Hey guys, here is the new chapter hope you will liked and read thru everything.
If we hit 300PW I post a extra chapter.
i will post the 200 pw chapter too tomorrow
Sorry for the late update! I was double-checking the chapters to make sure everything looked good. I'm taking this arc way more seriously because of all the new fights, different characters, and tons of abilities, so I want to get it right."
Don't forget to leave your power stones along with your comment if you have any ideas or opinions that could help me, as well as a review to continue showing your support.
Enjoy the chapter!
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Dawn in the village of Sunagakure was busier than in past days, especially due to all the visitors who had arrived for the Chunin Exams.
In front of the large main gate of the Mission Building, a Sand Jonin stood flanked by Anbu guards. Beside him, the silent mass of competitors awaited instructions.
"Welcome to the First Phase of the Chunin Exam," announced the Jonin in a cold, distant voice that echoed throughout the hall.
"Unlike the traditional exams of other nations, Sunagakure is not interested in evaluating whether you can memorize codes or answer questions on paper. A Chunin is a squad leader on a real battlefield. And on the battlefield, the first thing that kills a shinobi isn't steel or ninjutsu... it's panic."
The murmur among the newcomers stopped abruptly. Many clenched their fists, others broke into a nervous sweat, and those who were more serious nodded, understanding the message the Jonin was delivering.
"The test will take place in the first room at the end of the hallway," the Jonin continued.
"Each team will enter the room separately. Do not expect traps, there will be no physical enemies to strike, and there will be no questions to answer. Your sole objective is to stand in the middle, and that's it."
The Jonin paused intentionally, letting the weight of his words settle in the minds of the young ninjas.
"Oh, I forgot to mention: once you enter, you cannot leave until I tell you to. Likewise, any attempt to attack using Taijutsu or Ninjutsu will result in immediate disqualification and losing the exam. Is that understood?"
A murmur of uncertainty and confusion ran through the young ninjas. No one understood what kind of evaluation consisted simply of standing in the middle of an empty room without being able to attack.
"I will not give you any further details," concluded the Suna Jonin firmly, crossing his arms over his chest as the Anbu opened the heavy doors. "My only advice is to be prepared for whatever happens inside. Anyone who cannot endure the stay or attempts to flee will disqualify their entire team. First team, step forward."
The first group called belonged to the Kumogakure delegation: the team formed by Samui, Omoi, and Karui.
Upon passing through the stone door and having the room sealed behind them, the three Cloud ninjas found themselves in a completely empty circular room, lit only by candles surrounding the perimeter.
To the three Genin, it felt like a prison. However, if they had possessed better eyes, they would have noticed that one of the walls was covered by a powerful Genjutsu, hiding a Sand squad assigned to this test as they prepared to begin.
"Prepared for what?" Karui muttered, looking around with her hands near her katanas. "The room is completely empty, there are only candles."
"Chunin Level: Begin," announced a resonant voice through the walls.
Immediately, the three understood the true meaning of the Jonin's words. A dense, icy wave of Killing Intent fell upon them without warning.
The sensation was akin to being suddenly submerged in a well of freezing water. Omoi clenched his teeth, feeling sweat trickle down his neck as he bit down on his lollipop with a bit more force than usual.
"Damn it, so it was this!" Omoi gasped, trying to keep his breathing steady. "What if the pressure is so strong it stops our hearts? What if the Sand designed this room to crush the internal organs of foreign Genin and then claim it was an accident?!"
"Shut your mouth, Omoi!" Karui hissed, clenching her fists at her sides. Her shoulders were rigid, and her eyes darted from side to side, instinctively searching for an enemy that didn't exist.
Samui remained at the front. With the flawless discipline learned in Kumogakure, she closed her eyes for a second, regulated her pulse, and stood impassive. The three minutes of Chunin Level passed without the Cloud team taking a single step back, enduring and eventually growing accustomed to the Chunin-level killing intent.
"Jonin Level: Begin."
The atmosphere shifted drastically. The bloodlust released from behind the hidden wall no longer came from average ninjas, but from seasoned Sand Jonin. The air became physically heavy, suffocating, as if an invisible slab of concrete had dropped onto the backs of the three youths.
