Although Konoha was the host of this exam, for the sake of superficial fairness, the proctors wouldn't be blatantly biased.
No, this wasn't favoritism. This was practically aiding and abetting.
But Yamashiro Aoba felt miserable.
Last night, just as he was enjoying a comfortable bath before bed, several Root members barged into his home. They didn't even let him change clothes and directly dragged him to see Danzō.
And Danzō had only one instruction: make sure Shimura Yami advanced to the second stage of the exam.
Yamashiro Aoba had heard a bit about Yami, a genius on par with the famed Uchiha prodigy.
In his opinion, since Yami was a genius, clearing a simple Chūnin Exam should be easy. So, he agreed without hesitation.
Danzō was even kind enough to have a Root shinobi escort him back the same way—and toss him back into the bathtub.
He thought it would be an easy job, but the moment he arrived at the exam room today, Yamashiro Aoba sensed something was wrong.
Things... weren't what he had imagined.
He had assumed Danzō was just being an overprotective grandfather, wanting a little insurance for his grandson.
But now...
Sure enough, only someone like Danzō, who knew Yami best, could predict he would cause trouble and still give him such a task.
Fortunately, with his sunglasses on, no one could see the regret and helplessness in Yamashiro Aoba's eyes.
"So what if I threw him out?"
Yamashiro Aoba's voice was cold, and a terrifying aura erupted from his body.
To enhance the intimidation, he even activated his signature genjutsu, scaring the group of Genin.
Yamashiro Aoba was very satisfied with the result and continued calmly, "The exam started the moment you stepped into this classroom."
"Why do you think we let you arrive early? It's to give you the opportunity to gather intel, assess your opponents, and even... eliminate them."
"If you're not as skilled as others, then getting thrown out of the exam room is your own fault."
"But that's not a bad thing either." Yamashiro Aoba suddenly sneered. "Being tossed out that easily just proves he wasn't qualified to pass this exam. He's lucky to have survived."
His tone turned grim. "Because... the upcoming exams won't be as gentle as this one. People will die."
"You two, his teammates, are now disqualified. Leave the room immediately. What are you still doing here?"
All the candidates turned to look at the two remaining Iwa Genin. Their faces were pale, and in the end, they left the room in disgrace without saying another word.
"Finally, it's quiet again..."
Yamashiro Aoba let out a sigh of relief. Everything he'd just said was completely improvised.
However, eliminating some candidates was within his authority, and he wouldn't be held accountable afterward.
This phase was finally over.
"You there, candidate. Find a seat quickly, the exam is about to begin."
Yami shrugged, scanned the room, and suddenly spotted an empty seat. He walked over, a faint grin forming on his lips.
In just a short time, he had gained more than 80 bond rewards.
Although they were all Genin-level abilities and chakra, which didn't benefit him much, the bond points themselves were a considerable haul.
Very good. A nice batch of fresh crops.
Yami sat down and glanced at the 'exam companion' separated by an empty seat, smiling.
"Itachi, long time no see."
"I heard one of your teammates died, and the Third Hokage completed the team for you. I wonder who the unlucky guy is. Mind introducing him to me?"
Itachi's expression turned cold.
Losing a trusted teammate was a deep wound, especially since that teammate had died to protect him.
To hear Yami mention it so casually, and even suggest that he was a jinx, infuriated the usually calm Itachi.
"Yami, my teammate was a Konoha shinobi. He gave his life for the village. Your words show no respect for the fallen."
"I'm just stating the facts."
Yami smiled faintly, ignoring Itachi's unfriendly tone and sharp gaze, and continued, "I looked through some records recently. It seems that... shinobi who team up with the Uchiha clan never have good luck. You know Uchiha Obito, right?"
Itachi paused, then nodded slowly. "Of course. He's a hero of the Leaf."
"Sure, call him a hero if you want. But at what cost?"
Yami slowly spread his palm and began counting on his fingers. "Because he was on that team, they were targeted by Iwa Jōnin.
The genius Kakashi almost died and lost an eye.
After receiving the Sharingan, I heard he couldn't make much progress due to bloodline incompatibility.
Their teammate Nohara Rin died in the war.
