**Chapter 16: The Approaching Chunin Exams**
The sky had just brightened when Naruto rushed to the Team 7 meeting spot—Kakashi-sensei seemed to have something important to announce.
Rubik had a rough idea: it was probably about the Chunin Exams. That meant Orochimaru's "Konoha Crush Plan," a key node in his own strategy, was drawing near...
Out of self-interest, Rubik didn't want to interfere too much with the plot. This was his biggest "cheat code" besides the system—meddling without enough payoff would just waste his edge.
Even more critically, his damn system had a restriction: after defeating a ninja, he could only recruit their "current form." For instance, even if he squarely beat the old geezer disguised as "Tobi" (Obito), he'd only get "Tobi A." No Wood Release, no intangibility, not even the Gedo Statue summoning—total rip-off.
Overly altering events wouldn't benefit him much; it might even cost him chances to grow stronger. He'd only intervene if he could secure a desired recruit or already had enough power.
After all, the Fourth Great Ninja War was the real stage for his dreams.
"That said, don't let old-era holdouts like Madara Uchiha pop up and cause trouble," Rubik muttered to himself. "He only has high level stats which are useless anyway later when the aliens pop up—unique mechanics(Hax) are way better."
"Hmm~ Anyway, I'm just killing time. Might as well wander around? This is the most bustling place in the ninja world—plenty of cute girls to see..."
Rubik instinctively flashed a lecherous grin straight out of Jiraiya's playbook.
**Konoha Streets**
The sun blazed down, heating the cobblestone roads until they scorched bare feet.
The streets teemed with people. Ichiraku Ramen was packed, tempura sizzling in the oil fryer as fumes mixed with waves of heat. Ninja tool shops displayed gear far superior to anywhere else in the ninja world.
Kids with flushed cheeks brimmed with energy, chasing each other around corners. Looking up, you could see the Hokage Rock with its carved faces of past Hokages, as if they were still silently guarding the lively, smoky world below.
"Reincarnation is a real skill issue!" Rubik grumbled to himself as he strolled through Konoha's main street.
"If I'd been reborn here, I probably wouldn't even bother trying—just lie flat and enjoy it."
"Nah, no point being ungrateful. Plenty of people would kill for my setup."
He shook his head. "Whatever—today's my day off!"
Rubik dove headfirst into the bustling food street...
Braving the scorching sun, Rubik walked with puffed cheeks, munching away. A bamboo skewer of three-color dango in his left hand, fresh tempura in his right—greasy drips stained his lips. He squinted in satisfaction, humming contentedly.
*This is living! What kinda miserable crap was my old life... Feels like I could stay here forever, rot away happily, never touch another potato...*
Remembering those harsh years, Rubik's eyes even misted over a bit.
"Looks like Mr. Rubik is quite satisfied with life in Konoha."
A cool voice with a hint of allure sounded from behind him.
"Hm? Ah, if only a cute girl could keep me company—that'd make it perfect." Rubik replied without turning, though alarm bells rang faintly in his head.
*Finally showing herself? That tail who's been following me since I left... Who sent her? The Third? No need. Gotta be Danzo—blame always sticks to that guy.*
*Sounds like a kunoichi around my age... No one like this in the original story, right? Whatever, worst case I fight... Wait, what the—?!*
Black hair in a long ponytail, fishnet stockings, slim waist, fair face, and that tantalizing absolute territory... Bros, I am *into* this.
*Gulp...* Rubik audibly swallowed.
His eyes locked on the stunning young woman like magnets. Her pale cheeks flushed pink.
One delicate foot tapped nervously on the ground, but those captivating eyes bravely met his stunned gaze.
"Excuse me... miss, who might you be?"
Rubik quickly wiped the drool from his mouth and flashed what he thought was a suave smile.
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Rubik." The girl gave a slight bow, her cool voice softening. "I'm Momoki Senju, sent by the Hokage to replace Asuma. I'll be showing you around Konoha from now on—please take care of me~"
As she bowed—whether on purpose or not—a glimpse of her alluring curves peeked from her collar. Rubik, ever the gentleman, stole a billionth-of-a-second glance and looked away.
Forcing down the urges from his lower half (thanks, Tobirama), Rubik's reason held the line—for now.
{T/N:- Tobirama is a substitute for Dihh? 😳}
*Senju clan? No mention in the original... And she's *this* gorgeous, pure yet seductive, hitting my XP dead-on... Does Konoha get me this well? Straight to the honey trap before interrogation? Jackpot?*
*Hold up! Says she's from the old man (Third)? He wouldn't screw me over!*
*Wait—no, trust but verify! What if it's a setup? Pretty girls are the sneakiest—can't pull a Jiraiya and fall for it...*
Momoki seemed to catch the doubt in his eyes. She bit her lip lightly, pulling a mission scroll from her pouch. Her hand naturally grasped his, slipping the scroll into his palm as she leaned in close.
"It's the Hokage's mission brief, with his personal signature and seal."
Her lips parted, warm breath brushing his ear. "If you don't believe me, I'll take you to the Hokage's office right now..."
Through her thin clothes, her soft warmth seeped over. Those long legs in black fishnets brushed his inner thigh ever so slightly...
Truth be told, he was done for.
*Gulp...* His throat bobbed hard.
*"Who came up with this play? No fair! Where do I even start? This ain't the script!"*
Today, Rubik faced the gravest crisis since transmigrating—his chastity was under siege.
...
While Rubik grappled with this life-altering predicament, Team 7 learned about the Chunin Exams from Kakashi.
"Damn you, Kakashi-sensei! It's almost noon—you're late again!" Naruto hopped mad, yelling.
Sasuke said nothing, but the vein bulging on his forehead betrayed his foul mood.
Even the usually obedient Sakura chimed in with Naruto.
Kakashi, knowing he'd pissed them off, scratched his silver hair and pocketed *Make-Out Paradise*.
"Sorry, sorry—I got lost on the path of life..."
"Yeah right!" ×2
"Haha, anyway, I've got serious business today."
He pulled out three application forms and handed them over.
*The form says "Chunin." Reading closely, it's clearly the application for this Chunin Exam.*
"I didn't mention it beforehand, but I recommended you three. Up to you if you join— what do you say?"
Unlike Sakura's hesitation, Naruto and Sasuke agreed without a second thought.
"Awesome! Chunin Exams! Once we're Chunin, no more boring D-ranks! Right, Sasuke?"
"Naruto, I've got a favor to ask."
"Huh?! Yo, Sasuke, you sick or something? You're acting weird!"
"Shut up, dead-last! That Rubik guy's crashing at your place, right? Tell him to meet me at the training grounds tomorrow morning—I have questions for him..."
***