REVIEWS AND POWERSTONES PLSSS!!!!!Chapter 210: Trouble and Acquaintances
"My name is Rock Lee!" Lee walked before Sakura, striking his classic pose, flashing snow-white teeth and a thumbs up. "Your name is Sakura, right? Please go out with me! I swear I'll protect you until death!"
This earth-shattering confession at first meeting instantly petrified everyone around.
Sakura was caught completely off-guard by this sudden "straight pitch," even her previous nervousness about the Chunin Exam washed completely away, leaving only immense speechlessness in her heart. Her entire being became a windblown stick-figure sketch.
"Absolutely not..."
On the other side, Neji completely ignored the chaos his teammate created. He stepped forward quickly, eyes burning as they stared at Naruto, his voice slightly deep from suppressing some excitement.
"Hey, what's your name? Can we... talk?"
His tone seemed consultative, but his continuously approaching steps and that undeniable aura clearly revealed an obsession of "won't give up easily even if refused."
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto..." Naruto was somewhat caught off-guard by this sudden enthusiasm, instinctively retreating half a step, trying to ease the atmosphere. "Um... whatever it is, could we discuss it after the exam ends?"
"Hyuga Neji."
Neji quickly gave his name. For him, having finally found a clue possibly related to Lord Menma, something like the Chunin Exam was completely irrelevant!
"I have extremely important matters I must discuss with you now!" Neji's gaze grew more fervent. "Could you please come aside privately?"
"Wait! What are you two doing?! Stop it!" Tenten watched her teammates—one publicly confessing, another using near-"pestering" methods to hit on a boy from another team. She immediately lost it, especially Neji's abnormal attitude filling her with immense confusion and embarrassment.
Standing beside Naruto, Satsuki's expression had already grown cold enough to frost over, emitting visibly low pressure. If Neji were a girl at this moment, Satsuki would probably have unhesitatingly taken certain "dangerous" actions.
---
Ultimately, Tenten expended tremendous effort, almost using dragging methods, to finally pull these two teammates with excessive behavior away from Team Seven.
In this process, Sakura's clear statement of "I absolutely don't like thick eyebrows" dealt Rock Lee a heavy blow, instantly plunging him into depressed shadows. Meanwhile, Naruto repeatedly assured Neji that "after the exam ends, I'll definitely find a chance to talk properly," barely appeasing Neji enough for him to temporarily abandon immediate questioning.
Team Seven, finally free of trouble, could continue advancing toward the third floor's actual exam hall. Satsuki's tense nerves also gradually relaxed, restoring her usual calm.
Right, what was she nervous about? That guy was a boy—posed no threat whatsoever. Perhaps he just wanted to ask Naruto about training questions... Had she overreacted?
At this moment, Satsuki's gaze fell on Sakura beside her. She noticed that after the embarrassment from that earlier farce dissipated, Sakura's face once again showed nervousness and unease about the Chunin Exam, fingers unconsciously wringing together.
"Sakura," Satsuki suddenly spoke. "That genjutsu barrier earlier—you were probably the first among us to see through it."
This sudden affirmation made Sakura raise her head, looking at Satsuki with some surprise.
"Your analytical ability and understanding of genjutsu theory," Satsuki continued, her tone certain, "have always been the best in our class."
"...Satsuki." Sakura heard it—this usually aloof-seeming teammate was currently using her own method to help relieve tension and build confidence. Looking at Satsuki's still-expressionless yet exceptionally serious profile, warmth surged in Sakura's heart. Naruto understood clearly—as expected, even raised somewhat crookedly, this guy was still that Uchiha Sasuke at heart.
The group arrived at the real exam hall entrance, meeting Kakashi who'd been waiting. Just like in the original, Kakashi revealed the truth of one test to the three—that Chunin Exam application form itself was a hidden checkpoint.
Simply put, this exam had to be participated in as a three-person squad. If one person was absent, the entire team lost qualification. A test of team spirit and mutual trust.
Though following the original story's trajectory, Naruto ultimately passed all these so-called tests... yet until becoming Hokage, Naruto had always carried the genin title? This experience was rather special indeed.
After Kakashi left, the three pushed open the classroom door, stepping into the real exam hall. The scene before them instantly made them hold their breath.
The spacious classroom was almost filled by a dark mass of people. The air permeated with an invisible, heavy atmosphere mixing tension, hostility, and scrutiny.
Looking around, everywhere were ill-intentioned faces with sharp gazes—could even be called fierce and malevolent shinobi from various nations. They either crossed arms coldly observing, or polished weapons, or conversed in low voices. A rough sweep showed examinees gathered here numbered at least over a hundred!
Under that elimination-rate preliminary screening, this many people could still reach here?
Simultaneously, Naruto keenly noticed many shinobi appeared older, some even approaching twenty or thirty years old, yet still sitting here as examinees.
This world's shinobi promotion system was truly cruel—talent and opportunity both indispensable...
Hmm? I'm the one who cheated hardest? Then never mind.
In this oppressive atmosphere, several familiar figures proactively approached them.
"Yo, you guys came after all." Nara Shikamaru drawled lazily, hands in pockets, face written with the word "troublesome." "Though personally I didn't want to participate in such a troublesome exam."
Beside him, Akimichi Choji remained single-mindedly munching chips. Seeing Naruto, he quite naturally extended the snack bag. "Naruto, want some?"
"Thanks, Choji." Naruto smiled in gratitude, symbolically taking one piece. The familiar taste slightly eased the scene's tension.
While Yamanaka Ino stood aside looking somewhat nervous. Seeing her long-unseen close friend, Sakura immediately approached delightedly.
"Ino! It's been so long! You're also participating in the Chunin Exam?"
Ino's expression appeared somewhat strange, her eyes interweaving complexity, concern, even a trace of disbelief. She grasped Sakura's hand, lowering her voice. "Yeah... Sakura, you came too?"
However, what truly surged in her heart at this moment was: You can actually still stand here completely unharmed?
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