In addition to the Hidden Sand Village of the Land of Wind, many other villages—large and small—had sent their ninjas to participate in the Chunin Exams. These included Otogakure, the Hidden Grass Village, the Hidden Rain Village, and even the notoriously closed-off Hidden Mist Village.
As a result, Konoha had become livelier than ever before.
However, where ninjas gathered, trouble was never far behind. Old grudges, unresolved vendettas, and long-standing rivalries between villages often surfaced. Arguments broke out frequently, and minor disputes were almost a daily occurrence throughout the village.
Still, none of that could dampen the excitement.
Because at last, the long-awaited day had arrived.
The Chunin Exams were officially about to begin.
Holding the registration forms Kakashi had given them, Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Hinata Hyuga headed toward the examination venue together.
"Naruto!"
A warm, familiar voice suddenly called out.
Naruto turned around, and his face immediately lit up with joy.
"Lee! Long time no see!"
The one who had called out was Rock Lee. As expected, his teammates—Hyuga Neji and Tenten—were right beside him.
Lee grinned brightly as he stepped forward. "You've grown a lot, Naruto! Your strength has improved tremendously!"
"I heard you defeated Zabuza Momochi—the Demon of the Hidden Mist!"
"That's incredible!"
Naruto scratched the back of his head and laughed awkwardly. "Ah, it was nothing, really…"
Before he could finish, a cold voice cut in.
"Zabuza Momochi was a jonin," Neji Hyuga said flatly. "One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. It would be absolutely impossible for you to defeat him with your current strength."
"That victory belonged to Kakashi Hatake."
Naruto had been planning to respond modestly, but Neji's blunt dismissal made his patience snap.
"Of course it was Kakashi-sensei's achievement!" Naruto shot back. "But we also defeated Zabuza's Water Clone—and in the end, I killed him myself!"
"What? You don't believe me?!"
Neji's gaze sharpened. "Then stop going around claiming that you killed Zabuza."
Naruto clenched his fists, furious. "Bastard! When did we ever announce anything like that?!"
Hinata quickly stepped between them, her voice soft but firm. "Please, Naruto-kun… it's fine. You don't need to explain."
Naruto took a deep breath, then pointed straight at Neji.
"Hyuga Neji! A year ago, Lee and I promised you that we'd fight fairly and defeat you!"
"We'll settle this during the Chunin Exams!"
Neji looked down at him with indifference. "No matter what, you still won't be my rival."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Tenten smiled apologetically at Naruto and the others, then hurried after her teammates.
Lee let out a small sigh. "That's just how Neji is. He's not a bad person…"
Then his eyes burned with determination.
"But you're right about one thing, Naruto."
"These Chunin Exams are our chance to fulfill the bet I made with Neji!"
"No matter who we face—we'll defeat them completely!"
Naruto grinned. "That's the spirit!"
Lee smiled confidently. "I've grown much stronger too. I even have a secret weapon this time—something that will make everyone acknowledge my strength!"
Naruto laughed. "Me too!"
"Alright then—see you in the exams!"
"See you!"
After Team Guy left, Naruto quickly noticed several familiar faces approaching from another direction.
"Sasuke-kun! It's been so long!"
Sakura Haruno was the first to shout as she rushed forward, talking nonstop as she ran toward Sasuke.
Sasuke merely grunted and ignored her completely.
Ino Yamanaka walked over to Hinata instead, smiling warmly. "Hinata, you're here too."
"It looks like all of us were recommended for the Chunin Exams."
"So? Are you confident?"
Hinata nodded gently. "I'll do my best."
Ino laughed. "You don't need to worry! Team 7 is practically a genius squad—the strongest rookie team in Konoha!"
"Really?" Naruto asked skeptically.
"Of course! Way better than our Team 10!"
Ino rolled her eyes toward Shikamaru, who was yawning lazily, and Choji, who was stuffing potato chips into his mouth.
"Just look at those two, then look at your teammates…"
Shikamaru shrugged. "Comparison is the thief of happiness."
Naruto waved enthusiastically. "Shikamaru! Choji! You're in the Chunin Exams too?!"
