Kakashi was relieved when his team showed up to the tower on the first night. Not only they had made it faster this time, but Sasuke didn't have a mark on his neck. While Kakashi knew it wouldn't happen a second time because Orochimaru was dead, he still feared something bad happening. Naruto loudly told him the events of the day and Kakashi pretended to be bored to death, but he still cared. His students were well and were continuing to the next part.

Like in his previous life, many teams started gathering in the tower, more than what should have been for the usual tournament. Naruto was over the moon to see his twin in one piece, though Tsubane reported having to heal Sai on their way. Kurenai's team had made it even before Kakashi's, and Asuma's had joined them earlier in the morning. But Kakashi was troubled. No signs of Guy's. Even the sand siblings were unusually late. Kakashi had expected Baki's team to be the first in the tower. Where were both teams? Could they have lost themselves? No, Neji had his byakugan, they couldn't get lost unless he was badly injured. And Kakashi wasn't supposed to care for Gaara and his siblings. But Kakashi had known Gaara on a whole other level when the jinchuriki was Kazekage, in his previous life, and Kakashi didn't want to hear that his team was eliminated.

Kakashi noticed ninjas from Suna arriving, but it was not those he wanted to see. Naruto started to become impatient to see his friend as well.

Guy appeared with his team, and seconds later, Baki was there with the Kazakage's children, helping Temari to walk. Kakashi felt relieved. They made it. They looked exhausted, but they were on time. Gaara seemed to look into Kakashi's direction a few times, as if he was trying to get his attention. It didn't help Kakashi's feeling that something went wrong for them.

Kakashi knew he couldn't approach the Sand siblings. Not only could they be his students' opponents for the next round, they were also not from the same village. And they were the direct descendants of the Kazekage. It could create unnecessary drama if Kakashi tried to get in contact with them. So Kakashi took note of Gaara's attitude, but didn't act.

The next day, the second part of the exam was officially over. All the time-travelers were part of the round, with Yamato's team, the sand sibling and one other team from Suna, as well as one team from Yama. Like in their previous life, it made too many participants to go directly to the final round. So Kakashi was not surprised when Hayate announced there would be matchups in the tower, drawn randomly.

The first participants to go at it were Kankuro and Sai. The fight was quite equal, both teenagers were strategic in their moves. Kakashi knew Sai wasn't at the best of his capacities, Tsubane having done what she could but not healing him completely. However, Kakashi also noticed that Kankuro was flawed as well: his puppet was missing many pieces. It made the fight intense in the sense that both had to find a way to win despite issues they were facing. Sadly for Sai, Kankuro had noticed the injury and his plan seemed to be to injure it further to improve his chances at winning. It didn't help that one of Sai's injuries was his wrist, preventing him from using his favorite jutsu. The son of the Kazekage ended up winning because of that, gaining control of the end of the matchup.

Kakashi looked at the board to see who was next. And grinned under his mask. That was interesting.

"Not again!" he heard Kiba mumble.

Kurenai frowned, confused by her student's reaction, but no words were said. Kakashi hoped she would forget the comment and not question Kiba about it, because Kakashi didn't want their cover to be blown for such a futile remark. Not after thirteen years undercover. Naruto rushed downstairs with his usual eagerness to fight. Kiba had a daring look, as if he thought, "You're not going to win in this timeline."

Naruto, as usual, spammed his shadow clone jutsu. Kakashi knew Naruto had learned the Rasengan, but he hadn't told anyone about it yet. He's probably keeping it as a surprise for the final part, if he wins this match. Kiba and Akamaru used the expected Fang over Fang method. Naruto ended up proving he was the strongest with nearly the same substitution method as the previous life, injuring the puppy once more. Kakashi tried to hold a laugh. Kiba has fallen for it twice now. At least, this time, Naruto didn't weaken his opponent by farting.

Hinata was drawn against a Suna teen that Kakashi didn't know. It was impressive how much more confident the Hyuuga heiress had become. She was much stronger now. It was obvious why Kurenai hadn't doubted her being part of the exam during the jonin meeting, Hinata had proven to be ready, this time around.

"She looks shy when you look at her, but she's fierce when she fights!" Kakashi complimented, looking at Kurenai.

"She worked hard on that self-confidence. And she's not showing everything here."

The opponent was trying to keep Hinata at bay with some wind jutsu. Kakashi grumbled. Hyuuga were known for close range combat. If she couldn't get closer, she was done for.

Hinata saved herself by using a jutsu Kakashi had seen in his other life, one that Hinata had mastered much later in her life. Even Neji's face was shocked when she used the Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists.

"Since when… Hinata?"

Naruto encouraged the Hyuuga heir the whole time, but she didn't need it. Her sudden attack had drained a lot of chakra from her opponent, leaving him unable to continue sending Hinata the other way by wind. So Hinata closed those chakra points, one after the other.

"The winner is Hyuuga Hinata," Hayate soon announced.

The next fight was quite similar, in the sense that Neji was drawn against another person Kakashi didn't know. That opponent, from Yama, was also fighting in close range, which made the fight less strategic and relying on skills alone.

"Neji will win this," Guy said, after a few minutes.

