Haruno Sakura froze in shock as she caught sight of Ino's flirtatious behavior with Naruto. Without hesitation, she pulled Ino back and scolded angrily, "Ino, stop embarrassing Naruto like this!"
Unbothered, Ino smirked at Sakura with a mocking gaze, fueling Sakura's rising frustration. The tension between the two threatened to explode into a full-blown argument, but Naruto didn't stick around to mediate. Instead, he turned his attention to Hinata, who stood nearby, engaging her in conversation.
As the commotion attracted more attention, their former classmates gathered around, chatting and catching up. However, the noise quickly drew the attention of others in the exam hall.
From the shadows, Yakushi Kabuto emerged and chided, "Keep it down, will you? Take a look around."
The group fell silent and glanced around, only to realize that many of the other examinees were glaring at them with hostile expressions.
Kabuto explained, "Everyone here is on edge with the exams coming up. You really don't want to provoke anyone unnecessarily."
Haruno Sakura shrank behind Naruto nervously. "He's right. Their stares are terrifying," she whispered, trembling slightly.
Naruto sighed at Sakura's overly dramatic display and pulled her from behind him. "Stop making a scene."
"Yes, Naruto-kun," Sakura replied shyly, flipping her hair with feigned coyness. She threw a triumphant look at Ino, who could only grit her teeth in frustration.
Meanwhile, Temari observed the scene with growing curiosity. She eyed Naruto, muttering to herself, "He might be a bit of a playboy, but he's not bad-looking… certainly better than anyone in our village." Her gaze drifted to her brother, Kankuro, who suddenly shivered as though sensing her unspoken criticism.
Among the Konoha group, Uchiha Sasuke seemed particularly intrigued by Kabuto. He stepped forward and asked, "Who are you?"
Adjusting his glasses with a confident smirk, Kabuto replied, "Yakushi Kabuto. I've taken the Chūnin exams several times before."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "So you must have a lot of experience."
Kabuto nodded. "You could say that. I've also gathered information on all the participants over the years, stored in over two hundred ninja cards."
Curious, Inuzuka Kiba asked, "What are ninja cards?"
"They're cards that contain detailed data about other ninjas," Kabuto explained. "It's taken me four years to collect this much information."
Sasuke's interest piqued. "Do you have data on everyone here?"
Kabuto smiled. "Of course. If there's anyone you want to know about, just ask."
Without hesitation, Sasuke said, "Hyuga Neji."
Kabuto swiftly retrieved Neji's card, infused it with chakra, and read the details aloud. "Hyuga Neji, a prodigy from the Hyuga clan and part of Might Guy's team. He graduated a year earlier and possesses exceptional Byakugan abilities. His insight is terrifying, and though his ninjutsu is slightly weaker, he remains an exceptionally strong contender—easily among the top five candidates this year."
Sasuke's expression remained stoic as he digested the information. "No wonder he's so confident," he remarked, his gaze shifting to Neji, who had joined the group alongside Lee and Tenten.
Neji smirked and retorted, "The Uchiha clan certainly lives up to its reputation for arrogance, but your strength isn't what concerns me."
Kabuto's glasses glinted as he observed the tension between the two prodigies. Both Sasuke and Neji were exceptionally skilled, and he couldn't help but wonder how a clash between them might unfold.
Kabuto addressed Neji, "Is there someone else you're curious about?"
"Yes," Neji replied. "The ninja with the word 'love' on his forehead."
Kabuto sifted through his cards before pulling out one for Gaara. His expression grew serious. "This Gaara is extraordinary. Like you, Neji, he's completed B-rank missions. The difference is that he's never returned with so much as a scratch."
This revelation sent murmurs through the Konoha group. A Genin who completed B-rank missions unscathed? Gaara's strength was clearly no joke.
Still intrigued, Lee turned his attention to Sasuke. "What about Uchiha Sasuke? Do you have information on him?"
Kabuto, ever willing to share, revealed Sasuke's card. "Sasuke is arguably one of the most terrifying newcomers. Despite only completing one mission, it was an A-rank assignment. During that mission, he singlehandedly faced three skilled swordsmen from the Hidden Mist Village—all defected Chūnin."
Kabuto paused for effect before continuing, "Not only did Sasuke emerge victorious, but he eliminated all three opponents. Keep in mind that the Mist Village is renowned for its mastery of swordsmanship."
The gathered crowd grew restless as they digested the implications of Sasuke's feats. Kabuto added, "Sasuke's Sharingan only enhances his already formidable abilities. If Gaara is a Genin with no apparent weaknesses, then Sasuke is a Genin without any flaws."
Overhearing this, Lee clenched his fists with determination. "Excellent! My new goal is to defeat Sasuke!"
Around the room, murmurs of awe and fear spread among the other candidates.
"Three Chūnin… and he beat them all? That's insane!"
"Why is someone like him even taking the Chūnin exam?"
"He should already be promoted to Chūnin!"
But Kabuto wasn't finished. Smirking, he said, "While Sasuke is impressive, if I had to rank the newcomers, he'd only be in second place."
The room fell silent. If Sasuke wasn't the strongest, then who was?
The question lingered in the air, leaving everyone unsettled as they wondered just who could surpass someone as powerful as Uchiha Sasuke.
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