Handed in a blank paper?!
After the four high-level officials heard this, ripples surged in their hearts.
"What does he want to do?!" Koharu Utatane was the first to speak out.
In her view, there was something fishy about this.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but sigh: "Probably... that child is punishing himself."
"Self-punishment?" Homura Mitokado frowned, puzzled.
Hiruzen sighed again: "There is a ninja named 'Kosuke Maruboshi' who did something similar..."
Kosuke Maruboshi.
In his youth, due to his eagerness for quick success during a mission, he rashly gave commands that led to the death of two companions. Thus, he swore an oath to the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama that he would forever remain a Genin.
In the era of the Third Hokage, Kosuke still brooded over the past events. Even though his strength rivaled an elite Jonin, he still insisted on being a Genin.
"That child Kaito, awakened the Sharingan due to excessive grief over his instructor's death. Perhaps he did this out of guilt..."
Kaito's face couldn't help but appear in Hiruzen's mind.
"At that time, the child who returned from Roran seemed very sad and self-blaming about the sacrifice of his Jonin instructor. So, handing in a blank paper should be an act of self-punishment."
"Hiruzen, you think too highly of the Uchiha clan."
Danzo narrowed his eyes and immediately stood up.
"Don't forget the Second Hokage's evaluation of the Uchiha clan."
The Uchiha clan... is an evil clan!
After speaking, Shimura Danzo quickly left the room.
Jiraiya watched Danzo's back disappear before turning back.
Inside the Hokage's office, the three high-level officials had different expressions.
"Well, old man, Danzo actually has a point. So, we just need to watch that Uchiha kid's performance next."
Jiraiya waved his hand. Having delivered the information, he prepared to go to the second exam venue.
If it were an ordinary Chunin Exam, Jiraiya wouldn't bother, but this year a genius no less than Hatake Kakashi was participating. Since he was an "Uchiha," it was necessary to evaluate his tendencies and thoughts.
Everything... was for the village.
...
Outskirts of Konoha.
Candidates followed Minato Namikaze and other proctors to a landscape of flowing water and rocky cliffs.
"Everyone, I am the chief proctor for the second stage, Minato Namikaze..."
Minato stepped forward and introduced himself.
"As you can see, the flowing water and rocky cliffs behind us are the venue for the second stage. Its name is..."
Konoha's 45th Training Ground, "Flowing Water Rock Cave"!
Gurgling water, waterfalls, turbulence... everything was there!
These water streams relied on towering rocks, just as the name suggested.
"..."
Kaito raised his eyebrows.
He didn't remember Konoha having a 45th Training Ground.
As everyone knows, the classic "Forest of Death" is number 44, the location of the classic plot in the original work. It is also the most dangerous of all Konoha's training grounds.
Now that a 45th Training Ground appeared out of nowhere, the Konoha high-level officials really took great pains.
The proctors' next words confirmed Kaito's guess.
"This training ground is a newly built facility recently." Minato waved his hand towards the exam venue.
Rin and Obito were pleasantly surprised.
Because neither of them expected that Minato and Kushina would be the chief proctors for the second round.
Of course, there was no back door to take in this exam.
"Flowing Water Rock Cave..."
Terumi Mei narrowed her beautiful eyes, a smile blooming involuntarily.
"Water is everywhere. For us 'Kirigakure', and for 'Takigakure', this is a geographical advantage."
"Not necessarily. For 'Iwagakure', there are also advantages here." The white-haired Kaguya clan member looked at the team of candidates on one side.
The Iwagakure Genin all showed ferocious smiles, rubbing their fists and wiping their palms.
For them, who were good at Earth Release, stones could be found everywhere to use for techniques.
Plus, Earth overcomes Water. Perhaps... the Iwagakure side had the greatest advantage.
"Water conducts electricity, Lightning overcomes Earth. It's also a geographical advantage for us."
Dark-skinned people mixed with blond-haired, blue-eyed people.
They were the "Kumogakure" team.
"Hmph... no impact on us Sunagakure."
The corners of Baki's mouth curled up.
Wind Release is the strongest offensive element among the five attributes. The environment of the exam venue didn't matter at all.
After looking around.
This exam venue seemed to be most unfavorable to Konoha.
The environment shapes the people.
Konoha ninja mostly possess the "Fire" attribute.
—Especially the Uchiha who specialize in Fire Release.
The ninja from other villages scanned the Konoha team, all eager to try.
"Kaito..."
Uchiha Yo glanced at Kaito.
Apart from her and Uchiha Tekka, no one knew that Kaito actually specialized in "Lightning Release"!
Lightning Release overcomes Earth, and at the same time overcomes Water!
For Kaito, this was a natural hunting ground!
"Did the Konoha higher-ups drag everyone else down just to pit us few Uchiha?"
Kaito looked at the exam venue and immediately guessed the intention of the higher-ups.
Spending so much effort to create an exam venue that counters people—if it wasn't targeting the Uchiha, who else were they targeting?
But they didn't know that "Lightning"... was his main attribute!