The trio walked through the bustling streets of Konoha, tension thick in the air with the Chūnin Exams looming. Sasuke glanced sideways.
"Let me hear from our strategist—Haruto. What should we do in the exams?"
Haruto gave a lazy shrug, then put on an exaggerated thinking pose. "Well, as Kakashi-sensei said, we're not just representing ourselves—we're carrying Konoha's pride on our backs. That alone makes us targets."
He smirked. "Although we don't know everyone's exact strength, I can make some pretty solid guesses… using my sensory abilities. And… let's just say I have other sources too."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow but chose not to press further. Naruto tilted his head, clearly curious.
"The first test is a written exam," Haruto continued. "The questions? Mehh. But that's not the point. The real test is how you get the answers without getting caught. It's about keeping cool under pressure."
Naruto blinked. "Then why'd you say it's easy for me?"
Haruto gave him a sly grin. "Because, believe it or not… you don't need to answer a single question to pass."
Naruto scratched his head. "Eh?"
Haruto turned serious. "Second stage is the Forest of Death. Survival trial. We reach a central tower in five days, carrying both Heaven and Earth scrolls. Expect traps, ambushes, maybe even a few corpses."
Sasuke nodded. "And the third?"
"A one-on-one elimination tournament," Haruto said. "The big leagues. Only the best make it through. Don't hold back."
As they rounded a corner into an alleyway, they stumbled upon two people harassing an Amegakure Genin. The girl had sandy blonde hair tied into four thick pigtails, a sleeveless purple kimono top, and a large fan strapped to her back. The boy beside her wore a full-body black suit with face paint and carried a wrapped marionette on his back.
Haruto's eyes gleamed. 'Kankurō and...yo... she's a baddie.' His gaze instinctively dipped toward Temari's hips. 'Thick with a capital T.'
Kankurō noticed the trio and sneered. "Who are you supposed to be?"
Naruto boldly stepped forward. "I'm Naruto Uzu—"
"Not you. Him." Kankurō pointed at Sasuke.
Naruto clicked his tongue and stepped back. Sasuke stared coldly. "Introduce yourself first."
A chilling voice interrupted them. "Leave them alone, Kankurō."
Sand shifted beside them as a boy with red hair and emotionless turquoise eyes descended from a nearby tree, guided by a cushion of sand.
"I'm Gaara. He's my brother, Kankurō. She's our sister, Temari."
Sasuke nodded. "Sasuke Uchiha. That's Haruto Uzumaki. And the loud one's his twin—Naruto Uzumaki."
Temari blinked. "You're twins? He's blonde, and he's got red hair...?"
Haruto looked at Sasuke, who simply stared ahead.
"I don't have time to explain biology. Excuse yourself."
Kankurō scowled, a vein twitching in his forehead. "You're telling us to leave?!"
Haruto picked at his ear. "Take a chill pill, clown. I'm standing right here."
He narrowed his eyes. "And I won't repeat myself."
"You little—!"
"Kankurō," Gaara interrupted. "Enough. We'll see if your skill matches your arrogance in the exams. Hopefully… you won't disappoint."
Without another word, the Sand Siblings turned and left, their presence lingering like a cold wind.
Sasuke crossed his arms. "Your confidence is... concerning."
"Yeah!" Naruto laughed. "But that was awesome!"
Haruto smiled. "How about BBQ? My treat."
---
Later, at the BBQ restaurant…
The trio feasted joyfully, the tension melting for a while under the smoky aroma of grilled meat.
---
Chūnin Exam Day
The trio stood before the tall stone structure—the Chūnin Exam Registration Hall.
As they entered and walked up the steps, they encountered two disguised Chūnin pretending to be Genin at the third floor, guarding Room 301. But all three saw through the genjutsu immediately and walked past them without breaking stride.
The fake guards exchanged puzzled glances. "They just… ignored it?"
On the fourth floor, Sasuke opened the real Room 301. The atmosphere inside was heavy with pressure. Genin from all over the continent were gathered, sizing each other up like wolves in a cage.
"Yo," Haruto said, casually waving at Ino, Shikamaru, and Chōji.
"Haruto," Ino grinned. "How's your prep?"
"Flawless," he replied.
"Well, he is Haruto," Ino giggled.
Sasuke frowned. "This glare is… annoying."
Haruto's eyes swept the room. Bloodlust hung in the air like smoke. Several Genin were clearly trying to intimidate them. Haruto released a brief wave of killing intent—sharp and cold. The pressure vanished instantly.
Sasuke nodded. Haruto nodded back.
"Sometimes," Haruto said, "they just can't see Mount Tai."
Ino tilted her head. "Mount Tai?"
"Don't worry about it."
Soon, a tall man with a scar across his face stepped forward—it was Ibiki Morino, the proctor.
He explained the rules with an intimidating tone, emphasizing the pressure and consequences of failure.
Everyone took their seats. The written exam was about to begin.
Haruto winked at Naruto. Naruto winked back. Sasuke activated his Sharingan.
Haruto slouched in his seat, head tilted low. His eyes were hidden behind his bangs.
Even if I knew the answers, why not have some fun cheating?
But as he glanced at the first question… he blinked.
'5 + 7'?
He shook his head and scribbled.
Q1: 5 + 7 = 12
Q2: 5 × 10 = 50
Q3: Who is the Second Hokage and his brother?
A: Tobirama Senju, brother of Hashirama Senju, founder and First Hokage of Konoha.
Question after question flowed by until—
Q9: In a fight between Tobirama Senju and Uchiha Madara, who would win?
Haruto stared at the paper blankly. 'Tobirama beating Madara? Yeah… in dreams maybe.'
He snorted and scribbled down:
A: Madara Uchiha. Obviously.
---
Time passed.
Ibiki stood at the front of the room, gaze sharp.
"Now—are you all ready for the 10th question?" he asked, voice lowering.
"Remember: if you choose to not answer… your entire team fails. If you answer wrong… you'll all be sent back to Genin. Forever."
The room fell deathly quiet.
For once, Naruto didn't stand up with a speech. Instead, he leaned back, arms behind his head, watching with a grin as the room's tension exploded.
Whispers. Sweat. Despair.
Haruto smiled faintly. 'Let's see who cracks
I'm just uploading all I've saved because my whole screen just turned green now
I'll do a mass release after my phone's fixed