Kakashi wanted to believe it, but the rumors going around about that village were not really good for the wannabe chunins from Konoha. Kakashi didn't have access to the stats of Yama genins, but if their village was sending chunins on A-ranked missions, surely those guys had been on B-ranked ones, thus making them overqualified for a simple Chunin exam. But at the same time, Neji was not a regular genin either. He was one of the geniuses of his clan, and had lived another life. With Hizashi still alive, Neji wasn't blinded by the hate of his clan, and Kakashi was convinced that he was one of the Konoha students with the most potential to be promoted to the chunin rank. He had been the first promoted jonin, in his past life, after all.

Guy was proven right. Neji was very strong in close-range combat. But another of his students, Tenten, didn't have much luck this time around, once more. She had to fight Temari, again. And this one pupil of Guy hadn't shown much growth with her previous life. Lacking versatility, she lost nearly the same exact way to Temari, confirming she wouldn't become the leader of her squad anytime soon.

Then, Sasuke fought Tsubane. It didn't last. Tsubane had only two offensive tricks that she had yet to fully master. She hadn't been training with Tsunade long enough to be fully in control of her strength yet, and despite trying very hard with Yamato, wood release was something very hard to achieve. Which meant two failed attempts, and Sasuke barely having to show anything. It pleased Kakashi. His student didn't have to reveal his tricks to his next opponent. He would just show much more when it mattered, when Minato sensei would watch. Kakashi was convinced that if one of his students had to be promoted, it'd be Sasuke. Sakura lacked the talent, and Naruto was too impulsive. Hopefully, Fugaku being one of the counselors, it wouldn't seem like favoritism if Sasuke was chosen among the promoted. Though, now that Kakashi looked at it, Shikamaru had been promoted the first time around. Shikaku had made the decision, when the Third had passed from the hands of Orochimaru.

Shikamaru and Lee both won their fights against strangers, Shikamaru with a strategy similar to his first time, and Lee with taijutsu. Suna ninjas were experts at long-range fights, and that ninja struggled to keep Lee at bay.

Kakashi realized there was a guy seemingly familiar, but he couldn't recall. His name had not been brought up yet to refresh Kakashi's memory. Kakashi could only hope it wouldn't be against Sakura. Naruto seemed to pick up on who Kakashi was looking at.

"I've seen this face before too. Who is it, and why is he living in Yama now?"

Gaara against Shino was next. Kakashi expected an intense matchup. He wasn't sure if Gaara's sand was strong enough to prevent Shino's bugs from getting in. After all, insects could use the tiniest place to make their way through. But Gaara had met with Shino before. Would he think to harden his sand carapace? Gaara ended up winning, from what seemed to be the sand blocking Shino's bugs from leaving his body. The holes in his skin must have been covered subtly by sand that Gaara hardened.

Choji's name appeared. When his opponent's name appeared, Kakashi realized why the Yama blond guy was familiar. How did he and Naruto not recognize Deidara? This was wrong. Kakashi realized why he had a bad feeling about that exam. Exactly that reason.

"I don't think I saw him in the bingo book," Sasuke whispered. "And we can't know for sure if he has been in the Akatsuki, or not. But I doubt it. Last time, it was Itachi that brought him in."

Kakashi nodded. He still shivered from the sudden memories of chasing Deidara while Sakura and Lady Chiyo fight Sasori, avoiding explosive attacks. Explosives. I hope Deidara doesn't plan on destroying the tower, Kakashi suddenly thought. It seemed that most time-travelers were on their guard as well, looking at the blond teen with distrust. Gaara hasn't yet put back the cork on the top of his gourd. Shikamaru had his arms crossed, and was trying to look laid back, but Kakashi could see the pressure his fingers applied on his arm.

Choji, with the little confidence he always had, looked at Deidara with fear in his eyes. He knew he was going to lose and Hayate had not given the "go" yet. Like expected, it didn't last long. Choji was sent to the infirmary. it was obvious Asuma wanted to see how poorly his student was doing, but Ino was next. Against Sakura, again.

Sakura gave a fierce look at her friend, who used to be a rival in another life. Both girls were fighting with more interest. Sakura had trained a little bit with Tsunade after her return, sharing the Sanin time with Tsubane. And was more serious and didn't act like a damsel in distress. But while Sakura was already stronger than her former life genin self, Ino had worked hard as well. This time, the matchup was less talk and reminiscing, and more of a real fight. Sakura held strong, even when Ino entered her mind. But Sakura's will was not strong enough this time to push Ino away. Or maybe Ino had better control over her family jutsu. Kakashi would ask Sakura later so they could reflect on it and improve.

"Yamanaka Ino is the winner," Hayate announced, as Sakura's knees flinched and Ino gained back her own self.

Kakashi was disappointed, but it seemed only Baki had all three of his genin in the next round. There was only Arashi left, against a girl from Suna, and Kakashi started rooting for Arashi. Yamato needed at least one of his students in the last round.

Arashi's way of fighting made Kakashi think of his sensei a lot. Kakashi couldn't help but wonder when the Fourth Hokage would train his son the jutsu that got him his nickname – and general fear from their enemies. Arashi seemed the perfect one to master it. Maybe there would be a Red Flash of Konoha, who knew?

Arashi ended up winning, and Naruto's sudden cheer filled the room. Kakashi felt partly embarrassed by how loud Naruto was, but also proud. Arashi had been so sick not so long ago. Making it to the last round was already an achievement in itself. Yamato's squad had barely qualified in the number of missions, after all.