The day of the Chunin Exams arrived faster than the brothers had anticipated. The streets of Konoha were bustling with shinobi from various villages, each team eager to prove their worth. For Divyansh and Himanshu, the exams were more than just a stepping stone to becoming chunin; they were an opportunity to gauge the strength of their future enemies and make their presence known.
Team 7—consisting of Divyansh, Himanshu, and Sakura—stood before the entrance to the exam building. Kakashi-sensei, their aloof yet wise mentor, had given them a brief pep talk, though it was more about testing their resolve than offering encouragement.
"Remember, the Chunin Exams are more than just a test of skill," Kakashi said, his single visible eye crinkling in amusement. "They're about teamwork, strategy, and understanding your enemy. So don't go rushing in without thinking."
Himanshu and Divyansh exchanged a knowing glance. They had no intention of rushing into anything blindly. They had the advantage of foresight and a deep understanding of how these exams would unfold.
The first phase of the exams was a written test, designed to test not only the participants' knowledge but also their ability to gather information discreetly. The brothers remembered this well—it was all about cheating without getting caught. They each had their own strategy. Himanshu activated his Sharingan subtly, copying the answers from a well-prepared shinobi nearby. Divyansh used his shadow clones to spy on the other contestants' papers and relay the answers back to him.
Sakura, sitting between them, used her natural intelligence to ace the test, unaware of the covert methods her teammates were employing. When the final question was announced, and the room was filled with tension, Himanshu and Divyansh stayed calm. They knew this was a test of resolve, and both confidently chose to stay, unafraid of the consequences. Sakura, seeing their confidence, steeled herself and remained as well.
Ibiki Morino, the proctor, smirked as he announced the true purpose of the final question. The first phase of the exam was a test of will, and those who stayed had already passed. Relief washed over the room as the genin realized they had succeeded.