Uchiha Tenizumi's Sharingan eyes narrowed as Uchiha Fenghuo appeared.
What does this guy want?
Kakashi and the other hidden ninjas watching from the shadows shared the same suspicion. Yet, all remained still, silently observing in tacit understanding.
Fenghuo's shadow clone lingered for a long moment, realizing these hidden ninjas were determined to play their "Ninja Turtles" game to the bitter end. A cunning idea formed in his mind. Without hesitation, he turned and strode directly toward the central tower.
"Nani? He's just walking right in?"
"Wait, that's not a clone, is it?"
"Is he the first one to enter?"
"Damn it, there's no intel on this at all!"
Uchiha Tenizumi activated his Sharingan for the first time and scanned the chakra signature of the approaching figure — only to grow more puzzled.
Nearby, behind a tree where Kakashi was concealed, a small puppy suddenly scampered over.
"Parker, what do you see?"
"Clear. No ninjas inside the tower."
The little dog, dressed in dark blue with a Konoha forehead protector on his head, was one of Kakashi's ninken.
"I see, thanks Parker."
Before anyone could respond, a puff of smoke enveloped Parker — and the puppy disappeared.
From behind the tree, Kakashi's visible eye narrowed as he watched the figure sealing the fire walk calmly into the tower, frowning slightly.
"A shadow clone? Or just gambling on luck?"
If it was luck, the next person to follow might pass the exam, but if it was a clone...
Inside the central tower, Orochimaru stood with several Chunin examiners, all watching Fenghuo's entrance. Xiemei sneered knowingly.
One examiner called out sharply, "Uchiha Fenghuo, do you realize you're the first to enter?"
Fenghuo smiled casually, "I don't know."
"You're the first, so you..."
"Wait," Orochimaru interrupted with a chuckle, "If you can't even detect a shadow clone, that would be neglecting your duty as an examiner."
"What? That was a shadow clone?" The examiner blinked in surprise.
Fenghuo glanced around the room — no one else was present. He muttered under his breath, These 'Ninja Turtles' outside must be crazy.
"Examiners, do you mind if I stay?" Fenghuo asked.
"Of course not," Orochimaru replied coolly, his gaze unsettling Fenghuo.
Time passed slowly, and even late into the night, no one else entered the tower. Fenghuo's shadow clone checked the time — only half an hour left in the exam.
"Damn it, these turtles won't wait until the last second, will they?"
Finally, a figure slowly approached the central tower door, emerging from darkness into the light.
Without hesitation, Fenghuo rushed forward.
"Whirlwind of Leaves!"
Caught off guard, the figure was kicked hard in the side of the face, then vanished in a puff of smoke.
"Disgusting and shameless, using a clone to test me!" Fenghuo snarled.
"Hey, kid, don't forget—you're also a shadow clone." Orochimaru's playful voice echoed from behind.
Startled, Fenghuo leapt aside and turned around—but Orochimaru stood still in the distance, unmoving.
Strange.
Outside the tower, tension grew among the waiting ninjas.
"Time's almost up!"
Uchiha Tianquan summoned a shadow clone. "I'll enter the tower to check if Fenghuo's real body is inside."
"Leave it to me."
Footsteps echoed rhythmically, growing louder.
Fenghuo gripped two spiral-shaped pills in his hands.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed as he watched closely.
No seals, no overt chakra flow... Huh. Developing new ninjutsu—interesting.
Suddenly, footsteps halted before the tower door as a light shone on the approaching figure's feet. The figure stepped forward fully into the light—face revealed.
"Uchiha Tenzen?!"
Fenghuo's muscles tensed. Without a word, he swung the two pills at Tenzen's face with full force.
"Uchiha Seals the Fire! That's no way to treat the clan!"
Tenzen's body reacted swiftly; he dodged with fluid agility, formed a hand seal, and launched a fireball.
"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
Fenghuo immediately countered with his own hand seal.
Boom!
The fireball exploded inside the tower, flames bursting through the doors and windows, illuminating half a mile around.
"Master Orochimaru, are we just going to watch this?" one Chunin examiner muttered, annoyed by the arrogance of these genin.
"Heh, this is exactly why it's exciting. Let's watch closely." Orochimaru sneered.
Orochimaru's rank as one of Konoha's Sannin gave him unquestioned authority, silencing any dissent.
Boom!
The heat inside the tower surged as the two Uchiha unleashed fire jutsu repeatedly. The Chunin examiners reinforced the tower's defenses with earth dungeons to prevent destruction by the fierce battle.
Fenghuo and Tenzen stood on opposite sides, coldly sizing each other up.
Suddenly, running footsteps sounded outside.
"It doesn't matter if I get in or not — time's almost up!" a ninja shouted desperately.
"Whether I pass or fail depends on luck!"
"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bomb!"
"Fire Style: Phoenix Immortal Fire Art!"
Both Fenghuo and Tenzen simultaneously launched massive fire attacks.
Boom!
The waves of flame surged through the tower gates, engulfing the approaching figure.
Boom!
The ninja exploded into smoke—just a doppelgänger again.
The shadow clone of Fenghuo sneered, So shameless.
Across from him, Tenzen frowned, still unable to tell if the Fenghuo in front of him was real or a clone.
"Five minutes left!" Orochimaru's cold voice echoed inside and outside the tower.
Ninjas outside grew anxious; if the delay continued, the exam would end.
"Master Orochimaru, do you think something will happen?" a Chunin examiner asked nervously.
"Accidents? They happen all the time." Orochimaru stuck out his tongue, beginning to wash his face.
Meanwhile, outside the tower, Kakashi approached a nervous ninja lurking in the darkness.
"You're the one!"
Kakashi drew the dagger on his back and charged forward.
"Who?!"
The startled Genin yanked a kunai and threw it without looking back, dodging left.
Kakashi blocked the kunai with his blade and slashed fiercely.
Boom!
Inside the tower, the battle grew fiercer, fire waves baking the cracked floor tiles.
Both fighters' chakra reserves were dangerously low.
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