As soon as Kabuto said that Antares had been with Shamrock and Uta during the mission, a ripple of realization spread through the classroom. A few Genins exchanged glances; others stiffened slightly in their seats.
Most of them came to the same conclusion.
It must have been Antares—the Dragon Emperor—who made the first move. He would have struck down Haku and Zabuza, leaving them heavily injured… and only then allowed Shamrock and Uta to face them in a one-on-one fight.
That would make sense… it has to be him.
After all, Antares Uzumaki was not just anyone.
He was considered the third strongest among the Uzumaki clan—and the third strongest person in the entire world.
At the very top stood Shanks Uzumaki—the Red-Haired Emperor, the Uzukage, and the head of the Uzumaki clan. His name alone carried a weight that could silence a battlefield.
Second came Guy Uzumaki, the Demon Emperor, whose very presence was said to overwhelm even seasoned warriors. Legends of his power were spoken in low voices, as if saying them too loudly might invite his attention.
And then… in third place…
Antares Uzumaki.
The Dragon Emperor.
A man who could take the form of a colossal Red Dragon—an existence that blurred the line between human and myth. Just the thought of that transformation made a few students unconsciously swallow, their throats dry.
These three stood at the absolute peak of the world—beings so far above the rest that they were almost untouchable.
And beneath them…
Somewhere below that overwhelming summit stood the Kages of the major villages, along with the remaining Uzumaki siblings—powerful in their own right, yet still clearly separated from the monstrous trio at the top.
…
On the other hand, Shamrock and Uta were quite surprised by the fact that Kabuto was able to gather so much information about them. Their eyes didn't show it openly, but there was a faint pause—a brief stillness in their posture.
How much does he actually know…?
Because when it came to them killing Haku and Zabuza, that matter had been deliberately spread among the ninjas of Uzushiogakure and even among the civilians. It wasn't an accident, nor was it a leak—it was intentional.
The purpose was simple.
To establish a strong and favourable image in the hearts of Uzushiogakure's people.
After all, in the future, one of them might very well become the Uzukage. And even if that didn't happen, they were still members of the Uzumaki clan—the ruling power of Uzushiogakure. There should never be any room for doubt… no illusions that they were weak or inexperienced, especially not among their own people.
Strength, authority, and presence—these had to be unquestionable.
So that particular piece of news had been spread widely and carefully, not just to highlight their victory, but to elevate the reputation of Uta and Shamrock themselves. It wasn't merely about them being the children of the Uzukage, the Red-Haired Emperor, Shanks Uzumaki.
It was about proving that they were worthy of that bloodline.
However, their records of completing other missions were a different matter entirely.
Those were kept strictly within official records—documented, but not publicized. Such information existed only within Uzushiogakure's internal system, accessible to those who had the authority to view it.
And secondly, since they had participated in the Chunin Exams, they had submitted their mission records as part of the process. That much was unavoidable.
So, from their perspective, it was still understandable how Kabuto might have learned about their strength—but only to a certain extent.
Most likely, it came through rumors.
Perhaps from merchants… or traveling businessmen.
People who moved between countries, carrying not just goods but stories—whispers of events, exaggerated victories, and rising names. Kabuto could have easily approached such individuals, asking casually about any notable rumors they had heard across different lands.
That would be the easiest way… and the safest.
Maybe he knew a merchant who had come from Uzushiogakure. And from that person, he might have inquired about anything noteworthy—any rising figures, any recent battles, any names worth remembering.
And naturally, they would have mentioned it.
The story of Shamrock and Uta defeating Zabuza and Haku—a tale that had been widely publicized, carefully crafted, and deliberately spread—would have traveled far beyond the borders of Uzushiogakure.
Like all rumors do.
…
But Kabuto getting his hands on information about their general, normal level missions told them something more. It wasn't just about rumors anymore—this went deeper.
Shamrock's gaze lingered on Kabuto for a fraction longer, while Uta remained still, her expression calm but attentive.
That kind of information isn't supposed to circulate…
It suggested that Kabuto either had strong connections with someone inside the Hokage's office… or—
Perhaps he was something else entirely.
A possibility formed in both their minds almost at the same time.
Maybe Kabuto was a secret agent, someone deliberately planted among the graduates. Someone whose role wasn't obvious at first glance, but who existed as a safeguard—a hidden blade meant to act when things went beyond the control of ordinary Genins and even Chunins.
Someone who would step in… only when it truly mattered.
