Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura made their way through the busy streets of the Hidden Leaf Village, heading toward the building where the first part of the Chunin Exams would take place.
The air was thick with anticipation, and the streets were filled with young shinobi from various villages, each exuding a mixture of confidence, nervousness, and determination.
Naruto walked slightly behind his teammates, his expression unreadable as he focused on the task ahead.
When they reached the building, they entered and found themselves on the first floor. they noticed a group of older genin blocking the way to classroom, preventing others from passing.
"Hey, this isn't the right floor," one of the genin barked at the crowd, his arms crossed over his chest. "If you can't even make it past this, you might as well go home."(Stupid idiot whoever he is)
Sasuke narrowed his eyes as he observed the scene. The genjutsu was subtle, but obvious enough for someone with his level of skill to recognize. "Stupid," he muttered under his breath. "They can't even recognize a fake genjutsu. How are they going to survive this test?"
Sakura, who had been watching quietly, nodded in agreement, her confidence slightly recovered after their mission in the Land of Waves. She was still a bit shaken from the ordeal, but her resolve had strengthened since then.
Naruto, on the other hand, merely gave the scene a bored look. Without a word, he pointed to the stairs leading up to the correct floor, where the real entrance to the exam room was located. Sasuke and Sakura followed his lead.
As they reached the top of the stairs, they were suddenly stopped by a boy with thick eyebrows and a green jumpsuit.
It was Rock Lee, now standing confidently before them. His posture was firm, and his eyes burned with determination.
"You must be Sasuke Uchiha," Rock Lee declared, his voice brimming with excitement. "You were the rookie of the year, weren't you? Well, so was I in my time. I challenge you to a fight, right here and now, to see if you truly deserve that title!"
Sasuke's pride flared at the challenge. The recent mission had already shaken his confidence, and now, being called out like this only added to his frustration. "Fine," Sasuke said, his voice cold and steady. "I'll take you on."
The two squared off, and the fight began. Sasuke moved with speed and precision, his Sharingan activated as he tried to read Rock Lee's movements.
But it quickly became clear that Lee was on a different level in terms of taijutsu. His speed and strength were astounding, and despite Sasuke's best efforts, he found himself outmatched.
Naruto watched the fight with mild interest, his sharp eyes analyzing every move. Rock Lee was impressive, no doubt about it, and Sasuke was struggling to keep up.
Kurama's voice echoed in Naruto's mind, a note of amusement in his tone. "This is what happens when you don't take your opponent seriously. Looks like your teammate is getting his butt kicked."
As the fight wore on, it became evident that Rock Lee was about to go too far. Sasuke was on the defensive, and Lee's next move could do serious damage.
Naruto's instincts kicked in, and just as Lee was about to land a potentially crippling blow, Naruto jumped in, blocking the attack and pushing Lee back.
Before Lee could react, a tall man in a green jumpsuit, identical to Lee's, appeared out of nowhere.
His bowl-cut hair and thick eyebrows were identical to Lee's, and his expression was a mix of sternness and disappointment. It was Might Guy, Lee's sensei.
"Lee!" Guy's voice boomed, filled with both pride and reprimand. He quickly delivered a playful but firm punch to Lee's head. "You promised you wouldn't fight before the exams started! What were you thinking?"
Lee immediately bowed his head in shame, rubbing the spot where Guy had hit him. "I'm sorry, Guy-sensei! I just wanted to test my skills against Sasuke Uchiha."
Sasuke, still reeling from the fight, gritted his teeth. "I'll defeat you next time," he muttered, his pride bruised but his resolve only hardened.
As Sasuke turned to leave, Lee suddenly called out to him. "Wait! I lied earlier. The strongest genin in the Leaf Village isn't me — it's my teammate, Neji Hyuga. He was the rookie of the year before you, and he's the strongest of all the genin here."
Naruto, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. His voice was calm, but there was a hint of challenge in his tone. "We'll see about that."
Guy turned his attention to Naruto, sizing him up with a curious look. "So, you're Naruto Uzumaki, I presume?"
Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly. "And you are?"
With a broad grin and a thumbs-up, Guy introduced himself with great enthusiasm. "I am Might Guy, Kakashi's number one rival and the Green Beast of Konoha!"
Naruto was about to respond, but he paused as he took in Guy's eccentric behavior. The man was definitely strange, and Naruto decided it wasn't worth engaging further.
He simply nodded and turned to follow Sasuke and Sakura up to the floor where the first session of the Chunin Exams would be held.
