What Shikamaru said wasn't wrong at all.
On the surface, they were just a bunch of fresh graduates, but the fact that nearly every squad managed to survive and clear the second stage of the exam said something deeper. It showed the gap between clan-born shinobi and ordinary civilians.
Civilian-born ninja usually only had access to the most basic ninjutsu, C-rank techniques at best low in power and costly in chakra. Most of them had to rely on taijutsu, their fists and their wits, to scrape through.
But those who came from clans had more than heritage. They had generations of hidden techniques, secret jutsu, and bloodline powers. Their ninjutsu was not only deadlier in combat but often came with versatile supportive techniques that made survival so much easier. The difference was undeniable.
"Ino! Sakura!" Both girls ran up as soon as they spotted Sasuke, their faces lighting up.
They both lunged forward at the same time, eager to throw themselves into his arms.
Sasuke simply sidestepped, slipping past them as if their affection was just another attack to dodge.
On the observation deck, the jōnin leaders were already gathering to watch over their squads.
"Thank goodness. Shikamaru's team actually pulled through," Asuma said with a long sigh of relief, his cigarette dangling loosely from his lips.
Truthfully, he had been worried that Shikamaru would simply decide the exam was too troublesome and convince his teammates to give up. Ino would have agreed without question, and Chōji well, if there was food involved, he probably would've gone along with it too.
The only reason he had managed to bribe them into taking part in the first place was a full-course barbecue meal.
"I can see they've been through a rough time though," Kurenai murmured, her eyes falling on Sakura. The girl had cut off her long hair, the very symbol of her vanity. Kurenai felt a mixture of surprise and pride.
She had never seen Sakura as the type suited for the front lines. The girl had a sharp mind, better suited for research and strategy than brutal combat. If someone spent hours every morning caring for her hair, could she really be counted on to fight on the battlefield?
But this exam had forced Sakura to grow in ways she hadn't expected. That act of cutting her hair spoke volumes about her resolve.
"Kakashi, Guy your teams look like they breezed through." Kurenai turned her gaze toward Naruto's squad and Neji's squad. Both groups were spotless, their clothes barely scuffed, as though they hadn't even seen combat.
"Ha, they've been training hard," Kakashi replied lazily, though his single eye remained fixed on Naruto.
Of course they looked relaxed. Other than the first morning of the exam, Naruto and his squad had been sneaking back home to train while everyone else struggled in the Forest of Death.
"I even heard from Naruto that they ran into Orochimaru," Guy said suddenly, lowering his voice so only the nearby jōnin could hear.
Asuma and Kurenai both stiffened, their eyes snapping toward Kakashi and Guy.
"Ah, but don't worry," Kakashi said smoothly, "they managed to force him to retreat. No casualties."
Kurenai's jaw dropped. "They made Orochimaru retreat?"
That wasn't just some rogue ninja. That was Orochimaru the man who had once been one of the Legendary Sannin of the Leaf. If she were the one who had encountered him, she doubted she would have even been able to lift a hand before being crushed. To someone like Orochimaru, even a jōnin was hardly more than a bug to swat aside.
Asuma lit another cigarette, though his hands trembled slightly as he remembered. The training ground had been sealed off after the battle, guarded from even his own clan. Everyone had been speculating who the Third Hokage had fought that day.
But Asuma had his own source of information. He had bribed Konohamaru with a bowl of ramen.
And the truth he learned had left him speechless.
The one who had fought the Third Hokage was Naruto.
A boy at that age, already standing toe-to-toe with figures of legend. His talent might even surpass Kakashi's. No wonder the old man had kept Naruto's true strength hidden Naruto had become the village's hidden trump card.
"But with this many candidates still standing, won't the third exam take too long?" Kurenai asked, trying to redirect her thoughts.
"Exactly. That's why they're reviving a rule we haven't used in years the preliminary matches," Asuma explained.
Kurenai's lips tightened. She couldn't help but sigh. "Then it'll be rough. If Kiba's team ends up against Naruto's, they won't stand a chance."
Anko Mitarashi had recovered from her injuries and joined the proctors. She scanned the gathered crowd of survivors, her sharp eyes quickly counting twenty-one still standing.
She had promised herself that at least half would be eliminated in the Forest of Death. She hadn't expected so many strong candidates this year.
But the thought made her lips curl into a sly smile.
More spectators began arriving, filling the arena. When the Third Hokage himself appeared, the chatter among the genin died instantly. Under the proctor's orders, the candidates lined up neatly.
"Now, Lord Hokage will explain the next stage of the exams," Anko announced loudly.
She turned and bowed slightly. "Please, Lord Hokage."
The Third Hokage stepped forward, pressing down the brim of his hat. He removed the pipe from his mouth, exhaling a thin trail of smoke as his sharp eyes swept across the young ninja.
"First, I must tell you the truth about these exams," he began.
Many of the genin blinked in confusion. The truth? Weren't the Chūnin Exams simply for promotion?
"If you think this is just a harmless competition among allied nations, then you're mistaken," Hiruzen said, his voice steady and grave.
"These exams are more than trials to select new chūnin. They are also the stage on which nations compete for power and prestige."
His words sank into the crowd like stones into water.
"To prevent needless war and endless bloodshed, the Chūnin Exams serve as a substitute battleground. During the third stage, feudal lords and nobles from every land will watch as you fight. Your strength, your skill it all reflects your village's might.
A strong showing wins your village influence and missions. A weak showing means fewer commissions, less income, and loss of standing. To put it plainly, the Chūnin Exams are war, disguised under the veil of sport."
The young ninja shifted uneasily. The weight of the exam suddenly grew heavier. This wasn't just about their promotions anymore it was about their villages, their nations, their people.
Only Gaara seemed indifferent, his cold eyes unblinking. He had already killed many from his own village; the politics of nations meant nothing to him.
"Enough talk," a voice interrupted. A figure appeared at the Hokage's side and bowed low.
"Forgive me, Lord Hokage, but I, Hayate Gekkō, the appointed referee, should explain the rules of the preliminaries." His voice was raspy, punctuated by coughs.
The Hokage nodded. "Very well. I leave it to you."
"Thank you," Hayate said, rising to his feet with difficulty. He coughed into his hand before facing the genin. "Before the third stage officially begins, there is… one more matter to settle. Cough, cough."
Naruto frowned, grinding his teeth as he watched the pale-faced man struggle. The man looked like he belonged in a hospital bed, not standing as the proctor of such an important event.
Was the Leaf really so desperate it couldn't even spare a healthy jōnin for this role?
If the feudal lords saw this, what would they think of Konoha's strength?
Naruto's eyes narrowed. The thought left a sour taste in his mouth.
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