The interior of the tower was even more spacious than its exterior suggested.
Passing through the heavy iron door, the first thing that came into view was a circular hall.
The grey-white stone walls extended upward, tapering into a dome at a height of twenty meters. A large chandelier hung from the center, casting soft light into every corner.
Several corridors branched off from the hall, leading to different areas: rest rooms, medical rooms, supply points.
Led by a proctor wearing a Chunin flak jacket, Menma and his team crossed the hall, turned into the left corridor, and stopped in front of a door marked '07'.
"This is your temporary rest room," The proctor said expressionlessly, handing over three key cards. "Until the exam ends, you may use all public facilities in the tower, but you are prohibited from entering the rest areas of other teams. In case of emergency, use the communication device at the end of the corridor to contact the command room."
"Understood," Menma said, taking the cards.
The proctor nodded, turned, and left. His footsteps echoed in the corridor, gradually fading away.
Naruto had already pushed the door open impatiently.
He let out an exaggerated exclamation, rushed in three steps at a time, and plopped down on the bed by the window.
The mattress bounced a few times. He leaned back, sprawling his limbs out in a star shape, and let out a deep breath.
"Finally, we can rest—"
Hinata followed him in. She looked around and gently pressed her lips together.
It was a standard three-bed room.
Three single beds were lined up against the wall, the snow-white sheets and comforters neatly folded under the fluorescent light.
Each bed had a small wooden nightstand, on which sat a lamp and a cup.
By the door was a water dispenser, and a simple coat rack stood in the corner.
Everything was so clean… like a hospital room.
Hinata didn't choose a bed. Instead, she walked to the window and gently pulled open the beige curtains.
Outside, dusk was gradually darkening.
The sea of trees in the Forest of Death turned into dark green waves in the twilight, stretching all the way to the horizon.
In the distance, a thin wisp of smoke rose from some direction, probably from examinees still camping in the forest.
"Three more days," Menma said, sitting on the edge of the middle bed. He leaned back, rested his hands behind his head, and slowly lay down. "We'll be waiting here for the next three days."
The texture of the ceiling stretched out in his field of vision, like some kind of abstract pattern.
He remembered that in the original work, the number of teams passing the second exam far exceeded expectations, forcing the Third Hokage to urgently add a preliminary round… an individual elimination tournament held inside the tower.
But this time, because the overall strength of the participating teams was generally stronger and the fights more intense, the final number of teams reaching the tower would likely also change significantly.
'I had already changed this world so much. Would the preliminary round still exist?'
"At least we can get a good night's sleep," Hinata's voice came from beside him, carrying a gentle softness tinged with shyness.
At some point, she had left the window and was now sitting on the edge of Menma's bed.
Her slender fingers unconsciously pinched the white bedsheet. Her profile, illuminated by the soft light of the lamp, formed a delicate outline. Her eyelashes were lowered, like a butterfly folding its wings.
Menma turned his head and met her gaze.
Hinata's face instantly turned red. She immediately looked away, pinching the bedsheet even tighter.
"Th-That… I just thought… it's really not easy to rest in the forest—" She explained quietly, her voice growing softer.
Naruto, completely oblivious to the atmosphere, was sitting up on his bed, curiously studying the lamp switch on the nightstand, clicking it on and off repeatedly, making the light flicker.
"Oh, this lamp is pretty fun—"
"Naruto," Menma sighed.
"Huh? What is it, Menma-nii?" Naruto turned his head.
"—Nothing." Looking at this younger brother with eyes so clear they bordered on foolish, Menma sighed.
Knock, knock, knock.
The knock on the door came at just the right time.
"Coming, coming!" Naruto immediately jumped off the bed, rushed to the door in three steps, and pulled it open.
Outside the door stood a silver-haired Ninja, his left hand in his pants pocket, his right hand raised to his shoulder, waving lazily.
"Yo."
The familiar black mask, the tilted forehead protector, the lazy, dead-fish-eyed gaze.
"Congratulations on passing the second exam." Kakashi's tone carried no energy at all, not at all like he was offering congratulations.
"Ha?!" Naruto's eyes widened, his mouth forming an 'O' shape. "Kakashi-sensei?! What are you doing here?!"
"Oh, well." Kakashi scratched the back of his head, his gaze shifting slightly upward. "For certain reasons, I happen to be here."
As he spoke, he had already walked into the room on his own.
Hinata had stood up from the edge of the bed and politely gave a slight bow: "Hello, Kakashi-sensei."
"Yeah, yeah." Kakashi waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the three. No injuries, no fatigue, not even obvious wrinkles or stains on their clothes.
A flicker of surprise passed through his eye, but it was quickly hidden behind that lazy expression.
"Looks like you had a good time in the forest?"
"It wasn't just playing!" Naruto immediately retorted. "We completed the exam very seriously!"
