"Ah!"
A sudden chill swept through the classroom.
The source of that cold wind was Gaara.
He fixed his gaze on Yuichi's back, a sneer tugging at his lips. His eyes were like those of a starving wolf sizing up its prey.
"The Genin of Konoha aren't as weak as I thought."
Ibiki glanced toward Yuichi sitting in the front row. His eyes lit with recognition, though he kept silent.
It wasn't one hundred percent certain, but his instincts told him—this was the same Genin who had revealed extraordinary skill during the first stage of the Chūnin Exams.
Yuichi, looking down at his test paper, could feel the stares pressing in from every direction.
Gaara. Neji. Sasuke. Even the supervising Chūnin.
Everyone had noticed him.
"This must be the effect the original wanted."
The Wood Style clone was satisfied.
It had completed the mission entrusted to it.
If Yuichi himself had been there, he would not have thought so lightly.
The exam continued, but no one could calm their hearts.
Among the candidates, there was someone who even the proctoring Chūnin couldn't figure out.
Even if you passed this round, you would eventually have to face that monster in the later stages.
Fighting him would be nothing short of suicide.
When he had struck down the Rain ninja earlier, no one had even seen his face—his speed was as terrifying as a phantom.
If anyone encountered him in a direct combat round, elimination was all but guaranteed.
And the worst part? No one even knew who he was.
The presence of such a mysterious and powerful opponent unsettled everyone.
The dragging minutes of the test felt like torture to those still in the room.
As in the original exam, there were plenty of candidates who cheated too blatantly and were disqualified.
But this time, far more people remained seated than expected.
Konoha's Genin, though unsure who had helped them, couldn't hide the faint smiles on their faces.
One by one, the unfortunate Genin from other villages were escorted out.
The exam finally came to an end.
In the end, every single Konoha Genin who had participated passed.
Looking at the packed classroom, Ibiki frowned.
"This… isn't good."
Bang!
The classroom window shattered as a figure burst inside.
She landed in front of Ibiki, two kunai flashing as they embedded themselves in the ceiling, a banner unfurling between them.
It was the ever-dramatic Anko.
After a few awkwardly over-the-top lines, she scanned the room full of candidates.
She blinked, then turned to Ibiki.
"Wait… am I early? The first test should be over by now, right?"
"Uh…" Ibiki hesitated. "The first test is over."
"Then what's going on?" Anko pointed at the crowd of Genin still in their seats.
"These…"
"They're all…"
"…Genin who passed the first exam."
Ibiki finished the explanation with his head bowed, unable to meet her eyes.
Anko's gaze snapped back to the students.
"You've got to be kidding me! All of them passed?"
Her fist slammed down—
Boom!!
The front row of desks exploded into splinters.
Yuichi leapt back, narrowly avoiding the spray of shattered wood.
Konoha's Hokage Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was buried in paperwork, though his thoughts kept drifting back to the Chūnin Exams.
The exams were more than just a test; they were practically a small-scale war among the allied villages.
For Konoha, it was also a carefully staged arena for their young heirs to shine.
There could be no mistakes.
Not only was Konoha's prestige on the line, but the exams allowed the heirs of the great clans to display their abilities and build reputations—essential for their future inheritance of power.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Come in."
An ANBU member appeared and knelt.
"Lord Third, I have a report."
Sarutobi's eyes sharpened.
"Speak. Did shinobi from the other villages cause trouble?"
"No, Hokage-sama. This concerns an… unusual situation during the first exam."
Sarutobi slowly raised his head, his expression grave.
The Chūnin Exams could not be allowed to falter.
"What kind of situation?"
The ANBU swallowed. "In the first test… the Genin from our village…"
"…all passed."
Silence.
Sarutobi stared blankly at the ANBU before him. For once, even he was caught off guard.
At the academy, Ibiki rubbed his aching forehead in frustration as the Genin were dismissed.
On Konoha's streets, the newly successful Genin ran home, celebrating with their families, teachers, and friends.
The village was more lively than usual, filled with cheers from shinobi households—especially from the civilians, proud of their children's achievement.
But in the Hokage's office, Sarutobi's expression darkened.
"Hokage-sama, if every Konoha Genin passed, the other villages will never believe it. Even if our proctors were strict, they will think we deliberately gave our candidates special treatment.
Rumors of favoritism would deal a serious blow to Konoha's reputation."
Sarutobi turned toward the ANBU, his face grim. Of course he understood.
But what could be done now?
Meanwhile, outside the village, a Wood Style clone—disguised as Kazuya—reported back to Yuichi in a secluded spot, recounting the day's events.
At first, Yuichi's face darkened. But upon hearing that Ibiki had acknowledged all the aided Genin as qualified, his expression shifted.
A smile spread across his face.
"You've done something remarkable for me this time."
The clone blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Yuichi chuckled darkly.
"Heh… you've handed a problem straight to the Third Hokage. No matter what he does next, someone is going to be unhappy. Hahaha… well done!"