18 Orochimaru the Perverted Freak

"The Chunin Exams are about to begin. When I call your name, come up and receive your certificate...Tekuno Kanden."

"Here!"

"Hayama Shirakumo."

"Here!"

"Hyūga Natsu."

"..."

"Kamida Kyōichi."

Kyōichi stepped forward and respectfully received his certificate, just like the others.

He listened closely to the names called. Hayama Shirakumo didn't surprise him, since his features were so distinct that Kyōichi immediately recognized him.

But that slightly overweight young ninja turned out to be Tekuno Kanden...that was a bit unexpected. Kyōichi remembered him, for a simple reason. Tekuno Kanden appeared frequently in the series and was one of the few, like Tenten, who incorporated ninja tools and summoning scrolls into his fighting style, eventually becoming a chūnin because of his mastery of ninja tools. This showed he had considerable skill with tools and weapons. Kyōichi couldn't help taking a closer look at him.

The other one was an elite chūnin without much fame, but...on the contrary, he posed the biggest threat to Kyōichi, based on what he sensed of the person's chakra. Kyōichi strongly suspected this person was an imposter in disguise. Orochimaru? It was very possible. That guy loved these kinds of tricks.

Kyōichi scanned the room and roughly guessed the situation of this Chunin Exam - most were capable chūnin who couldn't conveniently advance through battle achievements but met the criteria.

"The first exam will be held here. Seven people will take the written test."

The speaker was a jōnin. Kyōichi recognized him as Yūhi Kurenai's father. But this wasn't parent-teacher conferences. Kyōichi went up to receive the test paper and swiftly sat in the pre-arranged seat to start the exam.

Becoming a jōnin required a certain knowledge base. Even Naruto in the original story couldn't avoid this stage and had studied hard for it.

Glancing at the test, Kyōichi breathed a small sigh of relief.

The questions weren't too difficult or simple. Most covered battlefield tactics, formations, and relevant knowledge that experienced chūnin would know. Kyōichi couldn't claim to understand everything, but his prior knowledge plus ninja experience from watching the anime allowed him to answer most of the questions.

The others could easily answer as well. After all, Kamida Kyōichi was the youngest one here. Advancing to chūnin at 14 was quite slow, but becoming jōnin by 15 wouldn't be considered weak. He was the focus of this exam.

In fact, Kyōichi knew half of the seven participants were probably here for him. The written test was just the start.

He calmed his mind and continued the test while observing the others. Shortly after, the unknown Matsunohara submitted his test, followed by the rest. Kyōichi was last, not because he couldn't answer but simply to leave last and observe the others.

Now he basically had the answer. The two Aburame were likely from Root, covertly watching him. Hyūga Natsu seemed to be genuinely taking the exam and finished quickly.

"The second exam is very simple. There are two scrolls in the Forest of Death. The first four to collect both scrolls gain the third exam qualification."

After Kurenai announced this, he signaled them to disperse. In a flash, everyone vanished.

Kyōichi understood. The second exam tested intelligence gathering, combat, and speed. The Aburame and Hyūga had the advantage in information gathering with their skills. They posed the biggest obstacles this exam, but that wasn't all Kyōichi faced.

There was also Matsunohara. Was he really here to take the exam? When they scattered, Kyōichi noticed he ran in the same direction despite their jōnin-level sensing skills.

Oh well, it didn't matter. Finding both scrolls himself was unrealistic. He had to observe the Aburame and Hyūga who were tracking experts.

Kyōichi extended his sensing as he ran. Matsunohara still followed him. The guy was clearly an imposter, not here to advance.

Kyōichi knew exactly who he was.

Matsunohara didn't directly tail him, just followed for a bit to gauge Kyōichi's speed before falling back as Kyōichi kept within range of Aburame Tōji.

"His position is...interesting. A sensing ability?"

Matsunohara licked his lips excitedly.

The Senju were so enviable!

Soon after, Toji found a scroll and rushed toward the other scroll's location, clearly guided by his insects.

Just as Kyōichi moved to follow, a swoosh sounded as Matsunohara in his green flak jacket landed before him, speaking in a slightly hoarse voice, "Kamida Kyōichi, there are only four places in the next exam. Do you think you can get one?"

"...?"

That perverted freak Orochimaru. Kyōichi cursed inwardly.

"Heh heh, I'm not interested in the scrolls, but I'm very interested in you. If you can beat me, I may be able to get you a scroll."

At this, Matsunohara couldn't help licking his lips again.

That voice and conduct left no doubt it was Orochimaru.

"I'm not interested in you."

Kyōichi was unsurprised. He had suspected Matsunohara was Orochimaru since the first exam, knowing Jiraiya was away negotiating with Suna while Orochimaru must have returned to the village.

"Then I'll have to force you."

Matsunohara smiled. In a flash, he appeared at Kyōichi's side, kunai drawn. But the Kyōichi before him turned into scattered fragments - the Substitution Jutsu? No. An extremely swift Body Flicker!

Matsunohara grew even more excited. He summoned a large snake to land before Kyōichi, who didn't hesitate to form seals and spew a jet of water from his mouth.

"Water Release: Severing Wave!"

The piercing water bullets bisected the snake and even changed trajectory toward the "Matsunohara" behind.

Matsunohara didn't expect Kyōichi to use such a powerful jutsu. But when the water jet passed through him, his body melted into mud. An earth clone! As expected of a Sannin, minimizing damage with the least cost.

Kyōichi wasn't surprised and swiftly moved to follow Tōji. Orochimaru was like chewing gum - impossible to beat and pointlessly sticky. No need to bother with him. The priority was getting a scroll and securing a place.

Plus, identifying enemies, completing missions - that was a jōnin's job. Complaining would be useless.

But Orochimaru was intrigued. He had only wanted to test Kyōichi's abilities and see if the awakened Senju constitution was real. But he found...Kyōichi's strength far exceeded his expectations.

What other surprises might he have?

(Chapter end)