"Is that so." Kakashi gave a noncommittal response, walked to the window, leaned his back against the frame, and casually pulled a small orange-covered book from his ninja tool pouch.
Menma sat up on the bed and asked directly: "Kakashi-sensei, when does the third exam start?"
Kakashi's motion of flipping through the book paused.
He looked up, his half-moon eye fixed on Menma.
"That's one of the reasons I came to see you. Three days from now, the second exam will officially end. After that, you'll have five days to rest and prepare."
He paused.
"Then the third exam will be held… a team battle."
"A team battle?" Naruto tilted his head, his face full of confusion.
Menma's eyebrows rose slightly.
This change was even bigger than he had expected.
"As the name suggests," Kakashi's tone was uncharacteristically serious as he explained. "Each team that passes will face off in a three-on-three direct confrontation in a designated arena. The winning team's members will all be promoted directly to Chunin."
He scanned the three and added, "The losing team isn't completely without a chance. This exam has introduced a comprehensive evaluation mechanism by the Jonin Team. If an individual performs outstandingly in the battle, even if their team loses, they may still be evaluated as Chunin."
The room was quiet for a few seconds.
Naruto was digesting this information.
Hinata bowed her head in thought.
And in Menma's mind, the logic behind this rule change was already connecting together.
From 1V1 individual battles to 3V3 team battles.
This was certainly not just about increasing spectator appeal.
In this exam, which brought together geniuses from the Five Great Nations and many small villages, a team battle better reflected a village's overall training level, team coordination, and tactical execution.
This was not only a competition between Genin but also a public showdown and demonstration of the future core strength of each village.
It was foreseeable that the third exam would become a stage for covert rivalry and military display among the major villages.
In a large-scale venue under the eyes of tens of thousands, these teams would represent their respective villages.
Konoha vs Kumogakure.
Konoha vs Kirigakure.
Konoha vs Iwagakure.
Konoha vs the Land of Stars.
No matter which two villages' teams faced off, it would undoubtedly be highly entertaining.
Highly topical.
And the atmosphere of conflict would also be at its peak.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, an old man criticized by Danzo as 'too gentle', had played this hand exceptionally ruthlessly.
And introducing the Jonin Team gave Konoha, as the host, more room for manipulation.
"Understood," Menma said, his brow gradually relaxing as he nodded.
Kakashi glanced at him but didn't ask further.
He turned and walked toward the door, waving his hand with his back to the three. "By finishing the second exam early, you have three extra days to rest compared to the other teams. I look forward to your performance in the third exam."
"Wait, Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto chased after him a couple of steps. "You still haven't said why you're here!"
Kakashi's footsteps paused for a moment.
"—Because I'm your teacher."
He didn't look back, pushed open the door, and walked out.
Naruto stood in the doorway, scratching his head. He felt there was something strange about that sentence, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Day three, dusk.
The crystal chandelier in the tower hall had been lit, illuminating the entire space as if it were daytime.
The main gate opened again.
Three figures filed in: Karin with her flying red hair, Kurotsuchi looking tired, and Ranmaru with somewhat unsteady steps.
"We're finally here—" Ranmaru's voice carried obvious fatigue.
"Where are the rest rooms—" Kurotsuchi looked around, working her sore shoulders.
"I'm so angry! Next time I run into that waterlogged bastard, I'm going to beat him into a pig's head!" Karin waved her little fist fiercely, cracking her knuckles as she followed the signs toward the rest area.
Her purple crop top was stained with some dirt, and her black hot pants had a few scratches.
A dangerous emotion burned in her pupils, causing a passing proctor to unconsciously step aside.
Kurotsuchi and Ranmaru exchanged glances and sighed simultaneously.
During the river battle two days ago, they had indeed gained the upper hand.
The shadows created by Ranmaru's Akaigan had instead been very effective in the Hiding in Mist Technique. Kurotsuchi's Ninjutsu and Taijutsu had also suppressed Chojuro, and Karin had almost captured Suigetsu alive with her Adamantine Sealing Chains.
If it hadn't been for the sudden fierce battle between a Konoha's team and a Kumogakure's team downstream, the sounds of explosions drawing everyone's attention, they could have completely routed the Kirigakure's team and seized their scrolls.
But the other side wasn't stupid either.
Taking advantage of Karin being distracted by the downstream battle, Suigetsu used his Hydrification Technique to break free. He then took the injured Chojuro and the electrocuted Honoka and quickly retreated under the cover of the Hiding in Mist Technique.
And by the time Karin came to her senses, the three Kirigakure's Ninja had already disappeared into the depths of the thick fog. To avoid being taken advantage of by a third party, they could only watch the Kirigakure's team escape.
Kurotsuchi shrugged. "So we had to rob a different team of Kusagakure's Ninja for their scroll. It was a bit of a hassle, but at least we passed."
"It's not the same!" Karin glared. "That was my first time using the Adamantine Sealing Chains in real combat! I could have had a perfect finish!"
