At that moment, someone walked over to them. It was Kabuto. He told Naruto and the others that he had taken the Chunin Exams seven times, then showed them his Ninja Info Card, filled with information he'd gathered.
Kabuto explained the exam to Naruto and the others, saying its true purpose was to test the strength of ninjas from other countries.
"Do you have cards with detailed information on individuals?" Sasuke asked, looking at Kabuto.
"I do." Kabuto nodded. "Is there someone you're particularly interested in?"
"Yes." Sasuke's expression turned serious.
"I've collected information on this year's examinees, though it's not complete. Of course, that includes you as well. Tell me anything you know about the person you're interested in, and I'll look them up." Kabuto raised his Ninja Info Card.
"Gaara of the Desert from the Hidden Sand, that guy from Konoha named Rock Lee, and Namikaze Yin Xiang."
"What? You even know their names? That makes this quick." Kabuto smiled, then pulled out three Ninja Info Cards. "Here."
"Let me see," Sasuke said.
"First, Rock Lee." Kabuto placed his hand on the card and fed it chakra. Lee's information appeared. "He's a year older than you. His mission record is D-rank, 20; C-rank, 11; and one S-rank mission. His team's teacher is Guy."
"His Taijutsu has improved remarkably this past year, but he's completely hopeless at everything else. Last year, he drew attention as a highly capable Genin, but he didn't take the Chunin Exams. Like you, this is his first time. His team includes Tenten and Neji Hyuga."
"Next, Gaara of the Desert. His mission record is C-rank, 8, and B-rank, 1. That's impressive. A Genin who's already been sent on a B-rank mission?" Kabuto said as he looked at the card. "Since he's a rookie from another country, there isn't much more information. But apparently, he's returned from every mission without a scratch."
"But if a Genin can come back from a B-rank mission without a scratch, then what was Rock Lee's S-rank mission..." Shikamaru said with a frown.
"That's what I'm about to explain. Namikaze Yin Xiang. His mission record is D-rank, 25; C-rank, 20; B-rank, 10; and one S-rank mission. His team's teacher was originally Shikaku Nara. Rock Lee's team and Yin Xiang's team went on a B-rank mission together, but it ended up becoming an S-rank mission."
"I heard that Yin Xiang planned everything for that S-rank mission. With just five ninjas, he saved a small country and wiped out the ninjas of another country."
"W-what?" Sasuke and the others were stunned.
"I know! He was away from Konoha for more than twenty days before. He must've been on that mission!" Naruto chimed in.
"He's extremely skilled in both ninjutsu and Taijutsu. He's even created four A-rank jutsu of his own. His current teacher is the Third Hokage, and he's made great progress in Sealing Jutsu, too. I haven't seen him use genjutsu, but you'd better not provoke him." Kabuto's expression was grave.
Naruto and the others weren't the only ones listening to Kabuto. After seeing the picture on the Ninja Info Card, everyone turned to look at Yin Xiang, who was sitting by the window. Yin Xiang kept his gaze outside and ignored them.
"He's been on ten B-rank missions... Is that guy a monster?" Kiba said, looking at the card.
"And he's created four A-rank jutsu of his own..."
Kabuto collected himself, then took out a fourth Ninja Info Card. "The Hidden Sand sent 30 people, the Hidden Rain 21, the Hidden Grass 15, the Hidden Waterfall 12, Konoha 73, and Otogakure 3. Many villages have sent their best ninjas to take part in the exams this year."
"But Otogakure was only established in recent years, so there's almost no information about them." Kabuto put away the card. "In any case, these are all villages with highly capable ninjas."
"After hearing all that, I'm starting to lose confidence," Hinata said from beside them.
"You're saying that now?" Ino shouted at Hinata.
"So that means all the examinees gathered here are..."
"Right. Not just Gaara and Lee, but Namikaze Yin Xiang, too. They're all elite Genin selected by their respective countries. None of them are pushovers," Kabuto said with a nod.
"Hey, Naruto, don't be so nervous." Sakura saw that Naruto wasn't saying anything and thought he was nervous, so she was about to encourage him.
To her surprise, Naruto shouted and pointed at all the examinees present. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, and I'm not going to lose to any of you! Got that?"
Kakashi, standing at the doorway, could only give a wry smile.
"Hey! What's with that guy?" Ino exploded, pointing at Naruto as she shouted to Sakura.
"How could that idiot be feeling down?" Sakura thought to herself.
"That brat." Yin Xiang smiled and shook his head by the window.
"What's he trying to do, picking a fight with everyone?" Ino shouted.
"Ah, I feel much better now," Naruto said after shouting. Sasuke laughed beside him. They were happy, but the other examinees weren't. They glared at the two of them with murderous expressions, including Gaara and his two teammates.
"That guy's the one from back then," Kankuro said, looking at Naruto.
"Even the weaker dogs bark louder," Temari said beside him.
"Idiot," Tenten said.
"He's certainly full of energy," Neji Hyuga said with a smile.
"He's so fired up," Rock Lee said, looking at them.
"Looks like we haven't taught them enough of a lesson yet, Lee," Neji said to Rock Lee.
The Sound Ninja Trio were also watching them. "Did you hear that? He called Otogakure a tiny ninja village in a small country."
"That's too bad."
"Let's have a little fun with them," Kin said.
"Exactly. He made us sound like useless ninjas. We should add his information to the card, too. Otogakure's ninjas are ruthless," Dosu said, watching them.
"Everyone, he was only joking. No matter how you look at it, he's just an idiot blabbering nonsense. He's just some loudmouth talking without thinking, so please don't take it to heart." Sakura hurriedly waved her hands, while also scolding Naruto.
"Sakura, Naruto's right. There's nothing to be afraid of with these people." Yin Xiang, who had been sitting by the window the whole time, finally spoke. Everyone turned to look at him. "If anyone has a problem with it, just teach them a lesson." Yin Xiang still stared out the window, not even looking at the ninjas.
In their eyes, Yin Xiang was looking down on them.
"Did he draw their hatred away from Naruto and onto himself?" Sasuke frowned as he watched Yin Xiang. That was exactly what Yin Xiang had intended. Better for them to target him than Naruto.
Before you continue