Naruto had already learned about the Chunin Exams ahead of time because of Chen Xing. As soon as Kakashi Hatake mentioned it, Naruto eagerly asked to participate.
However, with only a few days left before the exam, Chen Xing ended the intense training.
Naruto's recovery was extraordinary thanks to the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed inside him, but Sasuke Uchiha did not possess that kind of endurance. Continuous high-intensity training would only injure him.
For the remaining days, the two boys focused on light practice and rest.
---
Chen Xing's Order
On the morning of the first exam, Chen Xing called Smeir aside.
"Chen Xing-brother, what is it?" Smeir asked.
Chen Xing handed him a photograph.
"Pay attention to this girl during the exam."
Smeir looked at the picture.
It showed a red-haired girl wearing glasses.
"A redhead… from the Uzumaki Clan?"
Chen Xing nodded.
"She's a genin from Kusagakure. During the second exam, try to approach her. If possible, recruit her."
Smeir raised an eyebrow.
"And if she refuses?"
Chen Xing handed him a small syringe.
"Collect a sample of her blood."
Smeir blinked in surprise.
"You want to study it?"
"The Uzumaki bloodline possesses strong vitality and chakra," Chen Xing replied calmly. "It would be valuable for research."
Smeir nodded.
"Understood."
The girl Chen Xing referred to was Karin.
Her sensory abilities and Uzumaki heritage made her extremely valuable.
---
The Written Exam
Inside the Ninja Academy, the classroom was filled with genin from many villages.
The room buzzed with nervous conversation.
Just before entering, Naruto and Sasuke had already encountered Rock Lee, who challenged Sasuke to a fight.
Despite their recent improvement, Sasuke and Naruto were still defeated by Lee's taijutsu.
Now they sat among the other Konoha rookies:
Naruto Uzumaki
Sasuke Uchiha
Sakura Haruno
Shikamaru Nara
Choji Akimichi
Ino Yamanaka
Kiba Inuzuka
Shino Aburame
Hinata Hyuga
Nearby, the Celestial Village team sat quietly in a corner, observing their competitors.
Suddenly, a calm voice spoke.
"You rookies are making quite a lot of noise."
A white-haired ninja wearing round glasses approached them.
"I'm Kabuto Yakushi."
Kabuto smiled politely and showed them several intelligence cards.
"These contain information about many of the candidates."
Sasuke immediately asked,
"Do you have data on the Celestial Village team?"
Kabuto nodded.
"Yes."
He activated one card with chakra.
"The Celestial Village team consists of three genin. They've already completed one B-rank mission, eighteen C-rank missions, and twenty-five D-rank missions."
The Konoha rookies were surprised.
Genin rarely handled B-rank missions.
---
The First Exam
Soon the chief examiner entered the room.
It was Ibiki Morino.
"The written test begins now."
The exam quickly turned into a battle of cheating methods.
Sasuke used the Sharingan to copy answers.
Sakura relied on her academic knowledge.
Other candidates used various hidden tricks.
After the tense final question, many participants lost their nerve and withdrew.
Those who remained passed the first stage.
---
The Forest of Death
Meanwhile, Chen Xing was refining chakra at his hotel when someone knocked on the door.
He opened it to see Kakashi Hatake.
"The second exam is about to start," Kakashi said. "The Hokage asked you to come."
Chen Xing sighed.
"Alright."
The two headed toward the next exam site.
Outside the training grounds, the forest stretched endlessly.
The chief examiner stood before the remaining candidates.
It was Anko Mitarashi.
She grinned wickedly.
"Welcome to the second exam site…"
She pointed toward the massive forest behind her.
"The Forest of Death."