Karui let out a stifled gasp and almost dropped a knee to the floor. Instinctive visions of blades piercing her chest invaded her mind from pure panic and fear. Omoi was visibly trembling, fighting with all his strength against the primal urge to sprint toward the exit.
"Resist!" Samui ordered in a firm voice, even though beads of sweat covered her forehead. "We are Cloud ninjas! We won't bend to bloodlust of this level when Sensei has shown us true hell!"
With clenched teeth and bodies stiff from mental strain, the Kumogakure team endured the agonizing five minutes.
Then, the voice appeared once more:
"Attention. The next level is the Kage Phase. You have ten seconds to decide if you want to continue and attempt to pass, or withdraw and fail the exam."
Karui raised her head from the floor with wild eyes, clenching her fists in rage. Omoi felt a chill run straight down his spine. If the pressure from the Jonin had nearly destroyed them, the idea of facing a Kage-level aura seemed like suicide.
"We can't afford to give up!" Karui exclaimed with desperation in her voice. "If we withdraw here, we'll be the laughingstock of Kumogakure!"
Samui, however, remained silent for a few agonizing seconds.
She observed her teammates: Karui was at the limit of her strength and Omoi was hyperventilating. Beyond that, Samui's analytical mind evaluated the situation with absolute coldness. A Kage-level ninja is a force of nature. No Genin or Chunin stands the slightest chance against that level of power. Stepping into that slaughter isn't bravery... it's foolishness.
With deep injury to her pride and clenching her fists at her sides, Samui made a heartbreaking decision.
"We withdraw," Samui said with her head held high, though her voice sounded heavy. "We forfeit the exam."
"What?! Samui, no!" Karui yelled, feeling her world collapse. Omoi lowered his head toward the ground, feeling a lump in his throat. Both Karui and Omoi felt terrible, overwhelmed by a crushing guilt, knowing that their lack of endurance during the Jonin level had forced their leader to forfeit the team in the very first test.
However, instead of the evacuation doors opening to throw them out, the voice over the speakers resonated with an unexpectedly satisfied tone:
"Congratulations, Kumogakure Team. You have PASSED the First Phase."
Karui and Omoi snapped their heads up, completely stunned. Even Samui opened her eyes slightly in surprise.
"This final option was actually a trick question," explained the official voice of Sunagakure. "A Chunin is not a blind warrior seeking death; they are a squad commander. On a real battlefield, intelligence and the ability to assess risk in critical moments are more important than arrogance. No Genin or Chunin can face a Kage-level opponent. Recognizing your limits to save your comrades' lives and not falling for an absurd provocation is the true mark of a leader. Congratulations on your judgment, Team Kumogakure."
A massive sigh of relief escaped the chests of Karui and Omoi, who looked at Samui with a mix of admiration and gratitude, while the blonde Cloud kunoichi let out a slight smile of satisfaction.
The next turn belonged to the Iwagakure delegation: Deidara, Kurotsuchi, and Sekka.
Upon entering the empty room, Deidara kept both hands deep inside his tactical clay pouches, staring up at the stone ceiling with a scowl of obvious disdain and boredom.
"Being prepared to just stand here... what a stupid thing, hm," Deidara grumbled, spitting to the side. "Having us stand here waiting to see what happens... This makes no sense and has no artistic value."
"Shut your mouth, Deidara," Kurotsuchi warned him, crossing her arms in a firm posture. "Grandpa said we shouldn't take Suna lightly. They're going to do something."
"Chunin Level: Begin," announced the voice.
The first wave of bloodlust swept through the room, but it passed without much trouble for the Stone squad. The strict military discipline drilled into Iwa and the pride of the Tsuchikage's granddaughter created an impenetrable mental shield against the initial test.
However, when the start of the Jonin Level was announced, the combined bloodlust of the Sand officers struck the center of the room like an iron sledgehammer.
Sekka took a step back purely out of reflex, gritting his teeth as cold sweat broke out across his forehead. Kurotsuchi planted her feet firmly on the polished floor, keeping her eyes fixed on the wall where she felt the bloodlust originating, though her clenched fists betrayed the internal struggle to refrain from caving under the suffocating sensation of pressure.
Deidara, for his part, scowled in anger. The feeling of being evaluated and pressured triggered his short temper. His chakra began to fluctuate slightly around his fingers inside his pouches.
