Because the Chūnin Exams were only held every few years, the people of Konohagakure naturally didn't want to miss the event. Even though the arena was already packed to capacity—so full that squeezing in was impossible—crowds continued gathering outside. Even without seeing the fights, everyone wanted to feel the atmosphere of such a grand occasion. Vendors called out loudly, promoting snacks and trinkets.
A formal joint Chūnin Exam hosted by two major Hidden Villages, with participants from several others, had become a festival-like celebration for Konoha.
Menma, entering through the competitors' designated passage, followed the line into the stadium. The Sunagakure trio was already there ahead of time. Even Sasuke—who had arrived late in the original timeline—had reached the venue before Menma in this altered world.
Menma was the final participant to step into the competitor area among the ten.
"Oh! Menma, you're late! You're the last one here!"
Naruto waved enthusiastically, shouting across the walkway.
"Heh… it's not that I'm late. You're all just early. Look at the time,"
Menma replied as he took his place beside Naruto, Sasuke, and the others. For a brief moment, his pupils flickered with an unreadable emotion.
Because if nothing unexpected occurred…
Today—
Here—
This was the day he severed the past.
These companions, this so-called "brother" standing beside him…
By the end of this day, they might become enemies.
Enemies he would have to defeat—perhaps even kill.
Just like Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama before them.
A clash of ideologies.
A choice of divergent paths.
"Heh, how can it be late? Look, the whole place is full already! Today's the perfect stage for us to show off!"
Naruto grinned, oblivious to Menma's inner shift. The roaring crowd, the tension, the spectacle—everything fueled Naruto's excitement. He was eager to display his strength in front of everyone.
Sasuke, standing beside him, was similarly wound up.
To restore the Uchiha name, he had to rise above others. His first opponent was Hyūga Neji—top-ranked from the previous exam. For Sasuke, Neji was a worthy target. Beat the strongest of the last generation… then surpass the strongest of this one.
Sasuke glanced sharply at Neji, resolve burning in his eyes, before shifting his gaze to Menma.
After a month of personal training under Kakashi, he felt reborn.
Stronger. Sharper.
Ready to prove himself on this grand stage.
Rock Lee also fixed a fiery stare on Menma.
Meeting Menma in the first round thrilled him. Menma, Sasuke, Neji, Naruto—these were the rivals Lee longed to defeat to prove his efforts.
As for the Gaara trio, their thoughts were nowhere near the Chūnin Exams. Their mission overshadowed everything.
The only one truly nervous among the ten was Haruno Sakura.
She still couldn't believe she had made it to the final stage.
But she also knew exactly why she had reached this far.
The first round was a written test—no combat involved.
The second round relied heavily on teamwork and luck… and Team 7's unusual circumstances had allowed her to slip through without demonstrating much.
Now the main event was single-elimination combat.
Here, only personal skill mattered.
Among the ten, Sakura was painfully aware she was the weakest.
And with tens of thousands of spectators in the stands, her nerves were stretched to the breaking point. Her anxious darting glances were proof enough.
"All right, no more chatting. The matches are about to start. This stage belongs to the ten of you now."
At the front, Shiranui Genma—who had replaced the deceased Gekkō Hayate—spoke around the senbon in his mouth, chin slightly raised. He gestured toward the highest podium, where two robed figures sat.
Menma, Naruto, Gaara, and the rest all shifted their attention upward.
A faint gleam of sarcasm flickered deep in Menma's eyes