Chapter 19: The Third Exam's Opening Act
"Orochimaru?" Naruto's face scrunched up, the name drawing a blank.
Renji kept his tone even, his explanation clear but guarded. "He's one of the Legendary Sannin, a ninja known across the world, once trained by the Third Hokage himself. He betrayed Konoha years ago. Definitely not a genin—he's an S-rank rogue ninja. Even I couldn't keep up with him yesterday. He wasn't trying to kill us, though. After landing a hit on me, he just left."
Naruto's eyes widened, only half-grasping the weight of "Sannin" but latching onto the part about the Hokage's disciple. "Whoa, that's huge!" Renji deliberately skipped mentioning the Cursed Seal of Heaven on Sasuke's neck. Sasuke caught the omission, his shoulders relaxing slightly, a flicker of relief in his dark eyes. He wasn't ready for Naruto or Sakura to know about the mark.
"Argh, damn it!" Naruto's fists clenched, his voice thick with frustration as he recalled the crushing helplessness of facing Orochimaru's overwhelming power. "That guy made me feel like nothing, dattebayo!"
"Hey, Renji, let me check your injuries!" Naruto lunged forward, tugging at Renji's jacket, but Renji gently pushed his hand away.
"I've told you before," Renji said with a calm smile, "my kekkei genkai lets me manipulate bodies through their souls. It also gives me strong self-healing by shielding my body with my soul. No need to worry."
He kept the full extent of his abilities vague. If we ever end up enemies, they'd go straight for my soul. Better to hold some cards close, even with teammates.
"Alright!" Sakura called, skewering the cleaned wild chicken over the crackling campfire. "Once this is roasted, we'll eat to recharge and head straight for the central tower!"
...
One day later, Team 7 stood before the central tower, its imposing silhouette rising above the tangled chaos of the Forest of Death. They'd faced traps and ambushes along the way, but none matched Orochimaru's level. Together, the four of them dispatched every threat with seamless coordination, their teamwork a well-oiled machine.
Naruto shoved open the heavy vermilion door, and they stepped into a vast chamber. A staircase spiraled up to a second-floor viewing platform, and a large calligraphy scroll hung prominently on the wall. Sakura read the text aloud, her voice steady as she boldly unsealed their scrolls. Renji noted the shift in her—she wasn't just Sasuke's lovesick shadow anymore. Her decisiveness and grit marked her as a ninja who could stand tall on her own.
Thick smoke erupted from the scrolls. "It's a Summoning Jutsu," Sasuke said, tossing out their two scrolls. White smoke swirled, revealing a familiar figure.
"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto barreled forward, wrapping his arms around Iruka's neck like an overeager kid. Iruka chuckled, gently prying him off. "Looks like you guys had a rough time, huh?" His warm gaze swept over the team, lingering on Renji. Never taught this kid, but he's got a good vibe.
"Why're you here, Iruka-sensei?" Naruto asked, tilting his head.
Iruka grinned. "At the end of the second exam, us chūnin welcome the examinees. I'm also your VIP messenger! Congrats on passing the second exam!" His tone softened. "I'd love to treat you all to Ichiraku Ramen, but I've gotta take you to the third exam's location."
Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke froze. "Third exam? No break?" Sakura's brow creased, exhaustion creeping into her voice.
Iruka sighed. "Sorry, that's how it is."
Guided by Iruka, they entered a grander, more expansive chamber. The Third Hokage stood at the center, surrounded by jōnin and the other genin who'd passed. Familiar faces dotted the crowd—Lee, the Ino-Shika-Chō trio, and more.
Renji waved enthusiastically as he passed. "Lee!" he called, his smile bright as ever.
"Renji!" Lee's enthusiasm could've lit up the room, his thumbs-up practically sparkling. "I knew you guys would make it!"
Shikamaru just muttered, "Tch." He'd never doubted Team 7's success.
Choji rubbed his stomach, groaning. "Man, I'm starving…"
Anko's voice cut through the chatter. "Listen up! Lord Hokage will now explain the third exam. Pay attention."
Renji's mind wandered, half-expecting a school principal's endless speech. Next up, the principal drones on for an hour. He smirked, already knowing the rules.
The Third Hokage's voice boomed across the chamber. "The third exam begins now. Let me first clarify its purpose. Held with allied nations, this exam fosters peace and raises ninja standards. It's a microcosm of battles between nations."
