Although he had already seen the misunderstanding between Sand #1 and Sand#2, he chose not to expose it.
Because he was used to it—their team had been together for four years.
If not for this year's joint Chūnin Exam, #1 wouldn't have had a chance to participate at all.
Even though his taijutsu had already surpassed most of the Jōnin in Sunagakure, he had a fatal flaw.
Just like Rock Lee, he was a shinobi completely incapable of using ninjutsu.
Although Konoha now held special promotion exams for taijutsu specialists, that system was only established after Tsunade became Hokage.
#1 role in Sunagakure was similar to Might Duy's in Konoha. If he failed to get promoted in this joint exam, he'd likely remain a Genin forever—dying in obscurity.
In the original timeline, if he hadn't shattered the massive boulder used in Sunagakure's wind and sand sealing technique, Gaara would've never noticed his taijutsu talent.
But now, due to the butterfly effect of Hikaru's presence, Orochimaru had returned, Rasa was still alive, and there was no chance for Gaara to become Kazekage anytime soon.
That's why Shiro knew—he had to pass the Chūnin Exam this time.
Because of him, his teammates had been held back for four years. He didn't know why Sand#3 stayed, but #1 remained because he saw Sand#2 as a sister.
A few minutes later, Sand#1 locked onto his targets—a team from Iwagakure and another from Kumogakure.
Iwagakure specialized in Earth Style techniques. With his Steel Fist Taijutsu and his original Seven Days Calling Technique, he could directly counter them. As for Kumogakure's ninjutsu, sand #1 was confident. After all, his technique was a secret art on par with the Eight Gates, minus the eighth gate—the Gate of Death.
Though the three of them looked calm, they were already preparing. #1 began adjusting his breathing rhythm. Chi gripped two broken fans, palms concealing their sharp edges. #2, the team's medical-nin, was already positioned for retreat and support.
Her reason for becoming a medical-nin was simple: to treat #1, who constantly injured himself training.
Listening to the footsteps behind, #1 seized the moment, pushed off with his legs, and charged at the Iwagakure team.
None of the surrounding Genin could react to his speed.
#1 had already activated the third level of the Seven Days Calling Technique. His chest and lungs had expanded three times over—pushing him to the limit. His current speed and power rivaled the Fourth Gate: Gate of Pain in the Eight Gates technique!
He greedily inhaled the surrounding oxygen. It surged through his lungs, into his capillaries, and into his bloodstream, tripling his circulation speed.
Bulging veins and flushed red skin were visible across his body. He struck the Iwagakure captain at the base of the neck—instantly knocking him out.
He immediately spun and kicked at the remaining two.
Though they retreated the moment their leader was taken out, it was futile. They raised their arms to block, but #1's whip kick sent them flying several meters.
The Iwagakure Genin hit the ground groaning, pain radiating through their forearms. They knew they'd suffered fractures—even though #1 had held back.
#1 didn't intend to kill anyone. He just wanted to collect four million ryō and then—no, not summon a dragon—pass the second exam!
Right then, chaos erupted around them.
Other Genin began attacking teams from nearby villages.
Only now did they understand Kisame's earlier hint:
"If you don't have money, use force. Can't rob us? Rob someone else!"
Hundreds of Genin launched indiscriminate attacks on one another. Everyone had the same goal—ninja tool bags.
Get the money, buy a scroll at the scroll shop, and pass the round.
No one dared steal from "those three," so everyone turned on each other.
Off to the side, Senpai retrieved a lunchbox from his scroll—the one his wife had packed for him.
Why not enjoy a live performance this good?
He figured the one-on-one battles in the third exam wouldn't be as exciting as this.
Sure, the final fights had stronger competitors, but this was a chaotic clash of hundreds of Genin!
Opening the box, Senpai face darkened.
Inside was steamed soft-shelled turtle, roasted pork loin, scrambled leeks with egg, and a medicinal-looking chicken soup filled with deer antlers, dried seahorses, and angelica.
He felt breathless at the sight—but powered through, his eyes glinting with determination. With firm resolve, he began eating, chopsticks moving rapidly as he watched the Genin spectacle unfold.
He bit fiercely into the pork loin.
No matter how hard it would be to survive the night back home, right now—in this warzone of Genin—he needed fuel!
If he weren't the examiner, he might've popped open a bottle too.
A younger examiner nearby watched in envy, lips trembling at the sight of Senpai extravagant lunch.
He also envied Senpai incredibly virtuous wife.
To this, Senpai wanted to say:
"Young man, when you reach my age, you'll understand—willpower is strong, but the body is weak. There are only bulls who die of overwork, never land that's been over-plowed."
Then, he suddenly thought of one exception—Hikaru.
After all, Hikaru's relationship with those women was practically public knowledge among the village's Jōnin.
But no one brought it up.
No one had the guts to gossip about the Hokage or his assistant behind their backs.
And those three women—wait, now four, counting Uchiha Hikaru—
Yuhi Kurenai, Minister of Commerce, known across the shinobi world as the Red Queen.
Anko, Vice President of the Konohagakure Ninja Science Institute, disciple of Director Orochimaru.
And Uchiha Saya, a female Uchiha kunoichi with power on par with the famed Hikaru-sama.
People respected Hikaru's position—not with jealousy, but awe.
After all, if it had been them in his shoes, they'd have been shredded into pieces long ago!
A few minutes later, #1 finished dealing with the Iwagakure team, then used the chaos to team up with #3 and steal another Kumogakure team's wallets—it wasn't the same team as before.
Plans can't keep up with changes, so they just targeted whoever was easier to rob.
Just like that, Sand#1,#2,#3 regrouped —becoming the first clear victors of this wild melee.
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Send Power Stones
Bonus Chapter at 150 Power Stone
Second Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
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