"Kakashi-sensei? Why are you here?" Sakura asked in surprise, seeing Kakashi appear in front of the exam room.
"That's because this is an exam that only three people can take together... Although I was sure you would participate, I still had to confirm it myself. At the same time, I also needed to make sure that you are all participating in the Chunin Exams of your own free will..." Kakashi explained, a satisfied look in his eyes as he gazed at the confident trio.
This brought looks of joy to Naruto and Sakura's faces... As for Sasuke, hearing this explanation, which differed from the original plot, he sighed inwardly... Had the butterfly effect already begun to show its true colors?
"Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura. You three... are the team I'm most proud of. Go on in..." Kakashi narrowed his eyes, encouraging them once more.
This warmed the hearts of all three, including Sasuke, and their morale soared.
"Let's go, Naruto, Sakura..." Sasuke looked deeply at Kakashi, then his gaze shifted as he called out confidently.
Only he knew what kind of situation he would face next... Therefore, he felt even more pressured than the other two!
The next moment, as the three filed in, they finally saw the vast crowd inside the exam room.
"So, so many people..." Sakura exclaimed instinctively, looking at the room full of Ninja from various villages.
Naruto wore a similar expression, excited beyond words as he looked at the many Genin.
"Sasuke-kun... You're too slow, I've been waiting for you for ages!" Suddenly, Ino's playful voice rang out beside the trio.
Before Sakura could react, she saw Ino pounce and cling to Sasuke's back, nuzzling him intimately... The soft, budding touch instantly made Sasuke's heart flutter... Had Ino, this cosmos flower, already begun to bloom!?
"Ino-pig, get off him right now..." Sakura, seeing this, couldn't tolerate it. She immediately shouted and pulled Ino away.
She was participating in this Chunin Exams to defeat Ino, her strongest rival in love, not to let Ino defeat her.
"Nyah-nyah-nyah~~ Sasuke-kun is mine, you know..." Ino was completely unfazed, even deliberately rubbing against Sasuke's back twice to provoke Sakura.
This action instantly made Sakura furious!
"Alright, this isn't the time for jokes..." Sasuke rolled his eyes and feigned calmness, pushing Ino away.
He wasn't foolish enough to let himself become a battlefield for two girls... This action secretly pleased Sakura; Sasuke-kun really didn't like girls like Ino.
"What a bother... I didn't expect even you guys to participate in this exam!" As the two girls clashed, sparks flying, Shikamaru's lazy voice reached Sasuke's ear.
Looking up, he saw Shikamaru approaching with Choji.
"Hehehe... I can't believe all of us from this year's rookies are participating! It's rare to see everyone gathered together again... The last time we met was for dinner." Inuzuka Kiba appeared right after, with the shy Hinata and the cool Shino beside him.
"Hahahaha... I won't lose to you guys this time! Kiba, Shikamaru, I'm definitely going to be promoted to Chunin..." Naruto, seeing his friends gathered, immediately started bragging, causing everyone to cast him disdainful looks.
Promoted to Chunin?? How could that be...
"Hey, I'm telling you guys, keep your voices down..." Just as they were chatting and reminiscing, Yakushi Kabuto arrived as expected, playing the good guy.
"Who are you? How dare you speak so arrogantly..." Ino asked unhappily, arms crossed, looking at Yakushi Kabuto, who also wore a Konoha headband.
"I am Yakushi Kabuto..." Under Sasuke's meaningful gaze, Yakushi Kabuto began his performance as a helpful senior.
Soon, after a period of getting acquainted, he pulled out his Ninja info cards, attracting everyone's attention... making Kiba and Naruto eager to try them out... Sasuke, who knew the plot, had no interest in this. Instead, he turned his gaze to the other Ninja, beginning to search for his target.
"[He has no interest in the information I've gathered... Uchiha Sasuke, are you confident or arrogant?!]" Looking at his most important target who remained silent, Yakushi Kabuto's eyes flashed with a sharp glint, losing interest.
"[I found you, Uzumaki Karin...]" Sasuke, having scanned the room, suddenly paused his gaze, looking at the bright red hair in the crowd, his eyes flickering.
He absolutely could not let Orochimaru waste this super healer... Moreover, Karin was a woman who could follow him for life, and a true confidante he could entrust his life to!
How could Sasuke bear to let her fall into darkness...
"Eek..." Seeing Sasuke's ardent gaze, Karin in the crowd blushed and lowered her head.
"[That boy, he's so handsome... Why is he looking at me? Could it be... Oh no, it's the feeling of my heart fluttering...]" With just one glance, Karin couldn't forget Sasuke's handsome face.
"Ah... You all listen up, my name is Uzumaki Naruto. I won't lose to any of you... Got it...?" Just then, Naruto couldn't help but excitedly burst out, making everyone turn to look at him. The room instantly became silent enough to hear a pin drop.
"You idiot..."
"Don't be so annoying, you fool..." Sakura and Ino both shouted almost simultaneously, looking at Naruto with exasperation, their heads aching.
Doesn't this guy know how much this makes people hate him?
"[Here they come...]" Sasuke's heart stirred as he watched the Otogakure quickly approach, his right hand forming a hand seal in his pocket.
"You little brat, don't get too arrogant..." The Otogakure Zaku sneered, pushing through the crowd and lunging at Naruto.
At the same time, his companion Dosu targeted Yakushi Kabuto.
"Naruto..." Seeing the Otogakure attack, Sakura instinctively shouted to warn Naruto.
Naruto, with his back to Zaku, was momentarily slow to react and turned his head in confusion!
In the nick of time.
"Get lost..." Just as Zaku was only two meters from Naruto, Sasuke scoffed coldly and suddenly erupted.
His right hand flashed out of his pocket, and a lightning snake arrived in a flash... The explosive lightning snake directly struck Zaku's chest, paralyzing him and sending him flying.
At the same time, Yakushi Kabuto also sent Dosu flying.
"Naruto, next time be more careful when you speak. Don't always make me clean up your messes..." Looking at the slow-witted Naruto, Sasuke smiled calmly, acting cool as a breeze.
He was starting to enjoy the feeling of putting Naruto in his place more and more.
"What?!"
"When did he make a hand seal?!"
"This is the power of a Konoha Genin!"
"So amazing..."
"Sasuke-kun is so cool..."
"That was awesome, Sasuke..."
At the same time, Genin from various villages, along with Sakura and Ino, exclaimed again.
Gaara's three siblings, Might Guy's team, the Otogakure, Karin, and others looked at Sasuke with increased wariness and curiosity.
"All of you, quiet down, you punks..." Just as the Otogakure, unwilling to give up, were about to attack again, a rough voice accompanied by a burst of white smoke exploded.
"Sorry to keep you waiting... I am your proctor, Morino Ibiki. The first stage of the Chunin Selection Exam begins now..." On the platform, the Konoha proctor team, led by Morino Ibiki, made a grand entrance.