He spoke at length, his tone heavy with gravitas. "Allied nations were once at war. To avoid mutual destruction, the Chunin Exams were created to minimize casualties while showcasing strength. They select chūnin, but they also display your nation's prestige. Feudal lords and ninja leaders will watch your battles. Strong nations gain more commissions; weaker ones, fewer. A nation's strength lies in its ninja village, and a village's strength lies in its ninja. True strength shines when you fight for your life. This exam is your stage to prove your nation's might."
The speech dragged on, leaving the genin clueless about the actual rules. Renji's patience thinned, and he wasn't alone. Hayate Gekkō coughed pointedly. "Apologies, Lord Hokage. Allow me, Hayate Gekkō, to explain as proctor."
Renji mentally cheered. Cutting through the red tape. My kind of guy.
Hayate's voice was crisp. "Before the third exam, we'll hold preliminary one-on-one battles. Losers are out. The preliminaries start now—no rest, no food. If you're unwell, you can withdraw."
Only Kabuto Yakushi stepped back. Renji glanced at Sasuke, who met his gaze. Lowering his voice, Renji said, "Sasuke, even with pain most people couldn't handle, you've got this fight in the bag, right?"
Sasuke gripped the Cursed Seal of Heaven on his neck, a rare, genuine smile breaking through his pale face. Still just a kid, Renji thought. Not much tougher to sway than Naruto.
Hayate continued. "With one withdrawal, nineteen remain. One gets a bye to the finals. No rules in one-on-one combat—fight until someone dies, can't continue, or surrenders. Surrender early to stay alive. I'll step in if the outcome's clear to avoid pointless deaths." He pointed to the scoreboard. "This will randomly pick the fighters. Let's see the first match."
The names flashed. As Renji predicted, it was Uchiha Sasuke versus Yoroi Akadō.
Danzo could've pulled strings for my bye, Renji mused, but he's not that obvious.
"Combatants, step forward. Everyone else, to the stands," Hayate ordered. The genin scattered, but Renji lingered.
"Renji?" Sasuke glanced back, confusion in his eyes. Kakashi approached, his visible eye narrowing. "What's up?"
Renji studied his hand. His Unrestricted Transfiguration altered bodies by touching souls. Could he isolate Sasuke's Cursed Seal of Heaven by creating a barrier between it and his bloodstream? It wouldn't erase the pain, but it could dull it enough for the fight.
"Sasuke, do you trust me?" Renji extended his hand.
Sasuke's gaze locked onto his, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Slap!
His palm met Renji's, his trust clear.
Renji's fingers brushed Sasuke's soul, swiftly weaving a thick layer of insulation beneath the Cursed Seal of Heaven. A bulge formed on Sasuke's neck, slowing the mark's spread. The pain faded to a dull ache, manageable for battle.
"Thanks," Sasuke said quietly, his gratitude genuine. He'd lost count of how many times he'd thanked Renji.
Kakashi's eye crinkled. "Come on, Renji. Everyone's already up there."
Renji followed Kakashi to the stands, where Naruto pounced. "Hey, Renji! What were you and Sasuke whispering about? You've got some secret with him that me and Sakura don't know, huh?"
Kakashi sighed. "…"
Renji blinked. "…"
With the pain eased, Sasuke's fight against Yoroi Akadō was a done deal. Hayate's voice echoed. "The winner of the first round is Uchiha Sasuke!"
Sasuke stumbled, the Cursed Seal of Heaven gnawing at the insulation. Only a temporary fix, Renji noted. Kakashi moved to act, but Renji was faster, darting down to steady Sasuke.
Two medical-nin approached. "We'll take it from here. His curse mark needs sealing," one said.
Renji nodded. "Thanks for your help."
"No problem," the medical-nin replied, smiling. Polite kid.
Kakashi patted Renji's head. "I'll stay with Sasuke. Don't worry." He left with the medical-nin.
"Sasuke, what's going on?" Naruto asked, his brow furrowed. Sasuke's strength shouldn't have faltered like that. Ever since Orochimaru, he'd been acting weird, and Renji—the only one who seemed to know something—was tight-lipped. Naruto pouted, crossing his arms. "Hmph!"
The second match kicked off, the combatants aligning with Renji's memory. Naruto clumsily outlasted Kiba Inuzuka, his sheer stubbornness carrying him through. Sakura and Ino's fight ended in a draw, Ino's Mind Transfer Jutsu locking them in a mutual knockout. Sakura's growth was striking, but Ino's technique was a perfect counter.
The real showstopper was Gaara versus Lee. Renji watched, his resolve to train taijutsu under Might Guy growing stronger. As expected, he was the lucky one, snagging the bye to the finals. The jōnin's stares burned into him. So this is what connections feel like, huh?