"If you want to thank us, no need," Satoru said.
"Since we both have scrolls, no need to fight to the blood. Konoha ninjas should be friendly and help each other more, don't you think?" Satoru asked.
Hyuga Seika shook her head:
"You're right, but I still prefer acting alone. No matter what, you're still an enemy of my Hyuga clan."
"Enemy? Come on? I just taught a Hyuga brat a lesson as a kid—don't morally pressure me like that," Satoru shook his head, surprised by Hyuga Seika's logic.
In the end, Hyuga Seika decided to go alone. She apparently didn't want to team up with Satoru.
Satoru didn't dwell on this kunoichi either.
"We should go too. Time to enter the Central Tower is limited," With that, Satoru rushed to the Central Tower with Minato and Yoshime.
This time, they met no enemies. There weren't that many chunin exam participants, and if they were all disguised jonin, it'd be too exaggerated.
Over these few days, Satoru had grown accustomed to this marching life. Seeing enough time had passed, he told his teammates:
"We've got the scroll. Near the Central Tower, there must be plenty of ninjas without one. They're ambushing 'newbies' like us."
"No need to tangle with them. We just need to reach the Central Tower at max speed. But if anyone tries to stop us, we'll make them feel our power," Satoru said.
"Doesn't that contradict itself?" Yoshime couldn't help asking.
"Byakugan!" Satoru thought silently, then informed Minato and Yoshime of the situation around the Central Tower.
"About three groups here, blocking paths to the Central Tower from different directions."
"I think they haven't spotted us yet, so we can use Shadow Clones," Satoru then outlined his plan. Minato and Yoshime gave thumbs up.
The trio then used Shadow Clones. Using them, they entered the enemies' view to draw attention, ultimately drawing the three blocking ninja groups together.
The three sides, meeting, naturally erupted into fierce combat.
Seizing the moment, Satoru said:
"Faster! While they fight like dogs! Let's go in!"
"Got it!" Yoshime and Minato nodded and rushed into the Central Tower at max speed with Satoru.
Once inside, Satoru felt his body and mind relax. In the ninja world, constant tension and high alertness were exhausting.
Meanwhile, Teacher Ikkaku was waiting for Satoru's team.
"Principal Ikkaku, didn't expect you here," Satoru was very surprised.
"Yes, I'm in charge of receiving you three. As expected, you made it safely! You didn't disappoint me."
"By the way, got the scroll?" Teacher Ikkaku asked.
"Here," Satoru handed it over. Ikkaku opened it immediately, and the four were instantly teleported to the next exam stage platform.
"What's this scroll's function?" Satoru was curious too.
"It teleports the opener and those nearby here. Open it without a proctor, and you're sent to the second stage chief examiner—exam failed."
"You three are great. You're the third group to pass via normal exam," Teacher Ikkaku's words surprised Satoru. His team had traveled daily; he hadn't expected not to be first.
"One group entered earlier and luckily got a scroll, so they rushed straight here. Incredibly lucky."
"The other... passed with overwhelming power! You three must've noticed them."
"Since exam time hasn't ended, more qualifiers should arrive. Rest in the common lounge until then," After Teacher Ikkaku's instructions, Satoru, Minato, and Yoshime finally relaxed fully. In the lounge, they quickly restored physical and mental energy.
Satoru even brought handmade cards and played with his teammates out of boredom.
"I wonder if that girl Hyuga Seika passed?" Satoru asked.
"No idea. No teammates—must be dangerous for her," Yoshime said.
"With Byakugan, she should avoid dangers. But solo strain is higher, and there's another stage ahead," Minato said.
The three passed time together. Bored, Satoru began practicing Observation Haki.
Unknown how much time had passed, but the trio received a notification from teacher Ikkaku that the competition time was up, and they needed to appear at the arena for the assembly.
Arriving there, Satoru discovered that his teacher, that is, the Third Hokage, was already standing there in all his grandeur.
Before him stood the participants who had passed the previous stage of the competitions. Among them, Satoru noticed one group whose members were very strong.
"If I'm not mistaken, these three are that very team that arrived before us," Satoru thought, then scanned the crowd with his eyes and quickly found that girl, Hyuga Seika.
"This girl is a bit short on chakra. Did she overuse Byakugan?"
Before Satoru could continue his observations, the Third began explaining the task for the next stage of the competitions.
"You passed the previous ninja survival exam, congratulations. However, next we will hold one-on-one battles.
"We will randomly pair you up. In the end, a winner will be determined. The winner will become a Chunin. Of course, those who perform the best will also become Chunin," the Third Hokage said. "The Daimyo and important officials have already arrived and taken their seats. They are all looking forward to your performances. I hope you will show your strongest side, not only for yourselves, but also for your villages."
Satoru knew that at this stage, selecting Chunin was not the main point. The most important thing was to demonstrate the strength of their countries and secure mission orders.
However, if he could become the winner or demonstrate judgment and tactics at the Chunin level, he would naturally become a Chunin.
Moreover, this match was a direct showdown, not a qualifying round. In other words, once this stage was over, the competitions would end!
And Satoru immediately set himself a small goal! To come first! To win a minor champion title! So that his genius name would become even more famous!
However, he wasn't thinking this way because he was a selfish person craving fame and profit.
Satoru was paving the way for his future! Of course, and for rewards from the System!
After all, only by becoming stronger could he do what he wanted.