As they made their way into the designated room, they were greeted by the sight of dozens of other genin teams from various villages, each one sizing up the competition. The atmosphere was tense, and the room buzzed with anticipation.
Standing near the entrance, waiting for them, was Kakashi. He gave them a small wave, his ever-present smile hidden beneath his mask. "Good luck," he said, his voice casual but encouraging. "You've trained hard for this. Now, go show them what you're made of."
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura nodded, each of them silently preparing themselves for the challenges ahead. As they entered the room, they quickly spotted their fellow Leaf Village teams — Team 8 and Team 10.
Kiba, Shino, and Hinata from Team 8 were talking quietly amongst themselves, while Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji from Team 10 were engaged in their usual banter.
When Naruto's team approached, the other genin from the Leaf turned their attention to them.
"Hey, it's Team 7," Kiba said, grinning as they approached. "I heard you guys had a pretty intense mission recently."
Shino, ever observant, adjusted his sunglasses as he studied Naruto. "Naruto Uzumaki… you're quite mysterious. You appeared just before graduation and are highly skilled. I wonder… who exactly are you?"
Naruto didn't respond, his expression blank as he remained slightly apart from the group.
He wasn't interested in small talk, especially not with people who didn't know him or understand him. The only thing on his mind was the exam ahead.
Shikamaru, leaning against the wall with his usual lazy demeanor, eyed Naruto thoughtfully but said nothing.
He could sense that Naruto was different, more focused and intense than the others. But he wasn't one to pry.
As the group began to exchange more words, another figure entered the room, moving with a quiet confidence that immediately drew attention.
It was Kabuto Yakushi, a shinobi with silver hair and glasses, his demeanor calm and composed.
"You shouldn't make too much noise," Kabuto said, his voice soft but carrying an air of authority. "Everyone here is on edge, and drawing attention to yourselves could make you targets."
The genin from the various teams quieted down, curious about the newcomer.
Kabuto adjusted his glasses with a calm smile, clearly enjoying the attention. "I've been through these exams a few times now, so I know how things work around here. If you're interested, I can provide you with some information on the competition."
Sasuke, always seeking an advantage, immediately perked up. "Information? What do you know about Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee, and Naruto Uzumaki?"
Kabuto nodded, pulling out a deck of cards. "Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee, and Naruto Uzumaki, huh? Let's see…" He rifled through the cards, pulling out three and examining them closely.
"For Neji Hyuga," Kabuto began, "he's from the prestigious Hyuga clan and is known for his mastery of the Byakugan and taijutsu. He was the rookie of the year before you, Sasuke. His taijutsu is practically flawless, and his Byakugan gives him a nearly 360-degree field of vision. He's considered the strongest genin in the Leaf Village."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes as he absorbed the information, his competitive spirit igniting. "And Rock Lee?"
"Rock Lee," Kabuto continued, "is a specialist in taijutsu. He has no aptitude for ninjutsu or genjutsu, but he's worked extremely hard to compensate for that. His speed and strength are exceptional, and he's trained under Might Guy, a jonin known for his own taijutsu skills. You've already experienced his abilities firsthand."
Sasuke clenched his fists, remembering how easily Lee had overpowered him earlier. His pride took another hit, but he remained silent, determined to surpass both Neji and Lee in the exams.
Kabuto then glanced at the last card in his hand. "And Naruto Uzumaki…"
Before he could say more, Naruto's hand shot out, snatching the card from Kabuto's grasp with lightning speed.
He didn't even glance at it before crumpling it in his fist, his eyes narrowing dangerously as he stared down Kabuto.
"That's enough," Naruto said coldly. There was a clear warning in his voice, one that made everyone around them tense.
Kabuto, surprised but maintaining his composure, raised his hands in a placating gesture. "I didn't mean to offend. I just thought you'd want to know what you're up against."
Naruto didn't reply, simply tossing the crumpled card aside. He had no intention of letting anyone dig into his past or his abilities.
There were things about him that were better left unsaid, and he wasn't about to let someone like Kabuto expose them.
Sakura and Sasuke exchanged glances, sensing the tension but choosing not to comment.
They were still getting used to Naruto's darker, more guarded personality, and they knew better than to press him when he was in this kind of mood.
As Kabuto stepped back, giving Naruto some space, he continued with a light smile, "Well, I've said enough. Just remember that the Chunin Exams are not to be taken lightly. Everyone here is looking for any advantage they can get."
With that, Kabuto melted back into the crowd, leaving Team 7 and the others to digest the information he had shared.
The atmosphere in the room grew more intense as the reality of the exams began to sink in. They were surrounded by competitors, each one as determined as the next to advance and prove themselves.
