"You need to cheat. This entire test is about cheating. As for Naruto's situation, don't worry about it. He's the protagonist, and you're just a supporting character—watch quietly."
Netizen Muddy Waters Konjac left a comment.
Protagonist?
Supporting character?!
Sasuke's expression darkened. At the same time, another voice rang out:
[You have received a new suggestion: wait quietly. Accept and complete this suggestion to receive an F-rank scroll]
"Exactly! This is Naruto's big moment. 'I speak my mind and follow through—that's my ninja way!' Pretty cool, right?!"
Netizen Michelangelo Carrot replied to the comment above.
Cool? Naruto?
Sasuke paused, stunned.
In Konoha Village, no one had ever described Naruto that way. Everyone just considered him reckless. But...
"Now, I'll announce the rules for the tenth question!" Examiner Ibiki's words interrupted Sasuke's thoughts.
"Regarding this question—if you choose not to answer, you'll be eliminated immediately. Naturally, your teammates will leave with you."
"However! If you choose to answer but get it wrong, that person will be permanently barred from taking the Chunin Exams!"
The entire room erupted in heated discussion and protests.
"No need to worry about the protagonist?"
Sasuke stared at Naruto's back, and after careful consideration, realized there was truly nothing he could do to help. Besides, the appearance of the tenth question's new rule made all previous questions irrelevant.
So let's see your performance.
"There's no way I'm giving up!"
Uzumaki Naruto slammed his hand on his desk.
"Even if I stay a genin forever, I'll become Hokage through sheer determination!"
"I speak my mind and follow through—that's my ninja way!!"
Naruto's declaration swept away the audience's unease and immediately ignited everyone's fighting spirit.
As his words finished, Sasuke's heart was deeply shaken.
Identical.
Naruto's words were exactly what the senior in the system named "Michelangelo Carrot" had said earlier!
And he really was somewhat... impressive.
Therefore, when that senior had suggested using the Sharingan earlier, it probably wasn't simply about the Uchiha clan's reputation.
Knowing the past and predicting the future.
What kind of jutsu was this? Or rather, had they reached the legendary realm of the immortals?
From this perspective, the benefits provided by this "Group Chat" system weren't limited to scrolls.
Receiving guidance from such a group of master seniors would surely greatly enhance his cultivation.
With this realization, Sasuke resolved to pay closer attention to these senior netizens.
As for their previously incomprehensible speech patterns, Sasuke now regarded them as worldly masters with unconventional, extraordinary bearing.
---
"Ramen, ramen, ramen!"
After successfully passing the first exam, Naruto asked Kakashi-sensei to treat everyone.
"Hey, you two come along too!"
Naruto walked triumphantly and turned to call out to Sasuke and Sakura.
"Really? I get to eat with Sasuke-kun?"
Sakura began swooning internally.
"I don't have time for such pointless activities," Sasuke said coldly.
"What?! You jerk! What are you acting so high and mighty for!" Naruto shouted angrily.
Seeing another argument about to start, Kakashi placed his hands on Naruto and Sasuke's heads to calm them:
"This really isn't the time to relax! Tomorrow's second exam will truly test you with blood and fire."
"In any case, make sure to arrive at Training Ground 44's entrance on time tomorrow. Everyone get proper rest tonight!"
After returning home, Sasuke quickly opened the "Group Chat" system, and the first thing he noticed was the unclaimed reward.
[Congratulations on completing the suggestion—wait quietly, and receive an F-rank scroll]
Compared to the previous one, this scroll appeared somewhat rough, gray and lackluster.
[You opened the F-rank scroll. Congratulations on receiving 5 high-quality military ration pills]
"This counts as a reward?" Sasuke was speechless.
After picking one up and eating it, the taste was surprisingly good.
Unlike traditional sweet-flavored pills, these didn't rely on honey for palatability. Instead, they contained minced ham and bacon—crispy, delicious, and not greasy.
Wait, this seemed more complex than expected.
After about five minutes, Sasuke gradually felt his body become incredibly relaxed, like waking up refreshed after a perfect night's sleep.
Previously, when people said "military ration pills can replenish chakra," they actually meant "you won't feel hungry if you eat them"—after all, chakra creation requires physical strength, and hunger definitely affects that.
However, the high-quality military ration pills provided by this system clearly transcended ordinary pills' concept, seemingly possessing the miraculous effect of instantly restoring one's condition to peak performance!
