Yamanaka Inoichi had only taken a single glance, yet he immediately understood the value of the technique.
It wasn't as profound as the Yamanaka clan's core secret arts—but many of its applications could greatly enhance their techniques, acting as a powerful supplement rather than a replacement.
If they could master it…
Unfortunately, it was far too difficult.
Inoichi transmitted mentally:
"So you're planning to use this technique together with Mental Synchronization to deal with Danzō directly?"
Mental Synchronization was a technique that linked the mental energy of multiple users, allowing them to funnel their spiritual power into a single individual, amplifying that person's mental output.
Souma's technique, when boosted through Mental Synchronization, would be terrifying.
Used against Danzō…
Inoichi considered for a moment, then said:
"If Danzō truly possesses a more advanced Sharingan like you suspect, its ocular power might actually feed back into his mental strength."
"Then we'll try it first," Souma replied calmly.
"If it doesn't work, we'll switch methods."
Souma never expected a single technique to end the fight outright.
But combat techniques only improved when used in real battles—
And besides…
What if it did work?
Danzō possessed Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan, but it wasn't his own. The mismatch severely reduced both its efficiency and its mental feedback.
Kakashi was the perfect example.
When Kakashi had been hospitalized, if it had been Obito instead, there would've been no issue at all.
The Sharingan was ultimately most compatible with the Uchiha bloodline.
Even with Hashirama cells assisting, the enhancement was largely physical—reducing bodily strain—while offering little benefit to the mental domain.
Souma closed his eyes, conserving his energy.
Danzō was waiting for the right moment.
So were Souma and the Third Hokage.
It was only a matter of who lost patience first.
After a moment, Souma suddenly spoke:
"Didn't I help your Intelligence Division upgrade the sensory barrier? Why hasn't there been any movement at all? Don't tell me the budget got swallowed up somewhere."
"Inoichi nearly choked."
"Souma-kun, that accusation is dangerous."
Skimming a bit of funding wouldn't even be worth it.
The Yamanaka clan wasn't short on money—and if such a thing were discovered, it would severely damage their reputation and standing.
Inoichi would have to be brain-dead to try something like that.
Souma waved it off with a grin—he was only joking. He was just curious how far Intelligence had progressed.
After a brief silence, Inoichi transmitted:
"I suspect the Daimyō's visit itself was part of Danzō's arrangement. Because of his arrival, I was forced to personally bring people here."
"So only you can sense changes in the barrier?"
"Not exactly—but Orochimaru knows Konoha's barrier system extremely well. Subtle fluctuations are difficult for anyone else to detect."
Souma nodded.
That made sense.
Orochimaru knew Konoha inside and out. Even with improvements, the core was still a sensory barrier.
No jutsu was perfect.
Just like this time—Orochimaru had clearly refined his infiltration techniques, masking his mental weaknesses.
Still, Souma had no intention of chasing him.
Orochimaru's goal was obvious.
He wanted to draw Souma's attention, prevent him from focusing on the Chūnin Exams, and buy time to manipulate Sasuke.
Unfortunately for him—
Souma had seen through it from the very beginning.
If he truly wanted to capture Orochimaru, it would be easy.
But why bother?
Orochimaru was useless as labor, dangerous to imprison, and killing him was pointless—he'd just come back.
Danzō, on the other hand…
Eliminate him once, and the fear ends.
Opportunities like that didn't come often.
But—
Not yet.
Danzō wasn't close enough.
At this distance, Mental Synchronization wouldn't be effective. Relying solely on his own mental power, Souma wasn't confident he could kill or cripple Danzō instantly.
So he waited.
Second Examination Site – Death Forest
Sakura gripped her kunai, staring at the three figures ahead.
She recognized the headbands.
Sound Village.
"Hehe, Konoha ninja," Kin sneered.
"I remember you—you didn't cheat at all but kept writing furiously. You must've known the answers in advance."
"Disgusting," she added coldly.
"Konoha's methods are truly revolting."
"Her teammates can't fight," Dosu said calmly.
"She fired the signal flare—reinforcements will arrive soon. Finish this quickly."
But suddenly, Dosu frowned.
Genjutsu?
He dispelled it instantly—
Only to see three Sakuras, each dragging Naruto and Sasuke in different directions.
Dosu released the illusion on Kin and Zaku.
"Left."