Naruto remained silent, his mind focused on the challenge ahead. He could feel the eyes of his fellow genin on him, but he didn't care.
Let them wonder, let them speculate. He would show them his true strength soon enough.
As the doors to the exam room opened, signaling the start of the first part of the Chunin Exams, Naruto and his team stepped forward, ready to face whatever trials awaited them.
The time for talk was over. Now, it was time to prove themselves.
The first session of the Chunin Exams had begun, with Ibiki Morino standing at the front of the room, his sharp gaze scanning over the anxious participants. Naruto, sitting confidently at his desk, barely blinked as he looked at the test before him.
His early training with Jiraiya had prepared him well, and he quickly filled in his answers with ease.
Sasuke, positioned beside him, activated his Sharingan and effortlessly copied answers from others, his eyes darting from paper to paper with precision.
Sakura, known for her intelligence, didn't struggle either, methodically working her way through the exam,
Ibiki's test was more than just a written exam—it was a psychological challenge. The final question, designed to sow doubt and break the spirits of those unprepared, caused a ripple of uncertainty throughout the room.
As participants debated whether to continue or quit. But Naruto didn't flinch. His resolve was absolute, and his confidence was contagious.
Sasuke, though competitive, admired Naruto's steadfastness, while Sakura, sensing the tension, steeled herself and remained determined.
One by one, competitors stood and left, unwilling to risk their futures as shinobi on the chance of failure.
But Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, along with all the other Konoha teams, remained seated. The final question was answered, not with pen and paper, but with their resolve to push forward, no matter the cost.
As soon as the test concluded, a loud crash shattered the tension in the room.
The window exploded into shards as Anko Mitarashi made a dramatic entrance, her usual fiery energy filling the air. "Alright, you maggots," she announced with a grin, "those of you who passed, get your butts to the Forest of Death, or you're disqualified! Move it!" Her voice carried a tone of no-nonsense urgency, sending a jolt through the room.
Naruto rose from his seat calmly, glancing back at Sasuke and Sakura, who both followed in silence. Without hesitation,
the passed participants, including teams from other villages, headed out towards the Forest of Death, ready for the next grueling test.
As they reached the entrance of the Forest of Death, the air grew thick with tension. Anko, standing before the gathered participants, surveyed them with a sly smile.
Almost everyone had arrived, their faces a mix of determination and anxiety. Once she was satisfied, she stepped forward, her voice sharp and commanding.
"Alright, listen up!" Anko began, holding up two scrolls—one white and one black. "The objective is simple: reach the tower in the center of the forest. You have five days to get there, but there's a catch. Each team will be given one scroll, either a Heaven scroll or an Earth scroll. To pass, you need both, so you'll have to hunt for the other scroll."
A murmur rippled through the crowd. The prospect of fighting other teams for the scrolls had already made some uneasy, but Anko wasn't done.
"And one more thing," she continued, her voice turning colder. "If you open the scroll before reaching the tower, you'll be disqualified. Oh, and by the way, fighting to the death is allowed. This forest is full of dangerous creatures that won't hesitate to kill you, either."
Her words sent a wave of fear through the gathered genin, many of whom exchanged nervous glances. The weight of the challenge was palpable, and some participants visibly faltered at the idea of battling to the death or facing the lethal threats hidden within the forest.
Anko's eyes scanned the crowd, searching for signs of hesitation. But when her gaze landed on Naruto, she paused. He stood calmly, his expression unreadable, showing no sign of fear or doubt.
Noticing his composure, Anko smirked and decided to test him. Without warning, she flung a kunai directly at his face, intending for it to graze his cheek and intimidate him.
Naruto's hand shot up, catching the kunai in mid-air before it could touch him. Without breaking eye contact, he casually tossed it back toward her. Anko caught it with ease, her grin widening.
"Impressive," she said, her tone laced with approval and a hint of intrigue. Naruto's nonchalant attitude had clearly caught her attention, though Sasuke and Sakura remained tense, watching the exchange in silence.
After that brief moment of tension, the teams began lining up to receive their scrolls. Naruto took the one handed to him and, without hesitation, stored it in a sealing scroll on his wrist. Sasuke and Sakura, still on edge from Anko's display, followed his lead.
With all the teams ready, the massive gates leading into the Forest of Death creaked open.
The daunting expanse of the forest loomed before them, its dark trees and thick underbrush promising danger at every turn.
Team 7 stepped forward, crossing through their designated gate and vanishing into the depths of the forest, ready to face whatever awaited them.