Chapter 77 77: Orochimaru.

The first stage of the Chunin Exam was less a written test and more a challenge of each candidate's investigative skills. Kaito knew that the content of the test was far beyond the Genin syllabus—these were questions no ordinary Genin could answer. That's why some of the examinees were actually disguised Chunin, planted among the test-takers to provide correct answers through subtle means. Whether one could copy the answers without getting caught was the real test. Anyone caught cheating more than three times would be immediately disqualified. Kaito observed the chaos unfolding around him—Gaara's Sand Eye, Sasuke's Sharingan, Ino's Mind Transfer Jutsu... it was like watching a parade of shinobi talents. Each team had its own methods, its own flair. Kaito watched with mild interest. Knowing how things would play out, he intended to submit a blank paper—just like Naruto. Because the real test wasn't the questions. It was the final one—the tenth question. After an hour passed, the exam neared its end. That's when Ibiki Morino, the exam proctor, made his move. "Before I give you the tenth question," Ibiki said, "I want you to choose not to take it." Gasps echoed across the room. The tension skyrocketed. If they attempted the question and answered incorrectly, they'd be permanently banned from ever becoming a Chunin—not just them, but their teammates too. If they chose not to take it, they'd simply fail the exam on the spot. Again, along with their teammates. The pressure was immense. For many candidates, this was the hardest decision they'd ever faced. But Kaito remained calm. He understood Ibiki's game. As head of the ANBU Interrogation Division, Ibiki specialized in psychological warfare. This tenth question wasn't a test of knowledge—it was a test of will. His intimidating demeanor, cold eyes, and overwhelming presence created a psychological storm inside the room. One by one, some of the weaker-willed candidates began to withdraw. And just like in the original story, Naruto suddenly stood and shouted defiantly at Ibiki—igniting the spirit of everyone else in the room. Ibiki, eyes narrowed in approval, waited until silence returned. "Very well," he said. "Since no one chose to withdraw, I hereby announce—you've all passed the first stage of the Chunin Exam." A rare smile tugged at the edges of his scarred face. He then explained: the first nine questions tested their information-gathering abilities. The tenth was a psychological trial. Just as his explanation ended, the glass windows shattered with a dramatic crash. A woman leapt into the room with dramatic flair, dragging a large black cloth behind her. "I'm the proctor for the second stage of the Chunin Exam!" she yelled enthusiastically. "Follow me, brats!" It was Mitarashi Anko, loud and unfiltered, very much like Naruto in temperament. The room went silent in awkward confusion. Anko blinked, looking around. "Huh? Seventy-nine people? Twenty-six teams? Ibiki, were you holding back?" "Don't blame me," Ibiki said, shrugging. "If you want fewer people, eliminate more in the second stage." With that, Anko gave a brief explanation of the next location and vanished just as quickly as she'd arrived. Once everyone left, Ibiki began collecting test papers. Upon seeing two blank ones, he chuckled. "Uzumaki Naruto and Ayanami Kaito... what a strange pair." Naruto, he could understand—he probably didn't even realize it was a trick test. But Kaito? Ibiki's gaze sharpened. Had he seen through everything from the start? As expected from Tsunade's student... the one who took down Root. His strength and insight weren't something common shinobi could match. --- The Next Morning Kaito grabbed a quick bite to eat, then used the same technique from yesterday to bring the two girls—Ino and Hinata—into the forest. This was the location for stage two of the Chunin Exams—the Forest of Death. As they arrived, a crowd of Genin had already gathered near the entrance. Many of them were from foreign villages. Kaito led his team to a quiet corner and sat down. His eyes scanned the crowd, zeroing in on the Genin from the Hidden Sound Village. He remembered that Orochimaru would disguise himself as one of them. And sure enough, as if sensing Kaito's gaze, a pair of eyes locked onto his from across the crowd. A faint smirk curled on Kaito's lips. He had found him. A boy with delicate features and dark skin stood not far away, meeting Kaito's gaze with a smile and a subtle nod. Kaito narrowed his eyes. 'Orochimaru... you showed up after all. Just don't lay a finger on Ino or Hinata. Or I'll turn you into a dead snake.' After the encounter, Kaito returned to waiting alongside the two girls. Not long after, the rest of the Konoha rookies arrived—Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, and the others. After some small talk, Anko finally arrived, munching on dango like always. She announced the rules of the second exam, handed out the Heaven and Earth Scrolls, and officially began the second stage. Immediately, a sense of urgency spread across the Genin. When the gates opened, everyone rushed into the forest. The weak sought hiding spots. The strong moved with confidence, hunting for scrolls. Soon enough, it was Kaito's team's turn. He watched Orochimaru enter the forest in his Genin disguise. Kaito quickly gave a few words of advice to Naruto's group, then sprinted toward Ino and Hinata's location using sensory techniques. He wasn't worried about Naruto or the others. He knew how things played out—they'd get injured, sure, but they'd survive. After all, not everyone had plot armor. Just as that thought crossed his mind, a figure appeared in his path. Kaito stopped and frowned. "Seriously? Of all people... Why'd I run into him? Shouldn't he be after Sasuke right now?" --- Support me by becoming patrons, or Join to get access to chapters in advance. 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