Hidden Leaf Ninja Academy.
"Why did they suddenly call us back to school?"
"Yeah, isn't there still a week left of vacation?"
"Maybe it's because of graduation season? I wonder how tough our graduation exam will be this year."
In the classroom, students whispered among themselves.
From the grand Five Kage Summit to the sudden school summons, their chatter covered everything and nothing.
Listening to his classmates' idle talk, Shinji rested his head on the desk, gazing out the window, thinking to himself, "It's already graduation season, huh…"
Prompted by his classmates, he belatedly realized that only half a semester remained before graduation.
Suddenly, the classroom fell silent.
Step, step.
Without turning his head, Shinji knew from the sound of footsteps that Iruka had entered the classroom.
Cough, cough.
Clearing his throat, Iruka announced, "The reason you were all called to the academy today is because the village has decided to hold the Chūnin Exams early. Since your class is the graduating class, anyone who wishes to participate in the Chūnin Exams can register with me."
His gaze then landed on Shinji.
"The Chūnin Exams?"
Shinji's brow furrowed.
In the original timeline, the Chūnin Exams were held after Naruto and Sasuke's class graduated, which, by his calculations, meant this exam was a year ahead of schedule.
"What, they're holding the Chūnin Exams!?"
"Even we academy students can participate?"
"Don't you have to graduate and become a genin to take the Chūnin Exams?"
The classroom erupted in excitement.
The Chūnin Exams were always a major event in the village. Though the students hadn't participated themselves, they had certainly watched them.
Hearing they could now take part, they buzzed with enthusiasm.
Knock, knock.
Iruka tapped the podium to quiet the class. "Registering doesn't guarantee participation—you'll need the village's approval. This Chūnin Exam is unlike any before. Previous exams were held only among the Hidden Leaf and a few allied villages, but this time, nearly every village will participate. Both the scale and level will be the greatest in the shinobi world!"
Hiss.
Gasps echoed from the students.
Before the Akatsuki's rise, the five great shinobi villages were rivals, with the Hidden Leaf only maintaining slightly better relations with the Hidden Sand. Major villages like the Hidden Cloud, Hidden Mist, and Hidden Rock rarely joined the Hidden Leaf's Chūnin Exams.
But this time was different!
Under the Akatsuki's threat, all shinobi villages were banding together. The scale and significance of the Chūnin Exams in this context were unimaginable.
There was no doubt that excelling in this exam would instantly make one famous across the shinobi world!
Scanning the students' faces, Iruka asked, "Who wants to register?"
Knowing the high stakes of this Chūnin Exam, the students, previously eager, grew hesitant.
Excelling could bring fame across the shinobi world, but failing and being defeated by other villages' shinobi would mean humiliation on the same scale.
Iruka, surprised by the sudden quiet, looked toward Shinji.
Shinji avoided Iruka's gaze, turning to stare out the window.
What a joke—this was a critical moment for awakening his Rinnegan. He had no interest in wasting time on some Chūnin Exam.
Seeing Shinji's lack of response, Haku and Karin, preferring to avoid trouble, also lowered their heads to dodge Iruka's gaze.
"Huh, what's going on?"
Iruka was taken aback.
He had assumed that with Shinji's strength, he'd easily dominate the Chūnin Exams and make a name for himself across the shinobi world. Yet, Shinji seemed utterly uninterested.
With no other choice, Iruka turned to Neji.
Meeting Iruka's expectant gaze, Neji's face flushed with embarrassment, and he turned away.
Tenten, sitting nearby, asked curiously, "Neji, what's wrong?"
Rock Lee chimed in, "Yeah, aren't you going to register?"
"I'll pass this time," Neji said with a slight shake of his head.
Without the Tenseigan in his forehead, he wouldn't have minded competing against the elites of other villages in the Chūnin Exams.
But now, with such a heavy responsibility, it was clearly unsuitable to put himself in the spotlight.
Seeing geniuses like Shinji and Neji refrain from registering, the other students grew even more reluctant to raise their hands, and the classroom grew quieter still.
This left Iruka in an awkward spot.
He had initially worried that too many students would register, forcing him to tactfully dissuade those lacking the strength. Now, not a single hand was raised.
After class, Iruka called Shinji to his office.
Closing the door, he asked, puzzled, "Shinji, this is a great opportunity for you. If you win the exam, you could immediately become a chūnin and even rise to jōnin sooner. Why aren't you enthusiastic at all?"
Shinji replied casually, "It sounds like a hassle."
Iruka was speechless. "With your strength, your chances of winning are high—it's hardly a hassle!"
Shinji made up an excuse. "The Advisory Council has already arranged for me to join the Anbu, so it's inconvenient for me to participate in this Chūnin Exam."
"Oh…" Iruka was momentarily stunned, then nodded as if it made sense. "That's true. Joining the Anbu system might lead to faster promotions, and your strength is better suited for it. Alright, you can go."
…
Naruto and Sasuke's Class.
Naruto raised his hand high. "Sensei, can we also register for this Chūnin Exam?"
The teacher nodded. "Though your class isn't graduating, the village has granted special permission for you to participate."
Naruto leapt onto his desk. "Finally, it's time for the great me to shine!"
Sakura punched him. "Idiot, this Chūnin Exam will gather elites from every village. Don't be reckless!"
Before her words settled, Sasuke raised his hand. "Sensei, I'm registering!"
Sakura blinked. "Uh…"
Naruto hurriedly shouted, "I was the first to register!"
With Sasuke and Naruto raising their hands, a few others in the class followed suit. The momentum spread, and soon over half the class had raised their hands.
Seeing this, Shion nudged Yakumo. "Yakumo, let's register too!"
Yakumo hesitated. "Is that necessary?"
Shion winked playfully. "A Chūnin Exam with every shinobi village participating? We might never see something like this again. Don't you want to have some fun?"
"Well… alright then!"
Swayed by Shion's words, Yakumo felt a spark of interest.
The teacher at the podium observed the raised hands, recording names. When he saw Kimimaro, he instinctively began to write his name but froze—Kimimaro hadn't raised his hand.