"Do you think you can scare me with this, hm?!" Deidara hissed, grinding his teeth as a vein bulged on his forehead. "My art is infinitely superior to your ridiculous mind games!"
"Don't you dare use chakra or you'll get us all disqualified, you idiot!" Kurotsuchi barked under her breath, enduring the physical pressure that felt like it was crushing her shoulders.
Enduring the onslaught with classic Stone stubborness, the Iwa team survived the five minutes of Jonin Level without anyone falling.
When the time expired, the voice spoke again:
"The next level is the Kage Phase. Decide if you will continue to try and pass, or withdraw and fail the exam."
Deidara was on the verge of shouting that he accepted the challenge out of pure ego, but Kurotsuchi, remembering the strategic lessons of her father Kitsuchi and analyzing the situation coldly, placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"We withdraw," Kurotsuchi declared clearly and loudly. "There is no tactical gain in exposing ourselves to a Kage level at this point."
"What are you saying, Kurotsuchi, hm?!" Deidara complained, furious.
"Be quiet, Deidara. It's a trap," she whispered to him.
"Correct answer," announced the voice. "Iwagakure Team: Passed for demonstrating critical risk assessment."
Deidara left the room grumbling, frustrated by the cleverness of Suna's system.
Next came the turn for Konohagakure's representatives, starting with the three support squads before the entry of the main team.
Team 10, consisting of Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and Ino Yamanaka, entered the room with varied expressions. Shikamaru walked with his hands shoved deep into his pockets, sighing in annoyance.
"Being prepared... What a drag of an instruction," Shikamaru muttered. "Testing intellect or strength makes sense, but making us wait while doing nothing sounds a bit too good to be true."
As soon as the Chunin Level began, bloodlust hit the room. However, the team remained stable. Ino used basic mind-focusing techniques from the Yamanaka clan to keep her pulse calm, while Shikamaru tried to keep Choji steady, even though he too was under the pressure of bloodlust. Choji squeezed a sealed bag of food tightly in his hands to distract himself.
When the Jonin Level began, the pressure slammed down hard. Choji stifled a groan and almost dropped to his knees, but Shikamaru stood beside him, maintaining a calm, analytical gaze.
"Clear your minds, Choji, Ino," Shikamaru ordered with steady focus. "The bloodlust is just a sensory illusion transmitted by the guards' chakra. Nothing will happen to us; it can't cause real physical harm. Just count the seconds."
Thanks to Shikamaru's strategy and Ino's mental training, Team 10 barely managed to endure the five grueling minutes of Jonin Level.
When the Kage level was mentioned, there was no hesitation in Shikamaru's mind. He immediately surrendered, refusing to go through further mental torture against a Kage-level ninja.
Upon hearing the Jonin announce that they had passed and explaining the purpose of the phase, they promptly exited the room to avoid unnecessary risks.
Team 8, consisting of Kiba Inuzuka along with Akamaru, Shino Aburame, and Hinata Hyūga, faced the test with a different dynamic. To Akamaru and Shino's Kikaichū bugs, the unannounced Killing Intent was perceived as a direct threat. Akamaru whined and hid inside Kiba's jacket, but Kiba clenched his fists, standing his ground stubbornness.
Hinata, remembering the strict training of her clan and the constant support of her family, activated her Byakugan. Reacting instinctively to the threat, veins bulged around her eyes as she peered right through the wall's Genjutsu.
"It's... it's just projected energy," Hinata said in a low but firm voice, supporting her teammates. "We can do this."
Shino kept his insects under tight chakra control, preventing them from attacking out of instinct. With exemplary discipline, Team 8 endured the full five minutes of Jonin Level, securing approval for the Leaf. When offered the Kage level, they declined and moved on to the next stage.
Team Gai, composed of Neji Hyūga, Rock Lee, and Tenten, displayed a spectacle of pure physical determination.
Upon feeling the first wave, Rock Lee tensed up, sweating profusely but shouting with enthusiasm to dispel the instinctive fear. Neji maintained an impeccable stance, arms crossed and Byakugan deactivated, using sheer willpower to stand immovable like a mountain. Tenten gripped her weapon scrolls tight, enduring alongside her teammates until the time successfully expired.