And their sensei, Namikaze Minato, also died in the Nine-Tails Rebellion."
"So tell me... doesn't it seem like teaming up with the Uchiha brings misfortune?"
Itachi remained silent.
What Yami said... had shaken him slightly.
It was all true. And he had a vague sense that the enemy who had appeared back then had come specifically for the Sharingan.
If his teammate hadn't sacrificed himself, he might have died as well.
But Itachi was someone who aspired to great things. His heart quickly steadied again.
"Yami, all of that happened because of a lack of strength. I'll work hard to become stronger, protect my teammates and the village, and dispel those rumors."
"I hope so." Yami shrugged, offering no further comment.
Their short exchange ended there, as the test papers had all been distributed.
"Listen carefully. The rules for this written test are different from anything you've experienced before," Yamashiro Aoba announced.
"First, each correct answer earns one point. Each wrong answer deducts one point. Scores are calculated based on a three-person team... except for special circumstances."
"Second, if you're caught cheating, you lose two points. If anyone's score is zero or lower, the entire team is disqualified."
"Third, the team's total score must not be less than 18 points."
"You have 90 minutes. Begin."
As soon as Yamashiro Aoba finished, many Genin immediately focused and began writing.
Yami slowly flipped through the entire test paper.
After reading it, he was silent.
Great. There were only ten questions. No multiple choice or true/false, just long-form essay questions.
Aside from two poison-related ones, knowledge he had learned while training with Root—the rest...
What the hell is this?
Damn system. Why can't it give him a talent that boosts memory and academic knowledge? Otherwise, how was he supposed to brute-force his way through?
Looking across at Itachi, who was already scribbling furiously and had finished two questions, Yami's mood worsened.
Forget it.
Yami sighed, his face falling.
In that case, he'd just pull everyone down to the same level.
He yawned, rested his right cheek on his hand, and casually scribbled on the table with his left.
Three seconds later.
"Bringer of Darkness Technique," Yami muttered silently.
It was as if some strange force sucked all the light out of the classroom. In just two seconds, everything dimmed until they were submerged in pitch-black darkness.
This was true darkness. Even the Sharingan couldn't see through it.
Senju Tobirama really had it in for the Uchiha.
Even though he was Hokage, because the Uchiha specialized in Fire Release, Tobirama's strongest element became Water Release.
Most of the Forbidden Techniques he developed were designed to counter the Uchiha. Flying Thunder God Technique disrupted dynamic vision. Bringer of Darkness Technique Technique blinded Sharingan. Even Shadow Clones were indistinguishable from real bodies.
But if Tobirama knew the jutsu he created was being used to cheat... just to pass the first round of the Chūnin Exam, he'd probably rise from his grave in fury and strip Yami of the right to use it.
"What the hell is going on?!"
"It's pitch black! I can't even see my hand in front of me!"
"Who used ninjutsu?! Hurry up and cancel it!"
"Damn... I was only halfway through copying!"
In the darkness, after a brief moment of stunned silence, the examinees erupted into complaints and shouting. The classroom was as noisy as a market.
"Silence! Stay in your seats! Don't move!"
"The candidate in the third row, third seat from the left! Minus two points! If you get up again, you'll be disqualified!"
Yamashiro Aoba's voice boomed. With his ability to pinpoint sound sources, he could still locate candidates and detect subtle movements even without sight.
After calling out several students in a row, he managed to restore order.
But there was still a constant whispering buzz throughout the room.
Itachi had remained calm throughout the incident. He didn't shout or question.
He simply turned toward Yami's direction, a serious look in his eyes.
Although he didn't see Yami cast the jutsu, he was likely the only one in the room capable of doing it.
Even the Sharingan was rendered blind. This technique was far too restrictive to the Uchiha. Just what kind of ninjutsu was this...
"Itachi, are you trying to peek at my answers?" Yami suddenly spoke.
"You can see me?"
"I can sense your gaze. It's very pervy."
Itachi: ...
On the podium, Yamashiro Aoba was already sweating buckets.
He had tried every method he knew to dispel the Technique, but nothing worked.
The room remained dark, and the patience of the examinees was wearing thin.
