"Smells delicious."
Uehara Naraku and Maruboshi Kosuke sat around a large iron pot, each with a bowl and chopsticks, eating the stew inside, attracting the sidelong glances of those around them.
Despite appearing to have no skills, a Genin teacher and a young Genin behaved so arrogantly, which was indeed unreasonable.
Maruboshi Kosuke was also helpless.
Due to mistakes made many years ago, Kosuke only wanted to remain a Genin for life. However, this time, under the order and request of his old friend and superior Sarutobi Hiruzen, he was forced to monitor Uehara.
Faced with Uehara Naraku's occasional provocations, Maruboshi Kosuke could only demonstrate his strength, hoping that he would show some restraint.
"Really not going to team up with me?"
After they finished eating together, Maruboshi Kosuke tidied up the cookware and softly explained, "Although temporary teams are forbidden in the Chunin Examination, there aren't very strict rules against it. Ultimately, it depends on which teams obtain the Scrolls."
The rule for the second stage of the Chunin Examination was to seize the Heaven and Earth Scrolls.
Each team would be given either a Heaven Scroll or an Earth Scroll. To pass, they must collect both types of Scrolls and reach the tower in the Forest of Death to proceed.
Approximately 20 teams had passed this Chunin Examination, meaning at least half of the teams would be eliminated.
Uehara Naraku shook his head firmly, saying, "My teammates wouldn't want an old man tagging along, besides, Haku's skills are quite good."
"Is that so?"
Maruboshi Kosuke could only sigh and leave.
After a while, Kaguya Kimimaro and Haku returned with the Scrolls, but Uehara Naraku didn't care and merely instructed Haku to keep the Scrolls safe.
"Lord Naraku."
Yakushi Kabuto suddenly walked over, adjusted his glasses, and respectfully said, "Lord Naraku, which Scroll do you need? We obtained the Heaven Scroll."
The competition hadn't even started, yet a Scroll was delivered right to the door.
Uehara Naraku glanced at Yakushi Kabuto speechlessly, waved his hand, and said, "If I want something, I prefer to take it with my own hands."
"Is that so?"
Yakushi Kabuto sighed, shook his head, and said, "That's quite unfortunate... these young ones are probably going to experience a nightmare of a Chunin Examination now, huh? I hope they won't lose confidence because of this."
"Hmph, they'll definitely experience a nightmare, after all, there's already someone who owes me something mixed into this arena, right?"
Uehara Naraku quietly opened the display panel of fate, and the avatar of Orochimaru appeared nearby.
Yakushi Kabuto adjusted his glasses and said, "That... I don't know."
"Then, you should tell that person!"
In a flash, Uehara Naraku appeared in front of Yakushi Kabuto, tightly gripping his collar, "Items owed to others should be returned immediately, or they'll accrue interest!"
"...Yes."
Yakushi Kabuto's forehead was covered with sweat.
The killing intent emanating from Uehara Naraku just now had frightened him.
Uehara Naraku frowned, unable to tell if Yakushi Kabuto was acting or genuinely scared, given that this guy was an experienced spy.
Uehara thought for a while, then threw Yakushi Kabuto to the ground with a toss!
"Hey, you two, fighting is prohibited here!"
A female ninja, noticing the commotion, swiftly approached, looking up at Uehara Naraku, and said, "If you want to fight or even kill someone, do it in the Forest of Death and settle it yourselves!"
After speaking, the female ninja's face slowly revealed a hint of a cruel smile, "But if you cause trouble here, I'll tear you to pieces, got it? Genin brats!"
This female ninja was none other than the examiner for the second test, Mitarashi Anko.
"Got it, got it!"
Uehara Naraku nodded and bowed at the baby-faced Mitarashi Anko, saying, "But it was this guy who kept provoking me before, I really couldn't hold back..."
"Is that so?"
Mitarashi Anko looked at Yakushi Kabuto, displeased.
After a glance at Uehara Naraku, Yakushi Kabuto nodded and said, "It's as he said."
Now that was a grievance without a place to air it!
If he could, Yakushi Kabuto would've liked to twist off Uehara Naraku's head to see why his brain was so shameless!
"Hmph, save the provocations for when the battle begins, fight or kill to your heart's content then!"
With a snort, Mitarashi Anko grinned and flashed a sweet smile at Uehara Naraku and Yakushi Kabuto, "But try not to die in there too easily, I do like you handsome young lads!"
"Well, that's a coincidence."
Uehara Naraku's smile widened a bit more as he looked at Mitarashi Anko and said, "I also like someone as sweet and cute-looking as the examiner..."
"Then do your best!"
Mitarashi Anko patted Uehara Naraku on the shoulder and turned to leave.
As she left Uehara Naraku, her smile gradually became a bit more sinister, "Yet another short-lived, hot-blooded fool!"
A ninja must prioritize patience.
Just now, Uehara Naraku acted out in face of the enemy's provocations, wasn't he afraid of being disqualified from the Chunin Examination?
Yakushi Kabuto's eyes gradually bore an odd expression, filled with confusion as he watched Mitarashi Anko's back. Was that woman really Orochimaru's disciple?
She seemed so foolish!
She actually believed Uehara Naraku!
Orochimaru was also hiding in a corner, observing the situation here. He pressed down on his hat and couldn't help but mutter, "Anko, you idiot!"
Indeed, abandoning Mitarashi Anko back then was the right choice.
She didn't even see through Uehara Naraku's demonic nature!
But this time, Orochimaru planned to advance during the Chunin Examination would need extra caution. He would have to find a way to have Yakushi Kabuto probe Uehara Naraku's intentions.
Mitarashi Anko didn't notice the two resentful glares; she glanced at her wristwatch, shouting, "All Genin, proceed to your entrance immediately and await the start of the test!"
As Uehara Naraku led Kaguya Kimimaro and Haku to their entrance, they happened to encounter the Seventh Class coming from the opposite direction.
As they brushed past each other, Uchiha Sasuke suddenly said, "Hey, you, Uehara Naraku, don't die too easily in there, I will challenge you!"
Hatake Kakashi specifically cautioned not to provoke Uehara Naraku without reason, but Uchiha Sasuke planned to consider Uehara Naraku as another challenge.
After all, he had many opponents he wanted to challenge.
The stronger the opponent, the greater the benefit for him.
Upon hearing Sasuke's words, Uehara Naraku couldn't help but curl his lips into a gentle smile, "Oh? Welcome, if you can defeat me, as a reward, I can tell you some information about Uchiha Itachi."