During the Jonin level, it proved much harder. Even Neji had his Byakugan force-activated as sweat dripped down his forehead and back. Rock Lee became serious, dropping his usual cheerful demeanor. Though they managed to finish it, Tenten suffered the most; coming from a civilian family, it was her first time experiencing Jonin-level killing intent, though Gai's training kept her on her feet.
When the Kage phase arrived, Neji was about to say they would attempt it, but Lee looked at Tenten, knowing she couldn't go on. He refused to participate, even if it meant elimination.
Neji grew angry at both of them, but when the Jonin announced that they had passed, his anger dissipated, and they left the room.
Finally, the entrance of Konoha's primary squad was announced: Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno.
The stone doors slammed shut with a heavy thud. The room remained dark, dimly lit by only a few candles. Sakura clasped her hands in front of her chest, feeling her heart beating a thousand miles an hour.
Sasuke maintained an upright posture, his gaze serene yet vigilant. Naruto, on the other hand, walked right into the exact center of the room, placing his hands behind his head with a confident grin.
"Hey, Suna!" Naruto shouted toward the ceiling. "My dad told me to be ready for anything, so bring on whatever you've got!"
"Shut up, Naruto," Sasuke reprimanded him in a low voice, adjusting the collar of his shirt. "Don't act like an idiot and keep your guard up."
For Naruto, life had been kind. Raised by his parents, Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, he grew up surrounded by affection, good food, and demanding yet loving training. His desire to stand out didn't stem from pain or a need for recognition from a village that hated him, but from the pride of wanting to prove that his own ninja way was unique—and that one day he would surpass even the legendary Yellow Flash.
For Sasuke, history also had its nuances. Although his father Fugaku had tragically died defending the village during the Nine-Tails attack years ago, Sasuke grew up with the unconditional love of his mother Mikoto and the guidance of his older brother, Itachi Uchiha, who led the clan's forces. For Sasuke, the burden wasn't solitude, but the immense pride of the Uchiha bloodline and the burning desire to prove he wasn't just "Itachi's little brother," but a brilliant ninja in his own right.
"Chunin Level: Begin."
The first surge of Killing Intent swept through the room, taking them by surprise. Sakura felt a slight chill run down her arms, but seeing the firm backs of her two teammates gave her the confidence to stay standing.
Sasuke didn't even blink; the pressure was minimal compared to the sparring sessions he endured against Itachi. Naruto simply let out a small laugh.
"Was this all we had to be prepared for?" Naruto said, adjusting his Leaf headband. "Come on, you really have to try harder if you want to mess up my hair!"
"Jonin Level: Begin."
The pressure shifted drastically in a split second. The Sand Jonin's bloodlust slammed into Team 7 with the weight of a rockslide.
Sakura gasped as the air was forcibly pushed from her lungs. Dark visions of shadows cutting her throat invaded her mind, nearly bringing her to her knees, but Naruto grabbed her so she could lean on him.
"Sakura!" Naruto called out.
Immediately, the full weight of the pressure crashed onto the blonde boy's shoulders. Naruto's legs trembled, and instinctive images of a fatal attack flashed through his mind.
However, Kushina's strict upbringing, the unyielding spirit of his father Minato, and most importantly, the Nine-Tails inside him provided a anchor far stronger than this bloodlust. Naruto gritted his teeth, holding his posture through sheer willpower and chakra control.
"I won't bend to this!" Naruto yelled, sweat dripping down his face. "I've got promises to keep, so I won't give up, believe it!"
Beside him, Sasuke Uchiha was fighting his own battle. The Jonin's Killing Intent triggered his deepest instincts of fear—dark figures with Sharingan attacking him, others going after his teammates.
Sasuke's eyes snapped open, and the two-tomoe Sharingan activated in both pupils, spinning with crimson intensity.
"An Uchiha... never kneels before anyone," Sasuke hissed through gritted teeth.
Using the enhanced perception of the Sharingan, Sasuke analyzed where the bloodlust filling the room originated, locating the Jonin hidden behind the Genjutsu wall. Knowing these were merely Jonin, he was able to compose himself and face what was ahead with clarity.
"Sakura, get up," Sasuke ordered her, his voice tense. "Look at Naruto. Look at me. This is just basic bloodlust, nothing more. We've overcome worse."
