A few days later—
Forest of Death, Central Tower.
Kakashi stood outside the tower together with the other jōnin instructors. Kurenai, Asuma, and Guy were all present.
"The second exam is almost over," Kurenai said as she glanced toward the tower. "I wonder how many teams will make it through."
"Probably not many," Asuma replied, a cigarette hanging from his mouth. "The Forest of Death isn't something rookies can just breeze through."
"My students will definitely pass!" Guy declared confidently, flashing a brilliant smile. "Youth is invincible!"
Kakashi waited quietly.
Just then, the massive doors of the tower creaked open. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura walked out together.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto shouted, waving enthusiastically.
"Yo," Kakashi replied lazily.
The three hurried over.
"Sensei! We finished early!" Naruto said proudly. "We got both scrolls on the second day!"
"Oh?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Let's hear it."
"We beat an Otogakure team!" Naruto said excitedly. "They were super arrogant and tried to steal our scrolls."
"And in the end, I took them down!"
"You idiot, it was teamwork," Sasuke said coolly. "Not just you."
"I know that! You stuck-up Sasuke!" Naruto snapped back.
Kakashi chuckled softly.
"Looks like you've recovered well."
"Of course!" Naruto clenched his fist. "I'm the man who's going to become Hokage!"
At that moment, Kurenai walked over.
"Kakashi, your students are impressive," she said warmly.
"Finishing the exam on the second day—that's no small feat."
"Just good fortune," Kakashi replied casually.
"It wasn't luck!" Naruto protested. "That was pure strength!"
Kurenai smiled. "They're full of energy."
Guy strode over as well.
"Kakashi! My students passed too!"
"And on the third day!"
"Oh?" Kakashi nodded. "Congratulations."
"Hahaha! Long live youth!" Guy gave a thumbs-up.
Asuma soon joined them. "Mine passed as well—on the fourth day."
"Looks like this year's candidates are all pretty solid."
The group chatted for a while as the second exam officially came to an end.
---
All teams that passed gathered inside the tower hall.
As the examinees waited, a figure suddenly appeared on the high platform, dressed in Hokage robes and wearing the Hokage hat.
"The Hokage!"
"It's the Third Hokage himself!"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
Hiruzen Sarutobi removed his hat, revealing an aged yet dignified face.
"First of all, congratulations to all of you for passing the second stage of the Chūnin Exams."
His gaze swept across the room.
"Those who have made it this far are all outstanding shinobi."
"But—"
He paused.
"The number of candidates who passed has exceeded expectations."
"Therefore, before the third official exam, we will hold a preliminary round."
"What?!"
The hall erupted.
"A preliminary round?"
"There's another test?!"
Hiruzen nodded calmly.
"The Chūnin Exams are not only an evaluation—they are a stage for villages to display their strength."
"One month from now, the third round will be observed by daimyō and nobles from many countries."
"If there are too many participants, it diminishes the quality of the event."
"So—"
He looked at everyone.
"The preliminary round will be one-on-one elimination matches."
"Only the winners will advance to the third round."
"Losers will be eliminated."
"Does anyone wish to withdraw now?"
Silence filled the hall.
Then a voice spoke up.
"Um… I'd like to withdraw."
Everyone turned to look.
A silver-haired young man wearing glasses raised his hand—it was Yakushi Kabuto.
"Kabuto?!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Why?" Sakura asked in surprise.
Kabuto adjusted his glasses and smiled gently.
"Sorry. I was injured in the Forest of Death."
"Although I received treatment, I expended too much chakra."
"In my current condition, I can't handle high-intensity combat."
"Rather than forcing myself into the preliminaries, I think it's better to withdraw voluntarily."
Hiruzen nodded. "I understand."
"Yakushi Kabuto, you are officially withdrawn from the preliminary round."
Kabuto smiled, walking toward the exit. As he passed Team 7, he nodded politely.
"Good luck."
