The sun rose gently over Konoha, casting a warm glow across the village and signaling the beginning of an event that had drawn the attention of the entire ninja world: the joint Chunin Exams. The streets were unusually busy, yet an air of anticipation hung over the Hidden Leaf's Ninja Academy. Today was the first stage of the exams, and all the participants—ninjas of various villages—had gathered to test their strength, intellect, and strategy.
Among the crowd, Qingshui walked with calm confidence. Though younger than some, his eyes carried the weight of experience. As he scanned the gathering Genin, his gaze fell upon a small group of unfamiliar figures wearing the forehead protectors of Kumogakure. His eyes immediately focused on one figure in particular.
"Is that… Killer B?" he muttered under his breath.
Yes. The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki himself, a figure known even beyond Konoha for his immense power. In Qingshui's memory, he had seen the boy's exploits as a child—his fearless demeanor, the ever-present sunglasses, and his remarkable skill despite his age. The thought that Killer B had grown even stronger since then filled Qingshui with a mixture of respect and curiosity.
Beside Killer B stood his teammates. One of them, younger and more brash, had just addressed a local ninja, Qingshui, with an insolent remark.
"Old man, you didn't really believe that Sand Ninja brat's words, did you? That you're the strongest?"
Qingshui raised an eyebrow. Though older than the boy, he wasn't truly old enough to merit the "old man" title. Still, he ignored the insult. This was not worth his energy.
He then turned his attention to the supervising Jonin from Kumogakure. "Are all you Cloud Ninja this ill-mannered?" he asked, his voice steady and commanding. "Don't forget: this is Konoha, not your Kumogakure!"
His words weren't meant as a challenge; they were a warning. He had already sensed the presence of Konoha's ANBU nearby, and he knew that any further provocation could attract unnecessary attention. The area was busy, filled with ordinary villagers going about their day, and the ANBU would not tolerate any disturbances.
"This is Konoha," Qingshui continued. "If you cause trouble, we will revoke your eligibility to participate in the Chunin Exams."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a group of ANBU operatives emerged from the shadows, issuing a stern warning. The Cloud Ninja, sensing the shift in authority, quickly backed down.
"I apologize. It was just a misunderstanding. We were merely here to eat," the supervising Kumogakure Jonin said hastily, pulling Killer B and his teammates away. Their mission was delicate; any disruption in the exams could jeopardize their objectives.
Even as they retreated, the brash Cloud Ninja who had spoken earlier could not resist one final jab. "Old man, you better pray you don't run into us during the exam. Otherwise, I, Motoi, can handle you without even needing Killer B to step in!"
Qingshui merely smiled. Why concern himself with the provocation of an ant when he was dealing with elephants? He let the words slide, exchanging polite greetings with Pakura and the other Konoha representatives before moving on.
Pakura, still simmering over her previous defeat, had returned to the lodgings with her team. Gousuke, one of her subordinates, offered a cautionary word.
"Let me tell you, there's a Konoha ninja named Qingshui. He is very strong—the strongest participant in these Chunin Exams. Maki, don't underestimate him if you cross paths."
Rasa, however, remained unimpressed. "The Chunin Exams haven't even begun, and you're already boosting the morale of outsiders. Maki, if you meet Qingshui, you must not disgrace the village."
Maki, the strongest among the Sunagakure Genin, was proficient in Wind Release and had trained extensively under Rasa's supervision. In the Raikage's eyes, he was the pride of their village, and he was expected to uphold its honor in any encounter.
Gousuke countered, his voice firm. "That is Qingshui—the one who defeated Teacher Pakura! No matter how strong Maki is, he will not match Qingshui!"
But Rasa's ire was directed at Pakura. He could not forgive the embarrassment caused by her carelessness in the prior encounter. Even if Pakura's defeat was slight, it reflected poorly on Sunagakure. "Pakura, discipline your subordinates properly. Stop letting the village be embarrassed like this," he scolded before taking Maki aside for special training.
Over the next few days, Maki endured grueling sessions designed to push him to his absolute limits. Exhaustion became his constant companion, and sleep was merely a fleeting escape. Yet, through this relentless training, Maki felt his body and skills improving drastically. By the time the Chunin Exams officially began, he was sharper, faster, and stronger than he had ever been before.
Meanwhile, the ninja from Kumogakure moved cautiously. Their objective: gather intelligence on Kushina Uzumaki. But to avoid drawing attention from Konoha's vigilant authorities, they proceeded with extreme discretion. Progress was slow, but they could not risk exposure.
Finally, the day of the exams arrived. Genin from across the ninja world had converged upon Konoha. Qingshui, having requested time off from Minako Fukada, prepared himself for the first stage of the exam. Strapping on his ninja sword and securing his equipment, he made his way toward the Ninja Academy—the designated meeting point for the first stage and the location where he was to rendezvous with Kushina.
Outside the academy, Kushina's striking red hair immediately caught his eye. She waved eagerly, calling out to him.
"Qingshui, over here!"
"Sorry, I'm late," he replied.
"It's fine—I just arrived a moment ago, too," she said with a bright smile. Her residence in the Senju compound was close to the Academy, unlike Qingshui, whose home was on the outskirts of the village.
"Alright, let's hurry inside."
Inside the examination hall, the sight was impressive. A total of 189 Genin were present, representing various ninja villages. Konoha alone had 87 participants. Sunagakure and Kumogakure contributed 30 each. Smaller villages like Kusagakure, Takigakure, and Amegakure had nine each, with the remainder coming from even more distant lands.
The sheer scale of the event was awe-inspiring, but the room was spacious enough to accommodate everyone comfortably. Qingshui's sharp eyes scanned the crowd. There were few familiar faces, but he noticed the familiar scowls of Motoi and Maki, who had previously provoked him. Their eyes locked on him with a mixture of challenge and disdain, but before they could approach, the proctors arrived.
"Everyone, immediately take your assigned seats according to your number. The first written test will begin shortly. Anyone who disobeys will be immediately disqualified from the exam," the chief proctor announced.
The previously noisy room fell into sudden silence. Even the slightest whisper seemed amplified against the tense stillness. The chief proctor nodded in satisfaction at the sight of the disciplined candidates.
"Next, I will read the rules of the exam. Everyone listen carefully," he continued, his voice calm yet commanding, carrying a weight that could not be ignored.
Every participant held their breath, knowing that these first few moments could determine their future. The Chunin Exams had officially begun, and with it came a storm of challenges, rivalries, and battles yet to unfold.
Qingshui glanced at Kushina, who sat beside him, her red hair bright against the stark walls of the examination hall. She smiled reassuringly. Both knew that while the first stage was a written test, the true trial lay ahead. Strategies, intelligence, and teamwork would be tested, and every participant would have to prove themselves—not just in skill, but in character.
And so, with pens poised and hearts racing, the first stage of the Chunin Exams began—a trial that would set the stage for rivalries, alliances, and victories that would resonate throughout the ninja world.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)