The Chunin Exams.
At this point in time, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still alive, and the events leading to his death during the Konoha Crush had not yet occurred. However, one thing had already been set in motion
Orochimaru had already infiltrated the Chunin Exams.
Having long failed to obtain the body of Itachi Uchiha, Orochimaru had shifted his obsession toward a more "reachable" target
Sasuke Uchiha.
Chinatsu: Orochimaru, try touching him if you dare! I'll personally turn you into snake soup!
Chinatsu pushed her speed to the limit using the Body Flicker Technique, her figure flashing across forests and plains. Even with Sage Mode enhancing her body, the distance to Konoha was still vast it would take several hours at minimum.
Sasuke… don't act recklessly.
Meanwhile, in Konoha
Examinees from the Five Great Nations had already gathered.
Among them
Gaara, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sasuke.
Just like in the original storyline, their paths crossed.
However
This time, Gaara did not provoke them.
Because he felt something different.
A pressure.
A threat.
Gaara lowered his head, a twisted smile forming on his face. Unlike his later self who would be changed by Naruto, the current Gaara still existed in a state of instability, dominated by the influence of Shukaku.
But now
He had found something interesting.
Targets.
Chunin Exams First Stage: Written Test
The exam was supervised by Ibiki Morino.
Nine extremely difficult questions were given.
In truth, most examinees were not expected to solve them directly. The real purpose of the test was intelligence gathering using stealth, deception, and observation to cheat without being caught.
Among all candidates, only a handful could genuinely answer the questions without assistance.
After the nine questions
The real test appeared.
The tenth question.
No answers provided.
Instead
A condition.
Failing it would result in permanent disqualification from future Chunin Exams.
Passing it guaranteed advancement.
Fear spread instantly.
Most examinees hesitated.
Many chose to give up.
Because in their minds
Failure wasn't worth the risk.
But that was the trap.
This stage wasn't about knowledge.
It was about resolve.
Those who endured
passed.
Even with blank papers.
Inside the examination hall
Sakura was writing intensely.
Meanwhile
Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a glance.
No words.
But complete understanding.
Naruto: Sasuke… isn't this exactly like that time…?
Sasuke: …Yeah. No doubt.
Years ago
Uchiha Chinatsu had used a nearly identical psychological test on them.
Back then, failure didn't mean losing a rank
It meant losing her guidance forever.
The pressure had been far worse.
And they had endured.
Thinking back
both of them shivered slightly.
That wasn't a memory they wanted to relive.
With that realization
They both calmly put down their pens.
Relaxed.
Unbothered.
Completely different from the rest of the room.
The other examinees were stunned.
Had they given up?
Or…
Were they using some high-level method?
Even the proctors took notice.
Because unlike others struggling or cheating
these two were doing nothing.
And yet
they showed no signs of panic.
Time passed.
Some candidates looked relieved.
Others were drenched in sweat.
Sasuke glanced at the clock.
"…It's about time."
Just as he finished speaking
Ibiki stood up.
And revealed the truth of the tenth question.
Instantly
Despair spread across the room.
Candidates began withdrawing one after another.
Sakura froze.
She instinctively looked toward Naruto and Sasuke
And what she saw completely broke her mental state.
Naruto was lying on the desk, looking like he might fall asleep.
Sasuke had his arms crossed, not even glancing at the paper.
Sakura looked down at her own fully completed sheet.
Then back at them.
If frustration could generate energy
she could probably destroy the entire village.
Sakura: "If they're not worried… why should I be?!"
She dropped her pen.
Leaned back.
Relaxed.
The three of them
instantly became the most eye-catching group in the entire hall.
Time passed.
The exam ended.
Ibiki announced:
All remaining candidates had passed.
Relief filled the room.
Just then
Ibiki pointed at Naruto and Sasuke.
"You two. Come with me."
They stood up calmly and followed.
Outside, Ibiki asked directly:
"Why were you so relaxed during the exam?"
The two didn't hesitate.
There was no reason to hide it.
Naruto grinned.
"This is all thanks to our sister!"
Sasuke nodded.
"The method you used… she tested us with something even harsher years ago."
Naruto laughed proudly.
"We passed her test too, you know!"
Ibiki paused.
Then
understanding dawned on him.
Someone had seen through the nature of this test
years in advance.
That wasn't just intelligence.
That was foresight.
"Your sister…"
Ibiki muttered.
"…Uchiha Chinatsu, right?"
He exhaled slowly.
"What an extraordinary woman…"
Even though she wasn't present
her influence was everywhere.
Soon
the first stage ended.
And the second stage
began.
The place Chinatsu feared most.
Forest of Death.
And within it
Orochimaru awaited.
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