Chunin Exams (3)

At this moment, a man walked up to them. It was Kabuto, and he told Naruto and the others that he had already participated in the Chunin Exams seven times. He then produced a Ninja Info Card, which contained all the data he had collected.

Kabuto introduced the exam to Naruto and the others, explaining that the true purpose of the Chunin Exams was to test the strength of ninjas from other nations.

"Do you have cards with detailed personal information?" Sasuke asked, looking at Kabuto.

"I do." Kabuto nodded. "Is there anyone you're particularly concerned about?"

"Yes." Sasuke's gaze turned serious.

"I've stored information on this year's examinees, though it's not entirely complete—yours included. Tell me whatever you know about the person you're concerned about, and I'll look them up for you," Kabuto said, holding up the Ninja Info Card.

"Gaara of the Desert from Sunagakure, a guy from Konoha named Rock Lee, and Namikaze Yin Xiang."

"What? You even know their names? That makes it easy." Kabuto smiled and pulled out three Ninja Info Cards. "Here."

"Let me see," Sasuke said.

"Right, first is Rock Lee." Kabuto pressed his hand onto the card and channeled chakra into it, causing Lee's information to appear. "He's one year older than you. Mission experience: 20 D-rank, 11 C-rank, and one S-rank. His team teacher is Guy."

"His taijutsu has improved abnormally over the past year, but he's completely incompetent in other areas. He was highly regarded as a capable genin last year, but he didn't participate in the Chunin Exams. Like you, this is his first time. His teammates are Tenten and Neji Hyuga."

"Next is Gaara of the Desert. Mission experience: 8 C-rank, 1 B-rank. Impressive, isn't it? A genin who has already performed a B-rank mission?" Kabuto remarked after seeing the data. "Since he's a ninja from another village and a newcomer, there isn't much more information, but it seems he has returned from every mission without a single scratch."

"But if a genin can perform a B-rank mission unscathed, then what about Rock Lee's S-rank mission..." Shikamaru frowned.

"That's what I was about to mention. Namikaze Yin Xiang. Mission experience: 25 D-rank, 20 C-rank, 10 B-rank, and one S-rank. His team teacher was originally Shikaku Nara. Rock Lee's team and Yin Xiang's team once performed a B-rank mission together, which ended up escalating into an S-rank mission."

"I heard that for that S-rank mission, every part of the plan was orchestrated by Namikaze Yin Xiang. With only five ninjas, he saved a small nation and annihilated an entire village's worth of ninjas."

"W-what?" Sasuke and the others were stunned.

"I know about that! He was away from Konoha for over twenty days; he must have been on that mission!" Naruto chimed in from the side.

"Ninjutsu, taijutsu—he's formidable in both. He has even created four A-rank ninjutsu of his own. His current teacher is the Third Hokage. He has also made great progress in Sealing Jutsu, and while I haven't seen his genjutsu, you would be wise not to provoke this man," Kabuto said with a very serious expression.

It wasn't just Naruto and his friends; others were listening to Kabuto as well. Upon seeing the images on the Ninja Info Cards, they all turned to look at Yin Xiang, who was sitting by the window, ignoring them and staring outside.

"He's even performed ten B-rank missions... Is this guy a monster?" Kiba said, staring at the card.

"And four self-created A-rank ninjutsu..."

Kabuto composed himself and pulled out a fourth Ninja Info Card. "30 from Suna, 21 from Rain, 15 from Grass, 12 from Waterfall, 73 from Konoha, and 3 from Oto. Many excellent ninjas have been sent from various villages to take the exam this year."

"As for Otogakure, since it's a small village established only recently, there's almost no information on them." Kabuto put the card away. "In any case, they are all highly capable ninja villages."

"I'm starting to lose my confidence," Hinata said from the side after hearing all this.

"We're already here, what are you saying that for?" Ino shouted at Hinata.

"In other words, the examinees gathered here are all..."

"Correct. Not just Gaara and Lee, but also Namikaze Yin Xiang. Everyone here is an elite among the genin selected by their respective nations. It's not going to be that simple," Kabuto nodded and said.

"Hey, Naruto, you don't have to be so nervous," Sakura said, looking at the silent Naruto. Thinking he was anxious, she prepared to go over and encourage him.

To everyone's surprise, Naruto shouted out, pointing at all the examinees present: "I am Naruto Uzumaki, and I won't lose to any of you! Do you hear me!"

When Naruto shouted that, Kakashi, standing by the door, could only offer a wry smile.

"Ah! What is that guy doing!" Ino immediately exploded, pointing at Naruto and yelling at Sakura.

How did he go from being depressed to this? What an idiot, Sakura thought to herself.

"That brat," Yin Xiang chuckled by the window and shook his head.

"Why is he provoking everyone!" Ino screamed.

"Ah, that feels refreshing," Naruto said after his outburst. Sasuke started laughing nearby. They were happy, but the other examinees were not; they glared at them with killing intent, including Gaara and his two companions.

"That guy, he's the one from before," Kankuro said, looking at Naruto.

"The weaker the dog, the louder it barks," Temari added from the side.

"Idiot," Tenten said. "What an imposing spirit," Neji smiled.

"How passionate," Rock Lee remarked as he watched them.

"It seems we haven't taught them enough of a lesson yet, Lee," Neji said to Lee.

At the same time, the three ninjas from Oto were also eyeing them. "Did you hear that? He called Otogakure a tiny village from a small nation."

"How regrettable."

"Let's play with them a little," Kin said.

"Exactly. Since he treats us like useless ninjas, let's add his information to the list. The ninjas of Oto are quite cruel," Dosu said, staring at them.

"Everyone, he's just joking! He's an idiot who talks nonsense, just a guy who doesn't know when to be quiet. Please, don't take it to heart," Sakura said, waving her hands frantically while scolding Naruto on the side.

"Sakura, Naruto is right. There's nothing to fear from these people," Yin Xiang, who had been sitting by the window, spoke up. Everyone's gaze shifted toward him. "If anyone is dissatisfied, just teach them a lesson." Yin Xiang continued to look out the window, not even bothering to glance at the other ninjas.

In the eyes of those ninjas, Yin Xiang's attitude was pure contempt.

Is he shifting the hatred directed at Naruto onto himself? Sasuke frowned as he watched Yin Xiang. This was indeed Yin Xiang's intention; rather than letting them target Naruto, it was better to have them target him.