In a short while, Kakashi already had a copy of the "Chunin Exam Intelligence Summary" in his hand.
It cost him over fifty thousand Ryo.
However, compared to the danger of this exam, this small expense was nothing.
Kakashi was not someone who cared much about material possessions.
Unfortunately, just like the word 'Summary' on this intelligence report, although the information on other minor characters, not worth his attention, was quite detailed, there was hardly any leaked information on the few people he truly cared about.
Only the content about that arrogant Cloud Ninja with the dark skin was relatively detailed—the report stated that he had completed multiple A-rank missions alone, with a baseline assessment of at least Special First Class Jonin level strength, and his powerful taijutsu would not fall behind even against veteran Jonin for a short period.
As for Han from Iwagakure and the short, stout man named Sasori who was leading Sunagakure, the report simply had their names, with all other information listed as unknown.
Conversely, his own mission information was noted in great detail, explicitly stating on paper that he had completed high-level A-rank missions, possessed outstanding strength, and so on, making him one of the key figures marked in the 'Summary'.
'I really don't know where these Kusagakure guys got so much information.'
Kakashi thought to himself, silently following the crowd into the examination hall.
The examiner at the front of the hall was a vigorous Iwagakure Jonin. Once the exam time arrived, he began to announce the rules and distribute the test papers to the many Ninja.
Several Chunin examiners stood at various points in the examination hall, scanning the young Genin with sharp gazes.
Under the complete silence of the hall, even someone as simple-minded as Obito could feel the solemn atmosphere.
After the test papers were distributed, looking at the complex equations and obscure questions on the paper that seemed like an undecipherable script, his entire face couldn't help but wrinkle into a ball, his academic ineptitude almost overflowing.
Eventually, he even had to cast a pleading look at his 'mortal enemy', Kakashi.
Unfortunately, when he noticed that Kakashi had already started writing rapidly, his face became even more despairing.
Just as he was thinking that failing one subject didn't matter, as there were several more assessments to come, and he might as well just hand in a blank paper, he heard the Iwagakure examiner at the front say coldly:
"Additionally, there are a few points to note. All you brats better listen carefully."
"One, if one person withdraws during the assessment, the entire team is considered to have withdrawn."
"Two, if caught cheating more than three times during the assessment, the entire team is considered to have withdrawn."
"Three, if caught by an examiner during the assessment and resistance fails, the entire team is considered to have withdrawn!"
Upon hearing this series of exam rules, where 'entire team withdrawal' was a frequent consequence, Obito immediately slammed his head onto the desk. He could almost picture that bastard Kakashi, after passing the assessment, looking down disdainfully at him, who had been eliminated in the first round, holding Rin in his arms with an expression of contempt.
This was the one thing he would die before letting happen!
For the first time in his life, Obito regretted not studying hard when he was at the Academy.
Just as a gloomy, death-like aura seemed to emanate from his entire being.
"Pffft, pffft."
Suddenly, a dreamlike soft sound echoed in his ears.
Having developed a sufficiently skilled coordination with his squadmates over numerous missions, Obito immediately recognized this as a communication signal between his squad members. He abruptly raised his head and looked around.
It wasn't until he noticed that the faint sound was coming from Rin, who was sitting diagonally in front of him, that a sudden feeling of salvation rose in Obito's heart.
Indeed!
Rin was his angel!
However, noticing his obvious movement, even Rin, who had just intended to send him a message, slowed her actions.
Obito suddenly realized this and abruptly stopped his movement, feigning being a rather amateurish dummy under the suspicious gaze of the examiner next to him.
Watching his clumsy movements, even Rin, who was intent on helping him, couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
This guy, he hadn't listened to their discussion at all before the exam.
It wasn't until the examiner watching him was distracted by another idiot that Rin finally looked up towards Obito again, and under Obito's hopeful gaze, made a subtle gesture to her ear.
"That's right!"
"There's actually this trick?!"
"As expected of Rin."
Just seeing this gesture, Obito immediately understood.
He scanned the positions of the surrounding examiners with a vigilant gaze, placed one hand on the desk, and pressed a small universal capsule using the Uchiha throwing technique.
