"The Chunin Exam is finally about to start."
Yuhi Kurenai clenched her fist, saying with great anticipation, "Let's head to the exam hall."
Hyuga Satomi also chimed in, "Let's go."
The three of them usually listened to Uchiha Yoichi, but now that Uchiha Yoichi was not around, they didn't have a temporary leader. However, Yuhi Kurenai often came up with ideas, so before the individual competition, Hyuga Satomi and Chishima Ichihiko would still take her suggestions.
They heard that due to the large number of participants, the Chunin Exam would be divided into three rounds, and by the time it reached the final individual skills round, only a dozen or so might remain.
Upon arriving at the Chunin Exam venue, there were two classrooms, each accommodating over a hundred people, and Yuhi Kurenai's team was in room 201.
"Kurenai, you all came too. I knew you'd definitely participate."
Just as the three entered the exam room, Sarutobi Asuma approached and smiled at Yuhi Kurenai, despite having been defeated by them last time, Asuma still seized chances to chat with Kurenai.
"Yeah, Asuma, you're taking this Chunin Exam too?"
"Almost everyone in our class is participating, so we'll see who can become Chunin this time."
Asuma, confident after learning two Fire Release Ninjutsu at home, leaned in to talk to Yuhi Kurenai, "Kurenai, if I become Chunin, will you go have a meal with me?"
"We'll talk about it then, Asuma. I think the one to become Chunin will be me...."
After speaking, Yuhi Kurenai saw Hatake Kakashi in the crowd. Their teacher, Yoichi, had mentioned that apart from outsiders, their biggest competitor in this Chunin Exam would be Hatake Kakashi.
A classmate who had graduated long ago, becoming a Chunin three years ago; although it was unclear why he was taking the Chunin Exam now, being praised by Teacher Yoichi, Kakashi was undoubtedly their strongest contender for first place.
After the loss of his father and a period of self-despair, he still managed to become a Jonin at twelve and even developed an incomplete A-Class Kinjutsu, showcasing Kakashi's undeniable talent.
Now that Hatake Sakumo's incident hadn't happened, and Kakashi kept honing his White Fang Saber Technique, even Uchiha Yoichi was unsure of his current strength, merely guessing that Kakashi approached Jonin level.
"Kakashi, in this Chunin Exam, I will definitely surpass you!"
"Yes, yes, I hope you can last until the final round..."
Kakashi carelessly responded to Obito, not seeing any effort from Obito, if repetitive Ninjutsu practice counted as effort at all.
At that time, when given the task to train under Uchiha Yoichi senior, the other kept practicing until they were physically exhausted.
"Alright, this is the spirit of youthful passion, Kakashi. Let's settle it in the end!"
"Idiot!"
"There are too many people..."
Soon, more and more candidates filled the room; this time, Konoha alone had thirty Genin squads, along with Hidden Rock and Hidden Cloud Genin, surpassing two hundred participants.
This Chunin Exam had a total of two hundred sixty-seven Genin participants, which is why Konoha used these two large classrooms.
"Quiet!"
A puff of smoke suddenly appeared inside the classroom, followed by ten Konoha Ninja emerging in the spacious class, led by a Jonin from the Interrogation Team.
Aside from this Jonin, there were fifteen Chunin who appeared around the classroom walls.
"Now, immediately sit down, and get ready for the first round of the Chunin Exam."
Seeing the arrival of the proctors, with their stern tone and expression, the Genin candidates promptly followed instructions and found seats.
"Now, I'll state the exam rules. One hour for the Chunin essential knowledge test. The rule is simple: If caught using methods outside of answering, your entire squad will be disqualified. If there are no questions, prepare for the exam."
Being caught using methods outside of answering meant no issue if unnoticed, and alternate methods might not necessarily be copying or cheating... With so many contestants, eliminations in the first two rounds must be substantial to leave only a dozen in the end.
Yuhi Kurenai immediately thought of this possibility, as did many others.
Proctors did not prohibit mutual eliminations among them, but overly crude methods would lead to disqualification; the harshness of this Chunin Exam was almost nurturing competition, permitting mutual eliminations from the first round.
However, as elites, even mutual eliminations required some strategy.
'So let's give it a try, luckily I've learned some Sound Genjutsu from Teacher Yoichi...'
As the exam papers were distributed, Yuhi Kurenai didn't rush to answer but discreetly formed seals with one hand to gather Chakra, while rhythmically tapping the desk with the other.
Thump, thump thump thump, thump thump....
Hyuga Satomi and Chishima Ichihiko, hearing this sound, silently plugged their ears, unwilling to become collateral damage from Yuhi Kurenai.
Yuhi Kurenai wasn't the only one taking action; others who grasped the examination's intent also began, using subtle methods falling under non-copying or disturbing fellow Genin.
Their tactics were observed by proctors, whose restraint was exercised unless actions were overtly obvious leading to eliminations.
Whoosh!
A proctor suddenly threw a shuriken, shooting it precisely by a Grass Village Genin's hand, startling him so much that a mirror hidden in his sleeve slipped out.