At the dining table, the atmosphere was a bit strange.
Just now, because of their teasing behavior, Uzuki Yugao and Terumi Mei had almost been dragged into a morning workout by Aoba.
Now they were behaving a lot more obediently.
All were properly and seriously eating breakfast.
"Mei-nee, you're going over to the Kirigakure team later, right?", Aoba asked.
"I have to show my face over there," Terumi Mei nodded, but soon blinked at Aoba, "But I'll be back tonight."
"Alright…"
The Terumi Mei who was once single-minded about saving her village, was now just a love-struck fool obsessed with men.
Uzuki Yugao didn't show any expression at this, just another competitor pushing her luck.
.
.
.
After breakfast ended—
"Aoba, good luck on the exam," Terumi Mei gently pecked Aoba's lips and left early.
"Aoba, good luck on your exam," Uzuki Yugao wiped Aoba's mouth first before giving him a kiss.
Carrying another woman's taste made her uncomfortable.
"Mm, then I'll be heading out too," Aoba hugged Uzuki Yugao, then pushed the door open and left.
"Aoba-oniichan!", Karin was already waiting outside.
Aoba reached out and patted her head, smiling, "Let's go."
Just at that moment, Shizune and Tsunade also came out.
Shizune's face was still a bit red when she saw Aoba. The firepower last night was too much, and she woke up late this morning.
Got scolded by Lady Tsunade for quite a while.
Tsunade just snorted, raised her fist slightly, "Brat, don't embarrass yourself and lose to some outsider ninja. Otherwise, prepare for punishment from me."
"Then if I take first place, is there a reward?", Aoba replied with a grin.
"Hm?", Tsunade narrowed her eyes, "What reward do you want?"
"Anything?", Aoba's gaze paused unintentionally on Tsunade's lips.
That night he didn't get to enjoy it properly, and it all tasted like alcohol. The next day when he went to find her, she completely denied everything.
A faint blush rose on Tsunade's cheeks.
"Hmph~ That depends on your performance," She said and walked away in large strides.
"Aoba, do your best on the exam," Shizune encouraged him with a red face and quickly followed after.
Aoba shrugged, then after greeting Karin, the two of them headed toward the Ninja Academy.
———
"So many people!", At the entrance of the Ninja Academy, Karin couldn't help exclaiming.
Even when they attended the academy before, there weren't usually this many students gathered at once.
"There are quite a few… Tenten and the others are already here."
Aoba scanned the area and quickly found the group waiting outside.
Not just Tenten and the girls, Naruto, Sasuke, and the others were also present.
"Why are you two so late?", Ino looked at Aoba and Karin suspiciously. She suspected the two had done something on the way.
"Got held up a bit. Oh right, here, these are for you," Aoba took out quite a few Flying Thunder God kunai and handed them to everyone.
The fact that he could use Flying Thunder God was no secret in Konoha.
It was a form of confidence. So no one was surprised.
They entered the academy together.
Only to be stopped at the exam room by Konoha's two great gatekeepers, Kamizuki Izumo and Hagane Kotetsu.
Aoba couldn't help wondering, 'Does Konoha not have any other doormen?'
These two could block Pain on top, and Genin below.
After dealing with the genjutsu, they entered the exam room.
Aoba looked around. He didn't recognize many people, but there were a few familiar faces.
The most eye-catching were the always-together trio from Sunagakure.
Kankuro gave him a fierce yet cowardly look, Gaara appeared full of fighting spirit.
As for Temari, she actually smiled and waved at him. Then Aoba's waist took a heavy blow.
As for the Kumogakure side—
All tanned. Even if there were a few well-known ones in the original story, Aoba couldn't recognize them right away.
They all looked the same, just had different hair colors.
But he did spot a certain normal person in the Kirigakure group.
"Yo! Aoba!", Kurotsuchi greeted them.
"Kurotsuchi, why didn't you come to the BBQ party last night?", Aoba asked curiously. He'd invited her, and she had clearly agreed.
"Well…", Kurotsuchi scratched her head awkwardly, "I tried to sneak out last night and got caught by my dad."
That was very much her style.
"If there's time after the Chunin Exams, we can hold another one," Aoba suggested.
"Sure! Sounds good!", Kurotsuchi responded excitedly.
They chatted for a bit.
Until the scar-faced proctor Morino Ibiki arrived. Everyone then sat according to their squad groupings.
Ibiki simply stood at the podium with a dark expression.
The terrifying pressure he exuded made the exam room dead silent, no one dared to make a sound.
After explaining the intimidating rules once, he handed out the exam papers.
Immediately, many people were dumbfounded.
Because the questions were extremely beyond the curriculum, including many advanced math, physics, chemistry, biology, and medical ninjutsu problems.
As the saying goes, when people are pushed to desperation, they can do anything.
But facing math and science…
Even in extreme rage, they could only stay mad the entire day.
Not long after the exam began, people like Naruto had already dropped their pens.
People like Karin and Ino, who didn't pay attention in class, also showed headache-filled expressions.
Aoba could only sigh silently.
Though he knew the questions weren't that important, seeing their pained faces, he chose to use Spirit Transformation Technique.
Directly sent the answers to everyone he was familiar with, and also passed on info about the tenth question.
After all, the test was about cheating. What he did basically went above and beyond the requirements.
In short, the first exam was passed smoothly.
Very few from Konoha were eliminated.
BANG!
The sound of a window shattering.
The classroom fell silent.
"Everyone! I'm the second exam's proctor, Anko Mitarashi!"
Before the curtain rigged with several kunai, Anko appeared in a brown coat and mesh undershirt.
"There are still this many candidates?"
"There are quite a few strong ones this year," Ibiki replied.
"Alright then," Anko licked her lips and said, "But for the second exam, more than half of you will be eliminated."
Everyone was shocked, showing unease.
"So exciting," Anko grinned brightly, "Details will be announced tomorrow. Ask your Jonin-sensei for time and location. That's all, DISMISSED!"
After most people had left, Aoba walked up to Anko.
"Anko-nee, this is for you."
"Flying Thunder God kunai?", Anko took it curiously, "Why are you giving me this?"
"In case something dangerous happens during the exam, I can rush to help in time."
Aoba remembered that Anko had also encountered Orochimaru.
Even if nothing serious happened, it was still pretty miserable.
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