Written Exam (Part 1 - Bonus Chapter for Testing the Waters)

The streets of Konoha.

Shimizu carried a short blade on his back, having just emerged from the home of Kakashi Hatake.

During their sparring sessions, every clash of blades would leave Kakashi's hand numb and the webbing between his thumb and forefinger aching.

Relying on the Simulator, he had finally obtained the Shadow Clone Technique he had been longing for.

Through the collective efforts of many shadow clones, Shimizu had fully adapted to the Lightning Style: Regenerative Body Refinement, allowing the cycle to circulate within his body twenty-four hours a day without pause.

Even in his sleep, Shimizu could avoid wasting time, allowing his physical body to grow increasingly powerful.

The results were substantial; his muscles were now more balanced, like a perfect vessel forged from flowing water, and his height had increased once again.

His black, shaggy hair had grown to his waist, and against the backdrop of his Uchiha robes, Shimizu's bearing carried an added touch of cold sharpness and vigor.

"The outsiders have mostly arrived; the exams begin tomorrow."

Shimizu scanned the ninjas of various appearances filling the streets.

The annual Chunin Exams served as a disguised stimulus for Konoha's economic development.

Many merchants were filling their pockets, for after all, not every place enjoyed the prosperous environment of Konoha.

This particular Chunin Exam was far more unique than those of the past.

There was no regulation requiring squad-based combat; instead, participants could enter as individuals.

Much like the "Flame Chunin Exams" from the original story, perhaps every nation had vaguely sensed the precursors to war and was intentionally preserving its vital strength.

This provided Shimizu with quite a bit of convenience; as the Simulator's future projections had shown, one of his teammates had already fallen in battle, and the other had withdrawn from the ninja world to live as an ordinary person.

If squad combat had still been mandatory, Shimizu would have had to find a way to drag a few random teammates along to participate.

As he pondered, a person with their left face covered by a white cloth and two red markings painted on their right cheek caught his attention.

"Baki of the Hidden Sand Village?"

Shimizu looked at this iconic attire, and information about him surfaced in his mind.

The teacher of the Fifth Kazekage, a jonin-level powerhouse; Hayate Gekko would also be killed by Baki in the future.

Next, Shimizu looked at the person beside him—a woman with a curvaceous, sexy figure, wearing a light gray backless outfit, who was curiously examining the streets of Konoha.

As she looked around, her thin bodice could barely conceal her high, prominent breasts, and her slender waist, cinched by tight bandages, appeared all the more graceful.

Shimizu understood; this was the future renowned hero of Sunagakure, Pakura.

She possessed a unique bloodline limit: Scorch Release.

"Are you looking at me?"

When Shimizu's gaze landed on her, Pakura seemed to sense it and turned her head.

She was very sensitive to gazes; whenever someone stared at her, she would feel it.

"The Chunin Exams start tomorrow. It's only natural to observe one's opponents."

Shimizu withdrew his gaze, his thoughts turning. Pakura's ending was not a pleasant one.

She died an unjust death, becoming a bargaining chip for her village's high-ranking officials in negotiations with Kirigakure, breathing her last while cursing both her village and the ninja world.

"Hmph."

Pakura snorted coldly, recognizing the clan crest on Shimizu's attire—the mark of the Uchiha.

Even though Shimizu was handsome, Pakura showed no kindness toward someone who was likely a formidable rival.

She was devoted to her village, and any obstacle that might hinder her progress was an enemy.

If she failed to become a chunin this time, she would have to spend extra time undergoing further assessments, a result she could not accept.

"Pakura."

Baki spoke up.

This was Konoha's home turf; offending an Uchiha here would be truly unwise.

He exchanged a few quiet words with Pakura, then offered an apologetic nod to Shimizu before leading her away.

"This exam is certainly lively."

Shimizu shook his head. He had already simulated the results of the Chunin Exams, and with his current strength, he could pass with ease.

But this brought Shimizu no joy; becoming a chunin was merely the beginning.

Now, he needed to resolve the pressure Fugaku was placing on him.

For the past six months, Shimizu had reduced the time he spent teaching Nohara Rin because Fugaku had insisted on forcing several Uchiha clansmen with Yang-style affinity onto him.

He truly felt that Fugaku was making work for himself where none existed. Couldn't the other Uchiha go to the Konoha Hospital to learn? Why did they have to waste his time?

"Is this what they call prestige?"

The Uchiha were a proud clan, disdaining the study of other ninjutsu and clinging to a vast array of clan rules. Most were stuck in their ways; those with ability went to the Konoha Military Police Force, while those without opened small shops to make a living.

The fact that they could be wiped out by the combined efforts of Itachi Uchiha and Obito without causing a single ripple was enough to show how much the Uchiha had grown complacent.

Shimizu scanned the people on the street once more, bought a bag of Military Ration Pills, and departed.

The Chunin Exams venue.

"Shimizu, are you really taking the Chunin Exams?"

Uchiha Inabi and his squad ran into Shimizu at the entrance of the examination room.

He was filled with doubt; hadn't Shimizu just graduated?

He himself had taken the Chunin Exams several times and was back again this year, which was proof enough of the exam's difficulty.

Because this was a display of military strength, it was far more difficult than becoming a Chunin through other means.

"Just trying my luck."

Shimizu followed the information on his form to find his assigned examination room.

Uchiha Inabi scratched his head. Was Shimizu made of iron?

He had heard that Shimizu's grades in the academy were excellent and that he often worked part-time at Konoha Hospital, and now he was here taking the Chunin Exams.

Comparing people only leads to frustration.

"Inabi, how come you never mentioned there was such a handsome guy in your clan?"

"If it weren't for his Adam's apple and build, I would have thought he was a woman."

Inabi looked at his two teammates, speechless, and said:

"What's there to talk about? Am I not handsome? Shimizu is only a tiny bit more handsome than me, that's all."

Inabi made a small gesture with his fingers before heading into the exam room.

When Shimizu found his seat, he glanced around casually and spotted quite a few familiar faces.

There was Pakura and Baki, whom he had met yesterday, along with another Sunagakure Ninja he didn't recognize.

Sitting diagonally in front of him was Asuma Sarutobi, and further away was Kurenai Yuhi.

Shimizu took a quick headcount; there were quite a few people, with Genma Shiranui and Ebisu also present.

Asuma Sarutobi, who had been busy trying to strike up a conversation with Kurenai Yuhi, saw his "good brother" Shimizu arrive and quickly waved a greeting.

"Shimizu, you're finally here. You would've been late if you had come any later."

As soon as Asuma Sarutobi finished speaking, Kurenai Yuhi turned her head sharply.

Her gaze locked onto Shimizu. Despite the haggard dark circles under her eyes, her gaze grew cold, and she bit her lip lightly.

This time, she would defeat Shimizu with her own strength and slay the nightmare that had haunted her every night.

Asuma Sarutobi wanted to catch up with Shimizu, but a gentle voice echoed through the examination room.

"The exam is about to begin. I hope everyone can remain quiet."

Minato Namikaze walked in from outside, accompanied by several proctors dressed in ninja uniforms.

The noisy examination room instantly fell silent.