Forest of Death.
Naruto Uzumaki and Haruno Sakura kept hiding until Uchiha Sasuke arrived with Kabuto, and only then did they dare to show themselves.
Before the practical exam started, they had met Kabuto, and both had a good impression of him, so they didn't feel there was any problem in Kabuto acting together with their team, Team 7.
"We should head to the tower at the center of the Forest of Death now."
"This forest is full of Genin, even if there are some exceptional ones, they definitely can't be a match for Sasuke-kun, and they wouldn't even be able to handle me."
Kabuto, upon seeing that Team 7 had already gathered the Scroll, thought they shouldn't waste any more time here but offered an adaptable suggestion: "Of course, if Sasuke-kun wants to give his companions, Naruto-kun and Sakura, some training, it's also possible..."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses, looking at the Team 7 trio in front of him, as if he's a strategist providing counsel to Uchiha Sasuke and Team 7.
Kabuto regarded the Chunin exam merely as an occasion to observe the new generation of Ninja, not caring about the outcome of the exam. He just wanted to return to the orphanage and strengthen his relations with Uchiha Sasuke, exploring the inner world of Sasuke.
What a coincidence.
Uchiha Sasuke had similar thoughts.
In the real world, Kabuto was already unconcerned with worldly matters.
Yet in this world, Uchiha Sasuke also hopes to recruit Kabuto, not just for his scientific talent but for his strategic insights as well.
Apart from not being at the peak of world power, from any perspective, Kabuto is a perfect Ninja.
Kabuto is skilled at gathering intelligence, can be a combat type or strategic assistant type Ninja, and he excels as a medical Ninja, adept at research in Ninjutsu, Kinjutsu, and Immortal Technique, truly a jack-of-all-trades.
"Let's not rush."
Uchiha Sasuke lifted his head to gaze into the depths of the forest, a deep and complex look flashed in his eyes, with a lingering obsession towards Karin.
Karin.
A once formidable opponent to be admired.
Perhaps...
A sense of unwillingness remains.
Because after the final battle in the real world, Karin chose to follow Akihara Kagura away from the Ninja World, abandoning the position of Root Leader, making Uchiha Sasuke feel that everything he obtained was from Karin's haughty generosity.
In the real world, during Ninja Academy days, Karin graduated early with outstanding grades; during the Root era, she was Sasuke's greatest rival.
In the real world, Karin was a trusted confidant of Akihara Kagura, and the surviving Uchihas in Root watched her grow as a cherished little princess; Uchiha Sasuke was Akihara Kagura's hopeful successor, the proud new Clan Leader of the surviving Uchihas in the Root.
If the truth about Uchiha Itachi's clan massacre hadn't come to light, if Akihara Kagura hadn't been exposed as the mastermind, perhaps Uchiha Sasuke would still be in the Root, continuously competing with Karin for the future leadership of the Root…
Perhaps...
They might become friends.
Uchiha Sasuke actually wants to become friends with Karin.
Just as that fool Naruto Uzumaki always wanted to become his friend, Uchiha Sasuke really wanted to be friends with Karin, thinking they shouldn't just be adversaries.
The red-haired girl, always both a rival and friend on the path of growth, is akin to Sasuke's obsession, wanting to see what kind of life the red-haired girl is living in this world, if she would still proudly look down upon him like in the real world?
"I want to observe someone..."
Uchiha Sasuke turned back to look at Kabuto, calmly saying, "A female Ninja from the Hidden Grass Village, she might be hiding some secrets..."
"A Hidden Grass Ninja?"
Kabuto adjusted his glasses.
Hidden Grass Village.
A small Ninja village struggling among the Great Country Ninja Villages.
Any Ninja hailing from a Great Country Ninja Village would often look down upon these small Ninja Villages because they often act like fence-sitters during the Ninja World Wars.
Similarly.
The nobility and Daimyos of the Ninja World also disdain these small Ninja Villages.
Because these individuals prefer to hire reliable Ninja from the Five Great Countries' Hidden Villages rather than waste money on these weak small Ninja Villages, whose feeble strength often leads to failure in executing important missions.
Small Ninja Villages, in order to survive, attempt to vie for the wealth of the Daimyos while frequently engaging in wars with neighboring small countries to demonstrate their power.
Of course.
These small Ninja Villages would never dare declare war against the Great Countries.
Once, a small village called the Hidden Rain Village rashly went to war with the Great Countries, not only resulted in the annihilation of its elite, but its entire nation became a battlefield in the Ninja World Wars.
Regarding how small Ninja Villages could, with their meager strength, compete with Great Country Ninja Villages for mission requests, these small villages finally discovered a safe method—participating in the Chunin exam hosted by the Great Country Ninja Villages, as many noble Daimyos would attend such grand events.
If a ninja from their own country could stand out or show some brilliance during such a grand event as the Chunin exam, getting seen by noble Daimyos, it could lead to securing numerous mission requests from them in the future.
Therefore...
The Chunin exam is extremely important to small Ninja Villages as well.