The sound of the capsule bursting was so faint it was almost imperceptible.
Under Obito's palm, a tiny, skin-colored invisible earphone, about half a finger joint in size, immediately appeared.
He skillfully inserted the earphone into his ear canal, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.
Hmph hmph.
These idiotic examiners.
Who still uses such outdated cheating methods now?
Times have changed!
Even his gaze towards the other Genin who had already started rapidly answering questions inadvertently carried a hint of superiority.
Can they pass the exam? What's the use of being able to pass the exam?
When you're out in the world, it's all about connections and relationships!
Which village are you from?
Unfortunately, the very first sentence that came through the earphone severely dampened his triumphant mood.
Kakashi's voice was cold: "Rin, and that idiot who's looking around everywhere, do you want everyone to know you're cheating? All of you, lower your heads a bit, and then listen carefully to what I have to say!"
Hearing this, Obito's expression first stiffened. He was about to retort as he usually would, but then he suddenly remembered his current predicament.
'Damn it!'
'That damn Kakashi.'
'Once I pass this, I'll show you how I'll crush your scores.' Obito thought to himself, but still lowered his noble head as instructed, listening attentively.
Kakashi's voice was intermittent, and even though he kept his head down the entire time, it was as if he had eyes in the back of his head, clearly perceiving the movements of the surrounding examiners. He spoke in a low voice through the earphone:
"Based on my observation, there will be approximately three minutes of radio interference every thirty seconds in this examination hall, so remember to copy quickly after hearing the answers. Do not interrupt me while I am reading the answers; I will not wait for you."
"Besides that, the examiner at the front clearly has a method to monitor radio signal sources, so remember to maintain radio silence and don't chat casually until the time is right."
"Finally, be careful of other examinees around you. If your paper is accidentally swapped, you might not be able to complete the answers in the remaining time."
Although these three sentences were addressed to both of them, Obito inexplicably felt that this bastard's words, both overtly and covertly, were all aimed at him, and he couldn't help but gnash his teeth in frustration.
'This guy'
'Even I know these things!'
'Does he really need to repeat them?'
'Seriously.'
Clearly, student Obito actually possessed a certain degree of self-awareness, but not entirely.
However, the current Kakashi clearly didn't have that much time to help his squadmates manage their self-perception.
Almost the instant he received the test paper, he had already begun answering.
Based on the difficulty of this test paper, he could tell that it definitely should not be used in a Chunin Exam setting, so there should be a few intelligence agents specifically responsible for 'outputting answers' in the examination hall.
The true purpose of this exam was also to assess the Genin's intelligence gathering abilities.
However, for him, there wasn't that much trouble.
He could handle it all.
It's no exaggeration to say that at this point, having undergone a complete family education from Sakumo and comprehensive ability assessments from Konoha, the current Kakashi was almost the embodiment of Shikamaru Nara and Sasuke combined from the original world line.
Whether in intelligence or strength, he could be considered at the pinnacle among all his peers.
Moreover, as long as Sawara Kiri did not die, Kakashi in this state would continue to grow at this peak, eventually surpassing the 'blank period' that appeared in the original world line and becoming the 'strongest human' in the entire Ninja World, excluding a few anomalies.
Kakashi, who became a Jonin at the age of twelve in the original world line despite such a poor training situation, possessed such unparalleled talent.
At this moment, solving these childish exam questions, there was virtually no possibility of losing points.
Therefore, while writing answers and transmitting them to Rin and Obito, Kakashi also used subtle perception to observe the movements of the 'key targets' around him.
The few examinees from Sunagakure in the distance moved quite skillfully. In a very short time, they found the 'answers' among the many examinees.
The guy named Maki merely moved his fingers slightly, and several subtle, almost imperceptible puppet strings connected to the 'answer's' fingers, with the other ends attached to his own pen and those of his teammates, synchronously copying the answers from the other party's test paper.
The few examiners supervising around them completely failed to notice his movements.
As for the movements on Iwagakure's side, they were relatively more direct.
