The Chunin Exams Begin

"Yin Xiang... Sasuke..." Naruto and Sakura were overjoyed to see the two of them. Naruto was happy that Yin Xiang had finally returned, while Sakura was simply thrilled by how handsome they both looked.

"Kankuro, stop making a fool of yourself." A voice suddenly came from behind Sasuke. "You're embarrassing the village." Everyone except Yin Xiang was startled by this sudden appearance.

At the same time, the Third Hokage had gathered all the jonin. "I haven't called you here for no reason. Seeing who has gathered, you should understand why," the Third Hokage said, looking at the ninja below.

"So it has reached this point already," Kakashi said first.

"You've already reported this to the other nations, haven't you? After all, we see ninja from other lands in the village from time to time," Asuma added.

"Then... when will it be?" Kurenai asked, following Asuma's lead.

"In one week," the Third Hokage replied.

"That's certainly urgent." Although Kakashi said it was urgent, his tone didn't convey any sense of haste.

"Hoo..." The Third Hokage exhaled a puff of smoke. "Then, I officially announce that the Chunin Exams will commence in seven days, on July 1st."

Back on Yin Xiang's side, "I... I understand. My apologies." Kankuro looked up at the person in the tree, speaking with great fear. However, he then cast a terrified glance at Yin Xiang; that man's killing intent... seemed even heavier than his own.

"I am truly sorry for them," Gaara said, looking at Yin Xiang while thinking to himself, The way he threw that kunai was so precise, and it looked like a casual toss, yet his eyes were filled with killing intent. This guy is formidable. And this other one, too. He then looked toward Sasuke.

This guy, his gaze is truly annoying, Sasuke thought as he looked back at him.

Whoosh...

Gaara transformed into sand, descending from the tree to stand in front of Kankuro and Temari, facing Yin Xiang. Sasuke also stood up from the tree. "Let's go. We didn't come here to play," Gaara said to Kankuro and Temari, and the three of them turned to leave.

"Stop right there!" Sakura ran up and called out to them.

The three stopped, but they did not turn around. "What is it?" Temari asked, her back to Sakura.

"Judging by your headbands, you are ninja from Sunagakure. While the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind are allies, treaties should forbid ninja from entering each other's countries at will. State your purpose, and depending on the situation, we will..."

"Sakura." Yin Xiang called out, stopping her from continuing. Gaara and his companions turned back to look at her.

"It's for the Chunin Exams. They are here to participate in the Chunin Exams," Yin Xiang explained.

"Yes, that's right." Temari nodded, and the three of them turned back to continue on their way.

"Hey, the Chunin Exams, what are those?" Naruto asked, looking at Yin Xiang. Just then, Sasuke jumped down from the tree. "Hey, you over there, what's your name?" Sasuke shouted at the backs of Gaara and the others.

"Eh? Me? Me?" Temari turned back first, asking with a blush.

"Not you. The one next to you with the gourd," Sasuke said to Temari.

Gaara turned around. "I am Gaara of the Desert. I have some interest in you as well. Your name?"

"Sasuke Uchiha," Sasuke replied. The two locked eyes for a brief moment before Gaara looked at Yin Xiang. "And you?"

"Namikaze Yin Xiang," Yin Xiang said flatly. "What about me! What about me!" Naruto jumped out from beside Yin Xiang, shouting. Gaara glanced at him and said, "No interest."

With that, the group turned and walked away.

Sasuke looked back at Yin Xiang. He hadn't expected that the person he had driven away from the lakeside would be this strong. What was with that overwhelming killing intent in his eyes?

"Tell me, Konohamaru, am I really that weak?" Naruto asked, squatting on the ground in frustration.

"You're still a bit weaker than Brother Sasuke," Konohamaru said, squatting in front of Naruto. Naruto went completely berserk upon hearing this.

On another tree nearby, there were three more people—Sound Ninja. "What do you think?" a standing male ninja asked the one sitting in the middle.

"Although I don't think it's a big deal, those two black-haired ones from Konoha and the one with the gourd from Sunagakure—those three are worth watching," the sitting ninja said.

"You over there." Yin Xiang suddenly looked toward them, startling the three. Naruto and the others followed Yin Xiang's gaze and finally noticed them. "If you dare look again," Yin Xiang said, standing where he was.

"I will tear you to pieces." The second half of the sentence came from behind them.

"What... when did he..." The three turned around in shock, only to find that Yin Xiang was already behind them.

"So fast!" Sasuke's eyes widened. He looked back at Yin Xiang's previous position, but there was nothing there. Such a fast Body Flicker.

"We're leaving!" The lead Sound Ninja ran off in a panic, and the other two quickly followed. Yin Xiang then returned to his original spot. Even though Yin Xiang had done it once already, Sasuke still hadn't seen how he had moved.

Back with the Third Hokage.

"Now, as the Chunin Exams are about to begin, I would like those in charge of the new genin to step forward," the Third Hokage said, sitting in his chair.

Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma stepped to the front.

"How is it? Among the ninja you oversee, are there any genin you recommend for this exam?" the Third Hokage asked, looking at them. "It goes without saying that, formally, any genin who has completed eight or more missions can be recommended for the exam based on your judgment, though usually, they need double that to have enough experience."

"Then, let's start with Kakashi," the Third Hokage said.

"For Team 7, led by Kakashi: Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sakura Haruno. In the name of Kakashi Hatake, I recommend them for the Chunin Exams."

"For Team 8, led by Kurenai: Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame. In the name of Kurenai Yuhi, I recommend them as well." Kakashi stood to Kurenai's left, so he said "as well."

"For Team 10, led by Asuma: Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi. In the name of Asuma Sarutobi, I recommend them as well."

"All three recommended them..."

"New genin are actually participating in the Chunin Exams?"

"It hasn't been like this for five years," the chunin in the back began to whisper among themselves.

"Wait a minute!" Iruka suddenly stood up and shouted.

"What is it, Iruka?" The Third Hokage looked at him, and Kakashi and the others turned around as well.