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got, her fists clenching even tighter.
Ranmaru silently pulled a soldier pill from his ninja tool pouch, popped it into his mouth, and decided not to participate in this topic.
Just then, Karin's eyes suddenly lit up.
It was a change in expression from anger to surprise, and then to a certain dangerous excitement.
Kurotsuchi followed her gaze.
On the other side of the hall, at the entrance to the corridor leading to the rest area, a black-haired boy in a black tracksuit was leaning against the wall, holding a cup of water, as if waiting for someone.
"Menma-nii—!!!"
Karin's voice exploded in the empty hall, echoes overlapping.
Like a red cannonball, she instantly covered the distance of over ten meters and plunged headfirst into Menma's chest.
"Boo hoo hoo, I'm so miserable! I was bullied by those Kirigakure's Ninja! And they used the Hiding in Mist Technique to run away! It's so unfair!"
Her face buried in Menma's chest, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, she hung on him like an aggrieved large cat.
Menma's hand holding the water cup hovered in mid-air, his expression calm, his eyes helpless.
"—Let go first."
"No!"
"The water is going to spill."
"Then let it!"
A few seconds later…
Two more people walked out of the corridor corner.
Naruto, holding a bag of potato chips bought from a vending machine, was about to put one in his mouth. Hinata followed behind him, holding a bottle of mineral water.
Then she saw Karin.
Naruto's movement froze, the chip hovering at his lips.
Hinata's footsteps stopped.
The air was quiet for a moment.
Then—
Hinata lowered her head, her bangs covering her eyes.
"Uh… Hinata?" Naruto said cautiously.
Hinata didn't respond.
She raised her head.
In those white eyes, the gentle, shy soul seemed to have been pressed pause…
Replacing it was a completely different aura.
"You damn woman."
Her voice was no longer soft, but like a long-suppressed volcano finally erupting.
"Stay away from my Menma! Now!"
She strode forward, her movements decisive, without any hesitation, grabbing the back of Karin's collar and pulling her off Menma like a kitten.
Caught off guard, Karin stumbled two steps. After steadying herself, she immediately glared back, unwilling to back down: "What do you mean 'your Menma'?! Menma-nii is my savior! Our bond is much deeper than yours!"
"Bond?" Big Sis Hinata sneered, crossing her arms, looking down from above. "How many years have you even known Menma?"
"Haven't you heard of love at first sight? Hmph~"
The two girls faced off, and it seemed like invisible sparks were crackling in the air.
At the other corner of the hall,
Suigetsu had just walked in.
He carried the Long Sword: Nuibari on his shoulder, looking tired from a long journey.
Behind him, Chojuro not only had his glasses askew, but bandages were visible under his collar.
Honoka walked last, her face pale and exhausted.
Suigetsu shook his hair, his gaze unconsciously sweeping the hall.
Then he saw Karin.
Karin was facing off with Hinata and hadn't noticed him.
Suigetsu thought for 0.5 seconds, then decisively turned around, pushing Chojuro and Honoka in the opposite direction.
"Let's go, let's go. There's a vending machine over there. I'll buy you drinks."
Chojuro looked confused: "But Suigetsu, that's the bathroom—"
"Then we'll drink at the bathroom door. Stop talking."
Honoka looked back at the red-haired woman in the center of the hall, then at Suigetsu's tense back, and for once, didn't call him out.
…
Night fell.
The lights inside the tower were dimmed somewhat, entering night mode.
Most of the examinees who had passed the second exam had returned to their respective rest rooms to build up their energy.
The corridors were very quiet, only the occasional patrolling proctor passing by, their footsteps as light as a cat's.
Sasuke sat alone on a bench in the corner of the hall, his back against the cold stone wall. A faint, lingering burning pain remained deep within his black pupils.
It was the backlash from having his Genjutsu forcibly broken.
He closed his eyes. In the darkness emerged that desert, that yellow, savage eye, and Gaara's gaze as he looked down at him… that almost pitying look.
"Guess who wasn't taken away?"
"If you want to know—"
"Go ask her yourself."
His fists clenched at his sides.
His nails dug into his palms, the stinging pain shooting through him.
Countless fragments flashed through Sasuke's mind.
His mother's gentle smile.
His father's serious yet proud gaze.
The cold blade in the moonlight when that man raised his sword.
And the last words that man said to him: "You're not even worth killing right now."
"My foolish little brother, run away, live a coward's life, and then someday come before me with the same eyes as mine!"
He had hated for six years.
He thought he hated the man who had killed the entire clan, killed his parents.
But now someone told him his mother was still alive, the clan hadn't all died, and that man had killed far fewer people than he had thought.
Then what was these six years of hatred?
Why had no one told him the truth?!
Those countless nights of training alone until his fingers went numb, those days driven by revenge to desperately become stronger, that loneliness of thinking he was the 'last Uchiha'—
What did it all mean?!