The room wasn't as tense as it should've been.
Normally, there would be waves of killing intent aimed at newcomers, attempts to intimidate and shake their confidence. But this time, it was different. Naruto's earlier display had done something to the atmosphere. It wasn't just the way he projected killing intent—it was the way he simply existed in the room. The way his glowing sapphire eyes flickered like a predator watching from the shadows.
No one wanted to test him.
So instead of hostility, there was quiet curiosity. A few wary glances. Some whispered conversations. But for the most part, things were... weirdly casual.
Naruto, of course, didn't care. He wasn't interested in pointless staring contests. Instead, he followed Sasuke and Sakura deeper into the room, navigating through the clusters of genin from different villages.
It didn't take long before they found familiar faces.
A bunch of rookies from Konoha had gathered in one spot, talking amongst themselves.
Shikamaru looked bored out of his mind, leaning against a wall. Ino was chatting loudly with Choji, who was munching on a bag of chips. Kiba had his arms crossed, Akamaru perched comfortably on his head. Hinata stood quietly near Shino, glancing around nervously.
The moment they noticed Team Seven approaching, the conversation shifted.
"Well, well, if it isn't the losers," Kiba grinned. "Took you guys long enough."
Sakura rolled her eyes. "We got here at the same time as you."
Kiba ignored her, eyes immediately zeroing in on Naruto. "What was that back there, huh? You scared the crap outta half the room."
Naruto blinked. "I did?"
"Yes," Shikamaru deadpanned. "And now nobody wants to mess with us. Which, I gotta admit, is kinda convenient."
Naruto tilted his head. "Isn't that good?"
Kiba scoffed. "Maybe, but now everyone's staring at you like you're some kinda wild animal."
"…I am a wild animal."
Silence.
Shino adjusted his glasses. Hinata fidgeted slightly.
Sasuke sighed. "Stop saying weird things."
"But it's true."
Before anyone could argue further, another voice joined the conversation.
"Yo, you guys must be rookies."
A silver-haired genin with round glasses stepped forward, hands tucked casually in his pockets. He had a friendly smile on his face, his tone light and easygoing.
Naruto blinked at him.
"And you are?" Sakura asked.
"Kabuto Yakushi," the boy introduced himself, adjusting his glasses. "I've taken the Chunin Exams before, so I figured I'd give you guys a little heads-up."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "You've taken them before?"
Kabuto chuckled. "Yeah. Seven times, actually."
Shikamaru groaned. "Man, if you've taken it seven times and still haven't passed, then doesn't that mean this exam is a total pain?"
Kabuto shrugged. "It's not just about skill. There's a lot of... other factors that make things complicated."
"Like what?" Kiba asked.
Kabuto smirked. "Like competition."
He reached into his pouch and pulled out a small deck of cards. "I've got info on all the participants in these. Want me to show you some?"
Sasuke crossed his arms. "Got anything on Gaara?"
Kabuto shuffled through his cards before pulling one out and placing it on the ground. With a small pulse of chakra, information projected into the air above it.
Sabaku no Gaara. A prodigy from the Hidden Sand. Completed multiple A-rank missions as a genin. Has never been injured in battle.
Sakura's eyes widened. "That's insane."
Shikamaru let out a low whistle. "So he's a monster, huh?"
Kabuto nodded. "Pretty much. If you run into him, I'd suggest avoiding a fight."
Naruto simply stared at the floating text, his expression unreadable.
Then—
"I was wondering," a voice interrupted. "About Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha."
Heads turned.
Rock Lee stood there, arms folded, looking as serious as ever.
Sasuke exhaled sharply through his nose. "Why do people keep asking about me?"
Kabuto chuckled, pulling out another card. "Well, you are the last Uchiha."
The card flickered, displaying information.
Sasuke Uchiha.
—Lone survivor of the Uchiha Clan.
—Rookie of the Year.
—Excelled in taijutsu and ninjutsu.
—Highly proficient in the Great Fireball Technique.
Sakura looked smug. "Of course Sasuke-kun is amazing."
Sasuke, despite himself, seemed satisfied.
Then Kabuto flipped to another card.
Naruto Uzumaki.
Naruto, who had been watching silently, narrowed his eyes slightly.
The text appeared.
—Dead last of the year.
—Academy dropout.
—Weakest chakra control.
—Overall lowest grades.
—However…
Naruto's fingers twitched.
—The Great Naruto Bridge is named after him.
—Liberated an entire country.
—Single-handedly slaughtered Gatō and his men.
Silence.
Dead, heavy silence.
The rookies stared.
Kiba's mouth was slightly open. Shikamaru had stopped leaning against the wall. Ino's brows were furrowed. Choji had stopped chewing.
Ino turned to Naruto. "Wait. You what?"
Shikamaru's eyes flickered between the projection and Naruto's blank expression.
Naruto didn't say anything.
It wasn't a secret. The bridge had his name. The villagers in the Land of Waves knew what happened. But hearing it spoken so casually, written in plain words—it made something in his stomach twist uncomfortably.
Kabuto adjusted his glasses. "That's quite the achievement."
Naruto blinked. "…I guess?"
"Hold on," Kiba cut in, brows furrowed. "You killed all of them? Alone?"
Naruto tilted his head. "Would it have been better if they killed me instead?"
More silence.
Kiba's jaw clenched. He had no response.
Lee, who had remained quiet, suddenly bowed slightly. "I see. You are strong, Naruto Uzumaki."
Naruto blinked. "Thanks?"
Before anything else could be said, smoke suddenly filled the room.
A loud voice boomed through the haze.
"SILENCE, MAGGOTS!"
The room went still.
The smoke cleared to reveal a tall, scarred man in a trench coat, his eyes sharp, his presence overwhelming.
"You're all here to take the Chunin Exams," he barked. "Well, the first phase begins—NOW!"
Conversations immediately ceased.
The rookies straightened, tension rolling back into their shoulders.
Naruto simply sighed. So much for casual talking.