Chapter 24: The Chunin Exams
Chapter 24: The Chunin Exams
Kakashi Hatake's thoughts were unknown to Feng Ye.
All he knew was that Kakashi had returned and paused at the door. After hearing the noises from inside, it seemed like he didn't want to deal with Kurenai Yuhi and the others, so he left.
Even if Feng Ye knew Kakashi's thoughts, he would have found them far-fetched. After all, he was only nine years old. Were they thinking too far ahead?!
...
After seeing Kurenai and Nohara Rin off, Feng Ye returned to his training.
There were only three days left until the Chunin Exams. It was impossible to improve his Hatake clan's swordsmanship to the second stage or develop the A-rank Chidori ninjutsu in such a short time. The only thing he could hope to improve was the third gate of the Eight Inner Gates, the Life Gate.
"If I can open the third gate of the Eight Inner Gates, even without using time acceleration, I should be able to easily crush the Chunin Exams."
Feng Ye made his assessment.
Time flew by.
As the sun set, Feng Ye spent the last day before the Chunin Exams.
"Whoosh."
Gazing at the setting sun, Feng Ye stretched his body and stopped his training.
That was about it.
Tomorrow was the Chunin Exams, and it would be his first mission as a ninja. He recalled a line, how did it go again... Ah yes, "ready perfectly" - perfectly prepared! Feng Ye clenched his fist and smiled.
After packing his things, he made his way home. He did not use time acceleration again. After dinner, he slept until the next morning.
Kakashi was not at home and seemed to have left early. Feng Ye didn't mind. After breakfast, he made his way to the Chunin Exams venue.
At this moment.
The classroom for the Chunin Exams was already filled with people.
A rough calculation estimated about sixty people, most of whom were Konoha ninjas, with only about ten from other ninja villages.
Feng Ye only glanced at the Konoha ninjas and paid little attention to them. His gaze focused on the ninjas from the Hidden Cloud and Mist villages.
"Hmm?"
When his gaze fell on the Mist ninja, Feng Ye was slightly surprised because he recognized one of the three Mist ninja team members.
If he wasn't mistaken, the person should be—
Kisame Hoshigaki!
One of the future Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and a member of the Akatsuki organization, Itachi's partner.
However, Kisame should only be around ten years old at this time.
Seeming to sense Feng Ye's gaze, Kisame turned his head and met Feng Ye's eyes. A pair of eyes like a shark's gave off a chilling aura.
"Kisame Hoshigaki in his younger days, I wonder how strong he is."
Feng Ye muttered to himself after staring at Kisame for a second before shifting his gaze back to the ninjas from the Cloud and other villages.
He didn't recognize any of the Cloud ninja genin, nor did he have any impression of those from the Grass and Rain villages, including the other two genin from the Mist village.
As Feng Ye observed the other ninjas, he also attracted some attention.
"Who's that guy?"
"Silver hair... Is that Hatake Kakashi?"
Some Konoha ninjas whispered as they looked at Feng Ye.
Kakashi, who graduated at the age of five and became a Chunin at six, was almost a household name in Konoha. Feng Ye's resemblance to Kakashi in both hair and figure immediately drew a lot of attention.
"No."
Someone who knew Feng Ye shook their head. "That's not Kakashi. He's called Feng Ye, Kakashi's older brother. He's nowhere near Kakashi's level."
"Seems like it."
Someone snickered, "He doesn't seem very talented, but he's got guts to come to the Chunin Exams alone. That's bold."
This was Feng Ye's third time taking the Chunin Exams. He still remembered how he had almost been eliminated during his first attempt.
The Chunin Exams were far more challenging than the graduation exams at the Ninja Academy; they were on a whole other level!
"Hatake Feng Ye? He's not from the Hyuga or Uchiha clans."
"Probably just a weakling."
Two genin from the Mist Village overheard the conversation and glanced in Feng Ye's direction.
Their leading jonin had instructed them to be wary only of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans, as the Sharingan and Byakugan possessed formidable powers that demanded their respect. Aside from those two clans, they didn't feel particularly threatened by anyone else.
"He might not be a weakling," Kisame Hoshigaki said, revealing a set of sharp teeth like a shark's. His eyes, also like a shark's, assessed Feng Ye as he continued, "He noticed me as soon as he walked in. He must have some skills."
"Oh?"
The Mist ninja beside him narrowed his eyes and smiled coldly, "Some skill would be good. Otherwise, this exam would be too boring."
Just then, a group of ninjas entered the room.
Leading them was a jonin from Konoha.
"Quiet!"
Inoichi Yamanaka's voice boomed through the classroom, and an oppressive aura unique to jonin filled the room, causing the chattering ninjas to fall silent almost instantly.
"I am Inoichi Yamanaka, the proctor for the first exam. Please submit your personal information forms in order, then collect your number plates and take your assigned seats. The test papers will be distributed shortly."
Leaning against the wall by the door, Feng Ye glanced at Inoichi.
If he remembered correctly, this man was Ino's father and one of the legendary 'Ino-Shika-Cho' trio from the older generation. Konoha seemed to be taking these Chunin Exams very seriously, assigning jonin-level proctors instead of special jonin.
Soon enough, Feng Ye received his number plate and made his way to his assigned seat.
His mission for this exam was to target the Mist and Cloud ninjas and try to eliminate them. Thus, he had already obtained information about the exam's content the day before.
The exam was almost identical to the one taken by the 'Konoha Twelve'—a written test to assess intelligence, without the infamous tenth question; the second stage in the Forest of Death, where they would have to retrieve the Heaven and Earth scrolls; and finally, a one-on-one battle.
The test papers were distributed quickly.
Rustle, rustle, rustle!
Feng Ye swiftly filled out the answers as soon as he received his paper.
Having prior knowledge of the exam content, Feng Ye found it almost too easy. Before entering the classroom, he had even created a shadow clone that used Transformation Jutsu to disguise itself as one of the proctoring chunin. This clone had then casually walked into the room alongside the other proctors.
Furthermore, Feng Ye could answer most of the questions himself, so he didn't even need to cheat. In no time at all, he had completed the test.
"You're done already?"
Inoichi raised an eyebrow as he met Feng Ye's gaze when he came to collect the test paper. He quickly scanned the answers and, finding no issues, nodded, "Very well, you've passed."
(End of Chapter)
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