That was as far as Shamrock and Uta could reasonably think.
And yet, both of them arrived at the same conclusion without needing to say a word to each other.
Kabuto must be one of Konoha's hidden measures.
A contingency.
A protector placed quietly among them, ready to intervene in unforeseen circumstances—situations where the examinees might face dangers far beyond their level.
With that thought settling in the back of their minds, they chose not to dwell on it further. Instead, they continued to listen as Kabuto spoke, his voice steady as he moved on to other participants from different villages.
He mentioned names from Kumogakure—Omoi and Karui.
Then from Iwagakure, he brought up Kurotsuchi, the granddaughter of Onoki.
Each name carried its own weight, its own reputation.
As Kabuto continued listing them, it became increasingly clear—
This Chunin Exam wasn't ordinary.
Quite a number of elite ninjas had gathered here, each one carrying talent, ambition, and pride from their respective villages. The atmosphere of competition subtly thickened, like an invisible pressure pressing down on everyone present.
And just as those so-called normal ninjas were thinking of making a name for themselves—dreaming of defeating the two siblings, Shamrock and Uta—
Shamrock and Uta were thinking in exactly the same way.
Their eyes remained forward, calm… but beneath that calm—
We'll step over them.
Not out of arrogance, but certainty.
They would surpass these so-called geniuses from different villages.
They would carve their names into this exam.
And in doing so… they would make the world remember them.
…
Finally, Kabuto concluded his explanation with a final remark, his tone calm, almost casual, as if what he was saying carried no weight at all.
"This Chunin Exam had attracted a wide range of participants—from smaller, lesser-known villages like Otogakure, from country many might have never even heard of… to all the six—major villages."
A faint murmur passed through the room.
On the other side, however, the moment Team Dosu heard Kabuto refer to their village as something small and insignificant, their expressions twisted with anger.
The air around them sharpened.
"You dare to insult our village!"
Their voices rang out loudly, cutting through the classroom. Without hesitation, they moved. A kunai flashed through the air, spinning rapidly as it was hurled straight toward Kabuto.
Kabuto adjusted his stance at the last moment and easily dodged the incoming blade, the kunai slicing past him with a sharp whistle.
Shamrock and Uta silently stepped aside, creating space.
Neither of them interfered.
They wanted to see.
How will he respond…?
What kind of strength Kabuto would actually reveal.
But within the next few moments, what unfolded before them made both of them subtly shake their heads.
Kabuto… was completely overwhelmed.
Team Dosu attacked in coordination, their movements sharp and aggressive. Kabuto failed to keep up. His glasses shattered from one of Dosu's attack, fragments scattering across the floor. He staggered back, coughing violently as blood escaped his lips.
The scene looked one-sided.
Too one-sided.
Shamrock narrowed his eyes slightly. Uta's gaze remained steady.
No… this isn't real.
They both came to the same conclusion almost instantly.
Kabuto was acting.
There were multiple moments where he could have reacted—where his body had just enough time to respond, to counter, to defend properly. And yet, each time, he chose not to.
Deliberately.
He was portraying himself as weak… as nothing more than an average, fragile ninja.
A façade.
Just as the tension in the room began to rise—reaching a near breaking point—and Naruto Uzumaki, ever reckless, was about to step forward to confront Team Dosu… even the rest of the Rookie Nine felt it.
By attacking Kabuto like this, Team Dosu wasn't just picking a fight—they were disrespecting Konoha itself.
The atmosphere turned volatile.
And then—
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Several small explosions echoed at the front of the classroom.
Thick white smoke burst outward in multiple clouds, rapidly spreading and swallowing the front area in a dense haze. The sharp scent of smoke bombs filled the air.
For a brief moment, nothing could be seen.
Then, as the smoke slowly dissipated, silhouettes began to form.
A large group of figures stood at the front.
At their center stood a stern-looking, middle-aged man, his presence heavy, his face marked with scars that spoke of experience and ruthlessness.
Ibiki Morino.
The head proctor of the first round of the Chunin Exam.
His sharp gaze swept across the entire room, and in the next instant, his voice thundered through the hall—
"All of you, silence!"
The authority in his tone was absolute.
"Fighting in the Chunin Exam classroom is strictly prohibited. If any of you dare to engage in combat without permission, you will be disqualified immediately."
A brief pause.
Then, firmly—
"I am Ibiki Morino, the head proctor of the first round of the Chunin Exam."
The room fell into complete silence.
----
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