Late at night, Uchiha Sora returned home, his body exhausted.
The Chunin Exams were tomorrow.
Uchiha Sora had spent the whole day testing Black Powder Chakra, and he was already able to use it proficiently.
He had also tried out the gunpowder versions of Chidori, Rasengan, and the Great Fireball Technique.
On the outside, they looked like ordinary ninjutsu, but inside, they were explosive gunpowder.
It was hard to say which was better. After all, the same jutsu could have very different effects depending on who used it.
But at the very least, Uchiha Sora knew that during the Chunin Exams, the explosive power of this gunpowder far surpassed the Rasengan!
At that moment, he closed his eyes and slowly recovered his strength, waiting for dawn.
Soon, the next morning arrived. Uchiha Sora set off for the exam site with Sasuke, the two brothers heading there together.
They soon arrived at the plaza.
Konoha was bustling with people. The Chunin Exams weren't just for Konoha; all Five Great Shinobi Villages would come to take part.
So the village was crowded, with all kinds of people mixed together.
Uchiha Sora glanced around and spotted quite a few familiar faces.
Gaara and Kankuro were among them.
Of course, this was Konoha's home turf, so there were more people from Konoha.
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio and Naruto's team were also not far ahead.
The proctor in charge of the exams was Ibiki, who wore an eyepatch.
The exam hadn't started yet, so everyone had some free time to mingle and chat.
Uchiha Sora had no time for small talk. Instead, he searched the area, wondering if he could find Orochimaru.
After all, Uchiha Sora knew that guy was dangerous.
Once he found him, he should make a point of keeping his distance.
Just then, a clear female voice rang out behind Uchiha Sora.
"Uchiha Sora! I came to find you!"
Uchiha Sora turned around and saw Hinata, looking shy.
Hinata had clearly taken care to dress up. Her long hair flowed down her back, and a faint floral scent clung to her.
Just being near her was enough to lift anyone's spirits.
"Cousin! I'm going to find Naruto and the others. You can find teammates here on your own!"
Beside him, Sasuke gave Uchiha Sora a knowing look, then jogged away.
The brothers were in different age groups, so they would most likely be assigned to different teams for the exam. Sasuke couldn't join Uchiha Sora.
Uchiha Sora didn't mind. He simply reminded him before he left.
"Remember, stay away from those people from the Land of Rain. Something's not right about them!"
Sasuke was surprised, but he always listened to Uchiha Sora, so he committed the warning to memory.
Only then did Uchiha Sora turn back and, without thinking, reach out to pat Hinata on the head.
"Ahem, little Hinata, it looks like the exam teams have three people each. How about we find one more teammate?"
For some reason, Hinata didn't resist when Uchiha Sora patted her head.
She even rose onto her tiptoes and leaned toward him.
"Okay! But who should we ask? There don't seem to be many people our age left."
That was true. Uchiha Sora was eighteen, the oldest among those who hadn't graduated.
The only person his age he could think of was one of the strongest in the early days of the Hokage's story: Rock Lee!
"There! Let's ask him in a moment!"
Uchiha Sora glanced over.
Hinata followed his gaze and immediately spotted Rock Lee, dressed in a green jumpsuit, with thick eyebrows and bright eyes!
"Well, if it isn't Konoha's genius from the Uchiha Clan... Don't tell me you're looking to team up with me?"
Rock Lee was very enthusiastic. As soon as he noticed Uchiha Sora looking his way, he hurried over.
Seeing this, Uchiha Sora smiled, his face full of excitement.
"Hello! You look full of energy. I bet you love burning with the flames of youth just like I do, right?"
At those words, Rock Lee's eyes widened!
He thought Uchiha Sora really got it.
He was just as passionate as Rock Lee!
So without a second thought, Rock Lee's eyes practically sparkled!
"You're Uchiha Sora, right? I remember you. It seems we're kindred spirits! How about we team up?"
"After all, only fellow Blue Beasts can be drawn to one another!"
Uchiha Sora smiled and nodded.
"Exactly! Let's give it our all and pass this exam. Let's burn with the flames of youth!"
Rock Lee and Uchiha Sora hit it off so well that they looked ready to throw their arms around each other on the spot.
Hinata stared at them, completely baffled.
What was going on? How had Uchiha Sora ended up with Rock Lee?
Still, in Hinata's eyes, Uchiha Sora was perfect.
But the others didn't see it that way.
At that moment, Choji Akimichi glanced over at Uchiha Sora's group, widened his eyes, then burst out laughing.
"No way! You three aren't going to team up, are you? One thick-browed guy, one Uchiha, and one from the Byakugan clan! What a bizarre bunch!"
Choji Akimichi's shout immediately drew everyone's attention.
In an instant, Uchiha Sora's trio became the focus of the plaza.
Whispers surged around them.
"This is interesting! I heard Uchiha Sora is from the Uchiha Clan, but he still hasn't awakened his Sharingan. He's useless. Hinata isn't very strong either. As for Lee, he's got the strength, but he's weird!"
"Yeah, I heard Uchiha Sora opened a clinic where only women are allowed in for massages! What a weirdo. Those three are perfect together. They really are a bizarre team!"
"I never thought those three would end up together. The Chunin Exams are going to be interesting!"
The ninjas around them snickered.
In their eyes, both Rock Lee and Uchiha Sora were weirdos.
There was no need to say much about Uchiha Sora. His behavior was fairly normal, but he ran a clinic that only girls could enter.
If there wasn't something going on there, they wouldn't believe it even if they were beaten to death.
As for Rock Lee, everyone knew he was a lunatic who dared to run a lap around Konoha on his hands in the blazing sun every day!
The only one who seemed normal among them was probably Hinata.
She had talent, but she was a little weak.
Other than that, she had no real flaws.
Meanwhile, in a corner of the crowd, three people in black robes glanced over at them.
One of them spoke in a hoarse voice.
"There are two people from the Uchiha Clan. Our target this time is the genius Sasuke Uchiha. Don't concern yourselves with that one."
The speaker was Orochimaru, who was in disguise.
His goal this time was indeed to capture someone from the Uchiha Clan.
But since there were two of them, Orochimaru had weighed his options. He knew Uchiha Sora was useless, while Sasuke was the target.
As for Uchiha Sora, he ignored the mockery around him.
Instead, he continued searching for Orochimaru, and now he had spotted those strange people.
He narrowed his eyes but said nothing.
At the same time,
above the plaza, Ibiki coldly announced,
"All right, quiet down! The Chunin Exams are about to begin. All the ninjas, follow me!"
Before you continue