Yamashiro Aoba could only hope that the Hokage and the Jōnin monitoring the exam would come up with a solution soon.
Otherwise, this test really would become a farce.
Hokage Office, Hokage Building.
Several monitors in the room were connected to the exam rooms and could stream the scenes in real time...
But right now, all the screens were black.
A group of Konoha higher-ups and Jōnin gathered to observe were dumbfounded, the room falling into complete silence.
"This is... Lord Tobirama's Technique, isn't it?"
Koharu was the first to speak, her tone tinged with nostalgia. "I remember how many targets Tobirama assassinated with this technique."
"Thinking about it now, it still feels vivid."
"Now is not the time to reminisce, Koharu."
Hiruzen took a deep puff from his pipe and slowly exhaled. "The first exam has been interrupted. We must resolve this immediately, or how will other villages view Konoha?"
"Danzō, this mess was caused by Yami. You tell me how to deal with it."
They had already reviewed the footage from multiple angles. Even without it, they all knew Yami was the only person in the room capable of using that technique.
"Mess? I don't see a mess."
Danzō, unfazed by Hiruzen's attempt to shift the blame, calmly countered, "This exam is meant to test a shinobi's ability to gather intelligence and observe."
"Yami simply prevented others from collecting information. His technique is so advanced even the proctor didn't notice. That's completely within the rules."
Danzō even sounded proud. "They're just incompetent. I see no problem with what Yami did."
"If it were up to me, I'd just eliminate everyone else and promote Yami to Chūnin directly."
"No."
The Third Hokage refused without hesitation. "There are three stages in total. Eliminating everyone in the first round goes against the rules."
"Besides, the daimyō and many foreign dignitaries will attend the third round. If we eliminate everyone now, what will we show them?"
Still...
Danzō had a point. Forcing Yami to cancel the jutsu would only alienate him.
Children his age were naturally rebellious. Leaving a bad impression now was risky.
"Here's what we'll do."
After some thought, Hiruzen said, "As compensation, let Yami automatically advance to the next round. The rest will continue the exam as normal. How's that?"
"I agree."
The two elders nodded. Hiruzen's proposal suited them just fine. The other Jōnin also found it fair.
But...
"I don't agree."
Danzō suddenly grew agitated. "What's the point of letting Yami advance alone? Those who know his strength will understand. But those who don't will think I pulled strings."
"Why should Yami's reputation be tarnished because of this garbage?"
"I still say this. Either promote Yami to Chūnin now, or... wait until ten minutes pass and eliminate according to the original rules."
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes.
Something was off. Definitely off.
He knew Danzō too well.
Danzō seemed to be acting tough as usual, but his intentions were far too obvious...
He kept pushing for everyone else to be eliminated.
It looked like he was trying to protect Yami, but that wasn't it.
With Yami's strength, these other candidates weren't a threat. As long as he was careful, he'd definitely advance with top marks.
So... it was the opposite.
Danzō wanted everyone to pass?
Hiruzen quickly figured out Danzō's true motive.
In that case...
"Danzō, I'm the Hokage!"
Hiruzen's voice turned stern. "Yami disrupted the exam room, and now you're creating more chaos here!"
"In that case, everyone will advance. Let the second round decide the truth."
"You'll regret this, Hiruzen!" Danzō stormed out, slamming the door.
But as the door shut, no one noticed the faint, satisfied smile on Danzō's face.
Nor did they see that Hiruzen was wearing the same smile.
Hiruzen had only pretended to fall into Danzō's trap. Whatever Danzō's true goal was, he'd let him believe he'd succeeded.
Once everything settled, Hiruzen would both stabilize the situation and boost his reputation, all while suppressing Danzō's influence.
Most importantly... this involved Yami.
He'd been looking for an excuse to bring him over. He hadn't expected Danzō to hand it to him on a silver platter.
Truly a win-win.
"Kakashi."
Hiruzen looked up at the ceiling. A masked, silver-haired shinobi dropped down and knelt before him.
"Relay my orders to the candidates."
"Tell Shimura Yami to cancel his technique. The first exam is over. All remaining candidates will advance. No further elimination."
"Understood."
Kakashi bowed his head slightly, then vanished instantly.
(To be continued.)
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