki, and I'm going to become Hokage someday. I won't lose to any of you, either."
Naruto trembled with excitement as he shouted at the crowd.
"What?"
Quite a few people in the classroom stirred at Naruto's taunt.
"Naruto, you're a complete idiot."
"We're just rookie Genin. Why do you have to provoke them?"
Sakura rolled her eyes, clenched her fist, and raised it, ready to angrily punch Naruto.
But when Lin Fan and Sasuke shot her a cold look, she lost her nerve and froze her fist in midair.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"
Soon, three people in the classroom sprang into action and rushed at Naruto.
Lin Fan recognized them immediately: the Sound Ninja Trio, led by Dosu.
"Leaf Rising Wind!"
"Thud! Thud!"
Just as Dosu and Zaku swung their fists at Naruto from either side, Lin Fan's swift elbow shot in.
The two took direct hits to the face and flew backward, landing on the platform.
The two lying on the ground spat out blood.
Kin, the last one standing, was just about to cast a genjutsu on Naruto.
In the next instant, Lin Fan appeared right in front of her with the Body Flicker Technique.
His crimson Three-Tomoe Sharingan flashed to life.
Their eyes met, and Kin immediately fell into a brief unconsciousness.
"Heh, so none of them can stand up to my big bro Lin Fan?"
"Anyone else want a go?"
Naruto raised his fist proudly.
"You arrogant brats! You're asking to die!"
Dosu and Zaku got to their feet together, pulled Shuriken from their waists, and prepared to hurl them at Lin Fan and Naruto.
"Thud!"
A moment later, everyone in the classroom saw a cloud of smoke drift past the platform.
Ibiki, the proctor for the first exam, appeared with his team.
Ibiki had caught the Shuriken that were about to be thrown at Lin Fan and Naruto.
"You worthless brats, all of you stop!"
"The first test of the Chunin Exams begins now!"
"If you don't want to take it, get out right now!"
Ibiki's chilling voice soon rang throughout the classroom.
The noisy room quickly fell silent.
"Hinata, no matter what happens during the exam, you have to keep going!"
"Your big brother will stay by your side the whole time."
Lin Fan said with a smile to Hinata beside him.
"Mm."
Hinata nodded firmly.
Having followed the entire Naruto storyline, Lin Fan knew that the first exam was actually a test of the candidates' ability to gather information.
He also knew exactly where the proctor who knew the answers was sitting.
So he'd prepared well in advance.
The exam papers were soon handed out, and the questions were just as difficult and unfamiliar as expected.
Lin Fan sat back with an easy expression, watching the Konoha 11 around him struggle over the questions.
He had no intention of answering them at all.
Ten minutes later, someone in the classroom spoke up.
"I'm done. I'm turning in my paper!"
A candidate stood up and handed his paper directly to Ibiki.
Ibiki was quite surprised to see him come forward.
That candidate was one of the proctors he'd planted among the examinees.
Ibiki took the paper and carefully read through it.
He immediately noticed that two large characters were written in the name field.
Lin Fan.
It turned out that Lin Fan had used genjutsu on the proctor before the exam had even begun.
So, after quickly filling in the answers, the proctor had written Lin Fan's name on the paper and turned it in.
Ibiki was shocked.
Lin Fan really didn't play by the rules.
What a cheeky young man, tricking a middle-aged proctor like him.
But after thinking it over, Ibiki accepted it.
This first test was meant to assess the candidates' information-gathering skills.
Lin Fan might have already memorized the faces of everyone on the proctor team behind him.
That was how he'd quickly spotted the proctor hidden among the candidates and used the Sharingan to cast genjutsu on him.
Lin Fan really was a genius-level ninja.
"Mr. Ibiki, does this count as passing?"
Lin Fan said with a smile.
Ibiki waved a large hand helplessly. "Lin Fan's paper is valid!"
All the candidates were stunned.
They were still struggling with the first question, but Lin Fan had already successfully turned in his paper?