"Sorry, looks like I interrupted you."
Kabuto smiled, then turned to leave with an air of feigned ease.
But the moment he turned around, he resumed thinking about how he might find a chance to get closer to them later.
After all, Lord Orochimaru's orders were for him to approach Sasuke Uchiha during these Chunin Exam ninja trials and lend him a hand if necessary.
"I want to know whether Sasuke Uchiha is qualified to become my new vessel."
Lord Orochimaru's words before his departure still echoed in Kabuto's ears. Carrying out Lord Orochimaru's orders was the very reason Kabuto Yakushi existed!
It was supposed to be such an easy assignment.
Kabuto had years of experience working as a spy. He had even helped Lord Orochimaru gather a wealth of intelligence on the Akatsuki.
Yet during the year since Sasuke Uchiha graduated, he had been unable to find out what missions the boy had spent most of his time doing.
Kabuto had infiltrated Konoha under the guise of a perpetual genin. Under normal circumstances, only information on missions above B-rank should have been beyond his reach.
But the kid had only just graduated a year ago... Had he been doing nothing but missions above B-rank ever since graduation?
How was that possible?
Sasuke watched Kabuto walk away, deep in thought.
"What is it?"
Neji noticed Sasuke's reaction and asked.
"Nothing. I just think that guy named Kabuto isn't as simple as he looks."
"That's hardly surprising. There are plenty of hidden talents in the Chunin Exam. You came late, so you missed the people who arrived earlier. I already spotted several worth keeping an eye on. That short guy carrying a gourd, for instance, the Sound Ninja who were here from the start, and that team of Konoha Ninja I