"Can you guys really handle it?!"
It wasn't strange for Naruto to doubt them. Almost everyone in their generation had been inspired by Naruto's growth—except these two, who seemed exactly the same as ever.
Shikamaru stretched and rubbed his sleepy eyes. "Blame Asuma-sensei. He insisted on signing us up. What a pain…"
Choji continued chewing loudly. "Don't say that, Shikamaru. Asuma-sensei believes in us."
Ino sighed. "Don't even mention Asuma-sensei… even I don't believe in us."
Hinata smiled encouragingly. "Ino, you're very strong. You should believe in yourself."
At that moment, another familiar figure approached.
"Naruto! Sasuke! You two are really getting all the attention these days!"
It was Kiba Inuzuka, with Akamaru perched proudly on his head.
"But don't get cocky—I'm not losing to you!"
Akamaru barked twice in agreement.
Naruto laughed. "Alright! Let's see about that!"
A quiet voice followed. "Please don't forget about me."
Shino Aburame stood behind Kiba, his expression hidden as always.
Kiba laughed and slapped Shino on the shoulder. "Yeah, yeah—and don't underestimate this guy either. He might be the strongest one here!"
"Alright, Sakura—time to go!"
Kiba turned and urged her forward.
Sakura complained, "Why the rush?! I finally get a chance to talk to Sasuke!"
"This isn't a conversation," Kiba replied bluntly. "You're talking to yourself."
"If we're late, Yuhi-sensei's hard work will be wasted."
At the mention of Kurenai Yuhi, Sakura sighed helplessly. "Fine…"
She turned back one last time. "Sasuke-kun! My training with Yuhi-sensei went really well! She says I'm very talented in genjutsu!"
"I'll definitely do great in the Chunin Exams—please watch me closely!"
With that, she ran off with Kiba and Shino.
Ino watched her leave and shook her head. "Sakura is still so obsessed with Sasuke…"
Hinata hesitated, then whispered, "What about you, Ino?"
Ino smiled softly. "Me? Of course I still like Sasuke."
"But I understand now—he doesn't want a relationship. His heart is filled with pain, and he's focused only on his own path."
"Hinata… if you can, please help him more."
Hinata nodded. "I will."
"Thank you. You really are kind."
Ino waved cheerfully and left with Shikamaru and Choji.
After everyone finished registering, all the ninjas from different villages gathered in a single location.
Naruto pushed open the door.
Instantly, he felt as though he'd stepped into a sea of people.
The massive room was packed—ninjas of every age, size, and appearance filled the space. Young teenagers, seasoned adults, middle-aged veterans, and even elderly participants stood side by side.
Though it was called the Chunin Exam, it seemed anyone could participate.
When Naruto strode in boldly, the entire room fell silent.
Countless gazes—sharp as shuriken—locked onto him.
Naruto showed no fear. He crossed his arms, closed his eyes briefly, and walked forward with confidence.
"Who's that arrogant brat?"
"According to intelligence, he's part of the Konoha team led by the Copy Ninja."
"Uzumaki Naruto… he participated in the Land of Waves mission."
"They say Zabuza Momochi died by his hand."
"What?!"
"Zabuza—one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—was killed by a kid like that?!"
"It must have been Kakashi Hatake."
"But Team 7 is said to be Konoha's strongest rookie team…"
"Hmph. A bunch of fresh graduates acting arrogant. Do they even know people can die in the Chunin Exams?"
"Let's wait and see…"
Naruto quickly spotted the other members of the Konoha Twelve—and the infamous trio from the Hidden Sand Village: Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro.
The room buzzed with tension.
Suddenly, several figures crashed through the windows, landing perfectly around the room and blocking all exits.
Then a tall, heavily built man walked through the front door.
He was like an iron tower—scarred, imposing, and radiating menace.
Naruto swallowed.
"Who is that…?"
The man stepped onto the podium.
"I am the invigilator for the first written exam."
"My name is Morino Ibiki."
"The Chunin Exams officially begin now."
"Distribute the papers."
"Yes, Ibiki-sama!"
The exams had begun.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)