Chapter 69: Yakushi Kabuto
Seeing Sakura's anxious and worried expression, Naruto also knew there was no need for Sasukeand Rock Lee to continue their entanglement.
Naruto sighed and activated his Adamantine Sealing Chains. Four Chakra Chains condensed behind him, each rushing toward Sasuke and Rock Lee.
Sasuke, being quite familiar with Naruto's Chakra Chains, quickly performed several backflips to dodge them.
"What are you doing?"
"The registration deadline is almost here. Let's go!"
Sasuke glanced at Rock Lee, who was still dodging the Chakra Chains left and right. Feeling unwilling, he had no choice but to follow Naruto and Sakura.
After Naruto retracted two of the Chakra Chains, the other two continued to contend with Rock Lee.
Meanwhile, Naruto led Sakura and Sasuke to Room 301.
Rock Lee also heard Naruto's words. He performed several consecutive backflips, knowing that continuing the entanglement wouldn't be very meaningful.
Using his Kagura Minds Eye, Naruto saw that Rock Lee was no longer persistent, so he retracted the Chakra Chains.
Tenten and Neji walked up to Rock Lee's side. Looking at him, they asked, "Are you okay?"
Rock Lee shook his head and said, "I'm fine! He didn't intend to attack me; he just wanted to force me back."
Neji also watched Naruto's retreating figure as he entered Room 301. With a solemn expression, he said, "He is very strong! You're likely not his match."
Tenten also watched Naruto's back and said, "Who exactly is he? How can he be so strong!"
Rock Lee said stubbornly, "No matter how strong he is, he is my rival."
Neji glanced at Rock Lee and said, "Let's go, it's time for us to register too."
As they walked, Naruto said to Sasuke, "While the Sharingan can see through Genjutsu, Taijutsu, and Ninjutsu, allowing for quick counterattacks or defense, Taijutsu is the most special. Even if you can use the Sharingan to see through a Taijutsu Ninja's movements, your body might not be able to keep up with the opponent's speed. To put it simply, your eyes can keep up, but your body might not. Strong people are divided into the Genius Typeand the Hardworking Type. If you belong to the Genius Type who inherited the Uchiha Clan's traits, then the Rock Lee we just met is the Hardworking Type who relies on constant training. When facing such an opponent, you either need extremely high defense, or use long-range Ninjutsu or long-range attacks to end the battle quickly. Otherwise, you will definitely be the one who loses."
Sasuke looked at Naruto, who hadn't even turned his head. Listening to Naruto's explanation and recalling the battle just now, he had to admit that if it had continued, he might not have been Rock Lee's match.
Hearing that Naruto was willing to guide Sasukeagain, a smile appeared on Sakura's face.
When the three entered Room 301, Kakashi was already waiting.
Seeing the three arrive, Kakashi stared at Sakurafor a good while before saying, "Naruto already made things so clear, yet you still came?"
Sakura looked at Kakashi with low spirits and said, "I know I'm the weakest of the three, but I want to give it one last shot. Even if I die in these Chunin Exams, I'll have no regrets."
"Why bother... forget it! Since you've made your decision, I won't try to persuade you further. Take care of yourself! Go and submit your application forms."
"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei!"
After the three submitted their forms, Kakashi saw them off for the final stretch.
Just before they entered the examination hall, Kakashi said to the three with a smile, "Although the three of you have various flaws, I have to admit... you three are the subordinates I am most proud of! Go on in!"
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura all smiled upon hearing this and entered the examination hall.
The three had entered the hall happily, but seeing the atmosphere inside, the smiles on their faces froze.
Sakura tugged at Naruto's clothes and whispered, "Why do I feel such a murderous aura? And the number of people seems a bit too high!"
"Isn't it normal for there to be a murderous aura? Right now, every squad is a competitor to us, and we are competitors to them as well. Naturally, no one is going to be friendly. As for the numbers... it does seem like a lot!"
Sakura and Sasuke both nodded, saying nothing.
Just as the three were about to find a place to sit, Ino jogged up to Naruto and said, "You guys are way too slow!"
Naruto shrugged and said, "Couldn't be helped! We ran into last year's genius class and wasted some time."
At that moment, Hinata, Shikamaru, and the others also walked over.
Hinata said in a soft, sweet voice, "Naruto-kun, you're here!"
"That's right! Hinata, you guys arrived so early!"
"We also just got here a moment ago."
While they were chatting, an out-of-place voice cut in.
"I suggest you all be a bit quieter. This is probably your first time taking the Chunin Exams, right? And you're fresh graduates from the Ninja Academy, aren't you? Acting like this will easily draw unwanted attention."
Ino felt a bit annoyed by the newcomer's words.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Yakushi Kabuto! Instead of worrying about my name, you'd better look at how much attention you've drawn."
Ino, Sakura, Sasuke, and Shikamaru all looked around.
What they saw startled them. The other examinees were all watching them; even those who weren't staring directly were paying attention to them one way or another.
This made Ino and the others even more nervous. Even Akamaru, perched on Kiba's head, seemed frightened by the gazes of these people.
Yakushi Kabuto said quietly, "Everyone is a bit anxious before the exam. Acting like this can easily cause trouble. I'm only giving you a warning because you're rookies."
Sakura looked at Yakushi Kabuto with some confusion and asked, "Does that mean Senior Kabuto is taking the joint Chunin Exams for the second time?"
"No! This is my seventh time."
Everyone was surprised to hear that Yakushi Kabuto was taking this exam for the seventh time.
Yakushi Kabuto smiled and explained to Narutoand the others, "This exam is held twice a year, and this is my fourth year participating."
"Then Senior Kabuto must know a lot about this exam?"
"Reasonably so!"
"Then it seems you have quite an advantage!"
At that moment, Shikamaru whispered, "Failing the Chunin Exams six times in a row... are they really that hard?"
Yakushi Kabuto shrugged and said, "Taking the Chunin Exams isn't necessarily just about becoming a Chunin."
As he spoke, Yakushi Kabuto pulled out some cards.
"These are Ninja Info Cards I've made. Every year during the exams, I collect information on the examinees."
After saying that, Yakushi Kabuto began to demonstrate the Ninja Info Cards in his hand