"Kabuto…" Naruto looked disappointed. "That's such a waste."
"Yeah," Sakura said softly. "He was such a good person… and he helped us, too."
Sasuke frowned slightly. Something about it didn't feel right.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes as he watched Kabuto leave.
As expected… Kabuto withdrew on his own.
Orochimaru's spy, hidden within Konoha.
Withdrawing now means he has other tasks—or he doesn't want to expose his true strength.
Kakashi's gaze followed Kabuto's retreating back.
Should I capture him?
Not now.
Too many people. And the Third is here.
After the preliminaries end, I'll find a secluded opportunity.
As long as no one notices, there won't be any issues.
Capturing Orochimaru's spy might even trigger a system reward.
Kakashi made his decision.
That's the plan.
He glanced at the system interface.
[Current System Points: 1300]
If capturing Kabuto gives enough points, I should be able to reach 2000…
Then I can buy the Bloodline Awakening Potion.
He closed the interface and refocused on the arena.
---
Hiruzen looked at the remaining candidates.
"Anyone else wish to withdraw?"
No one answered.
"Very well," he said with satisfaction. "Then the proctor for the preliminary round—"
He turned to the side.
"Gekkō Hayate."
A thin, pale man stepped forward, coughing lightly.
"Cough cough… I am Gekkō Hayate," he said. "I will serve as the referee."
"The rules are simple."
"One-on-one combat until your opponent surrenders or loses the ability to fight."
"If I judge the outcome to be decided, I will stop the match immediately."
"Is that understood?"
"Understood!" the candidates replied.
"Then…" Hayate pointed at the electronic screen.
"Let the random matchups begin."
The screen scrolled rapidly as everyone held their breath.
On the high platform, Hiruzen observed quietly, his gaze lingering on Team 7.
Naruto… you've grown.
The screen stopped.
First Match:
Uchiha Sasuke VS Kurogane
"Sasuke!" Naruto shouted excitedly. "You're up first!"
Sasuke stepped into the arena, expression cold. Across from him, an Otogakure ninja with a head covering stepped forward—Kurogane.
Hayate stood between them.
"Cough cough… The rules have already been explained."
"Fight until one side surrenders or loses the ability to continue."
"Understood?"
"Understood," both replied.
"Then—"
Hayate leapt back.
"Preliminary round, first match—begin!"
The instant the match started, Kurogane charged forward.
"I'll drain all your chakra!"
He reached for Sasuke.
Sasuke smirked.
"Too slow."
Lightning Release: Cell Activation!
Zzzzzzt!
Blue-white lightning surged over his body, and his speed exploded.
In a flash, Sasuke appeared behind Kurogane.
"What?!" Kurogane gasped.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!
A massive fireball roared forward. Kurogane barely dodged—but Sasuke was already moving again.
Lightning Release: Earth Flow!
Lightning raced across the ground and struck Kurogane's legs.
"AAAAH!"
His body went numb instantly.
"It's over."
Sasuke dashed in and drove a lightning-charged elbow into Kurogane's abdomen.
BANG!
Kurogane spat blood and was launched into the wall, collapsing unconscious.
The entire hall fell silent.
"So strong…"
"That speed—"
"An overwhelming victory!"
On the platform, admiration flickered in Hiruzen's eyes.
"An Uchiha indeed… impressive."
"And that technique… Kakashi's Lightning Release, isn't it?"
He looked toward Kakashi.
"You've taught him well."
Kakashi nodded faintly.
"Not bad. Good coordination between Lightning Release and close combat."
"And he knew to hold back—no Chidori."
Guy stared in amazement.
"Kakashi, your student is outstanding!"
"He's decent," Kakashi replied calmly.
Hayate checked Kurogane's condition.
"Cough cough… Unable to continue."
"The winner—Uchiha Sasuke!"
"Sasuke! Nice!" Naruto shouted.
Sasuke returned to the stands, expression cool—though a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
The electronic screen began scrolling once more.