Fujin didn't say anything and just nodded. As Naruto began regulating his chakra and flowing it through his network, the Eight Trigrams Divination Seal appeared on his abdomen. Soon, the Five Elements Seal appeared surrounding it.
Naruto kept looking at Fujin and asked, "By the way, how strong is that snake lady? Was she difficult to defeat?"
Fujin replied, "Very strong. I might not have won if we were fighting in a neutral territory. Anyway, don't move and brace yourself."
Naruto watched as the fingertips of Fujin's right hand began glowing. Before he could ask what it was, Fujin slammed his hand into his abdomen and hit the seal Orochimaru had placed on Naruto.
'Five Elements Unseal'
Naruto immediately collapsed to the ground and asked in annoyance, "What the hell was that?"
Fujin chuckled and said, "Told you to brace yourself. Now stop being a crybaby and regulate your chakra once again."
Naruto complained, "Crybaby my ass! At least tell me what you are doin… Huh? My chakra is flowing very smoothly! What's going on?"
Fujin said, "I have removed the seal that the snake lady put on you. In the next round, you will have to fight again. With this, you'll be able to fight at your best. Now run along. The next round should be starting soon. You might get disqualified if you're late."
Naruto immediately panicked and rushed to the location where the Genins were gathered after Fujin informed him about it. Alone in the room, he asked, "Were there any complications?"
Out of thin air, Hiruzen's clone appeared in the room and said, "No. You were correct. Orochimaru didn't interfere with the Eight Trigrams Divination Seal and only applied the Five Elements Seal to cut off the connection between the seal and Naruto's remaining chakra network. It would have been complicated if he had interfered with the seal."
Fujin nodded but wasn't really worried. Not only did he already know that Orochimaru wouldn't mess with the seal, but he also knew about the arrangements Minato left in that seal. So there wasn't any danger of Kyubi breaking loose.
Hiruzen's clone said, "You did good work. Go join the others. The fights might be entertaining."
Fujin chuckled and replied, "True. The Genins participating aren't ordinary by any means. Did you catch any trail of Orochimaru?"
Hiruzen's clone shook his head and said, "No. It's as if he has withdrawn from the village. Though knowing him, he's probably hiding somewhere to make a move. Be careful after this round is over. He might try to assassinate you."
Fujin nodded and replied, "Don't worry. I'm always on my guard."
He muttered softly, "It might be interesting if he attacks my house. Even though I have applied a lot of seals, I've never tested it."
Hiruzen's clone's eyes twitched on hearing his words. He thought, 'Even though Orochimaru is reckless, he isn't that reckless to attack that messed up house. Heck, even at my peak, I wouldn't attack that house!
The seals on his house are so dense that if I try to observe the seals, I am not even able to see the outer walls with my naked eyes. As for looking through the walls, it has long entered the realms of impossibility. I can't even find the seals that are responsible for defense!'
Hiruzen almost wanted to ask Fujin to inscribe seals on the village walls. However, he concluded that he loved his kidneys more and decided against it. Of course, the main reason was that no one would be able to make sense of the seals in Fujin's absence.
Hiruzen's clone said, "That might be interesting though I don't think he would. Anyway, meet up with others."
He dispelled himself. Fujin chuckled and disappeared as well. The Genins had all been gathered and all the Jounin sensei, examiners and proctors were present as well, one of whom caught Fujin's eye.
Fujin glanced at Orochimaru and thought, 'Hmm, he still dared to show up? No. His chakra is rather low. Though he could have hidden it, he's most likely a Shadow Clone. Even if he is the main body, there isn't any benefit in exposing and fighting him here…'
Kakashi noticed Fujin's gaze and asked softly, "Is something the matter?"
Fujin replied softly, "Something about the Oto Jounin feels off, though I can't put a finger on what it exactly is."
Kakashi was surprised. He looked at Orochimaru and said in the same soft voice, "Without any proof, acting here will cause some diplomatic issues. We'll keep an eye on him after the exam is over."
Fujin nodded. Orochimaru felt their gaze and looked at them but neither Fujin nor Kakashi reacted. He thought, 'Interesting… My disguise is good enough that even sensei didn't recognize me and yet he is looking at me suspiciously. Did his instincts warn him about me?'
Anko took over Fujin's role and started speaking. After her, Hiruzen explained to the Genins the significance of the Chunin Exams and why they should do their best to earn glory for their respective villages.
After a long speech, Hayate took over after him and informed them that a Preliminary round would be conducted to select the Genins who'd participate in the final round. He asked who would like to quit before the preliminaries began.
As in the original story, Kabuto raised his hand. However, there was one particular difference. Unlike in the original story, he didn't heal himself after reaching the tower. His injuries made him appear in a terrible shape and hence no one suspected him for withdrawing.
Hayate explained how the matchups would be decided and started the electronic scoreboard. The first matchup was Uchiha Sasuke Vs Akado Yoroi.
As the Genins dispersed to give the two of them space, Kakashi walked behind Sasuke and warned him to not use the Sharingan. He informed him that the match would be suspended if the curse seal began spreading.
Leaning against the wall, Fujin thought, 'It's been such a long time… To think that I'd enter this world and be witnessing these battles in person…'
He glanced at all the Genins and thought, 'Then again, not much should change. I have only had a major impact on Naruto and his teammates. Other than them, I should have very minor effects on Guy's students and Gaara. The results of these battles shouldn't be too different.
Sasuke should have it a bit easier in this battle since his physique is much stronger due to Kakashi's torture. Though he might still need to copy Lee's technique. After all, fighting without using Sharingan and Chakra without any prior training isn't easy…'
As Fujin expected, Sasuke struggled initially due to Yoroi's chakra absorbing technique. However, he was able to knock him out easily after he used Lee's technique.
Seeing Yoroi lying on the ground, Fujin thought, 'I nearly forgot about this guy's technique. Absorbing chakra… That is a rather handy technique. Though he is far inferior to Nagato and Kisame in this regard.'
Fujin thought for a bit. A smile appeared on his face as he decided, 'I want that technique!'
Yoroi, who was lying unconscious, had no idea the calamity he attracted due to his unique skill! If he did, he would regret trying to use that platform to make an impression on Orochimaru.
The next couple of battles didn't have any surprises as Shino and Kankuro won their respective battles with relative ease. It was the fourth match, perhaps the most boring fight in the entire Chunin Exams, which attracted Fujin's attention.
There was one major change. Be it Taijutsu or chakra control, Sakura had a decisive advantage over Ino. Unlike the original story where they fought equally for over 10 minutes, Ino's situation became bad in just a couple of minutes.
Fujin looked at the two girls and thought, 'As I expected… Ino hasn't begun training seriously yet. Unlike her, Sakura has been trying to chase after Naruto and Sasuke. Though unsuccessful, it is a good motivator. Of course, the main reason for this change is Kakashi putting her through hell due to Naruto following my advice.'
Fujin wasn't too surprised by this change. What surprised him was when Sakura resisted Ino's Mind Transfer jutsu! Fujin's eyes began glowing as he concentrated chakra in them and observed Sakura.
He realized, 'So that's how it is. No wonder Tsunade accepted her as her student so easily. This girl… Not only is her chakra control good, but she is also a natural at Yin and Yang Release! That's the three most crucial basics for any Medical Ninja!
It is only due to her talent at Yin and Yang release that she could resist and overcome her Mind Transfer jutsu. Of course, the main reason is that Ino isn't strong enough!'
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