Chapter 53
'In my memory, there shouldn't be Konoha refugees here… What's going on?'
The Wood Style clone, Yuichi, felt something was off. This information needed to be passed to the main body.
The first exam was about to begin.
Teams weren't allowed to sit together, and the seating arrangement was deliberately scrambled.
By coincidence, Yuichi ended up assigned right next to Naruto.
"Yuichi! I didn't expect you to be taking the Chūnin Exams too. Let's go! Don't let me become a Chūnin while you're still stuck as a Genin."
"You too, Naruto," Yuichi's Wood Style clone replied with a nod.
The system didn't trigger—this clone couldn't replace the body in interactions!
"Quiet! The Chūnin Exam is about to begin. I'll first explain the rules…"
Examination papers were passed out.
Yuichi's Wood Style clone picked his up and glanced at the questions.
"These are ridiculously hard…"
'The body could handle them easily, but I…'
The clone discreetly observed the room.
A few had already figured out the true purpose of this test. It wasn't about answering the questions correctly. It was about testing basic ninja skills—the ability to gather intelligence.
'Just like the main body said.'
While Yuichi was lost in thought, he suddenly felt Naruto's burning gaze.
'Why is Naruto staring at me like that?'
The clone was baffled.
Meanwhile, Naruto had finished reading all the questions. Despair flooded him. He couldn't answer a single one.
But then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Yuichi wearing the same expression.
In that instant, Naruto felt a surge of relief. He wasn't alone. Yuichi was just as lost as he was.
The Wood Style clone gave Naruto a sidelong glance.
'Is the body really this close with him? …Forget it. I'll help him later.'
There were seventy-seven other Konoha Genin in the room besides Sasuke and his team.
'The body said to draw attention and help Konoha's Genin as much as possible.'
Exhaling slowly, the clone felt the weight of the task. Seventy-seven Genin… to win their goodwill, he'd need to help them somehow.
'Careful attention is needed…'
The words of the main body echoed in his mind:
"You don't need to provoke others. But if Konoha Genin are in trouble, step in and help them. That way, you'll earn their favor."
The clone tightened his focus. He had to support the Konoha Genin and find a way for them to complete the test.
It was easier said than done.
And on top of that, Naruto's relentless gaze made the number feel like seventy-eight.
'Just don't get caught cheating… too simple otherwise.'
Yuichi's clone let a faint smile slip.
'There is one technique… perfect for this situation.'
Sliding his hand under the desk, the clone began weaving seals slowly.
Naruto's eyes widened.
'What's he doing? Those hand seals… wait, I've seen this before…'
Memories surfaced—Naruto frowned deeply.
'Isn't this the jutsu those Mist shinobi used before…? Water Style: Hidden Mist Technique?!'
The moment Naruto's thought clicked, the classroom suddenly filled with thick fog.
Ibiki, the chief proctor, shot to his feet immediately.
Visibility dropped to less than a meter.
His brow twitched.
Cheating was allowed—so long as you weren't too blatant about it.
But this…? This was beyond blatant. Someone had actually used the Hidden Mist Technique in the middle of the exam.
Ibiki stepped forward with a splash.
Water rippled under his boot. The classroom floor was coated in a shallow layer of flowing water.
'Not just Mist… but Water Style as well? What the hell are they planning with this?'
"Oi! What's happening?!"
"Is this for real? There's fog in the classroom?!"
"Shut up and hurry! Cheat while you can!"
The candidates erupted into noise.
Ibiki's expression hardened.
"Wind Style: Wind Dance."
A proctor specializing in Wind Release formed hand seals, sending a strong gust surging through the room. The fog scattered rapidly, and the water receded, streaming neatly out through the open windows.
Ibiki's eyes narrowed as he noticed the way the current had been deliberately controlled.
'Not bad… Whoever cast that Water Style jutsu is no amateur. Who is it?'
His gaze swept over Sasuke's team—then dismissed them. They didn't know Water Release.
Other villages' candidates? Impossible. Their shocked expressions when the mist appeared made it clear.
'Then…'
A sudden outburst cut off his thoughts.
One of the Konoha Genin jumped up in excitement, unable to contain himself.
"Sit down!" Ibiki barked, glaring fiercely.
The boy obeyed, but Ibiki's sharp eyes caught something else.
The Genin's test paper was filled out completely.
'What—?!'
He glanced to the side. Another Konoha Genin's paper was also complete. And another.
Within moments, dozens of answer sheets were suddenly full, all densely written—and all correct.
The proctors stiffened in unison, rising to their feet.
They turned toward Ibiki for guidance.
Whoever had cast that mist hadn't just hidden themselves. They had somehow distributed the correct answers to every Konoha Genin.
Ibiki's jaw clenched. He had been played for a fool.
And worst of all, he didn't even know who had done it.
Still, the culprit's identity was clear enough: it had to be someone from Konoha.
The other proctors' questioning stares burned into him. After a tense pause, Ibiki ground his teeth and waved them back down.
"…Sit. It's within the rules."
Because if you weren't caught… it counted as fair play.