If he took such a pill at a critical moment in battle...
It would be like having a cheat code.
Thinking this, Sasuke carefully stored the remaining four pills.
With this system's help, perhaps he really could...
Lying in bed, Sasuke thought once again of the man with tear tracks.
Just that thought brought flashing bloody scenes that left him breathless.
In the dead of night, he was accustomed to this pain.
Feeling pain to confirm his existence, and ultimately complete his revenge—this was his life's meaning.
Probably due to the high-quality military ration pill, Sasuke felt no sleepiness whatsoever.
Since he couldn't sleep, he might as well use this time to prepare for tomorrow's exam.
"Good evening, seniors. I, Uchiha Sasuke, will be taking the second round of the Chunin Exams tomorrow morning. I would appreciate any advice and guidance from the masters?"
After recognizing the netizens' capabilities, Sasuke's tone became more respectful.
Soon, replies appeared quickly.
Netizen 4247: "Great, another lunatic."
Cured Rice: "Been stressed lately? What are you even asking? Can you be more specific?"
Muddy Waters Konjac: "I get it. Isn't this a TRPG? I know how to play this, buddy!"
"Check out OP's last post, everyone. He's following the timeline."
Cured Rice: "What do you mean?"
Muddy Waters Konjac: "TRPG—tabletop role-playing game. The classic one is Dungeons and Dragons. The GM sets the scenario, describes the situation, players make choices, then the plot continues based on those choices."
"My last answer was weak, just followed the original plot. This time I need to make a breakthrough. Hahaha."
Snake Spirit: "I understand, I understand! Watch me!"
"Master, go kill Sakura first thing tomorrow morning! I guarantee you'll have wealth and glory for life!"
Reading this, Sasuke frowned.
After all, Kakashi-sensei had once said: "Those who don't value their comrades are worse than trash."
Talking about wealth and glory was ridiculous.
At the same time, a voice sounded:
[You have received a new suggestion: kill Haruno Sakura at dawn. Accept and complete this suggestion to receive an S-rank scroll]
S-rank?!
Sasuke was mildly surprised, but ultimately chose to ignore it.
Muddy Waters Konjac: "Stop fooling around. Let me think... the second Chunin Exam round. Damn, this is tough! If Orochimaru wants to kill someone, even gods can't save them."
Cured Rice: "So what? Don't go, just hide somewhere."
[You have received a new suggestion: stop participating in the Chunin Exams and hide. Accept and complete this suggestion to receive a C-rank scroll]
Muddy Waters Konjac: "Are you kidding! Orochimaru has two objectives coming here. This guy gets excited thinking about the Sharingan. He has to get a look at Sasuke."
"Besides, if a Kage-level expert wants to find a genin, how could you hide? Where would you even go?"
Orochimaru?
Kage-level?
You mean, someone as powerful as the Hokage?
Sasuke suddenly felt deeply uneasy.
Until now, all he'd been thinking about was dueling with Neji, Gaara, or Lee. Jonin-level strength felt distant, and Hokage-level combat power seemed even more remote.
Was it for the Sharingan?
After losing his family's protection, he'd become like a child carrying gold through a crowded marketplace. Sasuke clenched his fists in anger.
"Don't be a coward! Orochimaru isn't here to kill anyone. He wants to test Sasuke's potential first, and he'll even give him a curse mark for free. What's there to be afraid of?!"
Netizen Durian Meteor Hammer commented: "Fight him!"
Why did this senior sound like Naruto?
So Orochimaru wasn't coming to kill him directly.
Sasuke relaxed slightly.
Knowing he wouldn't die, the fear in his heart gradually subsided, replaced by a surge of fighting spirit.
[You have received a new suggestion: face Orochimaru in battle head-on. Accept and complete this suggestion to receive a D-rank scroll]
Muddy Waters Konjac: "Thinking about it, there's really no way to break this situation. Judging from the later plot, even knowing Orochimaru's purpose and presence, the Third Hokage still insists on continuing the exam. There's no getting around it."
Sasuke browsed the forum for a while longer but received no new suggestions. The few scattered replies were mostly from spectators interested in this simulation game.
Lights flickered across the village outside his window, and moonlight cast a royal blue glow on the Hokage Monument.
Tomorrow's excitement wouldn't disturb this moment's tranquility,