Chapter 124: Are You Here to Fish?
"Wait."
Kotetsu Hagane, preparing to pursue Yakushi Kabuto further, was pulled back by Izumo Kamizuki.
"What's wrong... ugh!"
Following Izumo's gaze, Kotetsu noticed Haruko and the group of three watching the show on the side.
Their expressions were as if they had seen right through the two men's Transformation Jutsu.
"Yo, are you two here to guard the gate today?" Haruko raised his hand in greeting.
—Confirmed, they were recognized.
"Cough... Yun, Haruko. What are you doing here?"
Being caught bullying a junior by an acquaintance made Kotetsu so embarrassed he wanted to dig a hole and hide.
"Here to sign up for the exam. What else?"
"You? Taking the Chunin Exams?" Izumo felt like he had heard the world's biggest joke. "Last time at the border, you were..."
"Shh—I'm a fragile examinee now." Haruko held a finger to his lips. "Just tell me, am I a Genin or not!"
The two rolled their eyes in unison, the "one man can hold the pass" aura they had just built instantly collapsing.
"You're even more outrageous than us..."
"Sigh, forget it, let's go."
The two dispelled their illusion technique, pushed through the crowd, and slipped away without looking back.
"Who's that? It seems like they know those two?"
"Is that the clerk from the Ichiraku Ramen Shop? Legend says that guy can blow up a building with one punch..."
"What the hell? That rumor is way too ridiculous..."
Ignoring the whispers behind him, Haruko led Izumi and Hana upstairs.
...
A few days later, in the evening, Anko pushed open the door of the Ichiraku Ramen Shop.
"Haruko!" Her voice was tinged with excitement. "Tomorrow is the Chunin Exams, I'm here to cheer you on!"
Haruko was leaning on the counter, slacking off, and responded half-heartedly: "Oh, thanks."
"What's with that? So cold."
Anko sat down at the counter, propped her elbows on the surface, and leaned forward, the fishnet bodysuit she was wearing making her quite a sight.
"I came all the way here to cheer you on, be a little happier for me."
"Thank you, Anko-sensei, I'm so happy." Haruko said, enunciating every word, making the veins on Anko's forehead pop.
"Let me guess... you want me to look after Ichi and the others?"
"Ugh! Ah, haha... can you?" Caught in his intent, Anko still shamelessly requested.
"No." Haruko refused flatly. "I'm going to take the exam, not to be a babysitter."
"You don't need to do much." Anko reached out and hooked her arm around Haruko's neck, leaning in close to whisper, "If... I'm saying if, it really comes to a life-or-death situation, just give them a hand. They're my subordinates, and your former teammates too, yeah?"
Haruko sighed: "Fine, as long as they don't go looking for death themselves, I'll try to keep them alive. As for the rest, they have to fight for it themselves."
"I knew asking you was the right choice!" Anko rubbed her cheek against his, "Then I'll leave it to you."
Not long after Anko left, a figure in a maid outfit walked in.
"Mr. Haruko."
Hyuga Natsu placed an exquisite food box on the counter.
"Miss Natsu?" Natsu's visit surprised Haruko. He looked at the food box, "Are you here to take out some food?"
"Um, actually... it's the young mistress who asked me to bring this to you."
Natsu took an amulet from her bosom and handed it to Haruko.
"This was sewn by the young mistress herself. She said... she hopes you do well in the Chunin Exams."
Although the workmanship wasn't exquisite, one could tell it was made with great care.
'That girl, she probably pricked her fingers quite a few times.'
Haruko couldn't help but curl his lips upward.
"And this... it's a return gift for the desserts you've been giving us."
Natsu opened the food box and took out the contents—it was a few pieces of crystal-clear yokan.
"I made this myself... I wish you success in the exam."
Looking at Natsu's expectant and nervous eyes, Haruko picked up a piece and put it in his mouth.
"The sweetness is just right, thank you."
"I'm glad you like it." Natsu's face flushed slightly. "Then I'll be going."
She left this sentence and hurried away with the empty food box.
No one noticed Kaede, hiding behind the kitchen door and witnessing the whole thing, with a sharp glint in her eyes.
...
The next day, Ninja Academy Room 301.
Genin from various villages gathered in groups, exchanging glares, the air thick with gunpowder.
Haruko sat in his seat, scanning his surroundings.
'Found them.'
Those Kusagakure Ninjas who had caused trouble in the shop, except for their leading instructor who wasn't there, the remaining three were gathered together discussing something, completely unaware that their death was imminent.
'You guys better pass this first round...'
Besides those unlucky ones, Haruko also saw a few acquaintances.
Atsui, the young man from Kumogakure, was arguing with people from other villages.
Maki from Hidden Sand Village was sitting in her seat, eyes closed, resting.
And that gray-haired man with glasses was sitting in the corner, scribbling furiously on a small card.
...
As the proctor Ibiki took the stage and finished reading the exam rules, the Chunin Exams officially began.
'Heh, as expected, it's this kind of "discouragement" question.'
After getting the test paper, Haruko scanned the questions and couldn't be bothered to look again.
The written part of the Chunin Exams was never about the questions on the paper, but using the questions to test other Ninja skills—observation, psychological quality, and information gathering ability.
He symbolically copied one question, then threw his pen away and laid on the table to "fall asleep."
The Chunin proctor monitoring the exam twitched, wanting to throw this arrogant guy out several times, but seeing Ibiki had no reaction, could only grit his teeth and endure.
Time ticked by, second by second.
Some were cheating, some were lost, some were on the verge of a Spiritual breakdown.
Finally, the last moment arrived.
"Alright, stop writing!"
Ibiki slapped the table hard, the loud sound startling many examinees.
Haruko also reluctantly sat up straight.
"Now, I will present the tenth question."
"The tenth question. The three-man squad must engage in civil war and compete for the tenth question." His voice suddenly became heavy. "One of them must be eliminated and remain a Genin for the rest of their life."
The exam hall instantly exploded.
Some questioned, some were angry.
"This is unfair!"
"Why sacrifice one person!"
Ibiki looked at them coldly.
"I am the rule. Giving up on the exam and coming back next year is also an option."
Haruko suddenly realized, he had heard of this test question.
In the original work, Ibiki Morino's brother, Idate Morino, fell for this question.
That time, everyone who chose to stay was eliminated.
'But giving up will also result in elimination... so what is the correct answer...'
Examinees with fragile psychological defenses began to waver.
One hand after another went up, choosing to give up.
Every time a group left, the atmosphere in the classroom became heavier.
Haruko glanced at those Kusagakure Ninjas.
Those guys had cold sweat streaming down their foreheads, obviously hesitating whether to leave.
'This won't do!... Sorry Ibiki, let's end the first round here.'
Bang!
With a loud noise, it interrupted Ibiki's pressure.
Haruko slapped his hand on the table and slowly stood up.
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