Read my new story :
American Fast & Furious NSFW
America's #1 Scumbag NSFW
Since the Chunin Exams were a grand event that only happened every few years in the village, the citizens of Konoha naturally didn't want to miss it.
Even though the stadium was already packed to the rafters and impossible to squeeze into, crowds continued to gather outside just to feel the electrifying atmosphere of the spectacle, even if they couldn't see the matches. Street vendors took full advantage, energetically hawking their wares.
What was supposed to be a serious joint examination between two major ninja villages—with participants from several others—had transformed into a festive carnival.
Menma filed in with the crowd, using the participants' exclusive tunnel to enter the stadium's inner arena. Inside, the Sand Siblings had already arrived. Even Sasuke, who was notoriously late in the original story, had arrived earlier than Menma in this timeline.
Menma, ironically, was the last of the ten finalists to arrive.
"Oh! Menma! You're super late! You're actually the last one here!" Naruto shouted, waving his right hand vigorously at Menma.
"Heh, it's not that I'm late; it's that you guys are too early. Look at the time," Menma replied softly as he walked up to stand beside Naruto and Sasuke.
In that moment, a complex, indecipherable emotion flickered deep within Menma's eyes.
Because, barring any accidents...
Today.
Right here.
Would be the day he severed ties with his past.
These so-called "comrades," this so-called "little brother" of his—they might all become his enemies.
Enemies he would have to defeat, or perhaps even kill.
Just like Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju once were.
It was a clash of ideologies, a divergence of chosen paths.
"Hehe, what do you mean 'too early'? Look around! The whole stadium is packed! Today is the biggest stage for us to go all out!"
Naruto didn't notice the subtle shift in Menma's mood.
He was fully immersed in the heated atmosphere. A grand stage, a roaring crowd—this was exactly the kind of scene Naruto loved.
He couldn't wait to show off his ninja way in front of everyone.
Beside him, Sasuke also felt a surge of excitement.
To revive the Uchiha clan, he had to restore their reputation in the ninja world. His first battle was against the genius of the Hyūga clan, the top student of the previous year. For Sasuke, Neji was one of the most valuable opponents he could face. Defeat the top of the last generation, then defeat the top of his own generation.
Sasuke glanced at Neji with burning fighting spirit, then turned his gaze to Menma.
After a month of personal training under Kakashi, Sasuke felt reborn. He believed he was ready.
He wanted to prove himself on this stage.
Also staring at Menma was Rock Lee. Facing Menma in the first round was an outcome Lee was more than happy with.
Menma, Sasuke, Neji, and Naruto.
These were the people Lee wanted to defeat to prove himself.
As for the Sand Siblings, who harbored dark intentions, none of them were focused on the exams at all.
On the field, the only person genuinely nervous about the Chunin Exams was Sakura Haruno.
She had never expected to actually make it to the final round.
But she was also painfully aware of how much luck had been involved. The first round was a written test, unrelated to combat strength. The second round, the scroll snatching, was supposed to test teamwork and individual skill, but thanks to Team 7's "unpredictability," Sakura had muddled her way through to the third round without needing to do much of anything.
Now, in a single-elimination tournament, she had to rely purely on her own strength.
Among the ten finalists, Sakura knew she was the weakest. And with tens of thousands of spectators watching, her nerves were stretched to the limit. Her constant, anxious glances around the stadium were proof enough.
"Alright, stop looking around and chatting. The matches are about to begin. The stage is yours now."
Standing in front of them, Genma Shiranui—who had replaced the deceased Hayate Gekkō as the chief proctor—bit down on his signature senbon needle. He tilted his chin slightly, gesturing toward the two figures wearing Kage robes in the VIP box high above, and addressed the ten genin with a serious tone.
Menma, Naruto, Gaara, and everyone else in the arena turned their gaze to the highest point of the stadium.
Deep in Menma's eyes, a hint of mockery flickered.
Gaara's gaze turned icy cold.
On the left sat the aging Third Hokage of the Hidden Leaf. On the right sat the Fourth Kazekage of the Hidden Sand, a man in the prime of his life.
Two of the five most prestigious Kage in the ninja world.
The crowd erupted into their most enthusiastic cheers yet.
Of course, the others didn't know.
But Menma could clearly tell that the "Kazekage" was an imposter.
He was all too familiar with Orochimaru's chakra. Under the scrutiny of his Mind's Eye of the Kagura, there was no mistaking it.
'So Rasa was killed after all... that's one less high-level combatant...' Menma thought to himself.
Even if Rasa was underwhelming, he was still a Kage-level fighter.
If he had teamed up with Orochimaru, Hiruzen would have died much faster. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the guy got taken out by Orochimaru.
The original story never gave a clear answer why. But in Menma's view, the most logical guess was that the Kazekage got cold feet at the last minute. Orochimaru likely sensed this and, needing to maintain control over the Sand forces to launch the attack, decided to kill Rasa and impersonate him. It was the only explanation that made sense.
While Menma speculated internally...
Up in the VIP box.
Hiruzen Sarutobi finished exchanging pleasantries with the "Fourth Kazekage" (Orochimaru in disguise). After Orochimaru took his seat...
Hiruzen stepped forward to the railing.
He formally announced the start of the main tournament!!
"Oh! Oh! It's starting! It's starting!"
"Finally!"
"Do your best, boys of Konoha!"
"You absolutely have to win!"
"The first match... Uchiha vs. Hyūga right off the bat! I'm already pumped!"
"Go get 'em, Konoha brats!"
"It's finally begun!"
The atmosphere in the entire stadium ignited instantly.
Reaching a fever pitch in a split second!!