The moment the Duel Arena activated, both Minato and Uchiha Haru momentarily froze before resuming their movements. If someone had looked closely at their eyes, they would've noticed their pupils weren't focusing, like they were dazed, simply going through the motions.
As their teacher, Yamanaka Yukio had been closely observing the three students the entire time. The moment he noticed their odd behavior, he instantly recalled Yuki Seisui's Duel Arena.
"They're really not even trying to hide it anymore…" Yukio thought to himself with a sigh as he glanced at the trio. Despite his thoughts, he didn't say anything. Instead, he shared a glance with the other proctor and gave a slight cough to cover up the situation.
A few moments later, Minato blinked back to awareness with a troubled expression. He turned to look at Yuki Seisui, who was seated a little distance away, casting him a resentful glance, but that was all. Immediately afterward, he began frantically scribbling on his exam paper.
Yuki, having finished quickly thanks to his ability, was already done. Haru, on the other hand, was calmly and methodically writing her answers without rush.
From the shadows, Sarutobi Hiruzen observed everything with satisfaction.
This test was meant to assess intelligence-gathering abilities. But with the Duel Arena, Yuki didn't need to strain himself. As long as one team member knew the answers, it was enough.
The written portion of the exam didn't last long. Yuki had finished early, relying entirely on his unique ability. Unlike during Naruto's era, where the written exam was a bluff designed to pass everyone, this was a real test. If you knew the answers, you wrote them. If you didn't, you cheated. And if you couldn't cheat or got caught, you were out.
Yuki spent the second half of the test simply watching others struggle, especially Might Duy, who looked like he was about to lose his mind, scratching his head and writhing like he was possessed. Anyone unaware might've thought he was having a seizure.
The exam took place in the morning. By the afternoon, the results were announced.
Sarutobi stood atop a high platform, flanked by the Kazekage, Tsuchikage, and Raikage. Behind them stood Jonin from the smaller hidden villages who had brought their teams, this panel represented the authority of this Chunin Exam.
In addition, prominent Jonin from Konoha, including Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya, were present, along with the heads of various clans.
Yuki looked at the imposing figures gathered on the high platform and clicked his tongue. "If anyone tried to cause trouble here, they'd probably get beaten until they crapped themselves."
Sarutobi began his speech with the usual phrase: "Where the leaves dance, the fire will never die."
He never seemed to change that line.
Looking down at the crowd, he continued:
"The first stage of the exam is over. But two more remain: Survival in the wild and demonstrating your strength!"
He pointed toward the Forest of Death behind the Leaf Village.
"For the second stage, your objective is to survive and reach the central tower."
"Each team must collect three crests."
"You'll start with one each. The rest you'll have to earn."
At those words, Yuki glanced around at the other examinees. At the same time, young A, Pakura, Rasa, and Kurotsuchi's father, Kitsuchi, were also sizing up the competition.
Yuki's gaze met A's briefly before both turned to observe the rest of the field.
From nearby, a young genin from Grass Village, looking around eighteen or nineteen, muttered to his teammates while eyeing Yuki's trio:
"Let's target those three brats. Should be an easy crest."
"Good idea," one of his teammates said with a twisted grin.
"Aren't they Konoha's 'genius kids'? I'd love to see if their blood looks any different from the rest."
"Keh keh keh…"
But they weren't the only ones eyeing Yuki's team.
"Do they really think they're that special?" Uchiha Haru muttered, feeling the malice directed their way. Even though she wasn't a sensory-type ninja, the hostility was blatant, only a fool wouldn't notice it.
"Just a bunch of morons," Yuki scoffed, casually throwing an arm around her shoulder and turning to Minato.
"Honestly, even Minato, the 'weakest' of us, could wipe them all out."
"Hey! I'm not weak at all!" Minato protested, pulling out his tri-pronged kunai.
"Once I master the Flying Raijin, I'll beat you for sure!"
"Just you wait, Seisui!"
From the crowd, Uchiha Setsuna, Haru's grandfather, saw Yuki casually sling his arm over his precious granddaughter and began grinding his teeth in fury. Next to him, Uchiha Hoka chuckled.
"Setsuna, honestly, they look good together. You really don't need to interfere."
"Hmph!" Setsuna snorted and glanced over at Danzo, who was bandaged and standing nearby.
"That old ghost Danzo is just like that Senju geezer. We Uchiha need to awaken our own Mangekyo Sharingan!"
"You're sure there's no one in the clan who has it?" Hoka asked, eyes narrowed.
"I said there isn't, so there isn't!"
While they bickered, Sarutobi continued from the podium:
"This next test may involve actual death. If any of you wish to withdraw, now is your last chance."
"Otherwise, once you're dead, there's no turning back."
Words like that might've scared the genin from Naruto's era.
But in this post-war generation, where death had become part of daily life, such warnings held little weight for these so-called "geniuses."
"What's the holdup?" Raikage A interrupted impatiently.
"Life or death, it's all fate."
"If you signed up, be prepared to die!"
"Let's begin the test today!"
The short-tempered Raikage was clearly eager to start.
"I agree," Onoki said after glancing at Hiruzen.
"Let's start now."
He looked over at the stoic Third Kazekage.
The Kazekage gave them a blank look. "I don't care."
Sarutobi took it all in stride, not annoyed in the slightest. Instead, he laughed warmly:
"Well, since all three of you agree…"
"Let's begin the second phase of the exam now."
He addressed the examinees:
"Head to the Forest of Death's entrance to collect your crests."
"The exam begins in one hour!"
As he spoke, he glanced at Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, both in charge of logistics. Naturally, these tasks would fall to them.
Koharu and Homura exchanged a look, nodded, and left to make arrangements. Since the exam details had already been set, they were well prepared. Starting early wouldn't be a problem.
Yuki, standing below the platform, frowned when he heard the test was starting immediately. He nudged Uchiha Fugaku, who had somehow snuck up beside them.
"What's going on?" he asked.
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