The second stage of the Chunin Exams — the Number Plate Scramble Battle — wrapped up right on schedule.
But the number of candidates who passed was way lower than anyone expected.
The biggest reason? One absurdly overpowered monster had shown up: Nara Shikage.
Some people had already guessed he was strong after the written test.
His actual performance, though, left quite a few Konoha examiners genuinely stunned.
This wasn't even a question of whether he qualified as chunin anymore.
The potential he displayed screamed "next Uchiha Itachi."
Unlike the unease that came with Itachi's overwhelming power, though, what everyone felt was mostly excitement and anticipation.
After all, the Nara clan wasn't the Uchiha clan.
The former had an excellent reputation in the village, while the latter was basically notorious.
If he kept growing, Nara Shikage could very well become the next Minato Namikaze.
As for Shikage killing fellow Konoha shinobi during the exam… nobody batted an eye.
This was the Chunin Exam. Death was everywhere.
Who died, when, where, and at whose hands — none of it was surprising.
While the Konoha shinobi were thrilled, the faces from the other villages were much less cheerful.
Especially the Rain jonin leading their team — his expression was dark as a thundercloud.
The Takigakure and Kusagakure teams looked completely indifferent, faces blank.
The Sunagakure jonin leader kept a calm face too, but a hint of worry and wariness flickered between her brows.
Then, as if remembering something, her tightly knitted brows relaxed. Her red lips moved slightly as she murmured to herself.
"Nara Shikage… he should be almost thirteen now…"
...
Meanwhile, back at the exam site.
After the second stage ended, the qualified candidates gathered in the waiting room, getting ready for the next test.
Because of how coldly ruthless he had been inside the Forest of Death, no Konoha shinobi crowded around Shikage like before.
Even Hana Inuzuka was quietly squatting in a corner, head lowered so no one could see her face.
As for Natsu Hyūga… unfortunately, because Shikage had accidentally killed her assigned target, she hadn't gathered enough points.
Shikage felt zero regret for what he'd done.
He just wanted to know when this whole Chunin Exam circus would finally end.
After a long wait, the examiner for the third — and final — stage finally arrived.
He swept an emotionless gaze across the candidates and calmly explained the rules.
"The third exam starts now."
"The rules are simple: one-on-one matches by lottery draw."
"Fight until a winner emerges."
"Final rankings will decide whether you qualify to become chunin."
The moment he finished speaking, the room fell into dead silence.
Every candidate except Shikage looked terrified.
They all knew they stood zero chance against Nara Shikage.
If they drew him, defeat was guaranteed!
Failing the exam would've been one thing.
The real problem was that the guy had no restraint.
Other people were satisfied just stealing their target's plate in the scramble.
Shikage straight-up killed people!
What if he went for the kill during their match?
Just thinking about it made ninety percent of the candidates go pale, cold sweat pouring down.
And so the third exam produced an extremely bizarre scene.
Anyone who drew Shikage immediately raised their hand and surrendered the instant the examiner started the match.
Without exception!
In less than five minutes, the first-place finisher of the third exam had already been decided.
Shikage didn't particularly care. Easier was always better.
Yawning, he headed to the spectator seats and was immediately surrounded by a bunch of excited kids.
Whenever the mood struck him, he'd explain the finer details of the contestants' techniques to Naruto and the others.
Second place… third place…
Soon, every ranking was set.
The moment he returned to the waiting room, Shikage noticed every candidate staring at him with strange looks.
—What's with you guys?
He blinked and turned to the somewhat awkward examiner beside him.
Even the examiner had been surprised when he received the order.
But it was a direct command from the Third Hokage, so he cleared his throat and explained,
"For the third exam, there will only be one person eliminated."
"And that person is the candidate who ranked first."
Shikage tilted his head, then spread his hands casually.
"Alright then. I'm leaving."
The other candidates had been a little excited at first, but watching Shikage turn and walk away without a care suddenly made their lives feel meaningless.
Not only were the candidates stunned — this absurd result left everyone watching the Chunin Exams speechless.
The strongest candidate had become the only one eliminated.
Such a ridiculous outcome was unprecedented in history!
No matter how much the outside world discussed it, Shikage himself truly didn't care.
He headed straight to the Hokage Building. After explaining the situation to the guards, he waited bored in the hallway.
A few minutes later, the door to the Hokage's office slowly opened.
A long, toned leg wrapped in tight combat shorts stepped out first. The fabric clung perfectly, tracing smooth yet sharp lines from knee upward.
The moment her toes touched the ground, the heel clicked crisply against the stone floor.
Then the other leg followed. As her legs crossed, her rear formed a beautiful, perfect curve.
Noticing someone present, she didn't leave immediately. She simply turned slightly to the side.
Her long legs shifted casually, weight resting on the back leg. The pose was incredibly sharp and confident, yet carried an icy "don't approach" aura.
"Nara… Shikage?"
Shikage pulled his gaze away from the alluring curve of her waist and hips. A smile tugged at his lips as he looked up, eyes briefly brushing across the full swell of her chest.
"Pakura jonin. I've heard a lot about you."
"You know me?"
Pakura raised a delicate eyebrow, her tone softening just a touch.
"Hero of Sunagakure."
Hearing that, her smile didn't reach her eyes — that was the title she was proudest of. The corner of her lips curved up, voice slightly husky.
"Thank you for helping Maki."
"I'll remember this favor. If you ever need anything in Sunagakure, come find me."
Shikage nodded, attitude neither humble nor arrogant.
"Will do."
There wasn't much else to talk about, so the conversation ended quickly.
Before turning to leave, Pakura took one last glance at Shikage's handsome face. Her eyes showed growing appreciation and a touch of regret.
The only shame was that he wasn't from Sunagakure.
Shikage blinked, taking another appreciative look at the exposed, elegant lines of Pakura's back. The deep spinal groove, the carved ridges of her erector spinae muscles — smooth as flowing water, soft yet firm.
Truly deserving of the title "Hokage's Number One Beautiful Back."
Shikage smiled and nodded, then lightly knocked on the office door.
After receiving permission, he pushed it open and respectfully greeted Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Hokage-sama, I have completed the Anbu entrance mission."
Hiruzen tapped the ash from his pipe, his expression warm. The old wrinkles on his face smoothed out with genuine pleasure.
"You did very well, Shikage."
"Even better than I imagined!"