Kabuto had easily dodged the Sound ninja's rapid attack. He looked calm, but then his glasses suddenly cracked, and his expression changed as he seemed to realize something.
"What's going on? He dodged every attack, didn't he?" Sasuke muttered, surprised.
Shikamaru squinted. "Maybe the attacks just barely grazed him."
Everyone turned a wary eye on the Sound Village trio. It was clear these three weren't ordinary Genin.
"So, they're using sound-based attacks?" Lee wondered, watching closely. This world has such unique abilities, he thought. Incredible.
Kabuto steadied himself and removed his broken glasses. "Interesting… Sound Village indeed lives up to its name," he muttered.
The hunched Sound ninja grinned, looking at Kabuto with an unsettling glare. "Thanks for the compliment," he sneered, his tone dripping with malice.
Kabuto started to reply, but then he trembled and fell to his knees, clutching his stomach and vomiting.
Naruto was stunned. "Why is he... throwing up?"
"Kabuto-senpai!" Sakura rushed over, clearly worried.
Sasuke and the others looked at the Sound ninjas, now even more cautious. Their attack method was unlike anything they'd seen—unpredictable and unnerving.
"Kabuto, are you okay?" Naruto asked, helping Kabuto back up.
Kabuto gave a weak smile, wiping his forehead. "I'm… fine," he replied shakily, though his face was pale, and he looked exhausted.
Lee watched Kabuto carefully, his suspicion deepening. For someone this strong, Kabuto seemed to be putting on an act. What's he really up to?
The turtle-like Sound ninja sneered. "What's wrong? Can't handle it? Don't worry, Kabuto, you'll get a front-row seat when we make Chūnin!"
Kabuto said nothing, glancing briefly at the trio. Naruto and Sakura helped him steady himself, but they, too, seemed unsettled by the Sound ninja's strange power.
"They're… different," Neji muttered as he stepped beside Lee. "What do you think?"
"They have an unusual style," Lee replied quietly. "Their attacks are easy to dodge, but the sound they create is the real threat."
Sonic techniques were powerful, Lee knew, and difficult to counter. Sion Mun had faced a martial artist who used sound attacks. It had been one of his hardest battles, but he eventually found ways to counter it. Still, for these Genin, the Sound ninjas' abilities were strange and intimidating.
Just then, a loud voice cut through the classroom, drawing everyone's attention.
"Quiet down, all of you!" the voice boomed, carrying an aura that silenced the room instantly. The person who'd spoken had an overwhelming presence, one that couldn't be ignored.
The examiner had arrived.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I'm Morino Ibiki, the chief examiner for the Chūnin selection exam." A tall, imposing man with scars across his face stepped forward, his intense gaze sweeping over the room. No one dared meet his eyes directly.
This is no ordinary Jōnin, Lee thought. His aura is even stronger than I expected.
Ibiki's sharp eyes quickly settled on the Sound ninjas and Kabuto. "Genin from Sound Village," he said coldly, "if you don't behave, you'll be disqualified immediately. Understood?"
The turtle-like Sound ninja bowed slightly, pretending innocence. "Our apologies. We were just excited. It's our first time here."
"Hmph." Ibiki snorted, but continued. "Let me be clear. No fighting is allowed unless permitted by the examiners. And if you do fight, you're not allowed to use deadly force."
With that, Ibiki's gaze swept over the entire class. "Anyone who doesn't follow the rules will be instantly disqualified. Understood?"
The Sound ninja trio backed down, moving aside without another word. Naruto and Sakura helped Kabuto to his seat, both watching Ibiki with caution.
"Now," Ibiki began, "we'll start the first part of the Chūnin exam. After handing in your applications, collect your number tags and take your assigned seats."
As Ibiki gave his instructions, Naruto's face visibly darkened as he heard the next part.
"This will be a written test."
Lee noticed Naruto's immediate reaction, his face twisting in worry. He wasn't the only one; several other Genin also looked uneasy.
Once everyone had settled in their assigned seats, the proctors handed out test papers.
Lee glanced down at his paper and saw a set of questions that seemed almost impossible to answer. I don't recognize any of this, he thought, shaking his head with a wry smile. But he wasn't worried; he knew his physical skills alone could earn him recognition.
Ibiki's voice cut through the silence as he addressed the class. "There are some important rules to this exam. Listen carefully. No questions after I finish explaining."
He continued, "First, each of you starts with a perfect score. The test has ten questions worth one point each. Points will be deducted for every incorrect answer."
Ibiki's gaze was sharp, his tone leaving no room for questions. "Secondly, your team's score is the combined total of all three members.