"This year's Chunin Ninja Exams are really lively!" A villager in the stands said to his companion, arms folded.
"Yeah. The Hyuga Clan's genius, Uchiha Sasuke, that fox demon brat, and the Sand shinobi are pretty good too..."
"Don't forget Uchiha Shinmoku and Shinna. They just returned to the village."
"Hm? Are there two people like that in the Uchiha Clan?"
"Your news is seriously outdated." The villager with his arms folded raised one arm and pointed to the center of the arena. "The two with black hair, who are a head taller than everyone else."
The downside of having good hearing was becoming apparent... It was so noisy.
That was right. The Chunin Ninja Exams were taking place as scheduled.
Yesterday, he had told the Third Hokage the truth—the information had come to him half a month ago.
The Third Hokage had hurried off, presumably to take care of something. No news had come out since, so Shinmoku could only assume the exams were going ahead. He had arrived early that morning.
There were even more people than he'd expected. He'd just checked, and the [Return] progress bar had budged, climbing to 96%.
Time ticked by, and the contestants arrived one after another. Uzumaki Naruto came flying in at the very last second, while Sasuke still hadn't shown up.
"Have you found Sasuke yet?" the Third Hokage asked from the viewing area.
"We've sent several Anbu teams to search, but there's still no news. Orochimaru may have already found him..."
Namiashi Raidō replied, but just as he was about to continue, the Third Hokage cut him off.
"Understood."
The reason he'd interrupted was that he'd seen the Kazekage coming up.
Orochimaru's target was Sasuke. Attacking Konoha was merely a secondary objective, but that secondary objective was the main purpose of Sunagakure's visit.
If Shinmoku's information was wrong, then nothing would happen. If it was accurate, he'd stationed Anbu all around the area and was confident he could keep the Kazekage in Konoha for good.
Thinking of this, he broke into a hearty smile.
"Well, well, well. What a rare guest! The journey must have worn you out."
"Not at all," the Hidden Wind leader—Orochimaru in disguise—replied. "It's fortunate the venue is in Konoha. You may still be young, but attending in person must be tiring for you, Lord Hokage. You should decide on a successor soon."
"Hahahaha! Don't treat me like an old man. I want to keep at it for another five years! ...Well, let's get started."
The Third Hokage addressed the Kazekage, then rose and walked to the railing, calling out loudly:
"I sincerely thank all our honored guests for coming. Ten shinobi passed the preliminaries, and they will now compete in the final selection. Please enjoy the matches!"
"Looks like someone's missing."
The Kazekage's voice came from behind him.
"That's all right. His match is later."
"Let the exams begin!"
The Third Hokage shouted again.
In the center of the arena, Genma Shiranui pulled out the match schedule.
"The rules are the same as before. A match ends when one side dies or gives up, or when I determine that a winner has been decided. The first match is Neji Hyuga versus Uzumaki Naruto. Everyone else, return to the contestants' seats."
Shinmoku glanced at the schedule. His match against Shinna was fourth. Before it were Kankuro versus Shino and Gaara versus Uchiha Sasuke, while Temari versus Shikamaru Nara came after.
By the time they walked up the steps to the contestants' seats, the match had already begun.
With his Byakugan and Gentle Fist, Neji quickly knocked Naruto down. But his theory about fate successfully enraged Naruto, who drew on the Nine-Tails' power and forced his chakra points open.
Naruto's fighting spirit and battle smarts were actually quite impressive. When both of them were nearing their limits, he dug a tunnel to evade Neji's Byakugan, then punched him in the jaw, leaving him unable to fight.
"That was unexpected. Where did that terrifying chakra come from?"
Temari, standing nearby, was the one who spoke.
"Are you asking me?" Shinmoku asked with a smile.
"Can you tell me?" Temari smiled back.
"You probably already know." Shinmoku glanced subtly at Gaara in the distance.
"You..."
By now, Neji had been carried away on a stretcher, while Naruto came bouncing back up, looking fully recovered.
"The next match—" Genma Shiranui shouted. "Shino Aburame versus Kankuro!"
"I forfeit!" Kankuro shouted immediately.
That meant it was time for Uchiha Sasuke to face Gaara, but Sasuke was nowhere to be seen. The noise from the stands grew louder and louder.
"Hey! Why hasn't it started yet?"
"I came to watch the matches, not sit around! If I wanted to rest, I could've just stayed home!"
The people of Konoha were certainly bold. They even dared to put pressure on the Hokage.
In the Hokage's viewing area, the Third Hokage and Orochimaru were talking.
Shinmoku looked at Shinna. "Can't we just put on a little show?"
"No."
"Fine... It's our turn."
With that, Shinmoku stood up, braced one hand on the railing, and vaulted over it, landing lightly in the center of the arena.
The next moment, Shinna appeared opposite him.
At the same time, Genma Shiranui received a message from Namiashi Raidō. He looked at Shinmoku in surprise, then announced:
"The next match: Uchiha Shinmoku versus Uchiha Kanna!"
Sharingan, activate!
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
Their movements were identical, like reflections in a mirror.
The fireballs, several meters high, collided in the center of the arena. Waves of heat rolled outward, instantly setting the crowd alight.
Shinna changed techniques first: Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet.
Water Release: Water Formation Wall.
Shinmoku countered with Water Release as well. After forming Hand Seals, he sent a curved wall of water nearly four meters high surging from the ground, splitting the Water Dragon Bullet to either side.
Lightning Release Chakra Mode!
His cells activated, and a surge of power coursed through his entire body. As soon as Shinna's technique ended, he burst through the wall of water.
In an instant, he was right in her face, driving a straight punch toward it.
There was no way to dodge. Shinna chose to take the hit, but just before his fist struck her cheek, she managed to meet Shinmoku's gaze.
Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes.
Shinna was sent flying backward, while Shinmoku was locked rigidly in place.
In the world of the genjutsu, stakes pierced Shinmoku's limbs, pinning him to a cross.
The pain was an illusion, but the sensation of pain was all too real.
Release!
Yin Release chakra clashed against the genjutsu, and Shinmoku broke free. What came at him next was—
Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!
Fire Release: Majestic Destroyer Flame!
Once again, water collided with fire, but this time the clash was a hundred times more powerful than before.
Their ninjutsu filled the entire arena, one half water and the other half fire.
You call this a Genin in Konoha?
Everyone in the stands was stunned. They'd come to see Uchiha Sasuke, so where had these two Uchiha suddenly come from—and how were they both so strong?
The battle continued.
His elemental affinity was at a disadvantage. Even if he could hold his own, continuing like this wouldn't accomplish anything.
Shinmoku breathed fire while forming Hand Seals.
Lightning Release: Spider Web.