The dango shop was noisy, filled with the low hum of conversation, the occasional clatter of plates, and the warm scent of sweet dumplings and tea. The jōnin had gathered, as they always did during the Chūnin Exams, to exchange thoughts, make bets, and engage in the kind of casual camaraderie only seasoned shinobi could afford.
Asuma took a slow drag from his cigarette, exhaling a thin wisp of smoke before speaking. "So," he said, glancing around the table, "who do we think is making it to the finals?"
Kurenai sipped her tea thoughtfully. "The usual standouts are there. Sasuke Uchiha, obviously."
"Obviously," Kakashi echoed, his eye crinkling in amusement.
"That Gaara kid from Suna is terrifying," Anko muttered, stabbing her dango with unnecessary force. "I watched him in the Forest of Death. He didn't even move when his team was attacked. His sand did all the work for him. He didn't even blink."
Gai folded his arms. "I am confident in my student's abilities as well. Lee has trained endlessly for this moment! His flames of youth will burn brightly!"
"You're assuming he doesn't get crushed in the first round," Anko said dryly.
"My student will not lose so easily!"
"Didn't he challenge an Uchiha and get wrecked?"
"That was but a stepping stone on his journey to greatness!"
Asuma rolled his eyes. "Alright, alright. We all know who's strong, but let's talk bets. I'll put 500 ryo on Shikamaru getting through the first round by some ridiculous trickery."
"That lazy brat?" Anko snorted. "Fine. 500 says he forfeits just because he doesn't feel like fighting."
"I'll take that bet," Kurenai said with a small smirk. "I think he's going to surprise you."
"Surprise us by quitting faster than expected?"
"No, by actually trying."
The table chuckled.
"Alright, Kakashi," Asuma said, tilting his head. "What about your team? You've got two strong contenders. Uchiha and Uzumaki."
The air shifted slightly.
"That's true," Kurenai mused. "Sasuke is a given. But Naruto..."
Anko clicked her tongue. "That kid is something else."
"Oh?" Kakashi's voice was light, but his eye sharpened.
"Don't play dumb," Anko said. "You saw what he did in the Forest of Death. That's not normal."
"Nothing about Naruto is normal," Kakashi admitted. "But that doesn't mean he'll win."
Asuma tapped his cigarette against the ashtray. "I heard about what he did at the bridge."
The table went quiet.
"We all did," Kurenai said.
"A single genin taking down an entire crime syndicate?" Anko leaned forward, her grin sharp. "You're telling me that's normal?"
Kakashi didn't answer immediately.
"He's unpredictable," he finally said. "That alone makes him dangerous."
"So, do you think he'll win?" Gai asked.
Kakashi considered it. "I think he doesn't care about winning."
The table exchanged glances.
"What do you mean?" Kurenai asked.
"Naruto doesn't fight for status," Kakashi said simply. "He fights like it's survival. Like it's instinct. Like an animal."
Asuma frowned. "That's an unsettling way to put it."
"It's accurate," Anko muttered. "I saw it too. That kid doesn't move like a shinobi. He moves like something wild that just happens to be wearing a headband."
The table was silent for a moment.
Then, Asuma exhaled. "Alright. Fine. Let's bet. 1000 ryo says he makes it to the finals."
"I'll raise that to 1500," Anko said. "He's going to break someone before this is over."
"5000 says he doesn't even get hurt," Gai said suddenly.
Everyone looked at him.
"What?" Anko scoffed. "No way."
"Have you seen the way he moves?" Gai's expression was serious. "I don't think anyone will be able to touch him."
"I'll take that bet," Asuma said, smirking. "No way a kid gets through the exams without a scratch."
"And you, Kakashi?" Kurenai asked. "Are you betting on your own student?"
Kakashi tilted his head, thinking.
"I think I'll just watch," he said finally. "Naruto's full of surprises."
The table groaned.
"Come on, you coward," Anko said. "Put some money down."
"Fine, fine," Kakashi sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "1000 ryo says he does something that makes everyone rethink how these exams work."
"That's a vague bet," Kurenai pointed out.
"Have you met Naruto?"
Fair point.
As the bets were finalized and the drinks continued to flow, the jōnin couldn't help but feel that, no matter what, these exams were going to be interesting.