Han tapped his foot on the ground, and Kakashi didn't even detect his hand seals, yet he sensed a faint Chakra reaction surging along the ground towards the distance.
As his gaze swept over, sure enough, an inconspicuous Earth Release arm, like a stone, had already slipped several slips of paper into his teammates' pant legs.
The actions of these two sides were relatively easy to understand.
On the other hand, Kumogakure…
Kakashi looked at the dark-skinned man sitting grandly in his seat, completely motionless, and a flicker of doubt crossed his eyes.
'Could this guy also be slow-witted, planning to give up the exam like that idiot Obito?'
Although the actions of the various Ninja villages all indicated their hidden intentions, Kakashi was almost certain the answer wouldn't be that absurd, but the thought still crossed his mind.
After all, this guy's appearance suggested he wasn't very bright.
The examination hall remained silent, occasionally two Genin with noticeably poor techniques would be caught by an examiner and ferociously kicked out of the hall. The number of people in the room steadily decreased, dropping from nearly a hundred at the start to dozens, then to twenty or thirty in a short while.
The one-hour time limit for the written exam gradually passed. Time always seems to fly when one is nervous.
Hatake Squad's test papers were all completed.
Even Obito's face couldn't help but show a relieved smile, his big white teeth exposed.
That guy was still so confident.
Finally, with only ten minutes left in the exam, Kakashi watched Killer Bee, who remained perfectly still, his confusion growing stronger.
Killer Bee suddenly stood up.
"Clang."
The chair scraped back with a dull thud.
All remaining eyes in the examination hall fell upon him.
An Iwagakure examiner closest to him frowned and reprimanded him: "To hand in a blank paper and leave, you must first raise your hand and wait for the examiner's approval before moving!"
"Don't you understand exam hall discipline?"
However, Killer Bee didn't look at him. Instead, he stared directly at the chief Examiner, the Jonin at the front of the hall, and chuckled, still speaking in that inexplicably rhythmic tone:
"Foolish guys! All idiots!"
"None understand! The true rules!"
As he spoke, he looked at the surrounding Iwagakure examiners with a provocative gaze, revealing a sinister smile, and drew the short blades from his back, his voice gradually leveling:
"Exam Hall Rule Number Three!"
"Being caught by an examiner, and failing to resist, is considered withdrawal."
"If that's the case, then as long as I win, I pass, right!"
Clearly, he had already figured out this logic a long time ago.
The reason he waited so long was entirely to exclude the unqualified 'trash' from the next assessment.
Upon hearing this, all the Genin present were stunned, looking in bewilderment at the dark-skinned man who had suddenly risen, their expressions utterly confused.
Are you mistaken?
This is Iwagakure's home turf. In this examination hall alone, there are ten Iwagakure Ninja of at least Chunin level, plus a Jonin as the chief Examiner.
Are you out of your mind to think you can defeat them?
However, the other Kumogakure Ninja present all looked as if it was perfectly natural.
Even Kakashi, upon hearing these arrogant words, couldn't help but be momentarily stunned.
So, that sentence had this interpretation?
The Iwagakure Jonin who had been standing at the front of the podium, feigning sleep, was also surprised upon hearing this. He couldn't help but reveal a mocking smile, staring directly at him:
"Since you know how to use the rules, then you should also understand the consequences of failure, right?"
"Of course!"
Almost the instant these words fell, Killer Bee's figure shot out, moving like lightning, his short blades pointing directly at the nearest Chunin examiner.
The Chunin-level examiners, caught off guard, had no way to block such a monster, capable of being the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.
Under the immense disparity in speed and strength, the closest few didn't even have time to draw their Kunai before their bodies were swept by super-high-speed slashes.
Before Killer Bee's short blades could fall again, the Iwagakure Jonin at the very front had already charged towards him with an overwhelming force, his thick arms already covered in a layer of hard rock, and he roared:
"Earth Release: Fist of Rock!"
"Cloud Ninja brat, let this old man show you!"
"The insurmountable chasm between Jonin and Genin!"
"Boom—!"
A violent gust of wind filled the entire examination hall.