Chunin Exams Venue
By this time, the venue was already packed with people. Besides ninjas, many ordinary citizens had also come to watch the event.
Ino Yamanaka glanced left and right and couldn't help but sigh. Without Shinho-kun, everything felt so dull and lacking in excitement.
Suddenly, her gaze sharpened as a scene not far away caught her attention.
"Big brother Neji."
Hinata Hyuga gathered her courage and stepped forward, calling out in a small voice.
"What is it, Hinata-sama?" Neji Hyuga looked at her anxious demeanor and couldn't help but frown.
"I... I..." Hinata started to stammer, but she suddenly thought of Shinho-kun. 'Radishes.'
The once-intimidating Neji Hyuga seemed to shrink into nothingness. Her tightly clasped hands gradually loosened as she took a deep breath and said, "I want to talk to you."
Neji Hyuga was somewhat taken aback but quickly snorted coldly. He knew exactly what Hinata Hyuga wanted to discuss—it was the ridiculous idea of unity between the main and branch families. How could that even be possible? From the moment the Caged Bird seal was placed on him, his fate had been sealed, as had the fates of other branch members.
"We have nothing to talk about," Neji Hyuga replied expressionlessly. "Hinata-sama, do not drown in your ideals, because this is reality."
"Big brother Neji..." Hinata Hyuga opened her mouth to respond, but Neji Hyuga didn't give her a chance to speak and turned back to his seat. He had come today to watch the matches.
Hinata watched his retreating back, standing there dumbfounded. If Shinho-kun were here, what would he do? she thought.
"Hinata." A sudden voice made Hinata Hyuga instinctively turn her head. It was Ino Yamanaka waving at her. Alongside her were Sakura Haruno, Choji Akimichi, and Kiba Inuzuka. As for Shikamaru Nara, he was at home, too lazy to move.
A warm feeling filled Hinata Hyuga's heart, sweeping away the earlier gloom. She walked forward and sat down next to Ino Yamanaka.
Outside the Venue
Morino Idate clenched his fists tightly, his face filled with jealousy. "They're all having fun, but what about me? I've got nothing."
"And it's all because of that stupid tenth question!" He muttered, seething with frustration. "What good are teammates anyway?"
Idate took a deep breath. It wasn't over yet.
He recalled what had happened after he had been disqualified from the Chunin Exams because of that damned tenth question. That was when he had appeared before him.
"Idate, do you want power?" Aoi Rokusho, his teacher's face held a kind smile.
"Of course I do!" Morino Idate shouted desperately, his fists clenched in frustration.
Aoi Rokusho smiled.
"There's a Sealing Scroll filled with forbidden techniques and Raijin's Sword, a relic of the Second Hokage. I've marked everything on this map. Go and get it!"
Aoi handed him a scroll.
Morino Idate's heart skipped a beat. "What's the price?" he asked, his voice hesitant. Not caring if the act itself was a crime against Konoha.
"Leaving Konoha." Aoi Rokusho spoke proudly. "Don't worry. I've already contacted the leader of the Hidden Rain Village—Hanzo the Salamander, the one they call the Demi-God."
Hanzo the Salamander! He was that unparalleled powerhouse who could single-handedly defeat Konoha's Sannin! With his help, what could Konoha possibly do?
The thought of this made Idate clutch the scroll tightly, as if he were holding his own future. He wanted power! When he returned, he would slap the faces of those who had looked down on him.
The memory faded, as Idate's resolve hardened. He turned and headed for the Hokage's office. With the Chunin Exams underway, Hiruzen Sarutobi and many high-ranking officials were attending the event. The Hokage building would be at its most vulnerable now.
But breaking in wasn't going to be easy. The ANBU were still around.
Idate made his way to a secluded corner and quickly formed some hand seals. With a loud bang, his body and appearance completely transformed. Now, he looked just like his older brother, Morino Ibiki. Aoi Rokusho had approached him precisely because of his brother.