Thanks to exceptional chakra control, Sakura's Clone and Transformation techniques were flawless—
But Sound ninja didn't rely on sight.
Under sonic detection, illusions were meaningless.
Her cover blown, Sakura fled with everything she had—but she knew the truth.
One person, two unconscious teammates.
She couldn't outrun three Sound ninja.
Her only option—
Find a defensible position. Protect them. Delay until help arrived—or Naruto and Sasuke awakened.
Forcing herself calm, Sakura scanned her surroundings, then rapidly changed direction toward another Konoha squad.
Better to lose to allies than enemies.
That direction—
Choji was using Partial Expansion to support Ino on his palm while running. Ino focused on sensory detection.
Then—
"Sakura's team is being chased by Sound ninja. Sasuke and Naruto are unconscious."
"What do we do?" Ino asked, turning to Shikamaru.
He frowned deeply.
"Something unexpected happened in the exam."
"What do you mean?" Choji and Ino asked in unison.
"Team Seven's teamwork isn't great—but compared to most teams, their overall strength is high," Shikamaru said while running.
"There aren't many who could push them this far."
"So…"
"I don't know. But something's wrong. Let's check it out."
"Alright."
They accelerated.
What they found left them stunned.
Sakura lay on the ground, blood streaming from her face.
But worse—
One Sound ninja had both arms ripped off.
Sasuke stood with his foot on the man's throat, blood spilling from the ninja's mouth.
Nearby, the female Sound ninja struggled to rise—
Then—
Boom.
Sasuke kicked her into a tree, her spine snapping on impact.
Ino only needed a glance.
Unless Tsunade or Souma intervened, she was permanently crippled.
And a Sound genin could never afford that kind of treatment.
Sasuke's body was covered in sinister markings, dense chakra radiating from him.
"Sasuke, you—"
"What?" he said coldly.
"Are you here to steal our spoils too?"
He pulled a scroll from the corpse.
The second exam was simple—use information from the first exam to obtain at least one intel scroll.
Stealing was allowed.
"We already have one scroll," Shikamaru said calmly.
"You don't need another. But Sakura released the forfeit signal—she needs treatment. Ino knows basic medical ninjutsu."
Sasuke was clearly unstable. Escalation would only make things worse.
Dosu stood rigid, silent.
If he spoke—
He'd die.
But when Sasuke heard Sakura had forfeited—
Boom.
Dosu was kicked aside.
"Come."
Sasuke paused, his tone softening slightly.
"Thanks for coming. Please take care of Sakura and Naruto."
"They're my friends too," Ino replied.
She sensed the terrifying energy around him.
"This power makes you stronger—but it's eating away at your body and life. Don't use it again."
Sasuke didn't answer.
Instead, he looked north.
More people were coming.
"We mean no harm," Tenten said calmly.
"But I suggest you withdraw. Your condition is dangerous."
She turned and left.
Kabuto smiled gently.
"I trained with the medical unit. If we're not in a hurry, I can help stabilize them."
"…Alright."
Tenten stopped.
Kabuto approached, treated Sasuke—and the markings faded.
Only then did Sasuke feel the corrosion Ino mentioned.
But—
This power was intoxicatingly strong.
He said nothing.
Looking at his teammates—
Naruto had fought Orochimaru head-on for him.
Sakura had forfeited the exam to protect him.
At that moment, the Chūnin Exams meant nothing.
Sasuke clenched his fists.
He had made a decision.
Soon after, Anko arrived.
"Sorry I'm late… who forfeited?"
"Our team," Sasuke said.
"Please send my teammates to the medical unit."
"You too," Anko snapped.
She sensed something terrifyingly familiar.
Too similar to her own curse mark.
Orochimaru…
Damn it.
Souma had warned her—and she was still too late.
At least no one had died.
And Sasuke hadn't been branded.
Small losses.
Still—
This year was over for them.
Anko sighed and signaled ANBU to evacuate them.
Before leaving, she praised Shikamaru's group and Tenten.
"You did well. Continue the exam—and be careful."
"Yes!"
As they departed, Anko frowned.
From everything she'd seen—
Orochimaru went through all this… just for Sasuke.
But there was no curse mark.
So what did he use?
A drug?
He traveled all this way—
Just to give Sasuke a curse mark trial version?
What was the point?
Anko realized—
She no longer understood her former teacher at all.
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