Let's Wait and See?

"Hey! Hey! No way! The teacher's hitting people! I told you, you can't trust Konoha!"

"Oh my god! That's so violent! Is nobody going to do anything?"

The people present cried out in alarm.

In their eyes, it was wrong for Mitaraishi Anko to hit a student, especially as a teacher.

Besides, teachers were bound to be top-tier fighters. How could an ordinary student withstand that?

But in the next instant, Orochimaru moved and caught the kunai with his tongue!

His speed was astonishing. Not only did he catch it perfectly, his tongue wasn't even scratched!

"What?!"

Anko's eyes widened. She clearly hadn't expected this weirdo to be so strong.

She hadn't used her full strength just now, but she had still intended to make him suffer a little!

An ordinary Chunin probably wouldn't have been able to catch that!

Orochimaru gave a sinister smile and moved again, suddenly appearing beside Anko.

His tongue stretched out, returning the kunai, now coated in saliva.

"Teacher! It's not nice to throw things around. Here, take it back?"

"You..."

Anko looked disgusted, but was also shocked.

Who was this guy? Judging by the symbol on his forehead, was he from the Land of Rain? She'd never heard of him!

With strength like that, it looked like Konoha's youngsters were in for a rough time!

Anko glared at Orochimaru in disgust, but had to admit that he was strong.

Suppressing her revulsion, she took back the kunai and then spoke loudly.

"All right! Everyone, line up at once. You'll each receive a scroll, either Heaven or Earth!"

"This gate will open in half an incense stick's time. Keep going deeper, and you'll find a red tower. That's your destination."

"But once you reach it, you must have both scrolls, Heaven and Earth, in your possession!"

After explaining the rules, someone immediately came forward and handed each person an opaque bag.

The scrolls were inside.

Uchiha Sora received one too. He sneaked a peek and saw that it was the Heaven Scroll.

"So we'll need to get an Earth Scroll later. That shouldn't be too hard. If we're lucky, we might even graduate as soon as we get inside."

Hinata edged closer, looking a little timid.

"That ninja from the Land of Rain was so strong! Are the ninja from other villages all that strong, not just the ones from Konoha?"

"If that's the case, do we really stand a chance?"

Rock Lee looked wary as well.

"I could barely keep up with that man's movements. He really was strong. I hope we don't run into him!"

"Don't worry. There are thousands of people taking the exam. We won't be that unlucky. Besides, we're pretty strong ourselves."

Uchiha Sora reassured them, though he knew there was no way they wouldn't run into Orochimaru.

As an Uchiha, he was naturally the type to attract Orochimaru.

Even if Sasuke had been the target at first, Orochimaru would certainly come after him as he continued to show his abilities.

Still, Uchiha Sora couldn't let that make him timid. If he wanted to rise in the village, showing his strength was essential.

And he couldn't let Orochimaru capture the little cousin he'd worked so hard to nurture.

That kid would be his future trump card!

Uchiha Sora had already decided to give it his all this time. Even if his opponent was Orochimaru, he'd make him suffer!

At the very least, he had to hold out until Kakashi and the others arrived.

As everyone waited, time passed. Soon, half an incense stick had burned.

The moment the iron gate opened, a crowd of ninja rushed inside.

They quickly disappeared among the trees.

Uchiha Sora immediately set off with Hinata and Rock Lee, leaping across the treetops.

Using chakra, they sped through the forest and soon left the entrance far behind.

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office in Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Might Guy, Asuma, and a group of other Konoha experts watched every moment of the exam through a large crystal ball.

"Take a guess. How many of this year's graduating ninja do you think will be from Konoha?"

Asuma chewed on a toothpick, looking forward to the results.

Beside him, Might Guy grinned, baring his teeth.

"Ha! What's there to guess? My student Rock Lee is sure to be among them!"

"That boy may not have much talent, but he's a genius when it comes to hard work. His strength should be among the best of the Genin!"

"With him there, we're guaranteed at least one three-man team will pass!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage, gave a faint nod.

"Speaking of Rock Lee, the village does have a few promising youngsters this year. Sasuke, a descendant of the Uchiha, has reportedly awakened his Sharingan, and it even has two tomoe!"

"By the standards of the Uchiha Clan, he's a genius. I'm sure he can pass the exam."

"Shikamaru is said to be quite intelligent. Unless something unexpected happens, he should pass too."

"And then there's Naruto. He's the one who worries me most."

The Hokage's gaze then swept over the crystal ball. The figure on it was Uchiha Sora.

"This one's harder to call... Rumor has it he's still a failure, but I think he's quick on his feet. Not long ago, Ibiki even asked to recruit him directly into Anbu!"

At that, Asuma's eyes widened.

"What? You mean Uchiha Sora? He actually got that guy to ask for him?"

Might Guy was just as incredulous.

"No way! From what I know, Ibiki's a pretty gloomy guy. For him to ask for someone out of the blue, does this kid have something special about him?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled.

"Who knows? The exam's still got a long way to go, so let's wait and see. Also, have Kakashi keep an eye on him. I have a bad feeling!"

Everyone nodded respectfully.

Meanwhile, at the exam site, deep in the forest,

The Ino-Shika-Cho trio was making its way forward, and Shikamaru frowned.

"Based on my calculations, the moment we entered the gate, all the ninja spread out in a fan shape, moving away from it."

"In theory, the farther and faster we go, the less likely we are to run into anyone nearby!"

Choji panted heavily.

"Come on! Since nobody's around, can't we take a break? I've never run this far in one go!"

"Are you the only one who's tired? This exam isn't a game. Hurry up."

Ino looked thoroughly unimpressed.

Shikamaru suddenly stopped and, without a word, pulled the other two into hiding.

"Keep your voices down! Someone's coming!"

The moment they hid, three figures swiftly passed by.

At their head was none other than Orochimaru.

His expression was grim as he kept watch on his surroundings.

"Don't worry about those three insects. First, find out if there are any Konoha proctors nearby!"

Orochimaru had a simple goal: find an Uchiha and place a Cursed Seal on him.

To do that, he first needed to check for any Konoha spies in the area.

A moment later, the three figures were gone. Only then did Shikamaru and the others cautiously emerge.