In the original story, Morino Ibiki had made his first appearance during the Chunin Exams with Naruto and the others. He was the chief examiner for the first test and the captain of Konoha's Torture and Interrogation Force. But now, Ibiki was a member of the ANBU. Thanks to his remarkable abilities, he had earned the trust and admiration of Hiruzen Sarutobi and other high-ranking officials.
Idate, now disguised as his brother, managed to sneak into the Hokage's office without any issues. Following Aoi Rokusho's map, he arrived at a room. At the center of the room lay a sword—more accurately, the hilt of a sword.
"Yes!" Idate smiled to himself, ready to celebrate. Is this the famed security of the Hokage's building? Looks like it wasn't so tough after all! Raijin's Sword will be mine!
Idate stepped forward and picked up the hilt. Next, he had to go to the Hokage's main office to retrieve the Sealing Scroll. It would be more dangerous there, but right now, Idate felt invincible.
He left the room and started heading upstairs.
"Ibiki-senpai?"
A voice suddenly called out, and Idate's body stiffened.
"What is it?" he asked, mimicking his brother's deep, intimidating tone. His fierce expression, combined with the appearance of his brother, made him look quite menacing.
"Ibiki-senpai, didn't you leave with Hokage-sama to attend the Chunin Exams?" the young ninja asked, confusion evident on his face.
"Are you questioning me?" Idate snapped, his face darkening.
"No, no, of course not!" The young ninja waved his hands in panic.
Without another glance, Idate walked into the Hokage's office. He let out a deep sigh of relief before starting his search for the Sealing Scroll.
But as soon as he opened the drawer, something felt wrong.
"A trap!"
Idate knew Hiruzen Sarutobi would undoubtedly notice. Panic surged through Idate. He had to get out of there. The Hokage wouldn't let him off easily. Fear gripped Idate's heart as he fled, heading north toward the meeting point with Aoi Rokusho.
What he didn't realize was that several tiny insects were tracking his every move from above.
Death Forest
Shibi Aburame and Shinho Aburame stood on a tree branch, hidden by the dense canopy. Just then, a shadow swiftly flashed by—it was Morino Ibiki.
"Here," Shibi Aburame said quietly.
Morino Ibiki leapt up and joined them when he saw Shinho standing there, his brow furrowed.
"Shibi-dono," Ibiki said, his face unreadable. "I hope what you have to say is important enough."
Ibiki had risked detection by ANBU to come here, only to find a six-year-old Shinho Aburame.
"Your brother, Idate, has stolen Raijin's Sword from the Hokage building," Shibi Aburame stated flatly.
"What?!" Ibiki's expression darkened, and his eyes narrowed. "That's impossible." Raijin's Sword, a weapon crafted by the Second Hokage, was one of the village's most closely guarded treasures. If it were true, his entire family could face severe consequences for betraying the village.
"You'll see soon enough," Shibi said with a calm smile. Ibiki fell silent, uncertain.
Half an hour later, Aoi Rokusho appeared. Ibiki's unease grew. Aoi was Idate's mentor.
Ibiki's unease grew rapidly as he waited. Sure enough, a few minutes later, Idate came running, panic written all over his face.
"How did it go?" Aoi asked impatiently.
"I only got Raijin's Sword," Idate explained, out of breath. "There was a trap in the Sealing Scroll—I've been discovered."
Aoi's face twisted with frustration. He snatched Raijin's Sword from Idate and bolted.
"Teacher!" Idate shouted in shock, "Wait! I haven't... Brother?!"
Before he could finish his sentence, he froze, his eyes widening in horror as Morino Ibiki descended from the trees to stand in front of him.
Is this an illusion? When did this happen?!
[tl/n: fuck yeah 200 powerstones!! We did it guys!
This is your first bonus chapter, and another one will be out in a minute! therell our regular chapter after that, of course.
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