Konoha Village — along a narrow, winding path.
Children laughed and chased one another, their carefree voices echoing through the street. Amid the lively scene, three oddly dressed figures walked shoulder to shoulder toward the Ninja Academy, their eyes constantly scanning their surroundings.
"So this is Konoha?" one of them scoffed, disdain written all over his face.
"How lax. Living in peace for too long must've made them forget what training even is. One of the Five Great Villages? From where I'm standing, Konoha has already gone downhill."
Not far away, a trio—two men and a woman—wearing Kirigakure forehead protectors strolled past at an unhurried pace.
Everywhere they looked, civilians lived in comfort and stability. Thinking of their own village, resentment inevitably rose in their hearts.
We're all the same age. So why do they get to live like this, while we've been struggling between life and death since childhood?
"I can't wait for the exam to start," one of them said, licking his lips.
"I just hope Konoha's ninjas won't bore me too much. Lol…"
Sand, Mist, Rain, Grass, Cloud—ninjas from every nation had arrived.
Looks like this Chūnin Exam won't be simple at all.
I wonder if any jōnin are mixed in among them… I'd better stay alert.
---
Inside the Ninja Academy, Uzumaki Renka casually found a seat and sat down. As ninjas from various villages filed into the classroom one after another, he quietly began observing them.
"They dragged us here early in the morning, yet the proctor himself hasn't shown up," someone complained.
"Are Konoha's ninjas always this arrogant?"
It was already eight o'clock, and not everyone had arrived yet. Some of the examinees were growing restless and deliberately stirring trouble.
Otogakure forehead protectors… Orochimaru's people.
Why are they here?
Do they have a target among the examinees?
Or are they just scouting the place in advance?
Renka's heart skipped a beat. His eyes swept the room instinctively, and when the curse mark on his neck showed no reaction, he relaxed slightly.
There's no trace of Orochimaru himself here.
That makes sense. With his current strength, Orochimaru still can't overthrow Konoha.
Sending his subordinates now must be preparation for a future strike.
Either way… Orochimaru's people can't be ignored.
Having identified his targets, Renka began paying deliberate attention to the Sound ninjas' movements.
One… two… six in total?
If they act separately, dealing with them might be troublesome.
Just as he was thinking—
"Who do you think you are, questioning Konoha's decisions?!"
A sharp shout suddenly rang out, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Renka turned his head.
The speaker wore a Konoha forehead protector and a black training outfit. On his back was a distinctive fan-shaped emblem—an Uchiha.
"Not even letting people speak?" the Sound ninja Kyūya sneered.
"Konoha's really overbearing, isn't it?"
"Looking to die?" Uchiha Iwa said coldly.
"If that's what you want, I'll do it."
At some point, a kunai had already appeared in his hand. In an instant, he closed the distance and thrust forward.
"Heh, so this is how Konoha does things? A fight? Who's afraid of who?!"
Kyūya pulled out a bone flute. Clang!
It blocked the kunai, and at the same time, a shrill sound erupted, rattling everyone's eardrums.
"Enough!"
The Konoha chūnin who had been observing no longer remained passive. A figure appeared instantly on the podium. At the same time, another figure flashed between the two combatants. With a firm grip, he seized their wrists—both felt a sharp pain, and their weapons could no longer advance even an inch.
"You are…?"
A cigarette hung from his lips as he slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke. The bearded ninja who stopped the clash spoke calmly:
"Having spirit is a good thing. But since you're in Konoha, you follow Konoha's rules. Put your weapons away. You'll have plenty of chances to fight later."
Then he added,
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Asuma Sarutobi. During the Chūnin Exams, I'll be in charge of your examination."
So strong… Asuma Sarutobi.
This guy is definitely a jōnin.
Though Uchiha Iwa was dissatisfied with the village—largely because of how Konoha treated the Uchiha clan, especially with tensions escalating lately—he still couldn't tolerate outsiders insulting Konoha.
Asuma, huh…
He was pretty handsome when he was younger.
Seeing a familiar canon figure appear, Renka couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Asuma stepped onto the podium. After receiving a nod from his assistant, he stubbed out his cigarette and said sternly:
"All examinees should now be present. Anyone late is considered to have forfeited."
"Now, I'll explain the exam."
"The Chūnin Exam consists of four stages. The first stage is a written test. Please proceed to the examination room on the third floor."
Renka stood up and followed the crowd upstairs.
"A written test? Not direct combat?"
"I've done plenty of academy exams—this round should be easy."
"Heh, I've been preparing for three years. This time, I'll definitely become a chūnin!"
The speaker was a middle-aged man. Renka took note.
Three years?
I don't plan on wasting that much time just becoming a chūnin.
'Red hair… an Uzumaki?'
'I should report this to Lord Orochimaru.'
'So he's a Konoha ninja too?'
'Hah, what's the use of being a hot dude? If he runs into me, I'm gonna school him.'
'So handsome…'
'He looks like a good man. I hope he can last a bit longer.'
As Renka observed others, others were also observing him.
Clapping his hands, Asuma pointed at the desks.
"Quiet. Take your seats according to the names on the desks."
"And there's one rule you should know in advance: no cheating. Any ninja caught cheating will be banned from the Chūnin Exam for life."
"What?!"
"We've never heard of such a rule!"
"Silence!" Asuma barked.
"This is the examination hall. Here, I am the rule. Anyone who doesn't want to take the exam can leave right now."
"…."
Despite their anger and frustration, no one moved.
We've already come this far—who would give up now?
"Now, the exam papers will be distributed," Asuma continued.
"There are ten questions total, worth one point each. One point is deducted for every wrong answer. A final score of seven or higher is a pass."
"You'll have one hour."
"And one more thing—this is a three-man team evaluation. If even one member fails, the entire team is eliminated."
After explaining the rules, the assistant began handing out the papers.
I'm alone.
This round actually favors me.
The proctors took their seats. Renka swept his gaze over them, a faint smile forming—
Then his expression froze.
Among the proctors sat a familiar figure. Sensing his gaze, she looked back.
"So it's you," Anko Mitarashi said with a grin.
"Didn't expect you'd really show up. But don't think you can cheat under my nose—I'll be watching you closely."
In an instant, Renka felt as though a venomous snake had locked onto him.
Damn it—Anko is a proctor?!
With her personality, she'll definitely keep her eyes glued to me. The difficulty of cheating just skyrocketed.
Once the assistant returned to the podium, Asuma declared loudly:
"The papers have been distributed."
"I now announce—the exam begins!"