Sakura looked up. Seeing Sasuke enduring with his Sharingan active and Naruto standing like an immovable wall brought her back to her senses. She clenched her fists, digging her nails into her palms until she felt pain, and managed to slowly push herself back up, breathing heavily but standing firm.
The five minutes of Jonin Level ended with a sharp chime. Konoha's three rookies remained standing in the center of the room, sweating and chest heaving, but with eyes filled with resolve.
"Attention. The next level is the Kage Phase. Decide if you will continue to try and pass, or withdraw and fail the exam."
Naruto was about to shout that he wanted to keep going to prove his worth, but Sasuke, analyzing the surroundings with his Sharingan and remembering Itachi's warnings about leadership, placed a firm hand on Naruto's chest.
"We withdraw," Sasuke declared in a cold, serene voice.
"What are you saying, Sasuke?!" Naruto protested, shocked. "We can handle this!"
"Don't be stupid, Naruto," Sasuke replied, looking him dead in the eye. "A true leader knows when not to put his squad's lives at risk in a fight that can't be won. Sakura is at her limit. If we continue, they'll break her."
Naruto looked at Sakura, who was struggling to breathe, and then back at Sasuke. The blonde lowered his head, understanding his teammate's lesson. "He's right... We withdraw."
The voice from Suna echoed strongly: "Excellent tactical evaluation. Prioritizing the life of your team over personal ego is the essence of a Chunin. Team 7 of Konohagakure: PASSED."
Finally, it was the turn of the four teams representing the host village: Sunagakure.
The first Sand team to enter was composed of Karin, Sunae, and Daiku.
As the door sealed shut, Sunae didn't even take a combat stance; she crossed her arms calmly, leaning back on one foot. Daiku rested his right hand on the hilt of his sheathed katana, maintaining a tranquil breath. Karin adjusted her glasses and began inspecting the room.
The Chunin Level passed in complete silence. None of the three displayed the slightest disturbance. Though they felt it, Daigo and Pakura had trained their children well, and Sasori hadn't let his daughter fall behind, training her rigorously as well.
When the Jonin Level began, suffocating pressure filled the room. However, thanks to the preparation from their parents, this time they had to exert a little more effort; this wasn't as insignificant as the Chunin pressure, this was Jonin-level strength.
Still, all three held firm.
Sunae smiled with confidence. "Training in the dunes with Mom was ten times worse than this," she commented casually.
Daiku nodded in silence, maintaining his posture throughout the entire five minutes.
"Attention. The next level is the Kage Phase. Decide if you will continue to try and pass, or withdraw and fail the exam."
Karin smirked slightly. Hearing the Jonin's words, her mind quickly grasped the trick question, and she replied calmly:
"We decline the offer and request the end of the test. A Suna ninja knows the difference between a Genin and a Kage, as well as the meaning of tactical negligence."
"Perfect answer. Team Sunae, Daiku, and Karin: Complete Approval."
The remaining three Sand teams demonstrated the exact same absolute mastery:
Temari, Kankuro, and Kimimaro's team, raised under the doctrine of Baki, answered with unwavering firmness, rejecting the Kage trap with precision.
Gaara, Haku Yuki, and Asper Dokuhebi's team, alongside his massive komodo dragon Kai, kept an impeccable composure, identifying the trap question instantly thanks to Haku's analytical intellect.
Lastly, Shima Museifu, Kanra Chinoike, and Sōritsu's team, under the tutelage of Genta, completed the test, proving that the new clans of Sunagakure possessed an invincible tactical maturity.
By late afternoon, the main hall held all the teams that had successfully cracked the true purpose of the exam. Those who had succumbed to the arrogance of attempting the Kage Level had been disqualified for leadership incompetence.
The Sand Jonin stepped forward to address those who had passed.
"Those standing here today not only possess the strength not to freeze in the face of fear, but the mindset required to lead men in war," he declared in a booming voice. "Congratulations. You have officially passed the First Phase of the Chunin Exam."
The foreign delegations breathed a collective sigh of relief, realizing the sheer depth of Sunagakure's mind games. High above in the central tower, Daigo observed the map for the Second Phase alongside Pakura, a serene smile on his face.
"Their minds have been put to the test," Pakura said. "Tomorrow, we'll see how they handle actual survival."
"Indeed," Daigo concluded. "Tomorrow, the village opens its doors to its most dangerous territory."
End of Chapter